The Storm Before the Calm

The next two hours moved by rather quickly. The 2nd Bandit Force would be moving out soon, so I needed to come visit the 1st Bandit Force in order to find out their decision. I honestly hoped that I don't have to wipe them out. Appearing on the balcony, I look down at them gathered in the center of the camp. I inquire, "What did you decide?" They turn and look up at me. "What's the plan to take out the brigands?" A small map appears in the hands of the bandit that spoke, which is the same bandit that witnessed everything. There is a slaver camp there. Best way to keep you alive is to give the enemy many more targets, so we're going to free some reinforcements. Head there now and I will join you in the attack shortly. Do not fail me." They would acknowledge their orders and move out. While began their move towards the slaver camp, I had an appearance to make at the treasury outpost. Bandit Force 2 had moved into position and awaited the signal to attack. They would not have to wait long. The gate closest to them suddenly explodes from the inside out. A second explosion at that gate triggers causing several brigands to rush towards the gate since it had been blown open and the guards at that gate were obviously dead. Not even a full minute later, a second round of explosions would erupt at the opposite gate. What was going on?! No attack came at the northern gate before, during, or immediately after the southern gate exploded, which draws the bulk of the brigands who rushed there away from the northern gate. The brigands rushing towards the south gate would be hindered by a spatial distortion that erupts in front of them as they rush forward. The second wave would not be hindered as I was no longer at the southern gate. The eastern gate was next. Something was going on for sure, but the brigands could not figure out what. Also, it was night now, so visibility wasn't at its best and the destruction of these gates wasn't even causing a fire, which was both a benefit and a hindrance. As the brigands run around trying to get a handle of the situation, the eastern gate is demolished. Bandit Force 2 seizes that opportunity to move in. They move with quickness and stealth into the outpost and all thru it. They split up into teams and eliminate patches of brigands one after another. It is like a beautiful dance to watch them from atop a building near the remains of the east gate. I remain for a while in order to make sure that the brigands saw me long enough to be further distracted trying to find out where I went. That would buy the bandits more time to eliminate their enemies. It would not be long before they had wiped the enemy out and proceeded to the sacking of the outpost. Phase 2 had begun beautifully. Now I needed to rendezvous with the bandits from group one in order to begin Phase 3 and gather reinforcements.

EXP: 579

Path of the Storm:

Moving thru the Void, I arrive back at the camp of the first bandit group that I visited earlier today. Their numbers are noticeably lower, but still more than sufficient to pull off the next phase. They tell me that regardless of my demonic powers, they will find a way to kill me if I betray them. I smile and tell them that I can accept that as long as they know the feeling is mutual. Having found an agreement in that, it is time to move out. Deciding to push myself further than normal, I tell everyone to gather together. Once they come together, I nod to them close my eyes for a moment. When I open my eyes, they are absent of color and I tell everyone to take a deep breath and prepare for something incredible. They obey and the Void is pulled open as they are engulfed by its energies and a few seconds later, they are gone. Once inside the Void, they are both confused and amazed at what they see. It wouldn't be long though before they are drawn out of the Void and in the center of the slave outpost. The beauty about arriving by way of the Void... silent entry into an enemy stronghold. Before any of them are able to move, I speak telepathically to the group, "Free all of the slaves and tell them to take their freedom by force. When they are free, you will have a very easy time sacking this place for all its worth. Go now and capture as many of the enemy slavers as you can. Kill all the rest." They all nod while worried and bothered that they heard me in their thoughts, but trying to think nothing of it since they figure they can't really do anything about it anyway. They scatter and begin the mission. I decide to draw the slavers' attention to me. I don't really have a bonafide grudge or hatred towards slavers. They have provided me with intel and with disposable assets, so they have proven useful. This particular group just happens to have the wrong loyalties. Once the bandits are fully scattered, I begin my spatial assault on their gates. After all, I need them moving away from the slave quarters as much as possible. Plus, it gives me something to do in all of this.

EXP: 426