Gratitude nods approvingly at Khronos's suggestion about the looted money.
"Blood money should go to help the bereaved. Although Varlis has a ritual that would need gold to cast."
The tiefling grins. "I like the idea of using goblin gold to defeat goblins. Maybe keep a small amount aside to make sure our casters can work... what do you think?"
"Aye, the symetry of that plan suits me fine Gratitude." Khronos says smiling broadly. "Let us hear what Teven has to say on his return from scouting and we'll plan for the use of this gold and Varlis' spells"
"Symmetry is a beautiful thing sometimes." Gratitude's smile grows just a little wider.
DM Pat
Disturbed after hearing what Adar said about the goblin Teven stands with Adar, Varlis, and Gratitude listing to Gratitude for a moment before he and his two recruits head out into the woods. They spend the night seeking and searching for any sign of the goblins any clue that could lead them on the path to the goblins that planned the attack. They do not return to camp untill after dawn.
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Teven, Khronos:
As the morning light glimmered hauntingly through the branches of the forest, Khronos listend to Tevens report. The air smelled of woodsmoke and damp earth, a smell the paladin would normally relish as a sign of travels to come, but now hinted at worse things.
As the scout finished off his report, Khronos clapped him haertily on the shoulder. "Thankyou my friend. Once again you have completed a great service to us at even greater risk to yourself." He crouched down to where his morning cookfire still smouldered and poured a steaming mug of coffee for the Scout. He also offered him some of the oats he had cooked, a warm drink and meal to consume after a long night.
"Please drink and eat, get some ret. It will be a few hours before the camp is prepared to move. I will tell the others what you have discovered and then we'll plan." he pauses briefly and considers his words before saying "My gut tells me we should strike them before they discover our movements and hit us in force. We could attack, or if possible barter a truce and passage through their lands. I am thinking we'll be followed by the false gods troops before too long, and I would like nothing better than to leave a Goblin tribe in their path. However this may not be possilbe." He shakes his head, the details of such plans beyond his simple reasoning skills. "Rest, Teven. Meet us when you're ready and we'll plan our next strategy"
The big knight then moves through the camp, checking on people he has come to know and care for over the last 5 years. Jonas and Elizah looked tired, their two children huddled and uncertain in their small tent while th parents cooked. They still held a modicum of distrust for Khronos after witnessing his brutal rage last night, and that more than anyhting stung the Paladin. The trust of a child was not easily re won. He moved to Jonas and patted him on the shoulder, offering encouragement and thanks. Next he went to check on Hareah's widow, informing her he would have a prayer for her husband before the troupe moved out.
Then he asked the rest of the leaders to gather with him and make plans for the day given Teven's report.
As day breaks, Gratitude hovers near Khronos, wondering if he belongs in this elite group or if he should simply slip back to join the other axemen. Finally he shrugs and eases himself into the group without comment, listening to the report and considering the options.
"Using the goblins to hold off our enemies? I don't know. They sound as if they'd both enjoy hunting us down and that's two threats on our trail. I don't like those odds. Not when we have so many people to care for."
Varlis quietly joins the discussion, nods to the others in acknowledgement.
Kaelynne joins the group as they plan, her son sticking close by her after the events of the night before. Not wanting his mother to be hurt again Uriel wraps his arms around her legs as she stands nearby the others as they plan, her expression a little apologetic.
"Aye Gratitude, you make a good point. My worry is that we five will not be able to tackle the goblins alone and I'm loath to risk any of the other villagers. I'm also concerened with being held up too much and having to fight on two fronts. That is not something we'd win."
The tone of his voice was serious yet ponderous as he tried to factor everything together. He looked down at Kaelynne's young son and across at Varlis. "We also need to consider that some of us have more to lose if we start a conflict we can't win or walk away from."
"Adar?" he asked, turning to the young warlock "Would the goblins honour any agreement we made or trade willingly. Would they respond to fear? Or should we accept the fact a fight is inevitable?"
He watched the camp preparing to move and realised they'd have to make a decision soon. He also had to say a prayer for Hareh.
Adar turns and spits at the ground in disgust, "Goblins cannot be trusted, Khronos... not ever. Even in fear they will plot, their clever minds twisting words into songs to turn the tide of fear against us. Yes, fear will motivate them, but it must be used carefully. Such subtleties are not my strength, I fear," he glances into the woods, "and fear will only delay the goblins, not stop them. There are other goblins here, those wolves required training, care, facilities that are the mark of a community, not a group in isolation. There will be more."
He hesitates, trying to keep his voice low enough not to cause a panic. "Two foes face us now... the goblins can be managed in small numbers, but they will whittle our own numbers down to nothing one by one, even with small raids as we just faced. We would do better if we could somehow set them upon Razmir's enforcers, but such subtle tactics are not my strong suit. The question is what the goblins were seeking. If it was easy food, we may be okay, having proven that we can defend ourselves. If they wished to cause mayhem... and goblins love mayhem, then we may have serious trouble coming. Goblins in numbers will be heedless of a few deaths, while we fear even a single loss. They will use that against us. You are a good man, Khronos. But Goblins are not men... their tactics will turn to terror, seeking to make us fight both them and our own community at once. Think what we would do if a child ran in fear from the goblins into the woods. They only need to scare one badly enough. These are the things I fear."
Listening to Adar's words, Khronos' hopes sink a little deeper into sadness. It would seem a fight was inevitable.
"Well then Adar, as the only one with real knowledge of our foe, I feel we must listen to your advice. From what I gather, negotiations are useless. We must destroy this threat or at least make them so disorganised that they pose no threat to us any more while the caravan moves though the forest" He looks around the group, judging their responses.
"Unless we have other ideas I'd like to call a vote. Those in favour of assaulting the tribe?"
He waits for responses.
"I would prefer to take one alive, question it and gain more information before I vote yes or no."
Varlis apologises, "I am sorry Adar but there may be something that the goblins want more than us. It could just be territorial. Or not."
"A combination Khronos. Without more information, we can't take on a whole tribe. With it we can at least identify the leaders and target them. It's always about finding the King."
He looks at Kaelynne's little boy and thinks of the other children of the village, forcing himself to imagine what might happen to them if the goblins took any one of them.
"Adar, I've heard that goblins fear horses and dogs. Is that true?"
"A combination Khronos. Without more information, we can't take on a whole tribe. With it we can at least identify the leaders and target them. It's always about finding the King."
He looks at Kaelynne's little boy and thinks of the other children of the village, forcing himself to imagine what might happen to them if the goblins took any one of them.
"Adar, I've heard that goblins fear horses and dogs. Is that true?"
"I would say fear horses and hate dogs, but yes, it is true." He turns to Varlis, "If we take one captive and question it, we may get some useful information, if only how much we would need to alter our course to avoid this tribe... but the captive goblin might try to trick us into even more dangerous territory. My opinions on this are clouded by my experience with the goblins, and I have no illusions about it, so don't apologize on my account."
He walks over to Khronos, "Do not misunderstand me, Khronos. I did not say negotiating with the goblins was a bad idea... only one to be approached with caution. It may be a crucial move that buys us time. I only mean that we cannot trust the goblins to negotiate in good faith. They are evil creatures whose goal cannot be misconstrued, they will want to kill, and possibly eat us if they can." Adar hangs his head, "I wish I could give you more hope, but the goblins are a deadly enemy in numbers, in their own way worse than Razmir's enforcers. The enforcers might kill and stake us... but the goblins are likely to stake us and cook us on a fire while we're still alive."
"But you did ask me to vote and we cannot leave the goblin threat unanswered in my view."
"I vote assault."
Teven is content listening to the leaders discussion and leaving the decisions to them.
While Gratitude would always rather go into a battle knowing as much as possible, he respects the others opinions. In the end he will go with whatever Khronos decides and will back him to the hilt. Adar's thoughts on goblin trickery have given him pause for thought.
"If we do decide to attack them, I did just wonder if we could stampede horses and dogs through them to break up any plans they might have. Do you think they'll try and pick us off or risk an open attack Adar?"
Khronos listened to the disucssion of the others around him, taking on all their points before he himself spoke up. He would like more input from Adar but the young man was a little distant and quiet. The advice he had given so far was superb though, and helped to form his next words.
"We'll never strike a deal that will last with these goblins. I am reluctant to expend resources of horses and dogs on an attack. Horses in particular will be needed to move this caravan. However maybe we can spare at least one. Sending it charging through a camp seconds before we attack may give us the edge we need."
He turned to young Gratitude, nodding at his idea of more information. "I am not suggesting we charge blindly into melee Gratitude. We have Teven who can probably observe the camp unnoticed for a while to give us intelligence. The risk of tipping off the tribe by a capturing raid is too high. We strike hard and fast, cut the head from this serpent and leave. We also can't afford to have the Crofters delay by more than half a day at most. Otherwise we bring the wrath of the false gods forces down upon us."
He draws a deep breath, weighting the choice of words for what they will mean to those around him. "I say we fight"
Varlis nods and mentally begins to think through what may be needed.
"Do you mean for all of us to leave the camp, today, in daylight?"
"If we're going to attack them, let's give ourselves all the advantage we can. Night favours the goblins. Khronos, tell us what you need us to do. We will support you, never doubt that."
Gratitude looks around the group. "If I stay central, I'm a good rallying point I think. Are the horns and purple hair noticeable enough?"
Kaelynne shifts uncomfortably and lightly strokes her son's hair as she listens to the others speak. "Wedo need to deal with the goblins, but what if another danger approaches whilst we look into this? Surely we need to stay with the crofters, all of us together.. Perhaps the goblins are settled or happiest in this area and our moving swiftly away will be the best course of action"
Khronos heart lurched at the obvious concern Kaelynne held for her son's welbeing. He felt keenly the weight the others had placed upon him by nominating him as the default leader. He was not the most intelligent amongst them, he certainly didn't understand tactics even half so well as young Gratitude and he suspected that Kaelynne was the better fighter.
"Do not place such great faith in my judgments, I beg of you. It is good that you speak of your concerns Kaelynne. I have thought of the crofters and the danger that faces them if we leave. They still have a core of axemen and archers. They have the advantage of large numbers. It is a brave or foolish enemy that attacks such a lerge carvan while its folk are ready and no true animal will willingly appraoch unless given no other choice." He stated carefully, looking at the faces of the others.
"My plan is for us to leave this morning, with Teven leading the way to the camp. We give the crofters half a day's rest while we make our way to the goblins. They strike camp and move as the sun hits it's zenith, but take a more easterly route. Teven has already gathered a cadre of scouts who can work in his place." His speech was slow and methodical as the plan resolved itself to the others. He had been thinking on this all morning and hopeed it was sound. "I vote we leave mother magpie in charge of the folk, perhaps with some support. I'd suggest Jonas Jensen as a steady man but there are those as would see it as nepetism and cause trouble. Maybe one of the troublemakers could be given a role as leader for the moment to appease hi.. them" The knight bit off the word at the end, trying to calm his smouldering anger at last nights confrontation after the battle had ended.
"When we find the camp, be it to barter or to fight, the crofters will be half a day away, moving away from this camp. We will either by our victory or fight for it. I cannot of course ask you to accompany me, for it may be we're all killed in the attempt. I do believe it is our best option. I don't want to see us whittled to nought through night raids. I certainly don't want to see any of the young ones taken during a raid. I am a simple man, and the man who trained me gave me a simple tennet. Attack is often the greatest defense. He charged a troupe of light foot once, to save an old woman and her sow on the road. An amazong man. However I am not he."
"I see no other viable option. Fleeing will have them nipping at our heals and slows our escape from the False Gods men. Bartering will probably fail according to Adar. These creatures are evil. They think of nought but food and the chaos they can cause. If some of you choose no to come, then I perfectly understand. I stand by my vote though"
Listening to Khronos, Gratitude nods emphatically.
"I'm trying to be tactful here. It's not easy. Not all our neighbours are the easiest to accommodate, but even the most vocal will rally to protect their own. Spread the leadership role among them and give them responsibility. Apart from anything else, it will keep them busy and out of trouble and hopefully too tired to make mischief."
He pauses. "Maybe not so tactful. As far as your plan goes, I will follow you Kronos. Getting the crofters away gives them the chance to fight or flee if we fail. Although personally I'm not planning to fail."
He smiles at Kaelynne's boy. "Little one. Do me a great favour and look after my chess set until we all get back. Then I'll teach you how to play."
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Ultimately, the Council (for so the Woodcrofters now think of them) decides to take the fight to the goblins. Grandma Magpie agrees with the cover of letting the villagers recover from last night's trauma and take a bit of rest, as they are all weary. Picking up on Khronos's intent, she nominates both Jonas Jensen and Stanislav Cartwright to assist her. Cartwright seem as if he wants to object, but does not, perhaps not finding convincing grounds. Grandma gets them both to work right away, organizing details to check the wagons, check the animals, and make sure everyone will be ready to travel later in the morning.
Teven leads the small group and finds the game-trail he had identified the previous night. It does not seem as if large numbers of goblins move on it, but it clearly sees some humanoid use.
After about twenty minutes on the trail, Teven, scouting ahead:
Khronos moved through the woods, enjoying the sound of the animals and the wildlife as a new discovery in his life. Despite the potential dangers, the discovery of new sights and sounds still thrilled the big knight.
His eyes moved about, searching for signs of danger in the trees but his training really didn't prepare him for such tasks. He was too easily distracted by the small movements of leaves and the twitching of wrens through the branches to be truly effective at spotting danger. He hoped Teven was better at this.
Behind him, the horse he led nickered softly and nuzzled at his back. He stroked its nose quietly to try and keep the animal calm and quiet. With luck, this horse could be used to sow dissaray into the enemies camp as Gratitude had suggested. IF Teven's scouting report made this unlikely then they would tie it off and attack without risk to the creature.
His big fear for the animal was the wolves. While goblins were scared of the noble steeds, wolves would proabably attack it on sight. Maybe they'd be tethered or penned?
The Javelins he'd scrounged from the goblin raid last night now hung in a sling over his back. It was the only ranged weapon he had apart from his dagger. Really, it was up close and personal where he shone. Well this morning would certainly test that theory to its limit.
He again turned his eyes out towards the woods and waited for Tevens return.
DM
Correct me if I'm wrong or if the stealth check fails, what I think this entitles is a stealth check and then a Coup De Grace
Stealth (1d20+8=11)
Coup de grace Twin Strike (1d20+7=22, 1d20+7=18) vs the dog.
Dmg if first hits 8 + 1 + 6 = 15 ( the 6 is from hunters quarry )
Dmg if second hits 8 + 6 = 14
Dmg if both hit 23
Hopefully this works out how I want it to and I can now try and sneak up on the sleeping goblin, otherwise I'm in trouble.
As they wait for Teven to report, Gratitude shifts slightly and catches Khronos's eye. Sensing his concern, he also stretches a hand out towards the horse.
"If Teven comes back with good information, we need not risk another life. I'm averse to losing pieces." His eyes take on a slightly distant look, mentally calculating their strengths and weaknesses.
"Khronos, no decision you make will be bad. Any choice can only be made based on information known at the time."
Time seemed to drag interminably onwards in the woods. It seemed an age since Teven had scouted ahead, yet still the ranger hadn't returned to report. Khronos began to worry, concerned he had been discovered or stumbled into trouble he could not extricate himself from.
As Gratitude spoke, he nodded thoughfully. This young man was rapidly proving his worth as a "coucilor" for the group. He had aquitted himself well in combat as well and his grasp of the tactical game chess was impressive.
Adar, as always quiet and introspective stood just behind her, probably brooding on the events of last night. Maybe even thinking of things to come. With a start Khronos realised the boy might be about to face the very goblin tribe that had held him captive so many years before. What would that do to a boy? He didn't like to dwell too long on it.
Varlis, the young father was a brave and well spoken man. His knowledge far outstripped Khronos' own and so he had been surprised when this mage had been the first to vote for fight. It was an assumption the half elf had made, thinking the teacher would rather talk than fight. His decisiveness would be vital in the upcoming fight. If numbers went against them, it would be Adar and Varlis who would be dropping the vast numbers with their magics.
Kaelynne came last in the party. It was for her that he truly hoped his decision was the best. They had voted, of course, but the burdon of guilt lay heavy on his heart. She had walked away from camp, leaving her young son alone in the care of strangers. Well, she and he would be fighting side by side at the front. Between the two of them and their mighty weapons, they would bring down a harvest of pain for the Goblin raid last night. Desna willing, everyone would be coming back to the refugees tonight.
He turned to the front again. Time passed.
As the party travel, Varlis takes the opportunity to study the flora and geology of the region. With no children in tow, he can collect a few woodland species he has never seen before.
They all go into his backpack for later perusal. Varlis hums as he travels, using the staff to help push away stray branches.
After seeing the goblins along the stream Teven makes his way back to the group and tells Khronos and Gratitude about the goblins saying. "Up ahead near a stream are two goblins and a dog like creature. When i saw them one of the goblins and the dog appeared to be asleep. I believe that it would be advantageous to capture one of the goblins to interrogate it about the camp."
"Agreed, do we have any magic that might help us here?" the knight asks of the wizard and warlock. "If not, I guess we charge and capture as fast as possible."
He turned to the scout "Would it be possible for you to track around the other side of them to prevent escape if our approach alerts them?"
The Half Elfs blood began to beat faster as the addrenalin pulsed through his heart. Another battle, but this time they would call the shots.
"If they are together I may be able to "sleep" them," Varlis answers.
"Teven, have you the skill to silence the dog?"
"Not with out alerting the other goblins. There is no way for me to sneak up on it without a goblin noticing." Says Teven in response to Gratitudes question.
Gratitude grimaces. "We'd better work fast then." he comments.
"Khronos, what would you like us to do?" The tiefling waits attentively to hear what the paladin has to say.
Khronos looks at the assembled group before answering "We strike hard and fast. Two of them are sleeping, and hopefully still will be. Varlis drops the sleep effect on them to try and drop the second goblin. We move in and take them down. The dog dies, no matter what. Trained animals are not going to respond to us. If we can capture one or both goblins then we do so. I would like to get Teven across the other side of the group if he can get there safely. If not, then we all charge as Varlis drops the spell. "
He was firing ideas fast and furiously, as the plan and excitement built together. He tethered the horse to the nearest tree and marked its location, so they could come back after this raid.
"Any questions? Any other ideas? Speak up now, please. We need to do this quickly before this opportunity vanishes"
Nodding briskly, Gratitude assents to the plan.
"So if Teven gets to the other side, Varlis and Adar can move up on a goblin each, backed by one of us. Varlis with Kaelynne maybe and Adar with you. They need protection to cast. I can stay central and help Teven deal with the dog."