LoF: The Carrion King; Day Six - Taking Back Kelmarane

[Duniagdra]

Before you leave, Garavel stops Eli, the one closest to the monastery after retrieving a crossbow and bolts, and hands her three maps.

“This is a layout of the battle market. It may help you to better achieve your objective. The main floor is where much of the activity is, bar, the central stage, shops, and some offices. While we cannot say what became of it now, we doubt much would have changed of its physical structure.”

With this you all group together and head off. It's a mile to Kelmarane, an hour's walk nearly. But this time you head away from Kelmarane. Dashki is leading the way. Eventually you arrive at you destination, a grouping of five large boulders, cracked and weathered. Dashki brings you in and waiting there is Hargk and his gnoll companions.

“It's about time you get here, dammed humans. Sun is almost up.” Hargk is clearly annoyed and shows it.
Dashki opines, “We're hear though. That's all that matters. So what's our attack plan? I think maybe we should take reconnaissance to know best how to get in. I know this bunch,” Dashki indicates the six of you, “have been engaging the gnolls here for a few days now, widdling them down in numbers, so we at least have that fewer to deal with.”
Hargk looks to Ox, “How many have you killed?”

[larenee]

Answering the gnoll, “A dozen at least.” Looking to the others for confirmation, “Sound right to you?”

[Arpat]

“"Let's add some more to the list..."” Erin grins and grabs her rapier... ready for whatever...

[UnknownDobo]

does some mental calculations, THINKING: we ambushed about 10, there were the ones guarding Oxvard and then the ones who were going to feed that vile creature the goat. That makes about 20.
“I would estimate about 20 Ox, assuming you hadn't killed any before i met you.”

She turns and adresses Hargk
“I don't suppose you have any idea how big the Kulldix tribe is?”

[tdsprouse]

“I suppose that'd be about right, maybe a few more. As well as their two pets, the boar and the peryton.”

Simi readies his sword and shield. “It might be good to know how many more we can expect.”

[Benji]

“Don't forget about that creature out in the plains.” Laron comments quietly. “I don't know if it's with the gnolls or not, but it could be worth remembering.”

[Duniagdra]

“About 20? Then there could be fifteen to twenty of them remaining. That's much easier than having to deal with a full tribe. So by what means do we attack? I think a split and conquer method may be suitable.”

Looking at the map Eli was given by Garavel, Hargk begins considering where to bring his gnolls in from.

“It's likely that they'll be split up throughout the market. This will make it easier.”

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    I need to go back and check experience awards. I don't recall the last time I doled that out.

[Duniagdra]

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    See end of Day Five thread.

[admin]

“Yeah a whole bunch” Ox replies to Hargk.
After examining the map, Ox suggests “How about if each group enters from opposite sides? This way, we could flank them...”

[UnknownDobo]

The cleric looks over at Ox and puts in her “Sounds like a good plan, the only thing which worries me is that if we split our forces we could get separated and overrun. They can come down these stairs at any entrance and if we get to the centre of the room they could shoot down on us.” Eli points out the balcony and stairs near each entrance on the map

“If we came in from the north and west at the same time then we have a secure corridoor to be able to link up if we need to. Also it means we would be able to support each other if it looked like there was more trouble than we can handle. And give us some breathing room as soon as we know what is waiting.Though so far your plans have proven to be very effective.”
After a few seconds she adds as an afterthought.

“what about the prisoners? i know it doesn't help us much on this but did we ever work out where they are being held? we could walk straight into a hostage situation.”

[larenee]

Krofts nods to both Ox and Eli. “I see the advantage to both approaches. I think I would rather use Eli's strategy. This way we can be somewhat split up, but still provide quick support if one group runs into difficulty.” What he does not say aloud is that he would rather keep their uneasy allies close enough to watch them....

[Arpat]

Erin moves closer “"don't forget that harpy thing..."”

[Duniagdra]

“Harpy? What harpy?” asks Hargk.

[larenee]

“It flew over our camp for a while, then landed in town.”

[Arpat]

“We saw a harpy. Laron though me a few things about those thingies... Its flew around a while and moved away. But i didn't see where, maybe Laron and his bird know...” erin looks again to the big tribesman “better not to underestimate the situation...”