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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Plane Sailing" data-source="post: 775646" data-attributes="member: 114">They are demanding 500 in gold for the return of Nikita, clearly having been convinced by Nikita himself that it would be better to barter for than slaughter him. No doubt the attraction of gold instead of heavy trade goods is compelling to them, hence the scrawled batu message.Vladimar consults the assembled adventurers. It seems that the risk might be worth the venture. If Vladimar rescues Nikita, he will own him and his business. That could expand Vladimar’s trading claim in the town by a considerable margin. However, the gnolls have stipulated that no more than six may come forth with the money. It could be a trap, it could be a way of luring six strong fellows away from the caravan. Vladimar is keen to go as long as it’s done soon. If they can reach the location quickly they may be able to surprise the gnolls and upset any traps. He needs a party, and Troy (the new Bard), Clint, Dariol, Fareena and Alavarielle volunteer.Vladimar passes out a range of high quality equipment and magical items to help in the mission, and they set off in rapid horseback pursuit following the track of the gnoll archer. He is nowhere to be seen and has clearly hidden from their approach in the night as they reach a decline a mile or two away from the still visible smoke column at dawns early light.The plan is for as many as possible to stay hidden while Vladimar and Troy walk in to the gnoll camp bearing the gold in a saddle bag. They loose-tether the horses, and start out towards the smoke. Gnolls hate elves so Clint helps disguise Troy’s smell and appearance quite convincingly, although Troy is justifiably suspicious about the use of horse-urine in the process. Clint fades quickly into the long grass ahead of the party as Dariol commences a hide-from-animals spell to protect everyone else but Vladimar. Dariol’s nature sense has also placed them downwind from the gnolls to avoid detection from inquisitive noses.Clint has approached closely enough to see three wagons in a burnt out hollow of grass. Two of the wagons are badly damaged by fire and smoking heavily, but the third is mostly intact. A pile of bodies still burns in the clearing, which is scattered with trashed trade goods. A human figure, clearly tortured into unconsciousness hangs from the wagon side, nailed through the palms and feet. A small group of gnolls sits waiting in the middle of the clearing. Clint is sure that the two damaged wagons contain gnolls, and resolves to report back to the party.The rest of the party approach as carefully as possible until they can see the tops of the wagons in the distance. Vladimar and Troy stand up and walk towards the camp while Dariol sweeps silently through the grass to their right. Fareena and Alavarielle hunker down in the grass to await events. Dariol calls a cat from his bag, and sends it off to scout for him.Vladimar and Troy are quickly joined by hyenas in the long grass, all of which, unable to detect the Elf focus on Vladimar. A burly female gnoll in thick furs approaches them and in it’s own tongue, orders them brusquely into the camp. The gnoll seems to have sway over the hyenas dancing around its heels as they walk towards the wagons.Clint sneaks back towards the camp again, watching his two companions carefully. Reaching the back of one of the wagons undetected he is able to lock the main gate to one of them surreptitiously. Then he sneaks under the wagon to await events.Vladimar and Troy are in the clearing, and Troy moves across to inspect Nikita. The fellow is in a bad way, and Troy also notices a gnoll hidden in the wagon behind the poor man, presumably ready to stab him if things go awry. His attempt to use a potion on Nikita is spoiled as an angry gnoll knocks it from his hand. Cross words are exchanged between Vladimar and another larger gnoll who is clearly the leader. This breaks out into a tussle and the big gnoll bellows an order to attack!</blockquote>

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