Quote from RasecAlugard >>

(OoC: DM, since she's from the city/area, would that give her any advantage or something?)

( Good question)

Cleft would look to the group. "I am a pretty good tracker... but I don't think we need to follow the giants... we are looking for a way around them" The centaur would say aloud. "I would have to think about whether I know another way or not..." He would say looking out towards the city.

(Survival to find path without following giants 19)

(Survival to follow giants **if ya wanted to do that** 22)

The current situation:

You pursue the undead fire giant horde northeast across the Black Ash Plain, the smoldering ruins of Arush Vayem some distance behind you. To your left the Smoking Mountains tower into the night sky, and to your right the Ash Lake bubbles and hisses, perpetually heated by underwater volcanos. Your destination is Djerad Thymar, which is situated on a fortified hill between the two aforementioned natural wonders. 

Suneni and Cleft calculate the situation and come to the conclusion that to arrive at Djerad Thymar ahead of the fire giant horde would require that they either attempt to pass within a mile of the fire giants, risking detection on the open plain, or travel north across the Ash Lake via boat. If the weather is favorable you will arrive at Djerad Thymar with time to spare, but if you are detained on the open lake all hope is lost.

(weellll poop)

Upon being informed of their options, Garrus bluntly states his opinion, "I say we take the first option. It's the most direct, and even in the worst case scenario, we only risk a light skirmish with the enemy. Not to mention, we'd be reducing the enemy numbers by a few on top of obtaining further intelligence. I also don't like the idea of leaving our fate to the weather."

OOC: How big of a horde are we looking at? Is it fairly large?

Could we keep to the foot of the mountain? Seems like we would be more visible the higher up we go. Maybe we can find a tunnel?

By your best estimate, the horde consists of perhaps twenty undead fire giants, several hell hound trackers, and a handful of living fire giant captains, including the mighty warlord Agrippus the Consumer. The horde is scattered disorderly about the plain, but they are all within a mile of each other.

"We really don't have a lot of options," Suneni said, grimacing. "If we run into that war party, we're going to die. The Ash Lake would no doubt be safer, but if we don't go fast enough, everyone else will die." She clenched her hands into fists. "Garrus, I agree with you on route, but we really can't run into these guys. There's too many, and we're already worn down some, in case you didn't notice. We're just going to have to try and pass them unseen."

"We really don't have a lot of options," Suneni said, grimacing. "If we run into that war party, we're going to die. The Ash Lake would no doubt be safer, but if we don't go fast enough, everyone else will die." She clenched her hands into fists. "Garrus, I agree with you on route, but we really can't run into these guys. There's too many, and we're already worn down some, in case you didn't notice. We're just going to have to try and pass them unseen."

"We really don't have a lot of options," Suneni said, grimacing. "If we run into that war party, we're going to die. The Ash Lake would no doubt be safer, but if we don't go fast enough, everyone else will die." She clenched her hands into fists. "Garrus, I agree with you on route, but we really can't run into these guys. There's too many, and we're already worn down some, in case you didn't notice. We're just going to have to try and pass them unseen."

"I follow you all to where ever you wish to go, but if you haven't noticed, we aren't really the stealthiest group around. Especially me, this armor clanks around something fierce. If you want me to be honest, I'd rather risk the boat. We get caught on the boat or by the army, that's it, the boat has a higher chance of survival. I'm more than willing to fight the good fight and send these undead back to the grave, but I'm not stupid enough to think we can take on an army if we get caught. If someone has something that can help us skirt around the army, some kind of magic or something I'm more than willing to change my tune."

Volgiah eyes Suneni over.
"Also don't um...don't take this the wrong way, but I'd really like to get you some armor before we take them on again. You may be quick at hitting, but not so quick at dodging."

Suneni makes a face that would have looked more like a pout if it weren't for her draconic features. "Armor would weigh me down," she grumbled, clearly somewhat annoyed. Then again, considering the bruises forming on her scales, Volgiah wasn't completely wrong.

Cleft, listening to the discussion would chime in. "These hooves aren't the best at swimming.. I would prefer to stick to dry land." The centaur would say stomping his dark hooves against the soft ground. "I say we try to pass them across the open plain... I am very fast and would be willing to allow one of you to ride on my back... just this once" He would say with a look that gives the impression that allowing people to ride on his back often.

You mean to say you let people ride on your back, Cleft? I never would have thought so. I thought it rude to ask. You are no beast of burden, and you deserve respect. Also I'm with you I believe just because the shadows of a boat are small and i can't hide in them. I'd be useless.

"I do not enjoy being used as a beast of burden... but if allowing someone to ride on my back helps us to achieve our goal than so be it." The centaur would say reaching back and wiping some of the dirt and rocks off of his back from the boulder smash earlier.

Id hate to slow you down. You are very strong. A good man for the front lines for us.

Oggéd looks at the group.

Who feels confident enough to lead?

Garrus shrugs, "If no one else, I am willing to scout a little ahead."

"I would like to point we are crossing open planes, remember Ogged, you'll find little shadows to hide in there too. Though it seems I'm outnumbered. Land it is then?" Volgiah sighs and clutches her amulet, praying to Lathander that they don't get caught.

"Oh before we do this though, I recall that you said there are hounds. I had a friend tell me once that when it comes to tracking an animal that it is best to hide your scent. Do you think it'd work the same way if we try to hide from creatures like that?"

Oggéd goes over to the dead fire giants corpse and cuts a bit of flesh off.

"Do you think this will help mask us?"