Elber grips his sword (his own sword, not the moontouched blade) and stands guard over Heobo, lest his comrades decide to take a cheap shot. He thinks for a bit before he chimes in.
"Talk your ogre into leaving in peace, and our pardon be extended to the lot of you."

The treasure you collect from the bandits amounts to 12 gold pieces, 26 silver coins, and 15 copper pennies. In addition, you find a small leather pouch of fools gold on the cleric.

The two bandits readily agree to remove the ogre in exchange for their freedom.

((How late is it JJ? I’m thinking it’s been a tiring day and we could use a long rest))

"Well, with such willing volunteers, shall we make our way there tonight, or take up watches and venture forth with carts on the morrow?"

Kai, considering his spells, "To start after some rest that I may prepare again for the fray would be most welcome."

OCC: Anyone need a cure?

"I would deal with this tonight so they may part ways with us sooner. We be setting them free, bedding down together be something else."

If the group does decide to deal with this now, Elber brings the moonsword as well. Might come in handy during the night.

((I'm just about perfectly fit to tank even if this does turn into another fight. High hp and still a rage remaining.))

(It's midnight by now.)

((I can do either, will go with the majority))

Kai votes for rest

Elber votes to go

((Polar. Thanks for freeing the gnome. I wanted to do that to~~ Cris... Didn't you use your manacles on the dudes we left tired up? Duncan wants rest as well, but is fine to just go take care of things now if it's not exhausting))

((Nope I took them back before we tied them up in the forest))

((I'm perfectly fine with resting first, but Elber will grumble jokingly about sleeping on the cart tomorrow instead.))

((Lan could do with a rest for spells, but Lan will agree with Elber, we are better off finishing this business tonight if we are not expecting a fight.))

((Let's do it then~~ I'm still very curious about this ogre^^))

((OK, JJ - 3 votes for progress to the ogre, so let's go with that now))

"Right then, you two..." Landrae addresses the manacled bandits "You're in the lead, and we'll we following close enough that any clever ideas won't be able to leave your head before the tips of our blades quash them. Let's get a move on." 

Landrae will suggest the following marching order: Landrae and Duncan walking directly behind the two, Elber, Hoebo, and Jack moving along at the side of the group - so Hoebo can warn them if the two bandits are leading us towards anything funny (unless he has scarpered off), with Kai holding rear guard able to watch over the two groups and assist as required.

Kai sighs, "I truly hope we are not headed into more trouble.  Else, we shall be sore pressed.  But let us be about this."

You continue south down the overgrown trail, deeper into the gloomy forest. The trail ends abruptly before a gaping cave mouth. A small fire burns in the opening of the cave, and an ogre sits next to the fire, reading an old leather-bound book intently.

The two manacled bandits step out of the underbrush. "You're free to go, Socrates." He mutters. " The gangs disbanded. "

Socrates looks up from his book, titled "Inter-Dimensional Particle Physics." " But I don't want to leave." He murmurs. "I am perfectly content where I am."

The bandits continue to insist that he departs, but the ogre returns to his book and ignores them.

"You be free to stay in the cave, but the goods be coming with us."

"Keep watch on these two. Set them free if you wish - I'm not a fan of keeping more former enemies around us overnight than needs be." Landrae whispers to Duncan, before moving up closer to Socrates, seeing how he responds to Elber's statement.

((oh my god I love this ogre~~~ Can we take him home?^^))

Duncan will definitely be surprised by the ogre's speech and book. But is more concerned with potential threats.

PERCEPTION 23

Socrates shuts his book. "Be my guest." He replies, standing aside to let Elber into the cave. "I liked my cave more without all the clutter, anyway."