Hella would see the tree and frown. "We have traveled all day and mites could be nocturnal. If you are willing to press on then we can but we must be mindful of getting tired. I will let you all decide. If we must withdraw after stirring the nest then we must be prepared for that."
"Well, isn't this a most interesting situation? Why look at that tree! And those creatures are blue- when's the last time you saw a living creature that was blue? This will be most interesting to the members of the River Kingdom Restoration Project. Oh, I just can't wait to tell them!"
Mme. Pindles's haughtiness seems back in full swing. "Oh, why don't you tell us what to do, Hella? Clearly one person's word doesn't mean as much as your intuition anyway," she comments dryly.
"Well, many of us are gifted with elven, or ,in Mme. Pindle's case, gnomish eyesight so barring total darkness we might be fine, but the humans among us might prefer a little daylight so I would leave it up to their needs."
Hella looks at Miri as she speaks. "As you wish then." Hella said just as dryly and would move to bring her horse around to look at everyone.
"If we camp we can get ambushed by overwhelming numbers. I don't believe anyone is to tired to take a foray in and thin their numbers to start. This will also let us know their strengths and tell us how far we must go to camp safely should we not clear them out tonight. As a wolf, the dark bothers me not but light may hurt them. I say we have light sources for that reason. We leave the horses here. Close enough for a quick escape. Rodric should lead along with Cerian and Wolf for taking out the guards. The rest of us as support. As we go in we adapt to the situation."
Looking at Miri. "I would like all of you to provide council and whether you agree with the plan or not. The pact's well being is my first priority. If you believe this will put us into to much danger speak up."
Arilyth nods. "I believe we should strike now. At the very least if only to gauge them and make certain we can make a secure camp."
Her heart was racing now like the night assault on the bandit. Drawing the wings of Desna across her heart and muttering a prayer to Shelyn, she reaches for Fortune, thumbing it and hoping it's powers will help in the coming battles.
"We approach from the west then, so the remains of the sun are in their eyes. If they are nocturnal that will give us another advantage and if not, well even the less fortunate races dont stare into the sun." He began slipping from his horse and drawing an arrow. He had been born and raised by those whom working in stealth and shadows was the enviroment of their trade. He knew how to stalk quietly up. "Sir Rodric would you run slack again staying oh about 30 feet behind me. If they spot me and try to close to melee you will be close enough to support when i withdraw and it should give me a" He paused and glanced at the mans heavier armor. "a bit of leeway in case they do somehow spot us."
He slid to the edge of the group listening as everything else was discussed but his eyes searched the tree and the way to it, wondering if the mites were the type to trap their home.
You position yourselves with the forest and setting sun at your back, just inside the small bit of brush at the bottom of the barren hills. The mites do not seem to have noticed you yet but you count at least 8 amongst the limbs and roots of the old dead tree. As much as they are apparently keeping watch they seem to take great delight in tormenting each other, running up and stabbing each other with little daggers and bouncing stones off each others heads.
Nedyr is quiet as he abides by the plan, but he also tries to recall what he knows of Mites, most specifically if they're immune to sleep spells.
You recall that they are sensitive to bright light and only have minor resistance to damage that could be overcome by cold iron. You do not recall anything about immunity to sleep. You do recall as well that they can curse foes with terrible luck, much like their greater kin the gremlins. You also recall they especially hate gnomes, putting Miri in the most danger.
With that, he makes a note to keep an eye on Miri, whispering to her, "Careful, Madame. What I know of Mites means they'll target you above all. Between that and the ill luck they can cause, they're liable to be rude."
Arilyth moves up ever so slightly, keeping Cerian in sight. She makes a small prayer to Shelyn and Desna for guidance.
Aluxion takes an arrow and cups his hand around its fletching, intoning a Light spell on it, focused on the nock. The light is hidden from view as he grips the arrow between his fingers. "I'm hopin' they're too dumb ta remember ta actually raise tha alarm," he mutters to the others. "I've a clear shot 'ere. Someone give a signal and I'll take it."
Cerian will continue to creep up, about 25 feet at a time, pausing then and taking a good look around, glancing back to his friends, looking forward for the most silent path again to tread...
To Hella earlier:"Yours is a good plan. I'll follow your lead, I think it's best if we thin their ranks."
After setting off Rodric nods in silent approval to Cerian's request. The cavalier takes up position behind Cerian, waiting for any alarm. Rodric is ready to charge Aluxion's target once he looses his arrow.
Whenever everyone appears in place Cerian will look back and make eye contact with Aluxion giving the man a nod, nocking his own arrow and waiting for the mans arrow to strike.
Nedyr holds his place and waits.
Aluxion lines up a careful shot, knowing that he only gets the element of surprise once. The mite he's shooting at is further away than he'd like.
He curses under his breath, wishing for a bow with a better pull strength or a quiver of cold iron arrows. At least the first target is well illuminated now.
Seeing Aluxion's attack, Arilyth readies herself.
Mme. Pindles considers Nedyr's warning for a moment, then grins. "Perhaps these mites might be a mite cleverer than we first thought- they already know who the most dangerous foe is!" She growls and rakes the air with imaginary claws in a faux show of force.
She draws her own crossbow after seeing Aluxion's arrow strike true, and bounds forward. "Nice shootin', pardner," she drawls, imitating his voice again. Darbi lunges forward, lurking close to the ground.
The arrow strikes to and the mite lets out a surprised cry as he flails his arms trying to stay on the branch he was balanced.
He bounces on his head and the rest laugh despite being taken by surprise. Cliiiiick
"Aw shucks, Miri. Maybe next time I'll even hurt 'im.
At Aluxion's shot the elf straightened up drawing the fletching of the arrow to his cheek and taking aim at one of the mites in the tree branch and loosing it.
Drawing another arrow the young elf takes too quick an aim and looses another arrow this time at the next nearest mite.
Arilyth moves forward, her bow ready. However, she decides to inspire courage in her allies and begins singing the epic Elven tale of heroism, "Astaldrau", or "The Wolf of Astal".
All allies capable of hearing me receive a +1 morale bonus to saving throws against charm and fear effects, and a +1 competency bonus to weapon and damage rolls.
Hella moves forward spear in hand as Wolf moves up to Cerian to guard him.
Cerians first arrow reaches its mark and sticks making the mite in the branches flail wildly. but it manages to maintain its footing. The second arrow flies wide.
"Well, with fine shots like that, let's hope I don't embarrass myself with this one." Joining those in archery, Nedyr fires his own bow at the nearest mite. For now reserving his spells.
Hella moves up next to Cerian with her spear and Wolf waited for the mites to come towards them.
Round 1, Init 21: Aluxion
Aluxion moves closer to the mites for a better shot. The last one had been from a bit too far away for his tastes. He takes a shot at another mite in the tree, hoping to dislodge it.
Miri moves forward again, attempting to keep up with Aluxion on her stubby legs. She curses under her breath as she starts to fall behind.
"Gods above, would it have hurt to make my people taller?"
Darbi charges forward gleefully, excited for the chance to hunt.
Miri continues her forward momentum, stopping just a bit past the hunting cleric. Panting, she lifts her crossbow and takes harried aim at another mite ().
Mme. Pindles looks rather pleased with herself at her accuracy despite the distance, but frowns when the mite seems indifferent to the hit. They're gonna be tough, aren't they? Sigh....
She then calls out to Darbi. "Wait there, girl! Don't let them get to Cerian!"
Darbi settles herself alongside the elf man, looking slightly sad that her attack has been delayed.
After her move, Arilyth will take aim at the nearest mite and shoot at tgem with her bow.
Rodric, sword and shield in hand, advances to the front line and steadies himself for the mites.
As they begin to react the mites draw themselves up and begins to rush forward, their creepy laughter filling the air with delighted shrieks.
On her turn, Arilyth maintains her song, taking aim at the nearest mite and firing her bow.
Miri steps forward, feeling the spring in her step from Arilyth's song. She reloads her bow and takes aim at another of the giggling cretins. "You lot are the kind of thing that make me look bad," she whispers, almost as if encouraging the bow to hit.
Darbi growls, hearing the approach of the fiendish fey, but stays alongside Cerian as instructed.
Nedyr moves forward just a bit and fires at the same target Miri does, unless of course, it's dead, in which case he fires at another
"Well, there's a patch of ground that will never harm anyone again."
Round 2, Initiative 21. Aluxion:
Aluxion moves to the left, trying to get a clear shot. He is distracted by a sudden movement in the surrounding darkness, and ends up shooting Nedyr's arrow clean out of the air instead of attacking a mite.
Cerian with his friends and allies rapidly closing in, took the fight to the mites a bit more. He moved forward and drew another arrow taking aim and loosing at any mite in the tree climbing about (or the nearest one on the ground if they are all surface bound now.)
Hella and wolf moved closer holding their attacks should the mites close.
Two fall as the projectiles pummel them while their comrades ignore them, clambering over the roots with wild laughter intent on getting to the interlopers.
The gnome's face contorts in a grim smile as she sees two of the ugly creatures drop. "Let's finish this quickly," she calls to nearby Arilyth. "These things are giving me the creeps!"
Madame Pindles steps forward, reloads her bow, and takes aim at the mite she previously wounded, hoping to finish him off.
Darbi keeps in step with the elven man, leering at the approaching horde.
Round 3, Initiative 21: Aluxion
As the mite with the Light enchanted arrow in him goes down, Aluxion quickly takes aim at another of the mites still within range of the light. He continues moving around to the side of the group, treading carefully over the dark, hard-packed earth.