Maybe he could "drop" a silver or gold or two from a pouch as he stumbled and ran. They'd want to keep it for themselves.
"Whatever we decide, we might want to get to it. If Grendolyn actually has been seen, they might be preparing for something," Arasmes says while loading his crossbow.
"So Tad's going to lure them all back here, at which point we ambush the 'ambushers' - correct? Are we all ready for this plan?"
"Yeah. Lets go. Horseshoe spread, with the open end of the U facing the direction Tad will come from. Once they're inside the arms we close the shoe. Teyran and I should be the ones at the end of the "prongs", Valeska in the middle at the bottom of the U. Rest of you choose your own positions. Tad, get going buddy. We'll be here when you come runnin' back."
"I'm takin' ya at yer word, luv." Tad replies as he heads off in the direction Grendolynn indicated, dropping off his bow & quiver as he goes.
As Tad rode off, Teyran moved to where he'd been instructed. He found a spot he believed he would be able to stay hidden. As he took his place, he buried his sword in the ground, so he would have ready access to it when it came time to charge.
As he waited, Teyran offered a prayer to the Dawnflower, offering praise for allowing him to serve for so long. "My lady, soften the hearts of those that may be redeemed, let them surrender when they see that they have been trapped. Soften the resolve of those who are content in their wickedness. Let their courage fade as they are cut down by your righteous servants. And let my service be properly rewarded,"
As he sat in wait, he felt a little ashamed to be hiding, but he consoled himself that it would not be for long.
Grendolynn, would you walk around and help ensure everyone's properly hidden? Crossbows loaded, arrows drawn, weapons ready... For Brevoy!
Valeska draws an arrow and finds foliage at the bottom of the "U".
Grendolynn does a quick walkby to see that everyone's well hidden and then takes up her position across from Teyran.
Arasmes takes a position on one of the arms of the U near the bottom, and loads his crossbow.
As soon Thadeuzs breaks forest cover on the bandit camp near one of the tree sentries he notices that something has changed. A group of three gnarly looking men with weapons drawn appear to be approaching this woman. The central one appears to be talking to her, but even Thadeuzs can tell their intentions are not wholesome.
The woman does not back down, but her hand strays to her her blade as well. This prompts the lead man to step forward to grab at her...
One of sentry also jumps to his feet and shouts as Thadeuzs breaks the forest cover drawing more attention from the bandits that aren't engaged. The bandit goes for a longbow sitting in the tree stand with him.
Ah bugger me!
Tad yells as he scoops up a fist-sized river stone & chucks it at the brigand closest to the woman.
Antha chooses a hiding spot near Teyron, and waits for Tad to bring the bandits near.
The rock flies wide into the trees without coming close to anything, though it has the same effect as the sentry shouting does. It draws some attention towards Thadeuzs...
The two sentries that have Thadeuzs within range fires their longbows at him from their perch.
Bandit #1 makes a rushed action as he draws his short sword to move in on Thadeusz threatening him if he tries to escape back into the forest. "Surrender all your belongs to us and you may escape with your life. I am afraid the woman though will probably go south."
Bandit #5 tries to get his hands on LoTae with a grab to restrain her.
Bandits #4 & #6 move in on her as well with their weapons and wicked smiles. "Don't cut her up to badly the boss won't like that."
Once of them manages to draw a cut cross LoTae's arm.
Well, plan went south quick...
At the bandit's threat, Tad seems to quail in fear.
Both Teyran and Grendolynn in the front of the U-formation can here the sounds of shouting, and possible battle, along with Thadeuzs loud pleading.
The pleading is a bluff to draw your attention...
The Bandit seems convinced by it and slightly bolstered in his courage as he gives a wicked grin.
Morley watches from behind fair cover for Tad's return. When he thinks he hears Tad, and doesn't see him coming, his stomach knots. He looks back at the others in the group, and tries to get their attention to sign that he is moving forward.
"EEEAAAAAHHH!!!" The elven woman screams in pain as the blade slices deeper than anyone expected. She glares at the disgusting humans before her, a deep hatred in her eyes. "Sedanea umartempla saura'!"
No! Not today! not like this! LoTae thinks to herself. Her glare lingers on her attackers in such as way as to declare that under better circumstances, she would return the favor ten fold. However, the slight curl of her lips shows that she (reluctantly) concedes that the current circumstances warrant retreat first, vengeance later.
Her footwork is that of one used to fighting on the move, and allows her to avoid retaliation from her would be assailants.
Upon hearing the woman scream, Teyran looked up in surprise. Had Thad dispatched Kressle on his own? Surely not. He grabbed his sword, and edged forward a little, hoping to get a view of what was going on.
"Teyran, where are you going?!" Antha hisses to the paladin.
"Something is wrong, Thad has been gone too long. And there certainly wasn't anything in the plan that would explain a woman's scream accompanied by cursing in. . .Elven? I'm going to take a look, not charge off alone, yet."
Valeska sees "unit" movement and has no choice but to trust that there is some legitimate reason. Loathe as she is to do it, she leaves her nestled position... quickly approaching Grendolynn and anyone along the way.
Morley go with Grendolynn, slip into the treeline... advance towards the camp. Do not cut yourself off, attack if Tad needs help or if you can take someone out cleanly.
Please, go.
"Whelp. Someone's gonna get killed this way, but whatever." Grendolynn growls, jogging into the underbrush towards the sounds of battle with her shield and a spear drawn.
Valeska then cuts across the path to Antha, Arasmes and Teyran.
Morley nods to Valeska, and moves as quickly as he can move with caution. He feels the knot in his stomach like a stale dinner roll. He gives Grendolynn an involuntary nervous smile as he approaches her, but drops it as she growls and hustles off toward the camp.
"Bloody fools. Get that guy. We will go after the elf." A female voice sounds out from deep in the camp. As the bandits from the camp start to stream after LoTae. Leaving the sentries and the other remaining bandits to deal with
Whelp, here's hoping 'points' can survive until we can find her...
His bluff called, from the sounds of things likely by Kressle herself, Tad shrugs bemusedly & grins genially as he slams his fist into the Bandit's face.
Teyran began to charge, trying to close the distance between him and Tad. As he ran, he inundated with thoughts of what a foolish plan this had been, and what a fool he'd been for allowing Tad to go instead of him. He hoped to get there in time.
Tad landed a solid blow to the bandit which made him shake his head a few times, but did not take him down. He retaliates while his buddies try to move into position to flank Tad.
The other bandits rush after Kressle into the forest.
Teyran, Grendolynn, Morley continues their approach to the camp, finally coming into view of Tad who quickly has bandits coming in to surround him.
Having successfully returned a significant measure of the Bandit's attention to himself, Tad bolts for his party.
Tad may (or may not) be surprised to find that Teyran, Grendolynn, and Morley have deviated from the plan by breaking rank and approaching closer. The bandits begin to give chase only to pull up short in surprise when they come face to face with Teyran, Grendolynn, and Morley...
From the forest Valeska and them can make out the shapes coming together, and the shouts of surprise.
Spinning back about at the sight of his companions unexpected (but not unwelcome) assistance, Tad takes the opportunity to slam another fist into the face of the Bandit he decked before.
Valeska has line of sight?
Antha follows after Teyran, only a handful of seconds behind him.
Teyran knew better than to use the crossbow. He had never been a good shot, and didn't want to waste time better spent getting to Tad. He continued to run, charging the enemy.
Morley slows as the bandits approach. Once the nearest thug comes within a few dozen feet, Morley levels his musket "Hey.. catch!", and fires. He immediately slings his firearm over his back and equips his shield and axe before more bandits come within range.
Valeska can have line of sight at this point.
Teyran quickly took stock of the situation as he ran. Tad was being pursued by several bandits, though he seemed to be handling himself rather well. Teyran had a suspicion that if he were to attack the bandit nearest ot Tad, the other man would take offense, proclaiming that one to be his target.
Instead, he set his course for one of the others, charging at the man with the sword at his side. As he neared the man, he brought the sword up in a slashing motion, as though to rend the man in two.
Arasmes moves into a closer position in order to allow him to fire his crossbow at one of the bandits trailing Tad.