Felicity nods in agreement with Locke. We will leave at first light. It will provide time for all to recover.
Locke nods. "I agree with Felicity here."
Shi'Vatha scratches his nose. "I'll go ahead and leave tonight, I don't need sleep, and I can travel in darkness much better than daylight usually. I'll try to do some scouting and see what I can find out, so you will have better information when you arrive."
Shandril perks up after hearing Shi'Vatha volunteering to go ahead. "Thank you so much. May the blessing of Freya be with you." With that, she turns around and heads back to her temple.
Locke will rest for a few minutes, sitting down and responding to anyone who approaches him, but he obviously not accustomed to social situations. After about an hour or so, some bread, and a little water, Locke gets back up again and helps with the rebuilding effort.
He's a tireless worker, and only stops and goes to the inn when the workers insist that he take a rest.
And even there, he doesn't stop working. Whether he has to pay or not, he insists on helping the barmaids with washing up and cooking-he's surprisingly good at both-and shoots dirty looks at the people drinking their troubles away, or laughing and grabbing asses.
Perhaps the most surprising of them all is the lack of lechery from Locke, and he is extremely courteous to the barmaids.
Shi doesn't bother cleaning up, as the smeared soot and dirt will make it easier to sneak through the woods anyway.
Once the conversation is done, he gets with them and a map, and works out 3 locations to meet up.
Then he heads out toward the keep they are going to. He sneaks through the woods, avoiding trails whenever possible.
Echane, curious about the newcomer and his animal friend, follows Locke at a respectful distance to observe him. When he goes to the inn she finds a good sample group to compare against him, and finds the locals a bit less.. courteous than Locke. She would have to ask him why he was different later on when he wasn't busy. if that time ever came.
Shi doesn't bother cleaning up, as the smeared soot and dirt will make it easier to sneak through the woods anyway.
Once the conversation is done, he gets with them and a map, and works out 3 locations to meet up.
Then he heads out toward the keep they are going to. He sneaks through the woods, avoiding trails whenever possible.
Locke will rest for a few minutes, sitting down and responding to anyone who approaches him, but he obviously not accustomed to social situations. After about an hour or so, some bread, and a little water, Locke gets back up again and helps with the rebuilding effort.
He's a tireless worker, and only stops and goes to the inn when the workers insist that he take a rest.
And even there, he doesn't stop working. Whether he has to pay or not, he insists on helping the barmaids with washing up and cooking-he's surprisingly good at both-and shoots dirty looks at the people drinking their troubles away, or laughing and grabbing asses.
Perhaps the most surprising of them all is the lack of lechery from Locke, and he is extremely courteous to the barmaids.
You do get a few odd looks from people, but mostly thanks. For your efforts, the barkeep makes sure that you rest at least a little between cleanups, and she offers you and extra bowl of stew, some cooked rabbit, and a mug of her 'top shelf' ale, at no cost.
Selene will help out when she is asked, but will otherwise stay out of the way. She'll say something about where to meet
On one of his ten-minute breaks, Locke heads out and begins voraciously eating his delicious stew. Upon noticing Echane, he gives a nod and says "Hail, Echane," then continues eating his stew.
Shi'Vatha pulls out the map, looks it over, and then points to 3 spots. "These are isolated, but easily found, areas near the keep. The first is this one." He points to a point south of the keep, near the old road, but not on it. "If I'm not here when you get there, continue on to point 2." He moves his finger over again, to a second place in the woods to the south of the keep. "If I'm not there, then move on to point 3." He indicates a spot east of the keep, requiring the group to move around the keep in a big circle. "I'll be at one of those three places. If you don't find me at any of them, wait at 3 for 24 hours, and if I still haven't shown up, I'm likely dead or captured."
[dice=Perception #1]1d20+4
[dice=Perception #2]1d20+4
Shi'Vatha pulls out the map, looks it over, and then points to 3 spots. "These are isolated, but easily found, areas near the keep. The first is this one." He points to a point south of the keep, near the old road, but not on it. "If I'm not here when you get there, continue on to point 2." He moves his finger over again, to a second place in the woods to the south of the keep. "If I'm not there, then move on to point 3." He indicates a spot east of the keep, requiring the group to move around the keep in a big circle. "I'll be at one of those three places. If you don't find me at any of them, wait at 3 for 24 hours, and if I still haven't shown up, I'm likely dead or captured."
[dice=Perception]1d20+13
"Would it be easier to just meet you at point 2? If there are orcs in the area, we might get spotted if we come around to the east. Just a thought."
"Possibly, you are a lot noisier in the woods than I am. I suggest you come from off road to point 2, not down the road. It'll take you longer, but you won't be as noticeable."
Shi will scout around the keep at 1/2 mile, keeping to shadows, etc. He's looking for signs of the orcs.
On one of his ten-minute breaks, Locke heads out and begins voraciously eating his delicious stew. Upon noticing Echane, he gives a nod and says "Hail, Echane," then continues eating his stew.
"Like the weather? I did not expect it to get that cold today." She replies, sitting nearby.
Shi will encircle the keep, looking for breeches in the walls, or other entry points. He'll also attempt to get a view into the keep, if possible. He'll stay in the bushes as he does so. He should have at least a day before the others arrive, so he'll sneak closer to the wall at night, again staying in the bushes and belly crawling if he has to. He'll roll around in mud before he goes, to hide his white fur, obviously.
** spoiler omitted **
E->N->W->S
Shi tries to watch the orcs for an hour, and see if they seem to be guarding something in the tower, or if they're just using it as a base. He also tries to see if there's a lock on the door on the outside (indicating it's being used as a prison, rather than a base).
Once he's done, he moves on to the next area.
Felicity is continuing to sneak through the woods.
Echane will follow her fellow unit's example as best she can.
** spoiler omitted **
OK everyone (other than Shi'Vatha), you have made it to the rally point successfully. You can hear 'people' (i.e. orcs) moving around in your area, but so far, you have not been spotted. It is mid-morning, but Shi has not yet returned. What are your actions?
Sticking to the plan, Felicity will sit and begin silently waiting for Shi'Vatha's return.
Shi will go to the rally point at that point, and wait for the others (or meet up with them if they are already there)
Shi sneaks into the rally point.
Once he's in the middle of everyone, he pulls out a horseradish root, and gnaws on it idly until someone realizes he's snuck into their midst. Then he grins lopsidedly and swallows. "Good thing I'm not an orc..." He says in a soft voice with mirth. "The orcs are all at the old tower." He points toward the tower. "Near as I can tell, they aren't using the fort at all. But there could be something in the fort. I didn't see a way in, the porcullis is down and rusted shut. But the orcs are all at that tower, can't tell if they're guarding the tower, or just using the area as a bivouac. It is defensible, but it's also a trap, in that they can't easily get out of it either. I could possibly sneak into it by climbing the opposite side from the opening they're using, hit them from there as everyone else attacks through the opening. Or we could snipe them with arrows through the opening, and put a couple of people on either side of the opening to deal with anyone that charges out. Ideas people?" He draws a rough map in the dirt, to show the keep, the tower, and then the insides of the tower and the orc positions.
Locke nods, and says, "Flanking is often an effective tactic-I agree with your first plan, Shi'vatha."
Given that the orcs have darkvision, and some of our people do not, I think daylight is, unfortunately, the better time to attack.
Shi will sneak out ahead of time (about 10 minutes early) and try to find a way to climb up the back of the tower. If he can't, he'll sneak back around to join in on the frontal assault.
OK, Shi. Give me 2 Perception checks to see if you can find a place that isn't crawling with orcs.
What will everyone else do in preparation of charging the castle?
Locke will sharpen his anachronistic sword, and go through all the different moves he has seen.
** spoiler omitted **
Let me see a Stealth check there, Shi.
Shi sneaks up on the drunk guard, laces his shoes together, draws 'Kick Me' on his back, and then draws a target on his forehead when he temporarily dozes off.
[dice=Stealth]1d20+14
Shi sneaks up on the drunk guard, laces his shoes together, draws 'Kick Me' on his back, and then draws a target on his forehead when he temporarily dozes off.
You are a cruel and wicked creature, Shi. That being said, the orc is apparently so out of it that it wouldn't even notice if it were dead for at least a minute.
Go ahead and roll a climb check then, DC 13 for the instability of the wall.
Other than Locke, is anyone doing anything else?
The first attempt to start up the wall doesn't go so well, and Shi can't find a purchase. Moving a couple of feet away, he starts up again, and finds a solid place to climb.
Shi sneaks down to hide where he can charge out to flank with the rest of the party when they attack. If he notices anything that would make it suicide to attack, he will instead race out of the fortress, raising as much noise as possible and lead the danger away, so the others don't attack and commit suicide.