Karib patiently accepts Kano's ministrations then reluctantly smears dirt and blood on his shield, all the while mumbling apologies to Gond for the the necessity. He looks up at Tengar's question and nods.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Following Pimster's lead, the group is guided through the fragrant wild grass; a path untrodden and unclear to some of you in the afternoon sunny breeze. It's a windy trek that definitely goes back on itself, but you all recognise when it begins to advance in the direction you are heading towards the camp.

Pimster stops everyone as from this unsuspected path, he sees cultists lying in wait for an ambush. Unlike the supposed previously cultists, they are donning uncommonly dark garments... 

Few points:
 - You guys are 100' in the direction of the arrow. 
 - You have not been seen.
 - What would you like to do? 🙂

Pimster follows the escaped kobold's tracks, noting the subtle marks of passage to guide the party. Eventually he stops and holds up a hand to silently signal the others. He quietly tells them about the cultists ahead, set up as though to ambush anyone coming on the road. "So, do we want to bypass them, or ambush the ambushers? I can call upon the spirit of the plants again to hold them in place while you take care of them. This may alert the encampment, though, because of the noise they will likely make."

Kano:

Shrugging, Kano says, "Fewer cultists overall is better, so I favor taking them out while they are separated from the main group, but the fact that they are preparing an ambush for people following the main force along the road is troubling.  Could the kobold have warned them this quickly?"

The sighting of the cultists was problematic. Burra's grip on the golden talisman wound along his neck tightens. "Kobolds move quickly. Regardless, they are expecting someone. I expect the rest of the encampment to be on alert. They possibly already know we are here," he comments. "Taking these ones out from afar may be wise." He peers more closely at the cultists and their attire. Perhaps more caution would be needed, compared to the relatively unorganized kobolds they previously killed.

Tengar

The half-orc thinks for a moment.  "Or.......maybe we tell them a truth.  Perhaps we are the leftover survivors from a dastardly attack by several adventurers.  We were able to hide the treasure suitably so they didn't find it but many were slain.  Tell them to backtrack some distance to find where we were ambushed."  The big half-orc smiles and continues, "Of course, I am also fine with smashing a few heads more as well....Let us not allow any to escape then, eh?"

Karib nods, "If we want to infiltrate the camp, then this would be a good...and safer...test. If we succeed, then going to the camp with some cultists at our side would help. If we fail, then there's fewer to fight, and we might learn from the failure. Best way to learn things is to fail, as they say."

He wrinlkes his nose at the smell from his sheild, and looks reads to proceed. "Who is our leader? Not me, that's certain. And what's our story...the kobold will eventually get to the camp..."

Kano:

"I don't know if the whole 'working for Lady Rezmir' bit will still work, but I am willing to play cultist minion if you think it would be helpful," says Kano, "though we have little other information to go on."

Karib.looks uncertain at Kano's suggestion, "It was ok before when facing mercenaries...but these cultists mght know her, too."

Considering the information Burra has relayed about the location of the encampment, it's still a bit away and combat most probably will not be heard from this distance.

Insight Checks:

Burra considers how probable the sounds of shouts and the clanging of armor on weapons would reach the encampment he witnessed while on a previous scouting trip around the vicinity. "I doubt we are close enough to alert the camp nearby. Swiftly dispatching of this ambush is possible," he offers, shifting uncomfortably from the paints and blood necessary for the applied disguises. The Traveler valued freedom in chaos, and feeling the blood dry over his skin reminded Burra too much of feeling confined in the small rooms of taverns and settlemetns. "We could attempt to extract information from who these cultists seem to be - their attire is more reminiscent of cultists in higher social standing." He throws an unconvinced look at the mention of pretending to be cultists again. Burra would prefer to remain unseen, rather than hide in plain sight. 

"Come, we can bypass these cultists and get on with our infiltration. What are another six compared to an entire camp? Best not to kick the beehive quite yet. But if you are determined to strike them, I will repeat my spell and hope for similar results..." Pim offers, hoping the group came to a decision soon.

Tengar

”Aye, then let us give them a wide berth.”  

Kano:

”Very well, let us bypass them and continue onwards,” responds Kano, convinced there is little to be gained by engaging the cultist’s rear guard.

Karib nods, looking relieved. "Give them a very wide berth" he says. He moves back the way they came, then suggests Burra lead the way.

With it agreed with the group to use this opportunity to avoid, the five of you manage it give the wide berth without any trouble while Burra gives the right directions to head towards the encampment.

After a couple of hours more walking, the land becoming firmer and drier with the shadows slanting as the day leans from afternoon to evening. Everyone now sees the streams of smoke and a couple specks of warm light from torches. The five also see there is no gate; simple a tower that overlooks the rocky plateau and the area of land that quickly descends where the rest of encampment resides surrounding by rocky cliffs.

Burra, Karib and Pimster can make out there is a lot of activity, but not with the tension of being alert. 

How are you going to approach the camp? 

Kano:

“I don’t mind doing the talking, but we need to get our story straight.  How are we doing this?” asks Kano (Persuasion bonus +7).

"I still think that I will either have to hide outside the camp, or Wild Shape into a dog or some other creature. I Doubt there are any halflings in the camp and I would draw unwanted attention," the druid responds. "But if you are speaking for the group, let me help clear and focus your mind." Pim pulls out a dried root from his pack and has Kano chew it for a minute or two. The bitter, but strangely pleasant taste seems to clear his mind, quicken his thinking, and soothe his breathing. (Basically casting guidance!)

"Perhaps I should join Pimster in remaining unseen," Burra pipes up, weighing the chances of another Aarakocra being within the region, nevertheless a member of the cult the party is tracking. "I am useless at deceiving, but like Pimster, I can offer another hand of the Traveler to shift the tides of chaos in your favor." 

 Karib smiles, "I too would like an excuse not to go down this path. Perhaps we should consider the possibility that a stray dog explores the camp and looks for the woman we seek..."