Fort of Last Hope

[Alatriel]

Daniella tilts her head slightly with a slight smile.  "I'll have the answer for you in one hour, Mister Garvil.  Until then, feel free to make yourself comfortable, or useful... whichever you feel inclined after your journey.  If you know how to help stabilize our walls against attacks with magical means, we know we could use the extra help right now."

[Dorganath]

He nods once at Daniella.

"One hour then," he says. "and then I will return to Hilm and begin preparations."

He gives Daniella another nod and moves off to make himself useful, though he does spend at least some of that time with Kobal, helping out where he can while he spends a few minutes with his old friend.

[RollinsCat]

Andrew returned to his decoys and the soldiers helping him.  Infantry Tilller looked over with a jerk of his head toward the cluster of commanders.  "Did you get permission?"

"Enough.  We'll make a few, don't use anything big or strong enough to reinforce the walls.  Let's see what you've got."  He eyed the makeshift lumber and metal, only vaguely representative of a net launcher.

"It looks pretty bad."  

Andrew took a step back, then five, then ten.  "Can we rough-shape the wood, maybe use some mud to hide the patches?"

"Can do, yeah.  It'll still look bad. An' the rest of the wood we got isn't much better."

"Mister Tiller, we have a rule in performing, one I was an adherent of as a young, poor wandering bard years ago.  For me it was the five-foot rule: if the majority of your intended audience couldn't tell at five feet that what you had was garbage, it didn't matter."  He ran a thumb over his upper lip.  "Now if we have a drach or dragon at five feet, we have bigger problems..."  He took strides back again, counting; five, ten, fifteen, twenty; raised his voice to be heard.  "So let's call this the twenty-foot rule.  If the dragon can't tell at twenty feet which is the real one - it doesn't matter.  Let's drape the timbers to cover the joins...we'll drape the real ones too.  That should help obfuscate."  Dragging some fire-weakened timbers over, he started roughing up a second decoy, singing through some new lyrics as he did.

[jrizz]

*Wren having lent his sword where and when needed listened to the plans and counter plans. He made clear, in his way, his support for taking the fight to the field. With that he readily volunteers to lead one of the small strike teams.*

lady Commander, If you send me out I will do what I can with hit and run tactics. I will also try to find out as much as I can about their command center out there.

*he waits for Daniella to give the nod and assign him a small team*

[Alatriel]

Daniella sends Wren to Vrebel with orders that he is to be put in charge of one of the small strike teams, and for Vrebel to brief him and set him up with his team to head out as soon as possible to start harrying the enemy camps.

[jrizz]

*With a grin and a bow Wren thanks Daniella and heads forth to find Vre. Upon finding him"

Well Vre seems you are to assign me a small team to take to the field with and cause a bit of trouble. What have you got? I can use people who are good at fighting, hiding, and running *he laughs*

[xsweetpeaxs]

*Kylie nods to Vrebel and then looks over at Wren* A small team? Hayley and I might be able to be of assistant to you. Would the three of us be consider a small team or is that too small? *giggles*

I must add, I'm neither good at fighting nor hiding. *taps on her heavy armor* However, if you intend on stirring up trouble and bleeding, we'll patch up your wounds with haste so you can be a riot. *smiles*

[jrizz]

Vre it is your call, but I am comfortable with the copperstones. They can use invisibility and we can use scouting tactics to keep them back from prying eyes. So I will still need some scouts *grins*

[davidhoff]

Upon hearing rumor that sorites against the Cult are being planned by Griff, Gel frowns.

Muse, hit and run by battle-crazed tin cans... They are going to need me.

He wipes his forehead, filled with doubt as to the likelihood of such an arrangement working. With a sigh he makes his way through the crowded fort to where Griff is. He wrinkles his nose and looks at the heavens before approaching and speaking to Griff when he is able.

You need a scout, experienced in mountaineering, and speed to make these raids. I am hoping you can find it in you to make that scout me. No one else here can do the job like I can. What do you say?

He sets his jaw and watches Griff, his arms crossed, eyes intense.

*As Gel approaches, Griff is seen at the Merlon of the West wall quickly crouching down and then standing again to avoid the crossbow bolts shooting past him into the sky.  He looks down and begins pointing and yelling to his archers.*

No no, get those bloody basserds roight under meh.  Der deh ones Oi'm worried about...the diggers.  Ferget about dems ones in deh back.  Aye dats deh way!  Stick em in deh backs ov der heads jus loike dat.

*He steps back a satisfied smile on his face and sees Gel*

Aye der Gel whacha need?  *He listens to Gel's remarks with a kind of hurry up motion with his hands*

Aye, glad ye stopped by der Gel.  Oi nay got any orders yet from deh Lady Commander tah lead any sorties, but Oi'm hoping to soon.  Weh could'a used a good scout loike ye self back when weh got dem wagons in deh East pass...bloody ran roight inta an ambush.  Aye, but meh heard Vrebel moight beh put'n a sortie group tageth'a n maybe he could use ye.  He's on deh North wall.  If'n Oi get deh to run one a dem...O'll come foind ye be sure ov...

*A flash of light as Griff draws his dwarven made axe and with a powerful back-handed swing slices through the chest of a Drach initiate standing on the top of a ladder that suddenly came to rest on the outside of the wall.  The drach tumbles below and blood splatters both Griff and Gel.*

Polemen!  Get dat blasted ladd'a!  *With that several polemen rush to the wall and use their polearms to push the ladder away from the wall.*

Bloody 'ell der get'n bold.  Aye go in seek out Captain Vrebel.  *Griff turns to monitor his wall again but then quickly turns back to Gel*  Aye whoile ye up 'ere, maybe ye give meh archers some 'elp?  Deh could use a good archer loike ye self explain'n tings tah em n giv'n dem a boost.  Dem diggers caus'n meh a real headache.

[willhoff]

*As Wren reaches the top of the North Wall Vrebel is seen barking out orders to his troops.  As Vrebel hastely walks the wall a heavy crossbowman falls flat on his face a poison tipped arrow peircing out the back of his neck.  With one hand Vrebel drags the soldier back from his postion*

We need this position filled now!  Valkira get in there! *he motions with his great sword to a nearby elf archer*  Get this one a healer too er somethin' *He bends down checking for a pulse on the corpse* Nevermind *he grumbles* take him downstairs with the others.

*Vrebel looks up to Wren and Kylie, drach arrows flying all around him as he nods*

Wren old buddy glad ta see ya.  Kylie yer a sight fer sore eyes.  Yep gettin a group tagether follow me.

*He leads them down the stairs to a small courtyard at the base of the North wall and signals to a soldier who runs off.  Later the soldier returns a haggered and battle seasoned group assembles.*

This is me hit and run group, rounded up the best I could find in scoutin', sneakin', trappin, and swingin', got some good archers too.  *nods to the group approvingly*

Troop this is Wren Thendor expert in drach warfare and counter insurgent tactics and a good friend.  *He turns to Kylie with a smile* and this is Kylie Copperstone, her and her sister Hayley be a force ta be reckoned with, just keep yer eyes on the mission and not on them.

Wren you can have who ever you want outa this group fer yer sortie.  As far as objectives, Commander Daniella wants to keep the drachs offgaurd, go in stealthy, scoutin first and take out what ya can and retreat.  Watch fer traps as the drachs seem real fond of them electric ones.  Most of them mydrachs got the sight and good hearin' so Invisibility and Sanctuary spells aint gonna help much.  Also, I dont have to tell you the dangers of a prolonged engagement with them mydrachs.  Their getin too comfortable out there, I want Siphe shakin' in his boots when he's sleepin and his troops too.

The Commander still thinkin' bout tryin ta turn Siphe so he aint on the menu as of yet.  But, if you can take out a lightly guarded seige tower that would be dandy.  Also Captain Griff's been havin trouble with diggers on the west wall.  Maybe swing in there and assess the damage.

*Vrebel dismisses the group and leads Wren and Kylie into the war room showing them the locations of potential objectives on the war room floor map.*

*He lights up a yew pipe and takes a few puffs of golden splendor grining*

Any questions nows the time?

[jrizz]

No questions, I will do what I can out there and try my best to bring your people back alive. I think I will need three good scouts that can fight, that will make six of us. We will cast a wide net and take out some of their patrols. I think it will be best if we make it look like trollocs or something else got them. W will also try to pick up as much of their layout as we can. If we can sabotage some of their siege towers we will, I think that is better then taking them out, this way when they go to use them, well you get the idea *grins* as for the wall issue, for now I think that is far to open an area and has a lot of focus on it. If we see an opportunity we will strike of course. I trust you to pick the right people to go with me. We leave tonight under the cover of darkness.

[jrizz]

*taking Kylie aside*

You are going to have to lose that heavy armor and got with something that will help you quiet down a bit. You dont need to be ranger quiet but you cant go out there clanking about *grins* I will not be wearing my mithril scale mail I will go with some very special elven chain mail that is a silent as silk. Find what you can and get ready, also both you and hayley will want to dress in browns, greens, and blacks. Pack light we leave tonight.

[Alatriel]

Daniella makes her way over towards where Wren is gathering his team.

"Alright Crazy Bird, I hope that Captain Vrebel has briefed you on exactly what I want from this mission?  You are to go in, strike fast and hard, and retreat immediately.  Do not linger.  This is not a mission trying to take out as many as possible, it's simply to keep them on their toes and make sure they cannot relax or rest.  Understand?  Is your team ready?  Do you have any questions?"

[gilshem ironstone]

Gel'larian comes running up, covered in drach gore from his conversation with Griff.  Once Wren is finished with Daniella, he comes up grinning.

Word on the street is you need a scout.  I think I am your guy.  What say you?

[willhoff]

*Vrebel nods to Gel*

Yer in.  They'll need a good scout who can take out a tower guard quietly from a distance.

*He regards Commander Daniella* I briefed em' real good.  Hit and run like ya said.

*Vrebel gazes at Daniella and to the rest of the group and scratches his sideburns and then a puppy dog stare at Daniella*

Wren did say he needed someone ta make the kills look like trollocs did em'.  I got me malar leathers in me pack.  Any chance you can find someone ta fill in fer me at the wall Commander?

That is if Wren thinks he'll need me of course *wide grin to Wren*

[Alatriel]

Daniella shakes her head firmly.  "No, I want them to know exactly who came for them.  I want them to fear us, and I want them tired.  If they're tired, they'll make a mistake, and we'll find their weakness.  Hit and run, make it fast, get out and back here quickly.  Make the soldiers afraid to sleep.  Knock over kettles, set fire to tents... whatever you have to do to keep them awake."

She looks at Vrebel.  "Either I'll be there personally, or I'll find someone who can fill in for you, Captain."

[willhoff]

*He stiffens his eyes widening is surprise*

Yes Commander and thank ya.

*Vrebel puts a hand on Wren's shoulder*

Looks like yer stuck with me.  I'll go fetch me best trap springer and a scout who can work in the dark.  Let me know when were ready ta head out.

*He regards Commander Daniella* Gotcha Commander.  Let em' know we were there.  If I have ta carve me name on every one of their foreheads they'll know it was us.

*He smiles at Kylie*

Mayhem and carnage we can handle.

[Alatriel]

He nods once at Daniella.

"One hour then," he says. "and then I will return to Hilm and begin preparations."

He gives Daniella another nod and moves off to make himself useful, though he does spend at least some of that time with Kobal, helping out where he can while he spends a few minutes with his old friend.

Daniella returns to find Connor after the appointed hour has passed.  

"Mister Garvil, it looks like it will take about a week under these conditions.  However, we do have several buildings that have lower levels if you think those would work.  Those could be cleared out fairly quickly."

[Dorganath]

Connor nods to Daniella at her report.

"That depends on how quickly you want, or need, your portal back and whether you want it protected underground or if your existing structures will suffice," he says.

[Alatriel]

Daniella purses her lips, thinking a moment.

"How long will it take to set it up once the area is prepared?  Each day we face some sort of new threat.  Also, if it happens that for some reason we abandon the fort or Toran forbid we lose it," she says very softly, "how quickly can it be shut down so as to not endanger Hilm Castle?"