(ooc Nice CelticSurfer!  I was hoping someone would pick up on that.  It falls in the category of clear to the DM, not to the players)

Upon your perception roll you notice that he is a human teenager.  The other bandits also appear to be 12-16 years of age.

Hallanann lowers his Crossbow, Light, switches it out with his staff on his back, lowers the hood of his cloak, and in a less aggressive tone (though still guarded), he says, "Boy, do you not have other skills? Is there no other way for you to earn a living? You don't need to repeat the mistakes of your father. You can do better than this. Be better than this. If you'd like, I'd be willing to help you look for work once we're done with our business in Bridged City, if I'm able."

Persuasion 9 (Not a great roll, but I'm hoping that I'm wearing him down...lol)

Krusk says, “No” with an angry look on his face, trying to intimidate the bandits. 7

:(

The boys eyes tear up, and he  drops his sword.  "I'm so sorry." he sobs.  He sits down in the dust of the road. The other bandits lower their weapons. "Highway robbery is a family trade. These are my brothers, sisters and cousins.  Not long ago, an elf woman as pale as the moon, as angry as the sun up close passed through, riding from the Bridged City. when my dad demanded the usual toll, she used powerful magics to murder them quickly, efficiently, and without a flicker of emotion. My mom escaped to tell the tale but later died of her injuries. Banditry is the only way we have of making money… and I've got younger siblings to feed."  

Tiarsus, the cab driver, feeling sorry for them, says "If you are really looking to change your ways, then on my way back from Bridged City, I'll give you a ride back to Durgan's Rest.  I've got to go back anyway.  You lot look strong.  Farmers are always looking for strong hands.

(For solving the situation I'm awarding each of you 100XP, the same amount as if you had killed them all.)

 Gold still wonders what is really going on but realizes the situation, though dangerous, is best handled as Hallanann choose.   He walks around to the front, keeping an eye on any bows that might still be made ready for attack, and talks to the lead boy "Our friend Hallanann has quieted your demands and our kind and brave driver Tiarsus has made you an offer that you seem interested in at this time.  Will you be able to take care of yourselves until we return?  I feel that if you follow Tiarsus' advice you will not go hungry.  What do you say to that?  Also here is are two gold pieces, not as much as you asked, but enough to help you find food until Tiarsus returns to teach you about your future.  The only other option is to continue to put yourselves in danger and, as you have already seen from your parents fate, that will most likely lead to ruin."  Gold hands over the coins and then, after checking the other boys, moves back to the coach.

Lia lowers her crossbow and nods to the young people.  "If I were you I'd take the wagon driver there up on his offer." She then moves back to the wagon and climbs up into her seat again.  After a few moments the illusionary images of her fade away.

Kodrith could feel his hair rise a little at the situation but then forced himself to relax.  The others handled it and he didnt have to loose his shit.  It was a good day so far.

Chikra puts her bow down. "It's hard to support a large family. If you take Tiarsus' advice and head back with him, I'll let my cousins know to look out for ye."

After everyone hops back into the cab, Tiarsus starts the horses toward Bridged City.  The remainder hour of the ride is uneventful.  (Sorry I forgot to mention it during the action, but if you used a spell slot, then you would feel the effects of Maso's Bane and take one point of psychic damage.  You can take this time as a short rest to recover hit points that you may have lost when casting magic.)

When you get to the Bridged City, Tiarsus says, "This is as far as my cab can go.  I'll turn around and bring those children back to Durgan's Rest.  Hopefully they haven't changed their minds."

You don’t walk into the Bridged City so much as ascend to it, climbing a winding stone staircase that starts at the bridge over the Durek River and ends at the city gate. It’s like a maze, though a beautifully constructed one. Four proud mountain peaks make up the bones of the city, with a crumbled fifth peak a reminder of the toll the Blood Monsoon took here. Bridges and platforms span the city, wrapping around and running between the mountains, and humanoid traffic trudges along them like ants. You could fit a hundred Durgan’s Rests into the Bridged City, and still have room left over for a couple of market towns. It’s vast and imposing, but if answers exist to the problem of Mesos’ Bane, or the woman who stole from Tsendur, they will be found in the Academy, at the heart of the city.

It is now midday, and the snow has stopped.  Enough has accumulated to create a satisfying "crunch" when you walk.  There are many people coming and going on the stone stairway to the city gates.

Gold looks at the climb and the vastness of the City.  "Wow, looks like we have a bit of a climb ahead of us but we are not the only ones.  I suppose we should get started.  Finding a place to stay in this city may prove interesting."  He gathers his things out of the wagon and wishes Tiarsus a fond fairwell.

(ooc: StevenDeeds, I'm driving to see family today - 12+ hours of driving. I'll try to pop in, but if I don't, feel free to put my character in NPC mode for today.)

Seeing the city spread out before her makes Lia more comfortable than not.  She is a city-person at heart, and it feels good to get away from the rural area and back into something of decent size.

"I'm sure we can find a place to stay." She tells the others.  "Do we want to go first to the academy and see what we can find out, or find lodging, then go to the academy?"  She adjusts her heavy, nicely embroidered cloak, her white hair blowing slightly in the soft wind.  She leaves footprints in the snow as she walks towards the city.

 Gold walks with Lia "I suppose we can try to find the academy first.  If that takes to long then we should probably keep track of any good Taverns or Inns along the way.  Good information can be found in a Tavern and good sleep in the Inn"  Gold tries to estimate in his mind how long it will take to walk to the academy.

The characters that are from Bridged City recall that the Academy is about an hours walk from the city gates.  The streets are filled with people.  Some are porters carrying large heavy loads, others are merchants, and others are clearly tourist pointing every which way and gasping at the beautiful architecture that is the Citadel.  There are several taverns, and inns.

The Greedy Wizard - a poor inn catering to adventurers

The Cursed Arrow - a common inn catering to townsfolk

The Exalted Dragon - a good inn catering to merchants 

Krusk, not accustomed to falling snow, tries to make an athletics check to try and catch one on his tongue (15).

"I suggest we head to the academy."  Lia says as she starts to lead the way towards the academy.  "After we are done there we can retire to the Exalted Dragon."  She would lead onward, walking at a brisk and steady pace.  "The Dragon's as good of a place to stay as you will find in town, so would be my suggestion."

Krusk succeeds in catching a snow flake in his mouth.  It is hardly preservable as it melts almost instantaneously upon contact with his tongue.

You have entered from the south between the Greater Mastiff's District and the Archcoin Farthing.  The Academy of Magic and Engineering is on the north side of the city and encompass most of the Hydra's District.  The Exalted Dragon is located in the Demon's Village.

Gold responds enthusiastically "Sounds like a plan.  Let's visit the academy and try to do the research necessary to fix this scourge."  He follows Lia.

Kodrith walked like he was standing in pins and needles.  He followed the others and muttered to himself.  "Don't like cities... people can be worse than monsters... streets all smell like piss."  

Speaking up to Gold he says, "yes, let find the answers and be gone from... here."