Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Legendary Sidekick]

Alin worries about those who can't climb. "First, Mauve's our top climber. She showed off while Branwen took a dump." I grumble, "So I had to do the wiping." I go on, "For those with us, I can pull people up—if we end up going in to fight, that is."

Mauve asks if we're ready. "Yes… we have boats by the Crow in twenty minutes. Nissa enters first. She'll make her presence known to Burnbright. Ideally, she's by the fire and men are watching window and doors for the enemy.

"Alin, I'll tell you now since we can't speak once we're moving. You have the best aim among us, so I need you to throw a rope so I can climb and peer into a window. Pick the window closest to the chimney. That's how Nissa gets in, and we find out if we're coming in or they're coming out. If I'm too far from the fire, Nissa won't appear. In that case, plan B: you sneak quietly in the back.

"If you're good with that, please lead the way, Alin."

 

[SeverinR]

"Also, are we going to bring all three boats to evacuate the Crow, or are we just going to fight them by putting archers in every window and every fighter by the door?"

I draw a crude map. ((Pretend it's not this detailed, I didn't want to spend more than a minute since I didn't have to.))

In orange chalk I draw a line on the right of the map. "Water is south. We go on the west side of town, we may run into a few enemies. We kill who we can't avoid. We only walk on the dock not so close to the crow."

"I would like to avoid the warg patrol if possible. They can smell what they can't see and they can alert people before we even get a chance to kill them.
I believe the one dog face we could kill without much trouble."
"The wind is coming from the ocean, so there is a chance the warg could smell us when we are on the docks."

For the boats I would row away from the Crow then in a wide arc turn and come straight back towards the center of the rear of the building. So the sound of the oars are less likely to be noticed and the chance decreases as we move. Better to take our time and get it done slowly, then to rush and get caught."

"One more option, if we find a place to rally the group on the boats, maybe we swim out to the boats, untie them and push them back to the group from the water. No walking on the dock at all. It would mean three people swim out, and return with a boat. Far enough away from each other that they don't bump."

 

[SeverinR]

Alin worries about those who can't climb. "First, Mauve's our top climber. She showed off while Branwen took a dump." I grumble, "So I had to do the wiping." I go on, "For those with us, I can pull people up—if we end up going in to fight, that is."

Mauve asks if we're ready. "Yes… we have boats by the Crow in twenty minutes. Nissa enters first. She'll make her presence known to Burnbright. Ideally, she's by the fire and men are watching window and doors for the enemy.

"Alin, I'll tell you now since we can't speak once we're moving. You have the best aim among us, so I need you to throw a rope so I can climb and peer into a window. Pick the window closest to the chimney. That's how Nissa gets in, and we find out if we're coming in or they're coming out. If I'm too far from the fire, Nissa won't appear. In that case, plan B: you sneak quietly in the back.

"If you're good with that, please lead the way, Alin."

"Throw a rope? I will climb up and drop a rope. Less noise then even a padded grappling hook."
"Good point, Baldy. Once we move, no talking." Aliron looks at Bressel, "and watch your step." he adds, "I know you're clumsy at times."
"If I see that we have no other option, that we will be caught in mere moments, I will exagerate a drawing of an arrow to signal the group. If you disagree shake your head, I will wait. If not I will shoot my target. Then we will have to decide how best to proceed from that point. But we will at least get the first attack off silently. Anyone else think of a signal we might need?"

Bressel
"I will try. Last one in the tavern buys the first round. Wait, which one of these is Nissa? and how does she fly? Is she a harpy too? Sorry still tryin to learn names."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Good point, Alin. You can tie the rope to the chimney without being spotted." I tell Bressel, "You'll know Nissa when you see her!"

I almost forgot about the boats!

"We swim to the boats—yes!—let Bressel and I handle it. Our people can handle cold water without trouble. We start with the boats nearest shore. I'll take the one nearest the Crow, since I know I can cover a lot of distance in one breath. We handle the big boat together while the rest of you start rowing… and trust me, we'll catch up to the rest of you!

"Have our armor in the little boats so we can dress properly for battle."

I politely motion Alin to go first.

 

[Nihal]

((If Aliron is going to ignore questions about what just happened in the town he shouldn't have pointed Burnbright in first place.

Deleted my post to not have a character locked.))

"Baldhart, will you take the ring or not? Decide."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I can handle this water. Only give me the ring if you'd swim as a mermaid."

 

[SeverinR]

I go west following the tree line until we get to the cliffs or the ocean and come in from the west.
Looking for a place to enter the water before getting to the docks.

I will move slowly enough to watch for anyone or thing in the woods ahead, and for the group to move as quietly as they can.

I believe we should have Aliron in front (ranger if he is with us)
Then those in no metal armor, and finally the heavy metal thunder behind and or deepest in the woods from the sentrys. This is for silent movement, not for best defense.

Anyone with a bow, have it ready.

Was there a bow for Bressel to use? We should specify before we really need it.
(Sorry, so many posts. I forgot about that one.)

(We need to establish pick up point for Mauve before we leave her)

[wow, when we started who would have thought a small timid thief and a wizard would be going out alone into danger. Aliron not as much as Mauve, he only has to get everyone up the cliff without a sentry noticing, then will be safe again.]

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Yes, Alin in front; Bressel has Cadell's bow - 1d8 damage))

I move behind Alin with sword in hand, though I know damn well it's the archers who'll take out any sentry that spots us.

 

[Nihal]

((I'll anticipate a reaction here, for I believe she wouldn't know what the hell Mauve is talking about))

"Baldhart, I do not know if I will need to swim! Right, even or odd?" I wait for some seconds. "No? Fiiine. Forget it. I will take the ring and put it in a string to make sure it will not get lost. Agreed?

"If that's all, I ought to go now before the wind changes."

When everything is settled I follow the forest to the east towards the sea, occasionally coming near the border with all the possible caution to make sure the watchers aren't too close.

 

[Keitsumah]

((not sure where Keit will be, so i guess she's on healing again? She doesn't really have any other weapon besides Batos and her staff, as well as a small knife but i don't know what the damage is for that.))


Batos pads around anxiously, pausing once in a while to gnaw on a rock or branch, sharpening his claws and teeth. I sigh, sitting cross-legged near the wolf, fiddling with my necklace. The light pulses brighter, than fades repeatedly.

"When will we ever not have to fight to gain ground?" i mutter below my breath, and in the corner of my eye is spot a tendril of grey mist solidifying into my brother's ghost. A slight smile quirks my mouth.

You were never the one to fight, Keitsu. his voice rushed over my ears like running water, and i jumped up with a start, remembering what Baldart had told me before.

"Has a god not taken you in? Is that why do I keep seeing you?" my voice is frantic, and despite the fact that the others can clearly see that i am speaking to thin air, i shove my trepidation away. Worry gnaws at my stomach, and i fear not for myself, but for my brother's eternal soul. What it he is forever wandering alone, with no one to turn to?

Do not worry, sister. Ardoway assured me. I have always followed Betula, and as a boon he allowed me to watch over you. I am a warrior of his hand now, and will fight alongside you. I cannot do anything in this spectral form, but maybe he will guide your hands so that you can overcome your enemies -Batos already seems to be an unconscious follower of Betula, despite his not being able to wield a blade.

A loud breath escapes me, and i sag to the ground. "Thank Betula for me. I feared for your soul for a moment there."

Ardoway smiled, but his image flickered and began to fade. My apologies, sister, but i can only reveal myself to you for so long. My strength is waning.

"Go, I'll be fine here." i answer, and he fades away completely. The smile on my face widens more, and despite myself i find that i am laughing. Batos looks up at me, head quirked to one side. He cannot understand my amusement, and neither can the others, but i try to explain anyways.

"Baldart -i saw him again, and he will fight alongside us. It seems we have Betula's favour."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Maybe he can teach you faith as Nissa did for me," I whisper. "But when he speaks to you, see if you can simply project your thoughts to him. I can talk to Nissa and maintain silence, which we must do from here all the way until we are inside the Crow."

I don't want to sound rude, so I add, "But thank you for sharing this with me. I am happy your brother watches over you."

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"Baldy, have you checked Keit's eyes? Or was the time in the cage to much for her? She speaks with smoke."

Bressel
"Before we are silent, I will need to strip off armor and my axe, might I get a short sword or small blade to swim with? You never know when a blade might come in handy."

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I take my dagger from my belt, still sheathed, and hand it to Bressel. "It isn't much, but feel free to keep it. I have two weapons already."

 

[SeverinR]

"Lets move around and get in position and wait for dark. Mauve maybe you should wait to leave the group until at least dusk."
[I thought it was dark]

"I did see someone that looked like an adult human and maybe Burnbright come to the door. So be ready for action in case something changes." We might have to run into the rescue."

[did we see any signs of horses? and what was the weapons of the enemy?]

 

[Nihal]

"The dark might change the wind direction, I have read something like this once. If the wind changes it will carry our scent straight to their noses, besides rendering part of my distraction useless."

 

[SeverinR]

Basically quoted to keep the map visible.

[I think we won't go quite to the sea, but stop until dark where we have a clear veiw of the area in front of the door.
Crow is 12:00 position maybe 3oclock or 4 oclock position if everyone is in agreement.]

"A boat moving out to sea by itself is much more noticable in daylight, a person climbing up a cliff during daylight is more noticable then one at night, three boats filled with people are more noticable leagues out on the sea during daylight then at night. I don't see any way we can sneak in in broad daylight."

 

[Keitsumah]

"Maybe he can teach you faith as Nissa did for me," I whisper. "But when he speaks to you, see if you can simply project your thoughts to him. I can talk to Nissa and maintain silence, which we must do from here all the way until we are inside the Crow."

I don't want to sound rude, so I add, "But thank you for sharing this with me. I am happy your brother watches over you."

I give the barbarian a sheepish grin -looking a tad younger than my age for once. "Sorry. I didn't think of that-"

"Baldy, have you checked Keit's eyes? Or was the time in the cage to much for her? She speaks with smoke."

I shrug, but Batos gives Aliron a challenging growl. I smack the wolf on his rump, and he yelps, spinning around to face me with a baffled look on his face.

"I think i am getting more used to larger groups now, boy. I can handle myself." I turn my face to Aliron and speak to him this time: "I probably should have told you all this before, but my brother apparently isn't as . . . well . . . dead as he seems. He appears before me at times, and that's why you may have seen me muttering to myself once in a while. Betula appears to have given him a great blessing in order for him to watch over me."

 

[Nihal]

"That's what the distractions are for. Isn't it obvious? Something is happening down there, do you want to risk the girl?!"

 

[SeverinR]

"I offer a plan, should the need arrive, for immediate attack."
All persons charge straight for the Crow, every use a charge attack with their weapons."
"I claim first dog in our path, with an arrow, if I don't kill someone with a blade needs to hit him."
"Then charge on next we face 2 dogs, a goblin and a warg. Other archers hit these before the warriors reach them. I will shoot again when I get a chance. Charge and hit or shoot."
"The object is to get in the crow, Baldy let out a roar so Burnbright knows we are coming. Hit anyone that comes at us, but charge past. Kill if you can, but move on. Next person that meets that target hit them too, but move on."
"In this plan, we cannot be slowed or they will block the door and surround us. Archers get inside the crow and shoot from windows, warriors tactical retreat into the crow."
"This is truly a save the Queen at all cost move, only last resort action."
"I'm hoping if we take them by suprise we will only encounter eleven, before we get in. I think the most would be 25 and we would fail to reach the Crow. We would end up dealing with all 36 before we could get to safety."
"At that point, Baldy yell again, Call to arms fight for your life, to all people in the Crow."

"Does anyone have a better suggestion if the situation turns bad quickly? Just trying to be prepared for all possibilites."
"Mages don't use any magic that will let you fall behind, evade attacks and stay close to the warriors. They hit one way, you dodge the other way from the enemy. Use your magic when in the Crow, To hades with the townspeople, we kill anyone that voices a problem with magic."

Keit;
"Alright, so long as you aren't talking to the smoke, and the ghost is friendly. I do prefer to know if the people I am with are comfortably insane or criminally insane. I doubt the sanity of anyone that looks at an army of enemy and says why not?"
I smile evilly.

Bressel
"I talk to myself."

"But I already know you are comfortably insane."

"Oh, yea."

 

[Nihal]

"Aliron, I will ask only once again: Were the watchers in the cliffs looking down?"