Ohan: * I'd say not - just beyond the horizon line from the walls of Castle Talman. The Bridge immediately north is visible, several miles distant. 

Captain Ohan sends a message to Brenwen. "I have set up a watch on the southern side of the bridge. I plan to keep my men here and scout some across the river unless you are in need of our assistance in Brivenrook. We are less than a days march away so we can report to Brivenrook at a moments notice. With my compliments Captain Ohan."

The message will arrive after Branwen is settled in town, carried by a small contingent of troops designated for just such a purpose. They are intercepted a few minutes out of town by one of Branwen's agents who greets them on the road, receiving and relaying their message on. This will occur after the Curumhatar have resolved their initial meeting with the town militia.

Ohan: About an hour after settling into a watchful position on the southern end of the bridge, several of your scouts come running back from the road off to the north! A sizeable band of goblins approaches! Your forces are of roughly equal numbers (though there is a significant disparity in strength and training!) Redrik brings a favorable report - holding the south bank of the bridge will force the enemies into a natural killzone in the road, against which their relatively insignificant ranged weaponry will prove next to useless. "To think on it, it seems nearly suicidal of these goblins to attack us here, especially since we know they are coming. Perhaps they don't know we're here?"

"Those creatures are not known for their cleverness... they probably think this is an easy target. Let's show them how wrong they can be. " Says Frenevir "We will get them at the river, make your men take positions around the village " he says to the Militia Captain " In case there is some strays that manage to reach the village better not let them make any evil. "

He gets ready to give orders to the Curumathar.

Ohan rallies his troops and gives them orders. Moving a small group of dwarf and elf rangers onto the southern end of the bridge and lining the rest along the river bank ready to attack when the goblins get within range. "Ready your arrows and wait for my command! Squires move to a support position."

"Yes, perhaps that would be a place to start, for what is an elected official if not a guaranteed puppet of local guilds. Well, they're either not elected or quickly dead." Branwen says, suppressing a small smile as the two enter the safehouse. She pauses for a moment. "You know, Halland, that may be a better place to start. It'd be unfathomable that the town's mayor would not be bought by the guild. Unless he's been 'offed,' in which case there may be some lead back to them. It's a hunch, but I think it's a safe one."

The changeling reverts to her natural, blurry gray form and places a finger to her lips, deep in thought. After a few paces, she turns to her lieutenant and says, "Yes, that's the ticket, Halland. We should investigate the mayor's office. I'll take the lead--you know I can't help but get my hands dirty. If it's truly an empty office, we should have little resistance, though a distraction would be useful for any city officials or guards still in the vicinity. Any ideas?"

Frenevir - After a brief parlay with the militia captain, his small company, accounting for about a third of his total command forces, escort you to the town. They are grateful for the support implied by the arrival of so fine a company of warriors. "Brivensrook is half what it used to be," explains Captain Regialt. "Much of the townsfolk left when the Enemy sacked Caerlok, about three days East of here across the Bridge. We held back a few small bands of the enemy, mostly goblinoids and some undead, but we have no capacity to project strength beyond our own walls, and with the... the dragon... well, we're glad you're here!" The Captain guides you into town and arranges a barracks to be set aside for your own use. He offers a tour of the town's defenses, which, while perhaps of some academic interest to see in person, you have no real need to confirm. Your troops alone would be sufficient to capture the village from all but the most stalwart defenders - thick palisades, crude guard towers and a few gates watched by fearful, undisciplined volunteers. It seems half a miracle that they survived even the raiding parties of the Enemy's advance.  (OOC question: Who exactly was your previous post directed to? It wasn't clear to me what your post was in response to from the Militia Captain Regialt's side - sorry if I skipped or missed a post somewhere.)

Ohan - The enemy force advances as predicted! Unaware of your presence, they are caught unawares in their advance. They will roll at a -2 for the first round of combat! The Dauvin Rangers roll at +6 for this round of combat (+4 for Valor, +2 for Morale) while the Goblin Raid will roll at -1 (+1 Valor, -2 Morale for getting caught out of position!) Please make your roll when convenient!

Goblin Raid: 11

Branwen - On it - we'll launch an insertion tonight. Guards shouldn't be a problem - one of ours will leave an upper window unlocked, so it'll just be a bit of second story work. Halland pauses for further thought. Naturally, we can't do anything that will leave lasting damage, and we certainly don't want to start burning identities just for show at this stage. Why not a performance, then? Some of our number aren't half bad, and will certainly be a cut above anything these folks have seen for some months. It will take time to set up, but should we plan for any major work in the town, that kind of distraction will be invaluable. I'll put out a word on a troupe of bards rolling through, then, shall I?

When you are ready to make the insertion to investigate the mayoral offices, left vulnerable by your well placed agents surreptitious work, go ahead and roll a skill check for the Dahlia at +6 (+4 for Org, reflecting the specialized tactics used and the Dahlia's preparedness, and +2 for Morale!) against a DC of 10.  Anything above a 15 will be considered a total success, whereas anything below a 10 will make the guards suspicious that someone has been meddling in the offices (again, reflective of the disparity between a trained operative and a volunteer watchman).

"It is more than fine Captain " assures Frenevir to the man "You've done quite enough and your bravery and that of your men are exemplary. " 

There is no mockery on his voice or feelings. It was, indeed a great feat what those volunteers had accomplished taken into account their resources and training. 

"We will do as much as we can to help you and your village. That.. dragon is a concern I wouldn't lie to you, but those creatures usually take care of their business. It will be dealt with.. in due time. Now we must be sure that our defenses are ready. Do you mind if my troops join yours in the watch of the wall? " 

(OOC: I was talking to the rest of the party first and the Captain later yes. I thought we were going to be attacking the goblins together my mistake :) )

Frenevir - "We would be most honored, lord!" The Curumhatar settle into their new quarters, ritually purifying the premises according to their time-honored customs, as well as surreptitiously protecting the place with a little spellcraft as well. From this newly-fortified place, you and a few chosen companions tour the town's defenses, and find them rather wanting. The thick palisades are effective at keeping minor raids outside, but make it very difficult to effectively return fire except from a few less-than-ideally placed watchtowers. In particular, you notice several verifiable weak spots where smaller sized enemies - goblin sappers especially - might elude the watchful eyes of the guards and undermine the foundation with near impunity. It's clear that the Militia has lacked sufficient strength and organization to do much more than hold in the last few months.

Frenevir talks with Rengalin about the defenses. 

"You see Captain. We need to improve your defenses. Do you think that some townsfolk would help us with that? " Frenevir asks "We do need to make some modifications in order to make them more secure... " 

(Ohan yells to his men)

"Fire on my command...Fire!"

Attack: 11 Damage: 0

(I rolled a d20 with +4, did i do that correct?)

Frenevir - OOC: nice! Ok, let's play it this way. Roll a persuasion check, DC 12, to convince the Captain to organize a volunteer unit of engineers to reconstruct elements of the town's defenses. If you fail, you can still take the action, but it will cost you a point of organization (your force's HP pool, in a sense) as you are having to draw on more of your own troops to supplement the lackluster skills of the volunteers. 

Ohan - OOC: Not quite, but I can work with it! You would be rolling with a +6, so that nat 20 would be a 26 instead, with critical effect. With a difference between your relative scores of 15 points, you annihilate any semblance of organized resistance among the goblins and have the option to take prisoners, if you wish. Essentially, you get to tell me how your forces engage the enemy , destroy them, and what happens in the aftermath! You will receive +1 to your Morale for your success! (This will help on future rolls)

"That sounds perfect, Halland," Branwen says, raising an eyebrow in thought. "Have them perform The Ballad of the Green Cloaks, you know, the one about the city watch who held out against the hill giants for a tenday. The guards will probably eat it up. In the meantime, I'll work on positioning myself to infiltrate the mayor's office."

Branwen, disguised as the old man again, chuckled. "We'll do it this evening."

((Dahlia performance roll: 12))

The Dauvin Rangers fire on Ohan's command and fire at will beyond his order. Goblins fall, some parish instantly and others yell out in pain as arrows make deep wounds. Few make it to the bridge and when they do are met with arrows from dwarfs and elves alike. The remaining Goblins turn and retreat to the woods. 

Ohan takes the squires with cover from the rangers and cross the bridge to collect the weapons and armor from the dead goblins. In addition they will look for any loot or military intelligence on the creatures. While picking up a weapon Ohan squire finds to 2 orcs mildly wounded. "Captain, prisoners here". Ohan ropes up the goblins and tends to there wounds. He meets with his officers and says " we will questions these goblins some and then send them to Brivenrook for more interigation.

Ohan give a squire a message for Frenveir and Branwen reading. "We have engaged with goblins. We have successfully pushed them back and have taken prisoners. I will be sending them to you after we question them. Expect them in the next day or two. My compliments Ohan."

(Ohan starts his questioning.)

"What are your names and who is in charge of your group?

"How many of you are there in the woods beyond the river?"

Branwen - With the guards more than adequately distracted, as evening falls you are able to slip into the mayoral offices without issue. Go ahead and roll an investigation check!

Ohan - Capturing three goblin prisoners, your questions soon find their mark as a blade held close to their warped, leathery hides is more than enough to break their feeble discipline.

"Grignat!" Cries one. "Shaddap!" Cries another. The third faints from fear, or possibly fatigue.

To the second part of the first question, both in unison flinch, whilst muttering fearfully: "Redcap! Redcap!"

Then, "Few!" from one. "Many!" from the other. They both look at each other, obviously just as confused at their own disagreement as Redrik, who cocks an inquisitive eyebrow in your direction.

"I tell you what Captain" says Frenevir after looking at the milita men and the palisade with critic eye. "I will have some of my men helping you with the reparis and ugrading. What do you say? " he asks to the Captian. 

"I know I know " he says to Rengalin his leuteniant "Just make sure that the ones who help them does not come back to duty until they get enough rest " he asks to the elven woman. 

Branwen drops into the offices from a high window, pausing as she crouches to listen for signs of life or movement. After she's satisfied that she's alone, the changeling begins to carefully investigate the place.

Investigation: 22

Ohan continues his line of questioning.

Where does your group make camp? What were your plans after you took the bridge?