Freeday Evening, Fireseek 14, 591 Common Year

As the day draws to a close on Fireseek the 14^th, Chief Rahk tells Fingol that they are very near the ancient Thracian shrine. He shows them all to a hummock out of sight of the shrine where they can set up camp. Coming through a dense copse of moss-covered trees, they find themselves surrounded by scattered stone ruins. The twittering of birds is heard from all sides. The stones themselves are granite, carved into blocks and columns. A series of blocks arranged in a large square indicates the location of an ancient temple or palace. Although the ground may at one time have been firm enough to support a structure, now their every footstep brings water squelching up around the soles of their boots. Time and weather have worn away any adornments that were present on the ruins and scavengers – humanoid or otherwise – have long since made off with anything of value. Now the only inhabitants of the area are birds, which have made nests in the crooks of old walls and atop the columns. Chief Rahk takes them beyond these ruins to ground that is slightly higher and moist but otherwise dry enough to set up camp.

The chief takes Fingol, Gar, and the Marinus brothers to the edge of the tree line to give them a view of the ancient Thracian shrine that is now the layer of the Deathwalkers. Starting at the edge of the copse is a large bog surrounded by reeds. In the middle of the bog is a large mound covered in trees and underbrush. The mound looks to be at least 120’ in diameter. There seems to be a 20’ wide path stretching across the bog about 200’ to the mound. Along the final length of that path are poles on either side with skulls set atop them. In the middle of the bog about 100’ out and 50’ to the left of the path is a smaller rise about 30’ in diameter covered in reeds and a willow tree. The perimeter of the rise is lined with poles higher than the reeds atop of which are the skulls of humans, lizardfolk, orcs, hobgoblins, and other less identifiable things. No Deathwalkers or any other people or creatures are in sight.

Chief Rahk announces quietly, “After the Deathwalkers attacked our village we tracked them back here. I led an attack on the mound but they beat us back with archers from atop the mound. They also have a very powerful priest of their god in there whose power leached the life from all around him. We could not stand up to it and were forced to turn back. Now that you are here, Father Gar, you will be able to counter him with the power of Obad-Hai. With you rangers and your archers at our side, we can prevail.”

The sun begins to set and Chief Rahk beckons for them all to return to the camp so they can decide how best to attack.

“Chief Rahk, how many archers did the Deathwalkers have?” asks Fingol, “And how many warriors in all on the day you fought them?”

Chief Rahk replies, “There were dozens of archers on the mound, and many of those we killed back at the Javan River who ambushed you at Cypress Hill were here as well. There may be a few dozen left now.”

Indranil says, “I am wondering short of a miracle how a small party like ours could assault a fortified position like this?”

Chief Rahk laughs in the lizardfolk fashion, a kind of staccato snorting. “You will not have to worry about that. Look! My other warriors have arrived.” As he says this, dozens of lizardfolk warriors emerge from the trees and underbrush around the camp. “They have been waiting for us to arrive. Here are my two main lieutenants and each leads a score of warriors.”

Sergeant Apone and his squad seem quite shaken by the sight of so many lizardfolk warriors in battle regalia – feathers and necklaces of alligator teeth. The two lieutenants come forward to join the strategy session. Like their warriors they are armed with large clubs with teeth embedded in them, atlatls and a quiver of darts, and heavy shields, though unlike their warriors the leader’s shields are made of darkwood – a very dense but unusually light wood.

After the introductions are over Indranil says. “I did note the willow tree that is conveniently placed. That would be a good place for Aramak to take cover while gives us the support of his spells. I guess we’ll have to brainstorm on how to do this.”

Fingol sketches for them the shrine and surrounding bog, including the path and the smaller mound. “I don’t like the look of this. 200′ is a fairly long bowshot our aim would be uncertain at that distance if we stay out of the bog. The single path will herd us down one assault line. And I don’t know about the smaller mound, it would be likely to hold additional warriors. So if we check that out first, we’ll be exposed to the warriors in the larger mound. We may also be exposed to whoever is on the smaller if we go to the larger one first. The only good thing is that no Deathwalkers are visible now. They could be out on a raid although, if so, I’d have expected to see a garrison force. So I am confused as to why no one is visible.”

Chief Rahk says, “They are inside the mound. That is not actually a hill. It is an ancient shrine that has since become covered over until it seems to be just a large mound rising out of the bog. The first time we attacked they went into an entrance hidden at the end of that path. None of the skull-topped poles were there or on the smaller mound when we attacked the first time.”

“They’ve been busy.” Fingol growls, “We’ll have to make them answer for that. So our hope is that they lost most of their warriors in your river assault? I am sure that they can’t absorb a loss like that easily. Still, I would like to be sure that they are as weak as we hope before we begin our assault.” Looking at Chief Rahk, “I’m told that your warriors are stronger and tougher than the average human. Still, we can’t be reckless in that strength.”

“Moradin’s Hairy Balls!” Indranil curses. ”This will be a tough nut to crack. Chief Rahk, Sir Fingol, and Sir Lorindel, let’s discuss this attack together. I would like to include Guardsmen Rain and Aramek, and also Adelina, if you have no objection?”

“You may include whoever you wish in your counsels,” replies Chief Rahk.

Sgt. Apone nods and says, “I’ll go get Aramek, but pardon me sir, why do you want Rain? She’s just a new recruit. I know she has some fancy moves but is there more to her that I should know about as her sergeant?”

Fingol coughs to hide his reaction to this question about Rain, knowing that she is Lady Sedara’s agent.

“Only that she is Adelina’s guardian,” replies Indranil. “I am curious to see if Adelina has any feelings or intuitions that arise from this area during our strategy session. Please bring all three.”

Indranil nods to Rain, Aramek, and Adelina as they return with Sergeant Apone from the gathering gloom and join the circle that includes Chief Rahk, his two lieutenants, Father Gar, Sir Fingol, and the Marinus brothers.

With everyone present Indranil begins, “We have reached our objective, the ancient Thracian shrine that the Deathwalker cult has set up as their vile lair and has been using as their base of operations to terrorize the Hool. It was from here that they led the attack on Chief Rahk’s people, on Cypress Hill, upon us on the Javan River, and are now threatening the outskirts of Westkeep.”

Indranil relates to them all what had been discussed previously with Chief Rahk about the shrine and in particular about the Deathwalker priest. He looks to Father Gar and Aramek, “he will be your responsibility to neutralize and defeat.”

“Further complicating things is it is likely that there are prisoners alive inside which we want to save,” Indranil says with a glance at Adelina.

“Even assuming we have surprise on our side, 40 of Chief Rahk’s best warriors and our small party assaulting a defended position like this will not be easy. We need to think of other ways than a straight up frontal attack. Stealth, speed and violence of action will be our key to victory.”

“I would like Sir Fingol to brief you all on the surroundings and then have each of us share their ideas. Sir Fingol, would you please describe the shrine and surrounding area again showing the map you drew? Aramek please pay particular attention to the features of the small mound in the map.”

Fingol steps forward a little hesitantly, clears his throat. “Okay,” he begins and starts to sweep the leaf clutter off the ground with his foot, leaving a fair sized circle in the middle of the group. “The Deathwalkers have created a compound in the ruins of this ‘Thracian’ shrine. Ruins of it are scattered around the compound. The main feature of the compound is a bog surrounding the structures.” Fingol waves his arm over the circle indicating that it is all bog. “Am I correct in assuming that the bog is impassible, Chief Rahk?”

Chief Rahk says, “The bog is three feet deep in most places, but in some parts it would go over your heads. It is certainly not impassible to us. For you, however, it would take some time to get through it, and you’d have to swim part of the way. By that time their archers would have finished you.”

Fingol proceeds to explain all that is known or can be observed about the shrine mound and its defenses while drawing a diagram in the cleared circle. “There is no telling how far underground the temple complex extends, whether the two mounds are connected underground or how many Deathwalkers it can accommodate. Nor do we know for certain how many Deathwalkers are in there now. Unless your warriors can tell us what they have seen while they were waiting for us to get here, Chief Rahk.”

Chief Rahk looks to one of his lieutenants who had been watching the place. The lieutenant says, “Every day about a dozen of them leave the main mound from a concealed entrance at the end of the path. They head out to hunt and return with whatever game they have caught.”

“Well all of this is to say, we do have a tough nut to crack. Sir Indranil, do you have anything to add?” Fingol steps from the sketch in the mud.

Newt waits until the knights have had their say and raises her hand. She waits to be recognized before speaking softly.

“Milord, is there truly no other way in but down the path they have set? It seems if we are determined and creative we should be able to find some way to come at them from another direction.”

“Adelina’s logic rings true,” agrees Lorindel. “Perhaps there is a passage way that time has covered up and has yet to be discovered by the Deathwalkers.”

Newt adds, “Or perhaps the smaller mound could be taken more quietly? That may give us the access we need before the Deathwalkers can rally. That’s how all the stories go. There’s always some kind of back door.” Newt look a bit embarrassed as she realizes how naive that must sound to the veterans.

Fingol smiles, “This is why we gathered you all. To discuss what we know. To find out what we need to know, and most of all, to decide on a plan that will minimize the risk to us all. I for one have no intention of tossing my life away needlessly. I am sure this is a sentiment others share.”

“I don’t know if we can find a secret way or develop a fool proof plan, but there are always options. We could for instance, build some sort of cover that could be moved up the pathway. This would protect us from archers as we move in, and then be placed to protect us from an attack. Our own archers could help keep theirs pinned down as well. But there are other ideas out there, so everyone consider what you see before you and keep wondering. My assessment of the compound was grim. Don’t despair at it. But realize we need the best from each of you.”

Indranil says, “These are all excellent ideas, and as Sir Fingol stated, why we gathered you all here. Aramek, what is your opinion? Is there a way we can use the willow tree on the small mound to our advantage? Would Snoop be able to swim out to the small mound unobserved and see if any Deathwalkers are there and if that mound hides a secret passage?”

Aramek looks at Indranil and then Chief Rahk. “Sir Indranil, I would be concerned for Snoop’s safety, were he required to swim that much of a distance though the bog alone. He’s not very big, after all and would be defenseless against any predators in the water. If one of the chief’s warriors could accompany him stealthily across the bog after dark, I think Snoop might be willing to go over there and “snoop” around. I would be able to sense his impressions.”

Indranil turns to Chief Rahk and asks, “Chief Rahk, since your warriors will be able to cross the bog do you think they could surround the mound in the dark and still of night?”

Chief Rahk responds, “We can swim under the water for some time. That will be no problem. Unless they have allies now who can see in the dark they will not see us coming. However, it is cold and even colder now that night is falling. We are not at our best right now.”

Gar speaks up at last, “Milords, I am able to create a concealing mist around myself, but it is stationary once it arises and even a moderate wind will blow it away. I don’t know if that will help. Also, I have prayed for the power to create a bridge of shadow that can connect two points if they are 60’ or less apart. It will only last 18 seconds though, and is only 5’ wide. It might reach from the middle of the path to the smaller mound. I also have a spell that will enable the lizardfolk to overcome the effects of the cold, but it will not last long, but it could make the difference in the opening rounds of a fight.”

Fingol replies, “I remembered your mist. I was thinking that it might cover a retreat. However, I don’t like it for covering an advance, since it will put our own archers at a disadvantage.”

Aramek speaks up, “Oh, I should tell you that my Master Parwyn gave me two invisibility potions, however they will only last a few minutes.”

At the mention of invisibility potions Rain perks up and says, “That may help tremendously. It would be great if a few of us more stealthy types could form a small flanking group once the main group is engaged. Maybe we could approach from across the bog itself under cover of night and invisibility?”

Fingol says, “That might be a way to get archers onto the small mound. They could support a larger force of Chief Rahk’s warriors who might swim out, although the cover of night may make the potion unnecessary. The lizardfolk might simply help the archers get out to the mound, perhaps by carrying them out on some kind of raft. The potions might also be useful when we make an initial push into the mounds. It would greatly reduce the risk to the first men to step through the door, as it were.”

Indranil rubs his heads and eyes and sighs. Then looks at Chief Rahk’s lieutenant and asks, “You said that a hunting party of 12 departs the mound every day? Is it always around the same time? How long are they gone for? Do they travel the same path to leave the area, and can you show us their direction of travel on this map? “

The lizardfolk lieutenant says, “As I said, they come out of the concealed entrance of the main mound right at the end of the pathway. They come down the pathway and then spread out in smaller parties of four each in different directions. They return in the evening with deer meat or whatever else they can find. From the amount of food they are bringing in each night they are probably feeding two or three times their number.”

Indranil turns to Chief Rahk and asks, “Chief Rahk, you said that during your attack no arrows or attackers came from the direction of the small mound,” Indranil points at the small mound drawn on the map on the ground. “Would one of your warriors be willing to swim Snoop, Aramek’s familiar, across and back to the small mound around midnight tonight so he can scout it for us?”

Chief Rahk nods, “That could be done, but there is no need to risk this one’s familiar. Our warriors can go there and come back to report whatever they find. Remember that when we are swimming underwater or with just our snouts above the waterline we are hard to distinguish from the alligators and crocodiles are out – esp. at night.”

A bit tentatively, Newt asks, “How much time do we have? Do we have time enough to watch them and see how they behave and if they have any patterns we could exploit? If we’re not in a hurry, I think we should observe them longer before acting.”

Fingol smiles at Adelina, wondering if he’s found a kindred spirit who’s also a little uncomfortable in these formal discussions. “Yes, we can, and I think should observe the compound a bit longer. Chief Rahk’s warriors have kept watch and given us good intelligence. Still, the chief and our own soldiers may wish to form their own impressions. However, concealing such a force as we have here now could prove quite difficult.”

Chief Rahk says, “It would indeed be difficult to conceal ourselves here with their hunting parties about. But we can move back some ways from here to another dry spot and leave people behind here to keep watch. Personally I would prefer to attack when it gets a little warmer, though that may not be for many days and we brought no supplies for a long wait. Also, Sir Ragnbjorn will be waiting for you all at Cypress Hill.”

Indranil casts his glance around the circle, looking into each person’s eyes. He then looks down at the map Sir Fingol drew upon and studied it for a few minutes in silence. It was now almost entirely dark and the Hool came alive in the night. Finally he takes a deep breath and looks up saying,

“As I said earlier our greatest chance to cast out the Deathwalkers and remove their filth from the Hool lies in stealth, speed and a ruthless show of force. We do not have the luxury of time, troop strength, or supplies for a prolonged observation or siege. We are vulnerable to being discovered by their roving hunting parties. We did not bring supplies for a long camp. There are other political interests in play within the Hool and we need to resolve this quickly. And finally there may be hostages alive inside the shrine in need of rescue that would be at risk in a lengthy siege type action.”

“Here is my first idea for us to discuss. I see this as a three part action: we need a distraction, followed by an ambush, and finally our own raid on the shrine mound.

“First we need to send a scout out to the small mound to confirm there is a back door into the shrine and determine if there are any guards hidden there. Chief Rahk, would you please send one of your stealthiest warriors to scout the small mound? Please advise them not to make contact with any Deathwalker they may find, we want to maintain secrecy.”

Chief Rahk nods in the affirmative.

“Once we learn the results from Chief Rahk’s scout we can make any changes we need to and deploy or squads to their positions. I want all this done by well before dawn.

“A distraction squad will be led by a lizardfolk lieutenant with 20 warriors and include Father Gar, who will be able to offer them the short term magical boost to overcome this chill weather. Once they eliminate the hunting party they are to run back and lie in hiding, ready to reinforce Chief Rahk’s squad of ten warriors . That latter squad will allow itself to be seen in order to draw out a sortie from the mound. Once those Deathwalkers engage what essentially look like easy pickings, they will find themselves in battle with a reinforced squad of 30 or more warriors. While this is going on, a final squad of ten warriors led by the other lieutenant will be making the swim across and hiding in the reeds until the trap is sprung and they can keep the Deathwalkers from retreating back into the mound. Your ultimate goal will be to eliminate the Deathwalkers outside the mound and then charge into the shrine mound to clean up any that remain. Father Gar you will be supporting Chief Rahk and counter the Deathwalker priest should he appear.

“Sir Lorindel will lead Sgt. Apone and his archers to the small mound. Wait until you see the majority of the Deathwalkers on the footpath. Once you release your first volley of arrows that will be the signal for Chief Rahk’s warriors to attack. Continue to fire upon them as long as you can safely do so without hitting Chief Rahk’s people. Then concentrate on providing covering fire on the main mound.

“The raid team will be led by Sir Fingol followed by myself, with Rain, Aramek, and Adelina. We will be inside looking for hostages and extracting them if we find them to the small mound.

“Okay people, we have a few hours to eat and rest. Tonight will be sleepless and the morrow fraught with peril. May the Lady bless us all and see to guide our efforts!”

Fingol says, “I like the plan, Sir Indranil. Two questions if I may be so bold?”

“Could the raiding party also provide archery support to the distraction team? They will be called on last, in theory, and so they could move up with the distraction team and organize themselves in time to fulfill their role. This would improve their effectiveness and reduce casualties among Chief Rahk’s warriors, which I am sure we are all eager to see.

“Also, when the fight is joined on the path, assuming everything goes to plan, would that not be the time for Father Gar to create this divine bridge he has discussed? I am eager to see the men placed on the small mound safely evacuated.

“Finally, I am honored to be considered for command of the raiding team. However, unless you are engaged elsewhere, I see no reason why you should not take it. To my father’s constant irritation, I feel no avarice for military rank or honors.”

Indranil smiles warmly and clasps Sir Fingol on the shoulder, “You are our most capable close quarter knight and as such you are the best qualified to lead us in the attack! Plus you make me a fine shield!

“The raiding party needs to be on the small mound ready to enter the shrine as soon as the Deathwalkers come pouring out of the shrine to investigate the distraction. That is why I suggest the distraction party be as large as possible since they will be on their own.”

“We will need Sir Lorindel’s party on the small mound to provide covering fire to the Chief Rahk’s strike force, and they will be able to do so from the angle of the small mound but not if they are behind the lizardfolk warriors. Additionally, once we exit the shrine we may need additional support if we have some Deathwalkers on our tail!  Knowing Sir Fingol and Sgt Apone are there to guard our exit I feel much better.”

After the strategy meeting Rain says to Aramek, “Regarding what Indranil asked you about whether Snoop would mind doing some scouting or not. I would strongly urge you not put him in any harms way whatsoever, regardless of what Indranil asks. If it comes to it, I will back you completely to defend that.”

“Me too!” pipes in Newt. ”Snoop shouldn’t be risked like that.”