The mansion, just as the old man described, is an 'H'-shaped building, very long and low. It seems to be built of granite.  The exterior looks like it has stood up to the elements better than the temple.  Unlike the temple, all the exterior windows have solid-looking, if rusty, iron bars across them. It looks as though it was made to be defended, though it's no castle.

You can see the orcs and goblins at opposite ends of the manor. There is a cluster of orc-guards in front of the entrance to the northwest wing, and a trickle of orc traffic between there and the barracks, a little north-west of the manor. There is a somewhat larger cluster of goblin-guards in front of the entrance to the southeast wing, and a corresponding trickle of goblin traffic between there and the stables, a little to the south-east.

The terrain around the manor is rolling, with great patches of grasses and weeds and scrub growing all over. Keestake points out another topographical feature - a depression, some sort of little ditch or break in the ground - which starts a few hundred feet southwest of the manor and runs almost to the southwest wing.  "That's how I'd creep up on the thing," he says. "Along that ridge. We couldn't go in the door there, we'd be spotted in a second, but there's a window on the west wall near the south side where the bars are loose. Imagine we can get in there."

Without saying anything, Jory starts to crawl over the ground towards the little ditch that Keestake pointed out.
He tries to move as silently as possible and uses the 'great patches of grasses and weeds and scrub' as cover.

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 2):

Following Jory, Sal thinks this is an OK plan.
Moving as quietly as he can through the scrub.

In reply to Sal Warth (msg # 3):

Agreeing with a shake of his head. Lam directs the group to go in order as described motioning to keep low, quiet and a quick show of a prayer and then follows Jory in assigned position as quietly as he can.

Daniv grips the bow and three of the arrows in his left hand.  While familiar with the basics of archery, he had never had the inclination to practice.  As he moves slowly and carefully into the declivity, he wishes he had.  He moves cautiously across the uneven ground, using his empty hand to brace himself, and to assist Rebeccah when she needs it.

(Everyone roll 1d100)

11:55, Today: Jory Ranglore rolled 82 using 1d100.  d100 at GM's request.

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 7):

Sal's hands are pretty much full.  Bow over his shoulder, and daggers kind of resting in his waistband.  A good trip or push could mean certain impalement so being as careful as he can he keeps the Bardic low to the ground and crawls bet he can through the tall scrub.


15
06:15, Today: Sal Warth rolled 15 using 1d100.  DM request.

Watching as the others made their way across the open stretch toward the ditch. Tath waited with Kerkin for their turn to try and sneak across.


OOC: 12:10, Today: Tath rolled 3 using 1d100.

In reply to Tath (msg # 9):

OOC - Wow, never rolled this one on the dice roller (till now)  I guess the goddess either favors Lam bunches or really hates em.

21:34, Today: Lam Durus rolled 100 using 1d100.  DM request.

Rebeccah eyed the ravine nervously as Keestake started the group down it.  All that water and mud looked real slippery.  To make it a little easier on her, she tucked the hem of her dress up into her belt.  Now she wouldn't have to worry about getting her legs tangled up in a wet and muddy skirt.

"Goddess help me," she muttered to herself as she climbed down into the ravine.  The icy cold water sent a shiver up her spine, but it still wasn't as bad as the day before.  She used the spear to help keep her balance and was happy to make it all the way down the slope without falling.  Following the example of the others, she crouched down and carefully made her way to the manor, praying the whole time.

20:13, Today: Rebeccah rolled 25 using 1d100.  stealth.

OCC:

01:04, Today: Daniv Jensen rolled 6 using 1d100.  Hide.

01:04, Today: Daniv Jensen rolled 35 using 1d100.  Move Silently.

The natural cover of the ravine keeps everyone out of view, but staying quiet in the wet and muddy ravine is another matter altogether.  The cover decreases as they get close, becoming little more than a shallow depression.  Someone displaces a large rock, making a loud rustling noise as it rolled down and hit the ground with a wet thud.  An orcish voice grunts.  "Who's there?  Better not be one of you shifty goblins."  The sound of his footsteps in the wet grass gets louder as he approaches.

Jory lies unmoving in the grass, behind some cover (rocks, or scrubs) and looks carefully whether the orc is coming towards him.
If the orc is coming directly towards him, he'll wait till he's 20 feet away and then he'll try to surprise him with an attack.
If the orc is not coming towards Jory, then he remains down on the spot.

Rebeccah grips her spear tightly,  Her last battle didn't go to well.  She was deathly afraid of a repeat performance.  She looked at the others for some clue to what she should do.

In reply to Rebeccah (msg # 15):

Keeping quiet & continually moving forward, as slowly as possible so the Orc doesn't see him.
Trying diligently to keep the Bardiche low, close to the ground, and in front of him.  So if the Orc does charge Sal can lift it upward, in an attempt to impale the creature.   Tactics like this are new to Sal, so he isn't quiet sure if it will work, but its better than lying down and dying easily.

Cursing their luck silently to himself Tath flattened himself to the ground behind some scraggly brush, clutching one of the spears and hoping the Orc would go away.

Reaching for a small rock, Deniv knows that they rain could easily have loosed the rock and caused it to slide.  So, he tosses the rock back towards the manor in an effort to distract the orc guard.

In reply to Daniv Jensen (msg # 18):

Lam crouches real low trying to stay concealed stopping where he (looking cruelly at the rock that just gave way under his foot) is in hopes the Orc show his true bravery and moves back.  His spear is set low at his side at the ready to take the Orc on if he attacks while in his mind a few tactics are played out.

He glances at the group to see how everyone fared this far then he tenses not moving as he hears more then sees Daniv's rock land beyond the group.