We are taking a break from the Lion Castle Colony Scenario. Same players, new characters, new setting.
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This is not an official SFABC event, but almost everyone in it is in the club, so I am listing it.
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RECAP OF FEBRUARY 15, 2026 SESSION
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THE TREK TO THE BANDIT CAMP

Having disarmed their captives of their weapons, magic rings, Holy Symbols, etc., the Bandits and their captives headed north on the road for around an hour. The group then stopped to clear fallen trees and other debris which concealed a side trail heading west. The trail narrowed after a couple of hours. The wagons were unloaded, camouflaged, and left with two Willies standing guard.

The rest of the group followed the trail uphill and inland, camping at night, and arriving at the Bandit Headquarters the following morning. Queller, Sioned, and Dartyen were assigned to the Fighters, Clerics, and Magic User who resided in the Central Compound. The rest of the group was put to work during the day and imprisoned in a gated cave at night.

Henry and his group of thieves arrived at the camp the following day. His squad had attacked Javier and company at the rear of the players' caravan. They had fired a volley of arrows, killing or wounding three of the party before disengaging and withdrawing before the more heavily-armed members of the group could close with them. Henry's party rested, then left on a new mission the following day. They were to take one of the two wagons, the players' horses, the players' donkeys, and some other miscellaneous gear to the closest Trading Post on the Far Boulevard and sell / trade them for other materials.

The players remained gang-pressed for two weeks. One night they were awakened by Luna, who was there with Joe and Kate. They had ambushed and killed Septus' squad of bandits. The trio had opened the lock (courtesy of Kate's Knock Spell), turned the guard dog (courtesy of Luna's Speak with Animals and Animal Friendship spells), and captured the two human guards. They gave the captives the weapons and arms of the dead bandits.

NEGOTIATIONS

When everyone was ready, they went to the Central Compound and rang the bell. The Bandits came running out, many of them without armor. Having first advised the party to back her up, she addressed the Bandits stating they could either parlay or they could fight. If they choose to fight, the Bandits will face staggering casualties, even under their best-case scenario. Her side had multiple spellcasters, multiple people who could see in the dark and--she whistled and most of the dogs in the Bandit Camp came running to her--most of the dogs. She stated her friends would first target the Bandit Magic User ("who will be dead before the first sword is drawn") first, followed by the Clerics.

Cuomo, the Bandit Magic User said that he didn't especially wish to meet his maker this soon, the Clerics looked unhappy, and several of the high-ranking Fighters urged Snidely to negotiate. After some back-and-forth a deal was struck.

THE ART OF THE DEAL

The Adventurers Received
.....All party members would be released. This includes the Farkles and Burfels.
.....Their mules, the wagon, and miscellaneous gear would be returned to the Adventurers.
.....Their rings, weapons, and armor would be returned to the Adventurers.
.....The six dogs Luna had suborned would remain with the Adventurers.

The Bandits Received
.....Oliver and Jeremy, the fighters who had been guarding the captives would be released.
.....The weapons, armor, and gear of Septus and his party, who had been ambushed and slain by Luna, Joe, and Kate, were returned to the Bandits.

The Adventurers withdrew to the forest and returned the following day to allow the Bandits time to assemble the party's belongings.

UNEXPECTED COMPANY

Sioned accepted the mantle of Party Leader during the overnight discussions. The prisoners and gear were swapped in stages.

Everything seemed resolved until an unexpected complication arose.

Oliver and Jeremy, who had seen both sides of the two groups, said that they (and Oliver's girlfriend, Collette) wished to join the Adventurers. So did the Clerics Harold and Froggy.

Moreover a number of women (and three of their children) wished to depart with the Adventurers. Sioned was happy to accept the Clerics, ambivalent about Oliver and Jeremy, giving them a provisional approval, and reluctantly allowed the women and children to tag along, but they would do so at their own risk. She would not promise to protect them. Oliver and Jeremy said they would keep them safe. Various members of the party also said they would defend them if at all possible. The women are Ann, Beatrice (and child), Collette (Oliver's sweetheart), Esther, Hester, Jane, Marie (and her two children), Suni, and Tiffany (and her child). They collectively brought four cows, a bull, and a cage of chickens with them.

LUNA LIED

The extended party returned to the road and headed north, resuming their trek to Piermont Fortress. After a backtracking to be sure the party was not being followed, Luna, Joe, and Kate pulled Sioned, Dartyen, and Queller aside to give them some additional information.

During the negotiations Snidely asked about the return of the gear of Chrysula and the missing members of her party. Luna claimed ignorance of their fate. The adventurers observed Septus' group coming down the trail. The Luna trio trailed them from a distance,and attacked them at night when the night vision and arkane abilities of the elves allowed the trio to attack Septus & company when most of them were asleep. They said they had never event seen the other party, let alone know their fate.

In reality, when the trio spotted the Septus gang, they did not immediately follow them. They were debating what to do when they heard the approach of the Chrysula party. The trio took cover, observed Chrysula split her forces, and then attacked her from behind. They killed them, stripped and hid their bodies, and concealed their weapons and armor elsewhere. It was only after the trio had completed that mission that they went after the group of Septus.

Luna, Joe, and Kate now wished to return for that booty.
They took the Farkle family to help them carry the load and backtracked through the woods on the east side of the road, then crossed to the west side, dug up the booty, and then caught up with the rest of the party the following day.

NOTES ON THE PLAYERS' CAPTIVITY

What Queller Learned

The Bandit Brigade is a Fighter-driven operation. Snidely Whiplash (Big Willie) relies on his two primary lieutenants, Echo (4L Human Female Fighter) and Flon (4L Dwarf Male Fighter) to carry out his orders and provide him with counsel. Gus (3L Human Fighter) is Snidely's bodyguard and Aide-de-Camp. Andre, Slocum, and Henry round out the key fighters. All are 3L humans. Andre and Slocum handle the First and Second Shifts of the Guards. Henry handles special assignments. There are six 2L human Patrol Guards (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Nora, and Frodo) and four 1L human Pro Tem Patrol Guards (Lorenzo, Tony, Flora, and Hancock).

The Bandits do not keep a continuous eye on the road. The bandit camp is in the hills a day to the west of the road. They have an arrangement with the suspicious Trading Post two days south on the road. The Trading Post sends a message by Homing Pigeon alerting Bandits when something profitable is heading their way. The Bandits assemble their forces, most of whom are working the scattered farms and homesteads or are on guard duty and head to the road.

Echo, Flon, and the other high key fighters live in a barracks in the Central Compound. Six buildings make up the compound: Snidely's Quarters, the Fighter Barracks, the Cleric House & Workshop, the Magic User House & Workshop. the Commons Mess Hall and Meeting Area, and the Warehouse. There is a bell atop a pole outside the Central Compound. A pack of dogs also resides there.

Queller was treated reasonably well by the fighters, particularly fellow dwarf Flon. He discovered that Snidely dislikes elves and uses the alias Big Willie for fear that his nemesis, a Ranger named Dudley, will track him down.

The Bandits did 5 things when they arrived at the Central Compound:

1.....Made arrangements for the disposition of Queller, Sioned, Dartyen, and the rest of their prisoners.
2.....Sent word to the Trading Post to be alert for Javier group which was last seen heading in their direction.
3.....Distributed the booty seized from the adventurers.
4.....Discussed how to turn the adventurers into treasure without offending any of the various parties interested in them.

This last point was quite contentious. Should they contact Mr Cobblepott, the Ebony Countess, or Kingsmen? All of these parties (and others) had agents and spies in one another's ranks. They could make contact with someone claiming to represent the Kingsmen, for example, and find themselves at the mercy of the Ebony Countess.

They decided to put off approaching Oceanside City until after attending more pressing matters. They would first send a party to the Trading Post on Far Boulevard (not the Trading Post which worked with them) where they could get a better price for the adventurers' horses, donkeys, and one wagon. They would use the low-value mules for work on the farms.

What Sioned Learned

There are three Clerics in the Bandit Party, Maude (4L Human Female), Harold (2L Human Male), and Froggy (2L Human Female). Harold and Froggy are siblings and look out for one another. All are low wisdom with spell failure chance.

The Clerics have a house in the Central Compound which serves as their living and working quarters. They have little say in the decision-making. Sioned is put under their authority and follows their orders. Maude is nasty to Sioned as she is afraid that Sioned may replace her as the Head Cleric. Harold is only mean to her when Maude is around. Froggy is unpleasant, but it seems to be that way with everyone except her brother.

Sioned's Holy Symbol was placed in a locked box. Maude has the key. The Clerics' first assignment was to cast Detect Magic on each of the rings, swords, and adventurers' gear to determine what was magical and the specifics.

What Dartyen Learned

The Bandit Camp included two Magic Users who shared a living space / work space in the Central Compound: Cuomo (4L Human Male) and Chrysula (4L Half Elf Female). Chrysula is missing and presumed dead. No one misses her. She was a thoroughly unpleasant person but tolerated because her casting of Stinking Clouds was a primary component of the Bandits attack formation.

All the Spell Books are in a locked chest. Cuomo holds the key.

Fiona, a 2L Human Fighter, is assigned to Cuomo to ensure that Dartyen does not attempt to overpower him.

What the Rest of the Group Learned

There are 20 - 40 men and women who are farmer / herders who can be mobilized when needed. The ground is not very good for farming. Vegetable gardens work. There are some plots of barley and corn, but no wheat. Much of the land is used as pasturage for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens.

The Farkle and Burfel families were split up and reside with different farmers or families.

The captured Adventurers (Oota, Helen, Ro, Nick, Luka, Dimsdale, and Runeskata) are locked up in a cave at night. Chains are wrapped around the two halves of the gate and stretch to a nearby tree where they are secured with a lock. The lock is well beyond the reach of the prisoners. Oliver (2L Fighter), Jeremy (1L Fighter) and a dog stand guard at night. They do not have a key to the lock. Jeremy goes to the Central Compound each morning to get the key to release the captives. He then returns it to Snidely or Gus. Additional Guards accompany the prisoners to their work assignments after breakfast.

Oliver and Jeremy are the Fighters who had been captured by Luna's patrol before Snidely and company arrived at the caravan. They treat the Adventurers as well as can be expected as they had briefly been captives themselves.

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PIERMONT FORTRESS

Luna, Joe, Kate, and the Farkles retrieved the gear of the Chrysula party and rejoined the main group without incident.

The trip to Piermont Fortress was uneventful. They followed the road north for an additional three days, then took a side trail west for two more days and finally arrived at their destination.

Even from a distance they could tell something was wrong. The trail showed no traffic, the fields had not been plowed, there was no banner flying from the fortification, and no fires burning to indicate habitation. The group made camp beside a mountain stream beside which the animals could forage.

The following morning Sioned led a reconnaissance party to approach the fort. The fortress was constructed as a motte-and-bailey. The gates to the bailey had been knocked down and the wood palisade breached in two additional places. The various workplaces had been destroyed, though the fabric works looked like it could be patched up without too much difficulty. The well had been filled in.

Things were much worse in the hilltop motte. The motte well had been systematically filled in and fouled, as opposed to the bailey well which had been filled in a more haphazard manner. The gates (exterior gate and gate to the bailey) had been destroyed, and most of the motte wall collapsed. The fortress building had been knocked down and set ablaze. A pool of water filled the cellar.

The group decided to camp for the night inside the bailey ("partial walls are better than no walls"). The following morning Sioned would lead another reconnaissance and investigate the surrounding area.

THE RETURN OF JORGE

This next bit is being related out-of-sequence.

When the exploration team returns to the bailey, they are surprised to find Javier, Ted, Shari, Murphy, and Brownyn there.

Javier: We were attacked from the east flank while you guys were under attack from the Bandits main force. Ted, Bronwyn, and I were all hit by arrows, Bronwyn and I multiple times. They fled when Shari and Murphy joined us.

I had been hit hard and Bronwyn was barely alive. I was able to stop her bleeding, throw her atop my horse, and moved us out of there. We were in no shape to help you guys. Sorry.

When we were no longer in a direct line-of-sight of the caravan, we moved off the road and headed south. We needed time and supplies. Luna had said there was something suspicious about the Trading Post on the side road, so went to the Trading Post on Far Boulevard. We came across a stream along the way and used it to conceal our tracks. We went under a small bridge, left the stream, and continued south through the woods on the east side of the road.

I traded in one of my magic rings for supplies at the Far Boulevard Trading Post, then headed back to see if we could help you. We stayed on the road while on Far Boulevard, but left it and went through the woods when we came to the side road. We stayed in sight of the side road in case you guys were on it.

We were between the cutoff to Far Boulevard and the suspicious Trading Post when we spotted something interesting: a group of men on a familiar wagon, leading a batch of familiar horses and donkeys. Some of the faces of the men were familiar too. This was the group who had attacked us. Well over a week had gone by, so Ted and I were back in shape and even Brynwyn was moving around. We shadowed them from the woods and attacked at night, taking advantage of Brynwyn's magic and Shari and Murphy's night vision. They won't be bushwacking anyone anymore. We stripped the bodies, dumped their corpses, and returned to the Far Boulevard Trading Post. I traded in my other magic ring for food and stabling for the animals. Shari, Murphy, and I already had our animals, so we grabbed the donkeys of Ted and Brynwyn.

We again retraced our steps, keeping to the east woods, avoiding the suspicious Trading Post and the spot where we had been ambushed, We figured Piermont Fortress was our best bet. Maybe you were already here. If not, we hoped to get help in searching for you. I can see you bet us here, which is good because it looks like the fort ain't going to be up to helping anyone.

By the way, I reckon the group owes me compensation for trading in my magic rings. Also, let's not forget that the Far Boulevard Trading Post is holding our other wagon and our animals.

DISTRIBUTION OF VALUABLES

1.....Zeno's Stuff

Zeno is dead. I assume the trivial stuff - darts, flint & steel, waterskin, bedroll, backpack, 2 flasks oil go into the group provisions.
What about his +2 dagger, rechargeable ring of pyrotechnics, horse, and donkey?

2.....Henry Group Stuff - Killed by Javier Party

Sling, Banded Armor, 8 Leather Armor, 11 Flasks Oil, 9 Daggers, 8 short bows, 9 small sacks, 1 large sack, 9 bedrolls, 5 Flint & Steel, 8 waterskins, 4 sets thieves tools.

3.....Chrysula Group Stuff - Killed by Luna Party

Spell Book. One Use Rings: 1L Darkness, 1L Write, 2L Cure Light Wounds, 2L Darkness, Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Magic Missile, Resist Cold. +1 Dagger. Blessed Dagger. Spell Component Pouch.
5 Daggers. 2 Long Sword. 3 Short Sword. 2 Short Bow. 23Crossbow. 3 Sling. 13 Flasks Oil. Backpack. Flint & Steel, 1 week trail ratios. Large Sack. 2 Waterskin. 25' Rope.