Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

With the orcs in tow, you head back north along the path you followed the previous night.  The orcs, who have been camped at that cave for several weeks, seem happy to be on the road again.  They form a protective ring around you, and prove to be effective scouts; the journey is quiet.  It's still cool and wet out; the drizzle comes and goes, but the ground is becoming a bit muddy as you as passing through a land of small hills and shallow valleys.  Everywhere the countryside is green grass and clumps of green bushes and trees.

Some time just past noon, you see the familiar site where a barely-noticeable trail turns east towards Old Owl Well, and you follow it.  About an hour later, you see the top of a ruined tower ahead.  You walk a little further and climb up a ridge to get a better view.  Before you is a ruined tower; you suspect it was several storeys high at one point, but now has a ground floor and a first floor above it, but no more.  You can see short ruined grey stone walls around, making a sort of courtyard.  Right in the centre, is a bright, colour tent, its side moving as the wind blows past. 

You are around 120 feet from the tent and tower.  You see no sign of any people or undead moving in the area around the tower.

HeRe ZomBiE zomBie ZOmbie!! *whistle*whistle*

Laughs at his own hilarity. Falls off Soodi.

Damage : 3

Dekhan addresses the party members  What’s the plan, boys? Investigate the tent?

Varinth hops to his feet and nearly launches into a face plant.

TeNt it iSh SIR! and lobs a Fire Bolt at the tent 4 Damage :  5

It's unclear if he just tried to salute or facepalm. Both would be appropriate under the circumstances.

With a hand signal and a call like a cuckoo, Strix signals 3 of the orcs to advance with him. They split into two flanks, advancing swiftly and silently in covering formation, blade and spear poised to strike, as one with the bushes, with the trees, with every blade of grass. Then a bolt of fire arcs past them and with a noise like a whippoorwill Strix signals them not to bother so they trudge back to the group. 

Dekhan sighs and looks at Varinth as he readies his shield and draws Talon. He looks at the sober members of the party. Well, knock knock i guess, eh lads? I think whoever’s around knows we’re here now.

Varinth, your Fire Bolt goes wide.  Extremely wide.  It hits a tree a good hundred metres from the tent.  There's no apparent reaction from the tent or its surroundings.

Strix, if you and Delta Orc Force One wish to advance on the tent, please give me a Stealth check.  The orcs' checks are:  12 12 12 not bad at all.

Varinth peers at the tent in the distance Ballsh! He then winds his arm like a windmill and tries again FOOM!

Fire Bolt : 6 Damage: 10

(Don't forget to add in your attack modifier +4)

Your fire bolt hits the same tree, a hundred feet away.  Still no response from the tent.

Quote from SteveThaiBinh >>

(Don't forget to add in your attack modifier +4)

Your fire bolt hits the same tree, a hundred feet away.  Still no response from the tent.

 He's so drunk he forgot to add it ;)

Quote from SteveThaiBinh >>

Varinth, your Fire Bolt goes wide.  Extremely wide.  It hits a tree a good hundred metres from the tent.  There's no apparent reaction from the tent or its surroundings.

Strix, if you and Delta Orc Force One wish to advance on the tent, please give me a Stealth check.  The orcs' checks are:  12 17 21 not bad at all.

 Strix watches another bolt sail past, and the 3 Orcs continuing their sneak towards the tent. It occurs to him that he's not sure which bird a whippoorwill is or what noise it makes, and regrets not making the retreat noise something a little more familiar. "rupee rupee!" he calls, "kerchaw kerchoo!" to no avail. Unclear what the plan is, he follows Vaz's lead, lighting a torch from his pack and walking towards the tent while making "Fachoooom!" noises.

(Are others following Strix and his orcs, or hanging back?)

Scupper stands next to Dekhan and draws his bow...

"How have we lived as long as we have? Vaz...'lest you want to smoke Strix's feathers and answer to him about it later...hold on flaming the tent til we know it's a baddie inside, eh lad?...feck me we're a comedy troupe..."

Looking back to Dekhan...

"...and yer in charge o' the kids today, ser knight."

Whatsip?! Vaz looks confused and sits on his bum. Shorry. HaHA FACHOOM! That wasn't a spell, just Vaz replying to Stryx.

Strix calls back a merry "FACHOOOM!" while waving his spear with his not-holding-the-torch hand, then resumes advancing on the tent intent on setting it alight. 

Dekhan looks at Scupper. We are a feisty bunch this morning, aren’t we? And this is just after me telling the Orcs we’re not gonna act like savages. He sheaths his sword and runs to catch up with Strix. Shall we see whats in the tent, Strix? 

 Incantis trots along with his companions as they make their way through the serene looking grass fields on their way to the tower. He avoids the orcs on their way, and passes the time telepathically singing to his companions (not the orcs)

Onward and upward, through fields and grass fens,

Mingling with orcs, who knows to what ends.

Owl Well old, and Netheril older still,

Undead to find, and undead to kill.

He gives a rare chuckle at Vaz antics and Scuppers admonishment, summoning a spectral violet mage hand and looking at Dekhan and Strix expectantly. "No Fachooom here fellas," he says, making subtle 'whoosh' noises under his breath as the mage hand glimmers.

Strix and Dekhan, accompanied by three orcs, move close to the tent and the tower, with Incantis's chant ringing in their minds.  Incantis, Vaz, Zoria and Scupper are hanging back, Scupper with his short bow drawn and ready.

Strix and Dekhan, although the drizzle has stopped, the air and ground are still wet and dampening most smells, at least until you come closer.  Then it hits you; a revolting wave of death, emanating from the ruined tower.  You are around thirty feet from the tent, fifty from the tower.  The orcs smell it too and stop for a moment, looking at you.

He follows toward the tent.

Incantis catches up and joins Dekhan and Strix just as they pause and smell what lies ahead.