Kragen would like to examine the smith ware to determine the quality?
to the group “it may be a challenging ask, however when we are done here, it would be ideal to find a way to return goods to their original owners” “Several approaches may be of interest.” “ we could send a small group back to Shalecliff to alert those guilds or owners of their lost goods, hoping they send wagon trains to receive.” “Or, we could try and sequester wagons and return to Shalecliff with the goods.” “ or head back to shale cliff without the goods and alert said owners they can retrieve their goods.”
Dawn arrives to reveal the carnage of the savage attack on the Red Cloak Bandits. Corpses litter the camp. A few of the bandits did manage to escape, but, two are captive along with their leaders. Searching the camp and Olea's tent has revealed treasure as well as a large amount of trade goods stolen from merchants of Shalecliff and Mirabar. Riding saddles and tack are found in the green tents along with the stolen gear from the captives. Tholin's tent has not yet been searched.
Calling for Kragen, Erbert, and Gneuman. When they arrive Trolkarl shares
I need a bit of help. I am no priest, but I feel compelled to look for the best in others and give them every chance -even these two. Perhaps it is futile. The rat Scampus backstabbed me after my generosity. But still, I must try.
This one, *pointing at Tholin,* seems particularly distracted by whatever he is fiddling with behind his back. He may be mistaking efforts to encourage him to seek redemption as a weakness. Can you please help me by checking his hands for this distraction he has been trying to hide from me and taking him to the other side of the camp?
We can then measure their sincerity by how closely their accounts align.
Calling for Kragen, Erbert, and Gneuman. When they arrive Trolkarl shares
I need a bit of help. I am no priest, but I feel compelled to look for the best in others and give them every chance -even these two. Perhaps it is futile. The rat Scampus backstabbed me after my generosity. But still, I must try.
This one, *pointing at Tholin,* seems particularly distracted by whatever he is fiddling with behind his back. He may be mistaking efforts to encourage him to seek redemption as a weakness. Can you please help me by checking his hands for this distraction he has been trying to hide from me and taking him to the other side of the camp?
We can then measure their sincerity by how closely their accounts align.
“Certainly Trolkarl, I will assist you in searching Tholin and determining his actions and separate to interrogate.” “However, I am opposed to allowing these two to slip justice at the expense of information.” “I feel strongly that they should be held accountable and judged by Tyr and the local authorities.” “ we no not, what atrocities they have committed however I can imagine.” “If we want to pretend as if we would allow them to go free for information, feel free to attempt the ruse.” “However I will see them dead before they go free again.”
alll said beyond the listening radius of the captives.
Trolkarl and I move Tholin to a separate location in the camp, maybe in a tent where other captives cannot see. Double check his bindings prior to removing the shackles.
to Trolkarl “he is yours to interrogate, I will be outside”
The morning is spent giving the camp a thorough search. Olea's tent has been searched already. Tholin's tent is searched. The third tent at the back of the camp is searched. All of the remaining tents have little of note in them. There are field cots and sleeping rolls for several men in each with some personal effects. The stolen goods from the raids on merchants are kind of sorted in camp. There are all of the kinds of things you would expect for supporting mining and farming in the goods found. The green tent holds items of higher value. All of the stolen gear from the captives is there as well as riding gear for the two horses. Several kegs of wine, brandy and beer are kept there. Bolts of cloth and fresh foodstuffs are kept there as well. There are three 5-gallon kegs of oil there as well.
Tholin's tent is entered. Inside is a simple cot, a stand to hold his spear, gi and travelling cloak. A cotton 4’ square mat. A small table with two chairs sits near the entrance. There is a large chest beside the entrance that is found to be unlocked. It contains a fairly complete set of cooking implements, pots and pans as well as a collection of dried herbs and spices in jars. There is a small chest at the foot of his cot. This chest is locked.
The red tent has a field cot with bedroll, a small circular table and small stool. No other items are seen.
The prisoners are separated from each other. Tholin was noticed trying to hide something by the stockade which is discovered to be a key.
Questioning the guards proves to be informative. Each tells a similar story of joining up with Olea and Tholin. General banditry has been successful. They raid outlying farmsteads, passing trade groups and the occasional noble foolish enough to have a small guard with them. When asked about killing guards, they both say they never did. Both name a group of names that are consistent. They point out several of the corpses as they name these individuals. Olea and Tholin never encouraged, nor discouraged, killing anyone during the raids. Roughing people up was expected, not killing.
Both report the appearance of a half-orc in camp a few days ago. He brought a dwarf prisoner with him riding the two horses in the corral. The dwarf was questioned (tortured) by the half-orc and Olea but seemed to make them angry in the process. The half-orc then met with Olea and Tholin in her tent and shouting was heard. The half-orc stormed out of the tent and took their only fresh horse, riding off. That was three days ago they both think. The dwarf was left behind.
Tholin is resistant to answering questions. You get little from him in response to your inquiries.
Olea is sarcastic and biting with her replies. She says you are all going to die soon anyway and be sacrificed to the half-orc's demon lord. If you hang her here or take her to Shalecliff to hang does not matter. If she is taken by the Black Spider he will give her to the half-orc to sacrifice to his demon lord. She would rather hang.
Was the key for the shackles? If not, we should try it on the small chest from Tholin’s tent.
No, this key should not be for the shackles, those were in one of the other tents.
Once found on Tholin's possession, Kragen will hand the key to Hoid. "You may want to try this on Tholins chest, he was trying to hide it over by the stockade." "indicates there may be something of importance in it."
After tending to basic needs, ensuring prisoners are secure and separated, Kragen approaches Cleggor and Ballodon. Nodding to Ballodon "Cousin", then to Cleggor "Brother", "How fare you both?" pauses for response and acknowledgement before moving on.
Barring they both are stable given their ordeal, Kragen presses on. "Cleggor, it was wise of you to hire us to protect your goods." "It was not easy, however we overcame the first group of brigands to find that another group had accousted you." "There seems to be some connection with this Craddick the Coward, the Half-Orc we encountered in the Luskan sewers and this group of brigands, the Red Cloaks and their leaders." " We have some information that indicates that the Half-orc and the Red Cloaks leaders were not necessarily aligned, based on interrogation." " Olea, the Red Cloaks leader, has mentioned a <Spider> several times." "I intend to bring this Craddick the Coward to justice and if necessary, send this <Spider> to a shallow grave!"
"Why is you and your business involved or have been targeted by this group?"
"What can you tell us about the Red Cloaks, Craddick and the Spider?"
"What information can you provide us that will assist in removing this scourge from this area of Wind Dale?"
Erbert observes the search thus far and the attempts of investigation. He starts to pace, back and forth. During this time, several events occur.
One involves interrogation of Olea and Tholin, where the small gnome sits in front of both. Using prestidigitation, he makes the image of a black spider appear before him. In a second minor illusion, he creates the image of Craddick. “Tell me everything you know, about these people. How you met them. What they are doing right now. What that argument was about. Tell me. Or who knows what we may need to do. There are many things worse than dying, hanging.” Erbert holds his finger out on his hand and a flame like a small blowtorch comes out of the end of his finger, he waves it towards her foot, locking eyes with her. He says out of the side of his mouth to Chadwick, “Do you have any of those points of healing left? It would be a shame to be burned, raised up, burned again, over and over until you finally decide to talk to us….”
In the tents, he starts to search the bed, under the bed, in the chest, on any desk for any additional clues or information about their task, also for any other loot that may be hidden.
Hoid recovers three daggers along with a potion and some coins from the small chest in Tholin's tent. The daggers are high quality, seem to be balanced for throwing and are silvered weapons. They are a matching set.
Erbert examines the glass sphere. Arcana check = 18. Judging from what he saw this is a Driftglobe. They typically have a set of commands for Light and Daylight functions in the language of their creator. A third command word will cause the sphere to float about 5' from the ground and follow the owner, moving up to 30' per round.
A complete, competent, search of the three tents uncovers no new findings. Investigation checks = 19, 17, 11
Olea seems to be swayed a bit by the promise of torture, from a gnome. She opens up a bit about Craddock and the Black Spider, "The half-orc is named Craddock, as you are mispronouncing. He is an agent for The Black Spider and performs his bidding on the surface. The Black Spider lives in the Underdark and does not come to the surface since he is Drow. He is searching for something. It is something that he wants very much as far as I can tell from talking with him. He does not dissemble well. He seems to think it is a furnace or some kind of thing to make items of power with. I do not understand Undercommon well enough to be clear." He looks the spicy gnome back into his eyes, "There is no need to torture me. That is all I can tell you. It is of no matter since Craddock will be back soon. He is angry that Tholin and I held his prize for higher compensation. The dwarf has a high value to Craddock and the Spider and we were not being paid enough once we had him in our hands." She leans back and closes her eyes, "He will be here soon. Likely, with bugbears from King Gral to take the dwarf away from us. I thought your attack today was Craddock returning."
Tholin is another story. He is calm and unruffled by the threats against him. "Release Olea and I," he responds to questioning. "Give us the two horses, our gear and the light pouch of gold coins Olea has in her chest. You will not see us again. We will depart these lands and ride south. Amn is lovely this time of year, I hear."
Ballodon responds to Kragen's greeting, "Cousin." He nods to him, "I am doing well. Enjoying my regained freedom thanks to you and your friends."
Cleggor also rouses a bit at Kragen's greeting, "Well met, indeed Brother." He coughs a bit following this. Bran leans in to help hold him up as he recovers from the coughing. "I owe you many thanks for saving me from these evil creatures. Thank you, Brother."
Bran interjects at this point, "Perhaps we should be getting ourselves ready to depart?" He looks Kragen in the eye, "Once within the safety of the town walls we can continue our discussions."
Hoid will take a short rest and then get the horses ready for passengers. He will gather all of the coin and separate it into amounts for distribution.
ARE WE GIVING BRONK AN EQUAL SHARE? (Yes, yelling. Point was raised before without response from anyone.)
Hoid will take the silvered daggers for the time being. He will hand them out for the next wererat. (Added to character sheet.)
The other items with stated values will be packed on a horse. Hoid will give the potion to Erbert for investigation and safe keeping.
Tholin and Olea will be hog tied, thrown over separate horses and tied down. Hoid will inform Cleggor and Bran they can ride the other two horses that are tied a short distance away.
As the party departs, he will inform the two red cloaks they must travel with the party for one day with their hands bound. Then they will be freed to go in any direction they choose, but if they are found back at the camp or doing brigand activities, he will hunt them down relentlessly and treat them without mercy.
Kragen would like to examine the smith ware to determine the quality?
to the group “it may be a challenging ask, however when we are done here, it would be ideal to find a way to return goods to their original owners” “Several approaches may be of interest.” “ we could send a small group back to Shalecliff to alert those guilds or owners of their lost goods, hoping they send wagon trains to receive.” “Or, we could try and sequester wagons and return to Shalecliff with the goods.” “ or head back to shale cliff without the goods and alert said owners they can retrieve their goods.”
”thoughts?”
------------- Day 4 ----------------
Dawn arrives to reveal the carnage of the savage attack on the Red Cloak Bandits. Corpses litter the camp. A few of the bandits did manage to escape, but, two are captive along with their leaders. Searching the camp and Olea's tent has revealed treasure as well as a large amount of trade goods stolen from merchants of Shalecliff and Mirabar. Riding saddles and tack are found in the green tents along with the stolen gear from the captives. Tholin's tent has not yet been searched.
Hoid will search Tholin’s tent.
Calling for Kragen, Erbert, and Gneuman. When they arrive Trolkarl shares
I need a bit of help. I am no priest, but I feel compelled to look for the best in others and give them every chance -even these two. Perhaps it is futile. The rat Scampus backstabbed me after my generosity. But still, I must try.
This one, *pointing at Tholin,* seems particularly distracted by whatever he is fiddling with behind his back. He may be mistaking efforts to encourage him to seek redemption as a weakness. Can you please help me by checking his hands for this distraction he has been trying to hide from me and taking him to the other side of the camp?
We can then measure their sincerity by how closely their accounts align.
“Certainly Trolkarl, I will assist you in searching Tholin and determining his actions and separate to interrogate.” “However, I am opposed to allowing these two to slip justice at the expense of information.” “I feel strongly that they should be held accountable and judged by Tyr and the local authorities.” “ we no not, what atrocities they have committed however I can imagine.” “If we want to pretend as if we would allow them to go free for information, feel free to attempt the ruse.” “However I will see them dead before they go free again.”
alll said beyond the listening radius of the captives.
Trolkarl and I move Tholin to a separate location in the camp, maybe in a tent where other captives cannot see. Double check his bindings prior to removing the shackles.
to Trolkarl “he is yours to interrogate, I will be outside”
When you move him you find a poorly hidden key at the base of the stockade post.
The morning is spent giving the camp a thorough search. Olea's tent has been searched already. Tholin's tent is searched. The third tent at the back of the camp is searched. All of the remaining tents have little of note in them. There are field cots and sleeping rolls for several men in each with some personal effects. The stolen goods from the raids on merchants are kind of sorted in camp. There are all of the kinds of things you would expect for supporting mining and farming in the goods found. The green tent holds items of higher value. All of the stolen gear from the captives is there as well as riding gear for the two horses. Several kegs of wine, brandy and beer are kept there. Bolts of cloth and fresh foodstuffs are kept there as well. There are three 5-gallon kegs of oil there as well.
Tholin's tent is entered. Inside is a simple cot, a stand to hold his spear, gi and travelling cloak. A cotton 4’ square mat. A small table with two chairs sits near the entrance. There is a large chest beside the entrance that is found to be unlocked. It contains a fairly complete set of cooking implements, pots and pans as well as a collection of dried herbs and spices in jars. There is a small chest at the foot of his cot. This chest is locked.
The red tent has a field cot with bedroll, a small circular table and small stool. No other items are seen.
The prisoners are separated from each other. Tholin was noticed trying to hide something by the stockade which is discovered to be a key.
Questioning the guards proves to be informative. Each tells a similar story of joining up with Olea and Tholin. General banditry has been successful. They raid outlying farmsteads, passing trade groups and the occasional noble foolish enough to have a small guard with them. When asked about killing guards, they both say they never did. Both name a group of names that are consistent. They point out several of the corpses as they name these individuals. Olea and Tholin never encouraged, nor discouraged, killing anyone during the raids. Roughing people up was expected, not killing.
Both report the appearance of a half-orc in camp a few days ago. He brought a dwarf prisoner with him riding the two horses in the corral. The dwarf was questioned (tortured) by the half-orc and Olea but seemed to make them angry in the process. The half-orc then met with Olea and Tholin in her tent and shouting was heard. The half-orc stormed out of the tent and took their only fresh horse, riding off. That was three days ago they both think. The dwarf was left behind.
Tholin is resistant to answering questions. You get little from him in response to your inquiries.
Olea is sarcastic and biting with her replies. She says you are all going to die soon anyway and be sacrificed to the half-orc's demon lord. If you hang her here or take her to Shalecliff to hang does not matter. If she is taken by the Black Spider he will give her to the half-orc to sacrifice to his demon lord. She would rather hang.
Will grab the key as we move him and search him more thoroughly to ensure he carries nothing else.
Tholin is found to have nothing else in his possession.
Was the key for the shackles? If not, we should try it on the small chest from Tholin’s tent.
No, this key should not be for the shackles, those were in one of the other tents.
Once found on Tholin's possession, Kragen will hand the key to Hoid. "You may want to try this on Tholins chest, he was trying to hide it over by the stockade." "indicates there may be something of importance in it."
Hoid will try Tholin’s key on the small locked chest. If the key works, Hoid will open the chest and sort through any contents therein. Carefully.
Hoid inserts the key and easily opens the lock. Inside he finds:
3 daggers, Pouch – 38gp, 28sp, fine clothes
Vial of clear liquid with white flakes floating in it. Curiously, the liquid rises to the top of the vial with an air bubble at the bottom.
Do the daggers appear ordinary?
(I’m intrigued that the daggers were locked up with an apparent magic potion.)
After tending to basic needs, ensuring prisoners are secure and separated, Kragen approaches Cleggor and Ballodon. Nodding to Ballodon "Cousin", then to Cleggor "Brother", "How fare you both?" pauses for response and acknowledgement before moving on.
Barring they both are stable given their ordeal, Kragen presses on. "Cleggor, it was wise of you to hire us to protect your goods." "It was not easy, however we overcame the first group of brigands to find that another group had accousted you." "There seems to be some connection with this Craddick the Coward, the Half-Orc we encountered in the Luskan sewers and this group of brigands, the Red Cloaks and their leaders." " We have some information that indicates that the Half-orc and the Red Cloaks leaders were not necessarily aligned, based on interrogation." " Olea, the Red Cloaks leader, has mentioned a <Spider> several times." "I intend to bring this Craddick the Coward to justice and if necessary, send this <Spider> to a shallow grave!"
"Why is you and your business involved or have been targeted by this group?"
"What can you tell us about the Red Cloaks, Craddick and the Spider?"
"What information can you provide us that will assist in removing this scourge from this area of Wind Dale?"
Erbert observes the search thus far and the attempts of investigation. He starts to pace, back and forth. During this time, several events occur.
One involves interrogation of Olea and Tholin, where the small gnome sits in front of both. Using prestidigitation, he makes the image of a black spider appear before him. In a second minor illusion, he creates the image of Craddick. “Tell me everything you know, about these people. How you met them. What they are doing right now. What that argument was about. Tell me. Or who knows what we may need to do. There are many things worse than dying, hanging.” Erbert holds his finger out on his hand and a flame like a small blowtorch comes out of the end of his finger, he waves it towards her foot, locking eyes with her. He says out of the side of his mouth to Chadwick, “Do you have any of those points of healing left? It would be a shame to be burned, raised up, burned again, over and over until you finally decide to talk to us….”
In the tents, he starts to search the bed, under the bed, in the chest, on any desk for any additional clues or information about their task, also for any other loot that may be hidden.
Investigation : 23
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
((Lots to cover here.))
Hoid recovers three daggers along with a potion and some coins from the small chest in Tholin's tent. The daggers are high quality, seem to be balanced for throwing and are silvered weapons. They are a matching set.
Erbert examines the glass sphere. Arcana check = 18. Judging from what he saw this is a Driftglobe. They typically have a set of commands for Light and Daylight functions in the language of their creator. A third command word will cause the sphere to float about 5' from the ground and follow the owner, moving up to 30' per round.
A complete, competent, search of the three tents uncovers no new findings. Investigation checks = 19, 17, 11
Olea seems to be swayed a bit by the promise of torture, from a gnome. She opens up a bit about Craddock and the Black Spider, "The half-orc is named Craddock, as you are mispronouncing. He is an agent for The Black Spider and performs his bidding on the surface. The Black Spider lives in the Underdark and does not come to the surface since he is Drow. He is searching for something. It is something that he wants very much as far as I can tell from talking with him. He does not dissemble well. He seems to think it is a furnace or some kind of thing to make items of power with. I do not understand Undercommon well enough to be clear." He looks the spicy gnome back into his eyes, "There is no need to torture me. That is all I can tell you. It is of no matter since Craddock will be back soon. He is angry that Tholin and I held his prize for higher compensation. The dwarf has a high value to Craddock and the Spider and we were not being paid enough once we had him in our hands." She leans back and closes her eyes, "He will be here soon. Likely, with bugbears from King Gral to take the dwarf away from us. I thought your attack today was Craddock returning."
Tholin is another story. He is calm and unruffled by the threats against him. "Release Olea and I," he responds to questioning. "Give us the two horses, our gear and the light pouch of gold coins Olea has in her chest. You will not see us again. We will depart these lands and ride south. Amn is lovely this time of year, I hear."
Ballodon responds to Kragen's greeting, "Cousin." He nods to him, "I am doing well. Enjoying my regained freedom thanks to you and your friends."
Cleggor also rouses a bit at Kragen's greeting, "Well met, indeed Brother." He coughs a bit following this. Bran leans in to help hold him up as he recovers from the coughing. "I owe you many thanks for saving me from these evil creatures. Thank you, Brother."
Bran interjects at this point, "Perhaps we should be getting ourselves ready to depart?" He looks Kragen in the eye, "Once within the safety of the town walls we can continue our discussions."
Hoid will take a short rest and then get the horses ready for passengers. He will gather all of the coin and separate it into amounts for distribution.
ARE WE GIVING BRONK AN EQUAL SHARE? (Yes, yelling. Point was raised before without response from anyone.)
Hoid will take the silvered daggers for the time being. He will hand them out for the next wererat. (Added to character sheet.)
The other items with stated values will be packed on a horse. Hoid will give the potion to Erbert for investigation and safe keeping.
Tholin and Olea will be hog tied, thrown over separate horses and tied down. Hoid will inform Cleggor and Bran they can ride the other two horses that are tied a short distance away.
As the party departs, he will inform the two red cloaks they must travel with the party for one day with their hands bound. Then they will be freed to go in any direction they choose, but if they are found back at the camp or doing brigand activities, he will hunt them down relentlessly and treat them without mercy.
3, 2, 1, action.
Total treasure in coins to divide: 628cp, 773sp, 321 gp, 18pp
Divided by 6 = 104cp, 128sp, 53gp, 3pp each
Divided by 7 (Bronk equal share) = 89cp, 110sp, 45gp, 2pp each