Part 1.5 Return to the Moat House Ruins (Hunting Cultists??)

[GreyWolfVT]

The Return to the Moat House - The Hunt for Cultists:

The group now rested and recovered, heads back to the ruined former moat house with two new companions a dwarf named Hekras and a half-elf named Quoenas. Both bearing news of having heard from various locals that there were cultists in the old moat house dungeons bringing about a return of evil to the area. Hearing this and testing the two out to see if they were truthful and trustworthy once convinced the group welcomed the two and set out for the ruins once more. Most of the trip is uneventful until you get back to the same spot as the first time when you spotted the ruins and the pond just out front of it. You have had a sense of being watched or followed since you left Hommlet and now that feeling is even stronger. 

Between the three stealthier of the group you scout the area and Tristen, Hekras and Narya all report back they they noticed there are a couple cloaked beings in a couple locations nearby watching them, they didn't notice that the three spotted them or at least there is no signs that they were noticed having spotted them as the cloaked beings remained in their watching locations. Now is the time to decide what you do. 

Map: (The 2 red W's on the map indicate the spotted cloaked figures watching you.) Click to enlarge.


Actions?

[Daos]

"How should we proceed?" Daos asks the others quietly.  "It sure looks like a possible ambush."

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(OOC:  Daos will prepare two castings of Sleep for today.)

[GravityEmblem]

"Ah, but if you know there's going to be an ambush, it's not really an ambush, is it?" Narya notes.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
[Narya will prepare Burning Hands and Color Spray]

[Daos]

"There are six of us and two of them," Daos observes.  "If this is an ambush, they're either supremely confident in their abilities...or there are more hidden elsewhere we haven't seen yet.  They may just be spies, as well."

[TristenC]

Shall we confront them? Those of us trained in moving unseen surround them, then the others approach and we may attempt to question them.

[Rax]

"There's always the hole in the wall back where we captured 'Knuckles' and his gang. Don't know how deep the water is over there, but it's another way into the moathouse if we don't want to go through the front door," Roshek whispers.

"Otherwise, a counter-ambush is probably our best bet. Not sure exactly where you'd find the cover to sneak up on 'em, friend Tristen, but myself, Daos, and Q could at least keep walking blithely along the path to draw their attention. The three of you could then swoop in to save the day when they confront us...assuming that's their plan."

[Daos]

"I can try to put them to sleep, if worse comes to worse," Daos offers.

[GreyWolfVT]

Hekras clears his throat "We best think fast er they'll know wer onta em."

[Rax]

"Very well, then Daos, Q and I will continue onwards while you three take cover on the left hand side of the path and follow us. If the watchers attack us on the path, you sweep in to support us. If they let us enter the moathouse, you come out of cover and attack them. We three will turn and surround them," Roshek suggests.

[GravityEmblem]

"Got it," Narya says, bow at the ready.

[Daos]

Daos nods, nervously.  At least his armor spell was still up from yesterday, so that provided a little comfort.

[GreyWolfVT]

Hekras and Q both nod in agreement. The plan proceeds when the three on the path/road reach the poor and turn towards the entrance of the moathouse the cloaked watchers come out of hiding "Halt turn back or face your death." the other cloaked being merely stands there trying to look menacing as the other one does the talking. They are both about human height one taller than the other. The talker is the shorter of the two you cannot see their faces as they remain hidden by the shadows of their cloaks. 

[TristenC]

Bow trained on the speaker, Tristen makes himself only slightly visible (still as much cover or concealment as he can manage, shy of completely hidden). Whose death? Yours? For that is the death that is in my view at present. he says, sighting down his arrow. State your business in this place.

[Daos]

"We here on the authority of the good people of Hommlet," Daos adds.  "By whose authority do you turn us away?"

[GravityEmblem]

Jan 13, 2021 19:27:08 GMT -8 TristenC said:

Bow trained on the speaker, Tristen makes himself only slightly visible (still as much cover or concealment as he can manage, shy of completely hidden). Whose death? Yours? For that is the death that is in my view at present. he says, sighting down his arrow. State your business in this place.

Narya sighs, placing herself in a similar half-visible position. "So much for a surprise attack," she mutters within earshot of Tristen.