he Keeper of forbidden lore looks into many realms, countless worlds. Today she casts her glaze upon Eberron, but not the Eberron that you know. This Eberron magic and the technology of magic have moved more then the one you know. House Cannith produces the compounds for repeating crossbows that has found there way into every nations armies. Warforged of diffent builds and makes still walk from the forges. Troops are bogged down in trenches, airships both great and small fill the sky. Fields are lined with hidden blast disks. Here unlike most Eberrons magic and technology are truly becoming one.
Today she will look to the nation of Cyre
Fort Mendris sits 6 miles out side the Cyran capital of Metrol. Fort Mendris is one of the largest military base in all of Cyre. Yet an eerie silence falls over the fort. For 6 weeks ago 40'000 troops marched from the fort toward the Karrnath border. Now the fort stands more empty then it has in 10 years.
The 112th Cryran battalion known as the Black caps have yet to deploy. The Black caps are the elite. The best Cyre has. Every one on base knows deployment will be soon. The 112th are trail blazer, they know when they go they will be the first units on the ground. Miles ahead of any reinforcement.
Divisions of small airships hover around the base.They have become a common sight to many here. The so called Dragon fly class air ship 60' long, with a ring of elemental air on the forward and oft ring. they tend to kick up dost and grass anytime they come to close to the ground. There black slick hulls are a common sight for any Black cap. When they time comes 21 men will pile into the long dark body, and from a height many folks would never dream they will plunge into the dark night sky behind the enemy lines.
So the black caps spend there last days in Mendris, over bar stools, with loved ones or just checking gear. For soon the call will come, how will you spend your last days?
Spending his free time in quiet meditation and combat practice, Garroth is anxious to be deployed. His pent-up anxiety and aggression has been taken out on a string of practice equipment and sparring partners. "Soon," he mutters as yet another practice dummy is split apart after a vicious round-house kick.
"The enemies of my country will pay dearly for what they have done to it. Their unlawful rebellion against the true heir of Galifar's crown will be severely punished. And the souls of my family will rest in peace!" Garroth startles himself, realizing that the last portion was said out loud. Quickly looking around to see if anyone else noticed, he retreats to his bunk for meditation. "I must re-focus myself," he thinks. "Outbursts represent a lack of self-control."
|
Nomric will busy himself, checking and rechecking the equipment. "Hmmp... the least they could do is supply us with handy haversaks. How do they expect us to carry all the necessary equipment." he will be found there grumbling to himself. along the lines of... 'leave this?...no might need it. maybe that.. drat you never know whats needed til you don't have it.' more grumbling, then "Ahh drat. wonder if I'll be able to take my puppy.Hope so, then HE can carry the supplies.....mumble, mumble....."
Jaxon Lockard woke with the rising sun; his head was aching and his vision blurry. To his side there was a half-elf female and he hardly recognized his surroundings. While he didn’t have quite an accurate memory of last night’s events, from the morning after, it looked as though it was quite eventful. Many days began like this, especially before shipping out, and he knew it would end with the tears of his latest bonnie lass unless he could slip off unnoticed. Luckily, Jax made it a point of pride that he often had a way of slipping off unnoticed.
To his headache’s appeasement, Fort Mendris was mostly quiet. Eerily quiet to some but Jaxon had grown quite fond of the past six weeks of relative peace from the hustle and bustle of the fort’s regular troops. Regular troops were too loud, he thought; too boisterous and too high strung. He knew they played an important role but he held himself with an air of superiority that attracted some and deterred others and he always believed if the war was to be won, it would be with finesse, not in the trenches.
Jaxon soon found himself at his familiar perch, The Drunken Buckler, where he entered with no great cause for alarm and sat down at the bar, removing the Black cap of his regiment’s name sake and placing it on the bar directly in front of him. He signaled to the bar tender, a portly old gentleman named Kestrel whose left leg had been lost in defense of Cyre long before Jax was born.
“Hair of Dog Kestrel, You know how it is…” Jax jested, pointing towards a bottle behind the bar.” Two shots” he clarified.
Kestrel offered an obnoxious chuckle and stopped his usual routine of washing and drying glasses in order to fulfill the young changeling’s request. Jaxon quickly turned up the first shot of the Cyrian whiskey, a taste he had come to appreciate. He had learned to ignore the familiar burn. He’d been serving Cyre for nearly six years now and he had discovered long ago that the best thing to calm ones nerves before a dangerous military endeavor was fine drinks and pleasurable company. He stood and returned his cap to its rightful place.
“Shall I put it on your tab then Jax?” Kestrel inquired. Jax took the last shot and placed two silver pieces upon Kestrel’s bar.” No thank you,” He said swiftly.” I might not have a chance to pay it.”
Jaxon thusly made his way to the barracks, greeting the others he passed there with a respectful smile and nod. As a result of training daily with his black cap companions, he might grudgedly admit to being fond to a few of them, but he was weary of friendships in his line of work, as experience had taught him how fickle death was. He checked and rechecked his gear and supplies. To go into war unprepared was to invite death.
Valyn walks through the door and quickly spots an appealing table. The reason why? No one is sitting there. He quickly heads to the table hoping to get there first. On his way to the corner of the bar where the pretty table resides he passes by Jax and nods at an honorable friend who he had served many missions with. Valyn sits down and feels that someone is staring at him he quickly looks to his side as he sees that two younger males are pointing and making awful gestures he starts to get up and ask them if they want to see his teeth, but he decides that its not worth ruining good night of silence .He takes out his dagger and lays it on the table, glancing over at the young men that were previously staring at him and grins at them. They quickly finish there beverage and leave. He chuckles slightly as he gets out his wet stone and starts sharpening his dagger to his standards. He walks over to the bar and sits down on a barstool and turns a around at the bartender and requests a tall glass of beer. He sips it down enjoying the taste for this might be the last time that he can enjoy a good beer. When he’s done he leaves a five silver piece tip. Valyn heads out the door to the barracks. Upon arrival he makes his way to his bunk and sets down on his bed. It is getting late and Valyn checks his equipment and once he is satisfied that all of his weapons are sharp; and his crossbows are ready to go; and all ropes are good and strong he heads off to bed, ready for anything sleeping always with a dagger by his side.
|
|
Nomric will finally decide what he is going to take, and packs it and/or dons it to be prepared.He then goes and seeks out the other members of his squad and gives them each a samll copper ring, inset with a polished ,black disk of wood.Scratched in the back in tiny numbers,112."Here take this ring and put it on.That way if I need to infuse you with magic,your already wearing an item that I'm attuned to and can cast on.yeah it's cheap, but it'll work and thats what counts. Your gear ready and up to snuff? If you have any problems with stuff bring it to me soonest sos I can get it takin care of.Anybody seen my mutt?"He'll then wander off towards the mess hall.." Marenka! where are you?" grumble,mumble,grumble....
Jax meditated quietly, pushing the thoughts of the impending mission from his mind- pushing out the faces of fallen allies, pushing out the screams of lost friends. It wasn’t easy, but he had to focus himself nightly if he was to be capable of his full psionic prowess.
He was pulled suddenly back into reality at Nomric’s arrival. Jaxon extended his hand and received the ring.
“Thanks Nomric…And Here I was thinkin’ you were about to propose.” He said with a swift smile. Taking the ring under further examination, Jax nods in approval.
“All jokes aside I think it’s a good idea, and I’m all ready to go, thanks.” He declares. ”Oh and I don’t think I’ve seen your little pup around. I certainly hope Valyn didn’t get a craving or anything of the sort.” Jax added, only half-jokingly.
” But if you’ll excuse me Mr. Gahlron…I really must get back to my meditation.” With that Jax places the ring on his left hand and resumes his nightly meditation.
So deep is Garroth's meditation that it takes Nomric a second try to get his attention.
"Thank you, Nomric," Garroth says, taking the ring from him. "An excellant idea. And, yes my gear is packed and ready for our forthcoming deployment."
Garroth takes a short, close look at the ring, then slides it on. "Hmmm ... a bit small as my fingers are somewhat thicker than most, but it will work. Thank you again. Oh, and I did see your canine a few hours back when I was training in the sparring room. I believe it was heading in the direction of the mess hall. Tonight they were serving liver, and as I'm sure your animal is aware, there are typically a great deal of leftovers. However, I have not seen it since."
After his teammate leaves, Garroth prepares himself for rest.
valyn is sleping having nighmares of past events that had happend in the war in the dream people where screaming,being dragged he quickly woke up when he heard the sound of nomrics voice. he was releved that the nightmare was eventually over.
He then asked what are u doing? nomric told him about the ring and gave it to him he then thanked him as he then put it on his right hand after nomric left he then layed in bed, thinking about the nightmare he just had,hoping that it would never come again.
Fort Mendris was abuzz. A mustering was called all Blackcaps to the grand hall. Something big was up. The word was that the grand general staff was on base. As you line into the grand hall, you see the whole of the Black caps battalion here, Warforged, human, elven even gnomes and halfing shoulder to shoulder. And there he was mid podium the Grand General himself Halistor Brdaden ir'kelsom. After everyone has filed in and they stand to attention he comes forward.
" At ease men, as you know Cyre offensive will soon start. You know this base is empty and most of it's troops long gone. For twelve long years we have prepared for this day, for twelve years you have watched are cites and towns fall to the unlawful warmongers.NO MORE!! He slams his fist down on the podium , the CRACK echo's though the grand hall. "Today we will show the warmongers just what Cyre is, As I speak
160'000 troops march toward the Karrnath held lands to the North. Sixteen airborn warship squadrons move to engage there airforce, We have are eight fleet moving by sea. And you have an important mission. Outside this hall wait thirty-six armed and ready to fight dragon flies. In one hour your squads will board those transport for the front. You will each be given a mission of vital importance. twenty-eight hours from then you will be dropping behind the enemy line. You will be cut off from all friendly force for weeks, maybe more. Now mean I don't have to tell you that the fate of Cyre lies in your hands. Do not fail her. FOR CYRE! DISMISSED!
With that the Black caps go there own way , eager to start but with only and hour left not much time to muster and load the ships. Some write letters, some check equipment, other share stories and friendship with those they may never see again. For where the Black winds of war blow, the Black Caps fallow
|
|
Making sure that Cookie (the cook), will keep an eye on Marenka til the mision is over Nomric will seek out his other companions and make sure they have the cheap copper rings as well." Here.Tis so I can Infuse them with power as it becomes necessary.keep it with ya." walks off mumbling about stupid non-paratrooping dogs....grumble, mumble grumble.......
Treading alone from the briefing and pep talk, Randal stayed away from the others...He never felt comfortable with most of them...only a few. The ones he had shared danger with. The ones he had shared combat with.
He moved along the trail to the barracks where they would be checking and rechecking their gear. Of course he knew his was alright, though he would perform his checks as well...every Vet of the Black Caps did.
As he moved into the barracks, he naturally softened his feral features to be more accepting. He spied his Brother Changeling Jax and nodded at him as he came down between the bunks, taking up a spot where he also began making sure his equipment was stowed properly for a jump.
"Good evening All" muttered the man who typically took point. Then he took one of the copper rings with a nod as it was handed to him..."Thanks...Anyone hear where we are jumping into?"
“For where the Black winds of war blow, the Black Caps follow.” The thought sent a chill down his spine. It wasn’t said aloud-It didn’t have to be. But it was a thought, in so many words, that crossed the mind of everyone in the grand hall as the Grand General spit out his fiery words. It reminded us all of the task at hand and of the path we had chosen. Jax had never doubted the path he had chosen. “…the fate of Cyre lies in your hands. Do not fail her. FOR CYRE!” The Grand General’s words resonated in the very soul of Jaxon, strengthening his resolve.
Jax shuffled quickly out of grand hall. An hour more of relative peace here in the fort, he thought. An hour more of sanity before the madness of war, he reminded himself. The whistling air outside was brisk, stark in comparison to the motionless heat of the grand hall. He pulled his cloak closer to himself, making his way back to the barracks.
Once Jax arrived at the barracks he made his way to his bunk. He nodded at His fellow changeling Randall and went to his pack. Although he had done it twenty times over just today, he checked and rechecked his gear, just as every Black Cap did. ’It is better to look ahead and prepare then to look back and regret’ he thought.
“Good evening Mr. Tullmoor…” Said Jax,” Fine day for war wouldn’t you say?” he added, in his usual half joking tone. Jax did his best to lighten things up when they were needed. He was nervous. No matter how many jumps he had under his belt, he was still nervous- he was still scared. Fear is a good thing though. Fear is what keeps us thinking, keeps us moving, and keeps us changing. Fear, he knew, was what keeps us alive.
“I know only what the good general has told us, “He stated, “behind enemy lines.” Jax secured the straps on his pack.” Isn’t that how it always goes?” he inquired.
“Oh, the Karrnath held lands to the north. The exact area is something I’m not sure about.” Jaxon recalled. “We’ll be sure enough when see it from the air.” He assured his comrades, securing his pack to his back.
“About that time eh lads?” Jaxon asked as he popped his knuckles.” You know I was once asked if I loved war by a innocent girl I once bedded down with…Cute little thing, quite the temper though.” He said.” But I digress. Anyway, if you’re wondering what my answer to that question was, It was hell no!” Jaxon exclaimed. “Not to offend any among us who might be fond of such things, but what sensible creature enjoys war? War is a means to an end, not a way of life. I fight this war so that someday when I settle down with a bonnie lass and have children, I don’t have to worry my changeling guts out about their fate in the war.” He stated. “Let it be known that I have no love for the sharpness of my blade or the swiftness of my crossbow bolts. I love only that which they defend-Life, and Liberty,” Jaxon paused, looking around the room at the faces of his allies “And therein my comrades…Therein my friends, lays our strength.” He finished,feeling acomplished, smiling ever so slightly…” To arms!”
with a slight chuckle Randall remarked "It is indeed a fine day to make war Jax!, a fine day."
He then listened to the ever philosophical Jax go on about how he felt about war. Randall was never so verbose and never tried to justify why he was in the Black Caps...or why he dared go on dangerous mission after dangerous mission....To him it was the excitement. The rush of near life or death. It kept him alive. It gave him a reason to be. He had heard the whispered remarks when he came in the room...everyone new Randall would never settle down, would never tell the stories to the wee ones as he sat on a porch. he would die as he lived alone and with blood on his hands. He sighed and stood, shouldering the pack and picking up his Mark-2 checking the clip for ease of release and feed...it was time.
"Yes a fine day...lets go friends...once more into the breach!"
Following the Grand General's briefing, Garroth follows his companions back to the barracks, lost in his own thoughts. He was ashamed to admit it, but not only was he in a high state of anxiety due to the impending mission, but also anticipation. They were headed back north, likely not far from where he was raised.
“About that time eh lads?” Jaxon asked as he popped his knuckles.” You know I was once asked if I loved war by a innocent girl I once bedded down with…Cute little thing, quite the temper though.” He said.” But I digress. Anyway, if you’re wondering what my answer to that question was, It was hell no!” Jaxon exclaimed. “Not to offend any among us who might be fond of such things, but what sensible creature enjoys war? War is a means to an end, not a way of life. I fight this war so that someday when I settle down with a bonnie lass and have children, I don’t have to worry my changeling guts out about their fate in the war.” He stated. “Let it be known that I have no love for the sharpness of my blade or the swiftness of my crossbow bolts. I love only that which they defend-Life, and Liberty,” Jaxon paused, looking around the room at the faces of his allies “And therein my comrades…Therein my friends, lays our strength.” He finished,feeling acomplished, smiling ever so slightly…” To arms!”
Though busy checking his things, Garroth's ear catches this. He responds to Jax in a very certain, but unemotional, tone. "What sensible creature enjoys war? I'm uncertain if 'enjoy' is the proper word, but it is almost all I have ever known. For me, it has been a way of life; I fight now because of what was taken from me, and other Cyrans, by those who now illegally tread our soil. Perhaps I do not love war, perhaps I do not love the taking of an enemy's life, but I can tell you this ... I do not hate it, either."
Garroth then gives a slight smile (unusual for him). "I suppose we all have our reasons for doing what we do, eh?"
|
|
Coming back from making arrangements for his dog Nomric catches the conversation between his squadmates..."Love war,Hate war Bah! I do it for the thrill of making magic and things go BOOM.(mumbles to himself as he turns to his bunk)especially Karnnathi undead..." He then turns back to his Squad and as he flops on his bunk..."BOOM!!!"
The evening air is cool as you make your way toward the low lithe forms of the dragon flies. You feel the heavy wind being pushed toward you by the ships rings. The low, fast buzz of the air as it whips by harkens to the ships name sake. You look up squinting against the wind and dust to look upon your home for the next 28 hours. The black vessel is sixty feet from front to aft, about 15 feet wide, two hoops are mounted to her dark hull and Air elemental's whips past the ground with a sharp low buzz. A wide door is lowed in the rear to allow loading and two doors to each side stand ready for that long cold jump to come. Thoughts whirl in your head as you head into the cramped hull. Inside her darkened hull a few small lamps glow here and there doing little to lighting the darkness .Benches line her inner hull with reinforcements throughout, making for a camped hold as the four short squads settle in for a long flight. You know from past flights in dank darkened hulls that you will be sleeping in shifts in hammocks hung from the beams overhead, not that many of you sleep well minds to attuned to what lies ahead.
You feel the Dragon fly lift off from the ground. Gravity tugs at your guts as you lunge forward into the darkening night sky. Some around you talk, others say prayers and some sit in silence with only the buzzing of the rings to be heard. Time is upon you, soon you will be far from home, far from the safety of the fort. Tomorrow some of you will lay dead in a cold field and you can’t help but wonder who. The black winds of war are blowing. And now you rush toward them with open arms.
As the craft begins to rise, Garroth turns to his squad-mates. "Exhilarating, no?"
He spends most of his time in meditation, but also has little problem sleeping in the hammocks. Of course, as it gets closer to the time when they disembark, his excitement grows and he has a harder time concentrating.
|
|
Nomric will spend the his time clambering over people and around the hold. He checks his gear and everyone elses as well, grumbling all the while..."Never enough ammo, nor food.Need more healing as well...mumble, mumble...Ahh good job bringin the repair kit,Scouty.At least ,with time,I can keep you up and running."He'll eventually climb back to his seat."Really could use a Healer in this squad tho...."He will then sit and slip in and out of sleep til they arrive.
Jax Settles down in the cramped quarters of the air ship, making himself as comfortable as possible. He shakes his head at Nomric.
"You lucky litle man you..."Jax remarks with a faint smile.
"Very exhilirating, Garroth....The next 28 hours should be plenty of time for you and Valyn to sharpen your fangs before facing the enemy." Jax smirked and pulled his cap over his eyes.
"Wake me when we get there boys."
With that Jaxon will sleep/meditate for the remainder of the flight unless anyone talks to him before we get there
The atmosphere inside the dragon fly had grown still and heavy as the jump master stood before the action doors. “Ok ya Blood yankers listen up! I want squads one and two at port, three and four at starboard. On my command, you’ll be jumping into the deaders ass end bucko’s. Once you are dirtside, you will find your Squad so keep an eye for each others landings. Three hours before dawn each Squad will be given it’s mission. Do not fail!”
With that the action doors pushed open. The wind forces its way into the Dragon flies belly. The force throws you back yet at the command of “Away one!’ you move as the first squad pushes into the cold night air. The time goes by slow, it crawls like a beast giving birth to fear and excitement. “Away two” sounds though the haul, sweat starts to build despite the biting cold, but after a lifetime in minutes the command “away three!’ rips you from your inner thoughts.You feel the biting cold wind and then your out among the sky like a fallen angle from the heavens. A Black angle of death, streaking ever closer to the earth below. The wind, stars and the moons above and around you like old friends. You feel excitement and dread unlike what many people will ever know. You are now plummeting like a stone over a rail. Ever closer to the embrace of the darkness below. Then your hand is on the token it breaks between your gloved hands and you start to float down. Like a leaf on the wind you glide down deep toward the darkness and death below.
Randall had sat in relative quiet in the Dragonfly, catching what sleep he could. He was veteran enough to know that soon the s%%@ would hit the fan, and sleep wouldn't be an option...better to store up on it while he could.
The Jumpmaster had put them on alert, and he'd moved to take a position right behind Scouty. He chuckled at how the little warforged always had to prove himself, even though they had worked together time and time again and there was immense admiration in how the plucky little construct approached his missions...Once Scouty jumped, Randall smiled into the night, feeling the rush of the wind and threw himself out the door...wanting to scream with happiness...his adrenalin went into overdrive and he felt that rush of awareness.
It wasn't long before he snapped the token that initiated the featherfall and he lightly dropped to the ground, running with the crossbow held lightly in his arms to the safety of some trees in the distance. He dropped to the ground, looking around for any signs of being spotted....
Jaxon sat perfectly still and quiet in the cramped quarters-amidst the whistling hiss of the air elementals, amidst the hushed whispers of his fellow passengers, he remained steadfast in his stillness. He was as still as the night sky over Karnn that the black caps were about to tear apart.
He awoke from his meditation focused and listened intently to the jump master’s orders. Jaxon Stood close behind Randal, and right after Randal had jumped and was clear, Jaxon followed. This was not Jax’s first jump no, far from it. But the rush of blood was quite the same as his first, quite the same as every time in fact.
The wind whipped wildly about his face and he felt his heart beat race. For a moment he thought it might burst from the exhilaration. Jaxon calmed himself and took deep breaths of the night air in his nose and out of his mouth. He forced his eyes open wider as he searched the sky below him for Scouty and Randal, and for a moment it was as if time stood still as he spotted their descent. He breaks the token, and drifts gently down to the ground below. He speedily follows close behind Randal with crossbow in hand, watching his fellow changeling’s back and checking the area for any hostiles. Perception check 1d20+9=10
Vayln is trying his best to get as much sleep as possible.Vayln knows that he must be awake so that all his senses are at 100 percent,because if he wasnt at 100 percent then he could get himself killed or one of his fellow squad members could get injuired,so therfore he gets as much sleep as possiable.Vayln finally gets ready to jump he goes before Nomric. As Vayln jumps out of the the black vessel known as Dragon Fly,the token breaks in his hand as he floats down below.
Following Jax, Garroth leaped from the dragonfly. With the wind blowing in his face, he briefly wondered if this was how it felt to fly ... but was jarred back to reality by the need to break the token. All of a sudden, the quick descent slowed to a gentle descent, and Garroth began prepping himself for the landing. He slipped on his night goggles, then readied his Mk II repeating crossbow. As soon as he touched down, he scanned the area for hostiles, then went off after his squad mates who had already touched down. He knew they needed to get under cover in a secure spot so they could await orders.
His heart was racing a mile a minute, making it difficult for him to perceive his surroundings. Garroth knew he would have to calm himself down, and return to the disciplined state of a warrior.
Assuming no hostiles in the immediate area, Garroth takes out the sending stone once the group has assembled to await orders.
Garroth feels the stone humm then his mind is elsewhere. No longer does he stand in a darken field but in a hexagonal room. He can see no one but he has been here before many times though the stone. A voice brakes from the darkness " He is one of ours, all clear" Then you see someone in the uniform of a commander step from the darkness and address you.
" Twelve miles from where you stand lays your target. It is a prisoner or war camp built inside a farm. Inside that camp is a Half elf named Moser Ir Jaldrik. Your mission is to infuriate that camp and bring out Jaldrik. Once Jaldrik is out you will recontact us with the stone.
His survival is paramount. Do your duty bring him home"
With that Garroth is back in his body the stone lays cold in his hand and he knows the mission and he knows where to go like a magnetic pull he feels it in his bones. You see Jaldrik as if he stands before you a regal looking man, with a hooked nose and graying hair. Twelve miles of enemy held land stand between you and a armed prison camp, time to go to work.
Garroth details the mission to the team, describing everything as he saw it. He packs the sending stone back away, adjusts his night goggles, pulls out his loaded Mk II, and turns to everyone.
"I know which way to go, so I suppose that puts me at the point. Let's move out. And we should try to keep it quiet."
Randall looked at Garroth and said "Ill scout. make sure we skirt enemy contact. I'll move ahead to each objective you point out and wait for you to arrive and point again...For now I'll make for that crooked tree over there and wait for you....see you in a few."
Randall moves quickly and silently like a wraith in the night, his senses on alert for anything out of the ordinary...
Garroth takes Scouty's pack, and sketches out the general route. "We will be right behind you. Be careful, friends." He also suggests a signal they can use to make sure they can identify each other.
Jaxon watches closely as Garroth sketches out a general map of the route. "The more who know the way the better right?" Jaxon concentrates intently on the map of the route, attempting to memorize it.Autohypnosis check 1d20+9=20
"Incase we lose our guide..." He says, winking at Garroth and the grim reality facing them.
After the scouts have moved ahead Jaxon will move stealthfully Stealth 1d20+14=19 at the front of the group
, his crossbow ready and eyes open. Perception 1d20+9=15
|
|
"Ermmm,OK Randall and Scouty then.I say once we get somewhat near our goal, we hide our basic equipment packs and round them up on the way out. Less to worry about that way.Once you get there, try to see what kind of gaurds patrol the area and gaurd the prisoners.If we have that info I can tailor our weapons to our target types.Or if mixed I can give us a general enhancement like flaming bolts.Not as effective but more versitile.Anyway good luck and be careful."
He then checks his gear again, mumbling to himself...'dog would've been real helpful,but noooo, he had to be afraid of heights.mumble grumble mumble.....
stealth,perception,perception with smell 8) (1d20+11=12, 1d20+6=22, 1d20+8=17)
Randall keeps to the shadows as he moves forward, his features blurring automatically so he wouldn't resemble anyone in particular, almost as a second thought....Hed done this so many times.
Goggles on, crossbow pointing wherever he looked. He hated the tunnel vision the gogles gave you, as they messed with your periphereal vision fiercely, but having dark vision helped. He glanced to make sure Scouty was still with him...the little guy could move like a ghost when he wanted to.
Randal and scouty move though the darkness for miles on end, always forward one or the other dropping back to signal the others as they make way toward there target. Soon morning is upon them as they make there way though the land colors of fall are everywhere even in this war torn world. Signs of the war linger here and there, broken walls burnt out homesteads and the like give mute witness to the horrors the land has seen.
Randal/scouty
About 9 miles into your trek you come upon a patrol of sorts. Twelve forms make there way in a line across a beaten path. They seem ordered as you watch they seem to make a mile trek then turn and start back toward the way they came, you are still at lest 1/4 a mile away and the rest of the group at lest a a mile back form you.
|
Randall drops to his knees and pauses, changing his skin color to match the surrounding terrain as much as possible...anything to break the outline of his humanoidness.
He whispers to Scouty "You're smaller than I and easier to be overlooked...go back and tell the group whats up and for them to move stealthy like up to here while I look for a way around these guys that won't be as noticable."
With that he begins scanning the terrain, looking for several things...one- what this patrol might be 'guarding', two- is there aay across the trail they walk down that is harder to see from their vantage point, and three...what the lay of the ground is how best to proceed both before and after the crossing.