Dies the Fire

'The fiend was enough to convince me they aren't good people.  Let's do this as quickly and cleanly as possible.'

"Hmm, agreed.  Can Gamliel make out which one is the caster?  Might be wise to target him first."

"If you could do us the favour and cast your Fleet of foot spell on our horses, we could get in there quickly enough." While they ride, Thomas keeps scanning with his detection, wary about more traps. He tries to keep to one side of the trail they follow, with that in mind. Once Gamliel indicates they are within a minute of their prey, he let's drop the disguise and changes his hands into claws once more.

"If these people are really Native, I'd rather not antagonize while we might still have the option of diplomacy," Em mentions to the group. "It's obvious they are fluent with magic and capable when it comes to martial matters. I think opening diplomatic relations would probably be beneficial. Granted, we still don't know their intentions with the prisoners."

OoC: would like to make a history check to see if I have any knowledge of the tribes that might be around this area. Matthias is of Powhatan ancestry and can speak it's language. He'd rather not be antagonistic towards people he shares a common history with.

History: 7

Quote from GKnightBC >>

"If you could do us the favour and cast your Fleet of foot spell on our horses, we could get in there quickly enough." While they ride, Thomas keeps scanning with his detection, wary about more traps. He tries to keep to one side of the trail they follow, with that in mind. Once Gamliel indicates they are within a minute of their prey, he let's drop the disguise and changes his hands into claws once more.

 Initiative for all

Max 4

And statement of intent

Quote from TheManyNamed >>

"Hmm, agreed.  Can Gamliel make out which one is the caster?  Might be wise to target him first."

 Actually the all look like Native American light cavalry and I forgot to mention that the have 4 remounts and 4 pack horses with them.

Em would like to ride up and call out to the riders in his mother's tongue. He will not brandish any weapons and be as non-threatening as possible. He intends to reach this group before the rest of the team does.

Initi: 13

Quote from MoeMasu >>

"If these people are really Native, I'd rather not antagonize while we might still have the option of diplomacy," Em mentions to the group. "It's obvious they are fluent with magic and capable when it comes to martial matters. I think opening diplomatic relations would probably be beneficial. Granted, we still don't know their intentions with the prisoners."

OoC: would like to make a history check to see if I have any knowledge of the tribes that might be around this area. Matthias is of Powhatan ancestry and can speak it's language. He'd rather not be antagonistic towards people he shares a common history with.

History: 14

 

 From the description and the fact that they are heading east the could be Nez Perce. You know some history but nothing about them from after the Change

Sarah winces and readies her bow.  A diplomatic solution might be nice but she's not too hopeful.

Initiative: 19

Thomas, suspecting there may be some hidden riders or illusions in place, peers at the riders and the area near them.

 Perception 3

INT save vs illusion 20

Initiative 17

Quote from GKnightBC >>

Thomas, suspecting there may be some hidden riders or illusions in place, peers at the riders and the area near them.

 Perception 15

INT save vs illusion 17

Initiative 16

 

 You don't spot anything out of the ordinary.

Round 1

19 Sarah
16 Thomas
13 Em
4 Max
8 Aleister
14 George
13 Bad Guys

Round 1

19 Sarah
16 Thomas
14 George
13 Bad Guys
13 Em
8 Aleister
4 Max

You have caught the bad guys, there is no surprise. Both groups are on horseback. Firing a bow from horseback requires an Animal Handling check DC10 or you take disadvantage. Being damaged while on horseback requires an Animal Handling check DC10 or you loose your next action. Making you mount move as you wish without using reigns requires an Animal Handling check DC10. If your mount is wounded you require an Animal Handling check DC10 or it moves randomly.

You require an Animal Handling check DC10 if something else I haven't thought of occurs or something sub optimal will result.

Your two groups are 100' apart

Not wanting to try to control a horse in combat, Sarah will get the heck off.  She will then ready her action for the bad guys to attack or for Em's attempt at diplomacy to succeed.  She'll also draw her bead then too.

Attack: 19 Damage: 6

Thomas also dismounts, well aware of his inadequacies on horseback. using the horse for cover, he drops the disguise spell, his form shrouded in the ghillie suit, and he slips into nearby brush, moving stealthily towards the enemy. He sends Gamliel into the woods as well, having him use the trees as cover while the familiar also works towards the enemy. 

Stealth 21

George also drops off his mount - but moves a full 30 feet towards the 'bad guys' and draws a bead on whoever looks like the caster, studying his quarry Hunters Mark.  Barring that, he'll aim for a clean shot away from the prisoners. He'll hold his shot until the others show hostile intent or it's clear Em's diplomacy fails.

Attack: 15 Damage: 5 . Hunters Mark 6

Horde Breaker shot Attack: 9 Damage: 11 . Hunters Mark 2

Round 1

19 Sarah dismounts and readies an attack but waits to see if hostilities break out
16 Thomas dismounts and fades into the brush, moving toward the enemy (Stealth 21)
14 George dismounts and moves closer readying an attack also waiting for hostile intent
13 Bad Guys As you haven't attacked one rides forward to about halfway between the groups, dismounts and sits cross legged on the ground. The other have their bows ready
13 Em
8 Aleister
4 Max

Still on horseback, Em will draw closer but will slowly decelerate as he gets closer. He approaches and speaks to that which he thinks looks like the leader. His weapons are fully sheathed and his hand empty and in the air, once close enough.

Insight (to determine leader):6

"Hello, we know we are coming in hot and seemingly hostile -- but we do not want to escalate into violence. I am Matthias, Powhatan by my mother's side, she is originally from Virginia. You Nez Perce?" Em asks in his mother's tongue as he draws his horse to a slow clap. If they do not respond, he will repeat in English.

He continues in English, "Two of my friends are caught up in that prisoner band that you freed from those PPA folks. I've been on the trail for a week now and I'd like to take my friends back home."

Quote from MoeMasu >>

Still on horseback, Em will draw closer but will slowly decelerate as he gets closer. He approaches and speaks to that which he thinks looks like the leader. His weapons are fully sheathed and his hand empty and in the air, once close enough.

Insight (to determine leader):21

*** Actually none of these has a leader vibe

"Hello, we know we are coming in hot and seemingly hostile -- but we do not want to escalate into violence. I am Matthias, Powhatan by my mother's side, she is originally from Virginia. You Nez Perce?" Em asks in his mother's tongue as he draws his horse to a slow clap. If they do not respond, he will repeat in English.

*** "Welcome" he replies in the same language then shifts to English "we of the people welcome great warriors who defeated our ladies test." If you look confused he grins "Evil accountant"

He continues in English, "Two of my friends are caught up in that prisoner band that you freed from those PPA folks. I've been on the trail for a week now and I'd like to take my friends back home."

"We took those captives from the PPA we killed. The Lady says that they are an omen and that bringing them home will provide a way to get rid of the CUT missionaries without leaving our fingerprints on the act."

I was doing some research and discovered that the CUT is actually a real church. I'm surprised they didn't sue the living shit out of Stirling.