X4: Master of the Desert Nomads - IC

[kinem]

Bevin notices that the human and goblin corpses that were thrown into the ravine show signs of having been slain by sword thrusts.

[sblock=ooc]NPCing Rajah for a bit as renau1g can't post this week.[/sblock]

Rajah decides to stay in the cave but sends Razor to explore invisibly. "Be careful" he tells the demon "and don't stray too far."

Rajah also mutters to himself "I bet they'd notice if I took those corpses ... What rotten luck, stuck in this stinky cave, surrounded by enemies! And I can't even practice my necromancy! Oh why me, what did I do to deserve this?"

Peeking out carefully, Bevin sees that ten yards from the top of the gully is a small camp of five nomad soldiers dressed in robes and armed with swords.

Beyond them, the plain is dotted with fires for several miles. The nearest fire beyond the soldiers is 100 yards away.

Further in the distance he notices something odd - a small fort or something that certainly hadn't been there earlier in the day.

As Bevin watches the five men, he notices that they mainly watch the nearest other campfire rather than the ravine. He sees a goblin wander into the nomads' camp from that direction, only to be driven off with small rocks, insults, and sword waving by the soldiers.

Finally, the men bed down. Only one man remains awake, apparently on watch to look out for thieves and cut-throats in the night among his fellow soldiers, but he watches mainly in the direction of the goblins' camp.

 

[Leif]

Bevin Rockhammer Dwarf Rogue2/Enchanter6, AC20 FF17 T15, HP44/44, F+4,R+6,W+5

Bevin makes mental notes of the position of every foe that he sees, and then quietly and carefully rejoins the party.

"Well, men, here's what I saw: Ten yards from the top of the gully is a small camp of five nomad soldiers dressed in robes and armed with swords. Beyond them, the plain is dotted with fires for several miles. The nearest fire beyond the soldiers is 100 yards away. Further in the distance there was something odd - a small fort or something that certainly wasn't there earlier in the day, and as I watched the five men, I noticed that they were mainly watching the nearest other campfire rather than the ravine. I saw a goblin wander into the nomads' camp from that direction, only to be driven off with small rocks, insults, and sword-waving by the soldiers. After awhile, the men bedded down. Only one man remained awake, apparently on watch to look out for thieves and cut-throats in the night among his fellow soldiers, but he was watching mainly in the direction of the goblins' camp.

 

[Walking Dad]

"So, anyone got a plan how to escape this situation? Or do I have to disguise myself as a goblin, shoot one of the nomads and hide to bring them to fight each other?"

 

[Leif]

Bevin Rockhammer Dwarf Rogue2/Enchanter6, AC20 FF17 T15, HP44/44, F+4,R+6,W+5

"One thing that I have noticed about our enemies is that they seem to mistrust everyone, even their comrades-in-arms, or maybe ESPECIALLY their comrades-in-arms. If only their was some way that we could turn their lack of trust to our advantage in combat, we'd be at least halfway to defeating them!

Your plan is sound, Girgal, but I would not want to see you risk yourself by doing this. Maybe there is another, safer, way that we could accomplish the same thing? Ideas, anyone?"

 

[kinem]

"The real problem is the rest of the army, not the five nomads" Rajah observes. "I'm more curious about that new fort you said you saw."

 

[Leif]

Bevin Rockhammer Dwarf Rogue2/Enchanter6, AC20 FF17 T15, HP44/44, F+4,R+6,W+5

"Yes, it defies logic to think that they could build such a structure in so short a time. But we need to get a better look in order to determine its true nature. Is it just a large tent? Or a desert mirage? Or are we facing some unknown Arcane Architectural Power? And are we to suppose that the entire enemy force is broken up into small groups like these nearest five? That seems both unlikely and foolish, but maybe we can take advantage of our position now, and eliminate and, basically replace, these sentries without the main force being the wiser."

 

[Rhun]

Aram shakes his head. "Our goal should be to avoid detection. Our mission is not to engage and defeat this army. Our mission is to find the 'Master' and stop him, in hopes that without his presence the army will fall apart on itself, and turn on each other."

 

[Leif]

Bevin Rockhammer Dwarf Rogue2/Enchanter6, AC20 FF17 T15, HP44/44, F+4,R+6,W+5

"Indeed, Aram, I agree that we should be about the essence of our primary mission. But, consider this: Where are we most likely to find this Master? Would it not be at the very heart of this vast enemy force? And would not we be more able to easily reach that heart if we were disguised as just another war band in their army?"

 

[Leif]

Double post, SORRY!

 

[renau1g]

"Well, if we try to replace them, what if they know our identities? A simple divination spell could detect us, and they know what we look like after the battle with the riders. However, it might allow us to get through some of the outlying rabble and reach that fort of theirs also. Perhaps we can wait on a decision to see what Razor uncovers?" Rajah suggests diplomatically.