M1E3 - Meet the Dogs of War

Episode 3 - Raid on Mathis's Tavern

The encounter begins with the party approaching a tavern. If the party passes a (DC 18) shadowy wolf-like figures in surrounding the tarvern tavern from all sides.

Just as the sun has set in the distance you can barely make out a welcomed sight on the horizon. It is a tavern. It brings the promise of a warm meal, a bath, and rest. As you wearily approach the tavern you hear a woman's voice shouting in the distance, "Hey! You get away from their!!" Immediately after the shouting is heard a bonfire erupts next to the tavern. You can now see the silhouettes of large man and two women dressed in wolf skins. You also see a squat unarmed dwarf woman charging the figures ready for a fight.

The party can assist the help or passby. If they watch they will begin to notice while the two main bandits burn the tavern other bandits are sneakily robbing the place. If the party draws to close they will be attacked regardless whether or not the wish to help or not. If the party engaged they will always be surrounded by the Dogs of War as several additional members emerge from the shadows. On the second round the bandits will entire the war dance which will align their initive order so they all attack at once. If they are over powered the run, but they will not abandon party members. If captured they will not talk or negotiate under any circumstance. Bandit's Motivations The bandits are raiding the farm. They did not come to kill, but they will do so if cornered. It was the bandits intention to rob the tavern and burn the remaining supplies so that the tavern owners would believe that everything was lost in the fire, and will not realize they rob. If players selected the Dogs of War background they will know this not typical behavior. By custom the Dogs of War do not target members of their own community. If the party investigates the nearby woods they will find that the bandits were in the process of moving supplies into the woods where they could retrieve them after the fire.

Afterward

Gertrude and Mathis will greet the party and thank them for their help. They don't have much to offer other than free lodging and a warm meal. The party is able to collect daggers from the dead the dead bandits if they wish. Gertrude will take the time to bury the dead along with their possessions and some jerky for the Journey to the After Life. They will explain that they have may be robbers and thieves but they deserve that much. If asked Gertrude and Mathis will explain the history of who those men were, and explain how strange them to attack members of Jordsvik. The two do not know why they would have attacked their tavern. They will mention that if not for the adventures they may have faced the same fate as the Massacre of the Riker Farm.

Mathis places the bandits belongings in their graves along with strips of cooked jerky. In a show of solemnity may these ones travel the swift road The West, and join the Wolf Brother in the eternal hunt.

An insight check will review that Mathis knows more than he is letting, and and if pressed he will no disclouse what he knows but will suggest they speak to Tannibore Egilson as he is well versed in these matters.