[LPF] Rescue at Boar's Ridge

[Qik]

Looking at the map, Reianne says "How about we follow the road for a bit then mount the ridge and come in from the north? We might be able to avoid any little surprises that are waiting on the road."

Mesem frowns. "I also would prefer to avoid any 'surprises,' Lady Reianne, but I confess I am concerned about the severity of that ridge. If we were to arrive there and then not be able to scale it with the horses, we would be forced to either double back, causing us to waste valuable time, or to move south alongside the ridge, which would increase our chance of getting spotted by any of Grimspiller's patrols."

Ru is quiet for a good long time as the group discusses, breaking camp, giving the horses what water he has left. Finally, after considering the map, he points to the creek.

"We need water first, and we're limited in how much we can carry. I think we're all agreed a straight shot to the creek is the best use of our morning, but after that, if it's something shallow enough we can ford it, I think we should move off-road and follow the water south. Camp on the banks tonight, stock up on water in the morning, and we should be able to make the fort by mid-day with time to scout."

Dolgrin merely nods his head at Reianne's suggestion while looking at the map. "No doubt this wizard is expectin' us to walk right up the trail, though..." he observes.

Mesem nods in agreement once Dolgrin and Ru have finished speaking. "I agree, which is why I find myself siding with Master Ru's suggestion. Moving south with the river would not slow us a great deal, and it would allow us to minimize our time spent in close proximity to the fort. It is a wise course of action."

"If we are to come in from the west, perhaps we should enter via the gap in the ridge south of the entrance by trail."
[sblock=OOC]I think jk's plan is about as good as it's going to get. I'll only add that it seems better to enter via the gap on line M than the trail on line K.

From SK's earlier text, I assumed we would not be able to scale the ridge like hemera suggested, especially not with the horses. It'd be a fine plan, otherwise.[/sblock]

[sblock=Stats]Mesem Adrarda
Status: Bound
[sblock=Bound Stats]Initiative: +1, Perception: +7
HP: 9/9 real + 11/11 temporary
AC: 13 (Touch: 11 Flat-footed: 12) CMB: +5 CMD: 16
Fort: +1 Ref: +1 Will: +6 (+8 vs enchantments)

Natural Weapons:Bite (+5, 1d6+4), 2 Claws (on feet) (+6, 1d4+4)
[/sblock][sblock=Unbound Stats]Initiative: +0, Perception: +7
HP: 10/10 real
AC: 10 (Touch: 10 Flat-footed: 10) CMB: +0 CMD: 10
Fort: +2 Ref: +0 Will: +6 (+8 vs enchantments)[/sblock]Current Weapon in Hand: None

Summon Monster I: 4/4
Spells: 0 - Infinite, 1 - 2/2

Active Magic: None
[/sblock]​

 

[Satin Knights]

Unless you change your mind and adjust, After a bit of group planning, you follow the main road until it comes to the creek. An old massive wooden bridge provides a wide span to cross what looks like a minor creek that is only a few feet deep. Perhaps the there are seasonal changes that require the overbuilding that was done. As you exit the road on the east side of the water, you see a small path that does not get much travel except for game animals. You let the horses get a good drink before following along the game trail.

Heading south, you follow along the eastern shore of the creek for several hours. As the sun is starting to set, the creek is bending back to the west. If the map is accurate, the fort is half a day's ride to the east.

[sblock=ooc]Good plan. Finished today at the southwest corner of K9. Water and game plentiful. Galandra's hunting doesn't even require a roll.

You still have an hour and a half of travel time today if you want to "fill up on water" and reposition elsewhere than k9. map

Yes, trying to scale the rock face would have required leaving the horses behind and slowed you too much. It wouldn't likely have worked.

Line M is better. Far less likely to be a choke point trap.

Planning for tomorrow's hint. If moving on foot, the slower folk are going to slow you to one square an hour.
Hint B: Bringing horses near a goblin stronghold is treacherous at best.
[/sblock]

 

[soulnova]

Galandra is satisfied with the current camping site and leaves briefly into the bushes. She appears a little while later with two fat hares and a bunch of wild berries. "Better luck this time" she hands them over to the halfling, trusting completely on his cooking skills. He at least is better than anything she could manage. "These are good fields" she says like a small thankful prayer and making a sign back from where she came from.

The ranger turns back at the party. "I would suggest to leave the horses here... but... if the map is accurate it would take us more than a little while getting there." with a twig she sketches the map in the ground. "We could take them here at most* and make good time on foot from there. I would not dare to bring them any closer. And this is pushing it..." she says taking a small straw of yellow grass and chewing it from the corner of her mouth.



*(m13-14)

 

[jkason]

Ru Brike, human ninja

Ru sees to it that the horses are tied off such that they can drink at the creek as they need during the night, downstream from the party so that the party's water isn't tainted by any other needs the horses tend to. He ties on their feedbags so that they might eat as the party plans (and will remove the bags when he notices they've finished).

"Depending on wind, we may not want to even get the horses that close," Ru says. He frowns a moment, considering. He knew goblins hated horses, but the run in with the griffins--where the ponies showed no fear--had him wondering how many other creatures made a distinction between equine species...

[sblock=ooc]Rolled a Know: Local to try to remember if goblin horse-hatred extended to all equines, or if ponies would be 'immune,' and thus safer to take closer. We'd be reduced to normal medium speed, then. Not sure how many squares that equates to.

Know (local): goblins vs. ponies? (1d20+4=15)[/sblock]

[sblock=mini stats]Ru Brike
AC: 16 (Touch 14, Flatfooted 12)
HP: 11/11

Initiative: +4
Perception: +4 Sense Motive: +4
CMB: +0 CMD: 14 Fort: +2 Reflex: +6 Will: +1

Wakizashi: +4, 1d6
Wakizashi (TWF): +2/+2, 1d6/1d6
Nunchaku: +4, 1d6
Shuriken: +4, 1d2
Conditional Attack mods: +1d6 Sneak Attack (when denied Dex), +1 Dirty Fighter (flank)

Conditions: None

In Hand: None

Consumables:
Alchemist's Fire: 3/3
Liquid Ice: 1
Shuriken: 10/10
[/sblock]

 

[soulnova]

Galandra gives a slow nod to Ru, still chewing the straw. "Well, that's an option. Take only the ponies along to the opening there. It would be easier to keep them hidden in the bushes if needed. And... well..." she twists her mouth a little "...The ponies would be easier to pay for" still, she's clearly not thrilled with the possibility.

Galandra will attempt to check the general wind direction in that area.

 

[Qik]

Mesem listens intently to Galandra and Ru. "I know nothing about goblins or how they feel about horses, or any other creatures. I will follow the advice of those of you whom are more knowledgeable than I on the matter. I will only add that I believe we should arrive there as quickly as possible." After a moment's pause, he adds, "Although perhaps this is obvious."

[sblock=Stats]Mesem Adrarda
Status: Bound
[sblock=Bound Stats]Initiative: +1, Perception: +7
HP: 9/9 real + 11/11 temporary
AC: 13 (Touch: 11 Flat-footed: 12) CMB: +5 CMD: 16
Fort: +1 Ref: +1 Will: +6 (+8 vs enchantments)

Natural Weapons:Bite (+5, 1d6+4), 2 Claws (on feet) (+6, 1d4+4)
[/sblock][sblock=Unbound Stats]Initiative: +0, Perception: +7
HP: 10/10 real
AC: 10 (Touch: 10 Flat-footed: 10) CMB: +0 CMD: 10
Fort: +2 Ref: +0 Will: +6 (+8 vs enchantments)[/sblock]Current Weapon in Hand: None

Summon Monster I: 4/4
Spells: 0 - Infinite, 1 - 2/2

Active Magic: None
[/sblock]​

 

[hemera]

Reianne shrugs, "And I all know Mesem is stories, and plays. But I don't think that will help much in the real world. I just want to make sure that both I AND Buttercup get there safely." She pats her horse, "After all, we'll need a comfortable ride home after we're done" feigning more bravado than she was feeling.

 

[Satin Knights]

This second night seems a little more organized and calm. Several different thoughts on tomorrow's plans have been discussed during the rabbit dinner, but a final plan doesn't seem to be locked down by the time you bed down.
[sblock=First watch ~ Dolgrin + Galadra]The loudest noise is the brook babbling.[/sblock][sblock=Second Watch ~ Mesem + Lem]Two thirds of the way through the watch, you faintly hear a horn being blown to the east. Guessing, the sound is a couple hours ride away, it might be coming from the rock gateway.[/sblock][sblock=Third watch ~ Menik + Ru + Reianne]nothing significant happens.[/sblock][sblock=ooc]A) Goblins hatred of gnomes, horses and dogs is famous. They are also as intelligent as a normal human. They see in the dark.(that covers your three kn answers) Ponies, being in the middle for size, are probably still threatened.
B) The prevailing wind comes in from the sea to the west, so you are unfortunately upwind of the fort.
C) assuming the same sleeping arrangements for bedding.
D) Good job planning the camping site. Now, to the sneak in and attack plan.
E) 30' move would be 1 1/2 squares an hour.
[/sblock]
[sblock=map]Currently you are at the southwest corner of K9.

[/sblock]

 

[soulnova]

In the morning, Galandra makes sure the horses had enough water and food for the day.

"Alright... I must tell you. That horn, I didn't like it. We have to move south. The wind is not in our favor. I don't know how sensitive are those bastards' noses but I want to err on the bad side."

She suggest to move the horses to M12 and go from there with the ponies ahead.

"I can't see in the dark like dwarves, and they have more people that can. So I would not like to fight them at night. We must arrive as early as possible, scout the area and make our move before sunset."

"...if you think that's right" she added... a little embarrassed that she got carried away with directions.

 

[possum]

"What horn?" Dolgrin asks as he helps Galandra with the care of the horses and ponies. He listens to her plan. "Sounds solid."