Go Forth and Conquer (Inactive)

Game Master Arythain

Surtur smiles slowly, appreciatively, at the half- orc's words. "I would not ask a man to be what he is not," he says in response. "I will gather my men; you information has proven valuable. Thank you."

With that, he trots off. Que the medicine tent with Histrok

Histrok nods to Surtur when he arrives before continuing with the examination. "I have gained some knowledge here. Although the scrolls and spells that I have apparently will not ward off the Mantid's venom entirely, they should give us a bit of time to slay one of the creatures when we're engaged. Everything else I'm seeing here matches what we've been lead to believe previously, and in fact there's some chance that the techniques that the healer here has been employing to increase circulation might help speed recovery if needed."

With one last look over the patients, Histrok turns to fully face Surtur. "I've seen nothing today which leads me to believe that we're less prepared than we previously thought. Our first live encounter will tell us much more."

Gork is happy to sit down with the Merry-follower and have a nice long talk about how he became a "Merry-Gud-Doin'-Biggy" (as he's called by his clan).
Over several massive tankards of ale, he speaks of his clan and the long time it took for him (and Merry) to bring them around.
He finishes with the problematic future they are facing with the other tribes around and the giants coming over the mountains.

Your group has been invited to set up camp nearby if you please - but there is several hours left in the day and you could easily be pointed in a promising direction for continued travel.

"I believe that the men have finished their meal and are ready to head out when you are, Leader Surtur. Although we could camp here, I fear that restlessness would grow should we not take advantage of the time we have to close on prey."

---

Mm I agree with Histrok - hunting seems fun!

"I've seen nothing today which leads me to believe that we're less prepared than we previously thought. Our first live encounter will tell us much more."

"Then we shall go. Gather the men, please." With that, he strides back out of the tent, back to Urim Gorespear.

"We have learned much, and I thank you for that. I wish you safe travels on your journey, then. Thank you."

He does not bow. Instead, he simply walks back the way he had come. Once they are a sufficient distance away from the Gorespear, he begins looking for the signs of mantids he learned from Gorespear.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Hearing Surtur calling, Gork takes his leave from the Merry follower with a deep feeling of ... happiness?
"Ahh, big-pinky-boss 's leavin.
I haff to go.
Yu take care of yer, rightsy?
Merry-wiff-yu."

Gork now rides at the right flank, a dozen meter or so behind their leader, looking to have as many unobstructed paths available as possible.
Battle is drawing near, he could feel it in the air, and Ham needs a lot of space for their devastating charges...

As Surtur is surveying the terrain for signs of the Mantids, Histrok bows and calls on the guidance of the spirits to assist in the search.

Casting Guidance on Surtur to give +1 to the skill check.

Histrok waits until Surtur's attention is not fully focused on the surrounding lands before addressing him. "I can call on the birds for information one more time this day. When you see evidence that we grow close simply let me know and I will attempt to pinpoint the location, unless you have another use for the intelligence they can provide."

"On another note, I found our encounter with Urim to be instructive. Our reports had indicated a scorn for non human and half-orc warriors from his band. We were treated with more respect than I had expected, though having a human at the lead might be responsible for much of that. In any case, it's another reminder that we should take what information we were provided with a grain of salt."

Surtur accepts Histrok's advice in stoic silence. "I assume nothing," he says at the last. "When your birds are needed, I will tell you."

You take Urim's advice and head further north and west. Towards the end of that same day, you come across what you believe are signs of mantid activity - half-burrows in the sand and dirt from where they take brief rests after eating. Whether or not there are any nearby right now, they certainly use this area to hunt. From here, Urim suggested using magic or skill to locate them - or, if you believe yourselves hardy enough, to keep moving and wait for them to rise in ambush.

Mantids hunt an area of around four miles in all directions surrounding their nest - meaning one full hex and the borders of all surrounding hexes. Another survival check can give you a clue as to the direction of the nest, but Urim warned you that directly approaching a nest is extremely dangerous.

You have perhaps one more hour until sunset.

Drekisal looks to the height of the sun, then back to the others.

"As most of you cannot see in darkness, it may be wise to camp until sunrise," he points out.

Survival?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"Hmm. Hmm... Sneaky blighters ..." Jhaelwyn studies the remains, but all she seems to find so far is a longing for proper bloodhounds.

"Yes; stumbling around in darkness chasing mantids would be ... dumb. On the bright side - we'd probably find them fast. Heh." she nods in agreement with Drekisals suggestion to make a camp of their own.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Surtur nods, and calls for camp to be set up, with a three- man watch at all tines. However, he does spend the next few minutes searching for clues as to the whereabouts of the nest. That information will be important to avoid stumbling into the nest,as Urim had warned.

While his group sets up camp, Surtur sweeps a circle around the area to see if he can determine the general direction of the nest - to the northwest.

Please see discussion for some important info, that'll be necessary before we move into the next bits!

"I'm just going to look though the surroundings. See if there's something to see. See if I can't set a snare or two; I will tell you where to be careful. Or don't; that's just evolution. Heh." Jhaelwyn gracefully informs the camp. Then she looks around for some good spots to place some snares, alarms and pointy sticks. They were in the wild now and anything sneaking around was most certainly unwelcome!

Craft:Traps: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

If she has time she'll spend an hour or so making pointy sticks and rigging traps after the best of her ability : )

As the group sets up camp, Histrok does take the time to call on the birds in the area to see if there are any dangerous animals within a mile of their current location, and if so, what direction they are in right now.

Casting Commune with Birds again to find the direction of the nearest large predator.

"So, t'morrow we bug-smashy?"

"Yes! And then we fry the delicious crunchy bits yeah!"

"Should we desire, I can enchant weapons with heat or warriors with strength when we near our quarry," Drekisal states as he gets ready to camp. "The spells last only a few minutes, however, so I would need warning that we were close."

Preparing Bless instead Honeyed Tongue for the next day.
Unless ... do we know about the alignment of those Mantids?
Evil/Chaotic? I could prepare a Protect against X rather than bless for that neat +2 to saves...

You would know (or Jhaelwyn would) that they have no instrinsic alignment. They are, for all intents and purposes, animals. Just nasty, invasive ones.

The group once again makes camp, Surtur setting a more cautious watch schedule now that you are possibly close to the mantids. Whether or not they are nearby, the night passes calmly.

Jhaelwyn, I assumed your traps were defensive in nature and not meant for catching rabbits or whatnot.

Pick the plan, Surtur!

Histrok, while spending an hour communing with the spirits about the day ahead, will ask whether using the anti-venom during the first battle with the Mantids has any significant danger of raising the suspicions of the factions in the area about the party's mission.

Well yes, but if a rabbit happens to fall on her sharpened sticks she's more then happy to get free lunch : )

"Mm. Calm night. It's always nice to be well rested for a hunt. Just so a dirt nap doesn't temp you..." Jhaelwyn checks on her traps in the morning while mumbling to herself and anyone nearby. She was almost disappointed that no-one/thing had fallen into them.

As Surtur wakes up, he quickly brews his morning coffee. He gazes out onto the fields, and with a measure of one who is reluctantly eager, turns to Histrok. "If you could, use your friends to find a mantid; preferably, one away from the northwest direction. I'll use my skills as well."

"Same standing orders as before; staggered box. Archers in the middle, lancers out front. Keep close; I fear we will be hunted today."

"Sir Gork in the back. Jhaelwyn, you keep to the side, while Histrok and Drekisal to the middle."

With those parting words, he leaves them with a final thought. "Today, we will be witnessed."

With that, he begins to head out, in a vaguely east direction. (Not northeast, just east, so as to bypass the nest if needs be.)

Survival to find mantids: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Histrok nods. "I will consult the birds and spirits and do what I can to find our prey."

Assuming that Histrok did not receive any word from the birds of mantids within a mile of the campsite last night, the Hobgoblin will cast Commune with Birds again after we've traveled about half a mile to the east, again asking about any mantids in the area. If there's still none that the birds can find Histrok will wait for about another mile and try once more. If there's still no sign of any Mantids after that, Histrok will wait another mile and then cast Spectral Scout to summon a Hawk (blue glow as I need to choose a color) with fly speed 60 and Percpetion +17 (assuming we're in bright light, +14 otherwise) to scout the area within 1 mile of the party for 50 minutes for mantids. If Surtur or anyone else finds a good trail or an actual mantid before any of these methods reveal one then Histrok will not cast the spells and we'll follow that other lead instead.

Drekisal has little to contribute at present, and so packs up quietly and prepares to move.

"If we spot them, I will help with preparations."

Surtur starts the march, and over the first couple of miles he finds some traces of the mantids passing - but most of them are old, and they criss-cross the area offering no clear pattern or well-used trail.

It is Histrok's birds who eventually bring word of the beasts - another half-mile to the east.

Conveniently giving me the weekend to make sure I have all my stat blocks and such prepared! Surtur, I will make sure to post your soldier stat blocks tonight or earlier on tomorrow so you know what you're dealing with.

As Histrok reports the findings of the birds, the Hobgoblin offers to provide more detailed information if Surtur would like it. "Shall I summon a spectral hawk to pinpoint the location of the mantids and give us the exact number that are in the group to the east? Depending on how they act and how they are spaced I might even be able to use it to lure one of them to an ambush that we set if we can find a suitable spot."

Turning to Jhaelwyn, the hobgoblin asks, "I know that it's been some time, and it's possible you never would have had the chance to learn this part of the mantid's behaviors, but should we expect them to act as a pack in close communication or is it likely we would be able to separate an individual from the group?"

Lore: Mantids: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

"Hmm. Do they? It's a good question. Yes. I have to think on it..." The huntress considered the question as she readied her weapons.

I'm thinking popping Invisibility on Jhaelwyn and someone else that's also squishy - that way we don't get alpha striked at least if something goes wrong : )

"Aye, Merry be watchin'us!
She not like bugsys eatin' honest folk.
We be stomping them t'day!"

Jhaelwyn knows that the mantids definitely display coordination in a fight, occasionally quite advanced, up to and including attempting to divide an enemy group so that they can carry off any smaller, more wounded, or easier prey.

Jhaelwyn, I'd probably hit Drekisal with the extra invisibility. He'll be buffing and possibly healing some for this first encounter, so he should keep it up longer than I would. He should be able to use spiritual weapon to attack while it's up (I think) if he wants to directly contribure to combat. I'm also squishy, but I'll be actively debuffing, so I'd lose it as a useful tool as soon as we got started.

Histrok nods as Jhaelwyn shares her knowledge. "That's very good to know. Thank you. We should then not count on being able to separate one from the pack and instead be prepared for all of them. If we can get just one it will be a bonus, but we'll prepare for the worst. It also makes knowing how many are there that much more important as we make our plans."

Yes, that would be helpful. Spiritual Weapon would probably break invisibility, but he is built mostly for support at present.

Yes especially since he also fits the "smaller" prey category :P

"So. The fun part of the hunt begins soon! Yes finally. I suggest that we leave the horses and a guard or two here. So they don't end up accidentally eaten. Unless of course the mantids have already found us. Then ... Well the odds are still good. Then we can proceed quietly. When we get closer I'll hide myself and Drekisal, like we planned, and they'll have mostly hard targets. Mostly..."

Note: I have no feeling for how long an imperial mile is or how long it takes to walk/sneak. It's about a 1.5 km or something right?

So Jhaelwyn will pop Invisibility on Drekisal when we are about 3 min away from the mantids. And then use her Unseen Focus Power on herself (basically the same!).

"Shall I summon a spectral hawk to pinpoint the location of the mantids and give us the exact number that are in the group to the east? Depending on how they act and how they are spaced I might even be able to use it to lure one of them to an ambush that we set if we can find a suitable spot."

He nods slowly at the hobgoblin. "Do it, and report back to me."

Surtur stops, and pulls out vials. "Everyone, take one of these, now," he says. "Quickly." Once he finishes, he takes out another vial of liquid. Slowly, he bends over, saying a quick prayer in tribal Gelk.

He distributes the mantid poison amongst the men, and puts the rest back in his pouch.

"Quickly, now," he says. "Let us find somewhere favorable to attack."

Histrok nods. "At once, Leader Surtur."

The hobgoblin begins to a low chant and weaves some mystic signs in the air. After nearly a minute a ghostly, glowing blue hawk apperates out of nothing, sitting on pommel of Histrok's saddle. The bird and the hobgoblin begin having a conversation, though the birds part of it sounds to everyone else shrieks for a hawk and the hobgoblin speaks low enough that nothing much can be made out. Before long, the hawk turns it's head to the east opens it's wings and takes flight, quickly gaining altitude and blending in with the open sky.

Casting Spectral Scout to summon a hawk. I'll then command it to fly east (specifically in the direction that the birds from the Commune with birds spell told me the Mantids are in,) and scout the number and position of the mantids. It should look for any that are hidden and knows that the half-burrows in the sand are spots where they rest and should receive extra scrutiny. When this is done it will fly back and report to me.

After listening to the Hawks report Histrok relays the information to the hunting party. "It sounds like around 15 to 30 mantids are set up to ambush people that walk through their area. The terrain they currently occupy seems to naturally lend an easy walking path that I expect they are looking for prey to follow into their trap. They all seems to be of the smaller variety, around the height of dwarves or smaller humans."

Histrok pauses, thinking some. "This is a larger group than I was expecting. I'd like see what happens if I try to use the hawk as bait to lure them away, but I'd like to do a test run in the opposite direction to see how they react to it before doing anything to lead them here. Is there any reason that I shouldn't try that? We should have time to test their reactions once, and then if they behave in a way we find acceptable, to draw some number of them this way instead."

Assuming the others approve, Histrok will command the hawk to circle around and approach the mantids from the east (so the side of their group opposite us.) It will then dive at the nearest mantid, screaming, and then fly off from the direction it came for two minutes before gaining altitude looking to see how many moved to follow it. If that's too complicated for the hawk to understand then try to get as much of it as possible for a test run that pulls them in a direction other than towards us. As soon as it isn't being followed it should return and report its finding to Histrok.

Leader Surtur approves of Peacekeeper Histrok's plan, and nods. "Let it be so," he finishes.

After a second for Histrok to relay his information to the ghostly creature, he asks. "Did the hawk see any terrain that may give us an advantage in the fight?"

Before sending the hawk on it's next flight Histrok will ask about the terrain between the party and the Mantids, seeking any that might give the party an advantage in a fight.

So the spell should last 50 minutes. If the first flight only took 10 or so there should be time to try to have the hawk pull the mantids to the east with an attack and see the results, right? I guess I was counting on that math when making plans.

Apologies, for some reason I had though I'd said the first flight took half an hour! Retcon:

Thanks for the retcon! I'm much happier with that outcome even though mechanically it's essentially the same.

"It seems that the Mantids won't take the bait of the hawk to draw them to us. Perhaps the simply know that birds are not interesting prey and Jhaelwyn's ghost sound will have better luck. It could also be the lack of scent or any number of other things. Hopefully we'll learn in time exactly which ways to lure them to us work best."

Histrok points to the east and continues. "The good news is that there is a ridge that we should allow us to get closer without being spotted if we are able to move carefully enough."

Drekisal doesn't say anything, but looks meaningfully at Gork.

"Interesting. We could make Gork invisible for sneaking? But that won't help if he steps on something. And he has large feet..." Jhaelwyn takes a moment to consider their options. Hmm. This broken land might be of some help. The elf briefly looked to the sky and then the nearby brushes. How long since the last rain? "Were they hiding in the brushes? If they are dry enough we could set them on fire. Probably shouldn't let it spread too much... Should distract them or even thin their numbers. Might disperse the pack instead..."

As the intelligence from the spectral hawk, the experience of the party and the lay of the land all comes into focus, Surtur sets the group in motion. As the hunting party gathers, Histrok explains the plan.

"Surtur will personally lead both of our units in the fight, leading from the front and using his skill to protect those around him. Drekisal will stay nearby providing support as he sees fit. This is the main force. We will be taking position over there, approximately half a mile from the mantid's position. When the mantid start their approach, we'll start hitting them as soon as they are within range of our shortbows. As they close, we'll retreat, trying to get in a couple more volleys before engaging in melee if we have the option to do so. We will concentrate fire on the targets that Surtur selects, trying to drop as many as possible before engaging in melee, rather than weakening several.

"When the melee engagement comes, soldiers will do their best to flank the enemy with their nearest partner. The goal is to have a zig-zag pattern when the engagement starts, with those in the back line wheeling in to flank the target of their neighbor to the right. If your target goes down, your next option should always be whichever mantid looks weakest that you can reach and ideally flank with an ally. The more we can drop quickly the less they'll be hitting us back.

"Sir Gork will stay to that side of the main force, mounted on Ham, about 30 feet out. As the mantids are known for attacking weaker targets he isn't likely to be their first target, though if he is, we'll change the plan on the fly and provide support. Assuming things go as plan though, as soon as the main force engages the mantids in melee Sir Gork will begin charging through their ranks, taking out what he can and then wheeling around to hit them again from the opposite side.

"Jhaelwyn has the most dangerous job and we are relying on her for heavily. She'll be providing a distraction to attempt to split the enemy forces. If she succeeds we'll likely see two waves of enemies. The hope is that we'll have mostly dealt with the first by the time the second gets to us, but as this is our first engagement with this particular enemy, we'll have to see how that goes.

"My role will be to draw the mantids to us. I will be doing this while flying which should give me the speed I need to reach the main force ahead of the mantids, and will also give me the option to abort the attempt if too many seem to be coming for us at once. After I've determined that I'm being followed by a force we will be able to handle, I'll land behind our main force and assist Drekisal with supporting our units."

Histrok pauses and looks around at the assembled company, making brief eye contact with each person in turn. When the hobgoblin speaks again, it is with a voice is slightly louder than before and a tone steeled beyond what others have heard in the past. "What we do today is the start of something important. This is the first step in reclaiming this land from the scourge that came pouring from the bowels of the earth a generation ago. The first step in driving that scourge back. What we're attempting won't be easy, and this fight won't be one we'll win without the hard work of every single person here with us. But know that you are here to witness and wage the first battle in a glorious campaign that will heal this land and be remembered as something truly great. I know that I can count on all of you and it is my honor to fight along side you this great day."

Turning to Surtur, the hobgoblin bows his head. "Leader Surtur, we await your command to begin."

Listening to the hobgoblin speak, Gork feels a distant pain in his heart, thinking back on what he would have likely done in this situation only a few years back...
Ripping the head off the hobgob to make him stop talking so much and to make things simple again.
But that is not a nice thing to do for a Merry-Ogre.
So he simply had to endure the many-words before the smashing.
As he bird-hobgob finally ended, Gork speaks up in his clearly-not-lowered voice.
"Aye, now shmashy-time!
Merry with'us!"