"I believe trapping them inside the walls may be more beneficial, even with the risks involved. If we trap them inside the walls they may be more inclined to surrender outright, especially if they're outnumbered. To be honest, I'd prefer to keep the bandits alive if at all possible. They can point us toward their camp and they may have other useful information." Her gaze settles on her silver holy symbol that she has been fidgeting with. "Let's at least hope that they're smart enough to know when they're beaten."
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I am not worried about food or water, the well supplies plenty of water and we have a few gardens, let alone hunting. The gate works pretty well, you may want to look at it and see if you can improve it tonight. It has three doors, two massive ones that open inwards, and the walk door which is in one of the massive doors. Svetlana can open the large one with a good amount of effort. There are no other exits that I know of, but then we have been focusing on protection and food not retreat. Oleg says solemnly.
Kevros nods and replies to Masota in utmost respect, "I disagree, outposts and fortifications are meant to keep invaders out, not let them in. You let them in, they can destroy property, have closer access to your veins, and steal. Leaving the gate open until they are right on us, then slamming and securing it in their face allows for us to rain matches on them while they figure out what is going on. As for keeping them alive, remember what the charter states about bandits, they must all die. In addition, we have Stalker who can track them back to their camp whether they are dead or alive." ... Kevros pauses ... "Oleg, do you have any oil?" ... Kevros pauses again ... "We shouldn't take hours and hours coming up with a plan to repel the raiders. How about this? What do you prefer Oleg, let them in and surprise them risking more bodily harm and damage or keep them outside the walls reducing the chances for damage and bodily injury?.
Angeus walks up to the discussion "I agree with Masota, we're not talking about an army here but a handful of bandits. Put a arrow in a couple, the others will probably surrender and then we have a source of information. Plus, I believe you're not remembering the charter properly, Kevros. I believe it states that unrepentant bandits get the sword or noose; we are duty-bound to allow, nay even encourage, those that wish to surrender peacefully and repent their actions. "
Kevros laughs and then asks Oleg, "Oleg, do the bandits seem repentant to you and how many times have they come to apologize and give back what they have taken?" ... Kevros pauses then adds ... "I guess the only repentant thing the bandits have done is let Oleg and Svetlana live to terrorize them again another day." ... Kevros sighs and adds ... "Ok, I don't count someone repenting under duress as being repentant. Now if one or more come walking up to the main gate this very movement, with hands high in the air to give everything back, including some labor to help restore this outpost, that is repenting! Shooting a couple of arrows in a few and them surrendering is subduing, not repenting unless Masota detects they are not evil."
Kevros responds with Olegs wishes in mind, "There you have it, this is not our outpost or keep and we should respect our host. We keep the fight outside the walls" ... "Oleg, do you have enough oil to use in our repel or do you prefer we do not use the oil as well?" ... "I am sure there will be survivors to interrogate but I am not going to stop shooting until they are either unconscious or surrender. So yes, I will show quarter to those who surrender."
"Well I think what Angeus is getting at is if they encounter resistence. One or more may flee for reinforcements. Then while we may be able to follow or track we walk into an alert enemy. I suggest we get them where we can potentially prevent them from raising alarm. Because kicking a few today brings more we want the woman with the hatchets and her gruff friend."
True, but that is why I and the dragon will be waiting in the tree line or under foliage. Stalker pronounces with confidence.
"Well I think what Angeus is getting at is if they encounter resistence. One or more may flee for reinforcements. Then while we may be able to follow or track we walk into an alert enemy. I suggest we get them where we can potentially prevent them from raising alarm. Because kicking a few today brings more we want the woman with the hatchets and her gruff friend."
"That's a good point Quince, but not quite what I was trying to get across. If we let them saunter into the courtyard as I'm sure they will, we'll have them almost entirely surrounded. " Angeus says, turning to Kevros "What you say is fair, Kevros. That is all I was trying to make clear; if they surrender we treat them fairly, if they resist...well they will have made their choice."
Quince looks about at those talking. "I think we are expecting bandits to behave like soldiers. But they are not. They prey on what they can. Close those gates and shoot from cover and they will scatter to return in force. Stalker you and the dragon I have no doubt can chase down some but I am not sure all. Those you chase give cover for those that continue to flee. They will then rally their fellows and return." Quince motions to Kevros walking the grounds. "In which case I think Kevros' your plans might come in very handy." He sighs, "We are a small force as are they if they hold to their pattern." He points to the wagon and other crates and other movable objects. "If we prepare the courtyard, put those who are not combatants in the interior buildings in hiding. We then can have them lured in we can close the door and unleash hell on them with far less opportunity for them to flee. We control their movements, we can follow their trail back to the leaders at our pace with little chance that they are aware that are on to them." Quince pauses a moment, "That is my council I will back whatever plan carries however. I can man the wall with my crossbow."
Kevros nods his head in agreement with Angeus and Quince, "We have to be quick so nothing is destroyed or reimburse Oleg for damages if we need them all or most of the bandits within the walls. How about this? I will be on the gated side on the parapet walkway, hiding of course. Once the bandits enter the courtyard and hopefully they enter all at once with only a couple of stragglers at most. Two people close the doors to secure them, Masota can ride her horse to help secure the gate while every one either shoots down on them or enters melee, or they surrender. Stalker will be on the Drake to catch the stragglers, support from above, or anyone trying to scale the walls. We need to be quick so our enemies do not get away, so little or no damage is done, or they are totally surprised, they surrender."
Since ranged combat is not really his forte, S'ala offers to help close the trap and mop up in hand to hand after the initial salvo. He agrees that any that surrender should be spared.
Quince looks about. "Who is most comfortable up close? They will need to work with S'ala to close, and secure the gate. I can do that or I can man a ranged post. Once we have a count on who will be working at range we can set up a few points well hidden that give cover and are well spread out." He looks to Oleg, "Are you know by the scoundrels to have visitors or will someone in the open with you raise a great deal of suspicion?"
"So it is decided to let the brigands in the walls and surprise them. This One shall close the gate to trap them in the center of the palisade. What preparations are needed tonight to ensure the plans works smoothly?" S'ala asks. He will work as hard as necessary to ready the defenses. If there is nothing else to do, he will seek a quiet place to meditate on the coming day's battle.
Kevros quickly speaks after S'ala, S'ala is one of the gate keepers, who else is going to be a gate keeper? ... Quince and I are range ... Stalker's best shooting position is from the drake and roving ... We need more melee!"
"Well you have my blade, do you want me shooting first though or just in the thick of it?"
Quince adds, "I am as good with my mace as I am with my crossbow, I can work with S'ala or remain at range."
"I also am equally useful at range or at close quarters. My skills are best when attacking from hiding at first though. I suggest that I conceal myself in the wagon , fire my crossbow then engage with my rapier. " Angeus says walking around the courtyard.
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The group comes to final decisions that you will let the bandits into the outpost. Each of you tell the group what your role will be in the coming battle and there are three more rooms available.
If you have not posted what your character is planning on doing yet, please do so.
Who will take the rooms?
Stalker or Quince would likely tell the group that you have about a full nights rest before dawn, and that we should turn in soon.
Please move your characters for where they will be staying the night.
If nothing else I will move things forward to waking up/dawn.
Quince makes rounds to those not in the initial planning, Asking where they feel most comfortable, including Oleg and the others who are traveling with them. "I can take first watch. Kevros I'll wake you in couple hours. "
Looking up from where she was cleaning her crossbow, Angeus says "I will take the watch after you Kevros."
Kevros nods to his watch assignment for he is used to watch so he does not speak up about his appointed assignment. And he is not too concern with the hours because his watch is still early enough to get a decent amount of sleep unless the stuff hits the fan, "Very well Quince, and I will wake you up in 4 hours Angeus."
If it is warm outside, Kevros will sleep on the right facing outward main gate side, siege weapon tower. During his watch, he will walk the palisade parapet walkway but keep low to help mitigate sniper hits and detection. In addition, he will remain alert and keep his head on a swivel.
If it is too cold outside, he will sleep in any quarters that Oleg or Svetlana give him. Although, he may balk a little if he has to sleep in the stables and they are extra pungent.
"This one will take the dawn watch and will rouse everyone prior to the sunrise so preparations for the ambush can begin." S'ala will take a bed if one is left available, if not, he will sleep in the wagon bed. He should be used to dormitory-like sleeping rooms.
During his watch, he'll do similar to Kevros watching from the palisade. Two hours prior to the expected arrival time he will begin to rouse the rest of the troops.
Kevros is sitting down on top of the tower where he slept to remain out of sight.
After waking the others, S'ala took up a position near the gate, under the palisade walk-way. From his position he would be concealed behind the gates when opened and close enough to immediately shut them once the firing begins.
S'ala indicats to the rest, that someone should send up a shrill whistle when he is to shut the gate, as his vision may be blocked.
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Oleg came out early and set out coin bags, furs, and other trade goods as S'ala was waking everyone.
The dawn has come and a few riders have come up to the outpost, they coarsely curse and rag on each other, appearing to think themselves highly. There are five of them.
One has entered in ahead of his group. Two following him and two more behind them. Do you spring the trap now or wait?
Rolling Initiative, when someone acts, that will be the start of the surprise round.
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Does anyone make a shrill whistle? Please answer, then give me any readied actions.
Surprise/Out of Rounds
24 Angeus’s Initiative Check
23 Kevros’s Initiative Check
22 S’ala’s Initiative Check
14 Stalker’s Initiative Check
11 Quince’s Initiative Check
10 Masota’s Initiative Check
9 Enemy 2
5 Saren’s Initiative Check
2 Enemy 1
0 Baggs
-1 Enemy 4
-7 Enemy 3
Everyone see spoiler for how you
{spoiler=Vital Stats/Skills] HP: 12/12, - AC: 16/T: 13/FF: 13 – Perception +7 (+9 vs. humans) - Initiative: +5 - F: +3 / R: +5/ W: +1 - CMB: +3 - CMD: 16, Speed: 30[/spoiler}
Under Classes/Levels:
{spoiler=Other Skills] Acrobatics +6, Bluff -1 (+1 vs. humans), Climb +5, Escape Artist +2, Fly +2, Handle Animal +3, Ride +6, Sense Motive +2 (+4 vs. humans), Stealth +6, Survival +6 (+8 vs. humans, +7 to track), Swim +1 [/spoiler}
When the last two bandits are inside the arc of the gate, Angeus will attack the lead bandit with her crossbow and blow her signal whistle.
Attack
Damage
The night is silent, and S'ala wakes everyone before the sun begins to rise. Everyone place your markers where you are ready to ambush.
Whoever is on the palisade keeping a look out I need a perception check.
You should be awake and in place of your choice when the riders come.
ready action until he hears the whistle then close the gate
S'ala is ready to close the gate when teh whistle blows. Do you need any rolls for that?
Kevros being a crossbowman is always halfway readied for an action. One the signal is given, he will make a 5ft move if necessary for the best position and fire at the apparent leader.
Quince has his crossbow at the ready. Hiding behind crates on the wall, waiting for the signal. As the signal whistle blows and the first shots are fired he thinks to himself.