Looking down upon Tindale

[Carbon14sample]

After a long, cold, and bloody journey the four adventures along with their new companion Oakshade stand looking down upon the remains of the once prosperous town of Tindale.
The Kings newly appointed Knight Protector sits quietly atop his mount Snowflower gazing north, appraising the town. Allie breaks the silence as she suggests the party should make for the guard house and make camp there.
The human leans forward on his horse focusing his eyes towards the guard house which sits in the southeast part of the town then nods. "Yes, it will have the best defenses available to us. Let us hope we have better fortune defending it then those before us."
He looks to Shanti and Kel then back to Allie and Oakshade. "Once we can secure ourselves we can set forth to explore the town and assess what challenges there may be. The guard house does not lay to far into the town proper so if things go ill we can retreat back to here. But if I have my way we shall not yield to any of the evil here."

[Lyssandra]

Allie surveys the town from the crag with the others. "It might be prudent to secure the guard house anyway, or even the mayor's residence. If we have a base of operations from which to fan out, we will be less vulnerable then moving about." She pauses, "And it will allow your troops a place to fortify when they arrive." The halfling adds, "With the evidence of drow activity we've seen, I think we should move in and explore the caves as soon as possible. If we can eliminate what is drawing the other monsters here, then we won't have to worry so much about others taking the place of those we oust."

[Carbon14sample]

"If my eyes are not failing me I think the smoke we see is not from recent fire and destruction but from the chimneys within the buildings." Thaylias takes one of his gloved hands to swipe his hair that hangs down his forehead.
Grinning he turns to Allie, "I too am eager to explore the caves and we shall. It may be some days before Lt. Zaldon and Troop Phoenix arrive. But I would feel better knowing they where about protecting our rear and our mounts while we investigate the caves."
The human looks back down to Tindale.. he blinks, thinking he can see movement of .. people.. or humanoids maybe, he cant be for sure.

[Carbon14sample]

~~ With all five of the companions sheltered safely for the moment within the hostile walls of Tindale the armored human paces back and forth.~~
"At least twelve ogres Allie counted in the garrison. With a bit of luck and the blessing of Oakshade's god we may be able take the garrison without rousing to much attention."
~~looking in turn to the others he continues,~~ "I think having two of us dress in the garb of the guards we fought at the gate might give us an advantage... but that is not certain of course." "I do not know any of the tongues of the lesser ones so I am no help there." "Did one of you mention that you spoke the tongue of the orcs?

~~Thaylias sits down, his backpack on the ground before his feet. He pulls the pack closer and opens it, taking out a leaf wrapped chunk of dried meat.~~ "It will be cold provisions tonight im afraid.. again," he says with a grin.
"If we decide to deal the ogres a bit of trickery I suggest we do it prior to sunrise. Hopefully we can catch them unaware." "Getting them in small groups then silencing them as quickly as possible is our best hope."
~~He chews on a tough piece of the venison jerky while fidgeting with a loose strap on his armor~~ "Hmmm... maybe if the ogres got word that their south gate had a problem they would dispatch soldiers, leaving the garrison with less defense?"

[Lyssandra]

Once the group's indoors, Allie settles down to rest for a little and then partakes of some of her stored rations. "A fire in the fireplace is unlikely to be noticed. One in the wilderness near the cave we've kept our animals would be more noticeable at this point." The Halfling reminds the others, though leaves the final decision to the others.

Her meal done, she gathers her belongings, and places sufficient food for the horses, the owl, and her riding dog into her bag of holding. "I'll be back soon." And unless stopped will leave the house the party's made camp, and using a combination of stealth and magic will sneak out of Tindale to attend the horses, and return.

[Carbon14sample]

After securing the barracks the companions attempted to extract information from the bound ogre but to no avail. Next they cautiously approached the manorhouse. Allie determined the way clear and all entered. Shortly after the five adventurers encountered the garrison's new 'Captain' and a host of guards. The ogre's captain remained seated during the battle due to a stern look from Shanti that made him rather weak in the knees. Kel, Allie, Oakshade, and Thaylias did their usual tactics, killing all the guards.
It was agreed to search the premises to make sure no other 'guests' were present within the manorhouse and garrison.

~~Standing in the foray inside the manorhouse Thaylias sheaths his bastard sword then leans his shield against the wall. He wipes the sweat from his forehead then turns to Allie.~~
~~The Halfling suggests that the horses be retrieved from the cave and brought back to the garrison.~~ "I would wish this too Allie," Thaylias says as he leans back on the wall resting. "But I do not think it wise that we all go to bring back the horses." "We have managed to take the garrison and for now we hold it. Right now that gives us an edge."
The human knight removes his leather gloves from his hands, stretching his fingers momentarily. "It does pain me that I have no contact with my beloved horse..." "Retrieving the mounts will be quite risky. I would suggest that if we choose to do this now that only a few of us go do this while at least two stay here."
"Allie, I know you can make yourself unseen and get to the cave with no troubles but you will need help in bringing all the mounts back. Two strong bodies will need to be here ready to lift the timber securing the garrison gate when the others return."

"Let us make one more search throughout the manor house and garrison before we decide on our course," he turns to look around the foray. "I am still not convinced that there are no other enemies within the garrison walls, hopefully I am wrong though." Kneeling down, the human grabs his shield then stands back up. "Maybe we can find another way to exit the garrison, at least more discreet than the main gate."

((ooc; Instead of rambling on I'll stop here and hope to get some replys on what we would all like to do Friday. Do we wish to get the horses now or not? If so, who will go and who will stay? Plus I mentioned to DM that Thay wanted to attempt another more detailed search of the grounds.. mainly to make sure we are alone and to look for any other means to leave the garrison without having to open the main gate at this time. All I can say at this time is that Thaylias can barely find his own belongings.. So someone with a more cunning eye would perhaps have better luck. ')

[Starshadow]

The Preceeding Post was moved to a more applicable thread, to avoid the confusion, since this thread was begun after entering Tindale, and the new post is post-Garrison siege.