Lore Mill · Free Encounter

The Crossroads Ambush

For 4 Players · Levels 1–3 · Any setting

Bandit Captain CR 2

Bandits ×2 CR 1/8

~500 XP total

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Read-Aloud Text

The crossroads marker is cracked, its directions worn smooth by weather and neglect. As you round the bend, three figures step from the tree line — a scarred woman with a hand crossbow and a commanding air, flanked by two men gripping short swords. The woman raises her hand. “Your purses, or your lives. We’re not picky — but we are hungry.”

DM Overview

This encounter begins as a straightforward bandit ambush but quickly reveals its complexity. Mira Kell was a sergeant in the local militia until the town of Ashfen stopped paying wages three months ago. She and her two remaining soldiers have been stopping travelers to feed a camp of 11 refugees — families and wounded militia members.

Mira is not a villain.She hates what she’s doing. She’ll take coin, but she’ll accept any reasonable alternative — work, food, or news of help on the way. The moment players engage her earnestly, a DC 12 Insight check reveals her hands are shaking.

Stat Blocks

Mira Kell, Bandit Captain

Medium humanoid · Lawful Neutral

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
15 (+2)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	13 (+1)	11 (+0)	14 (+2)

AC15 (studded leather) · HP65 · Speed30 ft. · CR 2 (450 XP)

Saving ThrowsSTR +4, DEX +4, WIS +2 · Skills Athletics +4, Deception +4

Multiattack. Three melee attacks, or two ranged attacks.

Shortsword. Melee: +4 to hit, 5 ft., 5 (1d6+2) piercing.

Hand Crossbow. Ranged: +4 to hit, 30/120 ft., 5 (1d6+2) piercing.

Parry (Reaction). +2 bonus to AC against one melee attack (once per short rest).

Bandit (×2)

Medium humanoid · Chaotic Neutral

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
11 (+0)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)	10 (+0)	10 (+0)	10 (+0)

AC12 (leather armor) · HP11 · Speed30 ft. · CR 1/8 (25 XP each)

Shortsword. Melee: +3 to hit, 5 ft., 4 (1d6+1) piercing.

Light Crossbow. Ranged: +3 to hit, 80/320 ft., 5 (1d8+1) piercing.

The Twist

Mira is carrying a sealed letterbearing the Ashfen town seal — an official arrest order for the players’ contact in the next town, on trumped-up smuggling charges. She found it on a courier she robbed last week and hasn’t decided what to do with it.

Secret: The refugees include a hedge wizard named Ovren, who knows the location of a collapsed aqueduct vault beneath Ashfen — the real reason the town is “broke” and blaming missing coin on smugglers.

Treasure

Mira’s Pouch: 14 gp, 32 sp — every coin collected in three weeks of desperation.

Amulet of the Faithful Eye (uncommon magic item):A dented bronze amulet of the Ashfen city guard. Once per day, the wearer may ask the DM a yes/no question about whether someone they can see is telling the truth. The DM answers as Mira’s judgment — not omniscience, but she was a damn good sergeant.

Plot Hook

Mira offers the sealed letter in exchange for help: three days’ food for 11 people and safe passage to the next town. Following up on the arrest order leads to the magistrate of Ashfen — who is hiding the vault, the missing treasury, and a reason to keep the militia unpaid and desperate.

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