Right after the fight Peregrine had grabbed up the torches and stomped out any smoldering fires and put them somewhere safer. Once that was taken care of he frowned down at the gnomes, Peregrine distinctly recalled that the sound of arcane syllables floating over the night air when the torches had been lit. He looked closely at them, looking for signs that they were spellcasters of some sort. "We should bind their hands..." Peregrine cast about the camp something to tie them up with.
Assuming he finds something, even if its just stout strips of cloth he'll bind the gnomes' hands. Either of them carrying spell component pouches or the like?
Satisfied with his work for the time being Peregrine took a few moments to work some simple magic before joining Vorik. With a quick gesture and a sudden intonation the diviner's eyes seemed to fall out of focus and he slowly looked around at the camp.
Cast Detect Magic and look about the camp. I'll leave the rolling to you should he spot anything, both his Knowledge (Arcana) and Spellcraft are +8.
Peregrine continued this for a short time, mentally noting anything unusual and then finally turned toward Kressle. He approached the captive in a business like manner, sat down on a log, and studied her for a short time before smiling a smile that was not a smile at all. "Before we ask you any questions, why don't you tell me all the things you think I want to hear, keeping in mind I already know a great deal, and I very much dislike obfuscation and lies." He looked at her patiently, as though this were her cue.
Maintaining his tenuous hold on the future Peregrine took a deep breath and collected himself. Remember, he thought, perception is important. With all the confidence he could muster Peregrine strode out of his hiding place, coming nearer the torch light. "I think it time you consider surrendering!" he called out boldly, then to emphasize the statement he promptly raised his crossbow and swiveled south, unleashing a bolt at where he surmised the string on the weapon mounted across the river would be.
Free Action = Prescience: 1d20 ⇒ 19.
Move Action = Move to P20.
Standard Action = Fire on the string of the southern crossbow, attempting to snap it or render it unusable. Attack: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (19) + 22 = 41. Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5.
Keeping his mind open to the possible outcomes of the situation, Peregrine grasped a small wooden talisman, carved with concentric circles, that hung from his belt, he uttered a sharp syllable that seemed to skewer the mind and pierce the night. He felt a rush of confidence sweep over him and all the world seemed a target he could not miss. He tried to slip to a new hiding spot even as his mind worked to regain its focus and find the right target. Peregrine moved confidently, he already knew the right places to step and best ways to turn his body, he had already seen the most desirable outcome.
Closing his eyes for a split second he concentrated and a dozen outcomes flashed through his mind and then, satisfied with having waited, Peregrine dipped a hand into one of the pouches on his belt and drew out a pinch of sand that streamed silkily through is fingers in the night air. Clenching it in his fist he concentrated on the signet ring he wore, calling on the power stored in the focus he could feel it growing hot under his glove and forming the shape of familiar magic in his mind. Peregrine intoned a thick, drowsy word as he opened his hand and blew the sand toward the northern lookout. He paused a second to see the results of his spell then tried to move quietly before his was spotted. As he moved he stopped, remembering the flash of a broken twig a moment before it happened and the choose a different path.
Free action at the beginning of turn. Prescience: 1d20 ⇒ 13.
Standard: Cast Sleep (DC 15 Will) so as to include the all of the bandits at the northern lookout if possible (if you mentioned how high the lookout is off the ground I've missed it, if they're too high to include the bandits on the ground and on the lookout then just the ones on the ground beneath the lookout).
Move to W19 attempting to stealth using the cover of darkness and the undergrowth. Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22.
Peregrine bit his lip in an effort not to cry out in surprise at the sound from the other side of the river. Curses, how could he have forgotten about the watch on the south side, he thought, he had been warned.
He tried to slip a bit farther forward to get a better view of the platform across the water, crouching in the underbrush he drew his crossbow and loaded a quarrel into it as he squinted into the darkness, weighing his options. He could feel the quiver of excitement and fear in his limbs, but the sensation seemed faraway as his mind latched on to the situation at hand.
Peregrine knew that the sleeping spell wouldn't affect anyone that was already asleep, it would be wasted and sound of combat would likely wake them naturally. He didn't know where the biggest threat was yet, either, but he guessed that the other platform would likely have two men stationed there, and the rest would be near the fire, somewhere. It was hard to be patient, but he knew that it would take take a few moments for the brigands to collect themselves, rouse any that might be resting, and get on their feet and ready to fight. Calculating the risk, he waited.
To finish the surprise rounds movement he'll go as far NW as he needs to to have a better view of the southern platform, or at least as far as he is able, trying to end with come kind of cover or concealment.
Peregrine swore silently under his breath, he hadn't expected the others to move so soon. Letting go of his mount's reins he moved forward as fast as he could without hurting himself in the poor light, hoping that the distraction from the loosed arrows and whatever cover night and forest provided would keep him safe.
Run forward as much he can safely and try to end in cover behind a tree or sizable rock or the like. Shooting for line of effect/sight with the camp if possible.
Seeing the fire and realizing that they are drawing close to the camp, Peregrine slipped from the horses back and led it on foot. It was dark enough that he had to run it would probably be safer on foot, and he didn't want to risk the horse moving suddenly ruining any spell he might have to cast.
Peregrine fell in behind Vorik, allowing himself about 20 feet space. When the large warrior burst into song, he just shook his head and sighed. As the plodded along and his eyes rolled over their surroundings he couldn't help but think the Paladin's song was full of dreadful inaccuracies.
Peregrine swung the commandeered cloak over his shoulders. "Very well." He adjusted the cloak and frowned down at a spot on it. "I've heard it said that any action is better than no action at all. Let us put it to the test."
Any preferences on how to proceed. Peregrine of course has his preferences, but that's because he generally thinks he's always right, I as a player am flexible. :)
Choices for far.
1) Sneak up on them.
2) Approach in disguise.
3) Set up an ambush and hope they go looking for their guys.
"Anything is possible, there are dangers in trying to out think someone you've never met. The smartest and most cautious thing they could do would probably be to move their camp, but I'd wager that they've been long enough without law in this region that will probably not be the first thought that will cross their minds. I would expect bandits to be greedy enough to at least investigate and see if the goods might be easily recoverable, or wary enough to see if their disappearance might be due to something that could threaten their remaining number. It is just a guess, but if we guess right then we would expose ourselves to less risk, though if we guess wrong we may make our task more difficult."
Peregrine seemed to be weighing the options. "I think you are right Vorik, the cloaks are likely the best way to go about doing it, I don't know about the rest of you, but skulking about the forest is not my forté, I'm just as likely to give us away as not. Though I must say I'm not keen on the idea of you charging in on horseback, it seems rash without knowing the camp, but you are a better judge than I of what your are capable of. I will note that we do not have the number of the bandits that left, that may be some cause for alarm on the part of the lookout. It is also possible that he may signal our "expected" return, i which case even if we do fool him or prevent him from raising an actual alarm we'll have a limited time to act. It may be if we go in seeming injured we might be able to split their number if they call for aid."
Peregrine goes to fetch the cloaks, coming back shortly.
"Another thing occurs to me, it could be in our interest to wait, let them send out a party in search of their missing payment and then take the camp and the search party separately. It might even be that if we wait whoever it is they're paying tribute to could thin their number by a man or two if they don't take well to not being paid in a timely fashion."
What time of day is it? How long have we been riding?
"Happs and Budge both said the encampment was about an hour south from where the treeline met the river, and Happs mentioned lookouts north and south of the river."
Peregrine glanced up at the sun to orient himself and compare it with the direction the river flowed.
Peregrine continued to frown at the tracks a few moments longer before standing up and silently surveying the forest's edge with furrowed brow. He mounted up and said with with mild irritation, "looks vaguely goblinoid, but that's about all I can tell."
With a light nudge of his heel Peregrine urged his horse forward. "Budgie and Happs both said to follow the treeline to the river, for now at least I think our way is clear."
Peregrine glanced up at Jaestra, a slight look of annoyance flashing across his face at being bothered while he was trying to think, but letting it go he answered her questions. "I have a great liking for knowing what may lie in my path. In my profession one studies a great many things even including the occasional volume or treatise on various anatomies and ecologies and the like. Sometimes it proves useful." He returned to frowning down at the tracks. "And sometimes not," he said with a sigh.
Peregrine had listened to Vorik's story silently, but very intently, though he pointedly pretended not to notice any display of emotion on the parts of his companions. Whether this was due to a sense of decorum or simply not knowing how he should react it would have been hard to say.
When they came to the edge of the woods and Jaestra had mentioned the other tracks Peregrine asked that she show him specifically what she had seen before moving on. He took a few moments to carefully examine them before allowing the party to move on.
Peregrine has most of the monster knowledge skills covered excepting Knowledge: Dungeoneering at the the same bonus, so I'll just roll once and just assume whatever makes the most sense. So he'll try to figure out what the creature is by its tracks and subsequently what he might know about it/them
"I do think it best that everyone have their own horse, even if that means we have to wait a while in order to accommodate that. It will probably take us an hour to get everything properly in order to travel anyway."
If she is intending on coming back then I suggest we take her character along with us, if we continue at the pace at which we have been going then our excursion might take some time.
It's probably fair to say that at some point Peregrine would have cast Detect Magic over this lot and taken a shot a figuring out what might be in the unmarked vials.
Peregrine had been largely silent since the executions, his mood having turned gloomy and introspective. Though they had had their first victory, albeit a small one, he did not feel a great sense of satisfaction, it was not as though the men had not deserved their fates, indeed Peregrine was not especially given over to pity, but the whole affair had left him feeling somewhat hollow, as though some tiny fraction of himself had died along with the bandits and was being buried with them. It is probably needless to say then, that even with the new arrival he was not feeling particular talkative. Sure, he had introduced himself, "Peregrine Fetch, of House Fetch," he had said in that formal, slightly stiff manner of his. However his contribution to the chatter beyond that point had been largely perfunctory, rarely rising above the bare necessities required to keep things moving along, but he seemed to stir now that the conversation was turning toward the more practical ends of actual planning.
"Forgive me Vorik, but the other party likely won't be arriving at Krestle's camp in the morning. Happs indicated that they tended to come later, sometimes even after nightfall. And Lady Gelabraes is most correct, we need to set everything in order and depart posthaste. It seems we have a good 12 hours ride ahead of us in unfamiliar territory, and the band that came here today is expected back before dawn tomorrow."
Peregrine did not appear at all offended that they should disagree with him as to what was to be done with the bodies after the execution, in truth it was what he had expected. Indeed, some small vestigial part of him felt warmed at their idealism. It occurred to the young diviner that his uncle would not approve of his companions at all, that he would have perceived their stance as weakness. Though he could not have said whether it was his companions' high-mindedness or his uncle's imagined irritation that brought it on, Peregrine smiled a very small but genuine smile, notably only because it was perhaps the first time he'd done so since entering Oleg's. It was a fleeting thing though and just quickly as it had come it disappeared again, and Peregrine replied in his usual dry tone. "There is no reason to be sorry, if that is your decision then we shall just have to work all the harder then, that is all." Then he sighed wearily and pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment before going on, "I think it time I announce their judgements and we get on with what we must do," and for all the coldness in his person he sounded a bit older and more worn as he said this.
Allowing of course for whatever my fellow players want to do we could roleplay through the judgements or this seems like a good point for a quick narration and segue to the next bit Bloodgargler. Peregrine's intended course of action is probably not very surprising, that is deliver the verdicts and carry out the executions in as expedient and efficient a manner as possible given that the characters are on a bit of time table depending on how they decide to deal with the camp. Whatever you feel best serves.
Peregrine considered Vorik a moment before replying. "Regarding Budgie, while that would certainly be fair, I have serious concerns about sentencing him to service. Keeping him here without the proper measures being available, and with the resentment he's sure to have after receiving his punishment, might be putting Oleg and Svetlana at unnecessary risk. After all we have much to do away from this place, and cannot keep a vigilant eye always on it." Peregrine sighed, "at the very least I would leave it to Oleg."
"As for the other matter, I've no wish to quarrel with you about it, so I will say only that it is not an unreasonable thing. I think you will find that such is done in many places across Brevoy and beyond. Knowing the abuses and humiliations that await one's mortal remains beyond death is not just warning to others, but part of the punishment, perhaps the worst part. Hereto now the brigands have lived without consequences, I think it only fair they should have warning of what will become of them should they continue with their unfortunate lifestyles. So having said my piece, I leave the decision to you." On the last Peregrine gave a small bow of acquiescence to the towering warrior.
Peregrine shrugged, "I find it hard to make the case for repentance for a man who would lead others in such acts, especially given that being in such a position implies a certain level of deliberate choice."
I will sit down and look through all the entries tomorrow, when I have a bit of time, and let you know what I think. I think we've got most of the bases covered at least to a degree, so i think it's just a matter of figuring out the best fit concept and roleplay wise.
Having questioned all the bandits Peregrine pulled the other aside and spoke to them in low tones, if possible he managed to look more grim and dour than usual. "This is my judgement, if none are opposed. With the exception of two they did not cooperate, and having been caught in the act their guilt is unquestionable, to these men I would give the sentence of hanging until dead. I would further recommend that the bodies, or at very least, their heads be left on display as a warning against future banditry. Take whatever precautions you feel necessary in sanctifying their bodies."
"For the one calling himself Budgie I suggest we sever the fingers as we spoke of earlier, while his motivations may be suspect I believe he is telling the truth and i think it is to our benefit that we demonstrate that cooperation is looked upon favorably. I would have preferred that we be able to wait until we had check out his information before rendering the sentence but we really don't have the means to hold him reliably at this time."
"Their leader Happs also cooperated, but I am of the opinion that given his leadership position that he cannot be allowed to escape the death penalty. However in light of his cooperation I would give him the option of whether he wishes to pass by rope or by blade and withhold his body from pubic view if it his wish. I feel these judgements fall within the bounds of what we are allowed via the charter. What say you?"
Peregrine had nodded in agreement with Vorik, "You are most correct, let us see what we can see before we make any final decision," before setting off the question the captives against the north wall.
Having given his small speech, and having listened to their sneering replies, Peregrine simply shrugged. "We won and you lost, that is all that matters. What care I for a warrior's valour?" Here Peregrine paused as though considering that question before continuing. "Hmm...only very slightly more than I care about your blood, that is to say, not at all." He stepped back and smiled a small, cold, dispassionate smile. "Hmph, if that is all you have to say, the die is cast. I give you my thanks for making your judgement an easy one." With that he turned and walked away, though as he did it occurred to Peregrine that his Uncle Igorius would have been proud of him. He found no comfort in that.
Accompanied by that sullen thought and by Jaestra and her bow, Peregrine descended on the shed, where the bandit lieutenant was being held, like a dark cloud. Eyeing him dully Peregrine gave him much the same speech he had given the others, finishing with, "some of your fellows were quite forthcoming so I suggest you do what is intelligent, there will be men dying today, what difference does one more or one less make?"
"Tell me about your camp, everything. How is it defended, what kind of watch is kept? Tell me about Krestle, every little thing you know of her, and believe me when I say, at this point, holding your tongue will be far more costly than letting it wag. And while your volunteering information tell me about this area, are there any other bandit groups operating here? You're small number of men could hardly be responsible for all of the plague of banditry we have heard of up north."
Drawing his dagger, Peregrine came closer to loosen the bandit's gag. Your boss put you in charge of these men, which must mean you have a modicum of intelligence. I suggest you use it."
DM Bloodgargler, pardon me, but I'm not familiar with the use of 'eggs' as a notation of time. Assuming my character would be familiar with the term, about how long would 'just after eggs til 'bout sunrise' be?
Peregrine gravely absorbed the spiteful bandits information and asked him a few more questions about his fellows, who they were, and how they came to join up, subtly trying to ascertain if all had come to the lifestyle by their own free will. When he was finished he stepped outside and quietly talked with Vorik and Jaestra.
After considering the question of how to approach the bandit camp for a short time Peregrine finally spoke up, carefully weighing each option. "We have until about this time tomorrow morning, perhaps the afternoon, depending on how tight a ship this Krestle runs, before these so called Bluecloaks realize something is amiss. At which point they will become considerably more wary, I should think. What, then, are our options? If we move swiftly we might catch them unawares, though there will be more of them, and even though surprised, they will have the advantage of being on familiar ground with whatever defenses they may have prepared. Whereas we will not have so great an advantage as we did here today."
"Should we tarry to gather allies which we may or may not be able to find, we run the risk that they may move their camp should they find out what has happened to their fellows. There is also the danger that they may come at us, which could be very dangerous to not only ourselves, but to Oleg and Svetlana. How would we know when or how they might come? We will lose the initiative if we wait overmuch, and I fear that would be most costly."
"Another idea might be to approach the camp, but wait until they realize that something has gone wrong. Given the lack of law in the region up until now, it is reasonably to believe they may not immediately surmise the fate of their fellows. Unless this Krestle is exceptionally wary, it is likely she will send two or three of her men to find out what has become of her stolen gains. We could ambush them on the trail and then go after the camp, thereby splitting their number."
Once everyone is done discussing what it is that should be done, Peregrine will continue on with his questioning of the men, first with those at the north wall and then with their leader. He'll have them all the same speech he gave Budgie and his friend, and then weigh and compare and compare answers to see how everything stacks up. Bloodgargler, we can play through those conversations, just pick up with Happs, or just narrate out the general outcome of the interrogations in how their various testimonies match and/or differ. Whichever you'd prefer (or if you can think of a more convenient way to proceed that's cool too), and then we can add any follow up questions from there.
Sorry, I've been remiss in posting. I'm not at all on my regular schedule because of the winter holiday here and though I'm not exactly short of time I've not been very disciplined about posting because my schedule is all out of kilter, not having to be certain places or do certain things at certain times. It's a bit of a poor excuse, but please chalk it up to a personality flaw.
Once all the bandits were in place Peregrine asked his companions who wished to take part in the interrogations and then went first to question the pair in the stables. For several moments he simply stood observing them in the dusty shade of the structure, steadfastly ignoring any comments form the loudmouthed brigand. When Peregrine finally spoke up he proceeded in that measured, passionless tone of his.
"Budgie, was it? I'm sure that you must realize by now that you are in a great deal of trouble. Put simply, the penalty for unrepentant banditry is death by sword or by rope, and more to the point we are empowered to carry out such. The only hope for you and your friend here is to be as helpful and honest as possible. To that end we will ask you some questions, a refusal to answer would be a sure mark of irrepentance. We will ask the same questions of your fellows, pray that you and they are honest and your answers support one another, for lies would be a sure mark of irrepentance. Don't be the group whose answers do not match the other two. So let's get to it, shall we?"
"First, tell me about the men you've come with today, particularly the one you called boss. Also, who is this Kressle he mentioned? How many more of you are there? Do you have a camp, or base of operations, if so, where is it? Are you expected back and when? And any other little detail you can think of, your miserable hides depend on it."
Once the bandits were all properly bound Peregrine turned to his companions. "We should separate them, the one called Budgie and his friend over by the stables, their leader in the storage shed, and the rest against the north wall. There are questions that need answered."
Once the bandits are all properly bound and what not, assuming no one stops him, Peregrine will do his best to begin separating them.
Seeing that the situation seemed to be in hand, Peregrine emerged from the stables, and giving the surrendered bandits wide berth, he went to help bind the slumbering outlaws with great alacrity.
My apologies for not being more responsive, I had a bit of a busy weekend. I'll make a longer post tomorrow afternoon.
Peregrine quietly took up his crossbow into his left hand and carefully drew a small bit of fine sand from a pouch on his belt with the other. Peering through a crack in the boards, he watched as they set about their unlawful business, helping themselves to the goods and food of Oleg and Svetlana. He could feel his heart's pace quicken as the inevitable conflict hurtled ever closer, but his hands remained steady as a cold hard numbness crept over him.
When Gaddak stepped out, about to deliver his ultimatum, it occurred to Peregrine that if the bandits thought it an even match they would be unlikely to surrender. Making a snap decision he decided to give them some incentive to to yield. Peering over the low stable wall Peregrine intoned a deep somnolent word and blew the sand from his hand over the courtyard. The air grew thick and heavy, and settled like a blanket around the men gathered at the table, weighing down their minds with the warm invitation of sleep.
During the surprise round Peregrine will cast Sleep on the 4 men gathered at the table. Will save DC15.
At the start of the regular round Peregrine will use his Prescience ability. Prescience: 1d20 ⇒ 8.
If 0-1 bandits are affected by his Sleep spell.:
Peregrine cursed the vagaries of magic and called upon the ring he used as a focus. He could feel it grow warm beneath his glove as pulled on its arcane reserves to bring his spell back to mind, and with steady determination he began to weave the enchantment once more, continuing to will the heavy, sluggish weight of slumber down on the courtyard.
Cast sleep one more time on the bandits at the table, if possible he will adjust the targeting to leave out the one that may have been affected it possible and still being able to include the others.
If 2 or more bandits are affected by his Sleep spell.:
Peregrine nodded in satisfaction and turned his attention to the nearest brigand. With a deft motion he snagged something from a pouch and spoke a word that seemed to jangle discordantly through the air as he directed his will toward his intended target.
Peregrine will cast Dazeon the Bandit in M16. Will Save DC 14.
I have to be honest. Azure more or less forced his way into the game, caused problems by being overbearing and unrelenting, and then asks to be written out of the continuity? Sorry, we shouldn't have to rewrite things just to accommodate him. Valeria should be NPC'd until the character can make an appropriate and verisimilitudinous exit.
Solo didn't say anything to the contrary, so I'm assuming Peregrine was able to carry through with his plan of setting up in the stables near a window or some other opening to give him line of effect on the whole of the courtyard while being able to stay out of sight initially. Given that, he should be in the stables, most likely around P10.
Waiting in the cool darkness of the stable for the brigands' arrival, even as disciplined as he was, Peregrine could not keep his thoughts from drifting back. He was not a rough and ready warrior, like the others seemed to be, but he had seen combat a couple times before, he had killed before. It did not please him, but he knew that he could do it, and do it with a steady hand if need be. The first time he didn't even think about it until it was already done. He had been 14, there had been an assassination attempt on Uncle Igorius's life. The assassin had made the mistake of ignoring Peregrine, discounting him as just a boy and not a threat. Peregrine hadn't thought of anything clever or tricky, rather when the assassin's back was turned he had snatched up a knife, in a tearful, shaky rage, and stabbed him, and kept stabbing him, until long after he had stopped moving. Peregrine remembered how furious his Uncle had been with him, how Igorius had punished him for losing his composure in the face of danger. He had learned that lesson well. In the dimness of the stable Peregrine clenched his fists so tight the creak of leather gloves floated through the gloom.
It was only the sound of the bandits entering the trading post that brought him back to the present. Peregrine quietly took up the crossbow into his left hand and carefully drew a small bit of fine sand from a pouch on his belt with the other. Peering through a crack in the boards, he watched as they set about their unlawful business, helping themselves to the goods and food of Oleg and Svetlana. He could feel his heart's pace quicken as the inevitable conflict hurtled ever closer, but his hands remained steady as a cold hard numbness crept over him. When Gaddak stepped out and delivered his ultimatum, Peregrine stepped into position, pausing just long enough to see how the bandits would react.
If the bandits start to rise from the table.:
When the bandits started to move, Peregrine intoned a deep somnolent word and blew the sand from his hand over the courtyard. The air grew thick and heavy, and settled like a blanket around the men gathered at the table, weighing down their minds with the warm invitation of sleep.
Peregrine will cast sleep on the men gathered at the table. Will save DC15. What he does from there depends on the others' actions and the success of his spell.
Peregrine woke up early, before the crack of dawn, and set about going through his spell books, making his preparations for the upcoming confrontation. When he had finished Peregrine selected a small piece of bread from the food Svetlana had prepared and took to his hiding place in the stables, he seemed terse and focused in the cold light of the morning. Carefully he laid out his crossbow in easy reach, loaded and ready to be used, arranged the spell components he would need for his illusions and enchantments, and then situated himself so that he could comfortably peer through the cracks between the stable's timbers, ready to take to the window and spring his magics on the unsuspecting brigands.
How many bandits will be be able to catch in a sleep spell (I'm guessing the three at the table is the most likely target, but correct me if I'm wrong). He'll spring into action once the trap is sprung and surrender is offered (provided things don't go south prior to that).
Satisfied once everyone fell into action, the plan decided upon, Peregrine became quiet. With a single minded focus he set about his work, setting up a place in the stables where he might be out of sight, but have instant command of the entire courtyard, a place near the doors should need to egress quickly. When he work was complete he resolved to call it an early night, so that he could rise before dawn and make his spell preparations before the bandits arrival.
If Peregrine can't find a window, he'll knock out a board, or cut one as necessary to give him line of effect to the courtyard.
Once the scouting is resolved I might suggest this is a good juncture to move forward to the next morning.
"Miss Abia...this is a fort in a wild land, that has already been assaulted by bandits, and Gods knows what else, it would seem more strange to me to have both doors standing wide open without good reason."
Peregrine seemed to be deep in thought as the others talked. He stroked his chin as his eyes slowly roved across the interior of the fort. Finally he spoke. "Here is what we can do. The bandits are expecting their regular tribute, we simply set it up as they would expect, though if that would normally be outside the gates, instead it will be inside. However it should appear as though the fort is deserted. Oleg and Svetlana will be hiding away in their quarters and will not answer any hails. Given the rampant lawlessness of this area I strongly suspect that the bandits will believe they are simply hiding out of fear and come inside to collect the furs and sundries themselves. Given their past experiences they have little reason to expect trouble."
"We can place Lady Gelabraes and Miss Veridian on the walkway of the wall just south of the gate. We will set up some kind of blind that doesn't look too out of place, perhaps with some old tarp, or some such, so they can easily lie in wait. If necessary we can also set up some sort of step in case they need to get a little higher in the event that they have to fire over the wall in the other direction. Directly underneath their position we can mound some hay from the stables over there, enough that if they need to quickly drop down from the wall in order to assist on the ground they can do so with great alacrity and little risk."
"Vorik your suggestion to oil the doors is well thought." Peregrine gave a little nod of his head toward the big man. "However let us only deal with one door, there is less that can go wrong. We shall close the south door, and put a bit of junk up against it so it seems that way for a reason and cannot be readily opened. Vorik, you and Ser Orlovsky should take position behind the northern door, between it being open and the building there, you should have sufficient means of staying out of sight."
"Meanwhile, Miss Valeria Ingrid Titania Abia," Peregrine paused just a split second, eying the enormous woman with that calculating dead-eyed stare of his, "I think you should take position behind that storage building in the middle, you can come around the northern side of it when the signal is given and effectively catch the bandits in a pincer. And, as I was mentioning to the others shortly before your arrival, we should try to take at least a couple of them alive so that we can question them properly about the rest of their fellows."
"I will position myself in the stables, there I will find a sufficiently large window with command of the courtyard, or I'll cut one myself tonight, if needs be. I will work my magics from there, and make my way to the courtyard if something more potent is required. I'll simply hide beneath the window and observe though one of the many cracks I'm sure such a building possesses until the proper moment."
"That proper moment will of course be when those on the wall give the signal, I'm sure we can rig it so that they are able to observe both the outside and inside. At their signal, and it would ideal to wait until the bandits are dismounted if possible, the two at the door will swing it shut and offer them the chance to surrender while everyone moves into position to attack. If they take any aggressive action I will attempt to put them down through magic and any that remain should be dealt with accordingly."
Peregrine quirked his eyebrow, looking up at the large woman with a sort of dispassionate interest, the spark of intensity he had shown once more retreated back into the depths of his being. "Your charter, may we see it?"
I reckon Peregrine is about 5'10". He's about 25ish, though he carries himself as though he were older and he is a thin, sullen man who favors dark clothes. He is not particularly handsome with his aquiline nose and slightly pitted pale face framed by shoulder length black hair. He is wearing black leather gloves, despite the time of year.
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14. To see if he recognizes any trait that might betray her heritage. Given the situation I'll let you, Azure, decide if it's high enough, what it might reveal. The results one way or the other might affect how he views your character.
Kaylee, ever since I installed the Lazarus add-on into Firefox dropped and lost post bother me no more, it's very handy.
So I said Peregrine was 15 with House Rogarvia disappeared, so I guess that makes him 25. A bit younger than his avatar, though I think it suits him, I'm sure he'll grow into it.
BTW, not meaning to bog down the IC thread with hashing out all the details, and while I kind of enjoy it, I know that might not be everyone's cup of tea. Should you ever feel Peregrine's desire to plan or penchant for detail is slowing things down too much, please let me know and I'll reel it in.
Also, I'm enjoying the characters so far, they seem to have some personality. :)
