"Will one day be enough to gather intel ? What will happen if we attack and lose ? Not saying it's a bad idea, I just want to be sure we think of everything."
"Less than a day. Just tonight. We won't be able to gather much intel, but we'll have to make due."
"Lets not start doing 'what if's.' That'll get us nowhere. We need to take decisive action."
Grey, as usual, abstains from voting. Whenever they were brought to council he would offer clinical analysis if asked, but tended to differ to Hargren. He had indicated that if there was a tie, he would weigh in, but that had not actually happened in anyone's memory.
Caillus nods towards Simon. Agreed. The tale told by any survivors must be that we appeared, claimed the land, and defended it with conviction. If we discuss our options overlong, the only options left are what the enemy gives us.
He looks at the men and women around him approvingly. We not only want to enrich ourselves with their supplies, but to hamper them. Guerilla strikes and killing their scouts make a great start. We can effectively herd them away, buying the host time, and harry them until their size warrants an all-out assault. We scout by air tonight, and then those of us making the assault attack after dawn. Agreed?
"You're really convincing. Let's attack them, crush them and hear..oh well you know what I mean. Even if I think that's going to be more difficult than you think."
"I can track a little, but is anyone better at it?"
Either alone or with a companion Molly flies out and attempts to follow the bandits tracks back to their source while everyone else sleeps, etc. She's looking to figure out where they came from. They rode horses and made no attempt hide their tracks, so it shouldn't be incredibly difficult. In theory anyway.
Survival to track
"If we discuss our options insufficiently, the only options left are which carrion creatures consume our corpses."
"We do not pursue reckless personal glory here, we pursue the inevitable, implacable return of a nation-state devoted to the Lady of Runes & Mysteries and is not achieved by 'hareing' off after every that presumes to prick us!"
"We know of their capabilities, direction, intent, or numbers. It is a fine thing to act decisively, but do not mistake impatience for conviction, or prudence for indecision. At a bare minimum we need to gather what intelligence we can from the bodies."
"If we discuss our options insufficiently, the only options left are which carrion creatures consume our corpses."
"We do not pursue reckless personal glory here, we pursue the inevitable, implacable return of a nation-state devoted to the Lady of Runes & Mysteries and is not achieved by 'hareing' off after every that presumes to prick us!"
"We know of their capabilities, direction, intent, or numbers. It is a fine thing to act decisively, but do not mistake impatience for conviction, or prudence for indecision. At a bare minimum we need to gather what intelligence we can from the bodies."
"Then lets proceed while Molly scouts and gathers other much needed intel. We've got a few hours while we rest and regain spells. "
Perception to examine the various corpses
Various knowledges to try to glean information based on clues on the bodies.
Knowledge (arcana)
Knowledge (dungeoneering)
Knowledge (engineering)
Knowledge (geography)
Knowledge (history)
Knowledge (local)
Knowledge (nature)
Knowledge (nobility)
Knowledge (planes)
Knowledge (religion)
survival
Quiet, as is her wont, while others decide what to do, Taerine finally pipes up: "Thkrull can probably track the bandits. His nose is as strong as any hound's."
Quiet, as is her wont, while others decide what to do, Taerine finally pipes up: "Thkrull can probably track the bandits. His nose is as strong as any hound's."
"Could Thrull go with Molly?"
Taerine shakes her head.
"He can't fly, nor travel far from me. I'd have to go with them as well."
Taerine shakes her head.
"He can't fly, nor travel far from me. I'd have to go with them as well."
"In that case Molly can go alone. She's a competent tracker and can stay hidden. "
Denat joins with Simon and Arioch to examine the various corpses.
Denat joins with Simon and Arioch to examine the various corpses.
[dice=Perception]1d20+4
[dice=Knowledge (history)]1d20+14
[dice=Knowledge (arcana)]1d20+14
[dice=Knowledge (nature)]1d20+14
[dice=Survival, untrained]1d20-1
[dice=Knowledge (planes)]1d20+14
Grey returned having found and furnished quarters suitable for his master already, his current Whisper link with Taerine allowing him to keep tabs on most of the details of the conversation.
"If I may," he intoned. "The current vote of the inner circle is in favor of an attack as soon as we are able. If that is the course of action we are to pursue, I believe the most advantageous way of going about that end will be to wait one day."
"Tomorrow, Anglon will interrogate the spirit of Kressel and I will raise her and he archers as servants to our cause. In addition, I will probe her for the location potential valuables. If the most valuale things she is aware of are in that fortress, I may be able to render us a detailed map."
"Molly and Thrkull will have been able to scout a substantial portion of the surroundings, allowing Simon to create a serviceable map of the area, as well as a threat assessment."
"Once we have specific information about the forces we face, we will be better able to focus our preparations appropriately."
"To whit, a primarily aerial attack on the enemy stronghold at nightfall seems to be to our best advantage. Many of us have superior vision in darkness. An evening attack, rather than a morning attack, gives many advantages to us with no discernible negatives."
Grey returned having found and furnished quarters suitable for his master already, his current Whisper link with Taerine allowing him to keep tabs on most of the details of the conversation.
"If I may," he intoned. "The current vote of the inner circle is in favor of an attack as soon as we are able. If that is the course of action we are to pursue, I believe the most advantageous way of going about that end will be to wait one day."
"Tomorrow, Anglon will interrogate the spirit of Kressel and I will raise her and he archers as servants to our cause. In addition, I will probe her for the location potential valuables. If the most valuale things she is aware of are in that fortress, I may be able to render us a detailed map."
"Molly and Thrkull will have been able to scout a substantial portion of the surroundings, allowing Simon to create a serviceable map of the area, as well as a threat assessment."
"Once we have specific information about the forces we face, we will be better able to focus our preparations appropriately."
"To whit, a primarily aerial attack on the enemy stronghold at nightfall seems to be to our best advantage. Many of us have superior vision in darkness. An evening attack, rather than a morning attack, gives many advantages to us with no discernible negatives."
"Clinical, though accurate as usual Grey. All we really need is enough time to regain spells and do a little recon. "
Denat smiles.
"I only have one question left : how are we going to make an aerial attack ? I can't fly."
"Have we figured out what we're doing with these bodies? I don't seem to have to components to raise them. I could try and speak to one of them, but the results might not be so great. We did kill them after all."
"Have we figured out what we're doing with these bodies? I don't seem to have to components to raise them. I could try and speak to one of them, but the results might not be so great. We did kill them after all."
"If they're of no use then Legion can bury them away from the fort. The remains will remain viable for raising for some time if we change our minds. "
"Ambasador Garess says the body we found in the midden is one of the adventurers previously 'commissioned' by Restov to 'Civilize' this land. You might try talking with her rather than the Kressle woman."
"Have we figured out what we're doing with these bodies? I don't seem to have to components to raise them. I could try and speak to one of them, but the results might not be so great. We did kill them after all."
"I do." Grey says simply. "Divine magics are more efficient at raising undead, which is why I requested your aid. I will prepare the bodies. In the morning, pray for a casting of Desecrate and of Animate. You may wish to chose a room to dedicate as an alter to Lissala. If you wish, I can help you to furnish it to a more proper place of worship."
"Can't we just send the dead things to deal with the bandits? I don't really want to fight if we don't have to..." Taerine says, causing an extravagant roll of his eyes and a disgusted snort from her eidolon.
Simon is leaving the undead raising to the others. He'll do a few chores then head Bed. He's got a Ring of sustenance, so he doesn't sleep much.
Denat doesn't plan to cast any spells but he will join those who want to speak with Seelah or Kressle.
Horrified by the events of the day and the end of her life as a student, Taerine will dismiss Thkrull and find a place to sleep.
Anglon spends a little time getting to know his new 'home' and mends and broken parts he can see, then turns in for the night.
Caillus cast a few spells before helping assign watches and catching his rest.
Caillus cast a few spells before helping assign watches and catching his rest.
That's a good idea. Simon will join you and assist. Casting levitate on himself.
Perception
Having convinced the others that acquiring more intelligence before attempting a military action against the Bandits, Arioch once more plys Kesten Garress for information regarding those who once promised themselves to Brevoy's cause.
wit,
for spite. After several decades under Hell's heel, Chellish wit tends to be biting & acerbic...
and is to other Chelaxians!"
"No more japery, I promise. You say there was a wizard among the forces arrayed 'gainst this 'hold? Was he the only one, or did you notice any others lightly garbed? Of the bandits themselves did you notice any that might be considered aught but militant rabble? Your earlier words lead me to conclude several dozen all told, am I overestimating or under?"
Grey rarely slept. He had some means of not needing it, apparently. He also rarely stopped working.
At any given hour he could be found roaming the halls, flanked by two or three floating books, ink pots and pens, directing his army of unseen servants in their efforts to renovate the seized fort and taking copious notes.
By morning, the entire place would be cleaner than it had ever been, rooms would be furnished with what was available, a basic chapel would be built, Grey would have a full inventory of everything within the walls down to a count of the number of bricks used to build them, and breakfast would be cooked and waiting for his brothers and sisters.
Their plan decided the various Runelords cast a few final spells and retired for the night. Exactly what they're plans are historians no longer know, but the evidence they led behind tells us what they planned - and what they learned.
Caillus and Simon each took a shift in the air, one before sunset and one after. From that they learned the rough lay of the land. To whit -
"To the north, and east the land is grassland and plains for miles in each direction. To the south the land turns hillier. To the west is the edge of endless forest. A rough road into Brevoy leads north and another east. Mountains can be seen far to the south east. There appears to be the lights of a small community to the southeast. Other than that no lights can be seen."
We know from Ambassador Garess' report that Arioch's conversation with him took some time but bore fruit - a list of names of those who were present. A ramshackle group - or one cleverly picked to cover all contingencies. In addition to Seelah there was Amiri, Lem, Kyra, Lini, Valeros, Sajan, Harsk, Merisiel, Seoni, Ezren, Seltyiel, Alahazra, Balazar, Imrijka and Feiya.
Yes - you are fighting the Evil Iconics! It's an homage :P. Kesten can pass along basic information - mostly class, race and (former) alignment.
Around four in the morning Molly returned, having tracked the fleeing bandits. The bandits had been slowed by a cart which also left fairly clear tracks. They had travelled south west, then turned west to camp in the forest. They were currently 24 miles to the southwest. When she came in for a closer look a dwarven scout had almost hit her with a crossbow bolt larger than she was.
In the pre-dawn light the Runelord of Enchantment consecrated a small chapel - one that still stands today - and at Grey's behest he rent asunder the barrier between life and death.
cost for desecrate and animate as per normal, Grey (including unholy water).
Anglon, pick 20 HD of undead to animate. If you want them to go with you I suggest they need to be fast and that you state so now. I believe Grey wants Kressle's body - or at least her skin.
Exactly what the two questions asked of Seelah were is still a subject of conjecture today.
what were they?
Sunrise revealed the grim group ready for rapid pursit.
"So what do we need to know from this Seelah woman?" Taerine asks. "It sounds like there are a lot more of them than there are of us, even with Grey's ... helpers."
"How far is our destination?" Grey asked Molly
"The bandits are camped 24 miles that way." She indicates.
"Are we going to talk about it all day or head out?"
Simon casts mount and prepares to head out.
The Runelords head straight for the bandits. The forest - which had looked only a few miles away - is revealed to be nearly ten miles away.
The sun is just rising when the group halts momentarily at the wall of trees that demarcates the boundary of the forest. Soaring high into the sky the massive trunks of the primeval trees stand immovable and apaprently eternal.
Within the forest the rising sun is obscured, filtering down through leaves far overhead.