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.