"You are right. This is a lot like hunting... except I think we are the prey."
Asim will sit and enjoy the musin and the show. He is a bit unsure how most here will react to his demon heritage.
As the woman tries to move him Kuraj stands right wear he is like a big orc statue, until she goes away. He sits down at the bar and drinks a rather large tankard of ale.
"You should have gone with her. Where do you think little half-orcs come from?"
Vuk shakes his head.
"If you can't beat them...Who wants to dance?" He laughs aloud.
After a few hours of drinking and several polkas later, the party takes a retreat from the tavern, and returns to the manor. The Boyar is waiting for you in the billard room.
-The walls are oak panels, richly carved, and a lamp burns over the pool table. A sideboard, stocked with various brandy and liquor is in the corner. A few chairs are scattered around the room.
Good Evening, gentlemen. Do any of you play? How goes the days investigation?
”I do play when the chance arrives, but will give the first game to another,” Frunthpyllin says examining the cue sticks. ”Which rules do you follow? Any of the new variants from Llythrythdella?”
The city elf sits in one of the chairs and smiles appreciatively at the craftsmanship. ”We’ve learned that a group of men calling themselves priests took the girl from Gertrude, the old, blind woman, about twenty years ago. We suspect they are Black Dogs based on their description. There is a hedge-healer in a local swamp we want to question. Also traveling to the nearby to the east will bring some more information, according to the priest. Right, Sir Vuk?”
"I am not clear on what you, or rather your father, wanted us to do once we find the girl? If we find the girl."
"The girl is being kept in a Tower to the East," The young noble replied. "At least that was what the old priest said."
So she still lives? I was not expecting this? Are you sure she is still there? Did you check?
We will be checking on this in the morning. As Garian asked though, what do we do if we fine the woman there. Capture and bring her here?
The boyar pauses...If she has been living, as a prisoner, in that tower for nearly 20 years, what condition is her mind likely to be in...I doubt she has been there all this time...That said, be careful. Perhaps nobody still is there...
"That does not answer the question." Garian replies patiently
Vuk raises his hands as to reassure his comrades.
"We will do what must be done. If she is, what is feared, we will grant her the mercy she was not given as a child. If she is not and she is a prisoner, we will free her so that the Boyar may remedy an oversight his father sorrowfully made."
Frunthpyllin sits letting the others speak before he adds, ”Leaving aside the woman for a moment, have you heard rumors about the Black Dogs in the area? Is there anything in particular we should expect? Do you know anything about the tower in the east?”
I have heard that there is an outpost of the inquisition...but like most I have had no dealings with them...who has?
He spreads his arms in a puzzled gesture. He continues...
If you wish to go out tomorrow morning, I will have the maid prepare rooms for you. Do you need anything before turning in?
”To be clear, you want us to bring the woman here? Depending on her willingness may we offer her a gift in your name?”
A gift, well yes...I think you can do anything to encourage her to come here...in fact, you may have to use force...which I authorize you to do. After all this whole plan was my father's...not mine. He shrugs.
”Thank you for the clarification,” the city elf says. He looks at the others as he rises from the chair, preparing to leave the room. ”Now did we say we are leaving at dawn or waking at dawn?”
Once the plan for the morning has been agreed on, he heads to his bed chamber.
"I vote for waking at dawn. It has been twenty years. I suppose she could wait until after breakfast."
"My choice is to wake at dawn as well," he says with a nod to the wood elf.
Agreed
"I agree, let us get rest and start with day break. The last thing I want to do is approach a fortified position that we are unfamiliar with in darkness."
It seems to be agreed upon then. Let us get some sleep then.
Vuk mounts Loral and hoists his lance up. He looks down at the Boyar.
"M'lord, we will ensure this last wish of your father's is handled correctly."
Garian will dismount through this tight bit and ask one of the others to lead his horse (I don't like his chances with making ride checks and he can't use a longbow from horseback). He'll move off to the side of the path if possible and travel parallel to the horses.
Vuk will stay at point with Garian, ready to charge into battle at the Elf's word.
I will bring up the rear then.
It might make sense for Kuraj to go ahead of Vuk. He has better speed, ride and perception. other wise he will behind him.
Kuraj rides with his shield and lance readied for battle.
@Vuk - sounds good.
He pets the horse’s neck as they ride, whispering elven poetry to his mount and singing the few Yazik ballads he knows. The elf practices shifting in his saddle, leaning from side to side, and keeping his hands free while directing the horse with his legs. ”Truly, Chevlovski horses may be the finest in Mir.”
Once they reach the forested section, seeing what a prime spot it is for an ambush, Frunthpyllin strings his short bow. ”I’ll watch your horse,” he tells Garian taking the horse’s leads and tying them to his saddle’s pommel. Deferring to Asim to take the rear, he focuses his attention on the tree branches above the trail.
Garian moves to the trail and hold up a hand to halt the riders, whispering, "The trail has been trapped!"
Everyone stop! Snipers in the trees.
Vuk pulls up on Loral's reins and begins to scan the road, looking for the trap the half elf had also spotted.
"Where are they?"
Wispers, "There are stakes set on the trail and ambushers off the trail on the left and right."
Garian will loose an arrow at the most dangerous looking opponent
*edit* Potential critical
*edit* probably confirms?
Vuk waits for the enemy to draw into charging range so that he may charge through him (ride-by-attack) and wheel for the next round.
Frunthpyllin tugs on the leads to stop the horse then reaches for an arrow. Fitting it to bowstring, he pulls and aims at the other bandit with the bow. After a moment to settle his heart beat, he releases the arrow.
-As the elf lets an arrow fly, it strikes one of the snipers in the trees. The arrow passes through his neck, and pins his corpse to the tree, as his bow slides lifeless from his hands. He was killed instantly, and his companions aren't even aware of his demise...
So not sure what I can see with that awesome perception roll so If I can see a target within 30' then I throw a javelin. If not I dismount and move to cover to hide.
If move to hide: