Williwaw looks be confused at that "We were helping the thing escape, capturing the thing seems an odd thing to do" She goes and collects her boomerang

"We're here to help a group and she's may be able to tell us where but instead she's getting away," Grimm explains.

Williwaw simply buzzes mid are watching the Halfling flee. "That's one thing, we're looking for a group of things" she says as she flies down and begins rummaging through the pockets of the dead bandits

Investigating: 17

"As I have just escaped from the bandit camp, I would rather not go back there..." Gilan says. (He's male btw)

Williwaw: You find nothing of worth on the bandits except for their scimitars, crossbows and other basic equipment.

Bethany tries to give a stab at social interactions, having no fear for her own incompetence. "Small man... you said your title was Gilan Holte, right? I do not think going back to where you came from and staying around to answer questions is the same thing. So, Gilan Holte, we'd want to know where you last saw the circle's members and how to get there. That is all. Then, you are free to leave." She still didn't get the name nor the circus thing right, but at least, her tone wasn't inappropriate to the situation, thankfully.

Gilan sighs and turns around slowly.  "Me and the rest of the circus were ambushed by bandits on or way back to Clebluff. I told Stravick that it was too dangerous to travel without an escort, but he didn't listen. Appareantly he had to get back to Clebluff before autumn for some reason. When the bandits realised that Stravick didn't bring his entire fortune with him on tour, they decided to take us hostage and wait for his wife to pay the ransom. Of course I escaped, but I couldn't bring the others with me. The bandit camp is about that way." He points in the general direction where he came from.

With Gilans help it should be pretty easy to track down the camp. (Survival check with advantage)

"Can I go now? This forest is creeping me out."

(OOC: I have used the encounter builder to prepare encounters for this campaign. Are you able to read them? If you can, please don't. XD)

Rhenwi Enaid looks at Gilan, “How many bandits are in the camp? What can you tells us about them? How many circus people? What’s the camp layout?” Arching his eyebrows, he continues, “Your help is needed to rescue your friends.”

Persuasion  15

"This will be interesting," Grimm states as he loaded another bolt and set about to retrace Gilan's steps back to the bandit camp.

Survival: 14 /  9

Nimblefinger tries to stop Gilan with the others "Wait just a second.  This doesn't make any sense, Stavrick's wife did not mention any ransom.  Why hold the circus hostage without sending a ransom note? Or why would she keep that information away from us if she did?" He turns to Gilan "And how did you manage to escape?  How many bandits are at the camp? Any information you can share can help save your friends."

Insight to determine if Gilan is truthful, or hiding something 15

Nimblefinger picks up his shortbow and prepares to follow the group to the Bandit camp.

"I'd guess there are about 20 bandits at the camp, but only a few were guarding the hostages. I'd guess they aren't too different from the bandits you just killed. There are 7 other circus people, and some animals. They were all tied to a large tree. I think the bandits left our wagons on the road. The camp itself consists of a few tents. How I managed to escape? What a question! I am the greatest escape artist of all the land, no chains can hold me! I am not great fighter, but I guess I can come along if you think I can be of any help."

Nimblefinger: You get the feeling that Gilan is being truthful. Maybe the bandits just haven't sent the ransom note yet.

The bandits have left quite a distinct trail of muddy footprints and overturn bushes. You have no problem following their tracks. After a while you see warm light through the bushes. "Here it is." Gilan whispers. Peering through the leaves, you see a clearing on the other side. In the middle of the clearing is a circle of tents around a campfire. Tied to a large tree on the other side of the clearing is dozen humanoids and animals, the most notable one being an elephant. Most of the bandits are sitting around the campfire, but two of them are guarding the hostages. It all checks out with Gilan's description.

Scales says to Nimblefinger, "You and I could try sneaking around and releasing the hostages, distracting the bandits from a main attack from this side."

"Twenty is a rather large number" Nimblefinger replies. "I love your idea Scales, if we can slip in and release the hostages, we can even the odds and possibly slip out in the confusion. I can attempt create a distraction on the opposite side of camp to help as well." Nimble looks at the others in the group "What do you guys think?"

Scales says, "Hehe, give me ten minutes and my unseen servant can help too."

Grimm shrug, "I put bolts into people. I'm ready to go whenever,"

Nimblefinger whispers to Scales and the others “Get ready!” and sneaks around the camp in the bushes to a point behind the main group of Bandits and nearest to the tree holding the hostages.  

Stealth 16

Making a quick motion with his fingers he casts Minor Illusion and the voice of the bandit leading the attack on the road sounds from the bushes at the opposite end of the camp, away from the hostages and away from the remainder of his companions. “Hey, you guards by the tree, come help me with this halfling, he is a slippery one”.

Performance 18

Deception 16

"Twenty? That's the size of an army!" There was a good chance Bethany had never seen an army before in her life. "I do not think there's any chance the six of us can beat them without some good luck. Leaving you all to die here would certainly weigh on my conscience, though, so I'll just trust Dysnera is blessing us now..." She touches the chest of her plate mail and closes her eye, a slight light appears on her hand, and she opens her eyes with much more focus.

(Activating Vigilant Blessing again. Features with unlimited uses make me smile.)

(you'd like 4e then) Williwaw will prepare to engage upon signal

Picking up three nice stones, Rhenwi Enaid will cast Magic Stone and ready one in his sling.

Nimblefinger: You barely manage to sneak around unnoticed. When the two bandits hear the voice of their companion, they hesitate for a second. 

Bandit 1 Int: 5

Bandit 2 Int: 12

(Rolling against Nimblefinger's decpetion 15)