Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

The second days' journey is just about completed.  The elevation has increased somewhat throughout the day. Yoë indicated about an hour ago that you had passed the last larger scale satyr community.  While not uninhabited, the area was home to more reclusive folks, or those who relied on hunting or foraging for their trade.  You have managed to steer clear of others in your travels.  

At this point, the trees have begun to thin.  And as the way gets a little steeper before you, you can see you will soon be able the tree line. You could potentially travel a little bit further. However, it may be better cover to stay within the forest while you rest. 

"I suggest we stop here and rest for the night while we still have good cover from the trees." Elyria says and swiftly flies up into a tree to have a good view of the surroundings.
Survival to find a good camping spot: 11

(If Elyria can meditate now for 4 hours she can keep watch the rest of the night.)

Aurelius will once again volunteer for first watch.  "I notice we are ascending...  this is where Leilatha travels often?  Here above the trees?  What does she seek here?  Or is this merely the path to another destination?  If we are to ambush her, I would think we would need a location with more cover..."

Passive Perception 10

Active Perception 14

"Yes, I agree. I will send Aelric to scout for a suitable ambush site along the road." Elyria says and does that.
Aelric perception: 22

Flynt also moves off looking over the area trying to discern what route Leilatha is most likely to take and where a good ambush might takes place.

Insight: 22

Yoë seems to agree that staying within the forest might be better. "Yea, I'm not sure exactly where Lady Leilatha goes. But she's always heading up into the mountains. Really though, her fortress is pretty high elevation as well. It's a bit to the west from here now though."  She tries to point out some landmarks that would point the way towards her fortress - and gives you an idea of what it is located. It gives you a reference as you check out the area. 

Elyria finds what seems like a reasonable campsite. Aurelius prepares to take the first watch as Elyria prepares to meditate.  Flynt meanwhile spends a little time to check out the surroundings. Given what Yoë said, he determines what might be a reasonable route for a person traveling to and from the direction you presume the fortress to be in.  There is not a lot of cover, and the ground in the distance is covered with snow.  You do find a spot where the easiest route would be through a narrow canyon-like pass.  It would take some effort, but if you could get above the spot, you could likely keep cover from those on the road while having a good vantage for attacking. 

The drawback would be of course if Leilatha had any flying scouts. Yoë doesn't think she does but isn't completely sure.  She also points out that in addition to her guards, there is usually a group of satyrs that act as a scouting group for her.  Given the rocky terrain, they would probably try to get to the higher ground - posing a risk to those hiding in ambush above the canyon.  But it also would lead to moments where you could isolate a few while they are out of contact with Leilatha's main group.  

Assuming everyone shares information Elyria suggests using the narrow canyon-like pass for the ambush, hoping that Aelric will spot any scouts, flying or otherwise.
"Yoë, you understand we might have to fight Leilatha's satyrs? I hope you are not uncomfortable with that." Elyria says to the satyr.

Flynt scoffs a bit at Elarias suggestion. "Of course that's where we'll set the ambush. That's why I told you about it in the first place. However we shouldn't do it as she approaches but as she returns. In light of the realization of what Yoë just said about not knowing where she goes but that she does it often, makes me think we should find out. It could lead us to leverage that would make the risk of an ambush unnecessary. Besides if she does have scouts it may give her a false sense of confidence for her return trip if she passes through unobstructed. Instead of repeating the obvious try and devise a plan on how we might isolate her from her entourage."

Flynt then speaks the command word for his armor and changes into his owl form. He flys off to see if based on what he knows now if he can discern a possible destination. He returns an hour later to relay what he found.

Insight: 8

Elyria is a bit taken aback by Flynt's scoffing but says nothing, instead preparing to depart again as the lawman returns.

Aurelius raises an eyebrow at the exchange, but realizes everyone is testy from their long marches, and  even longer waiting for the chance to finally confront the architect of so many of their troubles. 

He smiles and shrugs at Elyria, "D'accord. This canyon seems a good location, and it definitely bears considering if we should allow her to pass through and then follow her.  The downside of course is if she discovers us tailing her, or somehow eludes us and returns home by an entirely different route.  I am of the opinion that we attack at the first reasonable opportunity; Who knows, if we delay our ambush, she might even return with an army at her side.

"I am inclined to first take out the scouts after they separate from the main party, and then spring the trap while she is boxed in the canyon.We could prepare large bundles of boulders and logs that could be released from above at either end of the canyon by you and Yoë once they have entered, to barricade them inside. I am able to stall them there as you rain down destruction from above. "

Yoë nods slowly to Aurelius. "Yea, I understand what might happen."  She tries to sound firm, but there is a hint of concern in her voice. "I mean, we'd try to spare their lives if possible, right?" 

From Flynt's investigation, there seems to be a clear path heading mostly northward. The path gains in elevation, but you are not able to follow it all the way to the end.  From the distance you can see the path continues through ice and snow up towards the top of the peak.  There seems to be some sort of tower you can just make out in the distance. 

Elyria nods at the others and prepares to leave, ready to follow Flynt's lead to the ambush site.
Perception: 17 Aelric perception: 15

Flynt returns to the group.

"I believe I may have spotted her destination. There's a tower to the north. I think it bears investigating. We might find a solution that can keep the satyrs safe." 

OCC: How far by foot? Flynt will relay that information as well.

"As you wish.  I would imagine the tower only holds more enemies, but as you say, it may also hold information."

"Well nobody says we have to engage them if we find them. Or stay and lay out the ambush. I'll go investigate myself. Besides if there are others there, that is information in and of itself. Who is it? What are they doing there? Could they be allies? All these questions deserve to be answered because options breed solutions. But by all means give me a better plan that risks less." states the investigator.

(Technically I thought we were preparing for a long rest - but we can say the rest is completed and we are ready to move on!)

(Flynt's travel by owl would mean he could physically travel about 3 miles in 30 minutes - which means he'd be back in an hour.  The tower is probably roughly 20 miles farther.  It would be a day's travel, perhaps more if the weather interferes.) 

Your various discussions are interrupted by a sudden chittering from a small brown squirrel.  "Greetings Elyria, most uncivilized of beings!" (Elyria - WIS save DC 10 or take 1 psychic damage) You instantly recognize Rahkeshi's accented Common. 

Yoë hops up, exclaiming, "Oh! It's the squirrel fellow!"

Ratatosk ignores Yoë and addresses Elyria, though all can hear. "I hope Yoë is now safe with you. Lady Leilatha plans to leave tomorrow to travel north.  I hope you might be able to put this information to use.  I am not sure how or why, but several sprites have invaded the gardens here - wearing the livery of Lady Sylmare. They hang out invisibly around the clock, so I presume they don't know I see them. Unfortunately, they have scared my friends off. I hope to see you soon."

The squirrel quickly runs off and vanishes. 

Yoë says, "Oh! That was so interesting to see the little guy deliver a message like that. And with Keshi's voice! That was a little strange actually."  

(Elyria Wis save: 24 )

Elyria smiles widely as she notices Ratatosk beside her. "Greetings to you too Ratatosk, what news do you bring from Rahkeshi?"
She listens attentively to what Ratatosk reports, then turning to Yoë. "Not as strange as many of the things I've witnessed lately." She says with a quick smile, ready to follow Flynt.

"Well, as I said, my plan was to ambush them in the canyon you found.  But you make a strong argument, Flynt, and Elyria seems to agree with you, so we will follow you.  If we reach the tower before the hag, perhaps we can either win the inhabitants to our cause, or else eliminate them before her arrival, and catch her by surprise there."

Visibly relieved that his new friends were willing come along Flynt says, "Thank you, by my estimation it'll take us the rest of today to get there. Hopefully we find something that will give us advantage and keep those satyrs safe. I still like the ambush as a back up so hopefully we can stay undiscovered. Perhaps as we travel we can work on the specifics of that plan. It's highly possible that our traitorous mage has passed on his information so it can be equally assured that she will have the scouts looking ahead as was suggested. So the question becomes how do we separate the troops from the commander?"

He begins the march in the direction of the tower.

He heads off 

Elyria listens to Flynt and then looks to Aurelius as the lawman begins to march towards the tower, having no real idea herself how to lure Leilatha's guards from her side. Elyria was no stranger to using stealth, but using trickery was certainly not her forte. After a moment she shrugs and starts to follow.