The drag marks lead deeper and it seems that whoever was dragging the bodies was moving quite quickly. It takes you about 200ft before you hit a stream and the path becomes too difficult to follow with simple eyesight.
The stream itself is running with blood and black bile mixed with the water and it seems to be completely devoid of life. On the far side of the stream are Abyssal runes drawn by hand into the dirt.
Andre squats down to examine the ground on the far side of the stream. "Let's see here..."
Glancing at the runes, he adds, "I recognize the demons' speech, but I can't read the damned thing. Anyone here able to interpret?"
Phaedra looks at the stream. "Well, that certainly does not look safe to drink."
"I can't read that either. Should've learned some of that language before coming here."
Camp is 500ft north. Avoid heading toward the rift. Not yet safe. Ihon reads off and then stares off into the woods again.
"Huh, I wonder if the rift is a physical or magical landmark?"
Andre, you don't think that you could follow the tracks any further than the stream, it seems more difficult than you can manage at the moment.
"A camp you say?"
Sazu stared toward the supposed direction of the camp, wondering.
"A camp implies beings intelligent enought to build such a area, and needful of its commodities. AS our goal is to push both groups out of this area, I'd say our best bet it..." Sazu points to the North, "that way."
"And perhaps a stealth approach would be better this time, as we have a specific destination in mind. Say two groups? One of scouts, and then the heavily armored reinforcements?"
Andre nods. "I agree. The only question is...who's stealthy enough not to be seen?" He glances around at the others. "We're not the best at creeping through the woods unnoticed."
Sazu shifts around uncomfortably in his armor.
"I could remove this wooden protection in favor of a lighter approach. And with my invisibility spell, I could get closer if only for a short time before making a hasty retreat."
Phaedra sighs. "I don't know if there are enough of us capable being stealthy enough to make it worth the attempt."
Ihon follows the others, staring into the woods as usual.
Amideo trots along with the group, looking about.
Sazu decides it best that he act as a scout for now.
Sazu scouts ahead alone, reaching visual distance before anyone else. Sazu, you see a rather large camp - probably able to hold 15 or more people - and see a fire pit burning in the center. From your position about 100 ft away you can't see any people there at the moment, just the tents, the fire, and various odds and ends along with discarded weapons scattered around.
Sazu will cast a message cantrip and direct it to Andre, Phaedra, and Ihon.
Large camp ahead, no visual on people. Fire pit fresh.
Andre, hanging back and waiting for Sazu to return, murmurs to the others. "That's strange. Where could our demoniac friends be, do you think? And is this a good time to search their camp for further clues?"
"Given they aren't here, I'd say it's a good a time as any." Amideo pats the side of his horses face, making sure the demonic influence doesn't get too spooky for the horse.
"Yeah, may as well check out the camp and see if there is any clue as to exactly what they've been up to here."
Ihon nods and follows the others.
The group starts to move closer to the camp and once you get to where Sazu was, 100 ft from the camp itself, Ihon and Phaedra notice that the camp is, in fact, occupied. You both see that there is movement in at least three of the tents, though it doesn't appear that they are leaving the tents to engage you yet if they have even noticed you.
We are not alone, Ihon whispers as he trails behind the others. The tents.
"Well then," Andre mutters, watching the tents, "should we drive them out? Or just wait for them to emerge?"
Ihon shrugs and waits for the others.
"I think that we should go ahead and move in on the ones in the camp before any more join them."
Sazu begins to mutter to himself and takes a pen and quill to write a few ideas to mull over:
1. Burn them out with fires strategically placed.
2. Stealthily approach with the intention of surprise attack.
3. Monitor the perimeter and take out small groups leaving and entering.
4. All-out charge.
"I personally agree with Phaedra, with the only worrying thought being they've seen us approach and will ambush us. My second vote goes to establishing a small perimeter to take a small group for information and weakening the overall force..."
"You're right that we should move now," Andre murmurs, "But we don't know how many there are...at least in those three tents, and more than one in each, it seems like. Can we scout it out? Perhaps your friend, eh Ihon?" He smiles at the wizard. Slightly nervously.
Ihon tilts his head and looks at Andre with his usual impassive expression. He cannot count, nor speak, he says, as if that answers the question.
"Ihon, if your little friend wants, my horse could accompany him. Mahouf can count and speak just as well as he can," Amideo chuckles, before taking on a more serious tone, "However, I do like the idea of Sazu's third plan. If we flank the camp quickly enough, we can charge in to catch them unawares. Some of us could accompany Phaedra, some could accompany me."
You do seem to have time to plan, the figures in the tents are seemingly still unaware of your presence.
"Ah, well...never mind, then," Andre chuckles. "Surrounding them does seem like it might be a good idea..." Suddenly he smiles. "And I do have those arrows with which we could set fire to the tents. Does that seem like a possible plan?"
Sazu cocks his head to the side, pondering.
"It's all about our intent....are we slaying these cultists? Are we trying to gain more information? Do we seek to cause fear and panic? Are we planning on returning for another try should we be forced to retreat?"
He stops, scratches an itch on his head, and goes on.
"Scattering them is all fine and good, but currently, we have a known group. If some flee into the woods, we'd have to be more watchful....but yes, not knowing their numbers, I feel sowing some panic preceding our attack could work to our advantage."
Ihon shrugs and makes ready to circle around with Amideo.
Phaedra will prepare to circle round the camp in the opposite direction as Amideo.
"Alright, let's circle round and then some can set fire to a few tents to draw them out and hopefully panic them."
"For now, we scatter them and kill any that we can. I doubt the scum will just run--we have a battle on our hands, my friends," Andre says grimly.
"There is no rest for a warrior. We can reflect some other time, for we do have battle on our hands. Stay safe friends, we have a duty to serve Her Majesty, and I would hate to lose any of you. Amideo reaches into his bag and pulls out a torch, lighting it with a flint and steel.
Andre creeps into place, and, drawing one of his special magic arrows, takes a deep, steadying breath. Once he sees the others are all arranged, he draws the bowstring back and lets fly, aiming at the central tent.
+
Sazu tries to stay low and hidden, readies his crossbow and waits.
Not having a fire arrow, Phaedra attempts to use arrows to sever the support ropes staked into the ground that help to hold the tents up. Her hope is to cause the tents to collapse and entangle the occupants.
Ihon circles around following Amideo.
Amideo circles around to the other side of the camp, staying far enough away to keep from having to be stealthy.
Shouting and moving out of the tents you see another of the goat-headed demons and a man in robes come out of one tent. An elven woman wearing studded leather and carrying a scimitar and a dwarf male with half-plate and a greatsword pile out of the other two tents. For the moment they seem to be looking around, unsure of what is going on.
Andre zeroes in on the goat-headed demon immediately. There's the threat...I hope the others realize that as well! Breathing steadily, he takes aim at the demon and fires!
Ihon moves his hand and whispers a harsh magical word.
He moves forward and touches Amideo's leg as the man takes off.
Amideo throws his torch at one of the tents, hoping to set it aflame.
Both the demon and the robed man seem to be blinded and the demon cries out in rage. Andre's attack bounces off the demon's rather sturdy hide.