Josh said: "I say we take out the Gynosphinx. though I suggest we escort the prisoners/gold back home ourselves, using the travel time to have xankoris figure out erieannas sleep schedule then teleport back to that caged room and sneak in to take out unawares. Ritt K. said: Max said: "Not a very honorable way to fight..." Jargon grumbles disapprovingly. Hamanap frowns, considering the idea as well. "So long as we use Xankoris's scouting method to ensure that this Erianna deserves an execution before attacking..." "By the way, if we have to split, I can do void sense while going with the escort group. I think this will be an efficient way to spend time." Dawi said: After a little chat with Vigil, Ering joins the discussion, the bird still happily bounces from his shoulder to his arm, occasionally pecking some of the dried fruit in the wizard's hand. "It is clear by now that Zorall's forces are not only aware, but actively looking for us. I fear that the flying destrachan will be the first of many scouts sent to find our camp, and if we learned anything from Zorall's... tastes, it might be any kind of creature, from a burrowing xorn to a stealthy shadow in the night." He pauses for a moment, looking at the freed slaves, the people following them and his soldiers. "We might be reaching a point where the risks outweigh the treasures gained and the destabilization we cause in their ranks. Our meeting with Erianna could be our last raid, at least until we can figure out a way to secure our camp." Josh said: If we leave after taking out this gynosphinx, looking at what we got, I doubt we'll break even on the cost of that stone rod. unless we sold it back along with the other magic items we got. But i value my life more than gold I'm good to pull out of the fire. Kraggan frowns and says firmly "If we haven't stolen enough from Zorall even to cover the cost of one magic rod, what that translates to is that we haven't hindered his war effort at all . The point of what we're doing here is not to gain treasure, but to make it too difficult for Zorall to continue his involvement in the Stone River War. There are still soldiers in there eager to raid the surface cities, and slaves hoping to be rescued. We need to commit to at least another half dozen serious raids before we pull out." She pauses for a moment to let this sink in, her frustration and worry for her comrades etched into the birchbark patterns on her skin, then adds "I agree, though, that we need to make sure our camp is more secure. Our raid team has been able to handle things inside, but having so many civilians up here is a liability. I think we should divide up our elite forces three ways: Xankoris, Hiskel, and some guards can escort most of our freedmen, livestock, and loot to the Waypoint in the wagon; Ering can teleport the prisoners ahead, so they have fewer chances to ecape; Avariel, Hamanap and I will stay here to guard the camp until your return, hunkering down to make our presence less noticeable from the air. During the trip, Xankoris can scout out Erianna, but I think we ought to attack elsewhere first anyway when you all get back, just to make sure they don't expect us back in the same place." "That sounds wise," Hamanap agrees, smiling down at Kraggan approvingly. "It is our duty to protect the lives of those we've rescued and those who serve us, not to leave them in harm's way; but just the same, a light blow against Zorall will only encourage his raiding to replace what is lost. Even if we cannot slay him, we must show him that attacking our towns carries a heavy price, one he will be unwilling to pay again anytime soon." "I'll stay here to help guard your camp," Jargon says. "If they attack it, I'd like a chance for some revenge on those bastards. How about you, angel?" he asks Rezinov. Axil puts in "I can stay as well. With heavy hitters guarding the camp, I might be of more use scouting out the entrances we've found... I'm quite good at stealth and deception, so if I go alone I can probably gather some useful intel on the current state of their preparations in advance of our next raid." Kraggan nods, and adds "Another thing I've been wanting to bring up is that during our last two raids there was too much discussion and chatter about whether to continue or withdraw while we were down there. We need a clearer chain of command in combat situations, so that we can strike fast and withdraw on each raid. We've been lucky so far, but sooner or later a patrol or reinforcements will come upon us while we debate and one of us will get killed. If I say we withdraw, we withdraw; if I'm in wild shape and can't speak, Ering can make the call. If anyone has a problem with this, speak up now, not when we're deep in enemy territory." Dawi said: Her Symbols are something we should worry about. If the rooms are big enough I might be able to Read and Dispel them from a safe distance, but maybe the lizardfolk we just took prisoner might be able to tell us more about their placement and Xank could scout ahead, provided that his... Out of body form won't trigger the spells." Spellcraft and Craft (trapmaking), trained only, apply.