Priestess Octavia had remained fairly quiet, mildly amused by the classic dwarf/elf banter. Even though these two were far from the archetypes of their race, she thought. When the storm druid asked the best question of the day, she rose to the occasion though.

« I have been wondering the very same thing, Master Dwarf. We had a brief skirmish earlier today, which ended with a surprisingly accurate shot by yours truly. But I was lucky... do you know anything about war machines? I won’t suggest that you should — you’ve made it clear that you’re not the average dwarf. »

Still, having an actual artillery engineer would be good— so far the machines were fixed by a druid, serviced by a botanist, a manoeuvred by a cleric...

Looking to the horizon in the direction of the bandit encampment, she mused:
“I wonder if we could hit them from here... maybe with long range projectiles? »
<

Theo isn't skilled in disguise, but we have magic users.  Combined with Octavia's distraction, Theo thinks he could slip in and   sabatoge the wagons bad enough a carpenter will need to replace axels to move them effectively.

He still not keen on the whole slaughter bit, but it wasn't his place to condone it, just to judge it.

Business concluded, Theo rejoins the conspiracy proper.

Weighing Octavia's suggestion, "Probably not from here, not without sight past the horizon, a tall hill, and a perfect wind. If you knew where the camp was, you could probably land some stones in it from a good ways through the treeline. Would probably have the same effect as dropping stones in a ant hill though, enough to startle and anger them. Enough a small guy like me could probably slip in while they chase you too small to fight, but clever enough to 'fix' things."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Oleg joins in the discussion.....

He unrolls the map thus far created....
"Sounds like the main bandit force is holed up at the Thorn river camp, where you lot defeated bandits before.  It is a full days ride just to get there, and not sure if it is best to wait on them or to try and keep them contained where they are...."


For reference on the hex map it is the area directly near the E4 designation on the map, where the river comes into the plains.....
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:10, Mon 08 Feb 2021.

Drezghl walked over where the dwarf and elf were talking.

"Yes, we will be finding bandits or they will come to us. Sooner rather than later I expect."

"I am Drezghl", he said and offered his hand.

Dods held out a hand to Drezghl and said, "Pleasure to meet you. We have to make a choice, do we want them to attack here or do we want to take the fight to them. Assuming we know where they are, that is."

Imiria sticks her soft young hand out as well.  Her other hand is simply a stump nearly fully healed from the axe of Kressel the bandit leader who was formerly in command at the original thorn river camp....

She does her best to describe the camp the way it was....

"The Thorn Ford camp is relatively large, and well
defended by numerous hidden platforms placed in the
trees. The camp itself is about 60 feet from the Thorn’s
north bank—a path winds alongside a shallow creek that
leads directly up to the campsite. This path continues for
another 200 feet north of the camp before turning into a
standard game trail."


"The bandits created this semi-permanent
campsite by cutting themselves a small clearing. Tree
trunks and logs serve as chairs, all centered about a stonelined campfire. A heap of kindling and smaller sticks lies
nearby. The bandits generally prefer to sleep under the
stars, but a number of folded tents are stored under the
platform for wetter nights."

"To the East and West wooden platform 20 feet off the
ground gives a great view of the campsite and the trail to
the west. A rope ladder allows access, but if pulled up to the
platform, access from below is possible by climbing one of
the nearby trees.  Tents, firewood, food,
and other supplies were kept under a canvas tarp below the Eastern
post. The bandits keep their loot under all of this, hidden
from casual view."

'The bandits used thick logs lie positioned alongside
the forest trail. Bandits sometimes use the logs as cover or
roll them across the trail to create obstructions.  There was also an old, broken-down wagon sit the bandits occasionally use it as part of a set-up
to dupe travelers."
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 14:48, Sat 13 Feb 2021.

Svetlana pipes in...

"Yes I remember we drew a picture of it."

Link back to this game

“This hardly sounds like a fortified position... though I guess the platforms could be a problem.”

She pauses to think for a moment, then adds:
“Abandoning the strategic advantage of the fort is risky, and certainly not the smart thing to do. On the other hand the bandits could be waiting for reinforcements from other camps, or unlikely allies. I’m wondering if a skirmishing party would be a good way forward. We could harass them and force them to move when we are ready to receive them. And if they don’t, they will have to accept their losses until we strike again.”

She looked around l, her gaze meeting first Drezhgl, then Tauron.
“What do you think?”

"I remember the sentries on the platforms with thunderstones for alarms. That made things difficult. After we killed them all there last time, the Stag Lord will have stronger fighters and be even better prepared.", Drezghl said plainly.

"Harassment could be a good strategy. We can do that with low risk of injuries. Make them post extra guards. Lose sleep. Wear them down.  Maybe get close to the camp and run off their mounts to put them afoot."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Sat 13 Feb 2021.

More rag tag strangers were showing up, and just getting accepted into the war council. Theo didn't mind more people in a fight, but he wasn't a fighter. Just strong enough to scare off/creep out a handful of people when needed. It didn't even sound like they were driving off a bandit raid anymore but actually attacking their stronghold. This really wasn't his kind of activity, so he decide to meander away to the general store unsure of what do about it. Maybe someone would find something for him to do, or leave him out of their madness, Eitherway he could do with some shopping. After all that was the second reason he had come here, it was the supply region of the area.

Oleg...
"Seems like we will be able to send a scout out to get a look at the bandit camp and even givr updates on a daily basis.  The tiny fey will make that trip for small pies from Svetlana and Imiria's crow will do it for eyeballs."

Tauron turns to the other witches.
Do any of you ladies have the spell Embrace Destiny.  I am not great with a bow but with that spell I can became a really nasty sniper.  I can levitate so I can make life in the platforms hard and fire down on them.
Our friend over their. Pointing to Theo Foster. Can you make stink bombs or fire bombs that go off when they hit the ground.
He then turns back to the witches.  What about you ladies.  Can you make something that if dropped into the camp would make living their miserable.  Like diseased ridden things.  My swan could drop them into the camp.  I am sure if explain what to do.
Knowing her she enjoy doing so it.

<red> “So it’s settled, we make way for the Thorn encampment, and depending on the situation there we’ll decide whether to harass, attack, or retreat here. Who’s coming? Pack light, we need to be able to outrun if the gathered forces are overwhelming.”<//red>

 Octavia was not ready to renounce her armour, but her horses could take it.

Dods smiled at the sudden impulse to move from this group. “Count me in!” He says and makes sure his gear is loaded on his pony.

The witches look back and forth at each other....
Imiria speaks
"We will see what we may be able to whip up for you and your assault, and to prepare the fort for what may come, and maybe even hot on your heels, but we witches are stronger together and we should stay here."

The group gathers to leave Oleg’s and raid the bandit army.

Imiria has agreed to come along for magical support...

One group intends to get closer to gather information and if possible sneak in to sabotage and shock the bandit camp.

The second group intends to lead an assault

Octavia volunteers to lead the assault with group number two.

“Remember lads, it is a skirmish tactics assault — we charge, cause some damage, and retreat before were surrounded. We’re not here for the big battle. And hopefully that creates enough of a distraction for the others to sabotage war machines, supplies, or anything else.”

"It appears that I will be leading the scout element, Octavia.", Drezghl said.

"We'll get as much information as we can and report back before we join you. I hope that the crows and fey are useful."

Drezghl turned back to pack his gear onto his horse.

Imiria....
"And magical support in the form of yours truely....."

Tauron adds.
Arrows and support magic from me also.  With Drezghl Zuhv guidance I can drop a few arrows from on high for a while.  Do we have any spare as normal 20 is all I carry.  It may not be enough?

"Your help is welcome.  I have another quiver that I can spare.  It's in the bunkhouse with my stuff.", Drez said.

 "Am I the only one spearheading the assault group?" Octavia asked with a hint of defiance.

 "Not that I mind, I can make an impact of my own..." she added with a smirk.

The fey appear
“Causing trouble and being sneaky puts us in the sabotage and magical support as well.”


It is not long before the entire party is ready to ride out.
Father Johod stays for defense along with the men assigned under Kesten....and the little gnome herb witch remain behind

In reply to Octavia Cassiana (msg # 300):

"of course not.  Once we find out how many of then there are, I'll come back to help you kill them.", Drez rpelied.

The group will be heading out to route the bandits from their camp…
So basically I am resurrecting the old thread from the first time the thorn river camp was raided…

Been super busy and did not mean to drop the ball….