The Daimyo's Gambit - Game Thread

"Whether they are here to oppose us or not, one thing is for sure: their coming to us will give our position away to Shimazu!" Fēng says grimly. "If we climb now they will catch us like flies on a wall."

Ai Shan, instantly awakened and ready to danger, looks out at the birds he saw in the distance.

"They have dwarves on them? Huh. Maybe they are not friendly to our quarry?" He breathes, pulling out a javelin and twirling it in his fingers. "Either way, we must be prepared."

Fēng calls out to the barbarian, "Ai Shan, don't be a fool! Prepare for battle but conceal yourself. None of us are afraid of these crow riders. But if we reveal ourselves this Shimazu's forces will come down on top of us like an avalanche!"

The monk hopes quoting his Masters' words will convince Ai Shan.

"Know thyself, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories."

"He who is prudent and lies in wait for the enemy who is not, will be victorious."

The grizzled savage melts back into the shadows with a snort. He glances at Feng and stops his javelin with a sudden movement.

"Chances are if they're flying this way they know we're here little Birdman, but if not, they won't see what hit'em."

"Unlikely as it seems, there is the possibility they are here to aid us. Or on business of their own. If the Council of Magi is sending envoys to Shimazu then it can't be good. We should learn more." Fēng says the last with a bit of pride; he has learned his lessons well. All he knows of world politics is from lessons, not from any real world experience.

The monk turns to the druid, "Cassandra, if we must fight them I want you and I to attempt to gain the loyalty of their crow mounts. I don't know how strong a bond those riders have with them but we must try. It would not only give us the upper hand in a fight against those mages, but would also grant us an advantage in our mission against Shimazu."

Urki takes note of his comrades sulking into the shadows and follows suit.

Cassandra is uneasy about questioning the leadership of Feng, and asks uncertainly, "Ow long till them crow riders get 'ere? Two hours or more, I reckon. You don't think we could be up this 'ere cliff before they get 'ere? Anyway Mother Nature ain't goin' to 'ide us forever"

While she is waiting to see what effect her words have, Cassandra nevertheless obeys by hiding as best she can against the cliff face.

How far away are they?

"These riders's goin' ta blow our cover. We need ta either push on or hope they are frien'ly to our cause. I vote move now. If'n they are looking f'r us, their arrival will be a great distraction. If na' we can still use 'em to our advantage."

Cassandra nods eagerly, "Ere, Feng, 'ow about you do that rope trick again and get us up there?"

Casting Pass without Trace again for the next hour.

"Good thinking Kildrak, let's get a move on."

Urki looks from Cass to Feng shaking his head yes.

Fēng begins to doubt the wisdom of his suggestion to lie in wait for the crow riders. The one hour they have tarried might cost them dearly! The young monk is unaccustomed to self-doubt but it assails him now. He nods his assent to his companions' urgings and takes the ropes and the grapples, and pauses just long enough for Cassandra to work her concealing magic before soaring up the cliff face to secure their climbing ropes. Once that is accomplished he takes out the telescope he got from the mangonel captain and sets his gaze on both the incoming fliers and also on any of Shimazu's troops that are about.

"Damn!" Ai Shan grumbles, shimmying up the rope to Feng's position, gliding up the rope like a wraith

"You guys go up first. Worse comes to worse I'm positive Feng could get me up there on his back or arms. I only weigh 39lbs let's get the bigger folk up first."

Fēng had just secured two 100ft lines and a shorter, third one anchored only 50ft up from the landing when he turned around to peer through the spyglass at the inbound crow riders. What he sees disturbs him. He makes a snap decision. He quickly stows the spyglass before tucking his wings and going into a headlong dive, streaking down to the landing like a hurled spear. He snaps his wings open just in time to come to a well-practiced hard landing directly in front of Cassandra. "Quickly!" He hisses urgently to his companions, struggling not to yell for fear of their hobgoblin pursuers. "Spirits forgive me, I wasted too much of our time already by hiding in the rocks. Now make haste! One of Grihori's mages, and a knight of the same order. They will be upon us sooner than you think! I will carry Cassandra. The rest of you, CLIMB NOW!" Fēng grabs the druid and tries to hoist her up but makes little headway. He drops his pack to the ground and struggles to catch more air with great sweeps of his wings. "The Four Winds take me, Cassandra, how can such a frail woman as yourself weigh so much?!"

Cassandra prickles at Feng's words, but reacts cooly, "If you ain't tough enough, Mother Nature 'elp you." As she speaks these words, her staff tip glows a muted green.

Casting Enhance Ability (Bull's Strength) on Feng.