SESSION 11: THE PLAN
Waiting for the hobgoblins the party starts to discuss a plan.
"How do we know we can trust them?" Thomas asks. "Will they betray us? How will we know?"
Thinking, Halee paints out the options "Well we could just take them down before we even get to the orc cave. I mean that'll be six less hobgoblins right. Or we could work with them and just leave them alone afterwards. Or maybe we work with them and when they are weakened then we take them down."
It's all too much for Cord who wanders off some little ways to process it all. It'll take some time for the big barbarian to consider all those options. And amongst it all he's still trying to work out why Risandor was unhappy with him for killing the goblin a little earlier. So confusing!!!!
Risandor buys into the debate. "Think of it all. Imagine the stories and the glory. We'll be working with the hobgoblins to rid the lands of the orcs. And after we'll work with them to maybe destroy the kobolds or the other things that live around here. Markis Greylock will reward us handsomely and we'll be rich heroes."
Halee's brow crosses and her voice lowers as she counters Risandors argument, "But they'll still be here. And sooner or later we'll have to deal with them. They are evil and need to be taken care of. And they are dangerous too. When they turn on us it might be when we're at our weakest."
[DM Note: Uthalin has Knowledge Nature which gives him a chance to know about a humanoids cultural background, tactics, statistics etc. He passes a challenge check to know more about the hobgoblins and how they may behave.]
Uthalin steps forward "You don't know these hobgoblins like I do. They are evil, organised and when motivated absolutely destructive but they are predictable. I know. My family has warred against the hobgoblins and I can tell you this, they won't betray us whilst they need us and you'll know when they are thinking of doing so because it'll be close to when the task is almost finished. They are tough, disciplined, well equipped and organised. They are not an enemy to be trifled with."
[DM Note: Uthalin passes another Knowledge Nature test.]
"Now the orcs well they are totally unpredictable and chaotic. They only respect the strongest and can never be bargained with. If we are to ally with any one, and we're choosing between the orcs and the hobgoblins, well there is only one answer. We must ally with the hobgoblins and annihilate the orcs."
To drive the point home, the sturdy dwarf steps forward, invading the personal space of the others as he demands "I hold none of these monsters in any high regard. I've seen what they all can do. And I will say this. The orcs are the enemy of my family and my ancestral home. I say we work with the hobgoblins to wipe the orcs out and then we work with them to wipe out the other evil craftless, elf-kissing snotling fondlers in this hideous, lice-ridden, sewer of a cave system. And once we've done that. Well they get what's coming to them too."
Stepping back Uthalin kisses his family signet ring as he takes a swig of his healing potion "I swear the orcs will be purged with all my strength." He grunts as he feels the surge of strength coursing through his veins and he heals back 5pts of damage [to a total of 13 out of 14 pts]. Having said his peace, he walks off to join Cord.
"Alright then, wh wh wh what you said. Sounds like a plan. What do you think Ansic?" Thomas asks.
Ansic's stern faces says it all. The veteran simply draws his potion of Cure Light Wounds from his belt, slams it down and walks off to join Uthalin and Cord. [Ansic heals back up to 6pts and so is back on max hit points of 16]. The three big men talk a while. Cord gulps down his potion of Cure Light Wounds [healing back 4pts taking him to 12 out of 14 pts).
Halee looks over at the trio fighters and turns back to Thomas and Risandor. "Ok. It's not a bad plan. Could be worse" Halee says trying to reassure herself. "Thomas and Ris you watch these hobgoblins like a hawk. Any chance they are going to turn on us you immediately shoot them, stab them, blind them with magic. Whatever it takes. Just be ready."
Thomas stares at Halee and nodes with grim resignation.
Risandor is excited by the prospects. The little halfling is inwardly skipping with joy. "Yay I get to see a tribal war first hand between these massive hobgoblins and orcs. I've never even seen an orc and here I'm going to see them and the hobgoblins fighting it out. The stories I'll be able to tell" he thinks to himself.
They look over and see the hobgoblins approaching from the west. Just as promised by Higor there are five soldiers led by Mukri. They look militarily efficient and equipped. Each is wearing studded leather armour and is carrying a light shield, long sword and longbow. All, except Mukri, is also carrying a long, two handed spear. A few of the hobgoblins are carrying chains and manacles.
Mukri marches straight up to Risandor. "Little man. Vee go zis vay." Murkri points to the north. "Zere are tvo ork tribes in zee valley. Vee killz zis one first."
"Yeah, yeah sure" responds Risandor "lead the way". Risandor turns to Halee and quietly says "Ahh what are we supposed to do now."
Halee chuckles to herself. She knows Ris is just here for the adventure and doesn't really have a lot of tactical skill "Well we follow them" she responds sarcastically.
The hobgoblins lead them through the valley, down the southern slope first and pass a few copse of trees and up to another cave entrance.
Along the way they pass a small cave entrance shrouded in trees. "What's in that cave" asks Risandor.
[Diplomacy check for asking for a simple advice (CR modifier of -5) and an attitude of indifferent (CR 15) gives a target number of 10, Risandor rolls a 14 and the Mukri responds "Kobolds, nasty little monsters, full of traps but kovardly. No sport in killink zem." And about 100ft later. "Here vee arz. Ork in here."
As they approach the orc cave Halee feels a cold shiver down her spine. Swiftly, but subtlety, she shifts her posture and looks to the woods in the west. She can see a dark, brooding shape staring back. Hiding in the shadows one second it's there and then it isn't.
[DMs Note: Successful perception test from Halee but she isn't able to identify the monster as she's never seen it's like before].
She looks over at Thomas. She considers, just for a brief moment of tapping him on the shoulder and pointing out the danger but then considers better of it. "He's already jittery enough" she reasons "no reason to distract him from his task of watching the hobgoblins".
They gather a little way away from the orc cave entrance. "Schooshen" Murkri motions. "Be quiet. Ork dumb but deadly. Vee need to sneak up on zem."
Risandor enquires, "How is their cave laid out?"
"Dunno. Never sukkessfully raided deep enough to find out. Last party zat vent in vas viped out. Schooshen. Be quiet."
Risandor wonders if he'll ever get out of this.
DEW