[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux, part 3: Temple of the Elk

From the journal of Lythande Syldorei

15th Pharast, Toilday

We have decided to return to exploring the forested area that lies to the west of the trading post. But before we set off, we discussed what to do about the traps set by the trapper who doesn't mark them. We've determined that if we encounter any more of his traps we will confiscate them, as they are a hazard.

Chahana also tried to convince Oleg not to dismantle the other ballistae, but he saw no point to keeping them. He doesn't wish his trading post to become an armed fort. After their discussion one of the former bandits who has some carpentry skill offered to disassemble them and set them aside. Chahana has written to Restov to request books about how to build and maintain such weapons, as she is determined that they should be preserved and repaired for future use.

When we left the trading post, we borrowed a wagon from Oleg as it's smaller than Zander's wagon and will be easier to navigate in forested areas. The enchanted sapling we discovered by the bandit camp makes travel much less difficult. Simon is carrying the sapling for the present. We left our mounts in the care of Robb the groom so that we'll only need to carry enough feed with us to look after the horses pulling the wagon. Reislin has chosen to remain at the trading post to inscribe scrolls.

16th Pharast

Today we came upon some unusual tracks that seemed to be those of lizard-like creatures the size of halflings, walking on two legs. These appeared recently made. We suspected they were kobold tracks. There is a reward for eliminating the "kobold threat", though the poster at Oleg's doesn't say what threat the kobolds pose. But because there is supposed to be a threat, we decided to seek the makers of the prints.

Following the tracks led us to a clearing, where we found a party of six kobolds gorging themselves on moon radishes. They also had a quantity of radishes they'd harvested stored in buckets. Chahana stepped forward and attempted to converse with the kobolds, but she doesn't speak their language. The kobolds don't speak our language either. One kobold threw a spear at her when she tried speaking louder. Two others also snatched up their weapons, which inspired Maria to scold them as she might have done a small child or a dog. Fortunately they were too bloated with radishes to be threatening, and we permitted them to gather up their harvest and depart as we saw no harm in them. Sarenrae willing, we have not made a mistake in our judgments.

The kobolds left behind some radishes so these we gathered to take back to Svetlana. As we picked them we questioned whether we should seek out the kobolds' main camp. We don't know how many kobolds there may be, and as we can't speak with them we will likely wait until Reislin is with us again, as she knows more languages.

17th Pharast

We've come back to the river again. As we were following its banks we spied an unusual tree, its foliage blue on one side of the trunk. We could find no magical cause for such coloration, and Simon doesn't know any reason for it. After Chahana plucked a few of the blue leaves, Zander noticed an unusal bird nest in the top of a nearby fir tree. But we saw no occupant and the tree was much too tall to climb.

Later on Chahana suddenly noticed that some of the moon radishes we had picked were missing from the wagon. Simon suspects fey creatures took them.

We now know that fey are following us. As we were setting some wood on the campfire tonight, a burst of brilliant light flared, leaving me bereft of sight for a few moments. We could hear voices among the trees, though the members of our group who weren't left blind couldn't see the source of those voices. While Zander attempted to calm the frightened horses, he saw a small person that appeared to be emulating his likeness. It behaved in a comical manner, waving a stick at him before running off among the trees. Chahana set a radish out on a log just beyond the camp as an offering.

18th Pharast

Nothing happened to the radish Chahana left. Today when we rested at midday, Zander noticed the horses' tails had been tied together.

This afternoon we came upon a treeless bluff looming over the river's opposite bank. On its crest we could see what appeared to be stone structures. We decided that although the bluff lies beyond the area we planned to explore, we will cross the river and climb to its top to see what is there.

It took us some time to make our way to the foot of the bluff. It is too steep to take the horses and wagon up. We worked our way around to a less severe slope and climbed up to the summit, which gives a fine view over the Narlmarches. On the southern side it drops off in a sheer cliff, which proved to be carved into the likeness of an elk. In a clearing at the top lies what appears to be a temple to Erastil, just as the priest Jhod expected. There is a ring of standing stones, a shallow pool that was full of algae when we first encountered it, and a broken stair leading to a dark entrance dug into the bluff. Jhod's vision mentioned a bear, and Simon spied some remains that looked like they might have been left from a bear's kills. Bear tracks were also visible on the ground. The whole area felt dark and had an oppressive air despite it being a pleasant sunny day.

We assumed the bear had made its lair in the cave at the top of the stair. Simon offered to try to lure it out. His effort was immediately successful, as a massive bear came rushing out, roaring in fury. I am no hunter, but even to my eyes the beast looked wrong, its coat filthy and matted and its expression one of mindless rage.  I took cover behind one of the standing stones and used the Dawnflower's blessing to see if it had been corrupted by evil, but I could detect no evil from it.

It was my mistake to let the beast see me when I examined it. It rushed at me and slashed me with its claws, then grabbed hold of me and began to pull me closer. Zander ran behind it and Chahana fired an arrow into its flank. I slashed it with my scimitar and Maria joined Zander to stab it from behind, which caused it to release me and swat at Maria. Then Chahana put an arrow through its heart. As it collapsed it let out a sigh that sounded almost an expression of relief. Its body transformed into that of an old, very dirty human, who rapidly shriveled until at last he decayed into dust.

As soon as the werebear breathed his last, the gloominess of the place vanished and it felt altogether more wholesome. We realized the pool had cleared of its film of algae and now appeared clean and palatable. Simon tasted the water and told us it was good. I decided to have a drink myself and as soon as I swallowed a mouthful the claw marks left by the bear closed and faded to mere scratches.

A hazy image appeared to us then of a man in the garb of a priest, calling out for aid against invading orcs and trolls. Again and again he cried out for help, until at last when his calls went unanswered he called upon something darker and more ominous that led to his transformation.

I turned my eyes toward the image of the stag and gave a prayer of thanks to Erastil for his healing blessing. It was then that I caught a glimpse of a creature looking down at us from above. It was a griffon. After a moment it flew away.

We decided that we would remain for the night at the temple and clear away some of the refuse left by the bear, then return to Oleg's to inform Jhod of our discovery and bring him back if he chooses to come.

19th Pharast

Simon has elected to remain at the temple, as he is a worshipper of Erastil and it is Planting Week, a festival devoted to the Deadeye. We will return to Oleg's Trading Post without him.

22nd Pharast

We have returned to Oleg's trading post, bringing with us some lumber we gathered along the way and the moon radishes Svetlana requested. They are among Oleg's favorite foods. Svetlana gave us quite a substantial reward for them.

The remaining ballistae have been disassembled and stacked outside the fort walls, under tarpaulins to protect them from the weather. While we were away a letter from Maegar Varn arrived, telling us that things are going well for him to the east: he has been made mayor of the town, which has changed its name to Varnhold in his honor.

Svetlana has given us a supply of honey and some licorice sweets to take as offerings for the fey folk when we journey back to the temple with Jhod. He is eager to visit it. Reislin has been persuaded to come back with us, though I think she would prefer it if she could remain behind and continue making scrolls.

26th Pharast

We left Jhod at the temple, where he is confident he will be safe on his own. Simon has rejoined us to continue our explorations. We have decided to remain away from the trading post for two or three weeks to make a thorough examination of the surroundings near the temple.

Late on the first day we found a stack of logs that had collapsed. At first we thought it a logging camp, but quickly realized it was meant to be a deadfall trap. Much to our dismay, we found the remains of a man who had been crushed and had died there some days earlier. He was clad in furs and leathers, which suggest he might have been a trapper, but there was nothing with him to indicate his identity other than a fine quality axe. The rope that was meant to act as the trigger of the trap had been gnawed through. We couldn't determine if the dead man was the builder of the trap or only its victim. We buried his remains nearby and I prayed to Pharasma to look after his spirit. We took his tent, which was damaged but which Zander thinks he can repair, and also his axe. If he was someone who had visited the trading post, perhaps Oleg will recognize the axe.

We have come to another river, this one known as the Skunk River for the sulfurous odor it emits. It is very boggy in the area around this river, which makes the sapling even more useful to us as otherwise it would be very difficult to traverse in a wagon. We had heard that an alchemist occasionally visits the trading post and Chahana wondered if he would be interested in the waters here, as the smell indicates the presence of hot springs that can sometimes have healing properties.

By following the steam we saw rising from the ground we found the spring, where mud bubbles up in a most unappealing manner. Chahana states that in her homeland such mud is used to smooth and soften the skin. As we were observing this unusual sight, several frogs the size of small ponies rose out of the muck and began trying to eat us!

I was caught by one frog's sticky long tongue and drawn toward it, but I managed to fend it off. Zander was similarly snared. Within a few moments we had slain several frogs and the others had fled. Zander then skinned the carcases, hoping to make some leather goods from their hides.

We returned to the temple and spent the rest of our time in the area surrounding it, assuring ourselves that the only threats were fey. Jhod has gathered up many broken pieces of carvings that once adorned the temple and intends to restore them.

We searched the area between the temple and the Thorn River, observing some spectacularly beautiful dragonflies that appeared to be of fey origin. Simon suggested that there may be a weakness here in the veil between this world and the fey realm, or perhaps a portal through which they can enter this world.

Next we made our way to the other side of the Skunk River, which is much more difficult to ford than the Thorn. In the distance we spied what appeared to be some ruined buildings. We encountered some unusual tracks, which resembled the footprints of frogs, but the creature appeared to be ambulating on two limbs rather than four. Along with it were reptilian prints from a four-legged creature. These led to two structures, one of them whole but old and the other a ruin. Chahana cautiously approached to observe the creature whose footprints we had followed there.

Inside the less ruined structure is a being that resembles a frog, but it wears clothing and carries a club. It appeared to speak to the second creature from time to time. This second creature was purple in color and its mouth sported a pair of long upper fangs. The creature with the club was engaged in pursuing dragonflies. Chahana recalls that such creatures are known as boggards. This prompted Maria to remember that the purple beast is a slurk. I detect no sign of corruption in them.

Maria has found no sign of other boggards in the area. It seems our boggard dwells alone here. Chahana decided to try to speak to it, hopeful that it knows some language other than its own as even Reislin is unable to speak the boggard's tongue. The boggard proved to know only a few words of the common tongue, but it is enough. Maria offered it some trail ration, which it took. The whole exchange was friendly enough, though it soon became clear that the boggard thinks of the structure as its territory and is happy enough for us to leave it be. What Chahana recalls about boggards makes me wonder if perhaps it is an exile from its people.

Next: part 4, Boars and Bushes and Spiders

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux, part 2: Attack the Bandits

From the journal of Lythande Syldorei

5th Pharast

Though we first thought we should wait for the bandits to come to Oleg's Trading Post, where we can defend ourselves from behind its walls, when Hagrid commented that the bandits could set the fort aflame that plan changed. Oleg is naturally very concerned that his home and the source of his livelihood might be destroyed.

In light of this thought, we've decided we shall continue exploring the surroundings of the trading post and make our way to the bandits' camp to face them on their own ground. Oleg has offered Reislin 10 gold pieces for each map she makes of the surrounding territory.  Jhod the priest has also offered to cast spells for us for a nominal price. Kesten Garess, the leader of the mercenaries, told us about a man called Sneeg who deserted and stole some money. Kesten Garess believes this man has likely joined bandits, and there is a reward for his capture.

                                                 Kesten Garess

Armed with information and possibilities to earn further coin, we have set out to the southwest of the trading post. The land there is mostly grassland with rolling hills. After we traveled for a time Simon spied something colorful ahead, which proved to be a field of wildflowers. Amongst the blossoms we sighted a fey creature that resembled a hummingbird with the wings of a butterfly and tiny blossoms growing from its long tail. Chahana gathered a bouquet of blossoms to take back to Svetlana.

We are growing accustomed to standing watches each night, organizing ourselves such that those of us who are capable of seeing in darkness can each take a different watch. Simon is able to summon animals to him so that they can become our meals. He has no objection to our eating them, only asking that we slay them in the quickest and least painful way possible. Sadly none of us know a great deal about preparing food and we have had some dinners that are burnt or undercooked. But fresh meat is preferable to eating only trail rations.

7th Pharast

After two days traveling through the hills we have decided to enter the forest. Simon has warned us to expect rain tomorrow. We have been talking with one another as we go, learning more about one another's backgrounds and knowledge. Reislin has explained that although she comes from Kyonin as I do, her family are jewelers who travel a great deal and she has visited distant lands such as Osirion, the homeland of my lady Sarenrae. She has decided it is time for her to see other parts of the world on her own rather than in company with her parents, so as to broaden her experience and increase her magical knowledge.

We have run into a bit of unexpected difficulty among the trees. Just after Simon and Chahana noticed a number of animal tracks and one set that seemed to belong to a person, Chahana stepped into a bear trap that had been left without anything to mark it so that a person would know it was there. The trap badly wounded her before we could get her free. The Dawnflower granted me a small taste of her healing power that I might treat Chahana's wound. Out of concern that we would find more such traps, Reislin summoned a horse by magic and had it walk ahead of us. I think she was the only member of our little group who thought this was not a bit cruel, proclaiming that the horse would return to wherever it had come from with no recollection of what had happened to it. She claims that she has read this in a magical tome.

9th Pharast

It has begun to rain quite heavily, hence the water spots in my journal. This has slowed our travel. We have decided to make our way back to Oleg's.

10th Pharast

We have arrived at the trading post. Hagrid and Inky have been working with Oleg to repair the damaged gates, using the timbers from the ballistae as there is no one here who can repair or operate them. When we told Oleg about the bear trap, he told us that he suspects that a local trapper is responsible, as he puts out unmarked traps to deter other trappers. But he hasn't seen the man for several weeks. We had found some of the other traps the trapper left and these we've given to Oleg.
A package has arrived for us containing a reward of 400 gold pieces, which is quite a boon.

12th Pharast

We have departed again, this time on our way toward the Narlmarches to take on the rest of the bandits. As we were riding along the Thorn River earlier we came upon a most unusual sight: there was a fish floating above the water! It was moving as if swimming. This was so curious we had to stop and investigate. Wondering if it might be a fey fish, Reislin attempted to communicate with it, but it didn't respond. Maria realized that it had a magical aura, and Zander observed that there was an outline of a fish in the water beneath it. Chahana was prepared to swim out to it or to let Simon do so, but when she got into the water the current began to carry her away from it. In the end we concluded that for some inexplicable an image of a fish was being projected above the actual fish, slightly displaced from the fish's true location. We did not catch that fish, but Simon summoned several other fish for us to enjoy as our dinner.

The scent of woodsmoke warned us when we approached the bandit camp. There are not many of us who are skilled at moving silently in the forest, so we decided that not all of us should go forward at once. Reislin cast a spell on Chahana and Zander so that they could keep in communication with her as they crept up to spy out the camp. They observed that the bandits were spread out on both sides of the river, and had constructed two simple watchtowers on which archers could perch. Several men had only just returned from a hunting expedition and were weary, and those men who were not on the towers were not particularly attentive.

We decided to strike them at once, concentrating on the area closest to the direction from which we had approached, where they had gathered some of their ill-gotten equipment. Chahana began the fray by shooting the guard on the near tower. The man immediately toppled. Zander ran forward to the sound of surprised shouting. Reislin murmured an incantation and three men sitting by a campfire slumped over, one of them very nearly falling into the flames.

I drew my bow first and shot a man who was on the ground. Then I threw it down and ran forward with my shield and sword at the ready. All around me I could hear the sounds of my new comrades battling the bandits. A woman bearing an axe in each hand came forward, and she and one of the men flanked me and attacked, slashing me in the side. I saw one of Chahana's arrows strike the woman. Maria ran up behind the woman flanking her as she had flanked me. An arrow struck me in the shoulder, fired by the watcher on the second tower. Chahana shot him and he plunged to the ground. Zander shouted for me to move to his side, but I began to feel quite weak and feared I would be unable to move that far. I backed away from the axe-wielding woman and let Sarenrae's healing light fill me.

With a little of my health recovered I moved in on the woman again and slashed her. She tried to retaliate, but she was too weak and fell to the ground. Chahana then produced her manacles and bound the woman, as we desired to question her. The bandits who had fallen beside the fire were also bound with rope, as Reislin's spell had only caused them to fall into a slumber.

In a chest by the campfire we found an assortment of objects that the bandits had clearly stolen from some persons. Reislin examined everything carefully to see if anything was enchanted, and in that process discovered a nearby fallen tree limb had some sort of magical property. Reislin says that if it is planted in the earth it can grow magical fruit with healing properties.

After evaluating the bandits' loot, we discussed what we should do with them. All of us but Reislin are in agreement that we should offer them the opportunity to change their lives and seek forgiveness. We have decided to question them to decide what manner of men they are. Maria and I will lead this questioning.

Once awakened, one man refuses to tell us anything and his answers have made Maria and I feel that if he is set free he will only go on to harm others further. Three of the others are willing to speak. They have told us what they know of this Stag Lord we have heard of: they say that he is a drunkard, a ruthless man who wears a helm in the form of a stag's head, that his camp holds fewer than twenty men but more than a dozen, and that he desires the acquisition of territory. His base lies in a ruined fort on the edge of the Tuskwater. The men in this camp have come to seek supplies.

All of the men we questioned tell stories of lives gone wrong. Some of them joined the bandits only to avoid being slain or left with nothing in the wilderness. One man knows horses and would like a job caring for them. He we have decided can be returned to the trading post, to ask Oleg to give him work as a stablehand. Another man knows carpentry and built the watchtowers in the camp. We asked them about the woman, who is the leader of their group. She is devoted to the Stag Lord they tell us, and may even be his paramour. They have given us the passphrase to use to gain access to the fort, which they say is always taken from a book in the Stag Lord's possession.

As several of them have been so willing to speak, we have also asked them what they know of the territory around their camp. They have told us of the trapper we know of, of kobolds, and of some very small blue creatures that have lately raided their camp. They also know of Sneeg and tell us he is at the fort with the Stag Lord.

When we had questioned all the men we woke the woman, Kressle, to question her. She defends all of the Stag Lord's actions and her own and is very proud of her work. By her words we know her to be both a sadist and a lifelong criminal who feels no shame for the harm she has done. We have decided to carry out the mandate of the Swordlords and execute her, as well as the one man who refused to tell us anything.

Chahana and Maria together have put the two condemned bandits to the sword. Maria was unhappy that we chose to make the others witness this. She has some pain in her past that makes her feel it is torture to force a man to watch an execution. But we want them to know that we will carry out the law, even if the law of Restov does not truly apply here. We cannot make this land safer if there are no laws.

12th Pharast

We have packed up all of the things from the bandits in Zander's wagon, even some timbers from the watchtowers. We would have liked to take lumber, but the wagon is not sufficiently large enough. The spot where the bandits made their camp is a good one for a logging encampment; it has access to the river and lies at the end of a rugged road. We are making our way back to Oleg's with our prisoners.

14th Pharast

We have arrived at Oleg's Trading Post. He is not best pleased by having all these additional people in his property. I am not sure he will want a stablehand. He states that he came here to be away from people, not to build a town. Svetlana is more welcoming. Unfortunately we could not recover her missing ring; it seems that the 'blue creatures' we were told of may have taken it when they raided the bandit camp.

Next: part 3, Temple of the Elk

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux Session 1: Into the Greenbelt

24th Calistril

This morn my companions and I gathered with the other charter-holders in the courtyard of the Citadel for a final farewell prior to setting off into the Stolen Lands. We had brief conversations with Maegar Varn, who kindly gave us good directions to Oleg's Trading Post, and with the Dreadnaughts. A clerk also gave us further information about how to locate the trading post.

While we were looking on one group was loading a very large quantity of goods and equipment into a chest. It did not matter how much was put into the chest, it accepted more. Then mages cast spells to create smoky horses of magic which were hitched to a carriage, and then they created discs of magical energy beneath each wheel, lifting up the carriage so that it would float! It was quite astonishing.

After a time Advocate Jenessa approached us, wearing a rather concerned expression. She congratulated us, and presented us with a curative potion that had been taken from Kahn. She informed us that some of the members of the selection committee were not entirely convinced that we had not all been party to Kahn's crimes. We assured her that we had been unaware of his behavior and would never have put his name on our list of preferred comrades had we known. I do not know if she believed us.

When it was time to set off, Reislin cast a spell to summon a horse to ride, and the rest of us boarded Zander's wagon, which is not at all as fantastic as the floating carriage and is drawn by an ordinary horse. Then we departed from Restov in a large group, all of the charter-holders traveling together until we pass beyond the southern border of Brevoy.

1st Pharast

After traveling for 6 days, the Varnlings split off from the main group and turned to the south. By the time we found the sign for Oleg's Trading Post that we had been told to expect, the Dreadnaughts also bid us farewell. I hope that I shall see them again before too much time has passed, as I enjoyed conversing with another worshipper of the Dawnflower. Reislin also seems to have befriended Havin Wayfinder, Jastra Moondown, and Erendis. They gave her gifts when we set off.

The weather has fortunately been mild. The Greenbelt is a vast rolling plain, with a line of trees to the west showing us where the forest known as the Narlmarches lies. The old fort in which Oleg Leveton has made his home and trading post is not an impressive sight. It is made of logs stood on end with their upper ends sharpened to a point. At each corner stands a tower holding a ballista. But the wood is old and weathered, with much of the chinking between the logs fallen out, and the ballistas are no longer in working order. Within the walls lies Oleg's house, a bunkroom, a small storehouse, and a stable.

Oleg himself is a rather gruff man of dour disposition. He at first mistook us for bandits. When he saw that we were not such ruffians, he explained that a bandit gang has been preying upon him and his wife Svetlana, taking all the furs they collect from local trappers as well as stealing food and supplies from them. He was in fact expecting the bandits to come for their "tithe", which was why he first assumed we were the brigands. After I read our charter aloud to him to confirm that we have been officially dispatched by the Swordlords of Restov, we asked him to tell us more of the bandits that we might understand our enemies.

Oleg gruffly told us that the bandits had first appeared in a group of a dozen men, but lately their regular visits have been by a smaller group numbering only five or six. One of their leaders was a man named Happs who had once lived at the trading post, but had been driven away for theft.
When we had learned what we could from Oleg, we at once began to plan how we could handle the threat of the bandits, as Oleg expects them to arrive tomorrow. Our charter states that unrepentant banditry is punishable by death. I wish to give the bandits the opportunity to lay down their arms and repent of their wrongful way. Maria and the others are in agreement with this.

Once we had decided we would try to persuade the bandits to surrender, and to fight them if they refuse, we had then to determine how we should meet them. Should we prevent them from entering the walls, or meet them in the courtyard? Should we hide ourselves from sight and attack them while they are unaware of us?  This took some considerable time to work out, as none of us have participated in this type of combat before.

In the end we have decided that we will let them enter the courtyard between the buildings, and while some of them are in the storehouse looking at the things they intend to take, we will make ourselves know by shutting the gate behind them so they cannot flee. Chahana will be on the walkway at the top of the wall with her bow and her horn, which she will blow to let us all know that the entire group has come inside the fort. Then Maria and Zander will push the gates shut. Simon will try to deal with their horses. I will take up a position behind the storehouse where they cannot see me, and Reislin will be on one of the towers from which she can cast her spells.

Now we have consumed a hearty meal of venison stew made by Oleg's kindly and much more friendly wife, Svetlana. It is time to rest so that we will be prepared to meet the bandits. Each of us will be standing a watch this night. It is a situation we must become accustomed to if we are to explore the wilds of the Greenbelt.

2nd Pharast

Just after we had taken breakfast, Chahana climbed up on the wall and spied a group of horsemen approaching the fort. We took up our positions as they drew nearer. Six men dismounted as the entered the courtyard, and two went into the storehouse. From my vantage behind it I could hear them tossing various items about heedlessly as they sought the most valuable objects. I put my head just past the corner of the building so that I could see one of the bandits standing near Oleg, whose fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white while the man Happs taunted him. I reached out with the sense that the Dawnflower has granted me in an effort to determine if the bandits are truly evil souls, but I could not find any evil in their auras.

Then I heard Chahana's horn blast and the thud of the gates slamming shut. I came out from behind the storehouse to stand in front of Oleg and told the bandits to lay down their arms and repent. At once Happs shouted to his men, ordering them to kill us. Two men struck at me at the same moment. I blocked one man's attack with the heavy shield Oleg had lent me, but the other was able to stab me from my right. I turned on him and slashed him in return.

Chahana's arrow flew true from the walkway, dealing Happs a serious wound. Zander emerged from beneath the walkway by the gate to attack a man at the rear of the group. Then Happs and the two men beside him slumped to the ground. I learned after that Reislin had sent them to sleep with her magic. One of the men tried to flee, but because he could not go out through the gate he ran toward the ladder to the walkway on which Chahana stood. Zander pursued him. Oleg used the truncheon he carried to strike the bandit nearest him over the head, dropping the man to the ground.

A second bandit also attempted to flee, running between Oleg's house and the bunkroom. I do not know what he meant to do; perhaps climb up to the walkway and leap from the wall. Both Maria and I pursued him and he surrendered to us. Zander had also persuaded his man to surrender and the man began to plead for his life. While we were all occupied with this, Oleg crushed Happs' skull with his truncheon.

We bound the remaining five men. One of the men was badly hurt, but the two who had surrendered and one of the sleepers we put into pits that lay behind the stable. We decided to question them one at a time, Maria and I together, first giving them the chance to repent. Then we asked if they would tell us where to find the rest of their band and how many men remained. One man refused to cooperate, stating that he had no desire to seek any other occupation. He would tell us nothing about the other bandits. The other men claimed to repent and a few of them told us more of their gang, including that their leader is a woman named Kressle and their camp lies three days away in the Narlmarches. One man also mentioned that they are part of a larger group led by someone called the Stag Lord, but he knew very little about this as he had never been to the camp of the main band that lies farther south.

Because the first man has refused to repent, we have decided that we must carry out the justice of the Swordlords. We have asked him whether he prefers to be executed by the sword or the rope, and he has chose the rope. This led us to another conversation about how best to carry this out and whether we should require the remaining prisoners to witness it. In the end we have decided we will drop him from the top of the gate, which we hope will quickly slay him without suffering. We will cover his head so that no one need see his face as he dies. The other men must watch so that they know we are serious, though Maria is not entirely pleased with this as she fears it represents a kind of mental torture, something she has suffered herself. Still she has not opposed having the other men watch their comrade's execution.

I admit I have little enthusiasm for slaying a man in this way. But it is the will of the rightful rulers of Restov who have granted us this charter, and my lady the Dawnflower also teaches that those who will not turn from evil should suffer just retribution. I can only take heart that the other men have chosen to repent of their wrong and perhaps the path of their lives can be changed.

3rd Pharast

The execution is done. All of our group witnessed it, along with our prisoners. I could not keep a tear of regret from my eye at taking a life in this manner.

Two of the men have said that they will leave this country if we free them. We have determined to do so, returning their arms to them and giving them a few days of food and a small amount of coin so that they will not be tempted to thieve again when they reach a populated area.

The other two men, whose names are Hagrid and Inky, will remain at the trading post working for Oleg in exchange for their food and lodging. We had at first thought we might remain for a few days to try to fortify the fort structure, as we fear that once the other group of bandits fail to return Kressle will send a larger group to investigate. But there are no supplies with which to fortify the walls and none of us know how to repair or operate a ballista, so any endeavor to return this structure to the state of a true fort will have little success.

Instead we will go out for a day to explore the surroundings of the fort. We hope to eventually locate an area where a logging camp might be set up so that we can have access to timber. Fortunately we now have access to the bandits' horses, which will make it possible for our explorations to range farther and leave us less exhausted once we become accustomed to riding all day.

5th Pharast

We have returned to the trading post from our exploration. A new group of people have arrived here, a small party of mercenaries sent by the leaders of Restov to protect the trading post and Oleg. There is also a traveler, a priest of Erastil named Jhod Kavken, who is seeking a ruined temple to the One-Eyed God which he saw in a vision. Chahana is not familiar with the gods of this part of the world, having come from distant Vudra, and Jhod told her of the god. Because Erastil's symbol is a stag, we told him of the Stag Lord and showed him the crude iron amulet we took from Happs' body. He does not believe this has any association with the Deadeye. I am happy to have with us a priest of a good god who is friendly to my lady. Jhod may accompany us on some of our exploration, as he is very eager to locate the temple from his vision. Oleg also has a variety of posters scattered about offering various rewards for finding certain creatures or people. There is even a reward of credit at the trading post offered for finding Svetlana's lost wedding ring.

Next: part 2, Attack the Bandits