Yup.
Camillo turns to their new 'friend' and says, "You know, it's just occurred to me that your friends are not going to be happy with us having a peaceful conversation, are they? I mean, they will be more angry with you for speaking to me than they are already with me. If they thought you were a hostage, you would probably be safer - otherwise, they will probably try to kill you first, am I right?"
Its clear that the man's face is starting to get a bit confused as his inner mental dialogue struggles to parse the enchanted logic, I...uh...yeah I guess
Great! Let's get going! Pinocchio chirps.
Kithian grins and pats the man on the back as he quickly ties his "hostage's" hands securely.
I have dark vision so I am good
Stealth:
Perception :
With prisoner in tow the group opts to push on into the forest, the light fading fast. It takes a few hours to traverse the woods but even with a new'y noncompliant cultist in tow the group notes a fire off in the distance. Approaching within 200 feet the party manages to shield itself from detection save Kithian who seems unconcerned both with where he is going or what he is looking for.
Sudden hushed exchanges at the campsite causes the group to pause as they note at least two people at the fire looking out into the darkness in their general direction. While two multi-person tents frame the forest behind the sentinels. For now the group is undetected but the guards are looking in earnest...
Vidar quickly retrieves a magical item he had not previously used, his wand of silent image.
Using it he whips up the image of an elk, which he allows to move close enough to the light to be spotted, before allowing it to bolt away again.
Without interacting with it, they can't be sure it's an illusion, and since they already heard it, they should not realize it made no sound afterwards...
Camillo taps Kithian on the shoulder and motions for him to circle the campsite to the right and enter from another side.
The half-orc archer indicates that he will circle to the left and provide covering fire.
Camillo and the others tuck down and wait for the fireworks to begin.
Vidar may be surprised when his elk does indeed make noise! The underbrush whispers and swishes briefly as it darts. Pinnochio lowers his hand and winks up at his fellow mage.
Framed in the light the more narrow of the two can be seen lifting a finger in the direction of the deer and hitting the arm or the other sentinel. Jutmerlum's movements are quiet as he moves one direction...
Releasing a breath he had not realized he was holding, Vidar allows himself a small smile and a returning wink to Pinocchio.
As always, cleaning up a mess created by that huge galoot.
Despite his thoughts, there is no real malice directed at the man he does consider a friend, though he would most likely never admit it.
Camillo smiles and nods at the ingenuity of his allies. Well played, both of you. He contents himself with staying low and out of sight and watching the camp, but only after drawing his dagger and holding it where the prisoner can see it clearly as he puts a finger to his lips.
Sayniek stands silently watching as the others move around. She knows that she is not the most stealthy, and sometimes doing nothing is the best option.
Stealth:
Still struggling to be light on hi toes Kithia circles around the other side. Regardless the guards seem to settle content that the noise around them is fauna and not some greater threat. Now the party is positioned much like a pincer with the bulk of the group center and the half-orcs off to either side...
It will be a slaughter...
Pinocchio concentrates and summons a spell to reduce the capability of an enemy spellcaster, but, as Vidar will probably notice, he alters several key components of the spell and forms it into a Ray, increasing its range.
Sayniek holds her breath, trying to not give away the group's position, but ready to move forward.
Quietly: I want to walk in and ask for surrender. You attack when they say no.
Camillo nods and whispers, "You are out of your mind, but I expected as much. Vidar, Pinocchio, can you use your magic to let the other two know?"
Pinocchio looks to Vidar, If I release this energy I will loose my spell. Can you cast the Message spell, Vidar?
Kithian crouched low out side the camp fire and readies his sword for a charge on anyone that poses more of a threat.
"If not, I'm sure they will figure out what's going on. Go on, armored lady."
Once everyone is in place, Sayniek nods and then begins to limp toward the camp. When she gets there, she does not draw her blade, although she keeps her shield on her arm, expecting it will be needed.
Evening folks. A group of your men attempted to attack our camp. I am sad to announce that most no longer live, one is a captive. I would ask you to lay down your blades. We have your camp surrounded and, having taken not a single wound of note in the last fight, are fully armed and prepared.
She pauses for a second:
You have until the count of six to drop your blades and surrender. When I get to six, well, I, as a paladin, can only keep my companions from rendering judgment for so long.
Diplomacy:
The guards startle at the sudden appearance of the small armored ploracle but seems to consider the words with actual concern.
One tilts his head to a tent and says, Boss?
There is a brief pause and then you can hear the words, Tell them I will be out to discuss terms. There is a sudden sharp bark of protest, presumably from a third voice that seems quickly shushed by the telltale sounds of fist on flesh...
One of the guards offers a hesitatnt smirk, Er uh...just a moment.
Juterlum shifts his position to have a view of the rear of the tent and readies to fire his bow if someone or something tries to sneak out.
"One..."
From his position in the darkness, Vidar's face slowly morphs into something cold and deadly as he begins to quietly count down.
Pinocchio holds his spell and waits for the fireworks.
ONE . . . Oh, and armor will only slow your reflexes versus my friends who like to start their questions with a fireball. . . . TWO . . . She looks around at the guards, easily seeing them with her dark vision. Might be a good time to drop those weapons.
Although holding only her shield and standing among multiple armed enemies, the small plate mail bedecked ploracle does not exude any concern that those facing her are of a threat of any note.
Mmh, warning the enemy of a viable tactic might not be the best thing to do...
"Three..."
There is a shuffling sound and a bit more chaos as the voice of the "boss" calls from the tent, Put the bows down.
The two guards warily do so as they eye the paladin. The tent flap then whips open as a bound body is thrown from the tent with a grunt, proceeded by a man with long slick backed black hair and a sharp v shaped beard. His robes and number of pouches mark him as a wizard.
The man stands in the colder night air and pushes his hair back as he sighs, How about you take the fanatic here. I go home with the losses stated and profits posted and we call it a day?
I hate it when the enemy become all reasonable, sensible and capable of judging the odds correctly.
Well, to be perfectly honest, I only truly dislike it when the enemy possesses something I was very much hoping to retrieve from their charred corpses....
Ah, but I must see the brightness at the end of this dismal tunnel of sensibility, he did call them fanatics, and such are unlikely to surrender quietly.
Pinnochio focuses on his target and waits for him or anyone near him to do something stupid.
