Ixiomar regards his fellow wizard with a look of curiosity followed by a look of mischievous delight.
"Perhaps we can do better than a mere tree for defenses. I've heard, Master Brandt, that you are an engineer of some skill. Is it possible to create some cleverly hidden pitfall traps, and possibly a concealed baracade, that we would be able to maneuver around but would catch unsuspecting opponents, especially ones who have been to the site before, completely by suprise? If so, I'd be more than happy to pitch in whatever help I can. While I don't know much about construction, I'm eager to learn"
Argus looks at the cave entrance and does a quick survey of the ceiling, checking for smoke channels and the like to see how the smoke from a fire would form and raise. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary he says A small fire of extremely dry wood should be fine if kept inside the cave after we obscure the entrance. The dry wood will not give much smoke and the light will not be visible after the entrance is covered. As for the entrance a natural blind would be the best idea using the tree and some other materials.
Constructing a baracade is possible however consealing it would be difficult. Brandt understands the concept of traps but the trigger mechanisms have always eluded his understanding.
Pike is correct about the fire.
Gundahar frowns at Ixiomar's lack of understanding, "As an engineer I excel at drawing up blueprints, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of existing structures and provide expert advice regarding future construction projects. I do NOT sully my hands with the menial tasks involved in actually executing my blueprints."
Ixiomar looks back at Brandt with confusion.
"Okay then... if you're not willing to help, that's fine... I guess it was a dumb idea anyway... I'll go start collecting firewood"
He slinks off into the woods, dragging his feet as he goes.
About a half hour later Ixiomar emerges from the forest, logs in hand. He drops them in the center of the cave. He sits down beside them and repeatedly casts prestidigitation, drying them to the greatest extent that he can. Ripping a piece of bark off one of the logs, he uses it to dig a small pit in the center of the cave. Taking a bunch of sticks from the pile of wood, Ixiomar arranges them in a latice pattern at the bottom of the pit. Then he reaches into his pockets, removing a nest of birchbark and dried grass. He lays the nest atop the sticks, and casts spark upon it, causing it to burst instantly into flame. After caring for the fire for several minutes, it starts burning at a steady and sustainable pace.
"And we've got a fire going! Sweet... now all we need is food... So, what should we do about scouting the enemy? We should come up with some sort of plan... and soon"
Sir Manfred warms his hands beside the fire as he thinks.
"I truly hate to split the unit, but I am almost incapable of being truly stealthy. And I really want to know the terrain, enemy forces and patterns, and potential escape routes. A sudden blind assault... well, it is possible that could work, if luck was with us; but I don't want to do that unless we are out of time or discovered somehow."
He looks around at the party.
"Who here is capable of being stealthy?"
After watching Ixiomar dig a firepit using a stick, Gundahar walks over to his mule, removes a shovel from the packs and tosses it to Ixiomar. While improvisation is at times useful, you could have just asked to borrow my shovel.
Looking at Sir Manfred, Gundahar responds, "I fear I have little ability as a scout."
Ixiomar looks down at Nippers, who's puffing out his chest and warming himself by the fire and rocking back and forth, quite content.
"While normally a familiar would make a fairly good scout... mine it a bit..."
Midway through his sentence, Nippers falls on his face and into the fire. A few of his feathers burst into flame. He starts furiously rolling about the cabin floor to put them out, all the while squawking bloody murder.
"...conspicuous"
Argus looks at each in turn and says with a grin Well I guess it's up to me then.
Ixiomar puts a hand on Argus's shoulder.
"You're a brave and honorable man, Mr. Pike. Is there anything you need from us before you go off on your excursion? I'm sure that I speak for us all when I say that any of us are willing to help you in any way we can manage"
The camp is to the south. How are you going to scout the area? Straight to the camp, do you want to circle the area and parochial from the far side? Stealth and perception checks.
Sir Manfred nods at Argus.
"Go with the gods sir. If you have not returned in a day, we will mourn your passing and try to carry on without you." He salutes you; you have the feeling that if he had a horn he would be playing "Taps" right now.
Argus grins at the encouragement from the rest of his group as he heads out. Not one to take a direct route in case his trail is discovered, Argus does a bit of backtracking and laying of false trails as he goes in order to confuse any that stumble across them.
As he moves out towards the camp, he strings his bow and nocks an arrow so as to be prepared should things go ill.
Ixiomar waits with the rest of the party back at the cave, warming his hands by the fire.
"What beasts do you suppose they're training?" he asks the rest of them, his voice betraying a slight hint of fear.
you feel you've done a good enough job that unless they are actually hunting you they wont notice you trail.
You have found the camp.As you approach from the west you see one guard tower next to the main gate, maned by an orc and facing the other direction, he hasn't noticed you.
After doing a circuit around the camp to get an idea of how big it is, Argus takes a good long look at the fortifications and stays a while watching the goings on. He takes mental note of any changes in guard or shift.
There is one gate on the east side of the camp, at the center of the camp is a banner proclaiming this to be an orc encampment.
The fence is made of logs, most likely cut from the 20 ft clearing on ether side, you also see 3 large cages in the camp holding some sort of winged creature.
Gundahar grimaces, Probably Wargs or Nightmares or some similar fell beast. I would imagine turning them loose will just result in a plague upon this region"
After making a circuit, Argus finds a good position where he can watch the encampment and get a feel for it. A good scout spends most of his time sitting and waiting. If you are bored...you are usually doing it right. he thinks, remembering his training. He watches for a few hours until he has gotten all the information he can before heading back to the cave.
There is only ever one in the tower and not all the time. but there seem to be 3 guards. The creatures in the cages are large 4 legged creatures with feathered wings. you can attempt to get closer before heading back to camp.
Argus creeps a bit closer in order to get a better look before heading out back to the cave.
Moving from shadow to shadow, Argus creeps closer and sees what he can before creeping back and heading back to camp.
Once back at camp he will inform the group of what he found unless he is waylaid upon the trip back.
Slipping inside the obscured entrance, Argus says with a grin Well...I'm back. There appear to be 4 Orc guards and three creatures in cages that look to be Hippogriffs. Those flying mounts would be a great boon to our fight if we could capture them. Scouts can win and lose wars as easily as soldiers.
After greeting Argus' return with some relief, Sir Manfred listens to his report.
"Hippogriffs! They would be a boon to our cause indeed, if we can capture them. Orcs you say? Hm. A night attack will be useless then. I say we mount up and ride them down! Ah, the terrain is adequate for mounts, I hope?"
Not if you want to approach quietly. You can get the mounts there however.
Ixiomar chimes in "Doesn't seeem there's much use in waiting then. I suggest we go now"
Gundahar looks up from reading, "I am as prepared as I am going to be, we might as well get this over with."
Having banked the fire and settled his mule in for the night, Gundahar steps out from the cave, crossbow loaded. His heartbeat thrums in anticipation of his first armed conflict.
Everything up to now has been theory. Now, lets see how well this works in practice.
With a gleam in his eye, Sir Manfred declaims;
"It's settled then. We ride!"
Gundahar follows behind Sir Manfred's frantic charge, attempting to move is a somewhat subtle fashion. As he move towards towards the his fingers dance an intricate pattern in the air before him.
As the enemy encampment draws within sight, Gundahar looks for anything behind which he can take cover, having no wish to run screaming into melee while armed with a crossbow.
I might not have Mr. Pikes skill at avoiding detection, but hopefully they will focus on Sir Manfred's mounted charge.
Argus will scout ahead of the group, hopefully before the charge so as to make sure the same information from yesterday holds true today.
Let me take a look before we go charging in to make sure they didn't get reinforcements.
He will just take a quick look as the rest of his group is moving closer and he will meet with them at a point half a mile away from the encampment to let them know so they can all go in together.
no new members are at the camp, one of the orcs is training a hippogriff.
Perception
Initiative
Stealth
Sir Manfred nods reluctantly.
"Very well. I will await you in the tree line. Signal me when you wish me to make a charge."
Gundahar awaits Argus' signal from the treeline, crossbow at the ready.
Argus signals to the group that they are good to go. He takes aim at the nearest sentry.
Sir Manfred will charge, moving up to 100 ft. and roaring "Phoenix Battalion! Charge!"
Mounted lance charge attack: for a possible piercing damage.
As Sir Manfred begins his charge, Gundahar's fingers dance an intricate pattern in the air as he chants under his breath.
Round 1
Gundahar, Ser Manfred, Hengest, Ixiomar, Argus, Orcs
You guys get a surprise round and then we start at the top.
So far for the surprise round
Gundahar, Ser Manfred, Hengest, Ixiomar, Argus
Argus has taken aim but did not fire
Ser Manfred has skewered an orc! but his strike is slightly off center, allowing the retched creature to survive the blow.
When mounted, are you wielding your lance with one hand? if yes your damage should be 1d8+3, 2d8+6 on a charge, not a big deal now but when you get power attack or crit it will make a difference.
I'm rolling initiative for ser manfred and Hengest
M
H
Don't forget to place yourselves on the map.
Ixiomar stares ahead at the hippogriff and mutters to himself under his breath "It would be best of the hippogriff was imobilized instead of killed. There's no telling what use we might have for it back at Onslaught headquarters"
He mutters a few arcane incantations and then thrusts out his hands at the hippogriff. Purple light bursts from his open palms, hitting the hippogriff square in the face.