Subject The plan

OOC: I believe they were Ogres, not trolls.

Bel mentions to Ran that while his main weapon is a bow, he does have some "other" abilities that should make him good for sneaking around and finding Rochelle. He can take off his armor and protect himself through use of his innate magical skills (Shield), and without armor he is a lot more sure of his ability to use magic to defend himself (acid spray and burning hands)...not to mention he would be a lot quieter without it, allowing him to move much quieter and hide better.

Bel think that Harp would do a much better job of polishing off goblins that he would, at least in a direct combat situation.

Subject The plan

OOC: Ogre, Troll, who cares, they were big and smelly. Of course, they did not regenerate, so I guess ogre was the preferred creature to encounter.

Harp will gladly take to the front lines. He just did not want to deprive anyone else of the fun if they wanted it.

Subject Turn

Anyone?

Subject Plan

Fal is intrigued by the plan to use a distraction and is all for it. He volunteers to use his Sleep spell on those who are left inside once the distraction does its job.

Subject Plan

OOC:Since, Randy is out of town for a few days, Harp will make some suggestions

IC: Harp will wait to hear from Salix as to any additional information he may have been able to glean from his conversation with the bird. Assuming that there is nothing terribly worrisome in the report, Harp will suggest to Ran and the company that they continue riding toward the goblin camp just inside the first cut of the forest to somewhat conceal their approach. They will not ride so far in that it hampers their progress greatly, but they want some type of cover. Harp will ask the rangers to scout ahead so that the group does not accidentally come upon the fort or any patrols. Harp is willing to push the group a little farther past their normal stopping time it it will allow them to get within comfortable range of the fort. He would like to be able to get a basic feel for the location still this evening.

While they travel, Harp will discuss with the others ideas they may have for gaining access to the fort. He will specifically talk to Salix to discuss how they might be able to use the surrounding environment to their benefit.

Subject The plan

Salix has no additional info. He told the group everything he knows. Salix will go along with whatever is decided as laying siege to a small village is a tad outside his area of expertise.

Subject The plan

Ran agrees with Harp.

"We should get as close as we can and then conceal ourselves. We will then need to scout out the fort somehow. I don't want us to charge in blindly. We don't want to do anything that might bring harm to the Lady."

Subject The Plan

I am full of hope for our plans, and await any decisions as to what to do.

Subject The plan

Surin listens as the plan for assaulting the town is laid out, his eyebrows raising ever higher as point after point is ticked off. When Harp has finished outlining how he thinks the attack should proceed, Surin clears his throat.

"Sounds like a good way to get ourselves killed, and possibly Rochelle too, ifyou ask me. How long do you think it would take us to reach this Rochelle, once the assault began, eh? We'd find her with a dagger held to her throat, if we found her at all. If she's as important to them as all that--and we've got saddle bags full of coin that say that she is--you can bet that there'd be a guard that'd carry her to some bolt hole or other the second they got wind we were out there."

He pauses, squatting down on his haunches. "Blundering in may be the fast way to do this, but I reckon it ain't the best. Nah, if you ask me, stealth'll serve us better here. I say I sneak down there and have a little look around, see if I can't figure out where they're keeping Rochelle. If I can just sneak her out I will, but if not I'll steal my way back up here and let all of you know the lay of the land. What do you think?"

Subject The encampment

Salix agrees, remembering how the Halfling disappeared into the woods when the Orcs attacked. "Our little friend has a point," he says giving Surin a wink.

Subject Turn

Ok every one but Ami has responded so I will try and put out turn today.

Subject Surin scouts, reports

Ran thinks about what Salix has told him. While he is thinking Harp makes his suggestions about an assault on the encampment and lays out his plan. Alatyr puts in his two coppers in agreement with Harp. Several others nod their agreement. Then Surin speaks up.

?Sounds like a good way to get ourselves killed, and possibly Rochelle too, if you ask me. How long do you think it would take us to reach this Rochelle, once the assault began, eh? We'd find her with a dagger held to her throat, if we found her at all. If she's as important to them as all that--and we've got saddle bags full of coin that say that she is--you can bet that there'd be a guard that'd carry her to some bolt hole or other the second they got wind we were out there." He pauses, squatting down on his haunches. "Blundering in may be the fast way to do this, but I reckon it ain't the best. Nah, if you ask me, stealth'll serve us better here. I say I sneak down there and have a little look around, see if I can't figure out where they're keeping Rochelle. If I can just sneak her out I will, but if not I'll steal my way back up here and let all of you know the lay of the land. What do you think?"

Ran considers what Surin has said and nods. ?Let us move a bit closer to the encampment, so that we may come to your aid, if needed. It will also give us a chance to see exactly what we are up against. Let's eat a quick bite of food and then move on.? Harp is a bit disgruntled to have his plan overruled, but sees the advantage of having someone scout out the place. Alatyr chaffs at the hold up, wanting to charge in and rescue Rochelle. Cai and Bel both agree that it would be better to know exactly what it going on, as does Fal.

The party eats a quick meal, not even taking the time to light a fire. With Surin in the lead, they walk their horses along the edge of the woods. After about an hour, Surin motions them to stop and he hands the reins of his pony to Salix. ?Watch him for a bit, would you?? Salix nods at the halfling. Surin turns to Ran and tells him ?Give me an hour or so to take a look at the approach. It will not be dark for another hour or so and I don't want to go in until it is dark.? With that Surin fades into the woods.

All the birds are sent aloft to keep an eye out for surprises. About an hour later Surin pops out of the forest, surprising all the other party members. He is smiling broadly as he approaches the party. ?Count on goblins to be so stupid.? He sits down with the rest of the party and asks ?Is there any of that bread left from this morning? I?m starved.? Salix smiles and hands a hunk of bread over to the halfling.

While stuffing his face Surin is quickly drawing a crude map. ?I have some good news and some bad news. First the bad news. It is a large encampment. There are easily over 150 goblins. The place is about 150 feet across, circular in shape. The walls are about 10-15 feet high, made of logs. There is a gate in the east wall. I was able to climb a tree and look inside a bit. There are mainly tents and lean toos where it looks like most of the goblins live. There is a small shack in the middle of the encampment, maybe 20 feet on a side. My guess is that is where they are keeping Rochelle. Now the really bad news. I saw the thing leading the goblins.? At this point he glances over at Harp. ?It is a ? orc, but bigger than Harp. The thing must stand 7? tall. It carried this huge double axe that is the most vicious thing I have ever seen.?

?Now the good news. First, most of the orcs are females and young. From the sounds coming from the place, a lot of the males were killed. That jibes with what we know. There were a lot of goblin corpses at the caravan where Rochelle was taken. Second, the encampment backs up almost to the forest. I will have no problem getting in. There are watch stations, two at the gate and three more positioned around the wall, but I don't see a problem with me getting up and over. I only saw one goblin at each watch station. I am guessing that with all the dead goblins the normal watch schedule might be a little screwed up. There are cooking fires all over the place so there should be plenty of shadows and places to hide. As long as I am not in a hurry I should be able to make my way anywhere I want to go with out being seen or heard.?

?I am going to suggest that we wait for a few hours, let them settle in for a bit, and then for me to go inside the compound and find exactly where she is. I might even be able to get her out.?

OODM: Any comments, actions

Subject Scouting

"That is exactly why I agree with Harp about getting closer to their camp. I don't want us to barge in their either. Surin, do you want to sneak in this night? The darkness may help conceal you, but I will defer to your expertise in this event."

When they set up camp for the night, Ran will seek out a moment of seclusion so that he can reflect on his leadership. Feeling that he is not communicating well with the group, Ran goes over his recent statements and decisions. He realizes that he has only been half listening to suggestions made to the group and has only been giving partial answers and orders. He offers a prayer to his god, requesting focus and strengthened communication ability.

Ran will offer to take a double watch if Surin decides to enter the fort tonight.

Subject The encampment

Fal likes this plan. With that giant half-orc, it would be wise to use stealth. Fal will allow Lenore to be used as a lookout if necessary. He volunteers to do whatever is needed of him to make this operation a success.

Subject The plan

I am going to be out of the office tomorrow, so I will not be checking my e-mail as much as usual. I will try and get a turn out tomorrow, but home is only dial up so the dice rolling and stuff may take a bit longer. Unless I hear from any one differently Surin will be heading in to the goblin camp.