[Game Thread] In the field

[Squeak]

ooc I know, I was thinking that half of them would be hurt, so the other half would need to carry them. I just wanted to 'punish' them a bit.

[Oghain]

Professionally speaking it was disappointing for Mahtan to observe how little the squad seemed to have come together even after two months of working together. Naturally such a dissonance between each of the members of the group was to be expected, even Mahtan himself was unsure of things at times because he himself was used to working with his own people. With a collection of such disparate personalities and races it was foolish to believe that after two months they would be a well oiled fighting force. Nevertheless it was disappointing that there was still so much room for improvement - despite the eventual success of their ambush. In many regards the build up of telepathic communication between his companions allowed Mahtan a rare opportunity to study his squadron, something he was not often able to do with his usual company as often he felt it rude to do so with those he knew very well. With these ones that connection was still not present.

Meritorious though this venture was, we best not tarry here much longer. Undoubtedly once these wretches are well fled of this place there will be more, and experienced, soldiers searching for stolen contents of this caravan. We are best served by taking what we can, burning the rest and departing. Sooner, rather than later... Carnesîr spent most of his time afield speaking via his telepathic field, so much time in fact that he regularly found it difficult to revert back to vocal communication.

[TeufelHeunden]

Strider was reasonably satisfied at the efficiency of the ambush, even with the belated reactions from some of the others they still managed to take out the professionals eternally taking them out of the conflict and yet managed to save the lives of those caught up unnecessarily in the conflict and return them to their families. The preparation and synchronization beforehand proved its worth to him and even though t it seemed as though the team was not congealing completely they were coordinated. The mind link was something new that he would need to get used too, he was used to everyone knowing their place and reacting accordingly with hand signals, the semi-arguments they had seemed to hamper the improvised actions when combat started, but it all came out alright.

Responding to Mahtan, “I agree, let’s clean things up and get out of here before others return in greater numbers. We did good today.” He did one final check of the wagons and stuffed the gloves into his pack for safekeeping, he still felt that they held something of greater significance and he wanted to have Sensen take a closer look at them to see if they were just a nice gift for someone or were maybe intended for a greater purpose. Turning to Bait, “I like what you did there, hampering the conscripts and laying the fear of reprisal into them may help deter them from being so loyal to the Zarathian military in the future. Your traps were laid out well and effective. Next time perhaps we can cause something on the other side that might help them run from the sensed danger and into your waiting jaws instead of hesitating like they did.”

After they are finished destroying what is left of the supplies and the wagons he calls Roheyrn to his side and mounts her, “Now let’s move out while we still can.”

[Squeak]

"It would have worked better had you not broken the plan as soon as the prey came into sight." Bait responds with a glare.

"Yes, things did work out this time, but that was more about the incompetence of the enemy than our ability. I understand the importance of being able to improvise, but we do that only when we must.

Your lack of discipline could have cost us dearly, had our enemy been stronger. If you wish to throw away your own life, that is your business. But when you endanger my life, it becomes my business." he snaps, irritated with the human ranger.

[TeufelHeunden]

“Actually Bait, I don’t see it as lack of discipline but rather seeing the changing dynamics on the field and reacting accordingly. The commander was not falling for the deception and had to be eliminated before he rallied the others.” Strider was not combative in his response but rather expressing an examination, even if his preconceived notion of kobolds was that they lacked the intellect to debate things, that is at least until he met Bait. He was impressed by the keen mind Bait has shown him over the last couple of months. Enough to make him doubt his silly notions about that race and bring them into a new light in his mind.

[Squeak]

The kobold did not reply, but did turn a withering glance toward Lykaia. The witch-doctor had shown his incompetence when it came to remaining hidden, leading his plan to break down early.

There was a reason the kobold preferred to spend his time scouting, out in front of the others. He preferred to be alone, away from the incompetence and arrogance of others. But he also knew the power of groups, he knew he could do more harm to the Zarathians as a member of the group - and that was more important than his personal safety.

"We were sent to stop several caravans, and yet I believe the information we have gathered is more critical than stopping another caravan. We should return to the commander and let him know of our findings." Bait says to the others, motioning for them to begin packing up.

"Let us search the bodies and return is the wagons. We can leave the bodies in the field for the scavengers." he says dispassionately.

[GeoAvanti]

With the order given (well, sort of) to pull out, Lykaia merrily swipes the expensive-looking bottle of something before he heads to rejoin with the rest of the Scouts. While he has no interest in the beverage, it may eventually serve as a suitable vehicle to deliver less bloody-minded resolutions to conflicts. So taken, he moves to rejoin his fellows.

"There was no danger, Bait," Lykaia comments as he arrives to the scene of the discussion. He tilts his mask-covered head to the other scouts in simple greeting. "If there was, I would have removed it." Lykaia's mask suddenly shifts, almost imperceptibly, but plainly enough for his fellow Scouts to notice. The lines become more angular, the colors more grotesque, and the whole visage becomes, ever so minutely, a greater distress and mockery of life. Lykaia tenses as he feels the familiar writhe in the presence of so much agony. His voice falls flat and cold. "I agree, we must leave, or the pain in this place will become us."

He looks to see whose lead he should follow.

[TheMystic]

The party releases the prisoners, soils the foodstuffs and destroys the wagons, disappearing into the foothills before any pursuit could possibly arrive.

By evening you're back in the shaded corner of the barn on the outskirts of town, out of sight of the locals. Agent Earlan is seated on a bale of hay, with others set in a circle for each of you. Only once hidden and settled will he speak plainly. "How was the raid?"

[Squeak]

"We were successful in stopping the first caravan. The leaders were put to the sword and the non-military were maimed and sent on their way. There were no casualities on our side. There are more caravans coming soon. However, we have returned because we discovered information that we feel may be of value." Bait says, handing the note and gloves to Earlan.

"This caravan was on it's way to Batesford Pass. We feel there may be something important going on there.

What can you tell us of Batesford Pass? Shall we continue on our ambush of caravans or should we find out what is going on at there? " the kobold says, unsure of how much authority this agent had in these matters.

[TheMystic]

"Batesford Pass?" the agent taps his chin with his forefinger thoughtfully. "It's a choke point we hold a few days north and west of here. It's very easy to defend, they'd need a pretty hefty advantage to make headway. It'd also make our lives in particular harder. Most of our couriers use it to get past their lines. The pass leads to a warren of small passageways through the foothills that are as hard to police for them as our open borders are for us. If they take the pass it could effectively trap us here behind their lines." He surveys the group, "that mightn't be a problem for you, but if I'm compromised, I'm dead, same as our other agents."

He looks down at the gloves. "Assuming the blockage is us, these gloves are supposed to help clear the way. They're pretty obviously magical, did anybody figure out what they could do?"

[TeufelHeunden]

Strider sits back and lights his pipe as Bait begins discussing the events of the ambush with Earlan. When Earlan inquires about testing the gloves for magical abilities he turns to Lykaia, “Well I think you might be best suited to determine anything magical with these gloves, do you have anything up your sleeves or behind that mask of yours that could give us a clue bout them?” He turns back over to Earlan, “As to what Bait asked about raiding more caravans or finding out what might be going on, have you heard anything that might sound out of place lately, a clue as to where we might be able to go and investigate if the Zarathian’s might be planning an assault on Batesford Pass?"