Daniel signals to the others, allowing any coersive spells to be cast the wakens the prisoner during a quick break in the march.
I do apologize for my rough treatment earlier. But you yourself can attest to the redcaps bloodthirstyness. It was needed to get you out of their quickly. Being around such creatures is not safe. Now, unfortunately you have signed up for a cause that has put us at odds. With no one to hand you over to it falls to me to put down your bosses attack. I would like you to come out of this alive. At the moment my best plan is to bound, gag and hide you somewhere for your safety. But you can improve your situation by helping us. You are a mercenary yes? I would purchase your tongue with your freedom. When is the attack on the Mother to take place and where are the Halfing and the Axe wielding leader to be found?
"Yes...a mercenary. The attack is already happening. They have the tree surrounded and they are smoking her allies into a stupor. It's a stalemate now...but...but that should break in the next day or so."
"They move around to the various siege camps, not staying at one too long...always moving. They do have base camp but they don't spend much time there. The caster has Stigor protected. Besides, his shadow beasts lurk around. The canopy of trees lets the beasts operate 24/7."
DMPC Lucrezia:
Do you know which camp they are currently at? The shadowbeasts? Do they have a handler? Any wedges in the camp that could be exploited?
Andrea turns to Euphemia and Gerard. I don't know how much you know about shadowbeasts other than they have been haunting Westcrown for decades, but we have had some enounters with them. They seem to include undead shadows and well as masses of rats and odd creaures called Shadowgarms. They dislike magical light but I don't know how hindered they are with it, so we will need to use our magical artifact to try to keep them at bay.
"That's above my paygrade," he admits. "Just know they lurk around and they have few mastiff's and shadows. Some of the other spellcasters cast daylight spells around their fires...just in case, but a heard playing dice one night that doesn't do anything to nightbeasts." He shrugs a bit.
For shadow Mastiffs
for Shadow Mastiffs.
That's just great... more things a lifetime of training means nothing against. Gerard looks out into the darkness.
If we can kill Stiglor and the halfing, the shadowbeasts may very well become uncontroled and start attacking everyone, so your skill at stealth and knives will be even more useful.
"If you waste too much time worrying about it, you're going to drive yourself bald, Gerard."
Euphemia still chafes at the idea of sending him on a suicide mission.
Gerard squeezes her shoulder gently, a show of camaraderie. Not worried, Phem. Gonna win. Just like to know how badly the deck is stacked against me... Feels better when I come through.
The mind games we play with ourselves.
I also have holy water that you can use. The quicker we can get the Mother to help us, the better off we will be.
Whatever we do, we should get it figured out before we get the bug. I doubt a big bug will want to sit around while we plan. Andrea shows her camaraderie to Gerard as well by squeezing his shoulder.
Is there anything else we want to ask this man?
Gerard asks the question out loud, in general. It's literally a tree? So the siege is concentric circles or rings around the tree? How close to the tree are these smoke producing fires and how big are they... can they be put out?
And, since we look like them... Humans or humanoids. What's to keep her from attacking us as we approach the tree, which would look like a... charge or sneak?
If we come running in with the bug, than she will probably know, or perhaps Lucrezia can use her messaging magic.
Stop the smoke, break the stalemate.
I can summon water elementals who could drench anyfires.
It's not about what you, I or we "can" do. What's the plan? We are clearly outnumbered two, three or ten fold. Precision in execution will be key.
My very limited experience with summoning is that those summoned are uncontrollable.
I am able to control the creatures I summon. If the fires are viable, I can direct them to drench the fires.
My suggestion is this, once we get the bug we will need to no doubt strike then. We lead the bug to the tree and have it charge in as a distraction, this will let us see just what opposes us. Then I can summon elementals to take care of any fire.
You have said that you wish to make a strike against the halfing on your own. If you really wish to do this, please be aware that we will most likely be unable to assist you.
Our goal should be to let The Mother bring her powers and allies to bear. Quenching the fires seems to be a big part of that., as well as killing the leaders.
[dice=Know Planes]1d20+7 For shadow Mastiffs
[dice=Know Religon]1d20+12 for Shadow Mastiffs.
No roll needed for you, you've run into those before at Delvehaven I belief. They cause fear with their howl.
That's just great... more things a lifetime of training means nothing against. Gerard looks out into the darkness.
Adrea improves our strategy. The bug charges, water elementals to quench the fires. Air ones to disperse the smoke and any poison clouds the Halfling might use. That should allow the mother's and Em's swarms to be brought to bear. All this is merely a cover. Gerard can carry me above the field with flight. When the leaders show, he can drop me from above the Axe wielding leader, my boots will take care of the fall. He can fly and ambush the Halfing. Unless the axe wielder is able to get to our caster's, I would say ignore him unless and prioritize the Halfling.
He turns to the captive.
You have heard everything, so we need to make use of you or dispose of you somehow. How much coin is your loyalty worth Mercenary and what role could you play that I would trust you with?
[ooc] Where is his gear? Daniel would have wanted it bought along [/b]
Gerard asks the question out loud, in general. It's literally a tree? So the siege is concentric circles or rings around the tree? How close to the tree are these smoke producing fires and how big are they... can they be put out?
And, since we look like them... Humans or humanoids. What's to keep her from attacking us as we approach the tree, which would look like a... charge or sneak?
The prisoner nods, "yeah...suppose they can be put out, their large though. The tree is 'bout 100 feet 'round. They've three big fires near it but they have wood piles and siege mantlets near them for protection from the tree and the the hag."
"It may be smoky but that wench can see everything that goes on from her perch."
[ooc] Where is his gear? Daniel would have wanted it bought along [/b]
Then it's on your horses.
The thief looks at the paladin. Asmodeus surely has role form me with this good fortune. They want to pay me rather than kill me."Hmmmm, seems a bit suicidal...but, well 1000 gold and well, one of Stigor's axes seems fair given the risk."
Done, as long as you can direct us along a good route to the tree when the time comes. Be aware that betrayal comes with the penalty of being fed to a giant bug.
He nods and motions with his head, assuming he is still tied, to his gear. "Name's Wink."
Direct us to the leaders'... Not some ox buggering hill giant. Wink, from Martendale, up north?
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Andrea unties the man. Very well, Wink. Mercenary's code I assume, stay bought.
"Like i said the leaders move around....all the time, can't promise you. It's not like you can sneak in there invisible...that's easy 'nough for them to see."
You come upon a field open field lined with lush grass - of course, it's so short it couldn't possibly hide anything nasty - there are pretty monarch butterflies fluttering around the thorn-less rose bushes. There is a pink unicorn and several happy, non-threatening pixies buzzing around. the birds are chirping and there is slow, narrow, clear 6 inch stream running through the field. The water is cool, refreshing and reinvigorating healing all loss hit points and ability damage with a mere sip. The effects of the stream instantly boosts all stats to a modest 26 for the next thirty six hours. Oh, and there is a friendly wizard there who for no-cost will make those stat bonuses permanent.
Then suddenly Gerard is whacked in the head by Andrea's palm..."Stop daydreaming and pay attention."
Before they head out again, Andrea will take out some of the loot from the first ambush.
I doubt the Jinkens will help us out of the goodness of their hearts, so we will probably need to bribe them. We can give them this mead that we got from the bandits along with some of the items like the acid and thunderstones and some gold and silver.
As your group continues in the general direction of giant bug Lucrezia stops, a bit perplexed as she tries to get her bearings. 'We're going in the proper direction, the ground is rolling again, I assume there will be some cliff's ...eventually." She looks at Gerard, "Who wants to climb that tree to get out bearings?"
Frank's up...
Wink looks at Andrea and Daniel, "Typically, in, ummm...employment situations, I get paid at least half the funds up front."
What part of this strikes you as... typical, Wink? Stay alive and I'll give you a bonus.
He nods, you can tell he is pondering the current situation. "What happens if you can't make payment?"
That's where part of the gig is keeping us alive. In the scenario you're worried about, you're probably dead.
His narrow eye brows raise up, "gotcha."
Everything will be fine. Just stay loose.
Here is two hundred as an incentive to stick around for the rest. Gerard, feel like climbing a tree some?
Producing some rope, Gerard starts climbing with amazing speed and ease.
I don't typically take orders from the likes of him, Mistress...
Frank sniffs derisively and moves to climb the tree after Gerard.
The rogue reaches out, offering Frank a ride.
Frank, that is only because you're only used to taking orders from me. Euphemia chitters, chuckling.
Frank shoots a glance at his mental progenator and wriggled his way onto Gerard's proffered arms, his small arms and soft underbelly fur ticklish to the unaccustomed.
You're busted, Frank... You understand common, or why would you have started to climb? Now, hold on tight... Long way down, buddy.
Gerard scales the tree, expertly.
Frank stared at the rogue incredulously... or at least as incredulously as it is possible for a hedgehog to stare.
Mistress, I thought that, at least, was obvious from the start. Amazing what one can miss from someone omitting just a small bit of information!
The familiar squeaks nervously, his spines starting to rise despite his best intentions.
If he drops me, and I become a pancake on this disgusting ground, please don't let a redcap eat me.
"You have no idea, Gerard." Euphemia deadpans, knowing just how far the creature's understanding and love of the common language goes for one who hasn't studied it formally beyond reading Euphemia's books.
He won't drop you... and you know, even if something were to happen, I'd have you raised as soon as I could...