Russet's band of thieves and other shady figures, must, like any villain worth their two cents, occupy an evil lair of some sort. Here it is. Hidden strategically within the woods so that the average passerby cannot stumble upon it, their cave is also centrally located so that when need be, the bandits can appear just about anywhere within the forest. And even if the occasional lost peasant does happen upon the hideout, from an outside perspective, it appears to be a likely candidate for a mountain lion's den or some other animal of that such. And if our brave, lost citizen gathers the courage to take a peek inside--well, the walls are sloped in a manner that makes the cave appear shallow, no more than ten yards from entrance to the back wall. Alas, this is not the case for when one is against the back wall, it becomes apparent that in actuality, there is a small crevice, just big enough for two full grown men to squeeze through, shoulder to shoulder. From there, the bandit sanctuary truly forms.
(view spoiler)[ Note: The opening to this cave is wider, and sunnier than the bandit's entrance And this picture is of the aforementioned crevice that reveals the bandit's true den.(hide spoiler)]
The crevice opens up, expanding to reveal a voluminous cavern, ground slanting downwards so that the area is subterranean. A small stream (really, no more than a trickle of water) traces one of the walls. Stalagmites thrust up from the ground, a harsh black with glittery surfaces, as do overhanging stalactites from the ceiling. Moss dots the space, randomly sprouting, near the crevice, where minuscule sunlight occasionally filters in.
Depending on where you are in the cave, dictates to what degree you're able to stand. In some places, the ceiling droops, low enough that even the shortest of men must hunch over. In others, the ceiling expands, arching overhead a decent distance. No rhyme or reason, the walls punch out, creating select, secluded little zones in the otherwise wide, open cavern.
Here, the bandits have food rations, store extra weapons, and keep a running stock of supplies, all piled up in one corner. The men sleep on and under heavy skins, a necessity to keep the chill away and ease the bumpy surface of the cave floor. Torches are used to provide light. Gambling is the common form of entertainment, that and bragging over their accomplishments.
Hidden strategically within the woods so that the average passerby cannot stumble upon it, their cave is also centrally located so that when need be, the bandits can appear just about anywhere within the forest. And even if the occasional lost peasant does happen upon the hideout, from an outside perspective, it appears to be a likely candidate for a mountain lion's den or some other animal of that such. And if our brave, lost citizen gathers the courage to take a peek inside--well, the walls are sloped in a manner that makes the cave appear shallow, no more than ten yards from entrance to the back wall. Alas, this is not the case for when one is against the back wall, it becomes apparent that in actuality, there is a small crevice, just big enough for two full grown men to squeeze through, shoulder to shoulder. From there, the bandit sanctuary truly forms.
(view spoiler)[
The crevice opens up, expanding to reveal a voluminous cavern, ground slanting downwards so that the area is subterranean. A small stream (really, no more than a trickle of water) traces one of the walls. Stalagmites thrust up from the ground, a harsh black with glittery surfaces, as do overhanging stalactites from the ceiling. Moss dots the space, randomly sprouting, near the crevice, where minuscule sunlight occasionally filters in.
Depending on where you are in the cave, dictates to what degree you're able to stand. In some places, the ceiling droops, low enough that even the shortest of men must hunch over. In others, the ceiling expands, arching overhead a decent distance. No rhyme or reason, the walls punch out, creating select, secluded little zones in the otherwise wide, open cavern.
Here, the bandits have food rations, store extra weapons, and keep a running stock of supplies, all piled up in one corner. The men sleep on and under heavy skins, a necessity to keep the chill away and ease the bumpy surface of the cave floor. Torches are used to provide light. Gambling is the common form of entertainment, that and bragging over their accomplishments.
And so, this is where the bandits hole up.