Reverie kneels beside the thug before she uses her handkerchief to take care of the thug's hand. Then she hears what the bandit asked of, which it causes her to look back at him. "He seems very honest." She speaks as her hand busied with wrapping her handkerchief on the thug's left hand. "Or we can turn them into the caravans and let them and the villagers decide what they would do for these two."

Theren chimes in and says "I think it isn't for us to determine their fate them for what crimes they may have committed. Perhaps the local people have a judge who can say what they are guilty of choosing to do, and what things they were forced to do against their will." he says to Jack and Reverie before turning to the bandit and thug and saying "I'm sure anything you could do to help us set matters right would cast you in a good light with the people you've terrified."

Persuasion: 23

The Bandit is sweating profusely, but says in a soft voice (to not be heard by the Thug) that he will guide you. (A 22 made him more pliable than I was planning.)

(Does the group want to go right away, after a short rest, or after a long rest? It will affect your HP and how many spell slots you have, but also what the bandit leader does with more time.)

“Thank you,” Froskan says to the Bandit. “I’m certain helping us will put you in a good light in the villagers eyes.”  He looks around to the others. “Do we want to go now, before they have a chance to prepare more?  They probably won’t be expecting a response this soon.”

(only thing I get back from a short rest is my breath attack. Have 1 spell slot left, but can get one more with sorcery points)

(I'm fine with whatever)

"We all are tired from the fight with them. Though, I agree with Froskan saying that they would not think of us responding this soon if we did find their base right away." Reverie mutters as she checks the thug one more time and then stands up. "It would be risky if we go immediately, but as much as we spend the time here, they will also prepare to defend themselves... What do you all think about this?"

(I'm all right with anything also c:)

Quote from VanderLegion >>

(only thing I get back from a short rest is my breath attack. Have 1 spell slot left, but can get one more with sorcery points)

 (OOC: Overview

Could go right away. The fight would be made a bit easier, but the group is fairly beat up. Damage totals: Reveie 5, Af 7, Theren 9, Katrina 10, Jack 13.

If the group did short rest, then all the injured people could use their 2 hit dice to partially heal up. Jack is out of spell slots. Katrina has 1 spell slot, I think, but already used her sorcery points. Af has 2 spell slots.

Or a long rest, in which case the fight would be made a bit harder since everyone would be fully recovered.)

Long rest! we can take it!

(OOC: Long rest it is.)

The battle rages into the evening, but the bandits are killed or captured... except for the figure in splint mail.

The other caravan guards drag away the Thug. Your group mentions the ploy going on with the Bandit, so he is left in your custody.

You still do overnight guard duty, but everyone gets a long rest. You get up just before dawn, and push your sleepy, reluctant guide in the direction that the leader left. There is no road or path to follow. The Bandit leads you through the trees and around small hills. As the ground becomes less rocky, you notice recent footprints from metal boots, so you are likely going in the correct direction.

After about an hour (light enough to see, but the sun is still below the treeline), you arrive at a thicket. The footprints go to the left, in a narrow path through the bushes, but the Bandit is leading you to the right instead. "That is a fake trail. This way, go."

"Are ye sure? Actually, I think ye are right. These guys seem too smart to leave us a trail. what do you guys think?" Jack readies his drum, in case of danger, and has a wonderful smile on his face.

Froskan peers at the bandit, trying to decide if he’s telling the truth. 

Insight: 5

Quote from VanderLegion >>

Froskan peers at the bandit, trying to decide if he’s telling the truth. Insight: 18

 Froskan thinks he is being truthful.

"They seem quite smart, I agree." Reverie replies to Jack as she follows the bandit. "So, what do you want to do after being free from everything?" She asks the bandit in curiosity.

He nervously shushes Reverie. "No distractions... I need to remember... the path... yes, yes, this way..." (Stressed out.)

After pushing through the nettles on the right (all of you are getting jabbed by thorns), you cross over a rocky hill. On the other side, the ground is softer, and you see the metal boot prints start up again. Another 15 minutes, and he gestures your group to crouch down. You are still in a wooded area. There are over a dozen tents, either knocked over or bundled up, next to a crude log cabin. The door and the window shutters are closed. There is no light from inside, but there is a thin steam of smoke coming from the chimney. The Bandit looks even more fearful, and points emphatically (but quietly) at the cabin. There is no one outside, and no noises except for insects and morning bird songs.

"Ah, I've got this." Jack beats his drum softly and casts faerie fire.

1. Come on out, don't worry now, make my dreams, shine out loud
2. Let's light up the sky
3. Don't worry, it's only me, your bandit, buddy
4. Let's light up the sky,
5. together

  (Jack, where are you casting faerie fire? )

(oh, sorry, at the cabin. He pointed to it, so i'm casting faerie fire at it. I would have done a perception check, but i'm not confident with my -1 modifier.)

The cabin exterior is lit up in pale greens and violets. There is light from the inside escaping through the cracks in the door and window shutters, but you are too far away (50 ft) to notice anything else. Even after the spell, no unusual noises or inside activity that you can tell.

Reverie frowns as she sees the cabin exterior lit up by Jack's songs. "Door and window shut still. I don't hear anything right now." She whispers, then starts to look around the group if there is anything suspicious, just in case, since they have seen how the enemy tried to confuse them with making a false trail.

Perception - 11

(For Reverie: no motion, no noises except for insects and morning bird songs. You group is still concealed 50 ft. away from the cabin. Bandit is breathing heavily, in excitement and fear.)