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Post by waysoftheearth on Dec 31, 2010 19:37:20 GMT -6
Much to Victor's disgust, the company reverses the laden cart back down the bumpy hillock and plots a wide course around the shadowy crevice... Though it is labourious, this ploy seems to pay -- for no wild beast is encountered as the company circles about the cave, nor as you trek on through the grassy hillocks and make for the gatehouse on the east side of the ravine.
In all it is hot work despite the fresh breeze which sweeps the tops of each grassy ridges; climbing and descending the uneven rises encumbered as you are with gear and cart. But by midday almost a mile has been covered and all are reasonably pleased with progress. You have circled wide around the cave and now approach the second gate house.
Those scouting ahead of the company peer over the next grassy ridge to espy the tumbledown gatehouse that is Saxxon's redoubt -- where the brigands lair.
It stands some four score yards ahead and is clearly occupied for a lazy curl of smoke climbs up from some cook-fire before being whipped away by the cold wind.
A narrow tracks circumvents the grass lands and arcs in toward the gate house from the east, where upon it meets an open portcullis. Strangely, nobody appears to guard the open gate way.
Farther off in the east can be seen the shadow of the Wild Wood, but more immediately to hand, those ahead see that the gatehouse bridge which used to span the ravine -- connecting Saxxon's gatehouse (on the east side) to the Ogre's gatehouse (on the west side) -- has partially collapsed. But Saxxon's Men appear to have constructed some contrivance for spanning the gap, much like a movable draw-bridge. The timber works are current drawn up by numerous ropes so that the bridge is impassable.
Meanwhile, back with the main company, stomachs are rumbling and legs are tired. It has been a busy morning, and it is well past lunchtime.
What to do?
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verhaden
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 308
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Post by verhaden on Jan 1, 2011 9:03:35 GMT -6
Mads the Fair
"Already replaced your talents, I see." Mads says to the halfling. "Perhaps the gate house guards occupy the latrine and are already regretting their offenses?" he continues with a wry smile.
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Post by mushgnome on Jan 1, 2011 11:07:52 GMT -6
"Let us spy on the knave's comings and goings while we pause for lunch," suggests Highbough, snacking on a few crumbs of Elvish waybread. "Surely they are not foolish enough to leave the front door open and unguarded?"
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Post by tombowings on Jan 1, 2011 14:09:35 GMT -6
"If no one has a rope and grapple, we may be waiting out time," says Pelenwin, "despite how much I'd like to rip these buggers' heads from their shoulders.
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Post by danhem on Jan 1, 2011 14:20:30 GMT -6
Ulric unslings pack and rubs his aching shoulders.
"Yes, let's have some food before we charge the gatehouse. This situation has a rather familiar quality to it. Hopefully these knaves will fall easier than the hobgoblins."
"Boris, Fix. Eat well. You will be joining us this time. It's time to earn your pay. But don't worry; they are only men, not monsters. But I'm sure that they have wealth equal to the ogres."
Ulric scans the layout of the gatehouses and ruined bridge.
"That is a most clever design," he says pointing toward the drawbridge. "This Saxxon seems to be quite intelligent; or at least someone in his crew is. We should not underestimate their defenses. Wibert, what do you know of the layout of the gatehouse? Is the gate usually left open?"
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 1, 2011 19:11:52 GMT -6
The company takes a quiet meal of dry rations in the lee of a ridge some five score or so yards from the gate house. Though nobody atop the gatehouse could spy your present position -- sheltered as you are behind the ridge -- you cannot know whether or not your approach has been marked. Doubtless those that remain will have since been alerted to the outcome of the ravine ambush...
Highbough and Ulric take pains to observe the activity at the gate house for a good while after the meal is complete, while the fighting Men fit and adjust their armour, and nervously check and re-check their weapons...
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 1, 2011 19:15:18 GMT -6
The gatehouse itself appears to be a rather simple, square shaped fortification with a crenelated curtain wall about its perimeter.
The walls are, mayhap, 20ft tall. An arched gateway high enough for horse and cart to pass under leads into the fortification from the front -- where the portcullis is presently drawn up -- and presumably there must be a similar arrangement at the rear side where the bridge spans the ravine (although this cannot be seen from this angle). What can be seen is Saxxon's timber contrivance squatting upon the ruined stone-work that was once the bridge itself.
Only after waiting for a very good while...
[1d6]
...does Highbough finally spot one of the occupants upon the wall. A single figure appears momentarily to scan the surrounds, apparently targeting some strange staff -- perhaps a blow pipe? Or a wand? -- in a slow, passing arc, before vanishing from sight once more.
He did not seem to pay particular heed to the direction in which the company presently lie. Nor any other, for that matter.
What now?
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 1, 2011 19:21:56 GMT -6
Wibert and Nidhogg recall that there is a second portcullis, on the bridge side of the gatehouse, and that there is an open courtyard within the curtain.
There are halls to either side of the courtyard, running parallel with the road to the bridge. The hall on the nearer side is used as quarters for the brigands, and the hall on the far side is used as a kitchen and mess hall. From this chamber there is a stair that descends to a store room (used as a larder, Wibert recalls), and from there deeper into the gatehouse dunjon, whence Wibert and Nidhogg never set foot.
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heartless
Level 1 Medium
Kill monsters, take the treasure
Posts: 12
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Post by heartless on Jan 3, 2011 9:10:18 GMT -6
Mads the Fair"Already replaced your talents, I see." Mads says to the halfling. "Perhaps the gate house guards occupy the latrine and are already regretting their offenses?" he continues with a wry smile. "Thats funny Mads, I like your talk", laughs Wibert. "I think it best to sneak in, for they are expecting us and there will be traps waiting if we are not careful", suggests Wibert. |
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eris
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 150
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Post by eris on Jan 3, 2011 16:07:14 GMT -6
Mads the Fair"Already replaced your talents, I see." Mads says to the halfling. "Perhaps the gate house guards occupy the latrine and are already regretting their offenses?" he continues with a wry smile. "Thats funny Mads, I like your talk", laughs Wibert. "I think it best to sneak in, for they are expecting us and there will be traps waiting if we are not careful", suggests Wibert. Olaf keeps an eye peeled behind the resting party as he munches on his trail rations and sips water from his skin. He glances over at Wibert and says, "We killed all but one of the bandits that attacked us in the ravine. Do you think it's possible that Saxxon's men may not know you have quit them?" "If you went strolling up to the gatehouse they might think you just got separated from the rest of your party and are returning the long way after avoiding us? Any chance of using that to get us in, or close, without being attacked?" "Or even to lure some of the bandits out to come with you to 'ambush' us where we are camped? Not here, back that way." Olaf waves back toward the beast's lair, "Then when they come by us here, we ambush them!" |
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Post by coffee on Jan 4, 2011 1:15:23 GMT -6
"Oh, sneaky," Dieter says. "I like it!"
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Post by Guest on Jan 4, 2011 11:25:18 GMT -6
"Olaf I like that plan and volunteer to enter the gate hoping to lure them out!"
Nidhogg readies himself setting aside the bow he collected off one of the knaves.
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Post by mushgnome on Jan 4, 2011 12:14:27 GMT -6
Highbough likes the plan. An experienced ambusher (as all Elf warriors are), he surveys the area for advantageous hiding/sniper spots.
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eris
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 150
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Post by eris on Jan 4, 2011 13:18:08 GMT -6
OOC: Well, just let me point out that although Olaf is quite smart, he is decidedly not wise. So, he is good at coming up with ideas, but his ideas aren't always the wisest course of action. IOW, when Olaf suggests something...YMMV.  |
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 4, 2011 15:39:03 GMT -6
Highbough does some careful scouting in the near region...
[1d6]
...and soon returns, having decided that the likeliest spot to execute an ambush in the immediate vicinity of the gatehouse would be behind a nearby ridge with a rocky outcrop near its crest. With two or three company members hidden in the rocky crest, and the remainder at the bottom of the ridge, any on-comers could be set upon frontally by those at the bottom of the ridge, and from behind by those hidden in the rocks.
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Post by mushgnome on Jan 4, 2011 16:13:14 GMT -6
Highbough does some careful scouting in the near region... [1d6] ...and soon returns, having decided that the likeliest spot to execute an ambush in the immediate vicinity of the gatehouse would be behind a nearby ridge with a rocky outcrop near its crest. With two or three company members hidden in the rocky crest, and the remainder at the bottom of the ridge, any on-comers could be set upon frontally by those at the bottom of the ridge, and from behind by those hidden in the rocks. shares his findings with the others, and volunteers to lead the group hidden in the rocky crest. |
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eris
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 150
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Post by eris on Jan 4, 2011 18:51:53 GMT -6
"Dieter and I are probably the strongest fighters." Olaf says, "So, we should be with the group at the bottom of the ridge."
Brushing his hands on his armored legs, Olaf stands and says, "No time like the present."
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Post by tonneau on Jan 4, 2011 19:21:36 GMT -6
"Agreed", says Gustave, poking the last crumbs of some dry pastry into his mouth.
"I will lead the party at the bottom of the ridge", he adds, checking his blade.
"Now we just need a volunteer to draw the quarry to our snare."
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Post by tombowings on Jan 4, 2011 22:47:45 GMT -6
Pelenwin will follow behind Olaf and Dieter, pole axe in hand. "These men are less than scum. Their deaths would be like the undoing of an avalanche, and it's my turn to save a mountainside village. Lead on."
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 5, 2011 0:44:38 GMT -6
"Now we just need a volunteer to draw the quarry to our snare." grumbles Victor. And spits. |
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Post by Guest on Jan 5, 2011 6:48:39 GMT -6
Nidhogg says, " I did indeed. They've at least seen me and realize I was with one of the parties. I'll claim a narrow victory with many wounded and two large chests of treasure needin to be lugged up these hills. Set your ambush and I'll lead em here!" Nidhogg prepares to leave.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 5, 2011 16:23:35 GMT -6
As the rest of the company arrange themselves to ambush, Nidhogg approaches the gatehouse. It is but a short walk away, and once he gets onto the road with no need to conceal himself, the going is made easy.
As he approaches to within a score of yards of the gate, Nidhogg begins to feel suspicious. Why is the portcullis raised? Where is the gate-keeper? All appears unexpectedly quiet ahead...
Now the Dwarf has slowed to a near halt only 10 yards from the gate arch with not a sign of anyone to challenge his approach...
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Post by Guest on Jan 5, 2011 18:31:39 GMT -6
Nidhogg approaches the gatehouse stopping a few yards ahead. He calls out, "Hello?!?"
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 5, 2011 19:33:03 GMT -6
Nidhogg's call echoes emptily, and for a long moment there is no sound beyond the intermittent rise and fall of the wind as it claws over the cold hills...
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Post by Guest on Jan 6, 2011 11:25:55 GMT -6
Nidhogg walks in and looks about the fort.
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Post by coffee on Jan 6, 2011 14:05:33 GMT -6
While he's off doing that, Dieter will keep his eyes pointed in the opposite direction.
They may have seen us and be sneaking up on us even now.
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verhaden
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 308
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Post by verhaden on Jan 6, 2011 21:04:30 GMT -6
Mads the Fair
Eying the gate house, Mads proffers "Maybe we're overestimating our targets." He sharpens up his eyes and ears, just in case.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 7, 2011 5:37:09 GMT -6
So, at the ambush site, which two (or possible three at a squeeze) will attempt to hide behind the rocky outcrop? Currently everyone (including the mule, cart and hirelings) is positioned some 20 yards down a gentle slope from the rocky ridge, at the base of a shallow gully.
What weapons does everyone ready?
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 7, 2011 5:43:06 GMT -6
Meanwhile, at the gatehouse, Nidhogg cautiously advances until he is standing under the raised portcullis of the arch, looking through a short tunnel some dozen yards long and perhaps a head over Man height at its highest (not that the low ceiling would bother a Dwarf).
Beyond the tunnel he can see one side of a smallish courtyard. It is cobbled, but muddy and somewhat overgrown with knee high grasses, rather like a long untended garden. Beyond that is another, similar gate arch which leads on the bridge... but that tunnel is blocked by a lowered portcullis.
The cold wind moans as it rushes momentarily through the tunnel before Nidhogg, before settling to a dissatisfied quiet...
What now?
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eris
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 150
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Post by eris on Jan 7, 2011 6:19:36 GMT -6
So, at the ambush site, which two (or possible three at a squeeze) will attempt to hide behind the rocky outcrop? Currently everyone (including the mule, cart and hirelings) is positioned some 20 yards down a gentle slope from the rocky ridge, at the base of a shallow gully. What weapons does everyone ready? Olaf has armed himself with sword and shield. |
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