Storms of Change IC Part 4

[Someone]

"I have barely a coin" says Dunathar. "About the place, if that plan has to work, each group can´t see the other one until they are just a few paces away. If they can see the other one coming, they could think about talking, or fleeing."

"If we´re going to do it the dwarven way, a place good enough to hide would be good."

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita Sparrow.

"OK. Let's simply ambush the gnolls. I think we can take 6 gnolls between the 5 of us, particularly if we lay ambush. I would prefer a slightly wooded area, where I can shoot my web to capture them. We would also want a place where we can have cover to launch arrows. Let us set out. When we return, we will identify what items we can, but I would waste no more time here. Pard, Alba, can you provide us with a guide. Someone who can help us find a site in the gnolls' path."

 

[doghead]

Lucan, human male pit fighter

Lucan grunts in acknowledgement.

"I can fight at range, but I prefer to get up close and dirty. We should decide who is going to stay back, and who is not. And what is this web you mention? And how do you plan to use it?"

 

[silentspace]

Pard says "Yes, if I knew what you needed, I bet I know of a place that fits it somewhere." Standing by Lucan's knee, he looks up at Manzanita and the others. He looks excited by the group's plans.

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita

"Very well. You will be our guide, Pard. Let's go. We will discuss the plan as we walk. I have learned a new spell that casts a spider-like web in a 40 foot diameter circle. All creatures caught there are stuck. Then they will fall like flies to our arrows. I can anchor it to nearby trees. You can rush any who escape it and engage. I will stay back and fire arrows. As should Zook. Dunathor will stay undercover, and move in to flank as he sees fit. Goven can fight with his axe or bow depending on how many escape the web."

OOC: Has a night passed? I assume so, actually, otherwise, Manzanita wouldn't want to set out just yet, as she wouldn't have her web spell.

 

[Sado]

Goven nods. "This is the kind of fighting I am used to," he says. "Lead on."

OOC: Goven doesn't have a bow

 

[silentspace]

Pard's eyes light up. "Trees? I know where there are lots of trees! Come on then!"

Pard leads you through the forest, off the beaten track. "Less likely that they'll find your tracks," he says, but the going is slow. Twice he stops and gives a bird call. A forest gnome would appear and report what they knew.

"The squirrels and the deer say the hobgoblins are heading west, but a boar said they were heading south. I guess they're probably heading west, towards us."

After a few hours, Pard changes direction, explaining that they are going to head closer to a trail now. "Lots of trees over there," he says.

You can't see the trail from here, but Pard says its just about 30 feet away. He tells you all to be still and helps hide you, adjusting leaves and plants, the best he can. Then he withdraws to a safer distance to hide himself.

You settle in for a long wait.

[Yes, it's day later.]

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita

Back at the fortress, Manzanita stops Goven. "You carry no bow? Why is this? I will not have you dying in combat with these gnolls when you could be safely shooting them with arrows. The two orcs we killed had excellent bows, with hard pulls to send arrows fast and true. Try them to see if you can use them effectively. If so, bring one."

To Pard in the woods. "Pard. We are after the gnolls today. The hobgoblins will wait. Keep us away from them for now."

When they get to an ambush site, Manzanita tries to find cover. "No one attack until I get my web off. Then fill them with your barbed shafts. Dunathor, find cover where you can flank them. Zook and Pard, stay by me. Lucan and Goven, hide yourself as you will."

 

[silentspace]

Pard is leading you towards the gnolls. His latest information was that the hobgoblins are also headed in this general direction... Can't really say how far apart they are.

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita

"Very well. Perhaps they shall meet after all. We will attack whichever reaches our ambush site first. If they both show up, we shall try to encourage them to fight each other, and pull back if they do. We'll have to play that one by ear, but we cannot fight both. I fear that would bring death to us, and disaster to our world."