Ev'alish nods. "Thou shalt not be a lone defender. I shalt be at the side of those at the frontline. The town prepares as well, we shalt have their aid, one would hope."
"A lone defender is too obvious. We need like... A bankroll wagon, or a noble hostage ripe for ransom. Something to make them race for one spot. Anything else is just a poorly veiled attempt. What have you got, folks?" Kan looks between them.
"I'm not sure any orcs would understand the value of a hostage," reflects Khessa, replying to Kan. "They might not even know whom they have to ask for a ransom. But a wagon carrying a treasure might work" the blonde arcane warrior begins to formulate a hypothesis of a plan. "We borrow the wagon. Gryrim can create the illusion of objects of great value on it. Your construct can blend into the illusory goods and Ev'alish may be hiding in the middle of them, out of sight, possibly under a blanket, to make sure he is completely hidden. Gryrim can pretend to be a merchant driving the wagon, while I could be his bodyguard. You, Kan, may lurk on a roof, so that you can shot undisturbed when we open hostilities. Orcs see us while we are about to leave Triboar" the tall warrior-mage tries to imagine the scene. "They should throw themselves at us. Gryrim and I can pretend to be scared and unsure what to do, so that the orcs have time to get close. Then Gryrim could pretend to flee - in fact reaching a roof or a sheltered position instead, ready to range enemies. And as soon as the orcs are close... I could shout an agreed word, like... 'cabbage!' (just an example)... and at that point, the construct and Ev'alish should surprise them with fire and ice. If we have the assistance of someone from the army, we can deploy them on other rooftops, ready to also range the enemies. In this way, even if the enemies are many, we should have a good chance of taking out most of them from the beginning. What do you think? Something not convincing? Somethign to improve? Or shall we propose such a thing to Darathra?"
"I can pull that off, lass. A devious mind I think lies in that pretty head of yours" he grins broadly as he compliments the warrior.
"Oh, well, lad, you know," she grins back, patting the dwarf on the back "it is far easier to come up with plans, when you have at your disposal people like a resourceful bartender that can spam illusions at will, an elf capable of building wonders with seemingly common objects found around and an heroic and unbreakable dragon-blessed fury of goodness!"
She is always amused, as she calls him 'lad' (in exchange for him calling her 'lass'): 'How many springs must this dwarf have lived? 'Lad', for sure... I have heard that dwarves live so long.. I would not be surprised, should he possibly be, for example, old enough to be my grandfather! However, with his spontaneity and zest for life... he actually has the spirit of a lad, after all'.
(Yes, you have.) She asks, "Are you adventurers? We appreciate any help you can give us, but this threat might be more than we can handle."
"Pleasure to meet you, Darathra!" Khessa smiles warmly "Yes, we are adventurers. I'm Khessa; let me introduce to you" (presenting them, one by one, with her hand) "Ev'alish, Gryrim and Kan. We, the Cabbage Patch Companions, will do everything to be of assistance! Oh," she realizes she has her children beside her "and these are mine and Ev'alish's children, Yondra and Sarvin. They traveled with us because we weren't going on a mission; ours was a common journey... until recently. But we have discovered that a good number of creatures are making their way to Triboar, and we thought we'd warn you! Around 10 tall green humanoids (orcs, we think) mounting big birds that run on the ground (no idea what these are) plus a dozen small flying red creatures. Those might seem big numbers, but we have thought of an ambush that can drastically reduce the number of attackers by taking them by surprise. You know, we have some magical abilities that standar defenders do not have and this could be a deciding advantage. We will take the main risk, no citizen or guard will be put in immediate danger. We only need a wagon... oh, well, and as many ranged defenders you can put on the rooftops, to help us from safety (I'd prefer them ranged just to let them be more safe, not endangered by melee with the attackers)".
With that, she goes on explaining the plan of post 1346.
(OOC: if you prefer for me to roleplay the re-explanation explicitly just ask, I'll do - but I think Khessa would use practically the same words)
"What do you think, Darathra?" the blonde arcane warrior asks finally, with her blue eyes sparkling with the enthusiasm of a plan that could save the city "Working together, we indeed might handle this threat after all, might not we? I suppose getting a wagon will be no problem for you and then, if you just can deploy some ranged defender to help shot down the eventual enemies that will survive the initial magical onslaught, that should do it... Do you have men able to attack from range?"
"You're welcome, Darathra" Khessa smiles, patting her on the shoulder. "You will not regret it. Yes, in these troubled times, we have had experience defending villages... although we would have preferred that there was no need. Nightstone was on the verge of being completely annihilated, before we came to aid... but this is another story".
After that, with the cooperation of Darathra, Khessa prepares the wagon according to plan, just outside Triboar, on the same side as the invaders should arrive, with Gryrim next to the wagon keeping the illusion of precious goods on top (maybe something of very obvoius value, such as jewelry or gems? Up to Gryrim anyway). Khessa is close to Gryrim, pretending to be his bodyguard. Ev'alish is in the wagon, completely hidden by a blanket. Kan's construct is on the wagon, mingling in the midst of the illusory commodities. Kan on a nearby roof, completely out of sight for now. Ditto the men that Darathra is able to provide (if she is able to provide any).
Yondra and Sarvin are kept safe by Ethar, the new friend, if the old woman agrees to do this favor. Else, Khessa will ask Darathra if she knows of a safe place where they can stay during the battle.
"Well, now let's wait for them..." Khessa smiles "And when I say 'Cabbage!'... give 'em hell!"
Ev'alish watches as Khessa coordinates the defense effort. "Very well. I shalt be at the ready. Gryrim and Khessa, thou shalt be at high risk and in the open. Be careful. Thou art my companions and I will do my utmost to defend thee."
As he crouches under the blanket, he ponders. He hadn't the intelligence of any of the others in the group, to plan things this well. But certainly he was determined to defend the town. And so he would play his part in the defense to the best of his ability. He slows his breathing, waiting for the signal.
"Oh, do not worry my dear" smiles Khessa at her beloved dragonborn. "Gryrim is supposed to run back, pretending to be scared, before the horde comes too close... it's you and I that will be in trouble, should the enemies be thougher than we believe and not fall at the first magical onslaught! But" she takes his hand and watches him in the eyes "there is something that can scare us when we are together?"
However, for good measure, Khessa still sends Anator to fly along the perimeter of the village, at a height a little above that of the houses, so that she can see if the attackers by chance are coming from a different direction... thus allowing the party to move the wagon so that it is seen by them.
Ev’alish nods readily to Khessa, silver eyes steeled with determination. “I feareth not, for I hath thee by my side and the rest of our friends behind us, and the resolved wishes of the entire town. We shalt prevail.”
Ev'alish nods. "Thou shalt not be a lone defender. I shalt be at the side of those at the frontline. The town prepares as well, we shalt have their aid, one would hope."
"A lone defender is too obvious. We need like... A bankroll wagon, or a noble hostage ripe for ransom. Something to make them race for one spot. Anything else is just a poorly veiled attempt. What have you got, folks?" Kan looks between them.
Paladin - warforged - orange
"I'm not sure any orcs would understand the value of a hostage," reflects Khessa, replying to Kan. "They might not even know whom they have to ask for a ransom. But a wagon carrying a treasure might work" the blonde arcane warrior begins to formulate a hypothesis of a plan. "We borrow the wagon. Gryrim can create the illusion of objects of great value on it. Your construct can blend into the illusory goods and Ev'alish may be hiding in the middle of them, out of sight, possibly under a blanket, to make sure he is completely hidden. Gryrim can pretend to be a merchant driving the wagon, while I could be his bodyguard. You, Kan, may lurk on a roof, so that you can shot undisturbed when we open hostilities. Orcs see us while we are about to leave Triboar" the tall warrior-mage tries to imagine the scene. "They should throw themselves at us. Gryrim and I can pretend to be scared and unsure what to do, so that the orcs have time to get close. Then Gryrim could pretend to flee - in fact reaching a roof or a sheltered position instead, ready to range enemies. And as soon as the orcs are close... I could shout an agreed word, like... 'cabbage!' (just an example)... and at that point, the construct and Ev'alish should surprise them with fire and ice. If we have the assistance of someone from the army, we can deploy them on other rooftops, ready to also range the enemies. In this way, even if the enemies are many, we should have a good chance of taking out most of them from the beginning. What do you think? Something not convincing? Somethign to improve? Or shall we propose such a thing to Darathra?"
"I can pull that off, lass. A devious mind I think lies in that pretty head of yours" he grins broadly as he compliments the warrior.
"Oh, well, lad, you know," she grins back, patting the dwarf on the back "it is far easier to come up with plans, when you have at your disposal people like a resourceful bartender that can spam illusions at will, an elf capable of building wonders with seemingly common objects found around and an heroic and unbreakable dragon-blessed fury of goodness!"
She is always amused, as she calls him 'lad' (in exchange for him calling her 'lass'): 'How many springs must this dwarf have lived? 'Lad', for sure... I have heard that dwarves live so long.. I would not be surprised, should he possibly be, for example, old enough to be my grandfather! However, with his spontaneity and zest for life... he actually has the spirit of a lad, after all'.
(OOC: Did we find Darathra, in the meantime?)
(It's a very long hallway~)
Kan is ready to follow that plan when it arrives
Paladin - warforged - orange
"Pleasure to meet you, Darathra!" Khessa smiles warmly "Yes, we are adventurers. I'm Khessa; let me introduce to you" (presenting them, one by one, with her hand) "Ev'alish, Gryrim and Kan. We, the Cabbage Patch Companions, will do everything to be of assistance! Oh," she realizes she has her children beside her "and these are mine and Ev'alish's children, Yondra and Sarvin. They traveled with us because we weren't going on a mission; ours was a common journey... until recently. But we have discovered that a good number of creatures are making their way to Triboar, and we thought we'd warn you! Around 10 tall green humanoids (orcs, we think) mounting big birds that run on the ground (no idea what these are) plus a dozen small flying red creatures. Those might seem big numbers, but we have thought of an ambush that can drastically reduce the number of attackers by taking them by surprise. You know, we have some magical abilities that standar defenders do not have and this could be a deciding advantage. We will take the main risk, no citizen or guard will be put in immediate danger. We only need a wagon... oh, well, and as many ranged defenders you can put on the rooftops, to help us from safety (I'd prefer them ranged just to let them be more safe, not endangered by melee with the attackers)".
With that, she goes on explaining the plan of post 1346.
(OOC: if you prefer for me to roleplay the re-explanation explicitly just ask, I'll do - but I think Khessa would use practically the same words)
"What do you think, Darathra?" the blonde arcane warrior asks finally, with her blue eyes sparkling with the enthusiasm of a plan that could save the city "Working together, we indeed might handle this threat after all, might not we? I suppose getting a wagon will be no problem for you and then, if you just can deploy some ranged defender to help shot down the eventual enemies that will survive the initial magical onslaught, that should do it... Do you have men able to attack from range?"
"You're welcome, Darathra" Khessa smiles, patting her on the shoulder. "You will not regret it. Yes, in these troubled times, we have had experience defending villages... although we would have preferred that there was no need. Nightstone was on the verge of being completely annihilated, before we came to aid... but this is another story".
After that, with the cooperation of Darathra, Khessa prepares the wagon according to plan, just outside Triboar, on the same side as the invaders should arrive, with Gryrim next to the wagon keeping the illusion of precious goods on top (maybe something of very obvoius value, such as jewelry or gems? Up to Gryrim anyway). Khessa is close to Gryrim, pretending to be his bodyguard. Ev'alish is in the wagon, completely hidden by a blanket. Kan's construct is on the wagon, mingling in the midst of the illusory commodities. Kan on a nearby roof, completely out of sight for now. Ditto the men that Darathra is able to provide (if she is able to provide any).
Yondra and Sarvin are kept safe by Ethar, the new friend, if the old woman agrees to do this favor. Else, Khessa will ask Darathra if she knows of a safe place where they can stay during the battle.
"Well, now let's wait for them..." Khessa smiles "And when I say 'Cabbage!'... give 'em hell!"
Ev'alish watches as Khessa coordinates the defense effort. "Very well. I shalt be at the ready. Gryrim and Khessa, thou shalt be at high risk and in the open. Be careful. Thou art my companions and I will do my utmost to defend thee."
As he crouches under the blanket, he ponders. He hadn't the intelligence of any of the others in the group, to plan things this well. But certainly he was determined to defend the town. And so he would play his part in the defense to the best of his ability. He slows his breathing, waiting for the signal.
"Oh, do not worry my dear" smiles Khessa at her beloved dragonborn. "Gryrim is supposed to run back, pretending to be scared, before the horde comes too close... it's you and I that will be in trouble, should the enemies be thougher than we believe and not fall at the first magical onslaught! But" she takes his hand and watches him in the eyes "there is something that can scare us when we are together?"
However, for good measure, Khessa still sends Anator to fly along the perimeter of the village, at a height a little above that of the houses, so that she can see if the attackers by chance are coming from a different direction... thus allowing the party to move the wagon so that it is seen by them.
Ready when you are! For Triboar and the common folk!
Ready!
Ev’alish nods readily to Khessa, silver eyes steeled with determination. “I feareth not, for I hath thee by my side and the rest of our friends behind us, and the resolved wishes of the entire town. We shalt prevail.”
Ready. Barrel Boi goes in the wagon, hiding until it's time to speed firy death
I did not plan on Barrel Boi being able to disguise himself as a barrel when I made him, so I understand if he doesn't look right in there
Paladin - warforged - orange