Are These the Bandits you're Looking for?

9/26

The party awakens early in the morning to give their statements: In the inquisition are a priest of St Cuthbert and of Moradin, 2 guild representatives (Frank, the Raven’s defense barrister and Durin, the Silver Sword's barrister), and 2 guards.
During the inverviews, nobody mentions that they burned down part of the forest.

Squishy says "We looked for the bandit leader. The bandits had harassed some of the party. We found bandit camp. Only one bandit returned while we were there. We convinced him through deception that we were his allies. We found a few traps in woods. There is also a treetop lookout that can see all the way to the Keep."
Frank: How did you know they were bandits? Is there any evidence? "The bandits admitted to being bandits."
Priest of Moradin: What are you doing here, mind-flayer?  "I’m an outcast from my own society."
Priest of St. Cuthbert: And why were you outcast? What was your crime?  "My crime is not of your concern."

Mary: "We heard about the bandits on the job board."
Durin: How did you enlist the Silver Sword mercenaries?  "Squishy paid them. He found a necklace worth a lot."

Jak: "We left to capture these bandits and clear my friend’s name. We were attacked before by them along the road."
Guard: And how exactly did you manage to bring them in so easily where others have failed? "We claimed WE were the scouting party for the bandits." [why would bandits need a scouting party?] "We also know the bandits have been in the city."
How did you manage to freeze them when we found you?  "I wasn’t the one to freeze people in place" [The priests whisper a bit to themselves. Who did then? Miscasting doesn’t have that effect, does it?]
Do you know who else preyed victim to them men?  "I don’t know of who was robbed recently."

The party is released as the trial continues into the day. Squishy goes off to study. He's found at least half the info he seeks on psionic research. He finds the butcher later to get a brain. Afterwards he sells the extra stuff he managed to get on the journey.

Jak gets the 500 gp reward from the Silver Sword guild for bringing in Bachas. The other 500 gp is posted from the guard, but will be decided after the official verdict. The reward is split 60/40 between Squishy & the rest of the party. The government always works slower when it has to give out money. Jak asks about the elf that has been lost for some time in the area.

Mary goes hunting.

The rest of the day is spent lounging. [Elf is followed by the Raven Robbers guild.]

The Band of Bachas

9/25   a Tuesday

Squishy casts a 24-hour charm person on Mel again. They leave the horse tied up at the camp. Mel is reluctant to leave the area without a lookout. They tell him that someone is already watching from the tree. They journey along the southerly trail skirting the mountainside. Several hours pass along the cumbersome landslides and forested foothills as the trail curves around to the east. A glint of something catches their attention. Off the trail sits a short stack of gold on a tree stump. The stump is surrounded on all sides by a seven foot pit. Two of the guards are tempted to grab it. Mel grins, “Watch this..." he gleefully whispers. "No, go ahead. Try to take it.” Squishy‘s voice echoes in their heads, “it’s a baaaaad idea.” They decide not to try. They’re already getting paid enough.

The party comes up to the bandits near the edge of the forest. Squishy charms the lieutenant (Tourven), one of the bandit guards, and the bandit leader (Bachas). Elf detects magic and discovers the potion on Squishy. After a long talk, Elf and Jak manage to convince Bachas to come back to the town with them.

The conversation reveals that the bandits encountered a priest of Erythnul, who asked them to do something for him. They were awaiting further information from their superiors when the party found them. Jak convinces Bachas that they have a safe place just outside of town. [Since they were still awaiting word from the Raven Robbers Guild, Tourven stays to receive a message. Bachas has been making the guild sign to all the members of the party. Since nobody gives the response gesture, he is convinced that the party has no guild members.]

The party accompanies Bachas & 3 bandits to town. Elf breaks off and goes to get the guards. Jak & Bachas talk a little more. He seems relaxed yet eager to know more about the party. [Bachas is trying to learn about how the group got involved with the bandits.] Elf arrives in town and tells the guards they’ve captured Bachas. They need an escort to bring him in. One of the Raven's guild members overhears Elf’s report and raises the alarm to the guild.

Squishy remains his humbug self trailing behind the party. At the sound of approaching horses, Squishy uses his Mind Blast on everyone in front of him. One bandit makes a weak effort to defend himself, expecting a party of allies to back him. He throws a spear that almost knocks Elf from his horse. Elf returns a magic missile at a bandit. Everyone else refuses to put up a fight against the fifteen guards. With bandits bound, the troop leads everyone back to the castle for statements.

As they are led away, Squishy overhears that some guards are missing. Jak also hears that they are still waiting for guards to return. Jak talks to his fellow apprentices & Master Erol Flintstead. Mary talks to the guards to learn that her drills will be on Saturday (4 days from now).

Spies, Spiders, and Scoundrels

9/24

[The mounted guards return to the keep.]

The party wakes up and decides to skirt the trees until they reach the river. This is where Elf & Jak were ambushed a few weeks ago. They pass 4 farmers pushing 2 carts of cabbages, carrots, and radishes. Some of the farmers are skittish around the party. They say they don’t know anything about the bandits. The mercenaries buy a few vegetables as they pass. The party reaches the river area where Squishy soaks for an hour.

Mary can hear a few birds take off deeper in the forest. [Birds are scared off as the watch is changed on the lookout tree near the bandit camp.] The party decides to cut into the forest. Several small trails are in the area. Jak hears a horse in the distant northwest. Squishy spots a piece of meat hanging from a rope to the northeast. [5’ deep pit trap] Jak shoots the meat and it swings on the rope. Nothing happens and the party continues north to find a well-worn west-east trail stretching along the foot of the mountains. Elf hears some commotion to the west [where the remaining bandits have spotted the party and are getting ready to leave.] Squishy & Solaera spot a low rope across the path. Taylor follows the rope to some scraps of metal. There is a small landslide of rocks along the path to the east. [The bandits use this as a distraction to draw people away.] Elf throws two rocks at the cans to see what happens. A bandit cries out and a few horses can be heard riding off.

Bandit Camp:

The Erythnul Priest came through the other day. He suspects that his cover has been blown and cannot safely stay within the Keep. By chance, he is ambushed by the bandits on his way back to report his progress. He makes them a lucrative offer: watch the Keep and report everything that they see to him. The bandits have gone to Forge Valley to sell the skins and find out what they can about the Erythnul priest.
Nothing too significant remains. A cask of wine is still here along with 3 bedrolls on the ground. Many other places look slept in, but everything is gone. Smaller paths can be found leading off to the N, NE, E, and SW.
The party runs after the sound of horses led by Jak and Frawn. [The bandits are setting traps behind them. One bandit gets caught on a branch momentarily.] The party hears someone cry out and start a hard ride again. Jak spots a piece of torn cloth and heads off in that direction. Jak runs right into a spring pole trap and is hit in the face by a branch.

The party breaks out into a clearing by the river and spots one bandit riding away. The bandit takes a magic missile. His horse takes an arrow and a crossbow bolt, but keeps riding. Another bandit bolts around the corner and they ride out of sight.

The party follows the river to the edge of the clearing to see the bandits far off. "Well, they’re gone. Do we chase after them or wait for them back at the camp?" While discussing what to do next, some of the mercenaries spot a dust cloud to the northwest. [Mounted guards returning to the Keep spot the party and the two horsemen bolting. Five guards take off after the two  bandits.] The others hear a strange bleeting near a patch of trees. The party decides to find out what the noise is. They see a baby lizardman crying near some pine trees. One of the guards raises his crossbow. Just then long arms reach out from the trees and grab it.

Spider Trees:

The spiders have not noticed the party. Jak decides to light an arrow and catch the webbing on fire. [Three Large Spiders become agitated by the quickly spreading flames and exit the woods.] The spiders charge the party and a long combat ensues. Jak, Mike, and Frawn suffer from poisonous bites. Elf, Mike, and Demnek each down a spider. Mike and Taylor lose their swords during the fight. The fire continues to engorge the webbing through the pine trees. Jak throws the orc head in the fire. It's caused him enough trouble. [The growing plume of smoke attracts the attention of everyone: the bandit lookout, the Keep, and the guard patrol. The remaining guards on patrol ride towards the party. But the river and the marsh lay between them. It will take some time to cross]

The party searches the spiders and waits for the fire to die down. [The treasure from the encounter is all in the woods.] The party notice the horsemen coming. They decide to flee back into the woods. [The Sergeant of the Watch fires two long shots at his fleeing quarry. Frantic that he will yet again lose the bandits in the wood, he strikes his foot with a third hasty shot.]

The party returns to the Bandit Camp to spend the night. The mercenaries stand around looking at the camp. They examine it one more time and load their crossbows. "What is it?" They point down to the 3 bed rolls. "Only 2 two people rode off." Squishy & Jak stay on watch. A bandit (Mel) comes back from the tree lookout point. Mel was supposed to be relieved hours ago. He stops and waits. Squishy hears someone in the dark and uses his ESP. Mel is wondering who is in camp now and if it is safe to come back. After Taylor, Mary, Frawn, and Elf are awoken, they line up and await something to happen...
Frawn gets tired of waiting. He tells Taylor to fire on his signal. He casts light on a bolt which Taylor fires immediately. The lit bolt startles Mel who tries to get back to his horse & ride away. Taylor shoots him. Mary manages to spook the horse. In the confusion, Squishy mind blasts them both.

Squishy charms Mel and then conceals thoughts on Elf. Solara casts cure light wounds on Mel and goes back to sleep. The rest of the party questions Mel about the bandit group. He talks about the lookout tree to the north; the approximate number of bandits, bandits went to town, the two bandits that may have been captured. Elf tries to convince him that he leads them to the tree. Mary climbs the tree and mans the lookout all night. Elf says they are here to help and suggest attacking the watch patrols. Mel is convinced enough to lead the party to the other encampment on the eastern edge of the forest.

Facing the Inquisition

9/23

Jak is dragged into a small room and seated at the other side of a table.
The Silver Sword Guild wants to prosecute Jak for the incident at the guild house at the Keep. They also want to know more about who was impersonating guards on one of their caravans. The guards think that Jak might be another spy. The churches are called in for their advice on the illithid, Squishy, that's in town.
Six men enter the room: A priest of St. Cuthbert, a priest of Moradin, the local guild master from the Silver Sword, the local captain of the guard, a lawyer representing the 2 merchants & 4 guard impostors, and guild representative from the local Raven Robbers thieves’guild, who elected to learn more about the events the last few days. Jak keeps quiet, not asking who everyone is.

The priests do some preliminary spell casting. Detect Evil - not evil, Detect Chaos - chaotic, Zone of Truth lasting 1 min/level (6 min) [Jak succeeds his save for both castings.]
Jak asks what he's being charged with. "Since you’re the one walking around with a severed head in your bag, we’ll be asking the questions. Who are you working for?"
Nobody. I was just passing through with a cloth merchant at the Keep.
"What is your purpose here in Forge Valley?" I got an apprenticeship under the mage, Erol.
"What is your involvement with the Silver Swords Guild?" No involvement.
"What is your relationship to the illithid?" What’s an illithid? The priest gestures with his fingers below his chin. Oh, that. He’s someone I met. We've traveled with each other a bit.
"Are you working for him?" No.
"Are you under his control?" No.
"Why is it here?" ...
"What is your exact relationship to Erol?" I’ve been his apprentice for the last 3 days.
"Why were you snooping around the Guild House at the keep?" I was trying to find a job.
"What kind did you hope to find?" Any sort of work.
"Why did you leave the keep?" Couldn’t find any work worth my while.
"Do you know the penalty for impersonating a guild official?" No idea.
"What do you know of the bandit raid on the north pass?" Jak, thinks they are referring to the attack when the bandits ambushed he and Elf. We were attacked on the pass south of the keep. We haven’t been north of the keep, except once. We ran into a dwarf clearing out a cave…Feldrum. [The guards go to confirm Feldrum’s raid report. They plan to return to the keep the next day.]

The guards show Jak the 2 merchants & 4 guards. I saw them at the festival at the Keep. They decide to release Jak around noon.
The guards are somewhat convinced that Jak is not a spy, but they will keep an eye on him. Nobody wants to get into a legal matter with Erol, however. Erol has the financial backing of a mage’s guild and would drag out the court proceedings for months. Rather than face an expensive trial, Jak is set free. The Raven Robbers are most intrigued about how Jak was able to infiltrate the Silver Sword Guild.

The party gathers just outside town and discusses what has been happening. Jak explains they were asking a lot about Squishy and his race. Elf wants to know when Jak broke into the guild house. They understand that they all have a bad mark on their reputations. They plan to track down the bandit gang (with the 1,000 gp reward) that ambushed Elf & Jak earlier. They need to recruit mercenaries for the job. That should put them in good standing with the town officials.

Back at the tower, Erol is frantic about not having his research books, yet.
Mary goes around trying to recruit mercenaries. She offers 1,000 gp just to go out and search; 500 gp up front. She manages to recruit four people: Mike (Ftr 0), Taylor (Ftr 1), Frawn (Ftr 2), and Demnek (Ftr 2).

Jak goes ahead of them to the river to inform Squishy that others are coming. Sure, the four mercenaries are a bit taken aback at Squishy, but they are getting paid over a decade’s wages just to walk along. The party heads out by 3 in the afternoon.

They reach the forest in about 3 hours. They travel along the forest edge another two hours before making camp. They discuss tales, eggs, and rumors of attacks in the area. Squishy & Mary set up just beyond the firelight. Mary digs a little hole to sleep in. Everyone goes to sleep except Squishy. Mary stays up another 2 hours.

Mary spots a boar sniffing around the camp. She charges it before it gets to close. The startled boar attacks her. Mary is seriously injured and withdraws back to her hole. Squishy keeps out of sight and uses his mind thrust ability. The boar follows Mary back to her hole. Mary is knocked unconscious. Solaera is woken by the squealing boar. The boar sees Solaera approaching and charges her, but overruns its target. Squishy blasts the boar. Solaera casts cure light wounds and lesser vigor to revive Mary. Mary pulls the carcass into her hole with her.
Squishy hears something else scurrying around that night, but it goes away.

The Orc Head

9/22

The party journeys to the NW into the wooded mountains. They find some tracks north of the forest. They follow the tracks three hours into the mountains and find a cave.

The cave houses 9 orcs [an orc hunting party that has come down from the mountains]. Five orcs occupy the first chamber. Squishy mind blasts them, paralyzing all but one. The remaining orc raises the alarm. Another orc rushes out of a nearby tunnel. The orc leader peers out to see what is happening and orders the others to attack. Mary rushes the leader. The leader sidesteps to avoid more spells. Leader gets knocked unconscious and beheaded.

The party collects the booty: a composite longbow (STR+2), a full quiver, a barrel with 11 javelins, 9 great axes, 9 suits of scale mail, 3 knives, a ring (20 gp); the leader has 4 gp & 6 sp, the orcs have 2 gp & 5 sp each. Squishy appraises the bow as greater quality than Jak’s longbow. Squishy trades the bow for the potion of Alter Self.

The party drags all their spoils back along with the leader’s head. Jak puts the orc head in his bag. They will try to sell the equipment that night. [Guards will attempt arresting Jak tonight].

The party sells all the spare equipment & hears rumors of a cavalry escort while in a tavern. [This was the cavalry chase from the previous day.]

Jak is arrested by several guards while shopping by himself. [Jak is relatively easy to find. Very few people in the area carry a greatsword.] Jak is taken to the jail inside the castle. The rest of the party starts looking for Jak. They look around the shops and track down the last shop he was in. The clerk appears spooked and doesn’t want to cooperate. [The clerk doesn't want any trouble. He just knows Jak was arrested for something and doesn't want involved.] They ask a guard and learn about Jak’s imprisonment. He is intentionally vague about the circumstances of the arrest. Elf offers a "little incentive" to the guard to get more info. Mary pulls him away before Elf can elaborate on the amount.

The party looks for Squishy. [The guards note that the party leaves the city in the direction that Squishy went.] Elf runs around the river screaming for Squishy. Squishy hears Elf screaming by the river. Squishy slowly sneaks up behind Elf and scares him, “shut up.” They tell him about Jak's arrest. The party returns to the town.

Six guards meet them just inside town. [The guards are keeping Squishy out, just in case he has some sort of influence over Jak. They've been told that illithids have the ability to control other people's minds. That's why there are also archers posted on the neighboring walls, but nobody manages to spot them.] The guards tell them that Squishy isn’t allowed to come back in town right now. Squishy retreats back from town, somewhat relieved that he doesn’t have to deal with more idiots.