Rhasa will report to the others as they plan. "I have a shovel and a crowbar. Do we need more? I have 50' of rope and a hook. Oleg has more rope, but no more hooks. Lastly, do you have enough arrows if we are to be gone for a while or need to assault the fortress with withering fire?"
"Fear not for iffen we has rope I ken rise up an tie tha rope off should we have need."
"A valuable ability, but less so if it causes you to be turned into a pincushion, as it would if you were trying to tie off a rope on my wall. But an option to keep in mind, nonetheless. We may not need two entry point, either - if Gorguk's knocking on the front door, someone might be able to come in from the back."
She thinks back on the description of the location, "I guess we will have to see how alert they truly are. Open ground all the way around will make us easy to spot, but only if they are looking. And we may end up using the front door, after all. First, we watch."
If my being a pin cushion at the front door allows the rest of you to enter by the back and ambush them that would be quite a feat. I know Lothar has the ability to make people invisible for short periods of time. Would he be able to get some of you there in time without being noticed is the question. But I agree that we need to find them and watch and learn what their habits are so we may exploit them.
Lothar nodded. Yes, I could do as you ask. I think that for a mission all about infiltration, sabotage, and subterfuge, Rhasadilara and myself are imminently suited for the task. I'll understand if you wish to send in others to accomplish whatever it is you wish done within the walls. Remember, not only can I render others unseen, but I can communicate what is seen as well. That would enable us to get a more in-depth layout of the structure and troop placement to plan our assault.
"Our plans must be flexible. We have not even seen our destination yet. So - do we need purchase any of this other gear?"
"Indeed no plans have need be set."
As the party is getting ready to depart Calinder realizes that he forgot to check with Oleg to see if he had some crossbow bolts that he could purchase. Calinder didn't want to get part way through this journey and realize that he was short on bolts.
"Master Oleg, would you perhaps have some crossbow bolts that I could purchase from you?"
After Calinder purchases some bolts (if available) he will be ready to depart.
Looking through the cart as she helps Dyfrig load foodstuffs, Rhasadilara decides that she has ample ammunition. She's ready to go.
The magician surveyed the activity taking place in the trading post. Rhasa and Dyfrig were loading up the supplies they would need for the journey. Calinder was going over Oleg's stores of ammunition for his crossbow. Barnabus was consulting with Gorguk on gods know what.
And what was Lothar doing while all of this was going on?
Plotting.
Planning.
Worrying.
The notion of the Stag Lord continuing his rule of the Greenbelt through his bandits was bad enough in his mind. But the thought that he was being assisted in his endeavors by lieutenants such as Akiros and Dovan did not sit well with him.
Especially Dovan.
Lothar had made up his mind that no matter what happened, Dovan of Nisroch would be his responsibility to deal with.
His mind made up, Lothar got up from where he sat and went to help his partner and Dyfrig.
Calinder purchases twenty bolts for his crossbow and pays Oleg the requested 2 gp for them. He then packs them on his horse and waits nervously for the party to mount up and ride out to see what they can do if anything about the Stag Lord at this time.
And more often then not his mind jumps to the fact that one of his lieutenants is an ex-paladin of Erastil. It's still hard for Calinder to fathom such a thing, and he can't even imagine what Gorguk must be thinking at this point.
"A fine morn, are we all then rested? Though thoughts may weigh heavily let us be of good cheer. Our path is not set, many choices an opportunities await!"
I'm all for visiting Bokken first. Didn't we need to find some berries for him anyway?
Bokken first for potions then further south to the kobolds. From there on to the Staglord's fort to scout, spy, and learn what we can.
"Bokkens hut then."
Calinder climbs onto his horse and indicates his readiness to go by saying, "Let's be off then to visit our 'friend' Bokken!"
Cart loaded and consensus reached, Rhasadilara climbs into the saddle and leads the group eastward.
We clear the area of spiders just to be overrun by rabbits. At least we don't have to worry about them hunting us down and eating us for lunch. If only all such occurances were like this one.
Ah yes Bokken's. I must admit I was thinking he was another 20 miles away and wouldn't reach him till tomorrow. We travelled quickly which is good. Barnabus gather what you need and then we shall be off once again. The weather is clear and we have many miles upon us to reach on destination. Gorguk will stay mounted and keep watch while business is being performed with the potion master.
Rhasa remains astride Sunset, watching their surroundings and looking south for the best route from here toward the kobolds.
Lothar observed the rabbits at play on the hill with some amusement, then sighed as Dyfrig went on about the night's meal choices. Looks like Mikmek was going to be eating more meat tonight.
In an attempt to refine his hunting skills, Gorguk will stand back 40 yds and attempt to target the bunnies. If he does bring one down then he will have Dyfrig prepare it for supper tonight. If he misses oh well and he will gather his arrows and try again some other day. Once camp is set up, Gorguk will forgo sparring and save his energy for a later day that is soon to be coming. He will take his watch at night accompanied by Durok and be ready to strike camp and leave by first light.
After helping setup camp for the evening, Calinder sits and watches as Gorguk tries to "catch" a rabbit with his bow. Watching the rabbits, causes Calinder to ponder about each creatures place in life, and what each life brings and takes from the world.
Calinder is also sure that whatever Dyfrig prepares for their meal will be as delicious as always. After their evening meal Calinder makes sure that he tells Dyfrig that he is thankful that the Guardians have him to cook for them.
Later that evening Calinder finds a quiet place near camp and performs his mediation and prayers. When his turn for watch comes he quietly walks a perimeter around the camp, watching and listening for anything out of the ordinary.
Barnabus approaches Bokken's hut an knocks quietly on the door...
waiting for the potion maker to emerge...
Disscusion with Bokken (if he is home)
"Bokken twice we have faced mindless beasts, large beasts but mindless, do you have a posion tha might stop an animal larger tha gorguks horse?"
Rhasa observes Gorguk's hunting technique and archery skills, but remains quiet until he is done. Once they are settled around the fire for a delicious supper, she tries to provide some pointers and things for him to think about to aid him in his efforts next time.
As Barnabusis purchasing, Gorguk will saddle next to rhasa, Thanks for the pointers. It is easier to start making difficult shots on rabbits when you don't have to worry about them attacking back. Maybe I will leave the archery to you and worry more about keeping you alive to use your talents.
"Fer animals wit large teeth an such I was thinkin o puttin it in a ham or somethin meaty."
"We had a run in with a nasty boar an a bear, we encountered both at their dens, course also might be somtin I ken offer em a bite o rather tha my arm. Seems yah doubt mah judgement....good day sir, I only hoped to prevent harm to my fellows....sorry to have been a bother."
Onward?
Rhasa's ready to move on whenever Barnabus is done with his business.
Rhasa: What do you think... in a fort night we have found and started to eliminate the Staglord? Or am I being optomistic? I don't know how effective we would be at a siege and our own supplies will be running low by then.
She considers her response for a moment, then replies, "We will not only watch. We will hunt, forage, build shelters. The camp may last a while, we should design it accordingly. Our foodstores will suffice."
As they leave Bokken's, Calinder rides up to Barnabus and says, "Don't worry about what Bokken said Barnabus. He is probably just overly concerned about the implications of using poison in such a way. Or, he may have had a bad experience with poison that made him react thus, never can tell."
"My guess is that we can think of another way to incapacitate a creature without using poisons, perhaps even a way to incapacitate them without killing the poor beasts. My guess is that between our magical skills we could even come up with a magical means to do what you plan."
"Aye an tha giant tick I ken not use many o mah most powerful hexes though bug poison would ave been most useful. I am certain we shall find a way, but at wha cost?"
With all the planning that was going on, Lothar was uncharacteristically quiet. He had nothing to contribute to the conversations taking place around him. And it wasn't due to a lack of focus on the magician's part. On the contrary, Lothar was very focused on the mission ahead and his part in it.
The Vudran sighed. Perhaps his focus was too narrow. After all, Lothar was concerned about dealing with Dovan before he could become any kind of problem for the other Wardens. Was he worrying over nothing? After all, he knew nothing about this Dovan from Nisroch, only that he had spent time in Daggermark, a wretched den of iniquity and villainy if there ever was one.
Again, Lothar sighed. Perhaps he was making more of the situation than he should. Only time would tell.
Barnabus takes to the saddle and heads out behind the usual frontline.....
We are going by the kobold lair on our way and Rhasa is planning to forage/hunt along the way, partly to become even more familiar with the territory, partly to extend our rations as long as possible when we finally camp.
"Our journey takes us back by tha kobolds, Mikmeks home. Indeed we should check upon their welfare as much as we check upon Oleg an Svetlana."
"Beautiful weather for traveling today, isn't it?"
"Your right Barnabus, we should check in on the kobolds every now and then, unless of course they would feel as if we're spying on them. Mikmek, what do you think about us regularly checking on your tribe, would they welcome that?"
While they are traveling, Calinder will try and help keep an eye out for any game that may be found.
As they head out, Gorguk takes what he thinks is the correct trail only to realize that the 'path' he is on is actually leading to the road back to the Swordlords. Spurring his mount Gorguk creates a wide loop so as to end up back with the others. Carry on Rhasa you do well as our leader in the wilderness.
As the group gets nearer to the Sootscales, Gorguk listen's to Cal request to make sure that they will not intrude.
"Once tha task is done seems it will be much easier tah schedule or comins an goins to tha sootscales. I believe they will understand, an welcome us back....mayhap they have eyes an ears o tha bandits."