Linokashtai nods silently, even though Lydia can't hear it, and then gestures for the others to follow her, doing her best to sneak closer to the camp.
Karl cghecks his feet and footing as he too walks slowly and carefully as he moves forwards. However he isn't so used to the stealth option - but tries his best.
Aljohar secures the horses to a nearby tree, petting their noses fondly to keep them calm and quiet. She follows her compatriots, but her departure worries her horse, who whinnies after her.
Uthar looks down at his bulk and armour the looks at Linokashtai for a moment like she had spontaniously sprouted a second head. He then shrugs, draws his weapon and attempts to stay low.
Due warning, Linokashtai transmits over the mindlink, While you may already have heard, those of us approaching do not have the lightest feet.
Perfect! Lydia has trouble not laughing.
Jam slinks along moving circling the camp easing his way towards the horses trying to keep more ground covered, though keeping a ways away not wanting to alert the horses and give himself away.
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Jam avoids brush and slides behind a tree near the camp. Lydia creeps forward and insinuates herself into some brush with a good view of the horses.
Updated Map, Most everyone in lower left corner. Jam and Lydia closer to camp.
Aljohar motions to and Syrus to stay put. She taps Lino on the shoulder and points to her, then east; then she points to herself and north, indicating a pincer movement.
She creeps off towards the north slowly.
At Aljohar's direction, Linokashtai starts towards the east. She keeps Lydia in the loop so that the shifter knows the rest of their positions, indicating the direction Aljohar went and the direction she is going.
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Aljohar and Linokashtai also move forward. Despite Aljohar snapping a branch loudly underfoot, the men at the camp remain unperturbed.
Cook: "I'll be honest. It doesn't look good. We need some good salve and lots of hot water to clean it out. Burns won't like it, but we've got to stop at a farmhouse."
J Ly
Wincing slightly as the armoured Aljohar makes a bit of a noise, Karl is taken aback by how quiet he was as they move further into the undergrowth.
Uthar is going to attempt to get behind a tree and stay put at K25.
Bow at the ready, Lydia continues to work her way around the three bandits.
Aljohar continues north on the west side of the fire, aiming to get behind a large thicket.
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Gliding stealthily through the brush, Lydia leapfrogs past Jam. She's a pebble toss from the horses. Groom is on the far side of the closest horse.
Aljohar tries to creep around to the other side of the camp, but steps on a stick which snaps loudly. Cook and Trimmer are instantly alert.
"What was that?" Trimmer thrusts a stick into the fire, and as it catches raises it high. The men look in Aljohar's direction.
Lydia tries to edge a little closer, bow drawn.
Aljohar freezes for a moment, wishing she had a small rodent to toss in the direction of the fire.
Jam grips his sansetsukon ready to rush in should the men find Aljohar. His eyes quickly flick towards the man grooming the horses, Lydia hadn't been spotted, she shouldn't have any difficulty dealing with him.
Aljohar remains still, letting the flickering firelight play over her as she replies to the question, voice stern and authoritative.
”I am an emissary of the Sovereign of Strength and Steel, who bids me call you to task. You who have fought in honorable warfare now shed blood for the sake of greed, the blood of those who were unarmed and not at war. Have you left the path of right and honor, soldiers? Or does higher duty force your hand? You know the creed. Do you seek damnation? Whomever you may worship, once you set foot on the battlefield, you become subject to the leader of the Sovereign Host. Why do you now break His laws? Speak! Give an accounting of your actions, before He loses patience.”
She stops to allow them to answer, if they will, hoping that there has been enough time for her fellows to get into place while her voice filled the clearing and concealed the slight sounds of their movement. Slighter than hers, anyway.
"And don't reach for weapons," Lydia adds. "I'll feather the first man to try and fight or flee."
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Trimmer stops. Cook and Recliner exchange glances, then Cook rises to his feet with a hand ax in hand.
Trimmer cocks his head at Aljohar. "Who are you? Why do you speak of honor in a world of death and want?"
On the far side of the camp, Groom glances toward the fire, then in Lydia's direction before ducking behind a horse.
Perception:
Lydia sees the axe and lets fly at the cook.
Attack (bow): Damage:
"I said don't reach for weapons - and you behind the horses, this is your last warning!"
Aljohar continues the conversation with Trimmer. "No, I'm not alone. You won't be harmed if you don't fight. Why would I not speak of honor in a time of death and want? Honor the way we choose to meet whatever circumstances - life, death, need, plenty. There is honor in war. There's no honor in thieving or attacking unarmed civilians, even children. So tell me, why do you choose to meet your trials with cowardice and theft? You will face sterner questions at the gates of hell if you unwisely decide to die here."
Moving to R18 next to the tree, his sword is drawn but not raised to attack.
"Do as she says and nobody will have to get hurt!"
From his position amongst the trees, Karl holds his breath. For conflict is undesirable, though seemingly more inevitable. A nervous shiver went up his spine, for this wasn't some roadside scuffle or a tavern brawl.
Linokashtai prepares herself mentally for battle, making certain that her psicrystal is with her and paying attention.
Initiative:
Lydia coolly shifts position slightly and tracks the groom, with bow drawn, waiting for an opening.
Stealth:
Jam figures Lydia has the groom taken care of groom, and he doesn't feel he's been spotted yet, he grips his sansetsukon and gets ready to rush the group by the campfire if they make a threatening move.
Linokashtai concentrates to create inertial armour around herself, just in case things go awry.
She moves out of her hiding spot a bit in order to get a better vantage point, though she keeps her hands up in front of herself so that anyone who sees her knows she's not trying to pose a threat, and her crossbow is resting at her hip. Lino speaks over the mind link with Lydia, I'll be ready to attack if Aljohar's speaking goes awry.
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Linokashtai readies herself.
Uthar moves forward and tries to intimidate the men, somewhat unconvincingly. Trimmer looks toward him and his eyes flick back toward Aljohar.
"You've got us surrounded. Now what?"
The man on the ground groans and moves, fumbling for something under the shaggy hide that covers him.
Initiative:
Jamorin 23 (readied)
Linokashtai 12
Uthar 12
Recliner 10
Lydia 7 (readied)
Karl 6
Trimmer, delaying
Cook delaying
Aljohar 3
Groom 2
Striding forward with some boldness, Karl starts a speech to accompany his dance. Flute in one hand down by his side; "Fellows we have all struggled through hard times, but now it is time for something better to build something better. Creation is a more powerful force than surviving on the scraps of others, join us, join in making yourselves and where you reside better."
Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the bard continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect.
Fascinate is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability. Fascinate relies on audible and visual components in order to function.
Aljohar nods. "Now you come quietly back to town. You give us information about the group of bandits you're in, help us shore up defenses, help us plan an attack. If you do, justice will be tempered with mercy. We have need of strong bodies and good workers to help with work around town. Too many of our own were lost in the war. We can use good men. And I think that underneath it all, you are good men. Now you have a chance to prove it, make amends to the town and to Dol Dorn, and make a life you can be proud of."
As the recliner moves, Lydia suddenly recalls he was injured in the thigh, and makes sure she keeps the tree largely between herself and him. If he's Yellow Bow, he could be looking for that weapon, but she needs her attention on the groom...
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Karl strides forward ignoring stealth. The sound of his approach draws the attention of the cook.
Trimmer replies to Aljohar. "My brother is hurt. The wound's gone poison. If you can help him, I'll surrender."
Recliner groans. "Cass, don't do it. Don't do it."
Groom shouts and drives his horse forward, running beside it.
Lydia calmly waits for her clear shot the moment he becomes visible.
Attack: Damage: