Whistling very, very softly, Dragnar checks his weapons, then whispers some instructions to Davion.

Amund nods at Klaengr's suggestion and swigs down the potion he had grabbed earlier.  He checks to make sure his swords are loose and ready for battle, then takes his bow out and nocks an arrow.

There was little doubt of where Ludvig would travel, nodding approvingly at Klaengr.

Okay, having seen the map, is there an opening you guys are aiming for? Will you stick together, or split up?

What are those greyish things on the right?

I think splitting up is usually a bad idea, and considering the numbers we're facing, a really bad idea.

I mean, I may try to hide from time to time to get into position/backstab, but I plan to more or less stay with the group when I do that.

I concur completely.

The greyish things on the right are partially submerged buildings the locals would use for steaming.

In reply to The Norn (msg # 454):

Erik unlimbers and nocks a bolt into his crossbow. He talks quietly to Sigurd.

Wulfgar checks to make sure that his armor and weapons are secure, and then speaks. "I think we should stay away from the fires at first, using the darkness to better conceal ourselves. If we skirt the wall we might be able to take out any sentries or patrolling guards, and make a spiral pattern inwards."

In reply to Wulfgar Olafson (msg # 456):

"Sounds like a plan to me", grinning at the prospect of bloodshed.  His axes no longer glint in the light as he has coated them thoroughly with soot and ash.

"Lead on then," Klaengr says to Sigurd. The party seemed to be ready to go and Klaengr is eager to get to the business at hand.

"Erik is with us, but I may not always be there to translate for him. Keep that in mind," Sigurd warns the group. Then he turns to the dwarf and talks again in that language.  Sigurd points to Klaengr and nods at Erik as he finishes speaking.

Then he sets out toward the breach closest to the steam baths.

The sun was below the horizon, and only a hint of darkest blue still filled the sky. The party, remembering that Orc's prefer the night and see very well in it, skirt the edges of their camp.

There are three Orcs at the opening, and though they are not deeply devoted to the concept of 'guard duty' they are awake and would clearly see the party if they attempted to directly scale the thirty foot motte, or earthen hill, the fortress was built upon. It isn't dangerous, per se, but it is a steep climb.

Wulfgar notes that despite the guards at the openings, he sees no Orc's on the parapet...

Ludvig follows close to Klaengr, ready to deal deadly force if necessary.

In reply to Ludvig Frydenlund (msg # 461):

Erik nods to Klaengr as he recognises the leader of the group. Happy to see what we can do to add to the group he quietly jogs behind Sigurd in an effort to keep up. He levels his crossbow ready to fire at a moments notice.

Sigurd looks to his companions. "I could possibly sneak up and dispatch one orc, but not three. Should we try to lure them away somehow? Or do we want to use our bows?"

To Erik, he speaks briefly.

"There are no guards on the parapet. If they have bows this might not work, but we could take positions on either side of the opening. Someone lures them through it, and we attack them from behind. We have the element of surprise, and hopefully they fall quickly and silently."

OOC: This is assuming that the opening has some depth to it, and that the orcs are on the inside of the opening, if not, then this won't work and we should just rush them after Sigurd takes one out. Alternatively, if there's a moat, we could go for a guerrilla warfare approach.

"Perhaps we can scale the parapet without being seen, if we do it somewhere outside their view?" he suggests while scanning the parapet for other possible approaches.

"Otherwise we can maybe send a small team to quickly dispatch the three guards at the opening. I do have a spell which can silence these sentinels, but just one of such spells. I am reluctant to squander in on three sentinels, should we come up against spellcasters later, but maybe it is warranted here?"

He turns to his companions for their counsel.

"If we can take out the sentinels, we reduce the risk of drawing the entire clan to our position before even entering."

"Geri could draw them out.  These stupid orcs would not suspect an innocent dog to lead them to an ambush.  You fighters could attack them while Amund provides support with arrows."

Lots of good plans here, though Geri would risk being shot at with arrows if he were to act as a lure.

There is no moat, but the area in question is atop a large man-made dirt rise, mostly flat on top and a bit steep on the side. There is also the log parapet, which the Jotunn attack has smashed open in several places.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:18, Tue 20 Sept 2016.

"I, too, have some spells that could be used, but like Klaengr I would prefer to hold them for use later.  I could also try to lure them, but I worry that an attempt to do so might cause them to raise an alarm.

But I am happy to try to climb up behind them, as part of a strike force.  Perhaps to distract them as others approach from here?"

Vermundr waits anxiously as the group decides on a plan.

"Baiting them is a great idea, but to keep them silent, we may have to appeal to their greed.  Give them something they can't resist and won't want to share; hence, no alarms being raised."

Surely someone is wondering if Vermunder is offering to dress up as an attractive female to lure the Orcs down... I know I am.

In reply to The Norn (msg # 470):

Still clutching his hand crossbow he stands ready and looks to answer Sigurd  Erik pauses leaving the impression he wants to say more but something stops him and he clamps down on his words.
Shaking his head he restarts