10: The Forest of Woe

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

"Mahara do these riders patrol the roads?"

"If they do in what strength"

Drugan turns about to face his comrades.

"What if we ambush a patrol, we could lessen their effective strength and maybe even capture a few alive to interrogate for information"

"If they wear uniforms we might even be able to sneak into their camp in disguise"

"At the least we might acquire some horses for a fast getaway"


"Mahara-La if you wish to join our band of outlaws and exiles we would be glad to have another blade by our sides"

OOC:

Dec 10, 2009 1:52:09 GMT -5 apeloverage said:

Dec 9, 2009 7:32:35 GMT -5 Toad-Killer-Dog said:

Drugan replies haughtily that he is stroking his mule not scratching his crotch..........wait that doesn't sound better.

"Thus proving that you can find your ass with both hands" Alwyn remarks.

Unfortunately with his crutch Drugan has only one hand to spare, he is destined to be ass-less.

[salass00]

Melanthios: "I like Drugan's ambush idea. Maybe we can use Drugan's rope to trip their horses?

"First we cover the part of the rope that goes over the road with some dirt. Then at least two of us hides behind a tree or other cover on either side of the road each holding an end of the rope. Then just as the bandits ride past us they will pull the rope straight hopefully tripping the bandits' horses and causing much chaos and confusion in their ranks. At this point we will all attack. Closing in on them from both directions so as to stop them from escaping."

[ragnorakk]

The ambush idea appeals to Verklud. "Yes - we secure the rope on both sides but leave much slack, loop them around trees so that the ropes aren't pulled from our hands... I say go high though, we could avoid breaking horse legs that way..."

[krzyzewski99]

"I have expereince hiding in the forests. Ambush seems like a better route than trying to fighjt these men face-to-face. While I have not seem them gather in forces like these, they may happen this way again. I would welcome the chance to rid my solitude place from rabble...even if it may mean trafficing with less-hazardous (albethey sometimes more rude) rabble. I know the mysteries of defensive magics, and can easily draw less intelligent foes unto me with my gifts. I also have some caltrops and my bola. I abhor the shedding of more blood, though- I fight only in defense. I will accept your offer to join with you.
"Oh, and the stones keep away restless spirits from playing games with your gear, traveller."

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Drugan grins with glee.

"Excellent, Mahara can lead us to a likely spot and we can begin setting up for our ambush"

"I would suggest we open up with the rope tripwire and a fusillade of missile fire"

Drugan reaches for the Bolo at his belt.

"Mahara since you are of a more peaceable nature take my bolo as well and see if you can bring down one our foes"

"If we can take one alive we may be able to question him, or if his will be weak enough I might be able to ensorcel him to act on our behalf"

"Melanthios do you think you could subdue anyone Mahara manages to capture with her bolos?"

"We wizards will blast the miscreants with a mystical assault, we should make sure to concentrate on those who are best armored or appear the most formidable"

"If the battle should turn against us I will create a frightening illusion and Mahara can lead us away into the forest"

[krzyzewski99]

"I will willingly place myself in harm's way and attempt to draw the looks and interests of the most heavily armored foe unto me." Mahara-la gladly accepts the extra bola, and winks a playful eye toward her gentlemanly hero.

"Perhaps we can draw some attention of these bandits if we had appropriate bait?" Mahara-la rips some of her leg covering and etches faint cuts along her legs. While the pattern seems impulsive, the lacerations begin to form an intricate pattern, truly indicative of her sorceress ways.

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

"Mahara if when your slinging your bolos you could aim for a particularly weak and sniveling looking bandit that would be of great aid"

A malevolent gleam flashes through Drugan's eyes.

"Then I can cast a spell upon him and turn him into our willing sla........er servant. Yeah servant, because he probably doesn't want to be a scurvy bandit anyway and um would be happy to join our band.

Drugan peters off with a stifled cough.

"Oh and here if you intend to draw attention take our mule Gertrude you'll make a better target if you look like you are carrying goods"

"And please borrow my tower shield, you can leave it slung on Gerty and use it in case they fire at you with missiles before we can spring our trap"

OOC: Is it possible for Drugan to teach 2nd level spells to Mahara? Seeing as she is of a pacifist bent the spells of Illusion and Healing he has recently learned would be of great help to her.

[burke]

[So where will you lay your trap?

T-K-D, the 1st ed. rules are very brief concerning spellcasting. So I think I will keep it simple and rule that you can only learn and cast spells of the same level or lower.]

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

OOC: We'll let Mahara pick the best spot as she knows the forest best.

We will also all want to take positions on the same side of the road in the underbrush, that way we won't hit each other with our missiles if we miss the riders.

Mahara can lead Gerty back and forth over the stretch of ground we have covered.

When the riders spot her she can flee past the trees we'll have set up with the trip-wire trap.

Hopefully they'll brake into a gallop to catch up with her and when they hit the trap it should disable at least the first few riders.

We'll make a priority to take out anyone who manages to remain mounted.

If we don't have any luck the first day Drugan will get to work on some more elaborate preparations.

Maybe a spiked log to drop across the road behind the bandits to prevent their escape or a few spring snares on the sides of the road to keep them from fleeing into the forest away from us.

Lets try to save the oil, a fire might draw the attention of the whole bandit band.

[Hogscape]

Quinlan will keep sword and dirk drawn and ready. One eye on the path, one eye on the elf. Don't trust her. Ears; too pointy.

[ragnorakk]

Verklud, aside to Quinlan, "If the ears offend, check out those gams!"

[krzyzewski99]

Mahara-la spends a few hours guiding the newfound adventurers along simple routes and paths through the nearby glen. She makes a simple map in the dirt, too, for those who seem less trusting to take her lead. The plans look detailed, perhaps too deatiled, for an elf fearful of direct confrontation. She believes that the pack animal and he wounds should make intersting bait. Later tonight, as the sun begins to set, she will stake her position along the path.

[burke]

[Since Mahara-la knows a little about the forest, I have updated the campaign map to reflect this.]

Mahara-la leads you into the forest and though you keep off the road you are never far from it. The great Mallorns of the Forest of Woe whisper in such strange tongues that not even the elves are privy to their mysteries and therefore man and elf alike can easily walk astray amidst them. At times you almost feel like they are observing you, speaking in low rustling voices on the wind.

Pillars (or milestones as Mahara-la called them) are stood at regular intervals along the old cobbled road. You stop at a small hill, the location is well suited for your plan, as you can hide just before the top of the hill and have a good view of the road further in.

Drugan's rope is too short to string between two of the thick, tree trunks, so four of you will have to hold on to the other end. A few bouts of arm wrestling reveals that Melanthios, Drugan, Quinlan and, surprisingly, Mahara-la would be the most suitable for this task.

[krzyzewski99]

Mahara-la enjoyed the strength challenge. "Eves play similar games, but we consider our arms and ands too precious to nrmally engage in wrestling like this. Instead, we found an easier contest to wrestling and wrap our legs around another and force them to the ground flat, into submission. This exercise was fun, though!" he thin elf maiden winks at the Quinlan warrior, the only person here to whom she willingly lost. She hopes to appease his distrust of elves.

[salass00]

Melanthios: "I admit you're not as weak as you look Mahara. Maybe we can try wrestling your way some other time..."

"For now let's get the ambush ready and see if the bandits will come or not."