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Sarya wondered why people were so intent on attacking the watchtower. She said "I think the tower is not a priority for now. Attacking it will only give them a good idea of what's going on. An attack. But if we take out people that are not due to return soon, and also sometimes patrols, it will make them confused. We profit from them spending more time wondering what's going on."
Thinking a little bit more, she said "Say, Cheshire, I know gnomes tend to like illusion magic. Would you like to put up a show? I think our attack will be much more fruitful if the hobgoblins think it is... the haunting spirit of Marak'nothol, a warrior who was poisoned by his children and left to die alone." She let the idea sink in for a little bit. Of course, that was all made up, but she had seen how effective ghost stories were in large group of bored people. Especially if they're soldiers and not particularly bright.
"My illusions are still smallish like 5 feet or so and quiet."
Kasana looked at Sarya quizzingly at the mention of Marak'nothol, unsure if it was a legend particular to the Kyonin Elves. Deciding to ask her later, she chimed in again on their next course of action. "If we can't do anything supernatural, might be best to blame it on an aggressive creature living in the woods. Perhaps a bear? Or something larger like a centaur? We could take the lax guards from afar then fake the scene to make it look like something natural. If we do it right, we could probably get away with it two to three times before they think something is amiss." After a pause she looks to Chesire and adds, "If we do end up attacking the camp at some point, that does seem like a solid plan. Maybe we could have a few of us distract them from the front while the rest of us destroy the tower and the bridge before vanishing."
I don't know how to fake that sort of thing but it seems a good a plan as any, he says with a shrug.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
PERCEPTION (hob disadvantage and worg advantage
Hiding, or rather sitting motionless did not come easily to Orthos... even when reading he liked to be mobile... he'd prayed HARD as an acolyte for light for exactly that reason - so he could move beyond candlelight and still have a light source to read by.
When the wolf growled? It was because he felt certain because it has heard him shift his weight. He muttered a curse then began chanting a spell...
He sought to bind the limbs of the rear most hobgoblin, immobilising it.
DC13
With the revelation that they'd been caught Kasana looked to Sarya to see if they should charge them head on or take the long way around and try and to attack them from two sides
Bazzle thumps his hand holding his lucky coin to his chest. A shimmer of energy glitters over him.
OOC: it says 'attack' not 'melee attack' so I'm OK with you throwing both light axe and light hammer.
Questions?
Game on!
Gazul moved forward, eyeing the wolf. He trusted his companions to do the same, to catch the hobgoblins in a pincer movement. But first they had to get rid of the enemy's mobility. As he moved he threw a hammer at the wolf, and as he got into position a handaxe followed almost immediately after. The hammer hit the wolf squarely, followed up by the axe which only just managed to hit the beast. Fueled by his divine magic, both weapons hit with full force.
Seeing the others move into action, Kasana followed suit. Glowing faintly green as she channeled natural energy inside her for a moment, she moved with increased precision and launched a quick volley. Seeing only one enemy not directly attacked by the party's quick strike, Kasana's first strike targeted the final the Hobgoblin while he second shot went straight towards at the worg's neck! Channeling more energy into her first shot, Kasana watched as it transformed midflight into tangled mass of vines that successfully wrapped themselves around it's legs, limiting their ability to get away!
OOC: busy day and evening; intend to update tomorrow late morning/early afternoon.
Game on!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, fail
, fail
Cheshire moves to a position near Kasana where he can see a little clearer the remaining hob. He starts a spell but his hands drop and bits of magic shimmer give way and fade from his hands like faint ripples in a pond. "Well that went better than I thought it was going to go."
Gazul blinked in surprise. He had been expecting the wolf’s jaws to clamp down onto him with that all too-familiar feeling of bone breaking pain. He cautiously walked over to it and pulled his axe out, watching warily as he did so. ”That went too well.” He said, glancing at Cheshire. ”Must be a trap.” He said, unwilling to believe that a plan of theirs had actually succeeded.
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Sarya looked at the others and said "When did we get so good?"
She hurried to the last hobgoblin and put her sword to his neck. She stopped short of killing him and hurried to tie him up and gag him. She asked the others "We might want intelligence on the camp. Orthos, please ask him how many are in the camp. And how has life been." She kept thinking what to ask to learn more about how to best cripple the camp, but it wasn't easy.
Cheshire approaches the fallen hob and checks its pockets for supplies. As the others begin to discuss the usefulness of the paralyzed hob he begins butchering and skinning the wolf.
He smiles at his work, "Got a full wolf skin on that one. Make a nice blanket or even a cloak. Hmmm . . ." He cuts up the meat and sets aside the bundles for easy carrying.
Orthos stood a moment, stunned.
Son of a motherless goat! It worked!, he marvelled silently.
He maintained the spell until the prisoner was bound then squatted next to him.
Really should have invested in the 'Friends' cantrip... , he muttered.
Kasana stayed behind as the others questioned the captive, doing her best to stay alert to her surroundings for any surprise.
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Sarya aggressively asked in return "We are not easy pickings. Who leads the camp? How many scouts are you expecting? What sort of troubles have the hobs faced? How do you get your food?" Without realizing, she was getting really angry at that scout. She had been bottling up anger at these forces and this is the first time she can talk to one of the soldiers with an upper hand. And she unconsciously wants to discharge all her frustration at him.
Still, a thought occurs to her. They can really disrupt the camp by hindering their supply income. Her asking about their food made her think that they can hunger the hobgoblins out.
While the others gather their thoughts the priest diligently translates.
You can always assume that any information I give to one player is known to all players unless explicitly decided otherwise by the player that has the information.
Sarya aggressively asked in return "We are not easy pickings. Who leads the camp? How many scouts are you expecting? What sort of troubles have the hobs faced? How do you get your food?" Without realizing, she was getting really angry at that scout. She had been bottling up anger at these forces and this is the first time she can talk to one of the soldiers with an upper hand. And she unconsciously wants to discharge all her frustration at him.
The hob blanched at the ferocity of the elf; the fact that Cheshire continued to chop up the wolf did nothing to assuage his fear.
"We are led by the commander's son, Scarvinious. We brought food with us, salted meat, root vegetables; we catch stuff as we patrol. There are animal traps as well."
He continued, "There are two scouting parties out right now that have not returned."
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Sarya heard their prisoner and believed him. He seemed genuinely afraid for his life. She began thinking about the ways they could disrupt the camp, as attacking the patrols would cause the resources to dwindle quickly. Deep down, she was clearly avoiding the most immediate issue, which was what to do with the prisoner now that he was not needed anymore. They couldn't kill him in cold blood, but he was dangerous to set free as well. She focused on the next course of action as if she could dodge the responsibility.
Once it seemed like they had gotten the information they needed, Gazul walked behind the hobgoblin. "Torag's teachings are clear on what to do in this matter." Gazul said, with axe in hand. In dwarven he intoned the holy words of his God:
Once it seemed like they had gotten the information they needed, Gazul walked behind the hobgoblin. "Torag's teachings are clear on what to do in this matter."
The hob did not understand what the dwarf was saying but his demeanor and actions left no doubt. He quickly looked at Orthos, "You said you would let me go if I cooperated. I answered you what you asked! You have to let me go!"
Any chance we can stay your hand friend Gazul? He could still be useful...
”And then what?” Gazul asked. ”We’re on the edge of a knife here. There’s two patrols out there. He meets up with them and we’re dead. A swift warrior’s death is the only option I’m seeing.” He replied, not relishing the idea of what he had to do.
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Sarya understood Gazul, but she couldn't let in good consciousness him kill the prisoner. She said "I know it makes the most sense to kill him. But that would make us cross the line. We must maintain our honor. And who knows, sparing his life may bring good fortune."
She knew dwarves didn't deal with the talk of fortune as well as elves, so she shut up abruptly. She turned to Orthos and asked him translate "Ask him how Scarvinious has been treating him. Maybe we can convince him to turn his coat."
Cheshire looks over at the deliberation of killing the hob or not. "The hob's not our friend. He pointed out that the camp itself was supposed to draw us and then talked about he could get us closer. . . .is it lost on anyone that if he is telling the truth in his first point he is still trying to get us to take the bait. There is no leadership left of Phaendar to try him for his crimes. But we know he's guilty."
"How is this any different from if he had died with his comrade moments ago?" Kasana asks. "We're at war with each other and we know they won't offer us the same curtesy when given the chance. Once we've gotten all we need from him, I think a quick death is more than fair."
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Sarya looked to the ground, incapable of looking at the others and said almost to a whisper "You would break our word with him? We promised safety in exchange for information. You would make us executioners without honor? Just because it is.... convenient?" She had no energy left to argue, but she couldn't keep quiet.
"Orthos. What *exactly* did ye tell him?" Gazul said. "I don't like being bound by the words of others, especially when I don't even speak the language. Now, did ye promise to let him go free, or was it implied?" He then turned to Sarya. "I'd rather have his blood on me hands, than the people of the next town he attacks because we let him go. It'll be little comfort to the survivors. So if he wasn't directly promised, then he dies." He said, trying to make eye contact with Sarya.
"Have we moralized enough? He's a monster. His life by any measure of justice is forfeit. You want to be an honorable executioner." He rubs his chin steps forward. "I am Cheshire Silvanshee one of the few survivors of the raid on Phaendar. This hobgoblin scoundrel is guilty of murder and worse in serving the bastards of the villainous tyrants Molthune. Knowing full well his guilt I claim his life as justice for the murder, rape and destruction of the people of Phaendar. Their blood calls for justice." He looks at Gazul, "Strike true. Me poking him dozens of times in the spleen isn't going to be a quick death."
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Well... it seems unbecoming to lawyerise this but I... didn't promise his freedom Per se, I just mentioned that we could be merciful... and that we'd let two other hobgoblins go before.
He thinks.
Heres a thought... maybe we could use this one to get us into the camp? Either the old "prisoners" trick or something else... hells, he may even turncoat. Do I give him that chance or would it be easier to pass judgement now? Grazul's axe WOULD be far more merciful than Cheshire's daggers...
Turn 197 - Who Deputized the Little Guy?
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Great stuff everyone!!!
"It's certainly risky but if the group thinks acting like prisoners to get into the camp and cause havoc is the way to go then I can get behind that." Kasana began, "I think we'd want to split into two groups though and use the distraction of prisoners to ambush them from outside or maybe take over the watchtower." she added as she began to slowly pace back and forth. "With the amount of soldiers he says they have there though, we would need a Very solid plan. Now that I say it out loud, I'm not sure how sound of a plan that is. It'd make for a great song I'm sure but we may not be alive to hear it."
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Sarya chuckled at Kasana's input, welcoming the change in subject. Becoming serious again, she added "I agree, I would much rather stick to the original plan of attacking hunters and patrols." She sighed, seeing that she wouldn't be able to convince the others to take a more noble approach.
Feeling defeated she said "I ask you one more time, let him live. Have faith that if we send him north by himself, he will not double back to betray us. He is not smart enough for that, but he is wise enough to understand how close to dying he is. We haven't even asked him if he would change sides!" She shuts herself up, realizing she sounded like a child. Despite her request, she turned her back on the hobgoblin, readying herself for what she thought was going to happen.
OOC: Ok, it's time to make a decision and move things along...
There are no wrong decisions as long as they stem from good RPing.
Questions?
Game on!
Gazul shook his head. ”The hobgoblins are smart enough to take Phaendar. They are highly organized, militant and dangerous. We dishonor him but downplaying what he is. He is a soldier. There is a reason that Torag made his commandments. I do this in his name. The blood is on my hands and mine alone.” He knew that he was convincing himself, but it didn’t stop his own words from giving him the strength to go through with the task. He couldn’t allow his comrades, or the refugees they were protecting, to die over this. With that Gazul raised his axe and, with but a moment’s hesitation, brought it down.
Looking at the corpse he felt that he had crossed a line and that there was no turning back. But he knew that he had made the right decision.
Kasana gave the dwarf a small nod in approval; she knew that a clean death, a warrior's death, was the right call in this situation. She would not mourn for this soldier. Then turning to the party, she asked, "So what now? Try and find the other patrol? Wait and see what happens? Attack while they're unawares? Whatever it is we should decide quickly and press our advantage."