Action Thread 3

[rredmond]

Day 8 is coming to a close and it is starting to get dark.

[Alethan]

PM sent.

[Alethan]

HP check, I think all are at full, except Jeloon at 24 and Bruard at 12 at this point. (Bebopping from job to job though, let me know if I've kept inaccurate track.

I'll take any 'morning' actions at this point, I'm guessing healing

I would assume so. Even if Bruard saved his spells until the end of the day, just to make sure we didn't need them, he'd still have cast them in the evening to get Jeloon and himself up to full strength again.

[Alethan]

About 15 minutes before sunset, Till steps out of the shadows near the group and holds a finger to his lips in a quieting motion.

"We've got company up ahead. Looks like a veteran dwarven battle group is camped out a bit further north in the pass. There are eight dwarves in all; six of them are wearing scale mail, one is in chain mail, and the last is in plate. All are armed with battle axes and shields, except for the bloke in plate - he has a mace. (OOC: asking about ranged weapons; nothing was mentioned, so I'm checking with the DM) I think we can assume who the leaders are by the armour they're wearing."

"They didn't spot me (of course), so we have the obvious advantage of surprise. We could try to parley with them, as we did with the elves... (we all remember how that turned out). But you never know - might be a different story with the dwarves. I wonder if they knew the fellow (well... what was left of him) we found in the belly of that larger snake? Revenging a comrade's death might be a point in our favour..."

He looks at the others expectantly... Till's not terribly interested in taking a party of battle-hardened dwarves face on (especially with Yosef's wand near depletion), but doesn't see much way of getting the whole party around them without some interaction.

[ToniXX]

OOC: You guys are fast! I just got to this post... I'd like to cast CLW on Jeloon and myself before we make any contact with this group of dwarves.

Bruard steps over to Jeloon to examine her wounds. Let me assist you further, Jeloon. Sit down on that rock and close your eyes. Bruard touches Jeloon's forehead and speaks softly.

CLW on Jeloon:
Cure light wounds: [1d8] = 3

Bruard then stands up and turns his face towards the heavens. He grips his holy symbol tightly and says a quiet prayer.

CLW on Bruard:
Cure light wounds: [1d8] = 7

[Alethan]

(OOC: asking about ranged weapons; nothing was mentioned, so I'm checking with the DM)

Ok, confirmed Till saw no ranged weapons during his reconnaissance. Of course, that doesn't mean they don't have a wand of fireballs...

[Argennian]

Yosef's expression turns serious and contemplative as Till gives his scouting report.

"Regardless of our decided upon tactics, friends, I am agreed it is best that we are fully rested and as healed as is possible prior to this encounter. I surely hope that they are of a benevolent mind and nature. As Till pointed out, perhaps they are in fact searching for a lost compatriot, which might very well be that poor victim eaten by the giant snake. Mayhap the silver necklace or other loot in that snake's innards were possessions of the dead dwarf? Regardless," Yosef taps the end of the Wand of Fire, " we should be prepared for the worst. Perhaps another reconnoiter later this evening would confirm their true number, in case they had a patrol out and about? And also to be sure they are not planning on breaking camp and traveling by night?"




Edit: OOC: to add info about necklace & its possible, potential way to prove our story to the other dwarves? (other than the appearance that we did him in and took it!)

[Alethan]

Till says, "I don't know how safe it would be to try and scout their camp after dark. Their sentries were placed far enough from the camp fire that their night vision should be pretty good. Elven boots or not, I'd be spotted for certain."

[ToniXX]

Bruard says: "I think we should not scout their area at night, for fear of being seen as well as being perceived as hostile. Let's make camp, set our usual watch cycle, then approach the dwarven camp in the morning if they are still there."

[Argennian]

Yosef nods at Till's cautioning with both eyebrows raised in a manner meant to show acknowledgement and agreement. "Your points are most valid and understood, master Till. Even with your incredible level of stealth, it presents an unwarranted amount of liability."

Bruard says: "I think we should not scout their area at night, for fear of being seen as well as being perceived as hostile. Let's make camp, set our usual watch cycle, then approach the dwarven camp in the morning if they are still there."

"It would seem that this is our only realistic option. I will continue to hope that they are of a benevolent bent..." Yosef spends time cleaning and conducting maintenance on his weapons and gear.

[rredmond]

Yet another peaceful night passes as day 9 dawns.

Everyone is at full HPs except Jeloon at 28 now.
I'll just continue to use the original watch, with Jeloon alone, until you guys want otherwise.

[Alethan]

As Till packs up his sleeping gear, he asks the others, "Well... what do you think? Make a show of force, with everyone approaching the dwarven camp at once? Or just one or two people to parley with them and keep the others out of sight?"

He thinks for a minute, "We can't even show the same numbers in the field as them (they have eight warriors and we have but six), so unless they already have friendly intentions, I'm not sure how easily we'll be able to pass by them in a peaceful manner... Even if we did have superior numbers, I'm sure they'll think one dwarf is equal to two or three soldiers of any other race."

"I suppose we should approach them en force, so to speak. We'll keep our weapons sheathed, but Jeloon and Yosef, you should keep your bows ready and I'll palm my sling in case we need to do some fast missile actions. How does that sound to everyone? Yosef, any idea how many more fireballs you have in that wand of yours?"

(OOC: Dang. We can't all target the same person, either, should it come to a ranged attack or two before melee. It would be nice to take out one of the leaders first, if necessary...)

[Argennian]

"I suppose we should approach them en force, so to speak. We'll keep our weapons sheathed, but Jeloon and Yosef, you should keep your bows ready and I'll palm my sling in case we need to do some fast missile actions. How does that sound to everyone? Yosef, any idea how many more fireballs you have in that wand of yours?"

"I believe that the four of us, along with Van, should approach them. Let us have the teamsters, along with our pack animals and still-injured Eyman stay back, as they did when we engaged the hill giant, in order for them to make an escape back down the pass if conflict occurs. Besides, they would be near useless to us against these armored dwarves if melee breaks out.

As far as the wand of fire, I believe there is but one fireball or wall of fire remaining before its charges become depleated. Perhaps we could signal them with our desire for a peaceful parley somehow. Unfortunately, I am unsure about such protocols when it comes to dwarves..."

(OOC: Dang. We can't all target the same person, either, should it come to a ranged attack or two before melee. It would be nice to take out one of the leaders first, if necessary...)

OOC: Good point about ranged missile weapons, Alethan. Yosef could hit whatever he aims at with the wand, however. Plus, the dwarves do not know that there's only one charge left. Regardless, that's still an iffy bluff at best, imho!

[migellito]

Jeloon breaks her silence of the last day or so. "I am ill at ease around dwarves. They're not tricky, but once they've made up their minds, it's written in stone. I agree with the four of us and Van meeting them."

[Alethan]

"Ok, then. The wand as a bluff tool (we can mention the previous cadre of elves we had to incinerate, much to our sorry for the loss of loot) and the five of us meet them to talk. Let's do it."

Till stows his sleep gear back on the DAM, loosens his sword in its scabbard, and palms his sling and a bullet and, once everyone else is ready, begins a casual walk towards the dwarven camp. He'll stop once he sights the first dwarven sentry.

[migellito]

Jeloon has her bow out, but does not have an arrow nocked.

[Argennian]

Jeloon has her bow out, but does not have an arrow nocked.

Yosef does the same as well, keeping an arrow in the same hand as his bow. He will ensure that the Wand of Fire is situated as to be easily drawn from his belt with his free hand, if needed. When ready, he nods to all of his companions and lets the teamsters know that if they hear a whistle being blown twice in rapid succession, to begin retreating back down the pass and to the village at best possible pace.

"I will wish us luck and good fortune now, my friends. As dear old Dravic used to say, let's do this!"

[ToniXX]

This sounds like a good plan, friends. I fear we may be over-thinking this a little, as I've never met a dwarf that I didn't get along with. But I must remember, I am human, and some of you most likely feel otherwise. Let's approach with caution, but light of heart, as we do not want them to detect either fear in us or threat at our approach.

[Argennian]

This sounds like a good plan, friends. I fear we may be over-thinking this a little, as I've never met a dwarf that I didn't get along with. But I must remember, I am human, and some of you most likely feel otherwise. Let's approach with caution, but light of heart, as we do not want them to detect either fear in us or threat at our approach.

Yosef stares blankly at the cleric for a moment before raising his usual eyebrow. He looks at the others with what appears to be an admonished state. The elf then closes his eyes, takes an uncharacteristic deep breath and smiles back at the cleric, nodding his head slightly.

"You are most correct, master Bruard. I feel my race's antipathy towards dwarves has me assuming the worse. I apologize in this and will endeavour to make it not appear so. I appreciate your wisdom, yet again, my friend."

Yosef readjusts and relaxes his posture and begins to follow Till and his other brave companions toward the dwarven camp. He will force himself to remain calm and breath regularly!

[Alethan]

As they're walking towards the dwarf camp, Till casually replies, "No, no, I agree with you, Bruard. Only, we should temper that thought with the memory of what happened with our last run-in with elves, another generally amicable race I tend to get along well with!"