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Chronicle of the Scavenger Lands (Exalted 3E) - IC

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"If we're going to do this, we're going to play to win." Ryan replied with a malicious grin. He looked to Axtis and waved her over to join the plot. "Think of it, cover of night, Axtis provides helps get us an opening with her bow, potentially some mischief from summoned creatures, and we take as much ground as we can until it's too late for them to fight back. The trick is going to be clearing out both sides of the river with four points of contact at least. if we can keep them from bunkering down too early, we can burn them out in a night."
 
"I like the way you think, Ryan." says Ganzin with an expression matching the Dawn Caste's, as he looks over at one of the fortresses with the eye of a raider scoping out his next target.

"There's four cutters here, and the one currently on the side of our ship had around fifty marines aboard, not counting the two Dragon-bloods. If we assume that the other three cutters have the same capacity, and that they can all be deployed at once with that many crews, we're talking at least two hundred mortal foes, what with the troops garrisoning the fortresses and towers. But I doubt we'll be dealing with much more than three hundred mortal enemy soldiers, and they'll all be spread out across the river."
 
Axtis looks at the ships over the side of the rail, and says quietly, "I can take care of at least one of the ships, if not more of them, if it comes to that." She pats her bow with affection. "It will not be subtle, but it can be done."
 
"Since you're a Solar, I'll go ahead and assume you can disable a ship with that bow." Ganzin says, though it's clear from his expression that he can't for the life of him figure out how exactly Axtis will do so.

His expression then becomes pensive. "What are we going to do regarding Oswin? Unless I'm mistaken, this ship would have to be anchored for us to attack this checkpoint without losing our transport south. As far as Oswin knows, he's only supposed to be taking us to Aberuthven. Do you think we could persuade him to stop the ship for the night?"
 
"If you were him and we weren't putting your ship in danger and offering you a cut of the loot... Would you argue?" Ryan asked seriously. "The way this goes down I doubt it'll impact his reputation if we do this right."
 
"First of all, I'd be mindful about picking a fight with Lookshy on principle if I was in the captain's shoes." Ganzin says, though he himself doesn't look bothered about this, if only for the sake of his revenge. "As for his reputation and the ship not being put in danger...well, that depends on Lookshy not figuring out that this ship was used to attack their checkpoint. If that happens, Oswin and this ship are probably not going to be welcome anywhere Lookshy holds sway once the news circulates. To say nothing of what might happen if Lookshy trace this ship back to Lyla, or if Lyla herself finds out that one of her ships aided what's essentially an act of war against Lookshy. You think she'd be willing to risk her business interests for the sake of one man, instead of handing him over to Lookshy to save face?"

Ganzin shrugs, summing up his hypothetical viewpoint . "Basically, if something goes wrong here, Oswin's most likely going to be the one who takes the blame."
 
Ryan tapped at his chin for a moment, trying to simulate the flow of battle in his mind based on the terrain he can see. "Well... we know of at least two Exalts in their ranks. How many do you think they'd staff at a literal backwater like this, hundreds of miles from home? I hadn't intended on leaving any that might recognize us, though the part of misleading them would be significantly more difficult with all the orichalcum and that bit of soul steel. You tell me... how do you think our odds are in terms of pinning them down and preventing information from getting out? You know these Exalts capabilities far better than the rest of us. Can we cover enough ground to do it? Worst case scenario is getting Ailera here to infiltrate, pinpoint our target, and helping us surgically eliminate her." Ryan mused, confident in the array of impeccable talent their circle had on hand. "There's more than one way to bust this place after all."

Sherwood Sherwood
 
Ganzin turns his attention back to the fortress. "I'd say the only danger for us is that the fortress gets word to Lookshy before we can stop them, whether that's with sorcery or just a messenger on a horse. But with stealth and planning, I reckon we should be able to take this checkpoint - or at the very least get Arumi - with Lookshy none the wiser. Especially if we limit ourselves to the fortress she's stationed in, which in all likelihood will be the same one she came from. The fewer steps in the plan, the fewer opportunities for something to go wrong."

He grins at Ryan. "So. Shall we see if we can get the captain sold on this idea?"
 
"Yeah, I think we'll have to get the group at large onboard after the checkpoint anyhow. I'm sure a few of us will be eager to stretch our legs."
 
Ryan, Ailera, Axtis and Ganzin take Oswin aside while the search is ongoing, the five heading to Oswin's cabin to talk about their plan. Sergeant Tannis pretends to loiter around outside the cabin door, keeping an eye and ear out for anyone from Lookshy who might eavesdrop on the conversation, and it's just as well he does, because Oswin forgets all about discretion early on in the proceedings.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU PLAN TO ATTACK THIS CHECKPOINT?!" he exclaims loudly, his eyes wide in disbelief.

He's clearly hoping that this is just a terrible joke. It takes a bit of time to calm him down, explain matters to him and persuade him to go along with the plan, but he eventually agrees to play his part, albeit reluctantly.

"Fine, I'll help you. Just say what you need me to do, and I'll do it. But I warn you, if this leads back to me, I'll either claim you forced me into this, or deny my complicity in the matter. Whichever I feel is more likely to save my skin."
 
Ryan suppressed the urge to silence Oswin with a quick jab to the throat. "Watch your volume. We're going to do everything we can to get through this without anyone relaying who's responsible, alright? Breathe. You hate suckin the muck off these polished shits' boots as much as we do, don't you? Turns some of these individuals burned my mens' home to the ground. I can't have them marching around on everyone else's personal business and make them pass up this chance to get a taste of justice. I need these men to know we're on the same team, and we're going to show them that first hand."
 
"Fair enough." replies Oswin a little nervously, having guessed that he's said something capable of incurring Ryan's wrath. "What do you need me to do?"
 
"Act natural and keep sailing past the checkpoint, once we're out of sight, we're going to disembark and prepare to approach at night. We'll straighten out the rest of the details in the meantime."

Ryan turned to the Exalts. "Alright, make sure you get a good look at the lay of the land while we're here. We're only going to get one shot at this and we need to make it count. Otherwise, it's going to make a mountain of trouble for our friends."
 
"You got it." Ganzin says, before he suddenly bows to Ryan. "Also...thanks boss. I never imagined you'd let me indulge in my desire for vengeance. Now I'm feeling a lot happier about choosing to follow you."

[Ganzin gets a Minor Intimacy of Loyalty towards Ryan, and another of Outlaw Camaraderie towards Ailera]

The rest of the search goes without issue, and before long the Lookshyans return to their ship and set off back to the fortress on the western side of the river. This is the one Arumi is likely stationed at. The chain is lowered, and the Silver Mermaid raises anchor and unfurls its sails, resuming its journey down the river. As per Ryan's order, Oswin has the ship turn into a westward inlet a short distance away, taking it out of sight from the western fort. He turns the ship towards the main river, in case a quick getaway is required, and drops anchor.
 
Ailera smiles, rubbing her hands together. Looking to the others, she says, "I would have to guess that this is where I get to earn my pay by doing a recon on the defenses of these forts. Just say 'when' and I'll go."
 
Ryan peers over toward the fortress and then back at the ship full of soldiers, satisfied they were far enough away to avoid being too conspicuous. "Well, before we take a gamble of putting our other allies at risk, I want to know what's out there. You don't need me telling you all the finer points about how to do your job, but do keep an eye out for anything that could relay messages long distances. Whatever else happens, we want this to be a clean takedown. No stories. I'd rather you come back with nothing than come back with attention."

The commander took a step toward Ailera and gave her a hearty pat on the back. "Now it's time for what you do best. Godsspeed."
 
Ailera nods, and with a quick leap, she jumps off the ship and lands on the shore to start her run towards the stronghold. Once on dry land, she wraps herself in her Essence to make herself hard to notice, and sharpens her senses to be able to hopefully detect any threats before it is too late. But, being careful, she does not rely solely upon her Charm to keep her hidden. Ailera moves along at a quick pace, but quietly, moving from point to point, trying to minimize any chance for someone to spot her, even with her powers working.
Spending 5m on Sensory Acuity Prana to boost my Perception rolls, and 3m on Easily Overlooked Presence Method, both coming from Personal Essence. Both are Scene long in duration.
 
Much of the terrain between the ship and the fortress is hilly, and Ailera is able to use it to approach without being seen. Once she's at medium distance from the fortress, the terrain flattens out, and anyone there would be easy to spot from the walls in normal circumstances.

From a hiding spot in the hills, Ailera sees a stone wall of medium height surrounding the fortress. On the top of the wall, sentries carrying spears and wearing reinforced buff jackets patrol in groups of two, while others carrying bows look out towards the surrounding environment. The wall is undoubtedly well-patrolled, but Ailera's eyes, graced by both experience and the Unconquered Sun's blessing, see a number of places where she could get across the wall with the sentries none the wiser, assuming she is able to get to it without being seen.

A pair of catapults sit on the eastern wall of the fortress, pointed out to the river. Behind the wall, Ailera is able to see one large building, which her instincts tell her is likely the fortress's central keep.

All the guards on the wall are alert, meaning Easily Overlooked Presence Method will not work against them.
 
Feeling a bit put out that she cannot approach any closer without being seen, Ailera takes mental note of what lies where on the fortress before returning to the ship to report her findings.
 
"Hm..." Ryan pondered the issue of the alert guards and the risk they posed. "Think a disguise might get you any closer? Perhaps timing your activity with the arrival of a ship? I'm not sure what you're comfortable with attempting, but we can't take such a big risk of conflict without more intelligence."
 
Ailera rubs her chin, deep in thought. "I can try a disguise to get closer, using the arrival of another ship to cover my appearance. I just have to be careful; there is no way to approach from this side without being seen. Unless I try later on, under the cover of darkness. I might be able to get closer then."
 
Axtis idly asks, "Do we have any idea when another ship might be coming along? If it is going to be a while, perhaps we would be well suited to just wait for nightfall."
 
Ryan shrugs, "Can't hurt to ask the captain what river traffic around here looks like. Otherwise, nightfall it may have to be. The absolute worst-case scenario is that we'll have to delay our assault for a return trip."
 
When questioned about the river traffic, Oswin scratches his chin as he jogs his memory and gives his reply.

"There's usually about a dozen or so ships that pass through the checkpoint by day, one or two of them being big traders like mine. Don't know the exact times they'll arrive, though."
 
About an hour after the conversation with Oswin, another trading vessel, this one roughly the size of the Silver Mermaid, is spotted coming up the river from the south, heading towards the checkpoint.

What do you do?
 

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