Looking at everyone Hardian says, Let me be clear. I am not a murderer. If this man is unjustly detained I have no problem with helping him but I have no stomach for premeditated murder. I'll defend myself but I have no interest in killing.
Turning to the map, I like the bridge. It would allow us to restrict their movement and compromise them. If the water is running quickly enough the river there might be a way to slip away and while they can track us it would take time if they have to comb both sides of the river for our signs.
Salm looks at them with pity in his eyes. "Yes, very naive." He turns to Janiven. "How many tanglefoot bags, smokesticks, and thunderstones do you have?"
Zumii continues to ponder the situation at hand.
"If we were to use the bridge we may be able to restrict there movement further. Back home I often overheard tales told by vagabonds & I once overheard a group discussing how they used a wall of fire to limit a merchants escape." Zumii pauses & then continues. "If we created a line of oil across the ground by the bridge enterance, then waited until the last of the Hell Knight party had passed the oil line, we could light it & restrict their movement backwards .. or at least provide a distraction. However for this to be effective we would likely have to dig a small plough line & fill that with the oil ..." Zumii trails off continuing to ponder.
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As everyone starts talking about the bridge as their first choice, Lia shrugs, "I could hide under the bridge and then come out next to the wagon. Probably would have to use the stream to escape as the horses will be able to run us down out in the open like that." Touching Zumii's shoulder lightly, "I don't think there will be enough time to purchase oil and set it up."
"I have a standard oil flask that we could put to use, maybe to scare the horses in some way?"
"Now Zumii has a fine idea. Do we have enough oil to make it work?"
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At the mention of using caltrops on the horses Lia frowns, "I don't see a need to hurt the animals if we strike and then fade back into the thick brush. Have everyone create a diversion on one side of the road and then I can sneak up from the other and free Areal. Tobias can put anyone they leave behind to sleep for me. You can do that like you did in the sewers, right Tobias?"
Janiven says, "I do not think the knights are to be taken lightly. We need to separate the horse escorts from the carriage. That means taking out the horses. They will feel momentary pain but then will throw their riders and get out of the caltrops. They won't suffer any lasting damage. The heavily armoured soldiers will be out of position and too far away to be a factor in the attack on the carriage proper."
While I cant say Im pleased with the tactics, I can't argue that they are anything but sound, given our situation and resources. If this is what the group wishes, I will go along with it as best I can.
Even though he is not convinced of the group's insistence on using only non-lethal methods, Salm is still all in for the organization and this mission.
"Do we have enough caltrops to do this then?"
"Vitti, I noticed you creating a marvellous flute do you think that we could make use of a similar instrument? One that would possibly make a sound that would startle the horse & make it rear up?"
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I am going to agree with Salm here. I'm not going to worry too much if someone ends up dead. I won't go out of my way to kill anyone, and I hope we do succeed without killing, but if it comes down to one of them or one of us...Thosys lets his words trail off. Now, lets finish up the planning, we don't have much time.
if I may propose something. Getting close enough to rush them is fine and terrain offers that. But, if we want to take best advantage we have to get very close first. I suggest a ruse. They don't have to believe it, just put them off balance enough to let us get close. I also would think we would look to concealing our identities and misdirection would aid in that as well.
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if I may propose something. Getting close enough to rush them is fine and terrain offers that. But, if we want to take best advantage we have to get very close first. I suggest a ruse. They don't have to believe it, just put them off balance enough to let us get close. I also would think we would look to concealing our identities and misdirection would aid in that as well.
"or just hide under the bridge, that's where I plan to be anyway. It looks like there is a travelers campsite to one side of the bridge, we could just pretend to be weary travelers that have stopped for a rest. If only we had smoke or something to obscure the wagon and our movements. Keep them confused and blind. We have decided that we are doing this at the bridge....right?" She shrugs and yawns, "Let's just go out there and take a look."
While the disguise is a sound plan, hopefully it'll be effective at drawing them in and throwing them off balance, I'd be keen to remind people that an ambush may just plain be better. Bandits are a problem in the area, and the Hellknights would be quick to shoot now and ask questions later. Beyond that, even if they don't think we're bandits...well...they may just say we were bandits after they've killed us. Between the bridge and the foliage, perhaps a simple ambush would be better?
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Vitti does look a bit uncomfortable with the plan regarding the horses but Janiven touches his shoulder, "I know that some parts of this plan do not sit well with all of you. However, given our time frame I think its the best one that we have. We could try to use subterfuge to get close but that does not remove the extra guard that we would have to fight. Most of this group are not capable of taking on trained soldiers up close. Drawing them away to allow the more trained members of this group to free Areal is our best option."
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While the disguise is a sound plan, hopefully it'll be effective at drawing them in and throwing them off balance, I'd be keen to remind people that an ambush may just plain be better. Bandits are a problem in the area, and the Hellknights would be quick to shoot now and ask questions later. Beyond that, even if they don't think we're bandits...well...they may just say we were bandits after they've killed us. Between the bridge and the foliage, perhaps a simple ambush would be better?
Janiven nods, "Agreed, Tobias. The road to their keep is only really travelled by the Hellknights. They would be very likely to shoot first and ask questions later.
Well, it sounds like the plan is generally set then. I'm willing to help though I fear it's a bit fool hardy.
"Foolhardy or not, it's the plan we have."
Lia pulls the flute out and looks it over considering Zumii's words, "What kind of sound would you need to make?"
"I'm unsure, Vitti may have more of an idea than me. After all he is more at one with nature" Zumii smiles politely at Vitti.
Janiven nods, "Agreed, Tobias. The road to their keep is only really travelled by the Hellknights. They would be very likely to shoot first and ask questions later.
"Whatever our action will be, we must act quickly" Zumii looks to the others.
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Vitti responds about the flute, "I can make whatever animal sound you want to use within reason. I'm not sure I have perfected my owlbear call yet," he says with a wink to Lia.
Janiven continues, "We have enough caltrops to cover a 20 foot section of the road. Most of the group will be beyond the caltrops and will draw the riders to us. The rest of us will attack the carriage. Now, we should make our final preparations and head out to the bridge site so we can get ready."
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Lia offers the flute back to Vitti if he thinks it will help, "I'd like to hear the animal sounds you make." Her eyes suddenly go wide and she blushes deeply, "I...I mean...the owlbear one...or other animals." She quickly lets her hair fall to hide her face again and makes herself busy preparing to go.
I will be hiding behind the bush at Z,49.
Stealth
Tobias readies himself for the upcoming ambush, checking that his potions all hang within reach, holstered in the pouches he's sown in his cloak. He hides under the bridge .
He takes a quick survey of the area, noting any terrain he can use to his advantage.
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Janiven says, "The Hellknights will be coming in from here,as she points to the north side of the map. "The rest of our group will be stationed on the other side of the caltrop section of the road down here," pointing the an area south of the bottom of the map. "This should draw them far enough away that if they are thrown from their horses, their heavy armour will take them out of the combat. That is the hope at any rate."
I'll take a position at J47. I've got my fists with me so I'm prepared. Stealth Roll - 1d20 + 2 = 20 + 2 = 22.
Zumii draws her punching dagger & takes up position. Zumii will take position at
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After making some preparations the group heads out from the safe house. Horses are provided after a quick stop at Gorvio's uncle's. Despite your uneasiness of being out in public so soon after your escape in the sewers but no one stops you as you make your way out of the city. After an hour's hard ride you make it to the ambush site and split into two groups. Janiven supervises the laying of the caltrops and sets the others into position as you take your places and await the arrival the hellknights and their prisoner.
Lia and Tobias take their positions under the bridge which is made of mortared stone. The stream below is fast moving and about 4 feet deep
After a short time the sound of hoof beats the wagon wheels can be heard approaching. Cresting the horizon you can see 4 hellknights on horseback flanking an enclosed carriage. The carriage is enclosed by a heavy iron door and is about 7 feet square and 5 feet high riding about 2 feet off the ground. A running board on both sides and the rear holds 4 hellknights while one drives the wagon. On top of the wagon sits a heavy crossbow with another hellknight manning it. Sitting next to the driver is another figure dressed differently than the other hellknights. His black full plate and rimmed helmet along with his heavy mace seem to indicate he is a cleric worshipper of Asmodeus.
In case Zumii can notice anything of significance as they approach.
Initiative
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The wagon moves forward with the knights riding along most chatting and laughing and ocassionally banging on the top of the wagon which brings forth shouts of defiant protests from within. In a few moments the wagon rolls onto the bridge with the riders moving ahead. As the wagon reaches the centre of the bridge, Janiven's group rushes out onto the road and begin to whoop and holler insults at the armigers. The cleric at the front of the wagon says, "Show those bandits that it is fullhardy to attack the Order of the Rack on their home territory!" With that, the four riders laugh menacingly and spur their horses forward, racing towards the majority of the Children of Westcrown.
The horses gallop forward, their riders pulling longswords as they look to cut down the others but are quite suprised when their horses hit the section of the road covered with the caltrops they failed to see. The horses buck and twist, throwing all four riders off to land awkwardly on the ground about 500 feet away from the bridge.
The trap sprung, the rest of the Children of Westcrown waste no time hightailing it back into the forest on both sides of the road as the riders groggily begin to pick themselves up looking at their horses who have cleared the caltrops and are continuing to run towards the Hellknight keep.
ACTIONS?
I will take aim at the cleric, but will wait for the rest of my group to act. If the cleric begins to cast a spell, after they've shown themselves, he gets an arrow fired at him.
Since I have every confidence that he will defend himself and his prisoner, here's my rolls for my readied action.
Shortbow Damage