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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 3273368" data-attributes="member: 11760">"We'd best make sure our lure is a damned good one," Hazel says. "Last thing we need is the creature to go snuffling around its den and find a snack while the rest of us are still waiting in the other room."Tock begins tuning his banjo."I remember a good song. 'In Fairer Times With Thee (And Fairer Still with She).' When the bear arrives I'll play the breakdown to accompany the beat down.""I agree with luring the creature out," Emmerson says, preparing his sword and shield. "I am uncomfortable with doing battle against a sleeping creature. If we need a lure, look no further.""Hmm," Bufer says, stroking his chin. "My illusion will have shape, and make sounds, but it won't have a smell. If this beastie we're dealin' with tends to follow its nose -- or beak, as the case may be -- our lure may not prove terribly effective."He looks over at Tosh."It's a risk, lad, but it's mainly your risk. Still think it's worth trying?""Yes, I do, especially having live bait in the form of our redoubtable paladin standing in plain sight at the mouth of the cave. If it takes the bait, you lure him in, if he doesn't and comes for me ... well, let's just say I'm not the most cooperative meal it could wish for and I dare say I could stave off his advances till help arrives." Tosh nods his head. "Yep, that's the way I see it. In fact, I'd be more worried about Emmerson trying to take the heat off in a rescue attempt were he by himself." "All righty then, sounds like we got ourselves the makings of a stupid plan," Bufer nods. "Unless anyone has any objections or fine-tuning, I suggest Tosh here shows us where he reckons the ambush should be set up.""Aye, strap it on, let's do this." Tosh leads the way up the northwest stair waiting for the torch so everyone can see before whispering more instructions. "Should we light another torch? Or conjure more light? Emmerson might need to illuminate himself, and I'd hate the group be left in darkness."He then indicates the far wall, with its crude cave."I suggest the warriors arrange themselves in an arc about the entrance. You may not all have room to fight, but there it is. Just be sure to give Emmerson an escape route. Plenty of room for the wizard, cleric and the bard to ply their trades in the middle of the room." Tosh nods at Emmerson. "When everyone is ready, I'll lead the bait to the end of the tunnel and situate myself and hide. You'll know when all hell breaks loose.""The light will make more of an inviting target," Emmerson says. "I also plan to scream a couple of verses in Celestial. Who knows, perhaps the beast is a believer.""Emmerson, if yer fancy song don't work, try using this." Emus hands the young paladin a rock."We're all going to die and I'm never going to find out how much those mirrors are worth," Renraw moans quietly."Don' piss yer nethers jus' yet," Ragglus says with a sneer, taking his position near the wall. "Hope y'brought 'nuff talc f'yer britches.""Right enough, lads," Deputy Tucker Gallaway says, a military swagger to his step as he inspects everyone getting into position. "Let's get Renraw and the rest of the delicate flowers over by the door for a quick retreat, if need be. Those of us who can take a hit will keep our backs to the corner. With any luck, we'll all walk out of here under our own power."Tucker begins to ad-lib, calling upon a similar speech once given by Sheriff Thoric Glangirn."Remember, we fight to defend the village. As Lothian teaches us, to defend one's home is to defend the empire, so today we will serve our glorious empire well. For years we've all lived in the Emperor's favor and in Lothian's; together, they've given us everything we need. Today is the day we give back!"Fight now, fight!" He raps the handle of his mace against his shield as he takes his position, confident that if the bear hasn't woken up yet, this isn't going to be what does it. "Fight for fortune and the brilliant dawn!"Hazel ignores Tucker as she silently prays an urgent prayer that Estanna will see the entire group safely back to hearth and home. She settles her axe in her hand and takes up a position on the left of the heavy fighters to wait for the creature to appear."While I've no quarrel with Lothian himself," Bufer says, his hands raised to summon the illusory figure to draw out the beast, "His church and the empire can suck it."He glances quickly up at Emmerson."No offense."The gnome closes his eyes and concentrates on generating a shimmering, humanoid-shaped mass of light, which sounds like a small party of hunters none too concerned about moving quietly. As an afterthought, he uses a last bit of magic to make his illusion smell like Tucker."Well said, gnome," Tock says. "In the future, perhaps we should leave the speeches to people with more than three score words in their vocabulary."Emmerson drops the rock Emus gave him and takes a few steps into the tunnel, surveying his route. Satisfied on what he saw, he returns to the group."I need someone to carry the torch and stand behind me. After that, I am ready for the attack, friend Tosh."Hazel hands off the most-used torch to Bufer. Tosh quickly and quietly moves into the rough tunnel, with the paladin close behind and the other gnome and his luminescent creation tagging closely in the rear."Here," whispers Tosh, pointing at the widening entrance. He slips to the left and finds a suitably dark niche in the irregular wall, about halfway down toward the nest, and silently draws his blade. Whispering a silent benediction to whichever of the 24 Gods of the Hours governs the current moment, he readies himself for the tricky part. "Oh well, I never wanted to live forever ..."</blockquote>

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