The group have found what appears to be the main base for the silt runners raiding activities. The terrain has given way to an area of broken valleys. It would seem that from your observations, the main activity is to the north of your present position, and that there are two main ways into the valley area. The first is through an area of broken outcroppings that would be ideal for an ambush, or as a guard post. The second is more open but has some unusual terrain that seems to be constructed by sentient beings.
Learning from his mistakes, Ojal gestures politely to T'klik and Taanak.
"I'm sure you've both got better ideas about how we should approach these silt-runners. They look well prepared to my untutored eye."
"T'klik want ambush them, the natural outcroppings work best. Stone made by the world, buildings made by man, stone standing much longer than man's buildings." He chitters.
Then suggests, "Me think we check ambush site for ambush waiting, then me can sneak in and get idea of what inside as you get in good hide."
"Good. We turn the ambush in the rocks." Monoc clearly approves of T'klik's simple plan.
Ojal keeps low and watches as T'klik ventures into the dunes.
The elf crouches low with the others and surveys the landscape for signs of an ambush.
T'klik lightly scratches his carapace all over before semi-burying himself in the sand. Small granules of the local sand color stick in some of the scratches to help him camouflage
Moving ahead, ensuring that he stays close to ridge so he can skip from cover to cover, T'klik keeps his keen multi-faceted eyes on the terrain for any signs of his quarry.
Monoc waits impatiently, weapon gripped tight, for the scouting T'klik to return. He carefully damps down the battle-rage growing within him, waiting for the time of bloodshed.
T'klik creeps closer to the outcroppings, confident that he hasn't been noticed. His keen eyes spy silt runners hiding, waiting in ambush.
T'klik decides to go ahead and get their attention, and hope they take the bait.
He steps out of his hiding place, with his back to the ambush, walking back toward the party at a normal pace. All the while pretending to be looking for something on the ground.
He hopes that the site of a lone Kreen, not paying attention will be a tantalizing enough target to follow.
The mantis-man hears squawks of alarm as he makes his presence known. As he studiously pretends to be not suspicious in the slightest, he can tell that there is a small commotion at the outcroppings. One of the silt runners makes a dash northwards.
"If T'klik needs help, it will be quick. All is ready?" Monoc looks around at the others, and shifts his grip on his own weapon.
The rest of you can make out T'klik standing up and walking back slowly towards your position. No silt runners are following.
T'klik returns to the group and moves past them.
Ojal lies low and watches T'klik casually passing by.
"I think he's found something. We should ready ourselves."
Ojal lies low and watches T'klik casually passing by.
"I think he's found something. We should ready ourselves."
"Agreed. They are likely to reinforce this position. I suggest we take advantage of this distraction and circle around to the other entrance to the valley. They may have placed traps there, but if we are vigilant, we may be able to turn this to our advantage and gain the element of surprise."
After he moves past them enough to remove suspicion, T'klik regains cover and sneaks his way back to the group.
"Weirdest ambush I ever saw."
"They not take bait, they run raise alarm. Maybe we move around behind ones on side opposite of direction of other path. If we kill that side, other side need cross ambush valley to get to us. If alarm put guards in other path, they need come more far to reach us." T'klik chitters, while angling his head and twitching his antennae in thought.
"Maybe we match strength, not match wits."
"What does anyone know about silt-runner tactics?"
Ojal peers cautiously over the dunes, hoping that a hail of stones doesn't appear out of nowhere and knock him cold.
"Perhaps, since they have just sent away one of their number, we should attack them here before help arrives. We can spend ages navigating round the desert but for a lot of us it isn't our strong point. On the other hand, storming an enemy position is something I do know about."
"Oh, dear. Some preparation may be in order."
"I agree with Shamash. Full attack. Now, before more come."
"There is space between large outcropping ahead, if can take them, we may able hold them good."
"Agreed. Those of us with ranged abilities can cover the sides near the slope while melee fighters enter the breach and confront the main force with supporting fire behind them. Make haste."
"Alright, Monoc, me and T'klik first, then Ojal and Taanak right behind providing back-up us as we charge. We stay together, and don't split up, so that the silt runners have to attack us as a group, not singly. We hit the rocks hard and fast and kill all we find, but unless we can stay together or kill them at range we leave any that run."
Shamash draws his huge blade. "Who is with me?"
Monoc bares his teeth in a fearsome grimace, and touches fist to chest. "I am with you."
Shaken out of his reverie, Ojal finds himself making an inconvenient amount of noise.
Wary of their proximity to the Silt Runners, T'klik tries to maintain his hide while they discuss their plan.
Taanak keeps his head low and follows the others.