Trumpets sound the charge!!!!

Hornet nodded at the plan.  "The archers should target the far one with maybe magical help.  Javelins and my crossbow can reach the closer one.  Perhaps our new frind can show us how that stick works on the close one as well.  If all goes well they will die quickly but if not we need to be ready to charge them."  Hornet readied his crossbow for the attack.

I am good either way.  SOmebody post an action on the regular thread and we will go with it

OK time for attack planning.  My thought is we attack each of the guard goblins one at a time.  Everyone with ranged weapons or spells shoots at once and hopefuly kill the goblin before it raises an alarm.  The other option would be to let them raise an alarm and hopefully we can defeat what should be a small number of goblins in one fight.

Slip of the fingers.  Silver it is

With the river crossing complete. the party turned north toward the pyre.  "Silver and I will take the lead as we move towards the pyre.  Keep your eyes and ears open for any goblin along the way.  There is no way to know how many goblins are at the pyre but we should have surprise on them.  If we can take them out before they can raise an alarm we have a good chance to get to the cave quietly."  Hornet moved north.

With a Kender who needs an invitation? 

Please move the location to south of the pyre.  Thanks  Only way we can sneak up on them is to come from the south

Wow, it worked!!!!   As for location of the crossing my mistake for not being more specific. In my mind we went south of the burning pile before crossing and would head north to it to remove the goblins there first.    But will work with what we have.   Am I correct that in order North to South now we would have : Current Party location, Varlog, Ford, Pyre?  Or is the ford directly east of the ford?    

  After much discussion and the laying out of serveral plans it seemed the group settled on a rather unconventional one.  "Soledad will use her magic to form an ice raft.  By covering it with some dirt and branches we will try to make it less slippery then we will drive our daggers or swords into the ice as handles then lay flat to make the raft more stable.  Finally, Uthal will shift into crocodile form, grab the end of the raft in his teeth and use his powerful tail to push it across the river.  Lets get ready to go."   

Seems the consensus is that we make an ice raft, use our weapons for handholds (lying down would make us more stable) and have the druid in croc form push us across.  Will post it in the main thread.

Our druid frind is able to shape shift into a crocodile that has swimming stats and remain as such for 2 hours.  He could take us across one at a time.  We'd get wet but less risky than the ice boat I think. Or if we really want the ice raft he could power it like an outboard engine.

Hornet eyed the newly introduced individual.  There was something about that strange stick she carried.  As the others introduced themselves he pondered.  Then it hit him, she was a Kender.  He had never met one before but he thieves guild told stories of this race and their ability to "find" things.  Being called "kender born" was a complement in his circles.  Of course he would have to keep a close eye on his belongings lest he "leave one" to be fond.  This could be an interesting addition to the group.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Hornet.  You are more than welcome to join our group.  Bending close and said in a whipser he added.  Like you I am a finder of things.  If you happen to find anything and don't know what it is or who it belongs to I may be able to help."  Stepping back he continued. "How did one such as yourself find themselves to be in the forest?" 

BACK TO PLANNING

"Boris has given us good information.  It seems the ford is being watched so that path is dangerous.  Also the ones burning bodies could spot us if we try to use the ford.  I suggest we find a shallow spot in the river and cross up stream of the burning pyre.  Working to gether we can all get across even if some of the taller folks need to aid the shorter ones.  Then we sneak up on the goblinsa the pyre and dispatch them so they cannot raise an alarm.  Next we head down to the ones watching the ford who will not suspect an attack from their own side of the river.  What say the rest of you?"  

We just have to be sneakier.  Maybe kill off the goblins at the pyre first so they can't raise an alarm then the ones guarding the forge 

Welcome!!  Always great to have another player.  A kender should make things interesting.

I'd give it a shot.  

We will move towards the ford.  As we get close Hornet will call out quietly for Boris as he has done before.  At that point we will wait about 10 minutes to see if he appears.  If he does we will talk to him,  If not we will cross.  

Hornet nodded and took the lead. "We will move towards the ford.  As we get close I will call out quietly for Boris as I have done before.  At that point we will wait about 10 minutes to see if he appears  and check to make sure the crossing is safe.  If he does we will talk to him,  If not we will cross if it is safe."
  

Horent spends a bit of time explaining what happened at the cave to the newcomers.  Then it was time for a new plan.  "Unless anyone has an objection, I propose we travel back to the river and see if we can contact Boris.  If for nothing else to thank him for his help; assuming it was him helping us.  It is hard to tell with fey.  Then we cross the river and follow the bank back toward the goblin lair.  This time we will be coming from another direction.  We tried a frontal attack during the day and although we thinned their numbers we nearly died.  Perhaps we try sneaking in under cover of darkness."  

   Hornet felt refreshed after his rest.  As the others woke and gathered it was time to plan their next move.  "Well that didn't go exactly as we imagined it.  Perhaps a more stealthy approach would bring better results.  The question is do we wait a bit for things to quiet down and risk the boys lives or do we go back now and hope the goblins believe they chased us off and we would not be foolish enough to come back?  I think if we have any chance to save the boys we need to act now.  We head back from the oposite direction as last time and this time we try sneaking in.  With luck we will only encounter single or small groups of goblins and can dispatch them before they raise an alarm.  We also have new companions and are a stronger group.  What say the rest of you? 

We go back because that is most likely where the missing people are being held and we need to find them. Maybe the goblins are waiting for us but there will be less of them now. Maybe they figured they chased us away and only idiots would try again.  We could try sneaking in this time and hopefully encounter only a few goblins at a time and surprise them.  It was numerical superiority that topped the fight in their favor.    As for healing, a long rest is perfect. If someone has healing spells left we should use them just in case something goes bump in the night

I would say we rest and give it another shot at the goblins.  We know better than to "ring the doorbell" this time.  

A long rest is in order for sure. That would restore all our hot points in 5ed rules. I would be ok with a cave if we find one.  Or we could turn and go up river for an hour or so and just make a camp.  Unlikely Boris is far from the river.  Let's post ideas and discuss them here.  Anyone who wants to do introductions or such go ahead and post in the game thread.  

Hornet watched his bolt strike tue in the goblin and end its miserable life. As second goblin fell to an axe but one still remained.  Its screams of rage soon attracted a gnoll as well.  If they continued their howling others would surely follow.  "Kill them quickly before they bring help."  Hornet sent a bolt toward the gnoll.  His mind was still trying to understand how the fog simply vanished then he thought about Boris.  "If you can here me Boris, we thank you for your help"  It seemed at the moment that safety was still just out of reach.   

Hornet would vote for straight into the woods using stealth and the spell until we find a spot that is suitable for a long rest.  Hornet will take trail in marching order to make sure we are not followed.