What Mission and Rennik See
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
Mission makes his way back to the others in the darkness. He knows he's getting close when he hears Cadfael's breathing. Man doesn't know how to breath with his mouth shut.
He hisses low-- in case Garyth is on watch, he doesn't want to get arrowed. "It's me, Mission. I'm back."
Quickly and quietly, Mission explains the layout of the tunnel ahead, and the conversation that they witnessed between the half-orc and Master Plate-mail. "The half-orc that passed us was in some type of argument with another soldier in plate-mail when we got close enough to see them. We coudln't hear anything they said, and the half-orc took three of his soldiers up a ladder. This is the way things stand now: three soldiers, possibly armed with crossbows, have planted themselves behind a barricade. Behind the barricade, there is a table, where sits Master Plate-mail, and one of the Half-orc's crew. They all just seemed rather bored-- like they're waiting for something.
"Us, maybe." Mission shrugs. "Maybe the half-orc. There is another tunnel 200 feet or so from where Rennick and I were spying. I'd like to test that, maybe see if there's an alternate way around the barricade."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
Here's a rough map of what Mission and Rennick see:
[Fwd:]
The tunnel continues on past the torches, but it is difficult to see what might be beyond them. In the torchlight it is possible to see that there is a wooden ladder going up to the ceiling of the tunnel, and out through a hole there. Near the bottom of the ladder is a makeshift guard station. There is a table with several chairs set to one side, a weapons rack, and large boxes and barrels set on both sides of the tunnel, probably to provide cover for the guards to use in the event of an attack.
Near the ladder, and engaged in some sort of heated discussion, are nine men. Five of them are the group that passed you in the tunnel, and the large half orc seems to be doing most of the talking. He is talking to a human in plate mail, backed up by three men of his own. It is not possible to hear what they are discussing, but the half orc is acting in an aggressive manner, and the man in plate mail is not backing down. After some time, they seem to reach an accord, and the half orc, along with three of his four men go up the ladder. The fourth man sits down in one of the chairs and appears to be waiting. The man in plate mail sits across the table from him, and engages him in a quiet conversation. His other three men move over to the barrel and box barricade, and stare down the tunnel with bored expressions on their faces.
One of them picks up and tests the tension on a light crossbow, then puts it back down out of sight. It is probable that the other two men at the barricade are thus armed. The man in plate mail does not have a weapon on him, but his weapon could be one of the many hanging on the weapons rack nearby.
[bottom line is, five men by the ladder. One in plate, three with crossbows, and the fifth is a member of the half orc group and appears to be waiting for something. The tunnel is partially barricaded to provide cover for the crossbowmen. Map attached. Three green X's are the crossbow guys, the blue X is the platemail guy, the red X is the waiting guy. The black line is the weapons rack.]
From: Raja
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
"Yes, checking the other tunnel is wise," Sa'id whispers. "Do you want us to wait here?"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
Mission nods-- "I'll tell Rennick what my intentions are, then come back and report to everyone."
He'll set off then, quietly as possible. Again, he's searching for traps and other deviousness while walking down the other tunnel. He'll only 1200 feet or so down the tunnel, unless he sees something interesting.
A Rock and a Hard Place
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
OOC: Since Mission has already gone again this is a bit moot, but Garyth would have agreed that checking the other tunnel is a good idea.
From: Ty
Subject: pause
Still working out some stuff with just scott and matt. New turn coming.
From: Ty
Subject: hey everybody!
Get a user ID on sakeriver and add your character to Mike's cool new character sheets. I will do some updating to get them to match mine, and then we can use them from now on. That way no more confusion over what stuff you have!
I was going to add them, but decided it was too much.
From: Matt
Subject: The end of the tunnel
Emerging with Mission from the darkness as the monk unveils a tiny corner of the glowing gauntlet, Rennik details a disheartening scene.
"The tunnel ends at a guarded dead end with a ladder back toward the surface, likely into the temple itself."
"The Brute's men climbed the ladder and disappeared, save one who stayed behind waiting impatiently. There were three crossbowmen in leathers, one warrior in platemail, and the Brute's man, and their position was very defensible."
He paused.
"There are only four now. The warrior in platemail had an argument with the Brute's man and slowly bludgeoned him to death with a heavy flail. The crossbowmen said nothing. One of the Brute's men came down to investigate, and shrugged off the death as meaningless. The man's body still lies beneath the table, while the crossbowmen play cards. These are not men, but soulless monsters."
Turning to glance at Mission, he continues.
"Our companion's scouting has uncovered an even more serious threat, I'm afraid. There are twenty zombies waiting, stock still and unmoving, in the side tunnel to the south. He even went so far as to touch one before he realized they were there, but they did not attack. They seem content to wait for something."
"I think it is us."
He takes a breath and scratches at his hairline before continuing.
"It would have been a perfect ambush. We devise some clever plan to attack the makeshift fortifications at the end of the tunnel, and the zombies attack from behind. While we are distracted, the Brute's men descend the rope ladder and catch us in the middle. We would not stand a chance."
"Yet, our options are limited. We could try to eliminate the zombies first, but twenty are many to attack without drawing more attention. We could try to seal the zombies in their tunnel, which again might draw attention... or..."
"We could attempt to slip by the zombies, hoping they are triggered only by an assault on the tunnel's end. They did not attack Mission when they could have easily overpowered him... perhaps if we slid by one by one, they would pay us as little mind."
Furrowing his brow, he adds, "Of course, it would mean certain death for any in that tunnel should the zombies decide to break their trance."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
"Twenty? Closely packed together in the side tunnel?" Sa'id smirks to himself in the dark. "If we choose to reveal ourselves with a frontal assault, I could incinerate the lot of them." He continues, careful to keep his voice as quiet as possible. "I wish, though, that I had another use of my invisibility spell. The zombies are likely to trigger on one of two things -- either an attack on the barricade, as you say, or on Cadfael's presence. I suspect it is the former. Your plan, while I freely admit it makes me nervous, is sound."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
Mission turns to Sa'id. "Who said anything about Cadfael?" He keeps his voice soft. "Not I. Nor Rennick, that I remember.
"What is it about Cadfael, do you think, that would trigger the zombies, Sa'id?"
Character Sheet Tool Chat, To Sneak Or Not To Sneak
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
Farron shudders at the thought of squeezing through a crowd of zombies, but waits, hoping someone else will voice his desire not to wade among the undead. Not that he wouldn't do it if necessary.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
Went to sakeriver but can't find what you are talking about.
Karl
From: Karl
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
OK, I found the link, but I don't see any tools. I *am* registered. In the chat, though, he mentions a "wrapper" that allows only DMs to edit or add character sheets. I'm assuming that is why I don't see any tools to add one.
Karl
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
Garyth's skin crawls as he remembers the cold, clammy feeling of dead fingers clutching and pulling at him. Since leaving Overlook he has seen things he never thought he'd see. He certainly never expected to face a horde of undead monsters when he began his training with the Blood Falcons. But that training was nonetheless why he was here, and Garyth recognizes the situation for the tactical nightmare that it is.
Keeping his voice low, he says, "We don't know that the side tunnel goes anywhere, but we have little choice. Once we are past the zombies, if we need to come back this way then at least all of our enemies will be in front of us."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
The tools, such as they are, are located at http://www.sakeriver.com/gametools. In order to do anything other than just view the existing sheets, you need to be registered and logged in. As of yesterday afternoon you should be automatically logged in when you register, but if you registered before I put that change in then you needed to log in separately. Once you do that you should see the option to add a new sheet on the index page; you don't need any admin or DM privileges for that.
Karl, Raja, Ty, and Dan are all in the system right now, so I can't think of any reason any of you shouldn't be able to add new sheets or edit sheets that you own. If you are logged in, the index page will display your username and permissions. If you log in and don't see that or the option to add a new sheet, let me know and I'll try to fix it.
Thanks.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
Ty, does Farron remember anything from the map that would give him any indication where that tunnel might lead.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
My problem was that I registered a long time ago and logged into the main website. When I went to the tools it said I was no longer logged in, so I tried logging in and it said my login was invalid. I didn't know you had to register separately for the game tools. Once I registered there, I was able to log in and see the tools. I haven't added my page yet, but will eventually.
Karl
From: Scott
Subject: Tactics
Mission shakes his head at Garyth. "If we attack the zombies, the men at the barricade will certainly hear us."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
I updated your sheet, Mike. You had your to hit bonuses too low, and a couple other things.
That is really handy! I encourage everyone else to put their guy in. Dan, you called your campaign overlook/lovecraft, and for some reason I think this is blocking me from editing Cadfael.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
Am I just an idiot for not being able to find this or is there no way to change the campaign once its been added? Nor, it seems can I delete this character sheet if I have to add another one.
That'll learn me to try and be funny. Mike, any suggestions? Can you use your admin powers to make things right?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Tactics
I think I am just waiting for a "We do this" at this point.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Tactics
I'm satisfied with the "sneak past the zombies" plan, much as I'd love to unleash some hot fury. ;-)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Tactics
"You miss my point," whispers Garyth. "If we get around the zombies and it turns out that the tunnel leads nowhere, I see no choice but to come back and try the ladder. We have no hope of surviving a pincer attack from both the guards and the zombies, but coming back this way we have the advantage that all of them are in front of us. Since we would have to fight all of them anyway, we would be best served by taking out the zombies quickly before the guards could join them." He stops with a tired sigh and glances up the tunnel. "But even if we could take out all of the zombies at once, it would be a hard fight, so stealth remains our best hope. I just hope the tunnel takes us where we need to go."
OOC: Garyth will go with the sneaking past the zombies plan.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
Dan, I altered your sheet so that it just says "Overlook" now, so Ty should be able to edit it now. But this actually raised a couple of good points, so I think I will change it so that you can change the campaign on your own sheets and also to recognize multiple campaigns.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
Thanks mike.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
Okay, I'm confused-- does sneaking past really mean sneaking through?
Are we taking the northern tunnel? Or the eastern, to fight Mr. Steel-pants?
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Tactics
(OOC: Yes, the rather insane plan that Rennik, our resident balls-to-the-wall nutjob, has envisioned is to actually walk willy nilly through the tunnel filled with 20 zombies in the hopes that the zombies will react the same way to the party as they did to Mission, allowing them to pass right on by. He thinks this because of his dim view that zombies, having no brains, must be commanded to do something or magically triggered to. If we don't trip their trigger, they shouldn't attack.
Unless of course Cadfael is their trigger, in which case I suggest we either send him through first, to trip them and let us fight from the hallway, or last, so he can be killed in a press of zombified flesh. Of course, Cadfael can likely light up his shield like the noonday sun and make the zombies go pop-pop-pop (as Christ Tucker would say in Fifth Element), but a) this would be pretty obvious light-wise in the tunnel, and b) it would be a bitch to get him to do it.
Then again, if he were beset by zombies, he might do it out of a sense of self-preservation.
So, there we go. Let's hope Rennik's assumption about zombies doesn't make an ass out of him and mption.)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
It is clear that Mission is uneasy about this plan. "Twenty zombies, at least, against the six of us? With another four trained warriors as their reinforcements?"
He turns to Rennick. "We don't know what's beyond the zombies. Let me scout that out first, before we ALL go traipsing in among them. I know they won't react to me, at least.
"I don't want to get knee deep in fighting undead, only to find out that they are protecting a wall."
Mission will turn away, if there are no objections, and make his way back to the hall of zombies. His goal is to get beyond them, and see if the tunnel leads up into the temple.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Tactics
OOC:
I would just like to commend Scott for his subtle Doom reference.
Knee-deep in the dead, indeed.
IC:
Sa'id is fine with this plan.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Tactics
Rennik is fine with the plan, too, and plans to be near to the end of the tunnel with the shortened halberd in case things go awry, as well.
Slow Day
Subject: Re: Tactics
Farron is fine with this plan, though he begins to look behind the group nervously. He feels they've been stationary too long and is worried another group of unsavory characters might come up on their tail.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Tactics
Garyth has no objections.
A Little OOC Clarification
Subject: Re: Tactics
So Mission is going back to the zombie tunnel.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Tactics
Please give me a few details.
Is mission going through first? As a scout? Are the rest of the party members going through one at a time? In what order?
Also, the intersection is about 300 feet from the ladder guards. While Rennik and mission will have no problem being quiet enough at that distance, Cadfael may make enough clanking noises to draw attention. The move silent DC at that distance is probably only 10 or less, but with his penalties, Cadfael can easily score that low.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
Mission is going in first, alone.
My understanding was that Rennick was going to follow, but not into the tunnel. He was going to wait at the entrance.
I also thought that no one else would be following. .
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Tactics
Any objections to this?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Tactics
Nope.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Tactics
Sorry I've been such an E-mail wanker this week, I've been pretty embroiled with this whole rent fiasco.
Heeeeeeeeeell yes, Cadfael has a problem with this plan. I think. Just let me clarify one thing. The current plan has us walking AWAY from the entrance to the temple, yes?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
The group isn't moving anywhere. The idea is for mission, who the zombies ignored before, to scout out the northern tunnel to see if there is an alternate entrance to the temple.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Tactics
Again, the plan as I see it:
The party remains where it has been.
Mission goes back where he had been, in the zombie tunnel.
Rennik again goes back where he had been, down the tunnel, this time stopping at the edge of the tunnel. I'd also want Tichenor with me, there.
Mission tries to go down the tunnel to see what's on the other side, hopefully finding a way up into the temple.
Rennik and Tichenor cover his retreat/escape in case of attack by zombies.
Ideally, Mission gets through, finds another entrance, reports back, and we try that route.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
If he can, Mission would also like to take the remaining vials of alchemist's fire with him-- just in case.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Tactics
OOC: Sorry, I misunderstood. If that's the case Cadfael will remain in his stupor and I'll continue this craptastic month.
Mission Gets Through the Zombies
Subject: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Mission moves back up the tunnel to the intersection, with Rennik and Tichenor right behind. Using the distant spark of the guard's torches, and his hand on the wall, Mission finds his way back. He touches Rennik on one shoulder, and the halfling stops. By his side, Tichenor turns to face the northern tunnel and begins growling. Rennik puts one hand on him, and the wolf grows silent, but Rennik can feel a rumble continue in the animal's chest. Clearly, he does not like the undead.
Mission moves a few feet into the tunnel, and then risks exposing a tiny portion of the glowing glove. In its dim light, he can see the mass of zombies still congregated several yards away. Their milky, and in some cases oozing, eyes swivel to follow him as he moves past them. They are packed into the tunnel so tightly that he can't get by without brushing up against several, and he suppresses a shudder each time. But other than their following gazes, they make no move against him.
Once on the other side, he is able to walk away unobstructed. Less than a hundred yards down the tunnel, he comes to another cave in. This one looks natural, and at the top of the pile of rocks and dirt he can see a bit of sky.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Farron stands still in the dark, one hand in a pocket in his robes, quietly stroking his ferret.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Dammit. Sakeriver needs an out of context thread?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Mission will climb the dirt and stuff to see what he can see out of the hole.
Guards Above, Guards Below
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Mission makes his way back through the zombies. The eyes of the dead creeping over him-- he's reminded again of the trial of Vicar Hope. In Shadow and Sand.
And so was he.
He touches Rennick on the arm, and they head back to the group.
"The zombies watched me all the while, but made no move toward me. The tunnel opens out into the air, into a ruined building with no ceiling. Beyond the building I saw the entrance to the mountain-- it's heavily guarded. Mostly zombies, but some halflings and humans as well.
"In front of the entrance to the mountain, there is another building-- I'd wager that's where the ladder leads out. That building is also guarded, but not as heavily as the entrance to the mountain."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
I am waiting for everyone to check in with responses to Mission before I write anything.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Forgot to ask-- what time of day is it?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Getting on toward evening, but there is still some light out. Tomorrow is the big day.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
It would have been too much to hope that there would be an easy way in. So now they have to choose between a well-defended position in the open or a well-defended position in close quarters. Garyth's mind races as he tries to remember anything from his training that would help them here. But to no avail; six men and a wolf had no hope of overcoming a horde of men, halflings and zombies alone. Unless...
"Sa'id, back at the inn, you turned one of the skeletons against its comrades. Could you do that again, but on a larger scale? If we're to gain entrance to the mountain, we need to clear the way, or if not, at least to create a diversion."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Rennik shifts his weight uneasily thinking about the fight at the inn, and he rubs his chest with his left thumb remembering the goring wound he received. There was another wereboar out there, he reminded himself, and bigger. Whatever else awaited them, that threat could be their undoing.
Still, Garyth's plan seemed a good one. Whatever the deathmage did to control the skeletons might be used to their advantage, if only to allow the group to slip by unnoticed.
"I will go above ground to scout the area some. It is evening, and the light is beginning to fail - it would be good to get the lay of the land before we launch an attack. With a better idea of the landscape, we might be able to plan our attack better. Also, we know that the zombies won't attack Mission... it will be a test to see if the ability to pass is not unique to monks."
He would take Tichenor with him. The wolf's nose might save him if his own ears and eyes did not, and any extra help would be needed if he suffered another surprise attack. While above ground he would also see about finding some wolfsbane, as the supplies the group is carrying have wilted and lost their usefulness in the days since the herb was picked. One of them is bound to need it before two days time.
Rennik To Scout, Cadfael Raves, Magic Options
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Zombies and guards either way, Farron thinks to himself. Tired from the march and with no more healing potions available, and our cleric gone insane, we're toast either way. He wonders vaguely if there is any chance he could get back to civilization alive if he were to simply turn around and leave, but remembers the swamp dragon and thinks no further in that direction. "I'll do whatever is decided," he says resignedly.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Mission says, "The tunnel ends in a landslide-- I didn't have a hard time climbing out of it to the surface."
Ty: What was the grade of the landslide Mission climbed up to get to the outside? Does he think Tichenor would be able to get out unaided?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
The slope is steep, but the wolf should be able to climb it.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Cadfael gives a start, rousing himself from a waking dream. He takes no time to take in his surroundings, whether he never forgot where he is or has yet to realize it is known to no one but him, though even that may be a stretch.
"It is a day too near. Stumbled too quickly and sought way to a pause." He sighs "Another day of night and then out on Pelor's rise." He is speaking quietly; the rest of the party's conversation goes on around him, uninterested in his words.
When the discussion turns to the plans of how to get to the temple Cadfael leans forward slightly. He suddenly seems keenly interested in what is being said. When he speaks it is with a voice laced with sadness but still sure of its words.
"What can we do to distract death but give it death?" He smiles gently and reaches out to brush Garyth's cheek, "Some seem to think they were meant to survive." He fingers linger there a moment when he turns to speak to Farron, "some seem to think they were meant to return home. Maps have been read, a path has been found. Bodies have bled and answers giv'n sound. The second purpose is sacrifice, the only first that remains is Mission's end."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
BTW, I am doing my standard, "wait for everyone to check in with an 'I do this' before we move on."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
OOC - OK, Cadfael is really creeping me out. /OOC
Farron leans to Sa'id and says quietly, "Ok, Cadfael is really creeping me out."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Sa'id nods in the dark. "If I have time to memorize spells tonight, then yes. By sacrificing other spells that I would normally memorize - the flaming ray and the mirror image spell - I can memorize the spell of command five times over. Also, I have memorized a spell that halts undead creatures and can memorize that multiple times, though it comes at the expense of, among others, my protective circle against evil spell, fireball, and the invisibility spell..."
He pauses. "Which, I should point out, we may be able to use here. If we get Cadfael out of his armour some distance from here, we could perhaps sneak into the entrance."
"Either way," the necromancer continues, "we should make camp a good distance from here. Somewhere relatively safe, like a side tunnel. Our overall strategy will determine which spells it is most prudent for Farron and I to memorize tonight."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Without waiting for a reply, Sa'id continues.
"What about ranged attacks? A hit-then-run strategy? If we attack from the fringes of the jungle, for instance, we could keep cover in the vegetation while you fire arrows and Farron and I sling spells. Depending on the extent of the vegetation... hmmmmm. If I could get close enough to the group of zombies guarding the entrance, I could turn one of them against the others as a diversion." He sighs. "I am no warrior, though, and no strategist. It is unfortunate that we have to reveal ourselves to the enemy so early on."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
"I know some don't respect our craft, so perhaps this isn't an issue for them," Farron begins, quietly, speaking to Sa'id but not hiding his words from the rest of the group. "But I'm a little concerned about a big battle tomorrow morning, then having nothing left to face whatever is inside. I don't know what other option there is, but if we are spent getting in and have no time to rest, we will have nothing to use against Anileth."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
"We also," Sa'id adds, "have absolutely no idea what is going to happen when we meet Anileth, nor of how we are to get Promise from her." He looks pointedly at Cadfael.
More Planning, Temple Entrance Map
Subject: ummmmm....
So, am I supposed to write a turn now?
From: Mike
Subject: ummmmm....
OOC: I think we're all waiting to see what the next person says...
IC:
"As I see it, we can only gain entrance to the mountain through strength or stealth. Even using all of your skills," Garyth looks at both Farron and Sa'id, "I don't think we can overcome the odds we face by force. Our best shot is to cause some sort of diversion and sneak past while our enemies are occupied." He pauses for a moment. "I want to hear Rennik's findings before we decide."
From: Scott
Subject: ummmmm....
Mission fights the impatient clutch of his stomach. "Twenty zombies in the tunnel. Thirty more at the entrance to the mountain, plus human and halfling guards. . . we have no chance of survival if we confront them head on."
"Let Rennick do his scouting, but we should not rest here. Or anywhere in these tunnels. That half-orc and his men-- they were a patrol, if ever I saw one. We should strike tonight. There is no safety in this darkness."
From: Raja
Subject: ummmmm....
"If we strike tonight," Sa'id replies quietly, "we will accomplish nothing. How do you propose we subdue Anileth until Promise is born? Especially so near to the source of her power?" He shakes his head. "I confess that the solution to this puzzle still eludes me. I am not certain how we are to save your child from his mother, when we cannot truly harm her until he is born... and when he is born, it will already be too late. Somehow, we must ensure that he is born into safety... but we cannot defeat Anileth..." he trails off. If he could not solve the puzzle, who else of them could be expected to? The night would tell, he decided... and the next day would be the test.
"The counsel of a diversion is wise, though we cannot be sure how effective it will be. And I am quite capable of creating a... large... diversion."
From: Matt
Subject: Scouting the temple
Rennik returns with a furrowed brow and sour expression.
"It's bad."
He sits down, rubbing his forhead for a moment before continuing. Tichenor sits at his side and nuzzles under his hand for attention.
"There are at least twenty zombies, near that many halflings, and a handful of human soldiers. The halflings are armed similarly to those we encountered days ago, with bows and leather armor, though they carry axes instead of swords. The humans are more mixed. Three are like those who traveled with the shebitch and the Brute, ragtag and roadworn. One is far more capable, clad in a shining chain shirt with the bearing of a true warrior. The last is a scarred and disfigured woman, who I would assume is there because of talent with magery."
"There are four fire pits. Two within twenty feet of the temple entrance, and two roughly 80 feet from the entrance. The zombies are closer to the temple and avoid the fires of the living, and the humans sit at one of the further fires - seemingly just above the ladder we saw."
"I did not see the Brute, which worries me. Either he has gone into the temple itself, or he has come back down into these tunnels. Regardless, an attack above ground would likely bring up the soldier in plate mail from the end of the tunnel along with the three crossbowmen, and draw the Brute and more from inside the temple."
"Also, an attack would likely trigger the zombies in the side tunnel to come up behind us."
Rennik sighs, absently patting Tichenor's head and thinking.
"The good news is that the ruins offer great protection against detection. We can move pretty easily from one building to the next in the dark, as the temple defenders will be mostly blind from their firelight. They are cocky and make lots of noise, so even the priest can sneak within 100 feet or so of the entrance without much problem. The zombie tunnel opens out about 200 feet or so away."
"The difficulty is finding a way to distract the guards."
"The zombies are mindless and will go where they are commanded. I know no ways to trick them other than presenting an obvious threat that forces them to act. The halflings look to be barbarians and scouts, comfortable in the wilderness, and will likely be dispatched first to check the surrounding woods if a problem is suspected."
"The men are more difficult. Men are lazy and stupid, and with so much protection they are likely to remain close to the temple entrance. Their chain-clad leader worries me, because he is obviously battle hardened and not likely to fall for parlor tricks. The witch is a complete unknown. Further, any disturbance will likely call more from inside the temple and up from the tunnels."
"Short of sending a herd of H'rugda or a mated pair of swamp dragons to scatter the defenders, I can't see any easy options. And even that would leave us with beasts to bypass without getting mauled, if it were even possible."
"It may be possible to circle around to the west end of the tunnel and cause a diversion on the east. The west side offers a wall we might be able to use as cover, and if the halflings and zombies at that corner are drawn off, and the humans' attentions diverted, we might be able to slip in unnoticed."
"Getting out again, however, is a different problem entirely."
As he speaks, Rennik scratches out a rough map on the floor of the tunnel, indicating the temple entrance, the firepits, the ruined buildings and the rough placement of the defenders.
(OOC: Ty, was Rennik able to gather any Belladonna to distribute to the party?)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Scouting the temple
Oh, as to the map, here's the key Ty provided:
Map Key:
The black blob is mount kessel itself.
The gray attachment to kessel is the entrance to the temple.
The gray boxes scattered about are the remains of ruined buildings.
The ruin marked A is the one you are in. The arrow shows the direction you would use to enter or exit that ruin. That ruin is about 20 feet on a side, if that gives you an indication of the scale of the map.
The ruin marked B is the one that you believe sits on top of the ladder in the other tunnel.
X's are bad guys.
Yellow X's are halflings.
Green X's are humans.
Black X's are zombies.
Red and yellow circles are firepits.
Farron Offers Shelter, Garyth Skeptical, Rennik's Ideas
Subject: Re: ummmmm....
"Wherever we choose to camp, I can create a shelter for us that is opaque from the outside and will hide any light we choose to use while still letting us see our surroundings. I is also likely to be more comfortable inside than in the open jungle." He gives a weak smile and shrug. "I mean, if this is going to be our last night alive, we might as well be comfortable, right?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Scouting the temple
No. Sorry about that. Wilderness check 17 vs DC20.
[Editor's Note: This is regarding whether or not Rennik found any belladonna.]
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Scouting the temple
OOC: OK, so I've got very few ideas, none of which I have any confidence in not to get the whole party killed.
Garyth sighs. "Unless we can draw off all of the defenders, it comes to combat. And once they realize they are under attack, they will likely regroup from any diversion we might make."
"If we are to have any hope of getting through by stealth we must make our move while it is still dark." He pauses and thinks a moment, then continues.
"Sa'id's idea has some merit. It's possible that if we attack from a distance on one side, they will come after us in force. Then, perhaps, we could hide ourselves with Sa'id's invisibility spell. Though, that does nothing to hide the sound of our passing." He shakes his head ruefully. "I'll be honest; I don't like our chances in this."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Scouting the temple
"Something hasn't been sitting well with me since I scouted the encampment, and I think I may have figured out what that is."
"These men aren't guarding anything. They don't have the bearing of guards. The crossbowmen at the end of the tunnel, though distracted, still had an edge to them, a readiness to set upon any coming down the tunnel. They were guards... these men seem to be waiting around for a ferry."
He considers a moment, then continues.
"They are making too much noise. They don't have sentries posted outside the firelight. They don't have roving patrols. Their attentions are focused inward, on their conversations, their fires - not out toward the woods."
"They aren't expecting an attack from above. I don't believe they thought we would find another way besides the ladder, and they feel their trap is foolproof. It seems they don't expect fools of our particular sort."
"I don't know what they are waiting for, though. They seem to be milling around, biding time. Perhaps they are making ready to leave in the morning? That seems too much to hope for. I think they are waiting for some word that the child is born, when their work will begin in earnest... setting out from the mountain as a conquering army."
"We may be able to slip by them, simple because they expect nothing. If only we could trigger the tunnel trap somehow... their attention would be drawn down the hole, where they figure we are dead as ducks, and we might be able to slip past unnoticed."
He hesitates only a moment. "The... invisibility could be a great advantage. In the commotion, they are not likely to hear us pass."
"Of course, we could always sneak in then collapse the temple entrance." A wry grin creeps across his face. "Sure, we'd be trapped inside... but we'd have a wall of stone between us and the bulk of our enemies.... though, this group may only be a sampling of more inside the temple walls..."