(Sorry about the prolonged silence)

Last-minute arrangements are made and by the time the sun has fully risen in the sky the cart is rattling along the dirt road west, towards the Emerald Forest. It is a warm day, but the environment around you is curiously devoid of animal life.

(Could I get a marching order and final plan?)

((I will let another take lead on this one))

((Kai and Elber heads into the forest and try to stay hidden behind the tree line, ahead of the wagon but within shouting distance. I guess Kai leads there, he had some druidic plans to track down the bandits. Duncan drives/leads the cart at a steady pace, while Jack and Landrae stay hidden on the cart.
Whoever spots the bandits first, the plan is that Kai and Elber stay hidden until the bandits have approached or threatened the cart, so that the bandits are distracted. Then after Kai and Elber open fire (or cast crowd control spells), Jack and Landrae also strike from hiding.))

((sounds about right, though Jack is the one hidden in the cart with Landrae))

Duncan will be on the cart leading the horses at a nice slow pace. PERCEPTION from the cart: 23. Trying to keep his eye both on the road ahead, as well as for any signal from his (presumably hidden) friends off the side of the road. Duncan will also take a cloak and wear in such as a way as to keep his armor covered, glaive down along side him in the cart.

Edit. Woo. Nat 20~

When we get to within a league of the last reported attack, I will cast Speak with Animals asking if there is a hidden lair/den/nest of humans in the forest.  I will do this again at 2, 1, .5 and .25 miles, trying to home in on their location.  I will target birds and animals of prey first, as they are most likely to have knowledge.  

The plan is to find their camp.  I assume they will have scouts to watch the road and bring up the main force as the wagon approaches.  I will try to get behind them, for a rear attack.

I will make some very small gaps in the cover of the wagon so we can have a viewpoint on each side as well as the back.

“Duncan you should come up with a code word in case you want us to come out of the wagon suddenly if you are in close company with the bandits. Something that seems normal in conversation. Otherwise, we will wait until either you or someone else uncovers the back.”

"Odds are, if I need you to pop out, it's time to attack. But, it's never bad to have a backup plan. If I say the word 'goods' you'll know we're in danger." Duncan will reply

Elber aims to know what is ahead of them, without giving away his own presence.

Stealth 23, Survival 9, Perception 9

 ((Ok, I had basically missed a page of updates above when posting this - so just ignore it.

Landae wouldn't want to be hiding away when she can possibly lead any negotiations a little better than Duncan, so would prefer to be visible on the cart, either as a passenger playing some idle music, or the driver whilst Duncan plays the part of a bored merc.  Plus, one person driving a wagon of Lady's Ardidd's wares is a recipe for disaster, and would appear too fake in my opinion. That said, all have moved forwards with Elber's plan, so Landrae lost that discussion and is a bit irritated...))

"Goods? Could you not come up with some elaborate bird call or maybe combine it with a sequence of knocks on the wagon?" As if to demonstrate her point, Landrae knocks a small tune on the floor of the cart, whilst whistling an accompaniment in the twitterings of a songbird, That term is quite likely to come up in direct scrutiny of anyone with nefarious intent, and surely Jack and I bursting out of these overly cramped confines would be somewhat detrimental to any otherwise placid conversation!"

Duncan, ever alert, sees nothing out of place for the first several miles.

Elber and Kai note a strange lack of wildlife, an event which only increases the difficulty of Kai's task. Kai, I'll need a Survival check if you want to find an animal.

((It's perfectly reasonable for Landrae to be "visibly hidden", like a relaxed guard not wanting trouble.))

Survival:10

--- praying to Gygax for a good roll ---

Denied :(

Do you want one at each checkpoint?

If we get to within a mile of the ambush area, with no wildlife, then we will re-plan.

Kai is unable to locate any signs of animal life. 

The cart continues eastward for several hours, and the warm air produces a feeling of relaxation and contentment. Then, around noon, the temporary peace is shattered.

"Hold!" A tall, imposing figure leaps from the bushes directly opposite Elber and Kai, into the middle of the road, and raises a gloved hand. He wears leather armor and holds a longsword in one hand. His golden locks glint in the warm sunlight.

"What business do you have here, friends?" He inquires in a friendly, nonchalant tone.

(Passive Perception, everyone?) Stealth: 18

((Sorry, completely misread the post, I thought he jumped out in front of Elber and Kai and adressed us directly.))

"Blood and ashes, man! We be hunting, but these woods... they be empty of life. Who might you be? Not hunting beasts I see?" Elber indicates towards the bow in his hand, but he does not raise it.

Deception (spending Inspiration) 20

((Passive perception 14))

Elber stays still, remaining hidden where he is.

((How far behind them is the cart? The plan was to be within shouting distance, so if they're in the road probably also visible and approaching?))

((We're trying to be just inside the woods, better hunting there after all, so often out of sight but still able to alert each other.))

Passive Perception (13): 17

Quote from Twooshort >>

((We're trying to be just inside the woods, better hunting there after all, so often out of sight but still able to alert each other.))

 ((true, but at this point it seems you're in the road talking with the guy who jumped out... or did he jump out at the cart while Elber and Kai where hidden? In which case... Elber just said something from behind him in the woods...))

((Ah right, I didn't quite catch that. Well then, no roll then and I take back my inspiration.))