Turning from his contemplation of the Colossal flora before them to his companion, Arioch replies. "We could, yes."
"If we had time, which the inhabitants are unlikely to allow us."
"If we were unconcerned about the potential damage to our goal, as any damage to the 'structure' will almost unavoidably affect what is within."
"If we had fuel, which I must apologize I did not think to bring along. A most grievous lack of foresight on my part & I do apologize." Turning back to once more contemplate the colossus before them, he mused idly. "Of course, any attempt on our part to ignite this towering edifice would undoubtedly draw out more of the defenders, which is only to our benefit."
"Stealth mission? How big is this statue anyway?"
"They're Mites, I rather doubt they could have carried off anything even as large as one of us." Arioch replies before turning to Pikmik. "חבר שלי, כמה גדול הוא האליל?"
That begs the question: Who among us is the best at getting in and getting out undetected? At bare minimum we could gather some intel."
Molly crouches down on Simons shoulder and moves slightly behind his neck attempting to remain unseen.
Stealth if necessary
"I don't think any of us should go in alone," Taerine says nervously.
Pikmik puts a hand just over his head and says
"Is very big. About this big."
Zekat jumps out of his bag and yawns.
I don't even want to go near wasps as big as that.. I'm an urban familiar, not a spy.. but I can try...
Looking over to see Grey Quietly creating his wasps Simon grins wickedly.
"Who has ranged attacks?"
While the others discussed tactics, Grey had been busy. In short order Legion had dragged them into two piles and grey had opened a scroll case made of finely carved bone.
Twice he cut his hand and anointing each wasp corpse with his own blood before speaking an incantation that brought the wasps back from the dead.
They buzzed angrily, wings twitching and mandibles flaring.
Their eyes burned from within and the wounds that killed them spewed ichor until they were little more than empty, terrible husks.
"That'll certainly make getting around easier. " Simon continues. "I have a flaming sphere and my firearm as far as ranged weapons go. Anyone have an idea that involved air superiority?"
"That'll certainly make getting around easier. " Simon continues. "I have a flaming sphere and my firearm as far as ranged weapons go. Anyone have an idea that involved air superiority?"
"Actually, they're kinda small to ride. We could use them to attack or cause a diversion long enough for someone to take the statue. "
'We seem Ill prepared. Lets back far off and make camp for the night. I'll send Molly to scout a few hours and meet up with us. She's a bird in the woods, I doubt that even if they see her they'll make anything of it. "
"Won't they know we're coming now? I don't think we should give them time to get ready. If we have to do this, let's get it over with," Taerine says unhappily.
"This is why democracy doesn't work. Ok, how about this. Most of us cause a distraction in the form of mass murder while one or two stealthy move to steal the statue? I have a potion of fly if that person needs an escape plan. If the combat force can kill them
All great. Else we have a backup plan. I Bet the undead bees could be useful in carrying away the statue. "
"Democracy is the act of putting wolves and sheep in the same room to decide what to have for dinner." Grey intoned disdainfully.
"The first order of business is to find their escape routes. No matter what we do, if they are able to flee, they will plague us. The Fae have long memories and devious minds."
"There will be one atop the tree. There may be another coming out of the ground nearby."
"Well, Molly and the bees could carry the statue away. Not sure how stealthy the bees are, but at least they can fly. Just a thought if we're going for the split our forces idea. Once we draw the force away if they leave the statue our flying force can fly in and spirit it away. Just a thought. "
The statue is a secondary objective, and will be easily retrieved once the Mites are dead. As Arioch so aptly put, Mites make bad neighbors. We are here to kill them. The statue and the potential alliance with the Sootscale Kobolds is merely an added benefit to something we were going to have to do regardless."
The statue is a secondary objective, and will be easily retrieved once the Mites are dead. As Arioch so aptly put, Mites make bad neighbors. We are here to kill them. The statue and the potential alliance with the Sootscale Kobolds is merely an added benefit to something we were going to have to do regardless."
"Fair enough. Murder them all then. "
Denat listens to the discussion for a while before speaking softly.
"I agree with Grey."
"Molly, do a quick sweep around the perimeter. Look for good entry points for a small team. As usual, don't get close enough to get yourself in trouble. "
Molly nods and flies off. She'll stay in the tree line, but otherwise circle the place looking for means of ingress.
Stealth
perception
Molly keeps her distance.
A nest of wasps has colonized the upper branches of the enormous tree. 2 mite-ridden wasps seem to be on patrol. One spots Molly, but discounts her presence.
It takes a little while, but Molly sees a mite scampering down the tree and into a hole in the ground under one of the tree's enormous roots.
The ground around this part of the tree is strewn with bones.
At the moment Molly is too high to see much more - roots wind around the area. Does she go closer, or report?
After a period of time Molly flies back to the group to report.
"Nest of wasps in the upper branches. 2 mites on wasps are on patrol. I did see one of the mites go down a hole under one of the roots. There were bones around the hole. I thought it was strange, but possibly a secret entrance or something. "
"Doesn't seem that secret if there were bones strewn about. Of course, they could be counting on their reputation to dissuade intruders." Arioch muses.
"Doesn't seem that secret if there were bones strewn about. Of course, they could be counting on their reputation to dissuade intruders." Arioch muses.
"The bones may be a deterrent or there could be something in there. If we're going that way it's a risk we take."
"so to the hole or does someone have a better plan?"
"We should keep an eye out for more wasps to come out of the hive as we get closer."
"We go closer, kill the wasps and then go to the hole ?"
"Sounds good to me. I'll draw 'em out, and you all take care of 'em," Thkrull growls, beginning to stalk forward.
"Sounds good to me. I'll draw 'em out, and you all take care of 'em," Thkrull growls, beginning to stalk forward.
"As solid of a plan as any." Molly replies
"We're off then."
Simon heads toward the hole.
Denat swaps his bec de corbin for his light crossbow and reloads it.
** spoiler omitted **
Inits
As the Runelords approach the tree it suddenly comes alive with wasps! Giant wasps pour out upon the intruders, and thick swarms of smaller wasp start swarming into dangerous - if much slower - clouds.
Within seconds the giant wasps fly down upon the Runelords, swooping in on the highest intruders - Grey's animated servants. The wasps on both sides fight viciously.
3 damage to 1 bee. 6 to another. 1 to a third.
Denat swings his weapon, hoping to hit the wasp hovering over Anglon's head.
Denat swings - and hits!
Anglon swings his weapon, hoping to hit the wasp hovering over his head.
...and misses!
Rd1
Simon draws and fires at a larger wasp
Ranged touch "Kindness"
Molly delays her action and draws closer to Simon
Taerine, more concerned about protecting herself, jabs nervously at any bees that come near.