With all but the spellcasters awake, how do you proceed?
Kaul
"i can leave all but my spear and follow them under the protection of the night, in case of trouble i will run and try to loose them, and if i fail i will bring them here so you can take them down. Does that sound like a good plan?"
Kerrick Helmsworth
"If you are willing to assume the risk.
I’d prefer not to engage a direct fight without our spellcasters, but I’d also like to let them rest so they have spells tomorrow. Scouting and learning more fits for me."
Kaul
i will then drop my back pack and my bow and proced to follow the misterious group.
Masov
will step out unto the roof; crossbow at the ready, if Kaul ends up kiting them back here.
[quote="Kaul"] i will then drop my back pack and my bow and proced to follow the misterious group [/quote]
Kaul drops his heavier gear, then quietly slips from the cottage roof to the ground below. The night is clear, and a waxing moon has moved above the horizon, shedding enough light for the Thief to navigate by.
[quote="Masov"] Masov will step out unto the roof; crossbow at the ready, if Kaul ends up kiting them back here. [/quote]
Masov attempts to clamber up onto the roof of the cottage, clumsily managing to do so. Kaul made it appear far easier than it was! Gingerly sliding across the creaking thatch roof, Masov moves to the south end of the cottage. From here, he can see the dark forms of the buildings to the south in the centre of the village, and if he looks askance, he can just make out movement of the Thief's shadowy figure skulking away.
Kaul heads towards the centre of the village. Here and there he can make out the flicker of lamp or candlelight behind closed shutters, but most of the houses are dark and silent.
As Kaul reaches the main street of the village, he can make out shoddy exterior of a large abandoned building across from him. Glancing down the street to his right, he is brought up short by what he sees...several buildings down the way, a thrashing bundle of burlap is being manhandled by a group of six hunched and bulky figures before the open door of a small home. They are clearly not human. The robed figure with a torch that Kaul spied earlier stands back a bit, watching. The entire tableau is eerily, unnaturally silent.
Kerrick Helmsworth
Kerrick is going to wait a few minutes for Kaul to follow the figures. Once he’s reasonably confident that they are all gone from the vicinity, he speaks quietly.
“I’m going to go out and get my horse ready. We may need speed. If they come back here and attack this building, I’ll let them get up against the walls, and then attack from behind.”
Assuming no one objects rapidly, Kerrick will then go out the back and climb down the palisade before looping back around to his horse, which he will wake up, saddle up, and mount.
Kaul
i will get back to the group
"i think these things a kidnaping children, and they are not human"
(the image of the child-undead-thing flashes in Kauls mind)
"we should do something, before they get to do the thing that they did to the one we found in the house"
[quote="Kerrick Helmsworth"] Kerrick is going to wait a few minutes for Kaul to follow the figures. Once he's reasonably confident that they are all gone from the vicinity, he speaks quietly. "I'm going to go out and get my horse ready. We may need speed. If they come back here and attack this building, I'll let them get up against the walls, and then attack from behind." Assuming no one objects rapidly... [/quote]
No one does.
[quote="Kerrick Helmsworth"] Kerrick will then go out the back and climb down the palisade before looping back around to his horse, which he will wake up, saddle up, and mount. [/quote]
Pulling the simple barricade aside, Kerrick clambers through the window, tossing his tack to the ground below. He then moves carefully along the the palisade against the cottage wall, before lowering himself and dropping quietly to the ground. He then hefts his gear and moves out to his steed in front of the building...
Am I remembering where you put your horse correctly? Out front, tied to a tree?
[quote="Kaul"] i will get back to the group [/quote]
As Kaul draws back around the corner of the building, he sees the group begin to turn and head in his direction. Moving quickly, the Thief slips back across the more open area near the village centre into the relative safety of the shadow of nearby buildings. Looking back, he sees the group pass back in the direction from which he saw them come, robed, possibly-armored figure in the lead bearing a torch, with a larger group of loping, mis-shapen individuals behind. Though he can see them from his vantage point, they still proceed in utter silence, bearing that large sack. They are not running, but certainly hustling.
As the group turns away, heading south, Kaul breaks cover, moving quickly and quietly back towards the cottage
As Kerrick finishes saddling his steed, he catches sight of a shadow from the corner of his eye. Whirling about, he sees the crouched form of his companion, Kaul, hurrying towards him.
Masov can see this from his vantage point.
[quote="Kaul"] "i think these things a kidnaping children, and they are not human"
(the image of the child-undead-thing flashes in Kauls mind)
"we should do something, before they get to do the thing that they did to the one we found in the house" [/quote]
Am I remembering where you put your horse correctly? Out front, tied to a tree?
((I don’t remember exactly where it was either. It was out somewhere, tied to something. Front and a tree sound close enough to me 
))
Kerrick Helmsworth
Kerrick, hearing Kaul’s report, nods and mounts up. “Go inside and get the others. I’ll watch the street while everyone gets ready.”
Masov
...getting the gist of what went on evidently, will extremely carefully re-enter the loft and start waking folks.
[quote="Masov"] ...will extremely carefully re-enter the loft... [/quote]
The Bard is clearly traumatized by his near-trip experience.
[quote="Kerrick Helmsworth"] Kerrick, hearing Kaul's report, nods and mounts up. "Go inside and get the others. I'll watch the street while everyone gets ready." [/quote]
We're just waiting for Kaul on this.
[quote="Masov"] ...getting the gist of what went on evidently, will extremely carefully re-enter the loft and start waking folks. [/quote]
Is he waking everyone, including the spellcasters?
Masov
...quickly checks himself and wakes the non-spellcasters, awaiting further input.
Hengist
"In my astute judgement, I think we can take 'em. Let's let the book-worms sleep and dispense justice! Come on Dagmar."
I'll head towards the window and the palisade drop I saw Kerrick use.
GWYDDION
Whisperings and preparations of battle rouse Gwyddion from a fitful rest dominated by dreams of magical experiments gone awry. Quickly orienting himself to the situation, he proposes:
"I can advance parallel to your approach using the alleyways. When Kerrick charges, I shall make a commotion of some sort to strike fear in our foes. At worst, they will be disconcerted. At best, perchance their morale will break."
Kaul
"I will scout ahead and climb to a nearby building, from there i can shot a couple of arrows as you aproach the enemy."
[quote="Kaul"] "I will scout ahead and climb to a nearby building, from there i can shot a couple of arrows as you aproach the enemy." [/quote]
As Kerrick readies his mount, and Hengist tries to rouse the others, Kaul jogs off to the south.
Moving swiftly towards the centre of the village, Kaul can make out the group, torch-bearer in the lead, headed headed in the direction of the southern gate in the palisade. Though he can see them, Kaul still cannot hear any sound issuing from the group as they march. They appear to be moving somewhat cautiously, and do not appear to be in any rush. Where does Kaul want to head?
[quote="Hengist"] "In my astute judgement, I think we can take 'em. Let's let the book-worms sleep and dispense justice! Come on Dagmar."
I'll head towards the window and the palisade drop I saw Kerrick use. [/quote]
Hengist and Dagmar begin climbing out the window as Miska starts donning his armor and Aria rolls into a crouch. The movement and clatter rouses Gwydion...
[quote="Gwydion"] Quickly orienting himself to the situation, he proposes:
"I can advance parallel to your approach using the alleyways. When Kerrick charges, I shall make a commotion of some sort to strike fear in our foes. At worst, they will be disconcerted. At best, perchance their morale will break." [/quote]
...before following the others out the window. His slumber disturbed at last, Andrew wakes and blearily moves to follow the rest of the party.
The group quickly begins to gather near the tree where Kerrick sits astride his mount.
Miska is still donning armor, and Andrew is well behind the others.
Masov
...follows Kerrick's path down as well, and will have crossbow ready.
'I'm a little torn on engaging them within town or just past the walls; available cover is an issue, space to move, as well as an unknown quantity of possible allies for them in the town...' he states quietly. 'If we have a moment, I'd regale you with the tale of Hragnar Leftshoe, who singlehandedly saved his hamlet from the predations of a large group of spider-god-worshiping goblins, and will provide some inspiration and courage for the task ahead.'
Kaul
I will climb the building right in front of me, it has a big roof to manuever, then i will get in position to fire an arrow as my party aproaches.