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"Sir Ilivan, should we hail them? Is there a passwore or something." "Looks like there was an attack of somekind." " Do we stop to help them."
Tanbu rides on in formation with the group.
"Makras, that is some really creepy depressing stuff." "After today's fight it even is more so. Could you just give it a rest? I realize we are heading into trouble, but can you keep the 'I told you so' to yourself."
"Thanks, Lady A, for the humor. Wish I could relax enough to laugh. I am ready to get into the Fort and finish this task."
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Cyclic is mostly silent, even when jokes are told, and looks around when Mange pauses. She is comforted to find out it is nothing but the fort, even if that does worry the knight, and even though there is irony in that.
"Hmmm... Good question, and should we expect to be attacked while we are there?"
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"Thanks, Lady A, for the humor. Wish I could relax enough to laugh. I am ready to get into the Fort and finish this task."
She turns her head and gives Tanbu a big grin.
"If you can keep your sense of humor even in the darkest of places, then there is always a little light."
She chuckles and turns back, then says.
"Makras! words of wisdom you may like, never take life too seriously you'll never get out alive"
And she chuckles even more.
The fort lies just a few miles past the ruined village of Bedis, which by horse means it took you a bit less than an hour to cover.
Greed spots a low brush that might have provided berries in the past but is now dry and covered in red from the occasional blood rain coming from the Worldwound.
Sir Ilivan feels unease as the group talks about death and attacks "At the Worldwound you should always be ready for attacks. And yes Tanbu. As I explained in the briefing. There is a password."
As you approach, a patrol of four horsemen from Fort Portolmaeus quickly approaches, arrows knocked in their bows. "Let me do the talking and keep your hands away from your weapons" states the knight giving you a sign to halt.
They stop 60 feet away and call out "Halt in the name of the Queen!"
Sir Ilivan raises both hands and calls out "That the Black Prince might be redeemed" a reference to the eighth act of Iomedae.
Upon hearing this passphrase, the soldiers lower their weapons and grimly beckon the party forward.
"Welcome. Pardon us the armed reception, but it is hard to tell friend from foe when demons keep trying to disguise and mislead us" a sturdy well armed man states "I am Sir Morgan, the head of this patrol. May you find good to tell your business at Portolmaeus?"
"We received news of a possible attack and the Lord Commander sent us to investigate in case help is needed" explains Sir Ilivan "What's up with all the dead corpses?"
"Indeed" Sir Morgan states "The demons attacked the night before, though if you need further detail, you should first talk with Fort Portolmaeus’ commander, Manaria Wardroxan"
The two knights keep talking and it is decided the group shall indeed access the fort. You start riding towards there. At the closed drawbridge, Sir Morgan calls up to its defenders, and a moment later a soldier peers over a battlement and quietly stares at you.
This is a paladin who uses his detect evil ability to scan the party.
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Cyclic and Mange are unperturbed by the plethora of death surrounding the party and, in fact, Cyclic is more intrigued by it than anything, rooting out the causes of death where possible from wolf-back. Almost in solidarity with the dead, a path of dead hair and scalp skin falls off of her head to lie beside a corpse.
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"I had forgotten about the pass phrase." "It would have been a scary thing to do if Sir Ilivan had not been with us." "Those knights were very 'no nonsense'."
Tanbu waits patiently for the gates to open. He pats his horse on the neck. "Thanks, for the ride, friend. I still don't know your name. But I owe you one."
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Greet listens stories and jokes, sometimes his outter leafs do additional cone sound-receptors. Probably he transforms in a simple vine (Tree Form), if was thinking too deep. Greet answers later, almost when dialog changed.
My awaker had dark humor. Rare understanding came to me. Although I thnk i'd finish Pharasma's stairs. But why return back when you may live next life? So, I would try to laugh just to continue cycle!
Is it visible, when paladin do this? If yes, than greet will ask new sir Morgan to take a look at sir Illivan also. Greet is pretty good in religios matters.
The group passes the filter of the scanning paladin, Greet notices indeed Sir Ilivan passes the check from the entrance guard, not having detected evilness on the veteran half-elf knight.
The garrison then lowers the drawbridge and raises a heavy portcullis studded with cold iron spikes, after which a handful of soldiers lead the group through a narrow zigzag tunnel to the central courtyard. The fort’s central building sits squat in its center, an impressive, monolithic edifice with few openings. A number of young stable boys come out from a side building to care for your mounts, quartering them in the stables until the party returns.
With the mounts taken care of, you are led into the central building to meet Commander Manaria Wardroxan, a charismatic young nobleman with pale skin and black hair who is dressed in a mud-spattered uniform that hasn’t been changed since the last battle.
Standing at the bottom of a tall, amphitheater-like chamber carved into the bedrock the fort is built upon, she worriedly regards the fort’s wardstone, a massive menhir 30 feet high that pulses slowly with dull purple light and emits a low buzzing sound.
"Welcome Pathfinders. Welcome to the crusade. We meet in a dire moment. Sorry my concerns are overshadowed by the last night’s demonic attack." Commander Wardroxan relates the previous night’s events with obvious regret "The demons attacked in the dead of night, a mixed group of dretches and schirs led by a terrifying brimorak, a creature of horn, claw, and fire. The wardstone had been buzzing like it is now, and it didn’t seem to stop them. They captured a scout patrol alive and staked them out on the ground in front of the fort. There they tortured them close enough for us to hear. I am ashamed to say that we deliberated on whether we had the strength to retaliate, but as the screaming and begging continued, I sent our cavalry to put at end to the suffering."
She sighs heavily before continuing, "Of course it was a trap. A group of schirs wielding halberds met our cavalry and wasted no time in dragging them from their horses. The dretches then overwhelmed them with sheer numbers, clubbing them into submission. They slaughtered the horses and dragged off the soldiers while we looked on helplessly from behind the fort’s wall. I sent out another party after that, but most of the demons had already withdrawn with our captured men."
Sir Ilivan rugs his nose at the explanation of the commander of the fort, whispering in low voice his thoughts so only those around him can hear "An idealistic decision lacking all common sense that only costed the lives of more men."
The woman then implores your help "Please, rescue the captured soldiers from the Worldwound. The majority of my garrison has already been transferred to Nerosyan and other more strategically valuable locations before last night’s attack, and I simply do not have the reserves to send out on a rescue mission."
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- Greetings! I am Greet!
Creaks Greet, becoming leshy again from simple vine (Tree shape). Shaman carefully reports about saved folks and group of vermleks who made massacre and torture.
After briefing ends Greet soon crwals up one of sturdy chairs to be more visible. Skyrocket lands at side branch, giving small leshy more resolve to talk.
-We will try, commander Manaria. And what if sir Knight who with us think it is too dangerous to risk our group for helping ?
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Lady Alya agreed with Sir Ilivan, and now she could see where he may think she was the same. But she was not, A trap is only a trap if you let it become one. That was how she had been trained. And knowing there was a trap was the 1st step and doing that. Not only was this commander idealistic she was inexperienced where it counted.
"Good point Greet, but lets say help 1st
Alya placed her hand on Sir Ilivan arm to indicate she understood just what he meant. Then addressed the commander.
"Greetings Commander Wardroxan I am the Lady Alya De-Qill, you have met Greet, and this is Makras, Cyclic, and Tanbu Yull. It's a pleasure to meet you, and yes we are here to help and investigate. But before we rush off on a manhunt. I think Sir Ilivan should fill you in on what he came across getting here. It may have a direct bearing on just why these Demons did not slaughter you men but took them away alive. Don't you think so Sir Ilivan, we followed your orders and in doing may have uncovered a darker logic to the attack. Demons that can wear human flesh"
She looks at him and waits for him to report.
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Tanbu just listens, not thrilled at the idea of the rescue mission. He seems to be thinking.
"Commander Wardroxan, is this a possible bypass to the ward stones? I would have thought the demons could just polymorph into humans and then cross into Nerosyan and then transform back to attack. Why would they need the bodies?" Not that I am knowledgeable about such. Just seems like something they would have tried already."
Tanbu pauses to listen again.
"Do you have any idea where the demons would take your captured soldiers? We might need a tracker if not. Not sure we can follow their trail elsewise."
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Cyclic is no more convinced that the mission is one they will take. However, considering past responses, she is fairly certain that at least one or two of their members will feel compelled to try/ With a sigh, she waits to find out if she is right.
"That is a good point. Demons are a tricky bunch, or so it seems. Hopefully they do not gain access to memories when they take a host. Though if all they are after is a password, torture should suffice. I recommend changing your password today. And if we do indeed go on this foolish mission, you might want another way of determining we do not come back corrupted than giving us the new password."
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As the others jump in, Lyra looks at Sir Ilivan a hard look waiting for him to interject. This is not why they are here, nor what they need to be looking into. The men are at best dead, at wase so hurt they can't be carried back without a mounted troop and wagon. This commander had already depleted this fort and seemed to want to do it more. She had given him an in to slow this woman down and take time to think about the next move.
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Makras plopped his butt down on a crate and drank rotgut contentedly as he watched the others hash things out. He knew they'd talk back and forth for a while before inevitably choosing the most dangerous course of action--Pathfinders were reliable that way. And the Worldwound was about as good as it got for seeing the end of everything firsthand!
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Andrelis listens attentively to the Commander's assessment of the situation, and Lady Alya's reminder of what the party had faced on their way to the much depleted fort. We made the same error Commander just a few hours ago. It worked out in our favor this time, but I do understand your concerns and the reasons you sent the cavalry out. looking bleakly at the others, he sighs.
Cyclic's right, changing your password now is important - no older codes that still check out should be allowed without a Paladin's gaze over them. If we were to try and help, we'd do it our way - we're not knights, and that failed already once, in fact, got them into this situation. I'll not lie to you, its been quite a morning already and the thought of scampering off into the Worldwound after a group of crusaders who were abducted isn't a great thought right now, but I'm willing to try and locate them if my fellows are, and maybe effect a rescue, but maybe we just come back for the cavalry? Sort of fits with our initial assignment? the elf speculates, more to the air than anyone in particular.
"Why they need the bodies? Demons have been known to capture crusaders to be used as food, slaves, and ... 'examples.'" Commander Wardroxan answers worriedly "I sent out a dozen men on horseback to rescue the captured scouts. Three of them died in the initial assault, and I think the rest were captured alive. I don't know how many are still alive... but if we act quick and resolute I think they can still be saved"
"As for where are they taking them..." she looks at Tanbu "Our lookout reported seeing the chained cavalrymen heading westward into the Worldwound a mile north of here, surrounded by a small group of guards—no more than a half dozen strong."
When Andrelis talks about finding the cavalry her eyes light up with hope "We can change the password indeed. Do you have any proposal?"
You are in the room of the wardstone so Lady Alya can freely look at it "Of course, take a look, I think it is a normal reaction because of the proximity of the demons. I am confident their effects are still powerful enough to weaken demonic excursions to the unwarded western and northern borders."
Creatures of intrinsically chaotic or evil nature cannot pass between wardstones; thus they serve to ensure the demons of the Worldwound cannot venture into Mendev.
However, these obelisks must be continuously maintained by priests and protected from demonic attack.
The wardstones also prevent any form of teleportation magic from functioning across the borders, whether from a demonic source or otherwise, but do not hinder such magic from functioning normally inside the Worldwound.
Hence, they don't prevent demons to approach the wardstone themselves, that is the reason they should be well protected by forts.
The first wardstone was erected in 4639 AR in the Kite in Kenabres. This required a ritual which occurred under the guidance of Iomedae's herald.
A string of fortresses were established on the border between Mendev and the Worldwound after the Second Mendevian Crusade. Each fortress is named after a dead crusader general, and contains a wardstone.
"If you do not have more questions for me, I can leave you alone so you can more privately discuss if you are going to help and to trace out a plan of yourselves." the Commander adds.
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Tanbu stares at the buzzing stone. "Is it normal for a ward stone to buzz like that? Does it have a range? Maybe they are tunneling under us and it is picking them up that way? Really not my area though."
Tanbu frowns as the group is left to discuss this turn of mission. "This seems like another trap. Didn't she just say she tried a rescue and it was a trap? 'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.'"
Tanbu sighs, "I like Andrelis's idea. I am willing to see if we can figure out where the prisons are being held maybe tracking them somewhere. Then we give it to the knights for them to use."
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"Cyclic is right, your gate guard should know how to do this. Also do you have dogs, where sight and spells fail? Sent is much harder to cheat. I bought a good guard dog with me, I will give it to the fort, and have it smell some of the dead demons. Then Smell everyone coming in. It will let you know if something is off."
Then
"Creatures of intrinsically chaotic or evil nature cannot pass between wardstones so I have been told.They serve to ensure the demons of the Worldwound cannot venture into Mendev. However, these obelisks must be continuously maintained by priests and protected from demonic attack. The wardstones also prevent any form of teleportation magic from functioning across the borders, whether from a demonic source or otherwise, but do not hinder such magic from functioning normally inside the Worldwound. So they are protected by forts. Overrun a fort, brake the stone and you can poor out into the surrounding areas. Fun facts, The first wardstone was erected in 4639 AR in the Kite in Kenabres. This required a ritual which occurred under the guidance of Iomedae's herald.
A string of fortresses were established on the border between Mendev and the Worldwound after the Second Mendevian Crusade. Each fortress is named after a dead crusader general, and contains a wardstone."
She says.
"Weaking your protection of the fort more by sending us on a long hunt for 4 lives. May feel like the right thing to do. But again its bait aims to make you split your forces and weaken your ability to stop a much bigger attack. A cool head is needed here, and time to see where and when the real blow will come."
"I would rather prefer to avoid having you to pass through and inquisitor's inquisition" the Commander says alarmed "And there are ways to escape the eye of a paladin, as experience has proven. But we will figure it out. I guess."
Lady Alya cannot recall anything of special interest about the geography of where the captured troops where headed.
The Commander does not do anything to hide she is appalled by Lady Alya's call not to risk the Fort for the live of a few crusaders "And yet this is what distinguishes us from demons and cultists, isn't it? We fight for our people no matter how low the odds while they leave behind theirs. And I am coming to you because I know you are no crusaders and will not stay long in our Fort. That is the reason of my plea. Even if you just save 4 more crusaders, it just give us all more the chance to stand firm here." the woman speaks with great fervor and excitement "Ok, as there are no more questions, I shall move so you can discuss more freely. But before you take your decision, please consider this. To halt the Worldwound has come to a great sacrifice of just a few that put their faith on the few odds to fight back the demons. A few people full with courage can mean a great difference to the destiny of our world just when the rational thing to do would be to hole up the farthest away from this damned place."
With that Commander Wardroxan leaves and let you talk more privately.
Sir Ilivan quickly chimes in "This is clearly a fool’s errand, an ill-conceived endeavor dreamt up by an inexperienced commander wracked with guilt." the half-elf says without his face showing any kind of expression and volunteering that "The cavalrymen are surely already beyond our help, and most likely have already been killed for food or sport."
The half-elf seems to feel no compassion for the captured soldiers, treating the thought of them being tortured and killed with as much consideration as the death of an animal or insect.
Comparing it to the speech of Commander Wardroxan, it becomes clear the half-elf has lost the higher ideals that inspired the crusade. You wonder for how long a person like him could keep up fighting if his trust on the endeavor is not reinvigorated by word and example.
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Greet avoids social interration, mostly letting kyrocket to play with branches and even wet one orange berry, which strangely could be one of leshy's eyes. Leshy tried to feel awakward Wardstone vibration.
And even tried to move Cyclic with a wormhole (Heavens Leap) just to find out if this way of teleportaion works (being not chaotic or evil).
Shaman studies other Pathfinders preparation with interes and not intervention. Leshy agrees it's better to continue rescue mission.
-Sir Illivan, we also not care about humans or elven life much - being dragon and tree. Our life is different. Some flesh-braineess are parasites. Some demons also. But why so much concirns? If you so sceptical and not willing to act, whats a purpose of being here? Find your resolve or think about resignation. We need you, sir - not only your body and horse, but your knights spirit! Once again we suggest you help in finding back your spirit!
It took a lot of Greet's strength to produce so much sounds.
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Andrelis looks resigned. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Sir, the Commander is right. That’s what heroes do, you joined this crusade because you believed in something. Personally I prefer to play the odds, read my opponent, and bluff them into giving me what I want. But you, and them, are here for a higher calling that the next warm embrace or good dice roll. he fishes out a travel bottle of wine, taking a pull off it before handing it to whomever is next to him I don’t know what it will take to inspire your passion, but your apathy isn’t helping anyone here. So either you can help ys rescue these lost soldiers, or go pray in some stuffy cathedral until you find yourself. But I’ve had enough of your sitting back and “I told you so” attitude! And you dwarf, if you finish that wine before it gets back to me so help me…
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"You don't sound like any paladin that I have ever met, Sir Ilivan. Why are we on this patrol if not to scout the enemy? I am no knight, but if I can safely save some or even one of those unfortunate soldiers, it is my pleasure to help. I can if nothing else use my energy and some shoe leather looking the situation over. "
"We could use your help and expertise in the planning, Sir Ilivan. We will have a much better chance of success with your knowledge and help." "First if you know anything about these Dretchs and other common demons we might encounter, that would get us started."
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"The thing is, the warden of the fort IS going to send someone out to rescue those captured soldiers. if not us, then someone else will go, and probably fail. Deaths either way, probably. Frankly, I think we stand a better chance of succeeding based on prior performance. And, I like to think we are not the types to stick around and fight a hopeless battle. If we are careful, we might spot the ambush and turn the tables instead of rushing in or beat a cautious retreat. I think it would be wisest if we and the garrison held back, but if someone has to go it might as well be us."
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She turns and walks up behind Makras, casts Prestidigitation, and removes his stink for a short while.
"Sir Ilivan I owe you an apology, it seems your manner is perfectly understandable given the circumstances here. Also, and your destine for my actions at the lost village, I can see that may have reflected some actions here. But I do not wear this uniform for nothing Sir Ilivan. I am foremost a trained soldier. A realist and pragmatist, not an idealog. Now we will head out ofter these troops but they are not our real goal. Something out there has planned out the attacks on this fort. And what you need is intelligence on what that is and how big a danger it is. So we will head out and if we can we will get at intel. Forewarned is forearmed"
She looks at the others
"Do you all understand what we need to do?
Sir Ilivan takes a long breath, he seems finally moved by your words, particularly by Andrelis' call for action "The Abyss Claws! You are just not going to leave it here, eh. You have to run safe up to the damned last soldier" the rugged knight gives you back a tiny smile, and yet the more luminous expression you have seen him so far "You ought to do the right thing eh. Well. Perhaps the soldiers’ lives are worth the risk after all."
He looks through the window like Makras while padding the pommel of his longsword "But if we are to do it. Let's do it now. Every second we lose our odds to find them alive dwindle"
As the group gets out of the room Commander Wardroxan smiles seeing the resolve in your faces "You are doing it" she calls the patrol leader "Sir Morgan, open the Fort Portolmaeus’ armory to the Pathfinders and Sir Ilivan and try to help them find their way. Prepare their horses!"
Then turns to you "I am so thankful you are taking this mission. Thanks the Lady of Valor for filling your hearts with goodness and courage. Let her lead broaden your blades and protect you from harm."
Among the supplies you find available for you at the fort's armory there are 2 potions of cure moderate wounds, 3 potions of shield of faith , 10 flasks of holy water, and any simple or martial weapon you might need.
The fort armory is strongly deprived from cold iron arrows, every piece of the metal in use, that is the difficult situation of the fort after the attack.
Andrelis though finds a crusader amenable to sell him one of his quivers of cold iron arrows at the regular prize.
While Lady Alya heals her companions, Sir Morgan gives you a small map that marks a shallow ford "At this point there is a ford in the West Sellen River where you can cross with your mounts. From there it is all in your hands. May Iomedae guide your steps and find you strong to safe our people."
Taking on your mounts Sir Ilivan rushes you to advance through the wilderness "Now Pathfinders, let's march on before those demons have more time for evilness"
The patrol press their mounts up to the river ford and continue west into the Worldwound where the crusaders last saw they were fleeing too.
You quite easily pick up the kidnapped soldiers’ trail, leading directly west into the Worldwound. The demons and humans are moving slowly, if you press on, you think you can catch up with them in just a few hours.
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Greet thinks a lot about cruelty and embracing reality. About demonic and humanish motives, about interference of this. When leshy finally becomes aware of reality party sterted to move.
Leshy sends Skyrocket to scout hearing Cyclic talking about hour ahead...
Shaman not even need to ask local plants as everything clear enough.
Someone mentioned brimorak?
-I may start to conjure magic from afar, but this way humans will be harmed too, not only demons. If we save at least one it is still counts, is it?
The leshy figuring out knights (or humanistic) values as party proceed...
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"The idea is to save as many as we can. But once that see us they may start killing the hostsges anyway. I plan to try using invisibility to get in and start freeing the prisoners telling them to run and hide as soon as the fighting starts." "Do you see the group? I have not picked it out. Are the prisoners all together?"
Tanbu quickly outlines his idea. "Once I get the prisoners ready, I will attack the nearest guard." "That will be the signal to attack something like obscuring mist or fog cloud would be great or just let them have it with loud an confusing stuff."
"If for some reason I can't free up the prisoners in the limited time of my potion, I will attack and try to protect the prisoners as best I can."
"Really could use a flanking buddy, but maybe a prisoner will help. Any ideas, questions or comments?"
Idea two:
"Or alternatively, Mange and cyclic bound right through their group and lead away some of their numbers. We attack the guards while they are distracted."
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She smiles as Tanbu outlines his plan.
"That could work given the right circumstances. And the pull approach also gives circumstances. However, given our group is not used to working as a cohesive small unit, thinking we act as one may be a mistake. I made that one at the village. I'm a, house guard officer, I called out a valid plan of action, a standard tactic, use the hard terrain to your advantage. I said, let them come to us. But everyone just rushed in. So I hold little hope your outlined plans will go any other way than a mad dash of mixed actions."
She says that to the whole group.
"So how about we outline what we tend to do when we are in combat? I will start. In his theater of war, I will tend to use my mount and dog to maneuver at range, Shoot targets, and use hit-and-run tactics to wear down the opposition. That also lets me get a good felt of combat, officer training 101 combat cover sight. Then when I feel the need, I close mounted with Spear. If wet work needed, on foot with blade unseen. In a group, I will also heal where I can to keep our force maximised."
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"Lady A, your tactics have much merit, but in this situation if we hang back they will just kill the hostages. We might as well turn around now and admit defeat." Tanbu Sighs, "Unfortunately we have to get in close and strike or remove the hostages from danger then strike. Anything else is a lost cause." "To do significant damage and kill quickly I must strike weak spots from close in. That is my training. My bow is not really that helpful. I have cold iron but even so I must put several arrows into one target to bring it down." "If we can control the dwarf, charm him or something to keep him from charging carelessly and use Greets portal jump thingy, we might be able to get in close quick and strike."
Tanbu shakes his head, "We have to get in close quickly. If you would rather we would circle around infront of them and set up an ambush and attack from cover. Again, myself or Andrelis should be projected in by Greet to work on getting hostages out and to safety."
"Sir Ilivan, what is your plan as you are our patrol leader?"
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"Before any of that, it would be great if you (Tanbu) could slip in and scout first. Like I said before, we may not necessarily be in a position to rescue them. You are assuming the demonic party does not include a demon prince or something awful. I'd really, really like to know what we are up against before we move in."