Infiltrating Bresnan's Ranch

[maceo_the_escher]

Knatchbull

Knatchbull barely resists the urge to lash out at the lone hobgoblin. Feeling surrounded by both unknown and known perils is taking its toll. He grits his teeth and continues to work muttering to Fapp "This is NOT good." Knatchbull keeps his eye on the hobgoblin and tries to keep a rake or improvised weapon handy in case he or Fapp is attacked.

[tarlyn]

Fapp

The halfling sighs. He almost never gets inebriated or even feels the need to do so.

Whispering to Knatchbull "I agree. Keep calm, big guy, I think we need to get out of here. But not before we

sabotage the barn. We need to get in there again and search more intensively or just get the hell out of here.

What do you think? It isn't safe for us I fear."

[Spearmint]

May 3rd. 1066:

Bresnan's Ranch, northeast of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

Evening: Light breeze, sunset, cloudy.
Effects: none.

There is a palpable animosity between the hobgoblin and the characters but despite a voiced warning, the spade or more probable the rippled half-orc muscle fends off any intentions the hobgoblin has of injuring the pair. At least for now.

The Far Barn is put in order, Fapp and Knatchbull shovelling the last barrow fulls of detritus out for the compost and spreading a layer of straw down. You are about to put tools away when the spade hits a stony 'clunk' under the layer of dirt. You scoop again with the shovel and again hit the rim of stone underneath the dried excrement. Tracing it around, their is a flagstone, about two feet square. There is a lip you can stick a finger under and lift up. To your surprise, a straw filled tunnel below. Rot and decay wafts up. Inside looks dry, easily navigable as a space to walk through by the halfling though Knatchbull might find his shoulders rubbing both walls.

Before you can discuss much about it, you shut the lid and cover it with straw as the hobgoblins lead in three huge lupines. The wargs must be the size of small ponies, fitted with a riding saddle and stirrups. The hobgoblins check the stalls and fasten their leather collars by thick cord to iron rings against the walls.

"Good jobs lads. Clean yourself up now and get ready for the mealtime in an hour." Gordo says. He has accompanied the mounts and one of the bodyguards, a veteran looking tribesman in to the barn. The sling the saddles and tack into the area you are covering.

The hobgoblin comes down from the hayloft. He has hidden the still and moonshine and doesn't stick around for any last minute chat.

You return to the stockade and first things first, use one of the shower blocks to rinse yourselves of the barn smell. A ranch girl collects your work clothes saying they will be laundered and hung out to dry.

It seems the hobgoblins have come from the northwest of the Blackened Forest by a circuitous route as their presence would definitely cause alarm among the general public in Helix. The ranch, an hours trek from the village fringe is about as close to town as they are received but here at the ranch, negotiations are taking place regarding trade and political alliances. There are a retinue of nine hobgoblins, the chief envoy and two bodyguards or veterans who ride the wargs and six others who seem as common tribes folk. The hobgoblins who already work at the ranch are of the same tribe as these newcomers.

The 'evening soirée' will consist of a general community meal in the mess halls and some 'barn dance', campfire activity in the stockade square before the chief hobgoblin, Grazul leaves for some more secretive evening talks with Bresnan in the manor.

I will halt here for any actions and questions.


A view of the barn trapdoor.

[tarlyn]

Fapp

Fapp is surprised, but not really if you think about it. Osen told them about the barn. A Goblin's been killed probably because of it in some way.

He looks at Knatchbull as they discover it and grins, winking to reassure his friend. He puts a finger to his lips, nodding his head to be quiet.

Once they cover up their discovery they depart with the others, very intrigued now.

During supper Fapp talks to Knatchbull in whispers :

"We need to get back to the barn, like tonight. We've seen the guard duty, we know when we can get in. Once we investigate

below, we should see if wee can somehow sabotage whatever is going on down there. If we have enough time we could head back to Helix.

I don't trust those Hobgoblins as far as I can throw them, big guy. What do you think?"

[maceo_the_escher]

Knatchbull to Fapp:

"Yep, we need to get over there now and see what's in that tunnel. If we have to subdue a guard then that's what we need to do. That rotten stink that came out of the tunnel worries me though. It seemed more than just stale air or stable smells. Let's Go!"

Anyway Knatchbull could roll to see if he can determine roughly what the smell was since he's around meat and death? Did it smell like body decay or something else?

[tarlyn]

Knatchbull to Fapp:

"Yep, we need to get over there now and see what's in that tunnel. If we have to subdue a guard then that's what we need to do. That rotten stink that came out of the tunnel worries me though. It seemed more than just stale air or stable smells. Let's Go!"

Anyway Knatchbull could roll to see if he can determine roughly what the smell was since he's around meat and death? Did it smell like body decay or something else?

Fapp

Fapp nods and gets ready to leave with Knatchbull for the barn.

[Spearmint]

Anyway Knatchbull could roll to see if he can determine roughly what the smell was since he's around meat and death? Did it smell like body decay or something else?

It doesn't have the aroma of 'fresh meat'. More like damp, fetid. The smell of mold and rotten eggs.

So my understanding is that some point during the evening soirée, you want to secretly leave the stockade, sneak to the Far Barn, evade the wargs and hobgoblins (if any) in the barn and check out the tunnel and where it leads.

So, showering and changing for the meal. Do you guys put your armour on and side arms or stow them in your cabin or another place to put on as you explore? It might not be too out of place as the visiting tribesmen are wearing leather.

Do you try and sneak out the main gates of the stockade or jump over the ramparts and run across the grass? Or bluff your way?

[maceo_the_escher]

Knatchbull

I think heavier items or bulky ones (like my crossbow) we would leave outside of our living areas in a sack somewhere easily accessible but hidden for us when we leave dinner (stowed and concealed behind a barrel or something). If wearing armor wouldn't stand out Knatchbull would wear it to dinner. He would pocket some meat in the hopes of distracting the wargs in the barn. I think we bluff our way out. We worked in the barns earlier and were asked to go back and check on things. I think trying to jump or climb over the wall would be too difficult. Fapp and I would discuss this on the way back from the barn.

[tarlyn]

Knatchbull

I think heavier items or bulky ones (like my crossbow) we would leave outside of our living areas in a sack somewhere easily accessible but hidden for us when we leave dinner (stowed and concealed behind a barrel or something). If wearing armor wouldn't stand out Knatchbull would wear it to dinner. He would pocket some meat in the hopes of distracting the wargs in the barn. I think we bluff our way out. We worked in the barns earlier and were asked to go back and check on things. I think trying to jump or climb over the wall would be too difficult. Fapp and I would discuss this on the way back from the barn.

Fapp

Don't have anything to add. Meat is a great idea to distract the worgs.

[Spearmint]

May 3rd. 1066:

Bresnan's Ranch, northeast of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

Evening: Light breeze, sunset, cloudy.
Effects: none.

The spies enjoy the meal, socialise among the ranch hands, take careful note of the new arrivals. They have to bide their time, waiting until the meal end to collect scraps of meat and bones from the plates and waste. The kitchen chefs and ranch Maud's grateful for the extra help in the busy evening. You have a sack of leftovers and have hidden a sack of personals which you collect. As campfire revere starts up, you take your chance to slip the stockade.

Rather than a jump over the ramparts you decide to bluff your way through the main gates.

The gates are secured, barred from the inside. A ranch hand, bored from his duty walks on watch above the gates. It is your cabin colleague Grimwald. He halts your approach and you casually explain your reasons, "here sniff this. Got a lamb shank here. Nibble on that while you patrol. Gotta drop the bones off with the wargs to keep them from howling from hunger all night. Open up will you."

There is some reluctance. "Well, you know, letting folk come and go. Drift in and out. Highly irregular. What sort of guard would I be." The meaty shank though is a nice treat, especially if you haven't eaten yet and the thought of you guys carrying it back to your cabin rather than handing it over becomes a welcome bribe.

"Well suppose if Gordo has given the bid I'll make an exception. But if those wargs bite your ass, don't holler for me to rescue you."

Grimwald bluff [3d6]=16 [3d6]=7

He opens a side door in the gate, waves the meaty bone in thanks, telling you to come back soon.

You walk in the dark towards the Far Barn. Outside the main barn door is a hobgoblin, stationed as guard. He sits on a bucket cleaning his fingernails with a dagger and skimming stones across the stony ground. He hasn't seen your approach as you sneak from the side and cover of the maize field.

actions Fapp and Knatchbull please.

[maceo_the_escher]

Knatchbull to Fapp:

"That meat worked pretty good with Gordo. I think we should just talk about how much he liked it and drop his name within earshot of this guard and then give him meat too. Maybe that will make him more at ease. BUT we have to be ready to get him in that barn and tie him up or something. We can't risk talking too much outside. If he starts giving us a hard time I think you should yank the door open and I shove him inside-maybe over one of your feet for good measure. Whatdaya think?"

[tarlyn]

Fapp

Fapp repiies to Knatchbull

"We could try with the meat and the Hobgoblin, yes. Or we could try to distract him too. Toss a rock near him to make noise, get his attention. Done right

we could then both jump him and knock him out. Quiet as possible of course and then we would be free to move around inside the barn at our leisure.

It is just a thought, of course. What do you think?"

[maceo_the_escher]

Knatchbull

"I think you're right. We're gonna have to probably tie him up and gag him anyway. Might as well try to catch him by surprise if we can. Maybe if you make a noise from behind something and duck down I can run straight at him and push him over you. Then we can both grab him and keep him quiet.

I can't believe we're doing this. I feel like we're gonna be marked men after this-even if we do live. But at least it'll be fun, right?"

[Spearmint]

Exploring the Far Barn

Under the cover of a cloudy night, Fapp and Knatchbull sneak up close to the barn. The bored guard outside the barn doors yet to notice you sneaking about. Inside the barn you hear the growls of the wargs. Maybe they can smell the meat ... and your fear.

So now you have to make a decision. You can try to sneak into the barn, perhaps through a gap in the rickety planks or try a more direct approach and bluff, bribe or cosh the guard.

next actions and add any appropriate rolls such as attack rolls to hit, chat vs 4d6 charisma check, grapple etc.

[maceo_the_escher]

Knatchbull to Fapp

"You're small...you wanna try and wiggle in through those loose boards in the wall and check out the room or just stick with the plan and take out the guard?"

[tarlyn]

Knatchbull to Fapp

"You're small...you wanna try and wiggle in through those loose boards in the wall and check out the room or just stick with the plan and take out the guard?"

"Let's stick to our original plan, it seems our best option. Meat will distract the Worgs."

[maceo_the_escher]

Knatchbull

Knatchbull nods to Fapp in agreement and approaches the hobgoblin

"We knew someone would get stuck on this duty so we brought you and the wargs some snacks-you get first pick of course!" Knatchbull also signals to Fapp to try and angle to be on the guard's side while they talk.

[Spearmint]

Exploring the Far Barn.

Whistling to attract attention as he ambles across the stony ground to the hobgoblin guard, Knatchbull carries a sack of waste meat scraps and bones. A couple of spare ribs still drip with barbecue sauce. He offers one to the tribesman, folding it in a napkin.

Fapp approaches in his shadow, ready to cosh the hobgoblin when he can launch the sucker punch.

The guard sticks his dagger into the sack withdrawing a chunk of meat which he gesticulates with, pointing out across the ground.
"'Bossman' says we can take that old mule to feed them. They might enjoy that, bit of sport watching them tear it apart. Go fetch it in from the paddock."

The guard nibbles his spare rib and points to the mule that brays and munches the dandelions by the fence.

The barn door behind him is closed by not locked. You cannot see any lantern light from inside and could assume the guard is alone.

actions and any rolls please

[tarlyn]

Fapp

The halfling attempts to sneak up on the unsuspecting Hobgoblin to sucker punch him.

Moving as quietly as is "halfling" possible, he sneaks up behind the Hobgoblin, nodding at Knatchbull, grinning.



Then with the hilt of his Short Sword, he will attempt to knock out his foe.

[maceo_the_escher]

Knatchbull

Knatchbull is ready to pounce on the hobgoblin regardless of his companion's success or failure. If it doesn't work he'll attempt to wrestle him to the ground and subdue him and if Fapp's surprise knock-out works, Knatchbull will be ready to restrain and drag him into the barn.

I'll roll a Strength check in case it helps to do it now