Malcom shakes with the deal and nods to everything the shopkeep says. “Thank you. We will do our best to bring them back alive and healthy.” He says.

(OOC: and Im assuming someone hands over the cash. As I said, we can even things out gold wise in between adventures if everyone wants. Other than that, I’m good to go.)

OOC: Yes, Y'all need to sort that out before we move on.

((Like Culuril said, I'm still a bit unclear on how much we're paying now vs. later, but Gale would have covered whatever the amount was))

(OOC: And Sef will give Gale 8 gp, 5 sp back once we're on the road.   Assuming she paid 25 gp it's roughly a third)

OOC: Please roll skill checks and spell boons separately. Also if you get advantage or disadvantage roll twice, sometimes the equation jacks up. I'd rather give y'all a fighting chance for a good roll.

Gale notices travelers on the road look somewhat simple. No grand merchants or wealth noble person among them. They're got simple clothing and small packs. If she was a thief none of them would temp her to lift a finger to harass them. She figures the robbers must go for a bit of a show of wealth which they obviously don't have per se but could make a plan for the appearance of such.

The party has now reach the part of the lakeside road where the bandits are supposedly are most active. In stopping however it just seems a pleasant stretch of road.

OOC: Checks, checks, checks. Give me RP and checks!

Malcom will pay back Gale 8 gp and 5 sp as well. 

He is silent for most of the ride but will make conversation if it is initiated by someone else. When they reach the area, he looks around for any sign of the bandits. 

Perception: 9

As they near the location, Sef keeps a bit closer watch on their surroundings as they travel along. "Seems there is not much sign of anything out here at the moment."  As they stop along this pleasant spot, Sef jumps off the cart.  For just a moment he takes in the serene scene then he walks towards one side of the road, seeing if he can pick out any signs of someone or something heading off the road. 

(Perception: 12) 

Once they've come to a stop near the lake, Gale hops down from the cart, casts guidance once more, then begins a more thorough search of the area. She keeps the others in her line of sight as much as possible, just in case someone pops up to try and ambush them. She looks for any people hidden among the landscape, as well as any footprints leading odd directions or signs of a scuffle.

"If we don't find anything soon, do you think we should set up camp here or go further down the road?" She asks Sef and Malcom when she has a moment.

Perception: 7

Survival: 19 + 2 from guidance = 21

"Seems like if we're camping the bandits would just avoid us.  I think we either need to look like a target or find someone else that might be." Sef says in reply to Gale.

Malcolm does not spot anything that would suggest bandits are nearby.

Sef spots fishermen on the lake side fishing. It's two figures standing with poles and lines in the water.

Gale however seems too distracted looking for a campsite to spot them. She does however find a great campsite and a source for firewood for the night in a broken wagon that's in a few pieces on the road side.

Sef takes a few minutes to watch the fishermen. (Does anything seem odd about them? Do they seem to be watching the road at all? Investigation: 23 / Insight: 23)  As he does, he continues speaking to the others. "Maybe we could find a vantage point that gives us a good view of this stretch of the road?" 

(OOC: I made both rolls, not sure which fits - or maybe both do.  Investigation is the "look around for clues" that might indicate they are doing something other than just fishing. Insight is more "determine the true intentions of a creature" to see if anything about body language or mannerisms suggest anything off.)   

"That's a good idea. We don't exactly look like the type they tend to go for anyways - rich merchants, mostly," Gale explains, nodding her assent to Sef's plan. "I'm sure Malcom and myself could cast disguise spells if needed-" Her eyes flicker towards Malcom at this. He was always weird about disguising themselves for missions, never doing it in front of anyone. But, she wasn't one to dictate his actions. "-but that still leaves the issue of the empty cart." She shrugs. "Sounds like waiting for somebody else to pass by and draw them out might be our best bet."

Sef can see they're certainly fishing but one of them is looking at the road and the party closely while murmuring to the other fisherman who's yet to turn around. They seem to be fishing and the group is still far too far away to hear what the men are discussing. One is rather tall however and the other is much shorter but still medium size. The don't seem overly suspicious but they are keeping am eye on the party too.

Turning away from the lake for a moment, Sef speaks in a low voice to the others. "I wonder if those fishermen might be associated with the bandits. One seems to be watching the road. And seems to be keeping an eye on us."  He then turns back towards the fishermen, focusing on the one speaking. (Observant Feat: If you can see a creature's mouth while it is speaking a language you understand, you can interpret what it's saying by reading its lips.  Sef will try that if close enough and can see.) 

Malcom stands near the campsite, speaking softly under his breath. “Yes, I can disguise myself as if need be or also create an illusion of some sort to draw them in...”

He waits for a confirmation or more information from Sef, preparing to take action. 

"Let's check out the fishermen first," Gale suggests, following Sef's line of sight and keeping her voice low. "Whether they're associated or not, we might be able to get some information from them. After that, I still say we wait for some action to occur on its own. We don't want to waste spells or resources if we don't have to. If nothing comes from that in a couple hours, the disguise idea will be plan B." She looks to the others, open to suggestions.

Malcom nods in assent. “Of course, fishermen first. What is our best course of action? Shall we just approach and ask about the bandits, or use a more... evasive approach?” he asks. 

"I agree.  We should probably see if those fishermen can tell us anything..."  Sef says a bit distractedly.  (OOC: Still wanted to see if he can make out anything reading lips, but I think most likely we all approach them in either case. Add a Perception roll in case it is needed: 19) 

The figure facing the party seems to be discussing in thieves cant but to anyone else, it's the wt weather. The figure is telling the other taller figure the number of Sef's party and how they look. Basically: "They look useless. Only three of them and they don't look they got two gold to rub together," the figure facing says to the other.

Sef turns back again towards Gale and Malcom to relay the information. "The one figure seems to be telling the taller man we're useless - because we don't look like we have gold. I think they must be a part of the bandit group. Do you think we'd get anything by confronting them directly?"