"Of course having held the tower before I imagine you know the lay out very well, maybe some secrets you know that they wouldn't." Zardu suggested, it would be good to know more about the area they'd be walking into.
"Kelisa, Could you take a look the the leader's legs? To see if any thing can be done."
Rav nods at Zardo's comment, and translates along with Zinar the others questions to the Saltscales. "Yes, Zar have point, know tower, can make map of tower for us? Even if just sand map, be good idea have. Escape tunnels also good know where are, so not get ambushed. We no stay on island, so probably never come back, so not matter if know, and may make taking tower easier." He adds, a little miffed at himself for not thinking of that himself.
The old Shamen made a slight face at Rav's plan. After a moment you realize why, its not that the plan isnt sound.
"Saltscale want to help sounds great great plan but ... No arrows."
He said in a low tone but the tone told you he wasnt joking at all.
"Saltscale have good artisan make fine spears and arrows, got crush by rock when the hobgoblins attacked. Used almost all arrows on them and what little left on orcs.
He paused and glanced to the three red scaled slightly larger kobolds.
"Eight arrows left."
The smallest of the three said though it had the brightest most intelligent looking eyes.
"You have arrows to give? We shoot all da orcs dead dead while you save your small humie."
The smaller red scaled kobold began.
"Tower had underground warrens we dug out... two tunnels, but when hobgoblins found them they blocked them, made them fall in with rock and stone. Half tribe stuck inside when it happened. Were working on it when Red fangs attacked... But can show you the sneaky ways to approach yes?"
The Shamen began hobling back torwards a clutch of small dark scaled kobolds.
"Silch! Silch! Where you be slinker? Know you hiding round here somewhere."
The shamen began and a small dark scaled kobold eventually poked his head up... he had been behind some of the others trying to remain out of sight.
"How man.."
The Shamen began before the jittery dark scaled kobold interupted him.
"Many many.... uh five claws worth of fighty types, that many again younglings and old."
He answered quickly.
Rav grins. "Not have arrows in pack, but can get more." He says in both common and Draconic. Looking at the group, he shrugs. "Boat have supply of arrows. Just need get some supplies make more on ship after leave. Is for rescue paying customer, so customer can be charged later for supplies."
"Arrows are necessary expenses here in my book.", adds Gudleifr with a grin.
Kels hands out some of her arrows on her, keeping 15 for her own use. It was not hard to resupply on arrows, and it was for good will. " This help some. Though are their bows able to properly mount them?"
"I can spare fifteen, that should help a bit."
The old shamen looked about at his remaining forces his old eyes calculating. He rattled off a string of names, each name called a bright shiny eyed dark scaled kobold ran up... The three red scaled kobolds practically quivered in the long silence... finally with a sigh the old clearly called their names and they strode forward expectant grins on their face.
Hastily they went through the scavenged arrows and sorted through them, handing them out to the other smaller kobolds. It appeared they kept the ones in the best shape for themselves, though none of the smaller less combative kobolds dared to say anything.
"Attack tack now? or wait for the dark dark?" The largest of the red scaled kobolds hissed out. It was clear speaking words wasnt his strong point.
"Range in dark only 50 feet, that too close for plan. Plus, orcs see in dark, Rav see in dark, Saltscales see in dark, long sha.. hoomans no see in dark. Best attack at dawn, when night guards tired and day guards not on yet. Let archers be 150, 200 feet way."
"We strike at dawn.", says Gudleifr with confidence.
The goblin makes good points. Clearly brighter than the dregs I've run across!
Frowning at the time, for both her and Untari were used to night hunts, she ask " Has anyone scouted it recently?" While she understood waiting until everyone was able to fight, she also didn't wish to waste the night either
"We could head back to let the others know what we are up to in the mean time, if we're gone that long they'll probably start getting worried."
"I could use some time to make some scrolls. Anyone want to be bigger?" As Zinar starts to look through his spell book.
"Ugh, who want be longshank?" Rav mutters distractedly while looking through the vials on his belt.
"It could be useful in a few situations, if they arise I wouldn't object."
"Then some of us return to the ship for more supplies. Zinar, I would love great size in combat."
Kelisa shakes her head at the others before saying " We still must scout. Remember not all views are the same. Sometimes you must climb the tree to find water." While she had plenty of time to slip away, she still clearly wanted the group to make some call as to any scouting trip. They were a team after all
"How about you and Rav scout while we stop at the ship?."
The dark scaled kobold named Silch sighed and spoke up before the old shamen could.
"Dark Silch guide you close close yeah? So you can sees!"
He added to Kelisa and Ravboom.
Rav looks up from his vials, and frowns for a second, then realizes that Gud is suggesting Rav and Kel and Kel's cat scout. "Oh, ok, yes, that is ok. Kel not very noisy for lon.. for black kni.. for drow. And cat good at sneak too." He looks to the salt scale. "Dark Silch? Ravboom..."
Nods, happy to have a local guide, and Ravboom. If things went bad, she knew Ravboom was quick and skilled enough to be an asset in the dark.
" This is a wise course. We shall be silent, and we shall take our time. No need to rush this, for we know we are not attacking tonight anyways. That should help our cover."
Trying to stay quiet and proceed with caution, Kelisa goes with the group scouting, hoping to find any good information
Rav heads out with Kelisa & her cat, he wants to identify where orc guards are stationed, when they change guards if possible, and also looking for any traps that may be scattered around the area around the tower.
Gudleifr focuses on arrows, but is happy to do some heavier lifting if requested.
Zardu will make sure to fill the barrel on the ship with water before setting out on the rescue mission.
Rav pulls some colored chalk out of his pack, draws the clearing with the tower on the cave wall, and then begins making some marks.
He draws two blue ovals on the rough map. "Put half of Salties with bows in each position here, so more likely they able to escape, also puts orcs in cross-fire." He draws a couple of purple pentagrams as well. "Split Mercs also, so can guard archers. Two parties slip up into position just before dawn or nightfall, when guards tired and light changing."
He draws a red arrow in. "Distraction party charges in very noisy here, throws rocks and spears at Orcs on guard until orcs charge out, then turn tail and run. When orcs charge out, archers hit them from both sides, and mercs charge them down and kill them."
He points to the corner of the map opposite the distraction party's red arrow is. "Leave back way for orcs to evacuate families when they lose."
"Would an out right attack that the orc's see an ambush just make them mad and the orcs kill all the prisoners?
So how about instead of the distraction, we offer the orcs a trade. Prisoners for gold. And when they do the trade and we have the prisoners then we ambush them. That way we have a better chance in saving the prisoners. What do you think?"
"I think giving the orcs no time to think gives us better odds. We should have a group try to reach the prisoners though, or else the orcs may well cut them down on their flight afterwards."
"I can't think of anything better that wouldn't be overly complicated or difficult. If they're going to lose I suspect they'll take the easy means of retreat rather than go for the prisoners... but there's no way to be certain."
Ravboom grunts. "Oh, right, prisoners... huh... ok, same plan, but instead of guarding archers, mercenaries charge into tower when guards chase sorty force. Instead of sorty force coming out in open, they attack from shadows and race away noisy. No use saltscale spears though, and no salt scale arrows, only our arrows. Use thrown daggers, big rocks, nothing identify as salt scales. Archers fire only from cover so can't be seen through leaves."
"I accept that. Let us move!"
"That sounds like a good plan Rav."
Rav blinks. "Of course good plan. Is Rav plan. Rav always make good plan." He looks mildly insulted, if that's possible with his face. He hunches his shoulders a bit, and mutters under his breath in goblin.
"Plan always good, other idiots often fail execute plan properly. Not Rav's fault..."
Nods in agreement. This goblin was certainly smarter than others she had met, though that was not that many as far as she could recall. "I believe this to be a solid change to the plan based on what information we have."
Raising an eyebrow "Yes you make good plans Rav, once you remembered why we were going after the orcs."
"Arrogance is a good way to end up with poor plans. But this one is good to go."
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"Before we storm in I'll ask Sarnrae to aid us in rescuing the prisoners."