Parsifal Foghain |
Parsifal laughs, happy to be distracted from the dark path of his thoughts and memories of his mother. He looks around the room, smiles and then points, saying with a wink, "I'm more than happy to help carry in that bookshelf, if it means Ceru can guarantee victory over these Licktoads."
Ceru |
Ceru beams at Jasper's compliment. "Fear makes the mind come up with quick solutions--or none at all. I strive for the former."
She laughs when Parsifal makes his suggestion. "Quite a bookshelf to take out a whole village. Maybe some trees we could knock over though..." She starts to think seriously about this, surveying the landscape around them.
Thaddeus Pruitt |
As usual Thaddeus takes the suggestions much more serious than they may be intended, "A bookshelf would seem an unwieldy weapon to try and bear in combat, even more to try and down trees or initiate a flood to clear out a whole village. I do not think these tactics are completely sound, and I presume we should attempt to plan on a smaller scale." He offers in all sincerity, trying not to outright disregard the others' suggestions.
Ceru |
"Not individually, but we could use the terrain against them. Maybe once our halfling host has finished his preparations for the evening, he might advise us on what's around. I know the goblins will know the terrain well, but if we frighten them into, say, running into a mire, or cut down some trees to create a bottleneck that we wouldn't have to fight more than a few at a time, that could certainly be to our advantage."
Parsifal Foghain |
"To be honest, I still like the idea of setting off their fireworks, preferably by stealth or from range. The blast will be most unexpected, possibly devastating, at most likely demoralize them a great deal..."
Parsifal chuckles a little and admits, "And what's more, I love firework displays."
Ceru |
"Then we need to sneak in and throw lighted oil or alchemists' fire at any building that looks like it might house the fireworks. Given this is a marsh, likely whatever is the driest looking building."
Kili Klippenshell |
"I fear I may not be able to help with that. I may be able to trick guards by making sounds that aren't reall there. And, if I am close, I may be able to swing open an unlocked door or move a stone or branch to distract someone. But archery and fire spells are not my strength."
Ceru |
"Creating a distraction is a great idea, Kili. I bet you and Anen both could come up with some good tricks, and some of us could get some arrows lit and fire them, and someone else to be the lookout--Jasper, maybe?"
Thaddeus Pruitt |
Thaddeus has a resigned grimace on his face, "Although I do not like the duplicitous nature of firing upon them from a hiding place, I concede that if we were able to light the fireworks from a distance to cause havoc and mayhem amongst their tribe it will aid us in the battle. After the explosion, I will most likely move in to the fray to face them."
Ceru |
"You're an honorable lad, Thaddeus, but the goblins will not avoid being duplicitous to us should they be given the opportunity. I have no desire for unnecessary cruelty or for emulating goblin nature, but sometimes one must fight fire with fire, as they say."
Parsifal Foghain |
Parsifal smiles at Ceru with an understanding look and responds before Thaddeus can, "I believe our friend here is concerned that we might be stooping to their level. It's all well and good that the goblins would use any trick in the book, but they are cruel, cut-throat killers who take delight in death and pain... and surely, we must be better than they, else the world is lost." He raises a hand to Ceru, "I know, this is not what you intended, but to some, there is a strong notion of a slippery slope, and fear that we could become the very hate-filled creatures that we seek to destroy in the process."
He then turns to Thaddeus and says, "However, we are not suggesting breaking into the camp and mutilating all the sleeping, unarmed and defenseless goblins. Striking from hiding is not duplicitous, it is a good tactic from which to begin a battle in which you are outnumbered. We will not be firing upon innocents, but goblins who are responsible for numerous raids, deaths, and far, far worse. And we do not do so out of pleasure or sport, but to end the threat to other good people.... despite any earlier levity about wagers."
He looks into Thaddeus' eyes and says, "There is no honour lost in joining battle with good tactics which confuse, weaken or demoralize your enemy, Thaddeus... it is simply good planning. The very sort of good planning that makes heroes of common men, if you can think of the tales which I'm sure regaled us all when we were children, where victory was gained by outwitting a more numerous or more powerful foe. Such plans are surely within the First Vault, as they are what allow we civilized races to survive, even thrive, in a world filled with creatures more powerful, numerous, and dangerous than we."
Thaddeus Pruitt |
Thaddeus was just about to respond, when Parsifal jumped in just at the right time. "Yes, that can be the typical worry associated with the type of tactic, the fear of becoming that which we hate." he continues before anyone takes umbrage "I will concede however to the idea of tactical advantage within this situation where we are aware of the enemy being guilty of heinous acts against society. We are facing them similiar to that of the battlefield, and superior tactics will be needed to overcome superior numbers. That said, it will not change my actions overmuch, in that, once battle is engaged I will readily lead the charge to the front lines to face them in melee combat." he finishes with a look that says, although he may not suggest the same type of tactics, he sees the value and will not hinder them.
Ceru |
"Yes, Parsifal, you've said it much better than I could. I don't want to be like them, but they are a foe that requires a cunning response, not necessarily straight on force."