"Thank you!" The man had grateful tears in his eyes. "Anything that the bandits have on them you can keep. I'll be happy enough knowing that they got what they deserved - if there's any way I can help-"<br/><br/>"No, you will<em>not</em>go out and play hero and get yourself killed," Horo cut him off firmly with her arms crossed.<br/><br/>"But-"<br/><br/>"No buts! We'll keep our heads down and stay out of the way and let the professionals handle it without making them look after us as well."<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The first of Pharast, spring proper. The guest house was not the most comfortable of places but it was still much better than camping out in the open exposed to the cold and the elements. After a simple breakfast of bread with butter and berry jam, the Olegs took refuge in their bedroom and locked and barred as many doors between them and the inevitable conflict to take place soon outside as they could, leaving the explorers to set up their ambush as they saw fit. The sun rose over a fine day. The frost was crunchy underfoot and one's breath could be seen in little puffs as fleeting as the streaks of clouds that were painted over the canvass of a clear blue sky.<br/><br/>It was shortly after sunrise that the bandits appeared over the horizon: four of them in total, on horseback, leading two more pack horses behind them. From her vantage point on the tower Lydia was the first to see them. They had long bows on their backs and short swords at their hips. The lead bandit wore an oversized cloak that was draped less than impressively over his skinny frame.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Map for ambush planning:<br/><br/>(http://i.imgur.com/ZYd4by4.jpg)<br/><br/>For Lydia, being on any of the four watchtowers at the corners of the trading post will provide her with field of fire over both the inside and the outside of the trading post. The bandits don't think to look up and thus she can remain automatically hidden until she otherwise makes her presence known, for example by shooting.<br/><br/>The gate is located at the southern wall and currently open in order to let the bandits in without arousing their suspicions. (If the plan calls for the gate to be closed initially locking the bandits out, this is also possible.) Anyone adjacent to it can open or close the gate as a standard action. It can be barred or unbarred with a wooden plank from either inside or outside as another standard action to further delay anyone trying to leave. Both actions provoke attacks of opportunities. Being at the gate exposes one to the bandits' notice. It is possible to roll a Stealth check to try to remain unseen, otherwise better have a story prepared to tell them...<br/><br/>For everyone else, the bandits aren't being cautious at all and thus hiding anywhere there is cover or out of sight will automatically succeed.<br/><br/>The Olegs are taking refuge at A11 but won't come out until the bandits have been dealt with. The catapults drawn on the towers are broken and unuseable.<br/><br/>Please indicate initial positions. The bandits will arrive at the gate soon!<br/></div></div>