"Thanks for your forecast Rasha, seems we shall enjoy some clear weather!"
Is there anything else we need to cover before the bandits get here? If so please speak freely so that we may adjust accordingly.
"Aye I think we have made ourselves ready fer all possible approaches."
"Good report Sidewinder. I hope he remembers how far to stay out of Calindar's spell!"
Based on the information Barnabus goes to the best tree to see them coming and to cast his spell from.....
Rhasa will hide her sword under an (unrolled) bedroll and leave her bow and arrows leaning on a nearby tree (within 10' of where she sits). She will take out a dagger to whittle on a small piece of wood while she awaits.
The magician watched as the paladin, cleric, and witch cleared out of the area to take their positions. Then he began talking to Rhasadilara, thickening his Vudran accent to emphasize that he was foreign. I am most curious to understand your people. You were telling me about those you call 'Forlorn,' were you not? What does that mean exactly?
She looks at him for a long moment, then nods.
"Elves are very long-lived and those years of experience give them a unique viewpoint. They tend to keep to themselves, to other long-lived individuals, because..." She pauses and stares off into the distance across the river for a moment, then continues, "Because the pain of losing friends that happen to get old faster than you do can most easily be avoided if you don't have those friends in the first place." She brings her focus back into the campsite and looks at the magician.
"The Forlorn are elves that live among the short-lived races. Sometimes it is because they have lost their home to violence or natural disaster. Sometimes it is because they ran away or were banished - or both. They have no elven community to return to, for whatever reason, so they become members of a different elven community - those without one - and are known as the Forlorn." A sigh, and, "Those elves that would consider themselves 'normal' say that the Forlorn have a sadness about them because they see so much more death, even those that work to remain aloof from their short-lived neighbors."
"For some tha feelins come in a shorter time frame. Even now at times I consider tha same life."
Lothar nodded, his expression one of sympathy. This was obviously not a good subject that he'd randomly begun to pursue. But he had begun to warm up to the role he was beginning to assume. The transition from his previous self to this current identity had been so subtle as to be uncanny.
He continued. If this one may ask... are you Forlorn or one that has grown amidst others of your kind? If it is a subject that is too near to your heart, then I apologize for bringing it up. It's just that I know so little of your kind and as an Archivist of the Sacred Order I'm required to ask these questions. Somehow while the two had been talking, Lothar had produced a quill, ink, and parchment and appeared to be taking notes on their discussion. So... you were saying?
At the arrival of Sidewinder, Gorguk tenses noticably. Upon the report, Gorguk nods to the others and slowly leads Durok out of the backside of the clearing. Staying within range of Lothar's spell, Gorguk waits until the signal from Lothar to enter the grasses. Making sure Durok stays low to the ground, Gorguk uses the techniques the kobolds taught him in the last couple of days. taking his time to make sure the grass screen is done correctly, Gorguk waits quietly. the only noise he makes is to Lothar using the message spell. Make sure you do not start hostilities. I don't want it said that this was our fault. Also if possible find out if Akiros is with them.
Take 20 on stealth for total of 18.
There is a long pause as she considers the question.
"I would be called 'Forlorn', yes. But I was not banished or forced from my home among other elves - I never had one. I have never been to Kyonin, though I'm sure my kindred would welcome me home."
"My parents were examples of someone that had experienced the lifestyle of elven society but had to leave. I'm not sure why, to be honest - and I haven't spoken to them in years. They would be considered Forlorn for having left Kyonin. I guess I would be considered Forlorn for having left them. Or because I'm not in the bosom of the elven homeland. I don't feel forlorn." She says this last with a shrug of her slim shoulders.
"I find myself most comfortable when I'm alone or with fewer people, anyway. I'm not sure I would be happier amongst my kin." She winks at the magician, "Perhaps I would be more forlorn."
ahhhhhh
Lothar was not unsympathetic to his partner's feelings as he continued to scrawl furiously on his parchment. In fact, the magician somehow had the feeling that at some point in the near future the tables would be turned and it would be himself under her scrutiny. When that day came, he resolved to do his best to handle it with the aplomb exhibited by his partner.
He looked about furtively, trying to catch a glimpse of the approaching bandit patrol. . This most humble one appreciates the candor in which you have spoken. It will not go unremembered in the annals of history. Thank you. Lothar brought his hands together in the gesture of namaste.
Once Lothar cast his spell on Calinder, he retreats to his predetermined hiding spot from where he will await the bandits arrival. He then loads his crossbow and sets it next to him on the ground.
Once Calinder receives the signal that the bandits are in sight he chants a magical phrase, and motions with his hands a tree growing from the ground, while looking at the holy symbol of Erastil.
He will then prepare to cast the spell to ensnare the bandits.
This most humble one appreciates the candor in which you have spoken. It will not go unremembered in the annals of history. Thank you. Lothar brought his hands together in the gesture of namaste.
Still seated, she bows from the waist, but she doesn't quite get the hand position correct. "I see no reason to lie, least of all to my friend." She glances past him toward the expected route of the bandits.
Perception
Here we are trying to set an ambush and they are talking about the Forlorn. I guess it makes them seem natural enough, but not my topic of choice. Each to his or her own. I guess I picked the right two as the bait this time.
Barnabus waits though he knows his actions within this plan, he also knows even if Calidars spell fails his own must happen, even if they are casting in the same moment.
Now he waits and whispers into the message spell....
"Just say when."
Rhasa looks up at the approaching men calmly and smiles. She looks down at her side as if to find something, before she whispers to Lothar.
Shrugging as if she'd given up on search, she looks up again, saying nothing aloud.
Lothar looked up from where he sat, a wide smile gracing his features. He slowly rose and made a slight bow with his hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest.
Good day to you as well, sir. I am a member of the Sacred Order of Archivists here to learn about and document my findings of the Greenbelt and its people. She is my guide. Who then might you be? Are you in a hurry? If not, then please join us. We are trying to decide where next to go. Perhaps you can give a suggestion. His smile did not waver as he gestured for the bandits to join them, but his eyes flicked from the bearded man to the other three. We seek no trouble. We have little but what we have is offered freely. Lothar did his best to look as helpless as possible.
Lothar continued to play along. Permission? I am not sure I understand you, sir? What do you mean 'permission?'
Rhasa looks between the two speakers, waiting.
Therefore Gorguk will use detect evil on the area he believes the 4 horsemen would be located. Still staying in concealment, but hoping the range will still catch them.
Calinder waits, holding his breath as the conversation between Lothar and the bandits goes from starting cordially, then beginning to turn ugly and give Calinder an awful feeling in his stomach.
Calinder tries to judge the area for the spell from where he is concealed, so as to not catch Rhasa and Lothar in it’s effect.
Barnabus likewise readies his spell to catch the bandits fully, thinking it best that he and calindar strike at the same time, since two spells are harder to stop than one.
Steadies himself remembering the training the hags had given....
concentrate on the spell, let nothing stop you in casting it...
Whack...
whack...
failure meant more pain later.....
Lothar looked askance at the bandits, then turned away from them to face Rhasadilara. What is this man talking about? Who is this 'Stag Lord' of which he speaks? The magician's thick accent carried a frenetic tone to it that spoke of fear. Is there something I need to know? What else didn't you tell me? He began to clench and unclench his fists.
The elf stands, hands in a placating gesture to the 'offended' archivist. "I do not know of this Stag Lord. They assured me in Restov that this was their land and that your research would be welcome. This is merely a misunderstanding, I am sure."
Seeing the distraction is at hand Barnabus goes ahead and casts the glitterdust on the bandits behind Lothar.....
; )
Perception Not nowing what just happened Gorguk figures he may have missed the signal from Lothar. Gorguk notices the the glitterdust and attempts to mount on Durok with a quick step up. Ride Unfortunately his foot slips as he mounts and it takes a little longer than he wanted.
edit: Init if you want it now
For a moment, Lothar was thinking that the improvisation was going well. Then the cloud of glittering particles descended (he could see this thanks to it being reflected in Rhasa's large eyes). After all of this, Barnabus and I are going to have a talk about the merits of patience. The magician sighed as he prepared himself for the battle to come. With only a slight dip of the head to his elven partner to serve as a warning, Lothar quickly turned and attacked - not the rider, but his steed - launching a throwing spike in attempt to cause the horse to rear up and possibly dislodge the bandit so that they would be on equal footing.
As Calinder see's Barnabus' spell take shape, he rises from his place of concealment Raising his hands, palms facing up and wriggling his fingers, Calinder chants a supplication to Erastil that causes the plants and grasses in the area around the bandits to grab and hold them.
Whispers into the message....
"Good work!"