Stag Lord Bandits

The Stag Lord’s Bandits were a notorious group of outlaws and raiders operating under the command of the Stag Lord. They gained infamy for their lawless activities in the Stolen Lands, causing significant trouble for anyone attempting to establish order in the region.

The Stag Lord commanded several loyal lieutenants within the bandit ranks—key figures who enforced his commands and managed various aspects of the group’s operations. One notable lieutenant was Kressle, who oversaw some of the bandit camps and carried out raids in his name.

The bandits consisted of various ruffians, ex-soldiers, and other misfits who had turned to a life of crime. Many were drawn to the Stag Lord’s charisma, leadership, and the promise of wealth from their plundering. Most remained in his ranks due to fear of the organization and the Stag Lord himself.

The bandits engaged in a wide range of criminal activities, including raiding caravans, extorting local settlements, and ambushing travelers. Their operations spread fear throughout the Stolen Lands, making them a significant threat to the establishment of law and order.

They typically armed themselves with a mix of weapons and gear suited for ambushes and quick raids. Common equipment included bows, swords, and makeshift armor. Their tactics relied on ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, and using the terrain to their advantage.

The bandits were generally unscrupulous and willing to use violence to achieve their goals. However, many had personal reasons for joining the Stag Lord’s ranks, and their loyalty waned as his leadership deteriorated. As the Stag Lord succumbed to alcoholism and irrational decision-making, the bandits began to lose faith in his ability to lead. Most remained loyal out of fear of the Stag Lord’s wrath or the strength of the organization itself. It was suspected that the entire bandit network would collapse if his loyal lieutenants were neutralized and the Stag Lord killed.

The main stronghold of the bandits was the Stag Lord’s Fort, a heavily fortified base located near Tuskwater Lake. It served as the central hub for their operations and was instrumental in maintaining their dominance over the region.

The downfall of the Stag Lord and his lieutenants marked the end of their reign of terror, allowing the Stolen Lands to take a significant step toward order and stability.

Members

The Stag Lord was the brutal leader of the bandits. Known for his fearsome combat skills and commanding presence, he ruled through intimidation and fear. However, his growing alcoholism and erratic behavior led to dissatisfaction among the bandits.

Kressle, Akiros, and Davon were three of the Stag Lord’s lieutenants. Kressle managed a key bandit camp and carried out raids on the region. Akiros Ismort initially seemed loyal to the Stag Lord but defected to the Amedaria. Davon held watch and discovered the infiltration during the assault on the Stag Lord’s fort.

Happs Bydon was a minor leader among the bandits, captured during an ambush at Oleg’s Trading Post.

Falgrim Sneeg was a former mercenary who betrayed the Garess Mercenaries to join the bandits. His knowledge of tactics and equipment made him valuable, but his betrayal earned him a bounty on his head. Auchs was a physically imposing but mentally simple member of the Stag Lord’s bandits.

Beaky was an owlbear captured by the Stag Lord Bandits for training, though the owlbear was still wild and ferocious during the Assault on the Stag Lord’s Fort.

Other bandits included a mix of ex-soldiers, desperate misfits, and opportunistic criminals. Many were drawn to the Stag Lord’s charisma and the promise of plunder but stayed out of fear of his wrath or the rigid structure of the organization.

History

• 1 Pharast 4710 We first learn of the Stag Lord Bandits from Oleg Leveton at Oleg’s Trading Post. Oleg describes the bandits’ monthly visits to demand “taxes,” recounting their dwindling numbers over time. We construct traps around the trading post and defeats the bandits during their next visit, capturing Happs Bydon for interrogation. Happs reveals critical information about the bandits’ organization and their leader, Kressle, who operates under the Stag Lord’s command​​.

• 2 Pharast 4710 We track human footprints in the forest, leading us to Kressle’s camp. We devise a multi-pronged ambush, neutralizing Kressle and her followers. Through interrogation, Kressle reveals key details about the Stag Lord, including his location at Tuskwater Lake and his dependence on alcohol. The captured bandits confirm their fear of the Stag Lord, providing additional intelligence about the camp’s defenses and a password to gain entry​​.

• 21 Pharast 4710 The party infiltrates the Stag Lord’s fort using stolen liquor as a ruse. They encounter the Stag Lord’s lieutenants, including Auchs, Akiros, and Dovan, and release a hostile owlbear named Beaky to sow chaos. After a brutal battle, the Stag Lord is defeated, with Akiros defecting to the party.

  The Stag Lord’s body is cast into the Sellen River to fulfill a promise to Davik Nettle, whose ghost appears to express gratitude. The remaining bandits scatter, marking the collapse of the Stag Lord’s reign. The fort is looted and later burned to prevent it from serving as a rallying point for future banditry​​. With that, any remnants of the Stag Lord Bandits come to an end.