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"Heh, this ain't a matter of blood Grutsnick" the Captain replies "though even if there were a supply ship there it ain't likely to have more than its own contingent of marines aboard."
The Captain looks down at the charts again for a few minutes and indicates a nearby island to the target.
"Alright me plan be this then, we come to this island and anchor using its mountains to hide until dusk. We'll then approach from the rear of the island and let ya take a row and circle from the south while we on the ship will wait an hour and then circle the island from the north. Once ye can see us approaching ya cause as much ruckus as ya can on their southern wall. I'll fire some of that alchemist fire in the catapults and set some fires in the middle of the compound and then take their dock. After that fight to the store house, grab the loot and we'll meet up to bring it back to the ship. What do ya reacon?" the Captain asks finally after much gesticulating at the map.
Lorelei will just look over to Grutsnick to see what he thinks of the plan. She knows tactics is not her specialty. Hopefully Grut can help the Captain come up with a plan that won't cost us too much in the way of manpower. I also hope the Captain's information regarding the number of troops on the island is correct.
Grutsnick nods
"Aye Cap'n, this'll work for now. We'll know more after the scouting mission and can adjust the plan then."
I'm not so sure about the fire. I'll try to talk him out of that.
Roland gives the Captain an affirmative nod.
Well, the Captain certainly has warmed to the idea of having his own private little group of commandos in us more exceptional members of his crew. He's a sharper man than he carries himself, even if his planning is a bit broad strokes for my taste. I'll have to discuss strategy for our end of things with Grutsnick after this in order to increase the likelihood we'll survive this.
"If that's all captain, I shall go ready my self." Jarret offers, nodding modestly. He clears his throat and turns slightly so that he is facing the exit.
"Good luck Jarret, don't dawdle around flirting with mermaids while you're out." Laughs a little at her own joke and tugs on Uraisa's arm a bit. Come along and we'll have our own pre-raid dicussion."
If Uraisa follows Lorelei she'll lead her on over to wherever on deck isn't too busy or crowded at the moment and doesn't seem to mind if any of the others follow. "Now, just to see where I should begin, have you ever been in or witnessed a raid before? I just want to make sure you know what to expect because it wouldn't do for you do get distracted at the wrong moment."
Following her friend, Uraisa excuses herself from the mission briefing.
"I can't say I have ever been involved in a raid before, no. I expet there will be a lot of fighting and alot of confusion. I'm not sure how much help I will be, to be honest. I'm not one of those wizards who blows a bunch of stuff up. I like to think I'm a bit more subtle...not that subtlety will help us much today, I'm afraid. I can knock out a few foes with a spell, might be able to push a baddie over the side of his ship, and can call a monster to attack for us for a short period of time. Not sure how useful those things will be during this raid..."
"With your permission Cap'n Roland, Black Jarret, and myself will be taking our leave of you and discussing strategy now. Coordination of the assault and such."
Once we are safely outside.
"Watch yourself out there Jarret, they're like to be watching, or at least not as lax as the Cap'n believes."
"Yep, lots of fighting, lots of confusion and don't forget the blood. There will likely be plenty of injuries on both sides. I want to make sure that you can maintain your concentration and do your job when you see one of us injured."
Jarret laughs at Lorelai's joke as he watches her walk away. His attention is drawn back to Grutsnick.
"Thank you Grutsnick, I'll keep a safe distance, and by my figuring no Chelish man will catch me in the Water."He assures confidently.
[b]" But you should know that if something does happen, I will fight to the death in the open air, I refuse to dry up in a prison cell."[b] His face turning serious
"Hopefully there won't be too many injuries on our side. I'm not trained in fixing those," Uraisa laughed nervously toward Lorelei.
Laughs, "We always hope and pray to Besmara to emerge unscathed and victorious from our battle. It just doesn't always happen though. Here, look at this." Heedless to whoever else is about, Lorelei raises up her blouse to expose an old scar several inches in length across her lower ribcage (but doesn't actually flash anyone doing so). "I got this one in my very first fight before I had much clue as to what I was doing. Luckily though it wasn't too serious of a wound and I was fortunate enough to have someone watching over me at the time or I would've been finished off easily enough." Pulls her blouse back down before she gets too much attention.
"I know what you mean Jarret." Grutsnick says with a sober nod.
Looking about the deck:
"You dogs, back to work! No gawking on this ship, if you can't go about your business in an orderly fashion you can swim back to Drenchport!"
Heading over to Lorelei and Uraisa:
"Worthless layabouts, if I didn't know better Miss Ellsworth I would swear they get hurt intentionally just to spend more time with Miss Lorelei."
"You're a man after my own heart, Jarret. While I don't believe 'drying up' would be my particular concern, I don't intend to ever meet my end in a cell, either."
Roland turns to Grutsnick, a calculating look drifting across his face.
"The element of surprise is going to be what determines a fighting chance or failure on our end of this raid. The best way to ensure that surprise is the magic we have out our disposal. In additon to Lorelei and Uraisa's aforementioned fog, I have some talent in illusions. Lest they be particularly sharp-witted, I can make men see and hear figments of my choosing. For a time, at least."
"That will come in very handy Roland. How many men can you affect?"
"As many as can see it. It will eventually break if tested, but it could give us a small bit of time where they're looking where we want them to."
"Excellent Roland, It prides me to know that if I have to fight to my death, that i will have a kindred soul on my side. He pats the man's back as they walk about the deck with Grutsnick.
"Perhaps I can scout for a good insertion point, If I find a favorable, under guarded entrance, we could attack from there. Roland with you distracting the initial guards, we would likely be able to take most of their men by surprise, especially if we move under cover of night." Jarret offers, watching the Half orc take charge of the crewmen. "Furthermore another priority will be finding and ridding the chelish cowards of any siege capabilities they might possess before the captain brings the ship around for the alchemist fire strike. We best make sure we have a ride home. It's a long swim back to Drenchport, for most people at least. He concludes, coming to lean upon the railing where the party had come to assemble, Relishing in the misty sea spay.
Lorelei gives the men a welcoming wave as they walk over after she has already pulled her blouse back down and then will turn to lean her back against the railing, also enjoying the cooling sea spray on the bright and sunny day. "Such a beautiful day out to be talking of coming bloodshed. I truly hope this raid will bring us a large share of loot so we can take more downtime to just enjoy life on the sea."
Grutsnick looks at Lorelei before turning his face out to the ocean.
Could I do that? Spend time as a sailor, not a pirate? Enjoy life on the ocean for what it is?
A sad look enters his eyes.
Such will not be my fate I think. The ocean is a cruel mistress, and she owns me. My life will end in blood. Let the long lived races hope for a better tomorrow. I will take my joy in the moment.
Turning back to the group.
"Miss Lorelei is right, let us abandon this grim line of thought for now. Enjoy the rest of the day, and we will meet again when Jarret has finished his scouting."
"Not you dog! Back to work!"
Grutsnick strides back towards the crew in order to get the ship into position.
Lorelei's idea of enjoying the rest of the day will include laying about in the sun wherever there is the least amount of work going on. Stretched out on her back with her hands behind her head, she'll tell any general crewmembers to leave her be if they try to bother her.