Sigi is not a tactician.  As a healer, he is most experienced cleaning up the aftermath of battles, not planning them out in advance.  That said, few things do occur to him and he shares these thoughts.

”We have been told the gnolls flee to the east after each attack.  It stands to reason they will most likely approach from the east as well.

”Considering they have burned the previous fields, and there are no sources of fire around, they are probably bringing torches with them.  We should have ample warning of their approach if this is the case.

”The crops are the most important thing here.  The town needs these fields or there will be great suffering.  In that case, should we not seek to engage with the gnolls further out on their approach to the fields, rather than waiting for them to arrive here?  I fear that if they do have torches, allowing any gnoll to get within a stones throw of the field puts all the crops at risk.”

Tayvello - You meet Jai, a halfling woman that is the local hunter who loans you 15 bear traps. You can set these out on the paths you think the creatures come from (make a survival check).

Varis - There are very few of these choke points or high ground or anything because at the end of the unburned land there is burned field spreading out beyond it for a ways. There are some rocks and other obstacles which could be used by either side for cover.

"I can stand out front to talk to them. Should they choose to not listen, I will challenge their leader to single combat to prove to the goals that they should stand down." Kairynna says as she strides forward ahead of the fields.

As they pass through the burnt fields and see the devastation that has been caused to the land the grim reality of the situation sinks in further. This is going to get worse for the people here. It must be stopped. Turning to the others, he says "I do not know how to prepare for battle on field but show me what needs to be done and I'll lend you my help." He looks toward Varis and Tayvello who seem to be more versed in the ways of war.

Once the preparations are made Braci will go to the edge of the field facing the east. He leans against his staff and stares resolutely toward the horizon waiting and watching for the enemy's approach.

To Thoradin:

”We have overlapping spells.  Both of us are well equipped to heal and buff our allies.  I’m much more capable of standing on the front lines and absorbing a bit of punishment myself.  Might I suggest I stay amidst the melee and try to draw attackers and apply healing to those fighters who require it, while you remain more mobile and work the periphery of the battlefield, watching for things I miss and healing those I cannot get to?”

To Kairynna:

”I respect your Courage and wish that I had a measure of your conviction.  I pray to Sothel that your instincts prove better than mine own and that you can find a peaceful solution to this.  Would you consent to let me observe your interactions with the gnolls?  I swear not to interfere without your say so.  But if they take you up on your offer of single combat, I would like to be close by to provide healing if necessary.”  Or to aid if the gnolls prove as savage as their reputation and respond to your honorable words by attacking en masse, he thinks but does not say aloud.

((Thoradin gives a speech and everyone except himself, Varis and Seig get 9 temp HP. He will then cast Extended Spell aid on himself, Varis and Seig to give them 10hp))

When they arrived at the field, Thoradin took a few minutes to give an inspirational speech to emphasize the importance of their task and bolster everyone's resolve, and at the end he said a prayer to Sothel to aid them in their task, enhancing the effect with a bit of the divine power flowing through his body.

Quote from Bartjeebus >>

To Thoradin:

”We have overlapping spells.  Both of us are well equipped to heal and buff our allies.  I’m much more capable of standing on the front lines and absorbing a bit of punishment myself.  Might I suggest I stay amidst the melee and try to draw attackers and apply healing to those fighters who require it, while you remain more mobile and work the periphery of the battlefield, watching for things I miss and healing those I cannot get to?”

To Kairynna:

”I respect your Courage and wish that I had a measure of your conviction.  I pray to Sothel that your instincts prove better than mine own and that you can find a peaceful solution to this.  Would you consent to let me observe your interactions with the gnolls?  I swear not to interfere without your say so.  But if they take you up on your offer of single combat, I would like to be close by to provide healing if necessary.”  Or to aid if the gnolls prove as savage as their reputation and respond to your honorable words by attacking en masse, he thinks but does not say aloud.

"That makes sense, though we do not know which direction they would come from. So what we think might be the front might turn out to be the back, at first. "

You all successfully get into your positions. Rocky, you find a two rocks that can cover you from the North and the East which you think are the best place for you to hide.

Varis makes a wave of his hand and a small owl appears at his shoulder. He whispers a few words and the bird takes flight over the burned fields, keeping watch over the paths to the east for any approaching creatures. 

Owl perception (advantage): 13 10

Owl stealth: 11

Tayvello goes about spreading the traps around the full perimeter of the field handing some to Braci, pointing out where he wants them and how to disguise them.

Survival 12

"The problem is as your friends there says we do not truly know what direction the gnolls will be coming from," Tayvello says in response to Sigi concerns. "We are only assuming they are coming from the east as that is the direction they retreat to, but they could just as easily come from any other direction. We go too far out east and the attack comes from the north we may not be able to make it back here in time to save the field. From here we can see what direction they are coming from then move to intercept them,"

Upon hearing Kairynna's comment and Rocky's reply Tayvello gives a small chuckle, "Nobility will only get you so far on the battlefield. If it works I will commend you, and if it does not well I plan to use every advantage I have or can make to survive this and get paid. Though I will say while this is not the worst defensive position I have been in it is up."

Mori isn't quite sure how to position himself, so, after seeing how everyone else is choosing to place themselves, he will try to find some kind of high point to view as much of the field as he can, hoping he'll be able to see any incoming attacks so he could warn the others. 

To Mori:

"It's been said that music can soothe even the most savage of beasts.  Is it possible you know a song or two that could calm a raging spirit or - perhaps - even lull a few of them to sleep?"

"Music does hold great strength. I could not do the things you describe with any kind of magic, but perhaps these creatures will indeed listen to song. I'll prepare a few tales I know, if the need should arise." Mori says, trying to remember the best songs he knows that bring calm. 

Nevaeh says little throughout the preparations, helping where she can and sticking close to Kairynna. 

So, as you all position yourselves sundown is approaching. One hour before it, there is a large rustling in the bushes a ways away (this is noticed by Rocky, Nevaeh, and Seigfried). You also (pretty much at the same time as you see the rustling) see a smoke winding up from the tree-surrounded road a few miles North East.

OOC: How much smoke is rising?  Like a campfire?  Or does it look like a home or building is burning?

As she sees the smoke rising, Kairynna turns to Neveah. "You may want to stand back should things not go well." 

Kairynna grabs a small amulet. Under her breath she whispers, "I will save these people like I should have done for you sister." She readies her shield with a glowing emblem in the center. If she sees the sign of someone coming towards her she calls out, "Come forward, there is no need for blood to be shed tonight!"

Bartjeebus - Between the two, though closer to a building sized thing that is burning.

You all see the rustling stop as Varis (through Azrael) gets a view of a smaller sized gnoll that has its foot in one of the bear traps. It hears that speaking has continued but is also aware it has been noticed. You see no look of recognition of Kairynna's words. It is about 100 feet away from Kairynna.