Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
25: bandits, bandits, and more bandits
Ginny, Luna, and I return to the start of the road leading north from Farhaven. According to Captain Lucian, we need to take out as many bandits as we can find. To accomplish this we started patrolling up and down the north road. We follow the road north until a bend in the road forces us to turn east. We continue to follow the road until it bends once again forcing us to turn north. After crossing the bridge and reaching where the road meets with another 1 leading out of Farhaven's territory, we turn and retrace our steps. First back across the bridge. Then south to where the road bends. West to the next bend in the road. Finally back to the gate of Farhaven.
As we reached the gate and turned north once again I was annoyed. All that walking and we were only attacked by 3 Bandit Woodsman and 1 Bandit Raider. It doesn't help I have no idea how many bandits we need to kill to help the city guard. Shrugging my shoulders we get back to looking for bandits.
After turning north we start searching all the forest trails we could find. Along the way we were able to kill some more bandits but so far it hasn't been enough. I have to admit i don't see the problem Captain Lucian was talking about. Sure there are some bandits, but certainly not this large number that waylays travelers all the time. However I promised we'd cut down their numbers, so that is what we will do.
We once again traveled north along the road. We reached the bend in the road without seeing anything. Turning east we continued along the road until we reached the next bend in the road. Turning north once again we crossed the bridge. Having once again reached Farhaven's border we turn around. However, before we could recross the bridge we were attacked by 2 Bandit Raiders. After dispatching the 2 bandits I reach level 25. I place my attribute point into my Intelligence, bringing it up to 25. With my single skill point, I raise my chain lightning skill to rank 4. With that finished, we continue south across the bridge.
We make our way back toward the gate to Farhaven. We passed the first bend in the road, along the part of the road that runs east and west, and finally south once again toward the gate. As we approach the gate we are attacked by 3 bandits. A Bandit Assassin, and 2 Bandit Raiders. After dispatching the bandits I can somehow sence this part of our tacsk is complete. Also Luna levels up to level 24.
Luna places her attribute point into her Constitution, bringing it up to 17. As for her skill point, she and I both notice that her light of purity skill is no longer blocked. So she uses her skill point to raise her light of purity skill to rank 4.
After Luna is finished in her level-up screen we return to Farhaven.
Knowing we need to report to Captain Lucian we head south from the gate. After a short walk we turn east. A little farther on we turn south once again. Not to much later we turn west and enter the Gard Barricks. Upon entering the barricks we walk over to Lucian.
Lucian gives me a searching look. "Any progress in the forest?"
I nod. "I think I've thinned the bandits' ranks."
Lucian smiles. "Well done. Now we can begin in earnest. We need to locate the ambush sites where the bandits lie in wait for travelers. Look for spots overlooking the road - bluffs, ridges and the like. Mark any you find on your map, and report back to me."
I nod in agreement. "You can count on me, sir."
As Lucian turns away we exit the barracks and without hesitation head for the north gate again.
As we step through the gate I glance at my map. Spoting 2 high ridges, a windy bluff, and a rock outcroping on the map I have an idea of where to begin. First tracing a path on my map from the gate to what I call the sothern high ridge we start walking north. At the first chance we get we turn west. A short time later we turn south. Entering the high ridge we mark its location on my map.
Luna shakes her head. "To think that men could actually lie in wait here, prepared to kill and plunder the innocent. I can't begin to understand it."
Though neither girl can see it my eyes are begining to glow in anger. "The people who do this aren't men, they're animals."
Luna gives me a smile. "Still, I believe that there is good in the world, too. People like you, who are willing to do the will of the Divine, no matter the cost."
I blush at LUna's words. "Thank you. Your hopefulness is always encouraging."
After making sure a flag is firmly planted we leave the high ridge to the west. After exiting the ridge we turn north. After a short walk, we enter 1 of the forest trails upon which we turn east. We walk until we reach the road, at which point we turn north. We follow the road north until we reach the bend in the road again. At this point, we once again turn east. After a walk, we turn south. As we leave the road we can see an old abandoned lumber mill nearby. We walk south for a little bit before we spot the high ridge on our right. Turning west we enter the high ridge.
After making sure the guards can easily find the ridge we turn east and head for the forest trail to exit the ridge. Entering the trail we turn south. Reaching the wall of the lumber mill we turn east. As we enter another forest trail we turn south again. After a bit we reach and enter an ancient road, at this point, we turn east. At the next turn, we turn north. After a short walk, we turn west. This leads us to what my map says is a Bandit Campsite. At this time we turn north. After leaving the campsite and reaching a thicket we turn west. Upon reaching another thicket we turn north and enter the windy bluff.
After planting the flag so the guards can find the bluff, we turn south and exit. Upon reaching a thicket we turn east. When we reached some brambles we turned south. This took us back through the bandit campsite and after turning east we leave the campsite and enter a forest trail. We follow the trail until it brings us back to the second bend in the road. Continuing north we cross the bridge again. Just before reaching the border, we turn west. As we reach a thicket we turn south. Just before reaching some brambles, we turn east. Walking forward we enter the rocky outcroping and mark it on my map.
As I plant the flag I frown at how it feels we're missing an ambush sight. Then it hits me, the Grassy Knoll. There was a wolf den there, and it overlooks the road as well. Tracing a path from the Rocky Outcroping we turn west. After leaving the outcropping and reaching a thicket we turn north. When we reach another thicket we turn east. This brings us back to the road and we turn south. We cross the bridge and continue south even when we reach the bend in the road. Reaching a thicket we turn west and enter a forest trail before turning south again. Continuing to walk we enter an ancient road before turning west. Just before reaching another thicket, we turn south. When we reach another thicket we turn west again. Entering a forest trail we turn north. A short time later we turn west again. Upon reaching another thicket we turn south. A short time later we turn west. A short time later we turn north and see the Grassy Knoll just ahead. Entering the knoll we mark it on my map and plant a flag so the guards can find it. As we plant the flag I realize that was the last ambush point. So we make our way back to Captain Lucian at the guard barracks.
As we enter the barracks Lucian looks up. "Any progress in the forest?"
I nod with a smile. "I've located all of the ambush sites."
Lucian's face lights up in excitement. "Excellent! I wish half my men were as resourceful as you. Now we're ready for the final strike. The bandits are still recovering from the beating you gave them. Now that we know where their ambush sites are, they'll have retreated to their campsites throughout the forest. I need you to find these campsites and clear them out."
I nod sharing Lucian's excitement. "Consider it done."
Lucian looks like he just thought of something. "Oh, one more thing before you go. Something that might help with your mission. I've instructed the quartermaster to prepare some of our finest armor for you. The armory is just through that door - you've more than earned the right to anything we have."
I blink in surprise. "That's very generous; I'll be sure to get some equipment before I leave."
We do indeed check out the armory, but there is nothing there that can help us. So we leave the armery, and the barricks, before heading for the north gate again.
Glancing at my map I find 7 bandit campsites. Deciding to clear these out quickly we head for the nearest camp. We start by heading north. A short time later we turn east. After entering a forest trail we turn north. Just ahead is our first bandit camp. Upon entering the campsite we are attacked by 2 Bandit Woodsman and 2 Bandit Raiders. After finishing them all off we pick our next sight. Following my map we find another bandit camp. Entering it we fight 2 Bandit Woodsman and 1 Bandit Raider. Once they're taken care of we follow the map to our next target. Entering the next camp we are attacked by 3 Bandit Raiders. After killing all of them Ginny reaches level 23.
Ginny places her attribute point into her Intelligence, bringing it up to 18. However, she decides to save her skill point for now. Once she is finished we follow my map to the next camp.
Our next camp isn't that far away. When we enter we are tacked by 3 Bandit Raiders, and 1 Bandit Woodsman. After clearing them all out we head for our next camp. The next camp is also somewhat close. When we enter we are attacked by 2 Bandit raiders, and 1 Bandit Woodsman. After they are all dead we head for our next camp. Heading back across the bridge we come across our 6th camp sight. Wntering it we are attacked by 2 Bandit Raiders/ Realizing there is only 1 camp sight left we set out to find it. Finally, we locate the last bandit campsite at 51, 56. After killing the 2 Bandit Raiders, and a single Bandit Woodsman I relax as I feel all the bandit camps are cleared out. With a sigh of relief, we return to Captain Lucian to report.
– Separator –
An: and finally this quest is finished. I know the party still needs to report in, but for all tense and perpises the quest is done.
Next chapter the party takes a look at an old fort, and the altar that Ivy and Luna saw back while exploring it.
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying this story, and I will see you all next time.