S03E02

## Waylaid, Delayed and Frustrated

### Summary:

The Dread Company, headed back to Aldford to stop Maedalyn Dyre, are captured by a group of Riverland bandits.

### Characters:

Christor, Maxir, Minerva, Whistler

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## Waylaid, Delayed and Frustrated

The heroes of the Dread Company had just heard terrible news. The Glenbain’s arch nemesis, Maedayln Dyre, with the help of the witch Maggy the Frog had infiltrated Minnie’s cabin in the swamps north of Aldford. Minnie had spent months collecting arcane tomes and mystical artifacts to study. Now in the hands of Maedalyn and Maggy, the magical power was being used to summon a dead god from regions unknown – a force that would destroy the entire world. The Dread Company went racing through the Riverlands to reach Minnie’s cabin before Maedalyn’s ritual was complete.

## The Cave

But even heroes need to rest regularly, and three days into their ride, the group found easy shelter in shallow caves by the side of the road. This proved to be a mistake. These caves give off a natural vapour that causes travelers to sleep deeply. The local bandits took advantage of this, easily carrying the group to their camp. They put Percy and Torrhen in a secure cabin, and put the rest in a primitive cave cell.

They awoke in the cell to find a wretched peasant woman chained outside their bars. Seeing them awake, she called Donnic, the captain of the bandits. Donnic explained that he was a very friendly and reasonable sort of bandit, only pushed to this behaviour because of what the war had done to the smallfolk. He said that once the last of the Loyalist and Rebel troops were out of the area, he would let the Dread Company go. And he would keep all of their money, horses, weapons and equipment, of course. Then Donnic promptly left.

## The Death of Quint "Redtoe"

Alone with the wretched peasant woman, they discovered that her name was Molly. She was easily manipulated into telling them that their gear was stored in a nearby cabin and that they only had one guard watching them – a large peasant called Redtoe.

Christor was surprised to hear this name. He grew up in the village of Sallydance with a boy named Quint who everyone called Redtoe. And sure enough, when their guard came to look at them, it was Quint.

Christor said, “Quint, it’s me. You need to let me and my friends go.”
But Quint said, “No Christor, being a bandit is great. I get good meals and nice clothes. We beat up whoever we want and take their things. It’s wonderful. You should join us.”

Speaking with Quint wasn’t getting them anywhere, so the group decided to attack him. They at first smashed him up against the bars, taking his key and unlocking their cell. Then Quint drew a sword and slashed Maxir. Christor was saddened to do so, but he hit Quint in the face with a rock, caving in his friend’s head as if it were a ripe melon.

## The Bandit Camp

The group crept quietly to the cabin that contained their gear. The cabin itself was left unlocked as a sign of trust between the bandits. But as Minnie left the small building, she tripped a line attached to a large bell. The bandits were alerted.

The ensuing fight was fearsome, the bandits used the dense forest around the camp to launch arrows and then fall back into cover. Christor was shot many times and badly wounded. Maxir found himself chasing bandits that seemed to disappear around every corner. It took the coordinated effort of the whole group to defeat their enemies, Whistler’s amazing ability to dodge attacks and Minnie’s brutal axe.

## Victorious

The party was able to rescue Percy and Torrhen and find their horses. But just as they were mounting to leave, the full company of bandits returned to their camp. Thirty seasoned fighters rode into the camp to see what the Dread Company had done.

Maxir yelled, “I am Maxir Glenbain, and this is the sword Dreadwailer. There is a horrible evil that needs to be stopped. I will reward anyone who rides with us and kill anyone who stands in my way.”
Then Minnie added, “And if you see how we killed your friends, you’ll know that you cunts don’t stand a chance.”

The bandits were surprised and intimidated, and they swore to join Maxir’s cause – so long as they earned more than they would have made with their banditry. It was agreed and the Dread Company took to the rode again, headed for Aldford in a hurry.

## Experience

- Christor, Maxir, Minerva and Whistler each earned 15 XP, 3 Glory and 400 Silver Stags

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