Mission One: Avalice

[sabis]

'The village of Avalice. Unremarkable, no different from any other small village that survived relatively un-warred upon after the capital city fell. While the entire nation may be occupied, the rebels live. And villages like this have all managed to support the rebels in some way, minor or major. Supplies, people, hideouts, healing, whatever needs they can provide for without being caught. But what makes Avalice different, is that Lucien's troops got proof. And so he sends his own troops, mostly orcs with a mix of ogres, and one of his mages to command them, to punish them for aiding their own. But the troops are still two days away at the rate they march, but within sight of their goal. And they won't be making it to the night of the next.'


'The wiley old ranger and his new apprentice have been stalking them for the last four days, Sabis using this chance to teach her his ways, the advanced tactics that go with the calling of being Nature's Swords. The druid may be the priest and speaker of Gaia, but it is the Rangers who are her soldiers, and one of her best plans to bring one of her newest into the club. Now the two sit, nestled in a sturdy tree only a mile from the enemy camp, each with a looking glass as they study their target. All the while Sabis is teaching her, pointing out the weaknesses and strengths of the enemy camp, as well as the weaknesses of the enemies themselves.'

The orcs will be easily defeated in single combat, even the best of this lot could be beaten by a boy of only twelve or thirteen seasons, but they are numerous, easily three score. So the goal is to NOT turn it into a long fight. The ogres are big and powerful, but slow and dull witted, a challenge of the mind to defeat, not the body. Out think them, and you win. Their mage... observe his clothing, the markings, he is a conjurer, an evoker. He is specialized in the arcane arts of destruction, but not much good at anything else. Catch him unaware, or get close to him and he's defenseless.

'He packs his telescope and starts describing his plan in detail to her. It's not really difficult to grasp the idea, wait until about midnight, sneak in and kill the mage and maybe the ogres, then slip out if possible, if not, scatter the forces. He wants some of them alive, and he wants to make a great show of it.'

We want as many of the orcs to turn and flee as we can. I haven't taught you many spells yet, but use what you know to cause as much terror as you can. Scare them, hurt them. Wound or cripple them. Scar them deep and make them hurt, but let them live.

[Crowe]

The soft flickering of torch light was the only thing that kept his eyes from closing on this night, the reports, maps, and all the information that swirled behind that unwavering form was causing him to force himself to think critically on what was happening here. Crowe had protested the idea of even touching this small band with the intention of finding and wiping them out, but he had given in when he learned for a stealthy option to this, the wisdom of the ranger had prevailed in the end and it allowed him to focus on what was happening with the overall picture of Lucien’s plans. He knew that what was happening at moment all revolved around his interest in the College of Mundane Arts. The simple part of it was that he was hiding something in plain view and daring them to pounce of what it might be. Crowe saw the advancement of this probing force to be something only to draw their forces out to be able to find them, as he knew that they likely had not gained knowledge of their position. Or perhaps their missing spy had uttered where they were and Lucien was acting none-the-wiser for the simple purpose of lulling them into a false sense of security long enough to complete whatever it was he was working on.

“Scribe!” Crowe’s voice was booming as a young man walked in with his quill and parchments in response to his voice calling out. Crowe would wait but a few moments for the man to get what he needed to get ready and he would begin to speak once more. “It should be obvious that this probing force is nothing more than a bunch of dribble, which whose purpose is to draw out the remainder of our forces to either position Lucien’s main force or to maintain knowledge on our position. It remains to be seen what this “Whispers of Old” means but it is obvious that there is a connection between this “thing”, the farms, and of course, the College of Mundane Arts. If our spies are willing, and there is no opposition to this idea, I would like for Brenner to return from the field and join the main force. I would like Pots to begin to prod the locals for information on which mage may be the friendliest to our cause in order to obtain more information pertaining to the happenings amongst the College. As for Dregs, I would like to see what types of plants are being gathered and sent in these small shipments to the college. It is obvious whatever has been requested to be grown is what is being sent to the College and is being used to some greater ends. If samples can be obtained, please send them to Sabis for further analysis as to what they may be used for. I also wish to propose a risky gesture that I would like to lead myself. If Dregs finds it possible, I would like to take a four man group in with the shipments to the College to infiltrate and perhaps put a stop to whatever is being planned there. I want to know the probability of this happening and whether or not we can make this a reality. Remember, a prompt response is the best response. Best wishes, Crowe..” He would wait for the scribe to finish up with the page before Crowe would once again speak, “Deliver copies to every semblance of leadership we have, and make sure our spies are contacted with the plan as soon as possible. Note that I am available for discussion, and of course make sure the original reaches the Queen’s hands as soon as the first copy is written. Infact, when it is finished I will fly it to her myself. Make haste, I want to be at the civilian camp by morning.”