Lucina had flown as far as she could manage before settling in a good clearing that could handle Palisade's rigorous night time safety precautions. Before she began setting up camp, she looked at the road for signs of the rogue agent cart. When the others arrived, she informed them. "We are close, I think." Noticing Squeak's horse, she shook her head. "If we can keep pushing like this. Here, let me take a look at it..." Examining the creature, she sighed and began chanting a spell. Waves of magic rippled out of Lucina's hands and echoed off the horse. The horse, while still clearly hoping to enjoy a night's rest, seemed to have some of its energy revitalized. Once done, she looked over to the others, "He should be able to push another day now...But we had better catch Lucan soon. These creatures were bred well, but not for this kind of work. Magic can only suppress the side effects of their natural limitations for so long. If one is struggling, I am certain the others soon will too. I cannot treat all of them and still hope to have enough energy of my own to continue."
Regarding strategy, she asks the others, "What is our plan for when I find him. Conceivably it could be a few hours before the rest of you. I must confess my instinct would be to not get too close. I would hate to tip him off and I suspect he would be dangerous for one person, if I found myself spotted. Still...If we could figure out when and where he makes camp and set an ambush...Our lives could be made a whole lot easier..."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Bronwyn may have started out a natural in the saddle but her inexperience was rearing its ugly head and her butt hurt in ways she never thought was possible. When they finally stopped for the evening she was pouting and silent. Two things that were uncharacteristic for the wizard.
She went over and stood by the fire that Lucina had started and spent almost 15 minutes hurling flames into the fire without saying a word.
Squeak looks embarrassed. "Why don't I walk through the night." he suggested. "I'm a lot slower, but it should take at least 12 hours for you to catch up to me tomorrow. That means Buttercup won't be carrying me for a day."
He hesitated for a moment "I suppose there is a chance I'll catch our quarry in the dark, if either of them are only 3 hours away. We think they'll be farther than that, though, don't we?"
Squeak turned to Buttercup "If I'd realised how bad you were feeling, I would have dismounted during the day and walked in tonight."
so... I really need a plan for Lucina for when she spots Lucan and company...
I'll wait until tomorrow...
Vi slid from the saddle easier than Bronwyn did. She was getting used to riding, though she still wasn't enjoying it. Massaging her lower back and stretching, she said, "Maybe we'll take them easily, then we can ride in the chariot back."
To Squeak's idea, Vi shook her head. "I don't think we should split up. If he has magical defences up and you stumble too close...well, it's not a good idea. Lucina will have Dandelion up on her feet for tomorrow, and after we catch them, we can have a good long rest before moving at a more reasonable pace."
Staring at her numbers again, Vi confirmed, "I think we should catch up by noon. But Lucina's right - it might be better to ambush them at their camp. How about this...Lucina scouts ahead until she finds them, then comes back to us. We'll slow down so we don't catch up on the road. Then she can scout ahead again in the evening, and get the lay of their camp. Can you do an owl, or something nocturnal? Then they won't keep seeing the same bird and getting suspicious. Then you come back to us, and we'll make an ambush plan. And hopefully that way we won't be totally worn out, if we take it a bit easier in the afternoon."
To Squeak's idea, Vi shook her head. "I don't think we should split up. If he has magical defences up and you stumble too close...well, it's not a good idea. Lucina will have Dandelion up on her feet for tomorrow, and after we catch them, we can have a good long rest before moving at a more reasonable pace."
”Addendum. The local bandit groups might also view a sole traveler with hostile intent,” Palisade added. ”We have not been accosted yet, which might be due to either the speed of our movement or our numbers. This one would not have you risk your life for questionable gain, companion Squeak.” Having said that, the ‘forged began unloading the bundles of sharpened sticks and surveying the area of their campsite for their optimal placement.
Staring at her numbers again, Vi confirmed, "I think we should catch up by noon. But Lucina's right - it might be better to ambush them at their camp. How about this...Lucina scouts ahead until she finds them, then comes back to us. We'll slow down so we don't catch up on the road. Then she can scout ahead again in the evening, and get the lay of their camp. Can you do an owl, or something nocturnal? Then they won't keep seeing the same bird and getting suspicious.
”Analysis. Sound thinking. The suspect was deemed dangerous, so getting too close to risk retaliation is not advised before the whole party is ready for an assault. Individual Lucina’s ability to assume the guise of a natural beast does make her a supreme scout in a natural setting. Suggestion. Please keep in mind that the subject is a government covert agent on the run from his own employers. Thus, he will likely be operating at the assumption of maximum suspicion. Thus, he might react adversely to the sudden presence of natural animals around his campsite. Birds included,” Palisade said, nodding sagely as it recalled the valuable lesson former companion Rathan had given it regarding the nature of birds as ambush predators.
Lucina shrugged. "Ok. So starting tomorrow I will only fly two hours ahead. If I spot him, I will keep my distance and regardless what I find I will come back and report. Once we find him, I would vote for a night time ambush..."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Action 1
Everybody was sore and grumpy, and neither of her companions offered to shed blood for her that night. Vi wasn't inclined to ask. She was equally pissed off with the dagger, and enthralled with it. Several times a day she resolved to get rid of it...to throw it in a river, or deep into the brush, and just ride on. And each time she found a reason not to do so. After we catch Lucan she promised herself, I might need it during the fight.
The thought of the upcoming fight, hopefully tomorrow, set her heart beating faster. Pulling the knife from its sheath, she ran her whetstone over it a few times, even though it was already sharp enough to slice silk. She tested her thumb on it and immediately sliced it. Well, that takes care of that. She watched the blood drip down her thumb and plop onto the ground by her head. Hope that makes you happy, Ice.
Ice. It was a funny name. Funny that she named it. She'd never done that before. She knew some kings and such had named weapons, or great heroes. But she was certainly neither. Still, it had a nice ring to it. Ice. Pleasing on the tongue. I.C.E. Ice Iiiiicccceeeee....
Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through her arm, and she bit down on a shriek. Looking down, she saw that the blade was embedded in her left forearm. Pulling it out was difficult, she'd actually stuck the tip into the bone. Dropping the blade at her feet, she stared at her bloody arm for a moment, horror dawning as she realized what she'd done. ICE. It was carved into the top of her forearm, letters over an inch high. ICE.
Clamping her hand over the bloody arm, she staggered over to Palisade. "Hey, big guy. I could use a little help here."
tag?
Action 2
Vi frowned as she thought about the information. "It's a bit of a tricky question. Presumably night is better, as we'll have the advantage of surprise and of numbers. However, he does have a powerful magical weapon, and an enchantress sister. Who knows how many and what kind of magical defences they may set up at night. Bronwyn, will you be able to detect any magic they have around the camp?"
Clamping her hand over the bloody arm, she staggered over to Palisade. "Hey, big guy. I could use a little help here."
”This one will fetch its kit,” Palisade said and returned a moment later with its healer’s tools at hand. It took a quick look at the changeling’s wounded arm before reaching out to invoke its goddess’ blessing to heal the deep wounds, knowing mere bandages would not be sufficient. ”Diagnosis. You were lucky to miss a major artery with these two cuts here and here,” the ‘forged explained matter-of-factly after the worst of the damage was in the process of healing under their eyes. ”Here and here, the wounds look deep enough to reach all the way into the bones, although this one was no need to verify by probing the wounds prior to healing. Please stand still while this one commences diagnosis for potential nerve damage.”
The ‘forged took a moment to select a blade from its belt, settling on a long, thin dagger soldiers called a pig-sticker. Holding the dagger by the blade, it carefully pricked Vi’s fingers with the tip, nodding thoughtfully as she reacted to the steel’s kiss.
”Preliminary prognosis favorable,” Palisade said, cutting a piece from a clean bandage and dabbed the single puncture that had been deep enough to bleed a few drops. ”Your sense of pain and the body’s natural mandate to escape from harm appear normal. This one expects a quick recovery. Addendum. Assuming you can resist the urge to keep mutilating yourself,” it added with its usual delicate way. ”Query. Would you like restraints to keep your subconscious mind from taking over while you are distracted? This one always carries some extra leather straps and would be pleased to lend you some.”
Vi: The ICE bit is Ok to set your irritability back to 0 but 10% daily increase... :)
Palisade: no clues in the meager camps you have found. It's obvious they must sleep on the wagon.
Questions?
Game on!
Action 2:
"A surprise assault at night would clearly be to our advantage. However, as you say they may have wards on the camp." Lucina contemplated for a moment, "Also, with their erratic movements, who knows if or when they will stop. If his sister is indeed with him, perhaps they merely take turns sleeping and driving..."
waiting for one more day before recapping...
Who knows how many and what kind of magical defences they may set up at night. Bronwyn, will you be able to detect any magic they have around the camp?"
Bronwyn gave Vi a slightly hurt look, "Of course I can detect magic but I need something to focus on. It's not like an all-encompassing radar or anything."
The wizard was still kind of grumpy. Between Vi's moods and near saddle sores, Bronwyn was not her usual self. "A surprise attack at night is all well and good but I can't see in the dark. What exactly is the plan?"
"Hey, big guy. I could use a little help here."
Bronwyn looked sourly over at Vi to see what she needed help with and wondered why she didn't ask her. It was then that she realized that her friend was bleeding. "Vi! What the hells? Did you do this to yourself?" She was going to launch into a lecture about how the dagger was indeed controlling her when she caught a look at Vi's eyes. Instead she sat down beside her friend and held her other hand while Palisade bandaged her up. She put her arm around Vi's shoulders and squeezed. She said quietly, "You know this isn't normal behavior...but we'll figure it out."
Squeak took Bronwyn aside. "I am concerned about Vi. I think I should take the dagger off her. She is becoming increasingly irrational."
"I think we should get to within 20 minutes walk. We should then set up our horses for the night." Squeak explained "That way if we are forced to withdraw then the horses will still be available. Additionally if we fail and need to withdraw, we can press on. I suggest we kill a horse or two of theirs if possible. It is important that we do not have our horses with us, as that way they will not think to steal our horses and simply ride on."
I intend to recap later today.
Questions?
Game on!
Squeak took Bronwyn aside. "I am concerned about Vi. I think I should take the dagger off her. She is becoming increasingly irrational."
Bronwyn was still a little shaken at the lengths that Vi was going to to satiate her dagger. When Squeak took her aside to voice the same concern, she nodded. "You are right to be concerned, Squeak. But we need to be smart and also careful of how we deal with the situation. Simply taking the dagger will upset Vi and if it's controlling her actions in any way then she may lash out at us. Or maybe she takes the dagger back and then leaves us in anger - then how would we keep an eye on her? I think for now we just keep a closer eye on her."
Lucina shook her head disapprovingly at the whole situation. Approaching Bronwn and Squeak she catches only the tail end of their conversation. "You had better have more of a plan than 'keep an eye on her'. That dagger is influencing her and it getting worse each night. It's obvious to me and I barely even know her. What if next time it is one of us she plunges the dagger into?" She stared at Bronwyn for a long moment, as if challenging her to deny it. "We can keep an eye on her...but eventually this is an issue that will have to be taken care of. You should know better than anyone that a cursed weapon is more than capable of making a normal person do terrible things." She shakes her head. "Though I suppose Lucan must be dealt with first. Perhaps that inevitably violent and unpleasant encounter will temporarily satiate the damned things bloodlust..."
”Query. Would you like restraints to keep your subconscious mind from taking over while you are distracted? This one always carries some extra leather straps and would be pleased to lend you some.”
Vi recoiled at the suggestion. "Thanks, but that won't be necessary. I'll be more careful. And I'm pretty sure we're heading for a fight tomorrow. That should take care of Ice's bloodlust for a while." She rubbed a finger over the healed wound on her arm. It was still scabby in places, and the it was obvious that the scar would be permanent. Feeling dread in her stomach, she dropped Viara's face, and allowed her body to revert to its natural form. Sure enough, everything changed as normal, except the wound. For the first time, Vi started to feel truly afraid. If that scar was permanent, no matter whose Face she wore, it could compromise those personas.
Blinking back tears, she turned to Bronwyn, who was still kindly sitting beside her. "Do you think I'll be able to hide this with makeup?"
tag
Vi nodded at Squeak's plan. "Sounds good. I still think attacking them at night is better than while they're on the road. Maybe we can loose their horses, then set their carriage on fire. Then we can catch them when they stumble out."
"Do you think I'll be able to hide this with makeup?"
Bronwyn squeezed Vi's shoulders again. "Makeup can do amazing things and cover a myriad of blemishes. We managed to hide my dragonmark with it so it's definitely a possibility but Vi..." The wizard looked at her friend with a mixture of kindness and sympathy. "This dagger doesn't seem to be healthy for your peace of mind." She dropped her eyes away and continued, "Maybe...maybe you should consider giving it up."
"Do you think I'll be able to hide this with makeup?"Bronwyn squeezed Vi's shoulders again. "Makeup can do amazing things and cover a myriad of blemishes. We managed to hide my dragonmark with it so it's definitely a possibility but Vi..." The wizard looked at her friend with a mixture of kindness and sympathy. "This dagger doesn't seem to be healthy for your peace of mind." She dropped her eyes away and continued, "Maybe...maybe you should consider giving it up."
This did not make it into the recap but I had left a place for it so it fits perfectly.
Game on!
Action 2:
Lucina rolled her eyes as they discussed covering up the wounds with make up. Of course. Just cover it up. She isn't willing to accept the truth of the evil power this weapon has over her...let alone understand it...
Action 3:
So...Do we plan to move forward until and catch him today? I cannot scout again until tomorrow, so carefully timed plans may be difficult."
Action 3
"Suggestion. This one sees night assault as more viable. There is at least a possibility the subject's horses have been unharnessed to allow them to rest. Thus, it would take them some time to prepare the carriage for travel. The possibility exists that they would choose to escape riding the horses, but they might be forced to ride bare-backed in that case, increasing our chances to catch them again. This one does have to remind you it is not well suited for surprise assaults," Palisade said, knowing well that the chances of it managing to get close unseen and unheard to a wary foe were remote at best.
Perhaps a hybrid strategy, with those of us capable of stealth going in first to get into position covertly, and this one and unit Squeak charging in after, perhaps from a slightly different heading to draw enemy attention to ourselves?"
"An excellent idea." Squeak commends "With some luck we should be the ones to take the brunt of any counterattack."
"Our goal is to incapacitate, rather than kill, correct?"
Action 3:
Bronwyn was quickly becoming bored with the strategical talk of how they'd approach Lucan and his sister. As the wizard saw it, there were too many variables that couldn't be controlled because they depended on what Lucan decided to do. For that reason, she didn't see the point in contributing to the conversation. That and she had no patience for such meticulous planning...if they do B then we do G, if they do A and D, then we do J. There was never a way to plan for every possibility and living in the world of 'what ifs' could be paralyzing.
Finally she yawned and said, "Just tell me what to light on fire and when."
If their escape is our concern, I plan to initiate any fight by summoning plant to entangle them. It can buy us time to position ourselves and if we are lucky make their horses unable to move." Lucina replied, mostly ignoring Bronwyn's annoyance at their planning. However, she did have to admit the woman had a point. "Regardless, if we plan to assault today we might want to get a move on. He will only put more distance on us if we wait. However, if we plan to time our attack at night, we will need to know how to make that work. Like I said, I cannot scout as a bird again until I rest."
Vi pulled back on the reins, slowing the horse down. "Let's not overtake them yet. Let's try to keep just out of sight behind them, and then wait until they set up camp. One of us can go forward every ten minutes of so, and make sure we're not getting too far behind, and then we'll know when they stop."
Action 1:
Bronwyn wasn't sure if Vi hadn't heard her or if she was ignoring her of both. So she looked Vi in the eyes and said again, "Maybe you should give up the dagger."
Action 3:
Bronwyn didn't need to be told twice to stop riding. She also pulled up on her reins and asked hopefully, "Does that mean the rest of us wait here and let the horses rest?" But more importantly, giving my butt a rest.
Action 3:
Lucina shook her head at Bronwyn. "We can't just stop. We'll just lose them again. He's moving fast. So we need to keep moving almost as fast just to keep up and know when they stop..."
conflicting plans :(
I'll wait for the 'forged to weigh in before moving things along.
Questions?
Game on!
Bronwyn made a noise that was somewhere between a groan and a sigh. "Fine, no stopping. But how do we know how far to hang back so that they don't notice us?"
Bronwyn made a noise that was somewhere between a groan and a sigh. "Fine, no stopping. But how do we know how far to hang back so that they don't notice us?"
"That's a good question." Squeak agreed. "Stealth would be very hard when we're travelling this far. Also" he reiterated his previous point "Has lethal force been authorised? Do we want to capture, rather than kill?"
"That's a good question." Squeak agreed. "Stealth would be very hard when we're travelling this far. Also" he reiterated his previous point "Has lethal force been authorised? Do we want to capture, rather than kill?"
"This one believes the main objective was to take subject alive, although deadly force was also authorized if subdual proved infeasible," Palisade said. "This one also believes we are close enough to subject to risk slowing down the pursuit momentarily to ensure we can assault their campsite the coming night. Perhaps we should err on the side of caution."
I interpreted as Bronwyn saying something else.
But this is clear and I can work with this so I'll update things later today.
Game on!
Action 1:
Bronwyn wasn't sure if Vi hadn't heard her or if she was ignoring her of both. So she looked Vi in the eyes and said again, "Maybe you should give up the dagger."
Vi hesitated a long moment, then said, "Maybe I should. But not until after we fight Lucan."
"Very well. I suggest we leave out horses, then proceed on foot using stealth. If we wish to use nonlethal methods we should not use ranged weapons - alternatively we wear them down with out most powerful attacks, and then switch to nonlethal." Squek looke to Bronwyn "Please specify. We should make sure we have restraints and gags for when they are unconcious. I will treat them to keep them alive, but not concious - Palisade's divine healing might be a little too effective. No-one is to touch the sword, in case it is cursed. We'll lasso it and put in a box later."
Squeak looked over at Palisade "Reasonable?"
Action 1:
Bronwyn looked sidelong at Vi at her reply but said nothing further. She'd believe it when she saw it.
Action 2:
Bronwyn agreed emphatically with Squeak. "The more restraints the better and gags, definitely gags. If his sister can cast then she has to be gagged. They should also be kept unconscious and watched at all times to make sure they stay unconscious. Lucan is a well-trained operative so any restraints will mean nothing if he's conscious. And yes, no one touches the sword directly." She then mutters, "We already have one corrupting weapon in the mix, we don't need two."
Action 3:
It was a little dark for Bronwyn's liking to go traipsing around the countryside. "I can probably be quiet enough but I'll need a little bit of light to make sure I don't twist an ankle in a gopher hole or something. And light is just a beacon saying 'here I am, come kill me.' But if someone can guide me then maybe I can move forward slowly to see if they've set up a magical perimeter. I'm thinking we'll also need to try to loose their horses. And am I still making a Karrnathi candle out of the coach?"
Squeak looked over at Palisade "Reasonable?"
”A comprehensive summary, unit Squeak,” Palisade said, nodding its assent. ”As this one is most unsuitable for covert attacks it suggests it ranges around to flank the enemy, proceeding closer a least half a mile from the campsite. That should give you more than enough time to get in close unseen. Since communication between us is impossible this one suggests we make an estimate on time before hands, keep count and both engage the enemy at agreed-upon moment; this one charges in from the side and you, preferably a few moments later, approach under cover of stealth. This one does see the lack of visibility and of knowledge of the terrain as well as the timing will likely cause issues, but those risks we simply need to accept, unless this one is to follow your party by a considerable distance not to risk blowing your cover. And that, considering this one’s optimal speed of movement, would mean if the enemy was engaged ahead of planned time, you would have to fight without this one for a considerable time.”
Lucina may not be able to post so it's a good opportunity to send her to the front line. :)
Seriously, I'm Ok with the above approach.
Vi? any thoughts?
Lucina may not be able to post so it's a good opportunity to send her to the front line. :)
so... what are we doing?
Last I piece together is that everyone is trying to sneak up on the camp/wagon with Palisade going 130' behind. There's no taking 20 in stealth, not credibly anyway) so I will roll for stealth checks.
Being invisible will help with stealth checks so I need to know if that's a thing or not. If yes, then who is invisible"
BTW, detect magic needs a focus (no radar in my games).
Questions?
Game on!