FW. Glad you're feeling better Erizi and Stefnir missed you.
FYI - Any future illnesses and or injuries should be cleared through your players before occurring.
As Livvy's initial excitement at everybody's return wanes, she realizes that she's been up for a very long time. Yawning, she says, "I need to get some sleep. My watch is pretty much over."
She will wake up Zaid to take his watch, explain that the others are back, including Feliped, and crawl into her nest before falling asleep rather quickly.
Shimei volunteers to stay up and keep watch untiL Norn and Erizi return.
Shimei sits watching the door. The yellow dog curls up at his feet.
Zaid spends the next hour studying his spellbook and writing in his journal.
Shimei volunteers to stay up and keep watch untiL Norn and Erizi return.
"Shimei, you do not wish to take on the patrol"? "I am much surprised at your cowardice", Erizi looks at the man with a frown. "Still I don't mind so much taking all the Glory as my own...well I mean as mine and Norn's".
He then looks approvingly at the small halfling, "Your heart is much bigger than it appears". Then hefting Tempest he waits for Norn to lead the way with her superior senses...him right on her tail.
Shimei scowls. Erizi's words hurt, more so than normally because attacking the patrol is exactly what he wants to do. Attack the patrol, then melt into the mountains for a day or two. Against superior numbers you must be mobile and take what advantage you can find, and never get into a pitched battle. It is the way he has always fought the hyena-men. Yet here he is waiting for close combat on the morrow. He hopes the others are up to the challenge.
Shimei scowls. Erizi's words hurt, more so than normally because attacking the patrol is exactly what he wants to do. Attack the patrol, then melt into the mountains for a day or two. Against superior numbers you must be mobile and take what advantage you can find, and never get into a pitched battle. It is the way he has always fought the hyena-men. Yet here he is waiting for close combat on the morrow. He hopes the others are up to the challenge.
Shimei pulls out his rag and oil and begins rubbing his bow.
Zaid climbs down to where everyone else is.
"Get ready, I something up on the hill, a light and a figure." He goes to wake Livvy up.
Shimei seems to find some inner guidance. He stands and nudges Nombir and Livvy awake. "Erizi wants to attack the patrol and decries the courage of those who will not. I say the dragon may swallow his prey whole, but the griffon eats his in small bites and so does not choke on it. Erizi's plan is wise."
Livvy stretches and yawns although she's really not been asleep on that long. Her eyes are bright and her smile gets a little sinister after she listens to Shimei.
*yawn* "I'm in. What do we know of the patrols?" She looks over at Fel, growing more intense as the thinks out loud. "Do we know their route, their number, their makeup? Can we expect those that rely on strength, or is there an intelligent hand among them? A spellcaster, perhaps? Do they send their pups out to patrol at night while the older dogs sleep? Or do they send the experienced wardogs out and keep the pups inside after dark?"
She starts ticking off ideas on her tiny fingers, "I can provide bait for the patrol in the form of my will o' wisp lights (aka Dancing Lights). If I'm close enough, I can bring the flames, but better, I can make Erizi and Tempest so large as to frighten all but the most resolute gnoll to death in his tracks. I feel the energy to do so is still within me today. And, of course, I can throw acid at them -- maybe forever, I haven't tried. It just doesn't seem to wear me out to do that small trick like the flames always do."
Eyes brightly considering the warriors among the group, "So what's the plan? How can I help?"
Nombir wakes up and sorts him self out. "Somebody explain why we are attacking this patrol then please? Apart from Erizi's impatience!" Nombir smiles at Erizi and shakes his head knowingly.
Livvy feigns confusion as she looks around, "It's because they are gnolls, right?"
Erizi quizzically turns his head and looks at Nombir, as he throws a piece of scrap meat that even he couldn't chew to dog.
"Why that is simple...First Livvy is right...they are gnolls". "Secondly, the more we take out now, the less will be there when we finally take them on in their stronghold". He then turns to look at dog as the mutts strong teeth begin to soften the morsel, wondering if he could get it back without being bitten himself.
"We will not be at full strength at dawn. Zaid's spells are depleted. And we will be facing two dozen gnolls or more. It is beyond us."
"The patrol is a smaller target that we can bleed tonight. Then we retire, rest, and return on the second dawn to face a weaker foe than we would face this morning. "
"Very well Shimei. You scouted the area, so I'll trust your judgement yet again. I'm ready when you are, but we must spare none of the patrol to raise the alarm. We need to kill quickly and as silently as possible". Nombir looks seriously at Erizi this time, knowing that the big man and quiet don't normally go together! "Did you see any ambush sites during your recce?"
What we know so far -- (FW please correct any errors)
B1 -- ex-snake home (slave market)
B2 -- Giant Boar
B3-B5 Norn found nothing except Felliped
B6 -- Undrella
B7 -- thing that gets fedB9 -- gnoll watchers
B11 Battle-market
Pesh trap north of B11?
Shimei goes to the doorway. "I think we should attack them about there." "They will be hidden from the tower, cut off from the battle market, and if they flee we should have time for a couple bowshots before they can turn toward their friends."
"I like that. Do we want to see if we can draw them into the building? Having to exit the building might slow down their retreat even more -- especially if some of us are positioned to cut off that option. They might investigate the sound of a halfling's voice..."
"We must hasten. They will be here any moment and the jackals may catch our scent." Shimei strings his bow and tests its tension.
Norn finds herself a good ambush spot.
Perception
Stealth
"Very well Shimei. Lead us to the position you think best and we'll get this done". Nombir makes sure his cloak covers his armour and will follow Shimei when he leaves.
"Leave your extra goods here. Follow me. Be silent." Shimei leads the way out of the slave market and into the ruined building nearby. He indicates they should hide in the rubble and fire on the gnolls or charge them when they are directly in front.