Elaina Tirel |
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Elaina follows Seraph's lead, hoping that it was as abandoned as it appeared.
"Perhaps we should be making use of this camp..." The young ranger wonders aloud, if softly, as she looks about.
Seraph_ |
Seraph nods, smirking at Elaina's forethought as she refrains from making a poorly timed joke. "I like the way you think Elina, it would make a decent sight for a small outpost for traveling merchants once this region is secure and the creek for fresh water would be a plus."
Seraph_ |
Sm~: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Seraph smiles but keeps the small insight to herself for now. "It is quite the secluded spot..." She watch's Tyg and Pervalish and makes sure they are having a good time or are comfortable despite the length of the journey~
is it close to night time or are we continuing forward?
Elaina Tirel |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Elaina, finishes her check, seeing nothing too suspicious and walks over to Maks, stroking his neck as she checks the time.
Marten Gorlan |
Marten tries to get to know the kobolds better, making sure he is not offending them in any way.
KenderKin |
The kobolds are generally in a festive mood and are once again preparing a feast. You begin to think they like to eat communal meals in the caverns below and just move them topside to accomodate guests.
The tale of Marten's attack hat is quickly spread among the kobolds, Marten notices that often while he is talking the kobolds are eyeing his hat for any sudden signs of life.
The others have a bit more travel time to arrive, but that seems to pass fairly uneventfully.
Jhod
"What is the plan for assaulting the fortress?"
Asta Blackheart |
"We would not ask you to take the vanguard," Asta assures the Kobolds. "Instead, we ask that you play to your strengths! While we send agents into the fortress to weaken them and take humans up to the front, we want you to lay traps around the other possible exits; if the bandits try to flee, they shall fall to your skill and cunning, and we can capture as many as possible."
The Witch tweaks a single strand of white hair behind her ear and grimaces.
"Alas, we owe a dead man the Staglord's death... Even if we capture him, it may be that we have to slay him. Or toss him in the river."
Elaina Tirel |
"We're hoping to weaken them from within before smashing them. Marten and I will be the ones posing as bandits. Any help from Kressel would be much appreciated in this, but I understand that sometimes it can be hard to betray those that trust you."
Marten Gorlan |
"A wise decision, Mikmek. He should send them as soon as possible." says Marten.
Seeing as all the kobolds are eyeing his hat, he adds with a straight face. "Maybe I should send my hat along in case of an emergency."
Croft the Raven |
"I'll go," Croft offers. "I can do aerial reconnaissance."
He eyes the hat with a glint of malice in his eye. "You can let me carry the hat, too," he says. "I'll make sure it has a... good view."
Marten Gorlan |
"Interesting idea, we might explore the possibilities once we have more free time." Marten reacts to Asta's suggestion.
"I'd rather not. It has not gained much experience flying so it could give away your position if it becomes airsick." he turns to Croft.
KenderKin |
The few days pass quickly, with each group being upon it's set courses of action.
In a strange coincidence Chief Sootscales returns to the caverns and greets Torod, Marten and Asta.
Around that same time Seraph and Elaina arrive with both Johod and Kressel.
Johod is intrigued by the lifestyle of the kobolds and the sharing of community that seems to include the big folk as well.
He comments upon it in passing....
"This is not how I have understood Kobolds....hummm."
With that he takes out what appears to be a very fancy darkwood pipe and he sits by the fire to ponder.
Everyone is now here!
Torod |
"Jhod!" Torod is genuinely happy to the fellow priest of Erastil. "I'm so glad to see you're still alive." A quick look to Kressel. "And yes, the kobolds seem to be a fine communal folk, but they are still kobolds. You should be careful while you're here."
Asta Blackheart |
"Thank you, Torod, for your social colour commentary," Asta says, not quite rolling her eyes.
"Jhod; Kressel," she greets the priest and the ex-bandit. Next, she addresses the whole group: "The Chief has offered the services of his people in scouting as well as setting traps to limit our enemies' avenues of escape. Elaina, Seraph; how did things go at your end? Have you brought us more troops?"
Elaina Tirel |
Flexing back in time. Sorry, things have been busy of late, and promise to get busier still.
Elaina shakes her head at Kressel mentioning leading them in.
"If I had it my way, I'd be the only one going in. I'm used to having to hide among wolves, so to speak, and I don't want anyone who doesn't have to to be in harms way. I was hoping you might have some information or some advice. If not, then I'll just wing it. I have a silver tongue when I need it." THe young tiefling ranger flashes a toothy smile at the ex-bandit.
Kobold Camp
"We did have Perlavish and Tyg-titter-tut, but I don't know where they got off to. I hope our hosts have a good sense of humor."
Seraph_ |
Seeing as they traveled with us from the temple I would assume they are still with us~
Seraph was mostly quiet, her usual happy go lucky self was restrained by thoughts of the coming conflict. It wouldn't be settled easily, it would be settled with steel and blood. She hoped that more or less the bandits would survive and maybe amend their ways but she highly doubted the latter part of her thinking.
Kressel wasn't an exception she was an example of what people were capable of. She drew her weapons one at a time as she tested their edge and the belts on her equipment. She made sure she would be ready for the time ahead.
Later - Kobold Camp
Seraph's bravado of beating the others, having been dashed completely on the rocks by the sight of Asta and company already at the Kobold camp, leaves the tiefling smiling. "Looks like we were a bit late for the party." She draws out a Moonradish and throws it to Mikmek. "As requested my scaly friend!
She approaches Asta and bows deeply to her Witch. "I can explain our... delay. We ran afoul of a basket of eggs, which lead to wardrobe issues and lessons in how not to fly. Really wish we could have kept the cape~ Coupled with the ghost encounter the fey's wood were interesting to say the least~" She was trying to hold back her laughter as she tried to keep her speech short. "I am sure our other companions will join us again shortly~"
Marten Gorlan |
"I am glad you are back safely. If safely it is, as I have no idea what you just told us..." Marten greets the pair.
KenderKin |
The two fey have been keeping out of sight moreso than not. Perlavish expects the kobolds to respond well enough when he makes his appearance.
As the feast gets started Perlavish crashes onto the table, puffs out his chest and declares...
"I am a dragon! Behold my splendor and be in Awe!"
The kobold fall into stunned silence.......
Marten Gorlan |
Marten makes sure his hat is sitting still and not attempting any sudden moves...
Seraph_ |
Seraph tries to avoid laughing, covering up her laugh with an exaggerated cough as Pervalish tries to wow the Kobolds.
Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
However she does smile at Pervalish as he struts his stuff. "Cheeky little rascal..."
Asta Blackheart |
Asta casually sips from her drink, and then says: "Chief Sootscale, please allow me to present the mighty Fey, Perlavish, who has generously consented to assist us in the battle against the vile Staglord -- in the company of his true-hearted and brave companion, Tyg-titter-tut."
The Witch gently inclines her head to the Fey.
"Perlavish, please allow me to introduce the Chief of the Sootscale Clan, the honourable and caring leader of his people, who is joining us in this battle for the sake of the land's better, brighter future."
Elaina Tirel |
Elaina barely, just barely, manages not to laugh and start rolling on the ground. Her eyes water, the corner of her mouth quirks up, and her whole body trembles, but she doesn't utter so much as a chuckle.
KenderKin |
Perlavish smiles grandly....
"I shall hence forth protect my subjects the scaly ones known as the sootscale kobolds. Where shall my subject create my palace?"
Mikmek bows to Perlavish
"Where you command it O great dragon of exceptional size."
Jhod laughs, his pipe falling free of his mouth
"Surely the forest near to the temple is a suitable home, do grace us with your presence there o one of fearful symetry!"
Seraph_ |
Seraph watched the proceedings with great amusement. "This is the perfect instance for the age old saying, its not the size that counts..." She chuckled, leaving the rest unsaid as she smiled broadly, the days of riding had been interesting an experiance that broadened her knowledge of some of her companions. She was also quietly happy that so many found common ground in different ways. She was most interested to see what would happen in the time to come.
KenderKin |
The feast ends, and most of the kobolds leave. Chief sootscale calls for a meeting of the war council.
Chief Sootscale
"If we intend to go to war, a meeting must be held so that each knows his role in the coming battles."
"I have sent a few scouts ahead to see what can be seen from a safe distance."
Asta Blackheart |
"Most excellent, chief," Asta says, nodding. "We shall await the report. Croft can fly along with your scouts to relay news as it arrives."
The new year is here, let's get this siege in gear! :D
Seraph_ |
Seraph spends her time sharpening her weapons, ever blade, every arrowhead would be sharpened and ready for the coming conflict. She is meticulous with even her armor inspection, not a detail would be missed. She looked towards Asta briefly once everything was prepared. I cannot fail in my duties to her nor my oath. She remembered the old man, the ogre and frowned. Death is not an apology. Only victory will satisfy for now. From there what the future holds is unknown. The click of her blade settling into its sheath was a very satisfying sound. She cast aside her whetstone as it was now completely worn through...
Marten Gorlan |
Marten practices his skills in private outside the caves and quietly talks to his hat when he knows the kobolds are watching.
KenderKin |
Seraph_ |
Seraph looks over the maps and frowns. "Far more impressive structure than I had imagined. Unless we can break through the gate, storming it from the outside would be near suicidal. Are we looking to lay siege? Perhaps some of the Siege weapons at the fort would be usable?"
Asta Blackheart |
"A wise man once said, 'If your enemy possesses an impenetrable stronghold, see to it that he stays there'," Asta says, as she looks at the sketches, a strange little smile on her lips.
"Perlavish, Tyg-titter-tut, how large an area can you engulf in your hilarious gas? A whole courtyard?"
Turning back to the Kobold scouts, she asks: "What do you think of your chances of blocking off the fortress' rear exits and escape tunnels, if any are present? Could you do it quickly and decisively?"
Turning to Seraph, she shrugs. "It might take us quite some time to get it out here... Let us confer with the troops."
Seraph_ |
Seraph's voice was neutral but her words were blunt. "It was a suggestion Tarod, but that would be the point. Draw them out and fight in the open field. So do you have something you want to add?
Marten Gorlan |
"That is great idea, we might need to know the layout before we finalize the course of action." Marten supports the mighty dragon.
Then he turns to Torod.
"If we are to change our plans, this is the best time for it. It is not wise to hold to an old plan when new information is gathered and discoveries made. And I expect we will have to improvise once the action starts anyway..."
Seraph_ |
Seraph nods in agreement with their draconic friend and Marten. "If you can do it safely Mighty Dragon than lets do it." She looks to Asta. "If you wish I can ride up under the cover of night as well and look at the outside more closely."
KenderKin |
It seems that an in person scouting mission is called for, though you certainly will want to launch the assualt from somewhere closer than the sooscales caverns.
Mikmek looks at the map....
"We could marshal forces here..."
Points to the woods where the Skunk River empties into the Tuskwater...
Croft the Raven |
"I'll go with you when you do your fly-by," Croft caws, hopping over to Perlavish.
The raven gives Asta a saucy look.
"You can't order me to go if I volunteer. Anyway, Scaly here stands out. He's got bright colours. If he flies in my shadow, it's just a raven flying over. Less chance of us getting shot at."
Marten Gorlan |
"Unless they really dislike ravens" Marten says in half-whisper.