Ebonitus follows Lukian. "I think the long way is the better option, If we attack the guards, we will alert others to our presence." he offers. "We can then make it closer to the meeting without them being aware of us."

"I don't see any way around. We will have to cover open ground to enter the ruins.  We need to draw them closer to us and then remove them.  If Ebonitus can get a couple to sleep that will reduce the odds.  We just need to hit hard and fast.  If we remain hidden we can attack quickly and ambush them.  I can make some small noises to draw them closer to us without revealing our position." Devin says whispering to the others. 

You’re currently following the Surbrin trail which approaches the ruins of Nesme from the west. You’re pretty sure that if you were to swing out into the moors - say half day travel - you could approach the ruins from the South.

"We don't have a half day to try and make our way back from the south.   The meeting is today and those aren't giants so that means the Zhentarim are already here.   The fire giants could arrive at anytime or even already be here.  The meeting could be happening right now.   We need to draw the guards away from the ruins and remove them."

Devin makes his case for immediate action. 

D.O.R.K meanwhile, still far away from the group (if reading previous situation correctly), has emerged from her shell to start drawing in the dirt her own plans for alternative solution. However, even before said "plans" are fully mapped out, the construct crosses an X in the them, before starting again.... and again.... and again... Each time coming up with more outlandish solutions seeming solutions, and each time stopping short of completing anything with growing frustration.

At the rate things were going, Ebonitus' spell was likely to run out before even reuniting with the others enters the equation....

(@D.O.R.K. - we made our way back to to your cover, - post #3437 above)

Ebonitus says " If we truly do not have the time then we must attack. I will cast warding bond on D.O.R.K. I can use hold person on up to two people, we could call Mambo up for assistance, and with the new boy's spells, we should be able to reduce the group to a manageable size. D.O.R.K. what was your first thought re attacking?" 

Ilezenya nodded. "As the silver moon waxes and wanes, so too does all life. I must be within 90 feet and will put as many to sleep as I can. Do not strike them or they will awaken and rejoin the fray." He prepares a sleep spell (at 3rd level), calling upon the mighty power of his goddess to add her blessings to his efforts. (When he does cast it in the center of the guards, it will affect 37 hp within a 20' sphere.)

When the the others have prepared their spells Devin will use Thaumaturgy to make the sound of whispers 30 feet away to try and draw the attention of the guards.  

How close are the guards to Nesme? If there was, say, an explosion at their current position, would Nesme be alerted?

(@Whatwall: Ah, I missed that! Assume then that she's off in her own world scribbling in the dirt; including what's been discussed in her various drawings, only to still erase it. I'll add more later.)

The guards are probably not much more than 200’ from the ruined gateway that once protected Nedme

Lukian prepares to attack. He does not get too far away from the others, having learned his lesson after being pummeled while basically on his own against the giants.

 D.O.R.K doesn't look up from her latest drawing. But she would say as if an afterthought, "No... Unknown Variable... We do not know if there is enough pixie dust... Do we know if there are other effects, I wonder." After a moment or two, she shakes her head, and rubs away another drawing in presumed frustration. Fortunately at least, she at least hadn't resisted his(Ebonitus) spell, but is making no preparations to advance or prepare to attack as the others had for the moment.

(OOC: going to be away for the weekend so pls sort out what you want to do and have somebody post the plan. I can then respond on Monday.)

Bust through or bust - that is the question

(OOC: Here is how I see it - pls confirm)

D.O.R.K. steps back out onto the road about 300' feet away from the guards while the party sits stealthily off to one side ready to act if necessary. D.O.R.K. then does something to attract the attention of the guards - yes?.

(@Grant: Sort of... She will be marching closer to them to get at least within 100 to 80ft of them bare minimum. And with the assumptions the others are at least able to get within at least 160 or so feet from the guys riders again.)

Apart from any attempt to make use of the pixie dust magic for some augmentation of the plan or other, once given more direct marching orders, the living construct complies without hesitation. Her only ad-lib, if it can be considered even that, was to march down the road until at least one hundred or eighty feet away from the road guards. That way this time, both sides could actually properly make out what the other is shouting. Because if she was honest.... She caught maybe ninety percent had been belted out last time, and wasn't confident the same had been reciprocated given how quickly they were to dismiss her.

And if able to get as far without taking an arrow to the knee for her trouble, she shouts out the riders, "HEY! WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS BODY I FOUND BACK THERE? HE LOOKED TO BE DRESSED LIKE ONE OF YOU!"

Deception: 11. (If needed)
(If guided: 2)

If Lukian knew that this was the plan (a deception), he would have guided Dork.

Lukian waits to see if the riders will take the bait. If they start to come over, as soon as they start to come over, he will quietly send Mambo a message: "Mambo, come quickly!"

D.O.R.K. calls out "HEY! WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS BODY I FOUND BACK THERE? HE LOOKED TO BE DRESSED LIKE ONE OF YOU!"

The leader of the guards (15) talks to two of his men and they ride towards D.O.R.K carefully but not oversuspiciously.

As the party has been travelling for about 2 hours Lukian estimates that it will take Mambo about 15 minutes to get to them.

So now what?

At any point are either the leader and his two escorts, or the other five guards, within 90 feet of Ilezenya? If so, and the group agrees, that's who he will cast his sleep spell on...otherwise, we're gonna hafta close the distance!

Not as yet. My understanding is the party is within 30’ of DORK