Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"

Arkun nods to Rumble, "Sure can.  Don't need light for these eyes, unless it is detailed work.  Let's be on with it then, hopefully we can find a hidden or partially covered way, scout it out and plan prior to entering.  Are we ready now?  I guess we can see to this first, then look into the other matters.."

On their way to the sheriff's, Aldric has to admit to himself that he is pleased it sounds like he won't have to stake out the bandit camp on his own. He was prepared to do so, despite the issues he had while under Lance Rock. If it hadn't been for the others ... Well, he doesn't want to dwell on that. It's up to Tyr when his time is up. He's already lived a long life ... and the past few decades, he hasn't felt like he was doing much good anyway.

He looks at the others out of the sides of his eyes as they walk and chat. Perhaps this group is his best chance at one last hurrah.

He thanks the sheriff for speaking to them so late and apologizes again for waking him.

When they all step away, back into the road, he looks at the other three: the novice who has already become more than an acquaintance, the strange elf, and this new Atta.

"Approaching the camp will not be easy," he says. "If we're lucky, they'll have a campfire we can follow by sight or smell.

"We will need to be as quiet as possible. At some point along the route, I will need to remove my armor. It is too loud.

"Those who can see better in the dark should take point. We'll need to identify all those who are awake and try to knock them out quietly. Then we can capture those who are asleep.

"I have a few manacles and some rope. We should be able to capture them all and bring them back to Red Larch to hand over to the sheriff."

OOC: Since I had to step away for a bit there, I'll take the assumption that the party is departing to follow up on the bandit lead. Even though it's late, the party still has a few hours of travel in them. Based on the location, it's likely that the party will have to do a forced march for any additional travel after that before long resting.

Harburk Tuthmarillar holds up a hand, interrupting the apologies for waking him up. "Now, it's no trouble, you folks are kind but that just comes with the job," he says. "But, for the future..." he points over to the last building down the lane, the fourth from the road. "That's where my trusties hole up, there's always one on duty. Iffen it's late and you can't find me, they're right equipped to help folks out as best they can."

The darkness of Red Larch's surroundings is neither oppressive nor absolute; the sky is clear, and the moon and stars of the night illuminate the Cairn Road for the party, the chirps of insects and the occasional whistling of the wind whipping across the grassy land a pleasant accompaniment.

A few hours later, the night have set in full, you spot more company off the side of the Cairn Road, about the distance away from Red Larch that Sheriff Harburk had indicated. In a brush-choked dell, a short distance away from the road, is a makeshift camp in front of a cave entrance. Four surly humans (three men and a woman) are seated around a fire, which would have given them away first were it not for the scraping sound of blades being sharpened. Nearby, a wagon sits in a corner of the dell with a wooden cage atop it, housing a black bear that grunts and paws at the bars, though the humans pay little attention to its noises.

Melek's jaw tightens as he studies the figures by the cave. Turning back to the others, he lowers his voice:

There can be no doubt. This is clearly the place, and these are no honest travellers. Let us show ourselves openly and demand their surrender. If they possess wisdom, they will surely yield.

Arkun says quietly to the others, “I think we need an ally to help us.  A big black furry ally who might wish some revenge on their captors…”  Arkun backs up and begins to ritually cast speak with animals, staying far enough away and hunkering down, turning away as he casts, taking steps to make the casting of this spell as quiet as he can.  He looks to approach quietly and speak to the bear if given the chance.