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"I recall quite a few things from fighting em. One, they're a bunch o' bloody cowards, if they think they're gonna lose they'll turn tail an' run. They like ta outnumber ya. Also, if yer not one of them, yer either a slave or a meal. So, my proposal is we send a single person as bait. Outnumbered and alone will draw em out" With a twinkle in his eye he grins "An' i'd be more than happy ta volunteer"
Over the next hour or so he draws out a plan, showing him as the bait and the rest of them waiting in hiding spots, ready to jump once the gnolls have commited.
Fionn looks doubtful at Taldor, then shrugs. "Seems to me would be better to send someone a bit faster on their feet to be bait. Nothing personal, my friend. You and I share the same shortcoming when it comes to speed."
"No offense meant my friend, but Fionn is right. I'll go. Men have assumed me weak and learned otherwise."
She strokes the scabbard holding Tempest several inches from where it was propped on her shoulder.
"Besides, we need you to keep the plan together if something goes wrong."
Tolus does his best to absorb every detail of the plan as it forms. He doesn't pretend to know anything about organized combat, but does comment, We will, of course, ask for permission from the Lady before committing to this course of action. She may have specific tasks to give us.
Kara finally speaks up as they discuss the plan, shaking her head at Khatijah. "I'm far more innocent looking of a target, and quicker on my feet than you are. I'm sure I can evade them long enough while the rest of you spring the trap - let me go. Besides - you're the better fighter, and would be more a loss were something to go wrong. Also, I could probably sneak in there and take one or two of them out before they even know I'm there."
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Taldor thinks a moment "I'm a bit loath ta put ya in danger Kara, there's every bit of chance they wouldn't kindly walk up an' just ask ya ta be their slave. Fer all we know they'll just jump ya on sight. It might be better ta send Khat, she can go a few rounds with em without too much harm. However, you're right about yer ability to take a few out, and we need ur stealth ta get close to em without em noticing. As fer me an' Fion, we'll have ta either charge from a distance or be hiding up close, under some cover. I believe Tolus and Kara both have pretty good chances of sneaking up close" He turns to their newer sorcerer friend "As fer you, I don't know much about ye except ye use magic, and besides a few fireballs I don't know much bout it. Where do ya think ye can help us from?" Taldor seems genuinly curious to see if he has some interesting spell that might make their job easier
"Then we are in agreement. Talus, you have the most experience. Where shall we set up?"
Sorry, Zerika, but I think we should get his opinion. If it varies substantially from your own, please speak up.
"Then we are in agreement. Talus, you have the most experience. Where shall we set up?"
Sorry, Zerika, but I think we should get his opinion. If it varies substantially from your own, please speak up.
Tolus holds up his hands when it is implied that he knows something about battle. I'm sorry, Arizhel, but if you had asked the proper etiquette for serving a state dinner I could help you. As far as tactics and battle plans, I'm afraid I'm quite ignorant. All I have is the strength submission to my Mistress provides.
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Taldor claps Tolus on the shoulder "Ye may not know how ya move a formation, but I saw ye fighting. Ye have yer own style, but ya get the job done, which is what counts. Ok so here's our ambush point "it offers a lot of cover ta ambush from. Khat, you'll be in front at row 41, just south of the cover. Just make urself look helpless and alone, know that'll be yer biggest challenge yet[/b" he chuckles [b]"So Tolus will be here, at AX 38. He should be able to come up on their eastern flank. At the same time Kara will be emerging from AQ 38, ye should be able ta flank with Tolus and confuse em. Right when that happens, I want Zerika charging in from over here in the B area, and thats when me and Fion will emerge from right inside cover at AS 40. We wear to much armor to cover any distance without bein noticed, and for Zerika I want a bit of fear ta creep into their hearts when they get charged. Now, for Arizhel and Malak. Frankly, I'm not sure what yer magic can do. If ye have the range, I'd suggest hiding in this section, AK-AM, if ye dont have that much range, perhaps ye could be behind Tolus, seems like there's a bit of extra space in his hiding spot. Emerge when the fighting starts, and just keep any kind of distance ye feel comfortable with"
"I believe I can do that. When they come after me, I just run between the rest of you, yes?"
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Almah interrupts saying that she doesn;t want you to engage quite yet. She wants togather a little more intel before launching an assault. She also asks to see Fionn alone.
Seeing as how no one took the hint on the bird landing in the courtyard, I am ruling that one of the guards died, and two are injured badly.
Day 5.
Around midday a peryton lairing passes by and seems to have noticed your trek out to Kelmarane. It circles three times above the monastary , some 40 feet in the air, before returning to the battle market. If attacked it ignores your efforts and flies to the battle market.
Night 5.
While on watch, replacing the injured guards, around midnight you notice a line of five torches slowly making their way toward the monastery from the direction of Kelmarane.
Tolus growls in frustration at the small bird when he spots it. He has no weapons with which to take it down effectively. More out of frustration than confidence in his skill, he whips out his short spear,, coats its blade with sleep venom, and hurls it at the bird.
That night is awake, sitting on a small boulder. The events of the last few days weigh heavily on his mind.
When he spots the torches he quickly leaps off his perch and runs into camp to wake his friends.
The time had come for a little payback.
Seeing the bird in the sky, Arizhel curses under her breath, and summons an eagle to chase the bird off.
Smiting
(+1 if evil)
(+1 if evil)
(+1 if evil)
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The line of the five torches approaching quickly reveal themselves as gnolls, who appear to be armed with curved swords and bows, but they keep their weapons sheathed at their sides and backs.
One of the gnolls, a scruffy and ragged creature larger than the otehrs and evidently their leader, steps forward from his peers, his hands held up in a sign of nonviolence. In feral Common, he barks out a greeting Hold your weapons! I am Hargk, and I bring word from Narg, chieftain of the Three Jaw pack! Our brother Dashki says you mean to kill the gnolls of Kelmarane. We are here to help.
Tolus nods. I say get Dashki up here to confirm. And keep them under a wary eye. It will be the Princess's decision, ultimately, whether they stay.
Arizhel nods her agreement with both Taldor and Tolus
Khatijah says nothing and her expression is the same as before. She stands and openly puts her hand on Tempest. Something about the way she does it suggests that treachery will have a sharp and painful response.
If they are not from Kelmarane then where are they from? And by what token do you trust them? Tolus feels coiled, ready to spring. His eyes are never still, always scanning, ready for the furry beasts to pounce.
"If they refuse to bare steel then so will I."
Khatijah's voice is level and cold. Her hand still gripping the hilt of Tempest.
"Three fewer gnolls to fight just makes me a little happier. I will abide."
"You know what they say.... 'the enemies of my enemies are my friends.'.... Let's hear what they have to say at least."
Tolus narrows his eyes at Dashki, but says nothing more.
Kara looks up from where she was sitting and watches curiously, but says nothing for now.
Little Fionn steps forward, with one last look at Dashki to make sure there are no last minute objections, she follows suit with Hargk, spitting into her palm and extending it to shake hands with him...
"I am Fionn, and it would be an honor to fight by your side. Tell me, friend Hargk, of this one who leads the Kulldis. The one that is 'not you'... what is he? It would be good to know what we face."
Speaks from her sitting position, Kara gives them a wary eye. "And what after they're gone? What will you do with the town? Where will you go?"
Tolus doesn't like it, but with the bird attack earlier in the week they might need the gnolls' help. He maintains his suspicious silence for now, but his eyes never stop moving.
Arizhel hangs back with Zerika.
"Keep your eyes and ears open. Let me know if you notice anything strange"
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Dashki nods and gives a hint of a smile.
Hargk says Now friends. After, maybe friends, maybe pack, maybe enemies maybe food.
Since some of you are concerned about Almah she grudgingly agrees to trust Dashki with the stipulation that they may not stay anywhere near the old monastery, and that any cooperation occurs inside Kelmarane not here.
She pulls Tolus aside
I may trust Dashki but I do not trust these gnolls. When your job in Kelmarane has ended, I want you to kill them. If this means that Dashki must also fall to the sword, so be it
Khatijah removes her hand from the hilt of Tempest, but she kept an eye on the gnolls just in case.
Arizhel nods "Glad so see such effort put into an evolved strategy when our lives hang in the balance."
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With an uneasy alliance, and doubtful anyone got any rest when they went to sleep. Almah calls a meeting in the morning as soon as your new "friends" arrives. She informs you that today is they day that the reclaimation of Kelmarane happens.
Please inform me of any preparation you made during the night and what you would like to do prior to the attack.
Taldor when you awaken you feel the effects of the filth fever taking . Please make another FORT save.
Tolus trusts his companions, but not the gnolls in the slightest. When he goes to bed he sleeps with a shuriken under his pillow, just in case.
In the morning, after Almah announces that today was the day of assault, Tolus prepares for battle. He dons his leather armor and secures his weapons. He triple checks his gear and corrects every flaw. By the time he is finished he has achieved perfection in his preparedness. His layered silks and linnens of his hot weather clothing compliment the hard lines of his leather armor and unify the two garments into one ensemble fit for any Master's table.
All this is a ruse, however, to hide his unease. This will be his first true test: real battle for a real town, or what was left of it. He could feel his need for revenge still. It smoldered inside him like a red coal ready to catch flame. Tolus now knew he was one born of the Viper. Vengence flowed along side the blood and poison in his veins.
Seeing Taldor looking so ill in the morning, Fionn walks over to him and looks him over carefully.
"You don't look well, friend Taldor. Yet I don't think my limited healing can do anything for you. Perhaps the princess or someone in her caravan might have something that could help restore you, or at least cure you of your illness."
She asks for an audience with Almah and if she gets one, will respectfully ask if her healers can help Taldor get over his affliction, and perhaps aid him in recovering his full capabilities as well. "After all, this fight will likely be most taxing and if we are to succeed, we need all of us to be at our best, if possible."
Having just woken from a meditative trance, Malak comes over to Fionn and says Sorry, dozed off for a bit. What did I miss?
