Darkwood--The first shadow.....

[Led Pighp]

"Orcs are big and strong, but stupid. And they don't deal well with bright light. If we can arrange our attack during the day, we should get an advantage. They can see in total darkness, so attacking at night is a bad idea. Worgs are just large wolves, but can be ridden as mounts."

"So, now that we know what we're up against, is it worth trying to head to Waymeet to inlist more help? It's only a day and a half away. They could send mounted guardsmen, and we could make quick work of this. It might mean the prisoners are killed or marched off to slavery, though."

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus looks at the ring and potion. Yes! I can see now!, he thinks to himself. "I can tell that I am now able to see magic, because it is visible around the potion, but the ring seems completely mundane."

Then he shrugs. "I know I shouldn't, but I enjoy fighting. If there are creatures that need to be destroyed, I'm up for it any time. I'm going after them, if anyone will show me the way.

"As for getting help, it may be useful, but I don't think we can really afford the time if they have prisoners."

[Seven Words]

Skyseeker spits on the ground, "Help, from Waymeet? Oh, some few of the townsfolk might be wiling...but the Guard, the armsmen, Sir Pval and his cohorts? Those carrion-kissers would indeed do nothing. NO, not nothing...they'd kill the raiders, then take whatever of value was at their lair, and while human captives not of this caravan would indeed be rescued, any humans from this or any nonhumans, it would be but an exchange of jailers, nothing more. At the start of this caravan season, I went into that Abyss-damned hole. I had to fend off the amorous attention of three guards, pay a 15 Great Blade "Entry Tax" which the Heshic shaman who entered a quarter-mark later did NOT. And the next morning, I was put out by the innkeeper, because someone had marked his door with Darethon's sigil, declaring a hunt for accursed elf-witch. Said if I laid my foul head there again, they'd burn my evil taint out."

She has been striding angrily back and forth, gesticulating in her outraged passion as she denounces the town.

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus winces.

Sounds almost as bad as what visitors to town sometimes tried to do to me...

[Laurel]

[ooc]unsure which of my knowledge checks may apply in this case, if any. but knowledge <whatever is appropriate> calling upon Collector of Stories if applicable please[/ooc]

"milady!" Laurel calls out to Skyseeker, seeing her get more and more agitated. [diplomacy?] "The village is several days travel back the way we came. Try to put them out of your mind, at least until we release the prisoners and must deal with bringing them back to Waymeet..."

[Led Pighp]

"I think that when we've rescued these men, I'll just circle around Waymeet and keep going on to the next town. And share what I know with all travelers I meet along the way. It's no bragging to say that a travelling scribe's opinion holds some sway in the villages he visits. Perhaps word of my scorn will spread to the surrounding area and bring shame upon them."

To Laurel, "I urge you to do the same, Lady bard. Your word should hold more weight than mine, I'm sure. But most of all, these rescued men shall tell the tale of coming to harm outside the walls of Waymeet, and only strangers to the town came to their aid. I'll wager that none shall choose to spread coin around that town afterwards."

Still, let us lose no more time getting to these ruins. If we hurry, and press ourselves today, we can get there perhaps late this evening. We'll rest up for the evening and perhaps into the morning, and attack at full light. We'll need to stay hidden from them overnight, but come full light, we'll have the advantage.

/ooc - Might I suggest the Forced March option.

www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/the ... EMENT.html

It'll get us there today / tonight. Tired, but there. We rest overnight, just outside of detection range, then attack at full light, when the orcs are weakest.

[Led Pighp]

To DM: So... there was debate on what Skyseeker meant by her tracking statement. We're 2 to 3 days behind the orcs / prisoners. We assume they're heading for the ruins. We're 1 day from the ruins.

Does that mean we'll catch up to them after they hit the ruins? Or that they're taking a round-about way to get there, we know a shortcut, and we can get to the ruins before / during their arrival?

(Sorry to do that out of character, but wanted to make sure we had our facts straight about what the best choice of action is.)

"I'm assuming from all this that the best choice is: ignore Waymeet, go to the ruins with all haste [forced march / hustle if necessary], set up an ambush on the camp. Ambush might mean the stealthy types going in first, getting the prisoners on our side, then we attack the guards from inside the ruins while the artiliry (paladin, bard, warlock) make a flashy distraction out front. (And, of course, inflict heavy damage the way that magic users are known to do. Or, if we can get there first, we set ourselves up in places where we can take out the strategic ones first, then let Beau loose on the prisoners shackles, and swarm the rest of the orcs afterwards."

[Laurel]

"I think that when we've rescued these men, I'll just circle around Waymeet and keep going on to the next town. And share what I know with all travelers I meet along the way. It's no bragging to say that a travelling scribe's opinion holds some sway in the villages he visits. Perhaps word of my scorn will spread to the surrounding area and bring shame upon them."

To Laurel, "I urge you to do the same, Lady bard. Your word should hold more weight than mine, I'm sure. But most of all, these rescued men shall tell the tale of coming to harm outside the walls of Waymeet, and only strangers to the town came to their aid. I'll wager that none shall choose to spread coin around that town afterwards."

With a bow of acknowledgment towards the scribe, the bard responds in a wry tone, with a hint of sarcasm, "Yea, our words could probably bring near ruin to such a well established village as Waymeet. I sympathize with Skyseeker, and have seen such treatment to others with my own eyes. But there are pearls among the swine of the town. Perhaps true words among the people of the town itself could possibly sway their ways over time. If the song or tale is worthy of being resung or retold, mayhaps the deeply embedded moral in said song or tale will eventually be taken to heart.

"It is a route I would prefer to take, than one of scorn and ridicule..."

Still, let us lose no more time getting to these ruins. If we hurry, and press ourselves today, we can get there perhaps late this evening. We'll rest up for the evening and perhaps into the morning, and attack at full light. We'll need to stay hidden from them overnight, but come full light, we'll have the advantage.

Casting her gaze upon the apparently more experienced scribe, Laurel looks at him with confusion. "Perhaps I misheard what Skyseeker said? Did she not say the ruins were within a day's travel, but that if we pursue the group with the prisoners we might catch them within two or three days, which would be close timing it to them making it to their lair. So, if we were to head straight to the ruins and see the layout of the land, perhaps we could plan an ambush or line of attack before they made it there with the prisoners a day or so later?"

Turning to the slender elf, the bard finishes, "My apologies if I misunderstood, fair Lady. If you could perhaps detail your thoughts on this a little more, it would be welcome."

[Seven Words]

SKyseeker briefly bobs her head in apology. "I'm sorry. I meant, if the orcs were unencumbered by their captives, and the wagons of loot, it would take us some 2 or three days to catch up. Burdened as they are, we should catch them roughly as they arrive at their lair. I would agree with Led about hurrying. Given what that kobold said, we could perhaps overwhelm the minimal garrison they have left there. Or, perhaps we could sneak in, arm any captives they hold now, and enlist their aid. If the prisoners stage an armed uprising when the fresh ones are being brought in, and we attack from without at the same time, we could exterminate the entire lot. Between Laurel and Marrik, we could remedy any ill effects of our grueling pace, saving the potions or necessary post-battle ministrations. Does this sound like a viable approach to you all?"

Marrik thinks briefly, then concurs, "Aye, Skyseeker, this sounds well. I would only say that we ensure that if there are any captives currently held, we make sure that only the healthiest rise up, and some care given to allow for some of the prisoners to guard the weakest of their number. let us not rely on all of that population aiding us."

[Laurel]

The bard, being not very experienced in battle, nods in agreement at Marrik's words. "Perhaps Skyseeker, Vynarkus and myself should remain outside, to use ranged attacks upon those without once an ambush is launched? Unless either of you are better at entering the ruins without being noticed before attacking?"...she breaks off suddenly.

"Listen to me, most likely the least experienced warrior here and we haven't even seen the lay of the land around these ruins yet. If hurrying is needed we should quit yapping and get started, eh?" she finishes with a glance around the group.

[Led Pighp]

"Aye. Daylight's burning, and we need to hurry."

PM to Laurel

[Laurel]

After a few words exchanged between the bard and scout, Laurel turns back to Hardy and undoes a separate saddle bag which seems to have significance simply by its location of being laid vertically across the pony's back for ease of removal. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, she unpacks it, revealing a vial of ink, a pen, and some paper sheets, some of which are plain, others printed with five-lined staves across them. A few additional words are exchanged, then the scout takes the bard's supplies and packs them among his own in his satchel. Once efficiently arranged to his liking, he hands the entire satchel to Laurel, who rises and then places it within the special saddle bag, reattaching it to Hardy's pack saddle, thus unencumbering Led.

Gathering Hardy's lead reins once again, the bard once more addresses the party. "The Wild Bitch has little patience for those who hesitate in their course of action. Shall we be off?"

[Seven Words]

Results of the Forced March....total of four hours....

hour 1--all make their saves
hour 2
Beauregard fails...3 points nonlethal damage..Marrik heals
Skyseeker fails--1 point..Marrik heals
hour 3
Beauregard fails--1 point--Marrik heals
Laurel fails--2 points--Marrik heals
hour 4
Beauregard fails--4 points
Skyseeker fails--1 point--Marrik heals, exhausting his Lay On Hands Ability


You have arrived at the ruins, with about 3 or 4 hours to go before the raiders return. It is clear that the entire hill was once a structure, the topmost portions of which now once again project above the earth. Skyseeker is whispering to herself in elven...judging by the look on her face, this sight is equal parts fear and sorrow, and just a touch of wonder.

Eyes brimming, she gathers herself, and faces everyone. "I must speak of things my people would rather pass out of memory for all time. I lack the deep learning, to know the truth of history, merely what all children are taught. When the first stone were laid atop each other in Veracinea, some six thousand of your years ago, we lived in the Golden Wood. But a jealous, evil prince seeking power brought a great evil into the world. Though he was cast down, his evil had tainted the very forest itself...the Great Trees, the Aether Web, all of it was blighted and twisted...what once was called Tar-Anedrel's Joy....fell into shadow, and has evermore been called the Darkwood. The legacy of the many years, generations as you short-lived folk would count them, fighting the evil one's forces...many things were done, by both sides, shameful things, which most are never taught..I only know that in the name of survival, some of our eldest dabbled in dark methods, using foul to fight vile. "Those we wronged" is the phrase used, though how they were wronged I know not. When he was cast down, we realized we could not cleanse the Wood...indeed, the very mystic nature of our folk made us susceptible to the taint, which had bolstered the legions of our enemy. We had to flee. As we fled, what had been our border outposts were consigned to oblivion, to be lost forever, used to anchor a great working of magic, that would hold the Darkness within the wood. Where once we had mere trade outposts, small kin-holds, we now expanded into small cities, and tried to preserve as much of what was lost as we could. And we kept away from the younger races for the most part, lest our pride cause us to lead them into such an atrocity as we had done to ourselves and the world.

I tell you our shame now, because it should not be possible for those ruins to be unearthed. our mightiest wizards and sorcerors, and the high priests of Serloth, of Tar-Anedrel, of the Unknowable, of Valkhan, and of Cerana all worked together to lock them away and anchor the barrier. I was nearly cast out, in my youth, for daring to read forbidden texts, and eavesdropping upon the LoreWardens when they spoke of these texts. The evil Prince had made compact supposedly with a dark power according to these texts...a power beyond the Scourge, Blood-Hunter, Vile Lady, and the Shadowed Lord combined. This speculative entity was not named. Most of the LoreWardens dismissed these writings as fearful imaginings from the darkest reaches of our despairing minds....yet I cannot think of anything else which could even weaken such power as was used here."

[Vynarkus]

Results of the Forced March....total of four hours....

hour 1--all make their saves
hour 2
Beauregard fails...3 points nonlethal damage..Marrik heals
Skyseeker fails--1 point..Marrik heals
hour 3
Beauregard fails--1 point--Marrik heals
Laurel fails--2 points--Marrik heals
hour 4
Beauregard fails--4 points
Skyseeker fails--1 point--Marrik heals, exhausting his Lay On Hands Ability

[ooc]does this mean that Beau currently has 4 points of damage? and is it lethal or nonlethal damage?[/ooc]

[Led Pighp]

"So... that's all very interesting, and I think I'll want to talk to you at length about having been wronged, but in the immediate sense of us rescuing the survivors of the caravan from the orcs who are or will soon be here, is there any mystical dangers here of which we should be leary? Or, on the other hand, are there any mystical benefits of the place that you can leverage to help us?"

"Otherwise, I suggest that we spend the next few hours preparing for this fight. Beauregard is much weakened by our heavy marching, so I think he should take this time to rest and gain his strength back. His is the key role to the whole plan, but that moment doesn't come until later."

"First we must kill all the orcs currently present. And free any slaves that are already here. We take whatever weapons we can find, and hide them in the pens where the slaves will be put, along with keys for the shackles, if we can find them."

"Then, Sky-'whatever who wronged me', Beau, and myself will hide ourselves among the ruins, while Marrik, Laurel, and Vyn hide outside. When the orcs show up, they will find none of the guards they left behind, but they'll have no choice but to put all of their prisoners into the pens. Once that's done, and they've had a chance to get settled, we three will rise up, gather the newly armed prisoners, and attack. You three on the outside, once you hear fighting... do whatever damage you can, as fast as you can."

"Marrik, you'll want to hide as close to the ruins as you can, else you'll spend the whole time running from way out there to here where the fighting is."

"Beauregard's job is to sneak around, talk to the prisoners to get them all working on the same plan (and to convince them NOT to just grab the weapons and attack in an unorganized fashion), plus if we can't find any keys early on, he'll need to open the pens and unshackle the prisoners. Sky and I will keep him safe while he does this."

[Seven Words]

[ooc]does this mean that Beau currently has 4 points of damage? and is it lethal or nonlethal damage?[/ooc]

nonlethal

[Seven Words]

Skyseeker wipes at her eyes briefly, and asks Led, "wronged you? I do not understand. The last strife we had with the Heshic clans was over a hundred years ago...the Syrmek clan. their shaman wanted an elven bride, and summoned a Tanar'ri to try and coerce acquiescence to his demands. The High Priest of tar-Anedrel took the form of a great bear, tore the demon apart, rent teh shaman, and then crushed his acolytes. All their kin forswore bloodfeud and repudiated the fallen." She looks confused.

[Led Pighp]

"My family comes from the edge of the Heshic Plains, where we live on the borders of the Darkwood. My uncle can hunt by smell. My father and most of the men in our village can swing from tree to tree. Our elders tell stories of how we were once human, but the 'Great and Wise' elves came to us and made us faster, stronger, more like animals... all so that we could help them fight some great evil."

"Then they left us there, alone. On the borders of the same evil, that remained unvanquished."

"All the elders speak of you in awe, like you were the Gods who created us. But I think you merely took what the Gods made and bent it to your will. Much like the evil we were supposedly made to combat."

"But, as I said, this is a discussion for a time when there isn't a band of orcs heading right for us armed for battle. You three should find places to hide out here. Beau should rest. And you, lady elf, can keep a lookout for the orcs."

At that, Led will head towards the ruins. [Hide & Move Silently checks as I get closer.] He'll circle around them first, then get in closer. Goal is just to do recon and find out if there are any guards / prisoners already present, as well as learn the lay of the land [map here would be appreciated]. He will not engage at this point, though if he fails his sneak checks, he'll go for a quick kill before an alarm can be sounded.

[Laurel]

Itching to retrieve her composition supplies, the bard watches the Scout depart with confusion, then looks at the elf, harmonies and dissonances already sounding within her head. But there was no time for this. Grabbing her short bow and checking her quiver, she heads out to find a well concealed spot that provided her with a clear view and shot of the lair's entrance.

[ooc]...um, I guess Hide, Move Silently, possibly Listen, Search, and Spot checks please. Or perhaps leave the checks in the hands of the DM, as long as I can learn what was appropriate later...[/ooc]

[Vynarkus]

Vynarkus heads out, trying to keep hidden, and looks for a place where the entrance is just at the extreme of the range of his blast.

[ooc]Hide, Listen, and Spot checks, I guess...
...I should be too far away for Move Silently to be needed, but I'll use it anyway.[/ooc]