Near the Royal Oak

A small encampment appears overnight nead the Royal Oak.

Two tents, one campfire. Nothing fancy. A few people sit around the fire or walk around - keeping their eyes on the road and the bridge at all times.
The word starts spreading that the Bastards decided to "wait for their prey" - since they can be almost certain that it will come to them if they wait long enough.
Soon after, the encampment becomes the starting point for patrols in the region - always leaving one or two men to tend to the fire and watch the Inn.

They don't seem to bother those who pass by, and when asked, they state they are on the lookout of Drow, Zhents, Pact-mages, necromancers, malarites and other abominations... Pretty much all the sources of the ill reputation the Royal Oak has gained recently.

Those who remain at the camp seem always vigilant and well armed.

A black clothed woman approaches the camp, going to those at the camp and giving them some extra food rations. When asked why, she says simply

"They are a gift from one whom I carry with me."

An Elven ranger is frequently seen at the camp while she is patrolling the nearby region.

She checks with the guards and keeps an eye on the surroundings and provides the guards with food and water.

*a heavily hooded and robed brown woman calling herself Brown approaches the encampment asking for Taeron. She asks for permission to keep her hood and robes on*

*Alfie eyes the road, and pathways, most likely unnoticed by untrained eyes, he patrols along, keeps reporting back to camp frequently*

On his way back to give report, Alfie sees the hooded figure, and stands still, hidden in a nearby shadowy area enough close to get an ear on the conversation.

The voice would be very familiar. He heard it most first flattering then slinging insults at a nasty acid-smelling dragon.

Alfie notices the voice, mumbles to himself behind the shadows

-Tis sounds like tha Songbird fella, brave n quiet one, who helped us back in the Halls of Ironhouses...hrmm funny tho i neva get a chance to learn bout her..

*scratches his head, then reports to Taeron, about the hooded person, and what he knows about her*

//PM sent to Tae

*Sitting by the campfire, Taeron notices her and stands up slowly. He checks his gear and heads towards her, greeting her with a nod*

Good evening, girl. What it is you need?

Eric takes his evening stroll by the woods and relieves himself a few steps away from the road on an old bark of a tree as he hears some noises from afar.

It's nice to see you again *smile in her voice*

Please can I have permission to pass around here without unmasking?

Anadra makes it clear that any cloaked persons must be identified and shown to not be a drow.

*was in the middle of talking to Taeron*

*Roman II walks by warily and inquires about what the camp is all about... after getting a short explanation as to why they are there... he goes into the inn, packs up his mandolin, lute, and drum from storage and leaves the inn with his instruments in tow... heading for Freehaven.*

*Sariah walks to the Royal Oak with a freshly caught deer for Sandra as she ussualy does, but stops before the bridge noticing the camp. She studies it for a moment from afar, then passes by to head into the inn.*

*in the distance a masked man watches them from a hilltop before heading down towards Shadowdale deciding to take a longer route to the city*

*Kalin passes by repeatedly on his way to the Oak. At best, he glances to see who is there.*

// Is this a purely PC thing, or are there some NPCs that are manning the roads when all the PCs are away? And who specifically is there; which PCs and which faction's NPCs?

*Alfie keeps patrolling the area, sticking to shadows most likely unseen. Whether the camp is there or back on the road for resupplying, he watches for any shady figures..*

*A masked and hooded figure is on her way to her favorite spot on top of the hill as she becomes aware of the new camp. After seeing several people who are not on her "friend" list, she decides to watch them for a moment to see what they are doing, staying in the shadows as much as possible*

*After pulling Taeron away from his post briefly to assist a delusional man, Vincent then returns standing guard outside the Oak with the rest of them. Keeping a constant and cautious eye on all who pass, his greatsword always in hand.*

*Taeron returns to his post, sitting by the campfire idly and watching the traffic. He never seems to bother anyone, unless he knows the person to be an infernal pact mage, zhent helper or a drow. In that case he just states "expect trouble on your way out" as the given person enters the Inn*

(((Songbird: As we agreed, we will RP that part out in game, but given the political situation in my country, there are nation wide protests and I will probably be taking part so there won't be too much in game time for me this weekend.\

Also - if anyone else feels like RPing out any encounter at the Inn, I will do my best to make some time for that - just send me a PM on the forums or catch me IG. Thanks )))

*A wide shoudered female hin carring on her back a big falchion take post among the tents, she looks around, nodding to the others, and quietly seem to take on guarding the road silently, according to the behaviour of the others she don't seem to bother passerby, but she ask to the others before hand, what faces and shapes or names she should be looking for*

A red armored woman with a small rose emblem on her collar would be seen joining the party outside the Oak, passing the time by looking over her equipment and keeping a watchful eye on the road, she seems particularly cautious of any tieflings that make their way through.

The Red Knight priestess can be seen patrolling with Taeron and helping out around the camp. Making sure her weapons are Sharp and at the ready. She can be seen praying to her goddess near by.

Euldur makes no shortage of fire puns and jokes of ill-taste with sexual connotations during his frequent visits to the camp. He has been chased out of the camp a total of 3 times by different women. His intent seems pure, however, and has offered his crossbow in defense of the blockade.

*Rariewyn arrives at some distance to not be see of the encampment then looks to see how many they are, he writes this on a paper and does a draft of the encampment, then moves away*