What You Know
- Bandits were allied with Kella Darkhope (now dead)
- They're positioned in the city across the moat from the keep
- The keep guards are willing to help fight them
- The bandits know you're aware of their presence (Theren was spotted)
- You have horses and tack for mobility
- The moat separates you from the bandits
Party Assets
Party Capabilities
- Kaltor (Paladin): Frontline tank, Divine Smite burst damage, Bless
- Theren (Ranger): Ranged DPS, Hunter's Mark, Cure Wounds
- Barzer (War Wizard): Fire Bolt, Magic Missile, Fog Cloud, Shield reaction
- Nysera (Forest Druid): Flaming Sphere, Moonbeam for area control
- Elaris (Lore Bard): Healing Word, Hideous Laughter, high Charisma for negotiation
- Selena (Life Cleric): Primary healer, Healing Word, Sanctuary, Bless
Other Resources
- Allied Guards: Numbers advantage, know the keep layout
- Horses: Mobility for pursuit or rapid repositioning
- The Moat: Natural chokepoint and defensive barrier
Questions to Discuss
- How patient are we? (Ambush requires waiting)
- Do we want prisoners for information about Kella's plans?
- Should Elaris attempt negotiation first given her high Charisma?
- Who leads the assault - Kaltor is our only real frontliner?
- Do we need to eliminate all the bandits, or just scatter them?
If We Take Prisoners
Kella had a flying snake messenger - she was communicating with someone. Priority intel:
- Who was Kella working for? She wasn't acting alone.
- What was the message? What intel was she sending out?
- Are reinforcements coming? Is someone expecting to hear back?
- Why Nightstone? What made this ruined town worth infiltrating?
- How many more of them are there? Just these bandits, or part of something bigger?
Elaris should lead interrogation (CHA +4). Kaltor's Paladin presence might intimidate, or Theren's quiet intensity could unnerve them.