The Stolen Empire

Game Master Vethcyr

"If your back will play up sitting around, how do you expect to sneak around a perimeter?" Arastine asks Pete, before continuing, "It will be easier to scout undetected at night, but visibility will be better now..."

I count 2 votes for waiting and one for scouting immediately.

"I don't think some of us could sneak around undetected in the daylight," Karina says with a smirk, glaring at Pete. "We won't be able to see well in the dark, but they won't either. Unless that druid has some tricks up his sleeve. Either way, I think we should wait for nightfall."

Unless they have, y'know, an elf. Or a dwarf. Or a half-orc... Wait, are we ALL human? This has to be the most racially pure party I've been in.

It'd certainly be nice to get some more information from a captive. I hate going in so blind.

EDIT: Except that one party, where we were all drow misfits, angstily rebelling against the moral decay of our people, cut off from our culture but never accepted by those we were sworn to protect.

"Movin' around helps sort out the tweaks. And I'm probably better than yeller here at bein' quiet." He motions over to Klinn and Nysro. You're not sure which one he's talking about.

No low-light vision here, but Pete does get a bonus to perception checks at night. Also, JK, that drow game sounds terribl...y familiar.

"Sounds good for tonight. And everyone should take out weapons other than guns. We are very close to the camp and one gunshot and everyone comes running to greet us."

Vlad walks over to Pete and offers his rapier in its sheath to him, "Here Pete I would hate for you to be left with only a dagger in a fight.'

Wow we are a seriously racially pure party...Have we met any elves or dwarves yet...the only nonhuman sentient beings we've met so far I think are the mites and the witch. I think...Anyway hadn't thought about it before

As things have been quiet lately, let's move this along a bit.

You spend the afternoon waiting. Nothing eventful happens nearby. Pete's back cramps up a bit (apparently). It is now dark out (8 PM or thereabouts).

What now?

"Well, lets get to it. I'll have Nysro lead the way. He is willing to go first and scout out ahead. If they try and surround us, he'll be on the outside. If they set up a trap for us, he might trigger it himself.He's willing to take the risk, so I think we should let him."

"So, down the creek or through the forest? I'm all for through the forest by the creek."

"The forest should give us some cover, but we'll have to be careful for traps. If we run into some trouble, I'll have this scroll ready. It should put anyone that would call for help to sleep. Or better yet, if we catch one alone, we might get a nice captive out of it." She rummages through her pack and produces a small scroll, which she lifts up and shows to the others. "I'm fine with letting Nysro lead, as long as he can stay quiet and unseen."

Karina will be holding the scroll in her hands as to not have to draw it in case it is needed.

Vlad grins widely, "This is going to be fun. Let's check it out and decide what to do." Thinking for a minute, Vlad responds "I think the forest would be best, it gives us cover and hides our numbers if we are spotted. It also makes it easier to lose pursuers in the forest." Vlad pauses to pull out his bow and put out his cigarette stamping his foot on it to decrease how easy it is to see him in the dark.

Vlad thinks for a minute and then says "I don't think we should all go. The more of us that go the more chance we have of being heard and discovered. A few people can report back just as effectively."

Vlad attempts to take a pull from his cigarette and seems surprised for a moment as he realizes that he had just put it out a few seconds prior, Vlad seems to become a little agitated "Everyone should continue to use weapons that will not make much sound. If we are spotted by a guard we must kill him before he can alert the others. But Pete I will want my blade back before we sleep tonight." Vlad's voice is tinged with anger as the nicotine begins to leave his system.

This is going to be fun to write as Vlad goes through nicotine withdrawal for a little bit.

While Nitina might agree with Vlad tactically, splitting the party is just a pain. Less so in PbP, but I (JC) am still going to argue against it.

FYI, I'm okay with the idea of running a party split if you want to.

"I'm useless with a blade," Arastine says. "Perhaps I should hang back and act as backup. I'll try to stay within vocal range."

"Vlad's right. There's no point in having all of us come unless we're planning on fighting them. Sounds like Arastine is gonna hang back. Pete, why don't you rest your back tonight? That leaves the 4 of us, 5 with Nysro. Whaddya think, is that too many? Maybe Nitina can cover us from afar."

Sounds reasonable.

Nysro has 60 ft darkvision and +6 stealth. He might roll poorly, but lets hope he doesn't roll poorly twice.

"With Nysro out in front, I don't think we will be too surprised. If they try to catch him, he has ways of escaping. I don't know if separating is such a great idea. Maybe Arastine and Pete, you could hang behind 90 ft or so and we'll magically communicate with you. That way, if they find any of us, we'll all be there to help out, but if we see them first, we'll be able to attack quickly and quietly."

"That all sounds good to me, let's try to keep it down to 3 people (4 including our friend Nysro) getting close to the base to check it out. And try to keep everyone else a good way back. I don't want to get into a fight at a time of their choosing. I would very much like for us to be able to decide when and how we eliminate them."

Vlad checks his bow string making sure it is taut. "Let's head out and spread out a bit once we get there, that way we can get multiple points of perspective. Achieve the most amount of information in the least time." Vlad looks up "This is going to be very...very...fun." Vlad says with a widening fearsome grin.

"Lyin' down sounds good. You all have fun getting shot at."

"That's the idea. I'll be nearby, mounted and ready to rush in should you call for backup." She pauses, before continuing, "Pete, you should stay with me - you're the only one capable of healing, so you should be ready if the others call."

Just let me know when you want to head out. Also, are you going to approach from the east or the west? You know that the trail and creek run north-south through the camp, thanks to the witch.

"How about I take one you two take the other? I can take the west and you can take the east, or the other way around if you wish, I have no strong feelings about this." Vlad says to Klinn and Karina.

Vlad turns to Pete, "With you hanging back, I would really appreciate it if my sword were back with me for this part." (Assuming there is no problem with this) "Thanks Pete, I'll make sure to have lots of fun as I dodge bullets" He says this as he attaches his sword and sheath to himself, continuing to keep his bow out.

Looking around Vlad says "Shall we then?" and begins toward the camp. Nicotine continuing to leave his system with every step.

"But if we approach from different sides, how will we send any backup? I think we should approach from the same side, just maybe split somewhat."

"Have them in position to give you support, if I run into trouble I'll figure it out. Don't worry about it." As Vlad says this he continues walking toward the camp.

Karina shrugs. "His loss."

So, assuming people don't argue otherwise, is Vlad going from the west, while the rest of us go from the east or the other way around?

"Awe, let him go. Come on, sis. Let's do this thing."

Let's just say, that Vlad goes West just for the sake of simplicity

Nitina will look for a convenient vantage point, perhaps a hill that overlooks the camp or an easily-climbed tree. She'll stay low and out of visual range as best she can. Ideally, the site will be within 500 feet of the camp, if not she'll be behind the party--that is, covering their most likely escape route.

Just making sure I've got this right - Vlad will be doing a solo approach from the west, while Karina, Klinn and Nysro approach from the east. Nitina will either search for a vantage point to the east of the camp or she will stay behind the eastward group to cover their escape. If the latter, I'm placing her with Pete and Arastine (as they're standing by to come rushing in if the alarm goes off). Sound correct?

As far as I understand things, that is correct. Also, just before the party splits, Karina will cast message to be able to talk with Nitina as long as she is in range.

Well, not so far behind the group as Aristane and Pete. Maybe 1/3 of the way from the compound to wherever Aristane and Pete are going. But she'd rather find a sniping position if possible.

Sounds good to me

Wait, what? The seven us are splitting into 5 groups? We will never see each other again!
"And what, we meet back here in and hour? Better yet, why not have one loud group approach from one side of the camp about 10 min after the other group leaves? Well, I guess what we do is make a lot of noise if we run into trouble? And snitches get left behind."

"Sis, we've gotta be nuts for trying this."

Just before each person stealths, Klinn will cast guidance (+1 on any d20, must be used within a minute). After Nysro has stealthed (and used his guidance) but before Klinn does, Klinn casts guidance on him again for perception. He then cast guidance on himself and then stealth. Nysro leads the way by 80 ft.

Nysro stealth :1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25
Nysro perception: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23
Klinn stealth: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 = 12

True. Five groups is insufficient. The six of us should split into at least 15 different groups. My liver will head down the river, while my right eyebrow sneaks in and burns down the tower. That should allow at least one of my kidneys to assassinate their acting leader.

Vlad slays a random turkey and eats it. He and I hope you are having a lovely turkey day with you and yours.

Klinn slaughterers 7 other shoppers fighting over the last remaining the new Mini-Bandit (TM) action-construct during the Black Friday sale at the local Mace's.

Hah, Maces. Rimshot. I'm around now, waiting for le action.

Okay, we're back! Sorry about the delay. Between Thanksgiving, spending time with friends and family, and Skyrim, I've been slightly preoccupied. Not to mention, this map was a pain in the neck to make.

DM acts on initiative 0 until I have reason to roll.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Being in the woods right now I couldn't resist: Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Klinn.....Klinn... Where are you?

Okay, as 72 hours have elapsed, I'm delaying Klinn.