The Unseen Servant forums

Date: Sanctuary 5, 1:00 pm
Season: Early Spring
Weather: Warm, Strong Winds
Moon phase: New Moon
Location: Along the Kuntani River, South of Tusha

After celebrating their newfound good fortune, the group heads south, heading toward the Rangu Watchtower, an outpost at the edge of the mountains to the south, which you have heard is having a bandit problem and needs help.

On the morning of the 4th, you headed out, and spent a fairly uneventful day travelling to the small village of Tusha, where you spent the night in a Caravanserai. This little village is near the edge of the cultivated land of the Kuntan Oasis. The evening passes uneventfully. The caravanserai is a large round building with separate divisions for different groups to store their goods and set up camp. There were two other groups there while you were there, but they stayed largely to themselves and weren't interested in socializing.

The next day, you head out, and leave the comfort of the oasis. A navigable track follows along on the east bank of the river. There is a narrow band of grass and trees on either side of the river, but beyond that band there is no longer greenery, just rocky desert.

As you continue along, at about midday, you see a plume of smoke rising up into the sky, about a quarter mile ahead.

Hazrahi frowns at the sight of the plume of smoke.

We should hurry. There could be people in need of help.

The paladin increases his pace.

Hamiya calls out to Kareek (spirit vulture's name) with a series of whistles, clicks and shrieks which roughly translate to Fly ahead and scout for danger. Stay safe!

Jaskar dismounts to look for tracks. He warns Etti Find cover if there's trouble.

He calls out to Hazrahi Carefull you don't outpace everyone!

tymir wrote:He calls out to Hazrahi Carefull you don't outpace everyone!

Hazrahi calls out over his shoulder, Not likely in my new plate mail!

Willow will follow the Paladin, but letting him take the lead.

Jaskar sighs and climbs back on his horse. Paladins! he mutters under his breath as he spurs his horse forward.

The group continues forward, urged on by Hazrahi, who is eager to see if someone needs help. Hamiya gives instructions to Kareek, who flies off into the air to look around. Jaskar considers the tracks briefly, but feels pressed to follow the others.

As you move forward, you see that here in the foothills of the mountains, the black smoke is rising from an area ahead where the river, and the road that follows it, goes into a canyon with high walls on either side. Due to the nature of the terrain, you can't see very far ahead. This makes determining the source of the fire difficult.

Hazrahi pauses a moment.

Good ambush site. We may want to stagger our approach so we're not all caught in it.

He then continues toward the smoke.

Jaskar and Hamiya follow behind Hazrahi, keeping their eyes peeled for sign of danger.

Khawaji

I will scout ahead a bit. He will run ahead (move 150', running and endurance), also entering a state of mindfulness and meditative focus (more alert, many bonuses).

Solomon

Warns Griff to hide if they are attacked.

The group continues to advance, led by Hazrahi, who observes that they seem to be entering a good ambush site. Khawaji, faster than the others, moves ahead to scout out the source of the smoke.

Kareek flies back, and in the process of grooming itself and pecking at Hamiya, it communicates that there are several men up ahead. Some are alive, some are dead. They are cooking meat.

Aghilas observes the group's actions from the end of their column, confident he can charge forward if needed. He assumes we have been spotted as well, and shifts from side to side looking for signs of danger from the sides or rear.

Hamiya tells the group what Kareek has reported.

Khawaji comes running back. I saw 8 bandits ahead, looks like they are cooking a mule. They have a couple of prisoners tied up and several more dead.

Hazrahi says, I am in favor of a frontal assault. Any other ideas, or else fall in behind me?

Solomon: Sounds good to me, if we can group them up I can use burning hands.

Khawaji: Some of us will have to handle 2.

Jaskar dismounts and retrieves his bow. I will provide cover. If we can time your charge with my ranged attacks we should be able to take them by suprise

Hamiya instructs Kareek to take to the air and follow any bandits that flee to determine where their base of operations is.

Aghilas dismounts and walks forward as the others move into position. He stops to give the group time, speaking quietly to his horse as he rubs its neck. Our first battle together. Afterward, I shall name you. Aghilas remounts, takes the reins in one hand, and his spear in the other.

Maybe I should send summoned berserkers in first? Willow asks.