Jaela: getting stuff done (Jaela)

[Corwin]

Take 10 for K:P 60 on the location, to be sure I know where to go.

She could bind one, Jaela muses. It would probably be enough. "What about those more recent attempts? How long did the attackers have before the defenders rallied? Did Jalal send reinforcements over, or did Hasan manage the defense all on his own?"

[Anastasia]

"The location is in the Obsidian Wastes," Crellen says.

You recall the Obsidian Wastes are badlands far removed the City of Brass. About ten thousand miles north of the city, an empty place a little cooler than the rest of Fire. Here lava flows harden into volcanic glass and the like, giving the region its name. The ground isn't good and the cool temperature keeps most natives away from it. Of course, that means a few non-native villages are there, as well as people taking advantage of the solitude for various reasons.

No one really owns it. The Sultan claims the land, but seldom enforces it and no one's ever cared to argue much. There's plenty more Fire that's nicer than it, after all. The main industry is obsidian mining and things related to it.

"In particular," He clears his throat, "About two hundred miles northwest of Falegar, an obsidian mine."

As to the rest, he spreads his hands out, "It's not known. Hasan isn't known for letting survivors escape or be heard from again. The most recent attempt that I know of was about four thousand years ago by an astral deva lead company of paladins. None of them have been heard of since."

[Corwin]

"Seriously? What did he do, capture her soul?" Jaela asks incredulously. It's a bit of a shock to hear of such methods outside the lower planes.

Still, that's not the important question. Jaela glances over Mei, Dana and the Master, asking, "Feel like storming the place?"

[Anastasia]

"Shit," Dana murmurs, "That fucker's a real piece of work."

You get three nods back, while Crellen remarks, "He may have. I would not put it past a slaver."

[Corwin]

"We'll head out to take a look," Jaela says. "Teleporting away from the front entrance is alright?"

[Anastasia]

Crellen's amusement is obvious, "If you think you can just teleport there, you do not grasp Hasan at all. Anyone teleporting within about 10 miles of Fourfires appears in a prepared trap. Those ten miles are fortified zones filled with scouting units."

[Corwin]

"Yeah, I figured. I just think we can break past the trap. Ten miles, though? Man, that's like ten minutes of flight."

[Anastasia]

"Assuming we aren't fighting every step of the way," The Master points out, "Hasan has taken steps against teleportation, I doubt he would leave his aerial defenses lacking."

"Which means we'll just have to deal with all of them. Too fucking bad for them," Dana says, while Mei nods again.

[Corwin]

"Any better ideas? Having an efreet around would get us past the traps or the patrols?"

[Anastasia]

"I say we just fight through," Dana says, "We can take them."

[Corwin]

"Well yes, chances are we can," Jaela patiently agrees. She's probably untouchable by fodder patrols if she gets serious, and the Master likewise. Dana can probably survive most things and she's around to heal her back. That leaves Mei, but Mei does have her infinitely-replaceable walls.

"I was including you while asking that," Jaela tells Crellen directly. "I recognize that sometimes, we know so little that a direct assault makes as much sense as elaborate planning. Since you're the one with the limited information we have, what do you think?"

[Anastasia]

Crellen considers, "You're completely correct. The only thing you stand to lose is the element of surprise, and after Aurora's raid against the Emir of the Flametongued's holdings, that is only worth so much. Support yourself so you have an avenue of retreat that's difficult to stop if things go wrong."

[Corwin]

"Then we might as well give it a decent try," Jaela decides, picking out a place to transport the four of them to.

If the Master can run while carrying Dana, let's do that at base speed 120ft. Otherwise, we'll hustle (double move) at base speed 90ft. Either way I'll carry Mei.

[Anastasia]

The Master can't and maintain a light load. Dana's not the heaviest (about 150 pounds), but her gear and armor isn't light. The Master's Strength score is only 18.

So you'll be on the ground and heading in a straight shot towards Fourfires?

[Corwin]

Yes. I presume I can fly at ground level. I'll try to see if I can limit the spread of my glow, even though we're not really a sneaking party.