Turn 53 -- Planning and Attack!

Kersath smiles heartily, truly glad that the conflict with Lyntern is resolved. He then takes out his hand crossbow, cocks a bolt in it as he inspects the aim. He then takes out his twin longswords, takes a look at them before putting them back in place, leaving the scabbards open, ready to draw on them whenever necessary. He then flashes a smile to Kre, "How about you and me make like ghosts and surprise those filthy bandits?"

"That sounds like a great plan," smiles Kre to the ranger. "Dain, Talimar, what spells do you have available? Ras, what type of equipment did we get from the Count? If there's no rope and hooks, we'll have to improvise with a good heaving from the fighters to get us over the wall. I say we go at about slightly after midnight and take some food with us. I've had more than one run in with a hungry dog during my guild trips." He rubs his arm as he smiles at this last remark.

Positioning himself on the left of Lyntern, Gnore listens to Kersath's offered plan and nods in agreement. "Aye, it will have to be stealth or complete surprise. We don't have the amount of forces for any other venue unless the keep holds, at most, only four warriors within." Gnore draws his sword and lays it before him at the ready, he looks at Lyntern and nods his head for him to do the same. He then turns to the young man, "Our good scouts found traps near and around the keep. Is there a path of safe passage through the traps that you know of?"

"Nay," responds Lyntern, "I know nothing more of the keep or its layout than that it is here. I'm sorry I cannot help there."

Garth pipes up from the edge of the group, "What with all yer yackin', I don't see the point of going fer surprise! May as well up and knock on the front door! They would have to be as deaf as a fence post not to hear the mighty speeches we've been givin' on their front step. Harumph!" Then, turning to Lyntern he adds, "Welcome aboard, lad."

Randor smiles and turns to the group, "I have an idea. We will all have to work together, shouldn't be too hard. How do you think that everyone in there would think of the forces of chaos led by a drow," with a wink to Kersath, "coming after them, when suddenly, BAM, the full force of the attack bashes in from behind, through the front door. Here's what we do...Kersath and the thieves come from over the back wall while some other volunteers make distractions behind them, throw things around, and generally cause some confusion. During some point in this Kersath shows his face and gives one of those evil grins of his. If I didn't know him, I would be scared stiff."

"During all this everyone else is bashing down the front door. No one will be able to hear us because I will call upon the power of Tyr to silence the area we will be in. However, I only have the strength of will to hold it for a few moments. I hope that is enough time to bring the door down. We start when I give the signal, which will be shortly after the diversion starts. After that we do whatever is necessary. Drop some ropes down the walls for the people outside to climb up," turning to the mages he asks, "I don't suppose either you Dain, or you Tal, could cast some spell to make it look like there are more people? I would like someone else to elaborate on this plan, the edges need to be smoothed out. If this is our plan of attack let's start making a battering ram."

"What battering ram?" asks Gnore. "This place is a decrepit dump! If you need the door to be knocked down, I'll simply walk up and blow it down. Or perhaps Druckner could breath on it a bit." Gnore responds with a sizeable grin and a hearty slap to Lyntern's back. "Just let me know and Lyntern and I will search for a suitable tree. How about magic? Maybe Dain has a spell or two to do the trick." Gnore finishes with a nod, the anticipation of Lyntern's first actual adventure playing upon the excitement of the quiet dwarf.

At this point, Druckner moves toward the middle of the group to speak, "Here's my suggestion fer a plan. I've tried to include everybody's comments. I think this plan would work best on a moonless night."

"First, we send Kersath, Kre, Ras and meself over the wall. Once over, we try to get the gate open from the inside. Kersath can try to pull the 'I'm a big bad drow routine' but only as a last resort. We'll need the followin' things: Randor's silence spell, a rope and grappling hook, a safe path through the booby traps, food to pacify dogs or other guard animals, and a way to signal from the inside. A priest would cast the silence spell on the hook and we would improvise once inside. I could send a lighted crossbow bolt in the air as an attack signal. If things don't go well, we'll retreat."

"Second, the rest of the group will creep up to the gate. Kuiper would be responsible for booby trap detection. Once at the gate, ye wait for the signal and charge. Randor would cast a silence spell to achieve maximum surprise."

Looking to make sure he still has everyone's attention, the gruff dwarf continues, "There might be a few rough spots in this plan such as the silence spell on the hook. I don't know how long that spell lasts, so maybe a priest should join the invasion squad."

"Oh, and Gnore, instead of me breathin' on the door, maybe just revealing your ugly puss will knock it down!"

"Hmmm, I don't know about a dwarf climbing up a wall...SILENTLY. Yet, I'd feel better if Talimar went with the first group but then again that group will need a good strong dwarven warrior to take care of any 'problems' encountered. It's up to you all." Gnore frowns and scratches his beard as he thinks about the plans. Then, with a smile for Druckner, "As for me ugly puss, ya breathin' dung pile, we don't to bring the whole bloody building down now do we?" Once again, he gives a laugh and a hearty slap to the back of Druckner and Lyntern.

Talimar just grins at the dwarves antics before speaking up, "Alright, how about this: We go through the main gate, Kersath, Kuiper, and Kre can climb the wall either side and check for defenders, if it is clear, they go over and open the gate, checking for booby traps, while Ras checks for traps on the outside. Once we are in, we get into marching order, though maybe in pairs, and head for the main keep. Any other ideas?"

"Fine by me," answers Ortho. "Is Randor going to cast that silence spell?"

"I do have reservations in that we do not know who or what resides within the keep," continues Ortho. "My earlier suggestion to stake out the area for a day or two to see what we might be up against seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Also, could any information about our future foes be determined from the tracks in the area?"

"All tracks were human," answers Kersath.

Talimar replies to Ortho, "I would rather that he didn't, with a silence spell in effect we would be unable to cast any spell, and we wouldn't be able to hear if an alarm is raised, or a cry of pain if the person behind you was slain."

Beleg looks up from preparing his equipment and says, "I agree with Ortho's suggestion that we watch the area for a while to determine who or what is inside. Of course, I will defer to Talimar and follow whatever course of action he deems appropriate."

"I suspect that the inhabitants already know that we are here," responds Talimar, "to wait would simply invite attack, or allow them more time to prepare traps. Also, can we afford to wait any longer? We don't know what is to become of the kidnapped spellcasters, the kidnappers could be in there draining them of their power. I do not think we can delay."

"Where do you want me then, friend Talimar," asks Beleg. "I doubt that I could quietly scale the wall, but I think my height may be useful in helping someone else over it." Beleg stands and extends his arms up over his head, where they reach almost ten feet into the air. "I think I could lift anyone who's five feet tall, or more, to the top of the wall."

Talimar looks appraisingly at the big paladin, "That is an excellent idea, why don't you give Kersath a boost up and he can give us an idea of what to expect inside?"

Beleg nods to Talimar and then removes his shield and backpack. Looking to Kersath, he says, "Which area of the wall would you like to investigate, friend Kersath?"

Looking at the wall, then back at the warrior, Kersath appraises the situation. Finally, he says, "Why don't you boost me over there, about twenty feet to the right of the gate. I think I'll be able to get a good observation from there. And, when all hell breaks loose, I hope I'll be able to surprise them a bit." Turning to Kre, Kersath says, "And how about you, friend? I suggest you do the same thing, only twenty feet to the left. That way, who's ever in there will have to defend themselves from three fronts, not one."

Turning back to Talimar, he says, "I'm really against putting that silence spell on us. It will destroy almost any chance we have to move stealthily, for we depend on our own sounds to know if we're moving stealthily or not. A much better idea will be to use it on the gates, in order to break them down."

Talimar nods in agreement with Kersath, "We should get Ras to have a look at the gate before we cast the spell, with the traffic around, it may be well oiled and not need the spell." Kre turns to answer the question from Kersath, "That sounds good, and how about we get someone with a sharp eye to stay on the wall and be a lookout there, in fact, he could have a bow or crossbow, how about one of the dwarves? They won't be seen due to their height, or we can use Ras. That way, we can get a warning on both sides."

"That's not a bad idea," says Talimar, "Kre, Kuiper, Druckner and Kersath can do that while we enter."

After Kersath's reply to Beleg, Gnore speaks up about his positioning, "If possible, I'll take the door. Don't like heights meself, that's why I grew so short." Gnore grins and once again, slaps the back of Lyntern. "Enjoying the adventure so far, boy?" Lyntern's only reply is a soft nod of his head.

Garth listens to the many ideas of who is going to enter where and poses a question, "You don't mean to imply that everyone is going in? How do we know that everyone is in there now? We should have someone watching the rear to make sure that we aren't surprised by more forces!"

Gnore frowns as he thinks about the words from Garth, "Me original intention was to stand guard outside while whoever explores within the keep. However, if I can get the keep's walls to limit the venues of entry to the front gate then I'd rather stand guard inside the walls." He nods in satisfaction at this.

Talimar frowns for a moment, "I would prefer not to leave anyone outside alone, if reinforcement come in a number the guard could easily be overwhelmed, and if we are too far inside to hear, or already under attack we may not be able to come to his assistance. Well Gnore, you may stand guard if you wish, but I would recommend against it."

"Oh, I am accompanying the group inside the walls to the courtyard," replies Gnore, "but I will remain outside the keep proper to stand guard. I wouldn't remain outside the walls without a few hundred dwarven warriors with me." Gnore laughs, "Besides, I won't be alone. Lyntern will be with me." Gnore gives yet another hearty slap to Lyntern's back with a smile.

Lyntern grimaces, "Enough with the slapping! Jeez! I'm already bruised up and I haven't even drawn my sword yet."

"It's good for the constitution," replies Gnore, "and from the looks of ye, you could use that!"

"Ok, then this is the plan," begins Talimar confidently. "Kre, Kuiper, Druckner, and Kersath go up the wall, about twenty feet either side of the gate. Kersath can go first with the aid of Beleg to see if there is anyone in the courtyard. Ras can check the gate for traps or alarms and Kre can do the same on the other side. If either of the thieves think it may be necessary, one of the clerics can cast a silence spell on the gate."

Looking to make sure everyone is following along, he continues, "Once we are in, everyone keep a sharp eye out for signs of life, our best bet would be to head straight into the main keep, preferably by a servants entrance if one exists. One of the thieves should check the door for traps before we enter. As we move across the courtyard, the rangers should stay in front checking for more traps."

"Keep a close eye on the heights, someone with a bow, or even a large rock could cut this adventure short before we even the building." Picking up a stick from the ground, Talimar begins to draw in the dirt, "As to marching order, how about this;"

Kersath
Druckner, Beleg
Randor, Talimar
Dain, Ras
Ortho, Lyntern
Kre, Kuiper

Gnore (on watch)

Garth is the first to speak up, "Oh sure, forget about the dwarf! Harumph, if it's all the same I'll help stand watch. At least there I won't likely be under foot."

Talimar looks down at his drawing and a flush of embarrassment flashes across his face, "My apologies, friend Garth, my exclusion of you was not meant that you would be underfoot. Quite the contrary, you have been a valuable asset to this group since you joined. Feel free to come in wherever you wish."

"Well then, that's the plan of attack," continues Talimar as he stands up. "Everyone make your preparations, we head out when everyone is ready."

After a few silent prayers to patron deities and all weapons have been double and triple-checked, the group steps out from the enclosure of the woods into the clearing. Deciding that speed was of the essence, the group defers waiting until the cover of darkness to attack. Kersath points out the traps to the group, but once beyond the treeline, the ground is not trapped. The party begins to silently move across the clearing towards the front gate and the keep. As the party is about fifty feet from the gates, a bell begins to ring from somewhere within the keep and a crossbow bolt thuds into the ground at the feet of Kuiper. The bolt appeared to have come from the top of the watchtower.

"Well, so much for surprise!" shouts Beleg to the others as he sets his shield before him and takes out running toward the gate.

"To arms, Red Feather Company," shouts Druckner as he moves to follow the great paladin.

"Glory to Ironrock!" exclaims Ortho, battle axe swinging wildly above his head as he runs.

"Rotten, filthy, sons of goblin-lovin', orc-maters," shouts Gnore from the back.

"The best laid plans...." says Talimar as the battle plan unravels now that the party has lost the element of surprise.

As Beleg closes on the gate, an arrow glances off the front of his shield to fall harmlessly to the side. The arrow came from slits off to the side of the front gate. Beleg reaches the gate with a thunderous crash. With a great roar from the huge paladin, the gate is smashed back off its hinges and falls into the courtyard. Beleg stands to the side to allow his companions to rush into the corridor. The party is greeted by six humans that have rushed from doors out of buildings to each side of the main gate.