Bandits in the Pass
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Aldym Avhoste stops in at taverns between Peltarch and Norwick - making the detours for Hinhold and Oscura - and shares with the patrons and barkeeps:
I was waylaid on the Nars Pass Bridge by bandits - not that this is news - but these were more skilled and better-equipped than any I've encountered there in recent memory. A half-dozen archers loosed arrows from the embankments - they waited on both sides of the bridge, though I did not engage them all at once - and a second group struck whilst I was pinned in by swordsmen on the crossing. Travel in caution, friends.
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After yet another caravan raid some time ago, little response was forthcoming from the Legion, Peltarch, armed contingents or Norwick's adventurers other than the response of ordinary citizens of Norwick, Peltarch and Hinhold to the wounded. With whatever swiftness recent raids have been conducted little of any military significance has been offered to an enemy who was so elusive and well practiced.
At a deep hour in the night of the Nars pass, scavengers gather to pick over what was left of caravans, gathering scraps of wood and any goods not taken by the well practiced ambush force. Eventually only those who scratch the poorest of livings from the land venture into the pass with organised opposition to caravans dwindling.
Then just before dawn huge blasts are heard loudest in hinhold, first mistaken for summer thunder, then word reaches Norwick and Peltarch of these loud explosions before the sun rises over the nars pass, creatures peering out of the treeline wondering what took place.
Those passing by the bridge in the nars soon realise the tactically significant towers, and their upper firing platforms have been reduced to rubble, those of a tactical mind, pass by and half-relieved that bandits won't be able to occupy them again.
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Various reports of highly professional and tactically aware remnants of the renegade defenders, have been reported over recent times , their highly elusive, and lethal attacks on the caravan's they prey upon were cause for concern across the region.
While there were reports of siege and long ranged weapons used at times when the circumstances were suitable, it seemed like their numbers were limited at least among the veterans, occasionally with other forces led by these notables. On the whole, there was, perhaps strangely no escalation or large scale assault upon any fortified location, but after the last attack near the bridge whatever motivation was driving them has now led them from the region. The rag-tag banditry, and scavengers of well travelled caravan routes remains on occasion, but not it seems centred around the temporary ambush camps near the bridge, where the stronger armed bandits leading others was the typical behaviour. Banditry now seemingly being reserved for either opportunists, outcasts and thieves from many communities and on occasion stranger foes with motivations less obvious.
Among those who know trade, it is doubtless that however many veterans of the renegades left the region, they did so with ample resources and wealth, to what end is unknown, and some of the trading families in Hinhold, The mercantile and crafters guilds of Peltarch, and those who hold authority in Norwick, are seemingly calling for leadership from their mutual interests, some claiming it takes those who know the ways of the bandit, the scout or the caravan to best deal with these threats. Some look for advice from the Waukeener Varchess DeLeon, and her affiliation with the Sapphire Crescent organisation, others look to adventurers who are also crafters, traders or explorers to fore-warn scouts, caravans and military alike, often given their remarkable wealth and skill at arms or magic. While others associated with civic authority, especially in Peltarch call on the civic council to affirm their new duties and do even more for prosperity. The new trading houses of Pale Star and Copper Star are of course primarily concerned with their own profits and the wellbeing of their investors, and trade in Norwick, Peltarch and Hinhold are all benefitting greatly from huge volumes of trade, shifting to the Narfell towns and cities, moving west down the long road.
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The aspiring archer and swordswoman Keller has been roaming up and down the pass so frequently in recent weeks that some have inquired which organization she's patrolling for. On her most recent arrival at Peltarch, she reported to the guards the discovery of the aftermath of a battle on the road west of Menhir Ridge, just south of the way to Oscura. Blood still stained the trail and debris smouldered.
"Didn't see nothing in the area save the usual bandit riffraff."
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Following reports of the Renegade Defenders setting up artillery across the Scar near Jiyyd for a long range assault, General Theaon Thorn of the Troff Legion and Maya Senden - one of the adventurers who first saw the construction of said artillery - went across the Scar to further investigate. Upon their arrival they found what appeared to be the foundations of the aforementioned artillery, but the General could not help but think the location of it did not make sense. Soon afterwards, an orange glow in the sky and a loud boom was heard from the west. When they made their way back across the Scar to the Crossroads, another large caravan was hit. Soldiers of the Legion, Hinhold, and even Peltarch arrived at the scene, but it was too late as the attackers were gone and all members of the caravan were dead.
One may be left to wonder if the construction of heavy artillery across the Scar was a ruse.
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Following the caravan attack, scouting of the previous bandit/rebel defender attacks, taking down enemy scouts that were left behind, and exploding the previous camp with its; tents, bedrolls, and cooking supplies.
Fenia and Thau stayed behind to help take care of the many bodies of the innocent fallen civilian caravan members, until the bridge was completely cleared, before sorely and exhaustedly making her way back to Peltarch, with a sullen expression. Fenia stopping only to acquire her favorite fresh cookies on the way back...
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Following a caravan attack, soldiers from both the Troff Legion and Hinhold could be see helping adventurers clean up the wreckage and tend to the bodies of the fallen. Survivors of the caravan attack were reported to have fled to Peltarch.
The attack itself was said to be very precise, likely performed by highly trained individuals. The attack supposedly came from west of the bridge from the Nars Valley that leads into the old Gypsy Camp. Word spreads that the first group of adventurers to investigate encountered two hostile bandits on the road just outside Hinhold, allegedly wearing the colors of the old Renegade Defenders from the days of the Peltarch Civil War.
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Word spreads of two separate battles between the bandits by the Nars Bridge and soldiers of the Troff Legion. The first occurred near the bandit leader's camp, where a bandit archer appeared to be frozen by Legion General Theaon Thorn, only to be shot down by her own fellow bandits. After the battle concluded, the Legion troops made their way towards the Gypsy Camp.
The following day the Legion troops emerge from the camp and engage a few more bandits at the leader's camp. After killing all of the bandits at the camp, the General was able to capture a lone bandit closer to the bridge with a hold spell. After being disarmed, the bandit was reportedly defiant, accusing the Troff Legion of being bandits and having no connection to the other bandits. After the hold spell seemingly wore off, the bandit wildly started swinging at the Legion troops, until he was knocked out. At that point, several more bandit archers appeared and started firing towards the Legion troops, and their incapacitated friend. As General Theaon, Corporal Thau'lira, and Recruit Es provided cover, Corporal Pugor bravely put the unconscious bandit over his should and made his way towards Hin Hold. From there, the Legion troops were reportedly able to bring the bandit to their cells for further questioning.
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Following the recent attack on the hin caravan from Damara, General Theaon Thorn of the Troff Legion pays a visit to the bandit camp west of the bridge on the Nars. He instructs the bandits gathered to drop their weapons and disperse, unsurprisingly to no avail. After a short fight, the bandit leader and his thugs were all killed by the Legion General. After dispatching of the bandits, General Theaon places a note inside of the tent used by the bandit leader with the Troff Legion seal:
To the next group of bandit scum who inhabit this camp,
Your acts of attempted theft, thuggery, and murder are no longer going to be tolerated. You have been warned many times in the past, and given ample opportunity to throw down your arms and surrender. Each time this has occurred your men have refused, and each time they have died pointless deaths. Many years ago this same Pass was inhabited by bandits far better organized, well-armed, and more numerous than you are, with a red dragon on their side. They too drew the ire of forces for good in this region, and they eventually met their annihilation. You are in no position to make the same mistakes they did and assume your fates will be better off.
You will pack up your camp and disperse, never again returning to these roads to commit acts of thuggery against those who travel it. Failure to do so will result in the complete obliteration of your camp at the hands of the Troff Legion. This is your one and only warning. Do not continue to make the same poor choices that have already gotten many of your men killed.
General Theaon Thorn
Commander of the Troff Legion
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In recent times, word filtered out of Peltarch of a caravan that was overdue from hinhold to Peltarch, didn't make it's usual stop at the Inn en-route. A few of the caravans from Peltarch heading southward, were delayed as caravan masters gathered up extra guards.
Meanwhile a caravan from Damara, crewed almost entirely of hin's, wagons empty, other than a few chests, heading home apparently, left Peltarch regardless of news of danger and death in the pass and happily headed off down the Nars chuckling somewhat at a few scared caravan masters.
A hin local of the Legion known as Marty, accompanied by a city guard of Peltarch, Meadow went to investigate this interruption to trade.The group found an all-together braver caravan from Damara, with a large hin retinue, seemingly empty did make it as far as the nars pass after a brief stop in Peltarch. It appears some locals appeared out of nowhere and eliminated whatever force was leading them in concert with the caravan skirmishers and armed retinue. At least the hin caravan, complete with a rather nice herd of pigs and wild boar made it as far as Hin Hold. It seems at least for now, that caravan means to stay there, and stay out of the bustle of the walls for now making camp by the lake. It seems like this 2nd new caravan in the region is fast making friends among the locals.
Meanwhile, pyres to the dead and fallen caravan guards as well as the bandits, burned long into the night.
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With multiple corpses of bandits now strewn about the crossroads, when things are safer, Legionnaire Trainee and Priestess of the Great Mother Esmeralda would take time using her blessings to summon allies to help gather corpses and build a pyre of bodies away from any dry grass or trees. After piling multiple and many bodies, some rotten while others fresh from a recent battle not involving her, she'd take time and effort while blessed with Chauntea's strength to bring them together, grimacing the entire time. Then, collecting body parts, weapons and armor, she brings them all to the big bloody mess of a pile, resisting the urge to throw up while doing so.
Looking to all the lost human lives, her saddened gaze changes to one more of pained resolve as she prays:
"Great Mother, I ask you to help shepherd any remaining souls here to the afterlife to face Kelemvor's judgment. Through death may there be renewal, with lessons learned I pray this pass may one day yet bloom with peace, free from individuals that would bring harm to others maliciously."
Invoking a column of fire, she incinerates the remains, leaving nothing but ashes, bone fragments, and mostly consumed equipment, though bothers not to clean the rest up, wanting to leave it as a reminder to those that would try to continue troubling others.
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Over the last few months, Troff Legion General Theaon Thorn has continued his attempt to open a dialogue with the bandits on the Nars Pass, specifically reminding them what happened to the Eastlander bandits who were much more organized and had a much larger force. Unsurprisingly, the General's words have had no sway on the bandits, forcing him to cut them down each time. His most recent attempt to negotiate with the bandit leader failed once again. However, this time upon defeating the bandit leader and his minions, he leaves a copy of a booked titled "The Eastlander War" in the chest at the bandit camp, hoping the next group of bandits that come by could perhaps be enlightened and discontinue their ways of murder and thievery on the Pass.
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A large collection of Nars Bandits seem to have been found quite a distance south east of Norwick with a sizable group taking camp in the Rawlns there. Its not the easiest to access either. WIth this being public knowledge though, she emphasizes people who are looking to protect the roads to make visiting the location a not too uncommon occurrence. She will guide anyone who wants to know where it is in the future.
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Words spreads recently returned Troff Legion General Theaon Thorn approached the bandit camp west of the bridge in the Nars attempting to open conversation. When faced with threats and the bandits moving in to attack, the General pleaded with them to reconsider, but to no avail. Three bandits, including the leader, fell rather quickly to the General's sword. Three more bandits from the southern tower arrived shortly after, but they were felled even faster.
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Lady Tiller has taken it upon herself to approach the bandits and extend an olive branch of peace at least for a day to speak with the bandits, to which she ended up ambushed after having subdued their leader when the offer was rejected. After some discussion with their present leader. The name "Erich" seemed to have popped up as well as the particular bandit Varya was speaking to ran off after the encounter. When any inquire about the rumors, she tells them to be careful, the bandits who were paid to raid others and are associated with said individual might also be associating with possible cultists or undead that smell 'sickeningly sweet'.
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Lady Varya Tiller hears of this and would begin to walk the path herself, as well as encouraging Ravos and any other members of the farm to either dispatch them, or report them to herself or her husband to help ensure safe travel and no trade disruptions between the north and the south.
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Aldym had a few toasts raised in his name by some patrons after hearing the tale. Though as the days rolled by, more and more rumors and reports came in about merchants and travelers of the pass, despite having armed guards, never arriving to their destination. Investigations up and down the Nar's have not revealed any trace of the victims.
The bridge has been mostly clear of bandits since Aldym's charge, but it seems his victory had been too late for some.
