Muir considers the information given to him by Terry and thinks a moment before snapping to "Thank you Terry. You have given me much to think about." He turns to go sit, have a little snack and take it all in.
Vin nods and takes all the feedback. He looks back in the direction of Hokum then seems to think a bit. He then draws some diagrams around his drawing of the trade building. Mostly around the entrances He looks to the group and says "Alright, so if Old Thicket isn't coming then we have the trees attack with hit and run tactics. i can think of nothing better to hide and make ambushes then trees in a forest. With the idea of moving the prisoners added into the plan, the trade center will need more fortifications to prevent the redcaps getting in. I'm sure Iver and the guards can hold out especially if the trees lure most of the redcaps out and they could even fall back up the tower. however, the prisoners might not be able to. We want to prevent the redcaps getting in. Could we spare one druid to like grow throny bushes or something once we get folks in? My other idea is we arm the prisoners with crossbows preloaded so they can help defend the trade tower if they have the ability to do so. I don't know If I'm missing anything else... I just... this is my first time making combat plans for real. This is way different then in class. If this sounds good we should get everyone now and go. Even a single minute might make a difference with the portal and their progress changing it."
Muir looks up from his stump at Vin and smiles "That seems like a good plan youngling. The guards can distract the red caps and lure them to the trees and spring the ambush causing mass panic and mayhem. Once the redcaps and trees are entangled the guards can meet us to help with the prisoners. I suspect the prisoners will need a lot of aid. They are more than likely not being taken care of but only barely to provide sustenance to the Redcaps, giant and whatever else is happening in the cave. We sneak into the camp, take out the tower, rescue the prisoners, spill the blood, take over the trade center, and go from there. I can provide the ....thorny bushes... once we are all inside if we need to regroup at the trade center, but if one of my brethren would like to accompany us, I certainly would not object. Perhaps one of the Ovates....There are not many of us here.....Ovate Hirsi is young and on the cusp of becoming a full fledged druid...Does someone have a better idea or see a flaw in the plan? Otherwise, I agree with young Vincent that we should make haste."
Vin nods towards Muir and gets up from his diagram of the trade center drawn in the ground. "It's just Vin. I don't know if there is more to my name or not." A touch of sadness there as he corrects Muir. Its a small thing but it's important to Vin that he's called Vin. Nef seems eager to get going. The young man laying out a plan like that seems to have the hound excited and raring to make the plan a reality of success for them. She stops and looks at everyone with a glare, Vin sighs and says "She says lets go and don't mess up the plan." Nef likely didn't say it as kind but the message is clear either way, she won't be in a forgiving mood to anyone that messes up Vin's plan. If no further adjustments need be made Vin and Nef go to gather the people coming and get everyone up on speed on the plan.
As they all start to get moving back to Hokum, Elthana heads that direction a bit to try and scout out the way, making sure they won't run into anything as they move. There are many more of them this time and she wants to make sure they make it to Hokum quickly.
Just before you all leave, Iver walks off to the cave with Vin to collect his guards and the trees that are following along. "We'll discuss plan of attack along the way, I'm told these trees can understand us but lack the ability to respond, before we move though, this is what my men have managed to salvage from the carriages abandoned on the road south of the forest, the ones that were attacked by the Not-Deer, before you guys made them a Not-a-problem anymore"
He hefts a backpack onto the floor and an Elvish guard next to him drops some weapons, armour and items next to it, "pick and choose what you want from here, we'll leave anything you don't want with the survivors..."
In the pile of looted items the group finds;
1 (+2) Maul, engraved with the Cavalcade's Splitters motif 1 ring of spell storing 2 hand axes similarly engraved 3 crossbows 1 case, crossbow bolts 1 hide armour of resistance 1 bracers of archery 1 iron bands of binding 1 shovel 1 pickaxe 1 backpack -containing: 2 poison basic, (vial) 1 bag caltrops (*20) 1 set theives tools 1 hourglass 1 whetstone 1 (+1) dagger
Master Gore uses his mending Cantrip to, fix the tears and holes in everyone's clothes and shoes, having the holes in their shoes from the forest traversal fixed is comforting, but with more to come it likely won't last too long, the druidic lizardfolk offers again if there's anything else the group might want fixing before he bids you all farewell.
Vin checks out the gear and seeing the symbols on the hammer and axes with say "Those belonged to the fallen adventurers sent before. If we find one of them alive we should give them back. We should probably bring the crossbows to arm the prisoners with. On the other items, I would very much like this ring and the hourglass."
"A good plan. Good plan. But one thing I have learned over time, no matter how good a plan it never survives the first punch in the face," Sam says quietly. Calmly. He doesn't want to hurt Vin's feelings as the plan does seem sound enough but it's important that he understand things won't go perfectly. "It's best to focus on objectives - Take and hold the defensible building, free the captives and lead them to there, then disrupt the blood cooking...The details on the how have to remain flexible cause the situation will change. Then change again. And again.... Even if the enemy reacts how you hope, your allies..." Sam seems to get distracted at this point and he just kind of rambles to an end. "Well, we'll do what we can and make it work, won't we?"
Sam then gets up and wanders over to Gewyn, clapping his hand on his back. "Ah, Gewyn... How you doing with all this? You holding up ok?" Sam asks and takes a close look at his companion. "You're worried about the upcoming fight, yes? The paleness... The sweating... Nerves, yes? But worry not, my friend. We will crush our way through this thing and come through victorious. I promise you that..."
Later...
When Iver brings the items for them to pick through, Sam immediately picks up the maul in his hand and tests it's weight and balance. "We all came equipped, my friend. Perhaps the people here need the goods in case they must defend themselves?" Sam asks even as he shoulders the new maul and leaves his old in it's place. Through chitchat Sam comes to the conclusion that this is more or less spare goods and good for the taking. He'll add the two hand axes to his kit as well.
"Aye Vin, if the rightful owners claim the weapons we shall surely make sure they are made whole as best we can. In the meantime, we shall put the items to the best use possible, defeating those who fell them," Sam says, laying a hand upon Vin's shoulder and giving him a comforting (and hopefully not too strong) squeeze.
"We'll bring it all in case it does us or the captives some good later," Sam advises. "I'll haul anything nobody else wants to carry themselves."
(Sam takes Maul and hand axes, if no objections... and indeed will add anything not claimed to his kit.)
Gewyn had indeed been uncharacteristically quiet for the last leg of the trek, and as Sam slaps his back, he seems to snap back to reality. "Hmm?" Hew wipes his brow and seems surprised at its dampness. "Oh, yeah. Nerves, must be." He pumps a fist. "You're right, I'm sure we've got this. We are champions after all."
When Sam walks away, Gewyn pulls out his hand mirror, noting for the first time the paleness of his skin and the darkness under his eyes. He scratches at his ankle as he contemplates, concerned.
When going through the items, Gewyn first picks up the dagger. Testing it in his hands, he makes note of its exceptional balance and fine edge. He pulls out his other knife for comparison. Chipped and a little bent now, not having been designed for combat, the superiority of the new weapon is clear. He starts to clip it to his belt when his eyes land on the iron bands. He starts to reach for them, but notices they've caught Elthana's attention as well. He hesitates, and then grabs the hide armour, holding it up and appraising how he might make it work with his aesthetic.
Muir watches the others grab from the pile of equipment found. Once he thinks they are done he gets up and introduces a female Harengon "Before we go I would like you to meet Ovate Hirsi. She is on the cusp of becoming a full fledged member of our society. She has been helping Master Gore in these woods, learning from him. This will be the first battle she will face where she hopes to aid us and learn from me. Her specialty is one of the Shepherd. She communes with nature and the beasts that lie within. She too knows the lore and language of the fey."With that a shy Harengon steps forward "Hello there. I...I am Hirsi....Pleased to meet you"
Gewyn makes a sweeping bow and says, "Good to have you with us, Hirsi, and always valuable to have an extra set of ears."He glances meaningfully at her harengon ears with a wry smile, then back at her face and winks. "Though if you'll excuse me, I need to have a quick strategy session with one of the others."
With that, Gewyn walks over to Elthana and whispers to her, "Mind if we have a quick chat?"
The Harengon teen stays mostly quiet on the journey to Hokum apparently shy, but ready for the task laid out before them "how many must we fight?" She can be heard asking Muir as the group departs.
The group makes a lot of noise moving around the forest on account of the ten awakened trees following behind, though this doesn't attract too much attention as any hostile animals keep clear of such a large group. Iver's first guard the male elf, scouts ahead with Elthana and Vin. Iver himself with another guard a female dwarf head the group as they move.
At this point the snow has gathered, lain and begun to freeze on top, footsteps crunch and winds bite as they whistle through the trees, when entering clearings where the sky and the mountains are clearly visible the group is able to estimate their distance from the town as the pillar of smoke rising from its central bonfire billows into the sky, every so often the more perceptive members of the group swear that they could see a glimpse of a small localised whirlwind whipping snow around as it travels the tops of the mountain range, too far away to make out clearly.
Night has falls once more before the group reach Hokum, the stench of the town huts their nostrils before the familiar sight of the west side of town can be seen through the trees, Iver stops and gathers everyone together so that forces may have their tasks separated and delegated out. "So the important tasks here are;
the prisoners in the buildings north of the town center, taking them to the trade center to the south and fortifying it against attack,
meanwhile the blood cauldrons are spilled and we incite infighting and panic in as many of the mushroom things as possible, as well as cutting down those in our path,
where is the distraction best placed?
And who should do what?" He picks up a stick and draws a crude square in the snow to symbolise the town, then a large circle to represent the town center, and other shapes to represent the prisoners and the trade building. (In discord)
Vin and Nef looks at the drawing. Despite a lot of his shortcomings Vin can plan. He seems very uncertain the longer they get into the evening and the closer they get to enacting his plan. The young man not having the confidence to lead. he can't help but think [It's my plan.. i have to say something right?] So he looks it over the drawing and says "The distraction should start right here." he points to a spot on the wall that is a bit below where the prisoners are but still between there and the south tower. "This should draw out the redcaps between the prisoners and the south tower making it easier to get to the prisoners on our next step while also drawing the attention of the lookouts on the south tower away from those sneaking in. The tree's job is to lure as many out as they can. Perhaps make them think there isn't as many at first but enough to entice a large response then the other trees will be waiting in ambush to take out as many as they can. I'm not expecting you trees to throw away your life. Do what you can to survive too. If you need to run run but try to buy us as much time as you can okay? With any luck maybe you can take out your pursuers with some clever ambushes and then come help at south tower. While that is going on we will all sneak into the trade center with the help of some concealing magic and take out the lookouts and guards in there. Once we take the south tower I want three of the guards to begin fortifying the south tower further in anyway they can. Make sure one of you is always on lookout in case we missed anything dangerous. The first thing you secure in any plan is an escape route, Master Wooswin taught me that one. The south tower is our main escape route. You will have minimal time to further fortify as the rest of us will go get the prisoners and get them to the south tower then all the guards hold the south tower with the help of any prisoners that can fight. We.." he gestures to those sent to help here. "...will then be heading to where they keep bringing the blood, destroying supplies of it we find and following that path. You guards will hold up in the south tower and begin picking off redcaps from up high and hold on until we return. Ideally the trees will win their skirmishes with the redcaps and join to help further defend the south tower. If they send the giant, us folks will intercept them and ambush them before they can get to the trade building, hopefully that is the only threat to the building." He nods at the plan feeling he covered everything but he definitely doesn't look certain. Fear he's missed something creeping into his mind. "Umm... right. Does... that sound good? if so south team should move down here..." he points to a place much closer to the south tower. "...to be ready for our assault." Nef woofs quietly in agreement. Vin is ready to go if others are.
Muir nods his head "It is as good a plan as any young Vin....cent. Apologies....Once we are inside I can provide a large area of thorns to slow down the redcaps and allow us to pick them off, if there is a need to do so." Muir turns to Hirsi and pulls her aside "Now this is your first combat experience. I want you to stay with me. Your job is to hang back and provide support. Use what Master Gore has taught you but pay attention to my companions and myself and how we work in battle. You could learn a thing or two on tactics. As I said, I will hang back with you as much as I can but if my companions need me to push ahead, I must do so. If the tide of battle does not go our way, you are to run as fast as you can and warn Master Gore."
As Iver dumps the pile of goodies for them to pick through, Elthana deftly picks up the thieves tools, smiling at the memory of one of her old team members and their gleaming set. She sees the iron bands of binding and doesn't even notice Gewyn interested in them as well and she puts them in her pack. Thinking she is done, Sam mentions his longbow and the use of the bracers. As he hands over the weapon and quiver, she looks it over, "Thank you. This will really help when I'm mounted."
As Muir introduces the Harengon, Elthana looks her over. A bit of concern is written on her face, but she doesn't say anything, just nods in acknowledgement. As Gewyn asks to speak quietly, she smiles, "Need another lesson with your new dagger? Of course." and she leads him a bit away from the others.
As Elthana listens to the plan, she waits for the signal to move. She is ready to get going on this. "Ready when you are, Vin." She'll cast pass without trace once everyone is ready.
Sam wouldn’t have let Gewyn off quite that easily. He’d press a bit trying to make sure it was indeed just nerves. “You’re ok though?” He’d ask. “Physically? Not sick or anything? I’ve seen you overcome nerves so I’m not worried about that… but we’ll be protecting each others backs. It’s best to know if one another is ailing or such.. “ Sam would then give Gewyn a long, measuring look to try to determine for himself before moving on…
Insight: 9 - So Sam isn’t really sure so he shrugs and moves on…
…
Sam grunts a “Welcome,” to Hirsi and advises her to “keep your head down and eyes open. Let’s us do the foolish crazy dangerous stuff, you just try to keep us alive, eh?”
—-
Sam is about to chime in and give assignments like Iver asked when suddenly Vin is addressing the group and taking charge. Sam is… skeptical at first, and waiting to step in and fix things, but is pleasantly surprised when he never sees the need. Once Vin is done Sam claps a hand on his shoulder and gives the kid a nod to say “Well done.”
“Remember, no matter how great the plan, things always get cockeyed at some point. That’s just life,” Sam says to the assemblage. “Just keep the main goals in mind and do your best to stay alive, eh?”
Vin is more surprised about being complimented on doing a good job then meeting all these fey creatures. As Elthana and Sam seem to agree with his plan he seem really unsure what to do next. "Uhh, right! Yes lets go..." Is how he replies to Elthana but it's Sam saying 'well done' that really seems to get to Vin. The young man so uncertain a lot of the time looks to Sam and says "Really? I uhh... I mean, I'm just trying to apply my lessons to this... I really feel like I have no idea what I'm doing." Neferox comes over and pokes Vin in the back to prod him forward. Clearly showing confidence in his plan. The hound pauses a bit as she gets up to Sam and nods towards him like a show of respect. She then continues to use her snout to poke Vin in the small of his back forcing him to move forward. Vin just says "Alright, I'm going, I'm going." and makes his way into position with the others waiting for the time to break into the south tower. He looks at Gweyn and seems to think of something as he gets up to him. He says "Umm... hopefully this all goes okay... if it does... and we all make it I have a question for you when we can rest. So... don't get killed okay?" Other then that Vin is ready for combat.
The group splits, trees heading east directly into the town, whilst the main body of the group, shrouded in darkness make their way south leaving no footprints in the snow and keeping within the treeline until a straight path to the south tower presents itself, across the barren tree stump area and around the southside of the trade building.
Under the inky night sky, illuminated from the fire behind them, the silhouettes of redcaps can be seen standing on the roof of the trade building, keeping watch in pairs, their attention on the fields to the south where the group find themselves. Stopping momentarily, one of the red caps picks up it's blade, a wicked ill-kept sickle more than half the size of the creatures body, and points toward the group, squinting it's eyes. It's attention is taken away almost instantly as high pitched screams and squeals pierce the night air from within the town itself.
"That felt too close" Iver whispers, Hirsi lets out the breath that she had been holding the entire time, as the group finally make it to the southern tower.
The tower itself is a large wooden archway, it forms the grand entrance to the town from the south road, the reds and greens of its vibrant paintwork now flaking and peeling from age, it is an old building to be sure, and joins directly onto the large circular trade post building to its east, the new modifications though are apparent, three massive tree trunks lay one on top of the other barring the roadway, they sit atop a spoiled ground, the dirt soft and copper, but long since dried of the massacre that took place over a month ago. The group hears some clanking of metal coming from the other side. But cannot see over this 20ft temporary wooden wall.
"We climb or there an easier way?" Sam asks of those who scouted previously, in a very hushed voice. He is ready to climb and see what can be seen but if there is a stealthier way, best to maintain that as long as possible...
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Muir considers the information given to him by Terry and thinks a moment before snapping to "Thank you Terry. You have given me much to think about." He turns to go sit, have a little snack and take it all in.
Vin nods and takes all the feedback. He looks back in the direction of Hokum then seems to think a bit. He then draws some diagrams around his drawing of the trade building. Mostly around the entrances He looks to the group and says "Alright, so if Old Thicket isn't coming then we have the trees attack with hit and run tactics. i can think of nothing better to hide and make ambushes then trees in a forest. With the idea of moving the prisoners added into the plan, the trade center will need more fortifications to prevent the redcaps getting in. I'm sure Iver and the guards can hold out especially if the trees lure most of the redcaps out and they could even fall back up the tower. however, the prisoners might not be able to. We want to prevent the redcaps getting in. Could we spare one druid to like grow throny bushes or something once we get folks in? My other idea is we arm the prisoners with crossbows preloaded so they can help defend the trade tower if they have the ability to do so. I don't know If I'm missing anything else... I just... this is my first time making combat plans for real. This is way different then in class. If this sounds good we should get everyone now and go. Even a single minute might make a difference with the portal and their progress changing it."
Muir looks up from his stump at Vin and smiles "That seems like a good plan youngling. The guards can distract the red caps and lure them to the trees and spring the ambush causing mass panic and mayhem. Once the redcaps and trees are entangled the guards can meet us to help with the prisoners. I suspect the prisoners will need a lot of aid. They are more than likely not being taken care of but only barely to provide sustenance to the Redcaps, giant and whatever else is happening in the cave. We sneak into the camp, take out the tower, rescue the prisoners, spill the blood, take over the trade center, and go from there. I can provide the ....thorny bushes... once we are all inside if we need to regroup at the trade center, but if one of my brethren would like to accompany us, I certainly would not object. Perhaps one of the Ovates....There are not many of us here.....Ovate Hirsi is young and on the cusp of becoming a full fledged druid...Does someone have a better idea or see a flaw in the plan? Otherwise, I agree with young Vincent that we should make haste."
Vin nods towards Muir and gets up from his diagram of the trade center drawn in the ground. "It's just Vin. I don't know if there is more to my name or not." A touch of sadness there as he corrects Muir. Its a small thing but it's important to Vin that he's called Vin. Nef seems eager to get going. The young man laying out a plan like that seems to have the hound excited and raring to make the plan a reality of success for them. She stops and looks at everyone with a glare, Vin sighs and says "She says lets go and don't mess up the plan." Nef likely didn't say it as kind but the message is clear either way, she won't be in a forgiving mood to anyone that messes up Vin's plan. If no further adjustments need be made Vin and Nef go to gather the people coming and get everyone up on speed on the plan.
As they all start to get moving back to Hokum, Elthana heads that direction a bit to try and scout out the way, making sure they won't run into anything as they move. There are many more of them this time and she wants to make sure they make it to Hokum quickly.
Just before you all leave, Iver walks off to the cave with Vin to collect his guards and the trees that are following along. "We'll discuss plan of attack along the way, I'm told these trees can understand us but lack the ability to respond, before we move though, this is what my men have managed to salvage from the carriages abandoned on the road south of the forest, the ones that were attacked by the Not-Deer, before you guys made them a Not-a-problem anymore"
He hefts a backpack onto the floor and an Elvish guard next to him drops some weapons, armour and items next to it, "pick and choose what you want from here, we'll leave anything you don't want with the survivors..."
In the pile of looted items the group finds;
1 (+2) Maul, engraved with the Cavalcade's Splitters motif
1 ring of spell storing
2 hand axes similarly engraved
3 crossbows
1 case, crossbow bolts
1 hide armour of resistance
1 bracers of archery
1 iron bands of binding
1 shovel
1 pickaxe
1 backpack
-containing:
2 poison basic, (vial)
1 bag caltrops (*20)
1 set theives tools
1 hourglass
1 whetstone
1 (+1) dagger
Master Gore uses his mending Cantrip to, fix the tears and holes in everyone's clothes and shoes, having the holes in their shoes from the forest traversal fixed is comforting, but with more to come it likely won't last too long, the druidic lizardfolk offers again if there's anything else the group might want fixing before he bids you all farewell.
Vin checks out the gear and seeing the symbols on the hammer and axes with say "Those belonged to the fallen adventurers sent before. If we find one of them alive we should give them back. We should probably bring the crossbows to arm the prisoners with. On the other items, I would very much like this ring and the hourglass."
Before Ever brings the items...
"A good plan. Good plan. But one thing I have learned over time, no matter how good a plan it never survives the first punch in the face," Sam says quietly. Calmly. He doesn't want to hurt Vin's feelings as the plan does seem sound enough but it's important that he understand things won't go perfectly. "It's best to focus on objectives - Take and hold the defensible building, free the captives and lead them to there, then disrupt the blood cooking...The details on the how have to remain flexible cause the situation will change. Then change again. And again.... Even if the enemy reacts how you hope, your allies..." Sam seems to get distracted at this point and he just kind of rambles to an end. "Well, we'll do what we can and make it work, won't we?"
Sam then gets up and wanders over to Gewyn, clapping his hand on his back. "Ah, Gewyn... How you doing with all this? You holding up ok?" Sam asks and takes a close look at his companion. "You're worried about the upcoming fight, yes? The paleness... The sweating... Nerves, yes? But worry not, my friend. We will crush our way through this thing and come through victorious. I promise you that..."
Later...
When Iver brings the items for them to pick through, Sam immediately picks up the maul in his hand and tests it's weight and balance. "We all came equipped, my friend. Perhaps the people here need the goods in case they must defend themselves?" Sam asks even as he shoulders the new maul and leaves his old in it's place. Through chitchat Sam comes to the conclusion that this is more or less spare goods and good for the taking. He'll add the two hand axes to his kit as well.
"Aye Vin, if the rightful owners claim the weapons we shall surely make sure they are made whole as best we can. In the meantime, we shall put the items to the best use possible, defeating those who fell them," Sam says, laying a hand upon Vin's shoulder and giving him a comforting (and hopefully not too strong) squeeze.
"We'll bring it all in case it does us or the captives some good later," Sam advises. "I'll haul anything nobody else wants to carry themselves."
(Sam takes Maul and hand axes, if no objections... and indeed will add anything not claimed to his kit.)
Gewyn had indeed been uncharacteristically quiet for the last leg of the trek, and as Sam slaps his back, he seems to snap back to reality. "Hmm?" Hew wipes his brow and seems surprised at its dampness. "Oh, yeah. Nerves, must be." He pumps a fist. "You're right, I'm sure we've got this. We are champions after all."
When Sam walks away, Gewyn pulls out his hand mirror, noting for the first time the paleness of his skin and the darkness under his eyes. He scratches at his ankle as he contemplates, concerned.
When going through the items, Gewyn first picks up the dagger. Testing it in his hands, he makes note of its exceptional balance and fine edge. He pulls out his other knife for comparison. Chipped and a little bent now, not having been designed for combat, the superiority of the new weapon is clear. He starts to clip it to his belt when his eyes land on the iron bands. He starts to reach for them, but notices they've caught Elthana's attention as well. He hesitates, and then grabs the hide armour, holding it up and appraising how he might make it work with his aesthetic.
Muir watches the others grab from the pile of equipment found. Once he thinks they are done he gets up and introduces a female Harengon "Before we go I would like you to meet Ovate Hirsi. She is on the cusp of becoming a full fledged member of our society. She has been helping Master Gore in these woods, learning from him. This will be the first battle she will face where she hopes to aid us and learn from me. Her specialty is one of the Shepherd. She communes with nature and the beasts that lie within. She too knows the lore and language of the fey." With that a shy Harengon steps forward "Hello there. I...I am Hirsi....Pleased to meet you"
Gewyn makes a sweeping bow and says, "Good to have you with us, Hirsi, and always valuable to have an extra set of ears." He glances meaningfully at her harengon ears with a wry smile, then back at her face and winks. "Though if you'll excuse me, I need to have a quick strategy session with one of the others."
With that, Gewyn walks over to Elthana and whispers to her, "Mind if we have a quick chat?"
The Harengon teen stays mostly quiet on the journey to Hokum apparently shy, but ready for the task laid out before them "how many must we fight?" She can be heard asking Muir as the group departs.
The group makes a lot of noise moving around the forest on account of the ten awakened trees following behind, though this doesn't attract too much attention as any hostile animals keep clear of such a large group. Iver's first guard the male elf, scouts ahead with Elthana and Vin. Iver himself with another guard a female dwarf head the group as they move.
At this point the snow has gathered, lain and begun to freeze on top, footsteps crunch and winds bite as they whistle through the trees, when entering clearings where the sky and the mountains are clearly visible the group is able to estimate their distance from the town as the pillar of smoke rising from its central bonfire billows into the sky, every so often the more perceptive members of the group swear that they could see a glimpse of a small localised whirlwind whipping snow around as it travels the tops of the mountain range, too far away to make out clearly.
Night has falls once more before the group reach Hokum, the stench of the town huts their nostrils before the familiar sight of the west side of town can be seen through the trees, Iver stops and gathers everyone together so that forces may have their tasks separated and delegated out. "So the important tasks here are;
the prisoners in the buildings north of the town center, taking them to the trade center to the south and fortifying it against attack,
meanwhile the blood cauldrons are spilled and we incite infighting and panic in as many of the mushroom things as possible, as well as cutting down those in our path,
where is the distraction best placed?
And who should do what?" He picks up a stick and draws a crude square in the snow to symbolise the town, then a large circle to represent the town center, and other shapes to represent the prisoners and the trade building. (In discord)
Vin and Nef looks at the drawing. Despite a lot of his shortcomings Vin can plan. He seems very uncertain the longer they get into the evening and the closer they get to enacting his plan. The young man not having the confidence to lead. he can't help but think [It's my plan.. i have to say something right?] So he looks it over the drawing and says "The distraction should start right here." he points to a spot on the wall that is a bit below where the prisoners are but still between there and the south tower. "This should draw out the redcaps between the prisoners and the south tower making it easier to get to the prisoners on our next step while also drawing the attention of the lookouts on the south tower away from those sneaking in. The tree's job is to lure as many out as they can. Perhaps make them think there isn't as many at first but enough to entice a large response then the other trees will be waiting in ambush to take out as many as they can. I'm not expecting you trees to throw away your life. Do what you can to survive too. If you need to run run but try to buy us as much time as you can okay? With any luck maybe you can take out your pursuers with some clever ambushes and then come help at south tower. While that is going on we will all sneak into the trade center with the help of some concealing magic and take out the lookouts and guards in there. Once we take the south tower I want three of the guards to begin fortifying the south tower further in anyway they can. Make sure one of you is always on lookout in case we missed anything dangerous. The first thing you secure in any plan is an escape route, Master Wooswin taught me that one. The south tower is our main escape route. You will have minimal time to further fortify as the rest of us will go get the prisoners and get them to the south tower then all the guards hold the south tower with the help of any prisoners that can fight. We.." he gestures to those sent to help here. "...will then be heading to where they keep bringing the blood, destroying supplies of it we find and following that path. You guards will hold up in the south tower and begin picking off redcaps from up high and hold on until we return. Ideally the trees will win their skirmishes with the redcaps and join to help further defend the south tower. If they send the giant, us folks will intercept them and ambush them before they can get to the trade building, hopefully that is the only threat to the building." He nods at the plan feeling he covered everything but he definitely doesn't look certain. Fear he's missed something creeping into his mind. "Umm... right. Does... that sound good? if so south team should move down here..." he points to a place much closer to the south tower. "...to be ready for our assault." Nef woofs quietly in agreement. Vin is ready to go if others are.
Muir nods his head "It is as good a plan as any young Vin....cent. Apologies....Once we are inside I can provide a large area of thorns to slow down the redcaps and allow us to pick them off, if there is a need to do so." Muir turns to Hirsi and pulls her aside "Now this is your first combat experience. I want you to stay with me. Your job is to hang back and provide support. Use what Master Gore has taught you but pay attention to my companions and myself and how we work in battle. You could learn a thing or two on tactics. As I said, I will hang back with you as much as I can but if my companions need me to push ahead, I must do so. If the tide of battle does not go our way, you are to run as fast as you can and warn Master Gore."
As Iver dumps the pile of goodies for them to pick through, Elthana deftly picks up the thieves tools, smiling at the memory of one of her old team members and their gleaming set. She sees the iron bands of binding and doesn't even notice Gewyn interested in them as well and she puts them in her pack. Thinking she is done, Sam mentions his longbow and the use of the bracers. As he hands over the weapon and quiver, she looks it over, "Thank you. This will really help when I'm mounted."
As Muir introduces the Harengon, Elthana looks her over. A bit of concern is written on her face, but she doesn't say anything, just nods in acknowledgement. As Gewyn asks to speak quietly, she smiles, "Need another lesson with your new dagger? Of course." and she leads him a bit away from the others.
As Elthana listens to the plan, she waits for the signal to move. She is ready to get going on this. "Ready when you are, Vin." She'll cast pass without trace once everyone is ready.
Sam wouldn’t have let Gewyn off quite that easily. He’d press a bit trying to make sure it was indeed just nerves. “You’re ok though?” He’d ask. “Physically? Not sick or anything? I’ve seen you overcome nerves so I’m not worried about that… but we’ll be protecting each others backs. It’s best to know if one another is ailing or such.. “ Sam would then give Gewyn a long, measuring look to try to determine for himself before moving on…
Insight: 9 - So Sam isn’t really sure so he shrugs and moves on…
…
Sam grunts a “Welcome,” to Hirsi and advises her to “keep your head down and eyes open. Let’s us do the foolish crazy dangerous stuff, you just try to keep us alive, eh?”
—-
Sam is about to chime in and give assignments like Iver asked when suddenly Vin is addressing the group and taking charge. Sam is… skeptical at first, and waiting to step in and fix things, but is pleasantly surprised when he never sees the need. Once Vin is done Sam claps a hand on his shoulder and gives the kid a nod to say “Well done.”
“Remember, no matter how great the plan, things always get cockeyed at some point. That’s just life,” Sam says to the assemblage. “Just keep the main goals in mind and do your best to stay alive, eh?”
Vin is more surprised about being complimented on doing a good job then meeting all these fey creatures. As Elthana and Sam seem to agree with his plan he seem really unsure what to do next. "Uhh, right! Yes lets go..." Is how he replies to Elthana but it's Sam saying 'well done' that really seems to get to Vin. The young man so uncertain a lot of the time looks to Sam and says "Really? I uhh... I mean, I'm just trying to apply my lessons to this... I really feel like I have no idea what I'm doing." Neferox comes over and pokes Vin in the back to prod him forward. Clearly showing confidence in his plan. The hound pauses a bit as she gets up to Sam and nods towards him like a show of respect. She then continues to use her snout to poke Vin in the small of his back forcing him to move forward. Vin just says "Alright, I'm going, I'm going." and makes his way into position with the others waiting for the time to break into the south tower. He looks at Gweyn and seems to think of something as he gets up to him. He says "Umm... hopefully this all goes okay... if it does... and we all make it I have a question for you when we can rest. So... don't get killed okay?" Other then that Vin is ready for combat.
The group splits, trees heading east directly into the town, whilst the main body of the group, shrouded in darkness make their way south leaving no footprints in the snow and keeping within the treeline until a straight path to the south tower presents itself, across the barren tree stump area and around the southside of the trade building.
Under the inky night sky, illuminated from the fire behind them, the silhouettes of redcaps can be seen standing on the roof of the trade building, keeping watch in pairs, their attention on the fields to the south where the group find themselves. Stopping momentarily, one of the red caps picks up it's blade, a wicked ill-kept sickle more than half the size of the creatures body, and points toward the group, squinting it's eyes. It's attention is taken away almost instantly as high pitched screams and squeals pierce the night air from within the town itself.
"That felt too close" Iver whispers, Hirsi lets out the breath that she had been holding the entire time, as the group finally make it to the southern tower.
The tower itself is a large wooden archway, it forms the grand entrance to the town from the south road, the reds and greens of its vibrant paintwork now flaking and peeling from age, it is an old building to be sure, and joins directly onto the large circular trade post building to its east, the new modifications though are apparent, three massive tree trunks lay one on top of the other barring the roadway, they sit atop a spoiled ground, the dirt soft and copper, but long since dried of the massacre that took place over a month ago. The group hears some clanking of metal coming from the other side. But cannot see over this 20ft temporary wooden wall.
"We climb or there an easier way?" Sam asks of those who scouted previously, in a very hushed voice. He is ready to climb and see what can be seen but if there is a stealthier way, best to maintain that as long as possible...