The Tearing of the Veil

[Lon Deslo]

Lon Deslo

We might be able to draw some off, but a group of 20 seems unlikely to all follow unless there are enough of us involved managing to be so problematic as to require the attention of the Cardinal as well. They won't bother involving him for a trifle, but also won't leave him unguarded. At that point it seems unlikely that the mass of us could double back to the boat, without just fighting our way through them.

I favor engaging them on our terms, under circumstances we set to optimize our position. I have refined my distraction somewhat. Assuming successful possesion of a vessel I can feign injury and backstab the first who comes to aid me. That will start the fight with the second, which ties up three of them, and will almost certainly draw the interest of the Cardinal away from your approach.

 

[warlord2]

Jd

Aye I was of the wood am very good with bow and pretty fair with a greatsword. I expect I could take down the cardinal and freinds at range... Obviously if it were dark it would be better. I favor action against them should the move to take or destroy the skiff...... Alas Lady please cover up lest you disctract us all....we have not been dead yet all that long....

 

[Hanuman47]

Tibalt Continues to Lurk

Lon Deslo makes his way back to his companions, leaving Tibalt alone and invisible amongst the Thranish soldiers. Those of you watching from the hill notice a member of the mounted party break off, pointing and moving a short distance in your direction. The figure looks back, apparently addressing the others. The owl is becoming increasingly agitated. It is dancing back and forth and hooting with increasing urgency. As it continues to get lighter, it seems almost certain that the soldiers will notice it before long.

warlord2: Forgot to answer your question regarding vegetation. It's actually difficult to say, since everything is covered with snow. There is a line of pinetrees behind you to the southeast - presumably a wind break. It's about 500 feet away.

Tibalt:
[sblock]The soldier (a captain, as Tibalt can now make out by his insignia) waits for the cardinal's answer. The elderly clergyman gives no sign that he has even heard; for what seems like a long time he simply stares into space, vaguely in the direction Deslo retreated. The captain takes a breath, as if to repeat his question, when the cardinal finally begins to speak in a raspy voice.

"Thank you, Captain Dalen. I am certain that this is the place. My vision was clear. The shapes of things match; the stars - the shore - that hill." He urges his horse a few paces in that direction, then turns back. "They will come. We will catch ir'Vennerum this time." With wrinkled hands he pulls out a silver medallion and kisses it, crooning soflty.

Tibalt can't tell if he's casting a spell or simply singing or praying.[/sblock]

 

[Tibalt Graf]

Tibalt Graf

Tibalt returns, and relates the contents of the spoiler box, above, to the others.

"Are any of you known as ir'Vennerum, or know who that is? In any case, I think we are indeed going to need to fight, or run. I recommend we focus our attacks on the priest, as he can drive us away, or destroy us, merely through the power of his god."

 

[Grefe]

Spells for Distraction and Ranged Combat - Grefe

Alas, I am at too great a distance from the Thranes to make use of Ghost Sound or Glitterdust as a distraction. However, from this range I can cast Melf's Acid Arrow at the cardinal. It will not slay him, but should destract him from calling upon his god. From 100' I can try to caste Grease upon the saddle of his horse.

However, before engaging in combat we can list some of our advantages in the hopes that we might strike upon another method of winning the ship from the Thranes.

As we no longer need to breathe we could flank the Thranes and wade into the water until it covers are heads. Then we could circle back and try to pull the skiff off of the shore. This might work better with a distraction so that the Thranes do not leap aboard the skiff.

 

[Lon Deslo]

Lon Deslo

The name ir'Vennerum means nothing to me. Perhaps this individual was waiting in the skiff for us, with the owl sent to lead us to him. If so he may be here hiding from the Thranes even as we speak. Rather than dwell on this possibility however, I suggest we simply monitor the behavior of the owl in case he tries to contact it.

We now know that they aren't going anywhere. If we want the skiff, we'll have to do something. Given the coming sunrise, if we are to have any benefit darkness we should move soon. Especially as it appears the Cardinal may already be aware of at least my presence.

I like Grefe's idea of an approach from the water, however depending upon how far out the shallows go, you may be exposed for as much time as you would be going along the beach. Also you may find that wet sand slows your rate of advance. I find it unlikely that in case of a fight they would get into the skiff to flee. But it could be worth sending at least one of us by way of the water to secure it. That one could even swim rather than wade, so as to maintain a lower profile. There is the advantage that they probably aren't looking for trouble coming from that direction.

Unless Tibalt has something else in mind, he might be able to increase the confusion from the distraction I have proposed if he were to stampede the horses of the dismounted once I begin fighting.

 

[Halden Kraal]

Halden Kraal

Alas, at range I am limited to my crossbow, unless one of our spellcasters can improve my chances there. I can advance fairly quickly though, so I should be able to mix it up with the riders, or cardinal, in short order. I am willing to serve as a distraction allowing someone to secure the boat by, firing off a volley or two then wade into them, cause as much havoc as I can then make for the boat.

 

[Tibalt Graf]

Tibalt Graf

"I suspect that the Cardinal's horse is an easier target for my Scare spell than would be the Cardinal, given a horse's natural inclinations in that direction in any case. This ought to distract him long enough for the rest of us to get into position, or possibly long enough for the rest of us to slaughter his troop."

"After that, I have Scorching Ray to use against the Cardinal, after which I likely would attempt to possess a soldier, or might continue to use more minor attack spells."

"In general, however, I concur with Lon Deslo's desire to break their formation first."

 

[Andrinor2]

Andrinor

These are some very good ideas. I like the idea of a sea attack. Even being slowed by the water and sand won't matter if they don't see us until we are upon them. Either way, expect the Cardinal to be surrounded immediatly when alarmed. He doesn't have 20 men around him for nothing. He is important and powerful enough to have those 20 men around him.

We could certainly go far enough around to get into the water undetected. But I'd have to leave my armor and weapons behind. I'm not sure I like that idea, since I'd have at least 3 men to deal with on my own when I got there. One problem with the sea-side attack is that they have a way to escape. The don't have that with a land-based attack. Also, communication will be very difficult at best in the water.

Scaring the horse is a good idea, but can you scare them all? If not, the Cardinal may be busy for a minute, but the other 20 won't! Twenty men of unknown strength are not to be trifled with. Do we think we can take them before the Cardinal recovers?

What about possesing the Cleric himself? We could deal untold amounts of damage to their group if we had him. We'd have him blow all his spells, or take off his holy symbol. Either way, we need to decide soon. The owl is going to be seen.

 

[Andrinor2]

On Turning: does it affect all undead, or just evil undead? I ask because until now, it has never been a question since all other undead have always been evil.