The stew was delicious and would be perfectly complimented by a hearty red wine... Karyna's offer of wine pulled Oleg back.<strong>"You're an alright sort, I guess,"</strong>he admitted, gruffly.<br/><br/><strong>"I believe what my husband means is, thank you so much for your help!"</strong>Svetlana added with an elbow to the ribs. Oleg grunted but didn't protest further.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Master Oleg, do you have anything in outpost what could be used to build simple traps for bandits? Like hunting traps, flammable oils or such? Also how many usually come collect the money from you?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Oleg shook his head.<strong>"I sold my last traps to Breeg Orlivanch. The son of a bitch still owes me, but he's been missing for some time - I wager he gave up trapping and joined the bandits!</strong><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">DC 20 Diplomacy check</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>"There's half a barrel of lantern oil in storage - but I'd rather you not burn down the place."</strong></div></div><br/><br/>Svetlana added,<strong>"The bandits first came three months ago and threatened to burn down the trading post if we didn't hand over all the furs and trade goods. There were a dozen of them... the second time seven, and the last time only five. I suspect they've let down their guard and think us cowed... which we were until you showed up."</strong><br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Good thought," he nodded. "Let's go over this in detail," he proposed. "How does the collection usually go? Do they come in, do you go out? Do they come on foot, on horses? How are they armed? Always the same faces, or different ones?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Svetlana continued,<strong>"They ride in right through the gate, on horses - threatened to use fire unless we opened up. Usually they wait in the yard <em>(A1)</em> while they raid our storage pen <em>(A4)</em>, then they leave. Their leader's a woman with two hatchets, and a sharper mind than the rest.</strong>The good woman shuddered.<strong>"She scares me the most - her eyes were heartless and cruel. Her second is a bowman with a large cloak, and the rest had swords and bows. The woman came only the first time, and since it's been just the cloaked man and his men."</strong><br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">I'll check if there are any obvious signs of our passage outside, although I doubt it would be an issue, especially since the bandits won't be coming up the same road."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/><strong>"The bandits come from the west and leave in that direction. They usually seem eager to return to their camp, so I think it can be reached on the same day.</strong>The South Rostland Road the party had arrived by came from the northeast, so their own tracks would be behind the trading post and out of sight.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>After finishing their meal, final preparations were made and then the explorers retired early to the guest house. They would need to rest and be up early to catch the bandits when they arrived shortly after sunrise...<br/><br/><em>OOC: Last chance for more questions or conversations.<br/>Each person picks a spot on the map to hide. You can make a stealth check which will allow you to possibly have a surprise round. Or, you can hunker down completely hidden, which does not require a stealth check but gives up your surprise round.</em>