Master CrimParum stumbled when Kyra turned towards her. While she didn't lash at her, Parum knew that her words didn't make Kyra happy. She could guess that she couldn't talk Kyra out of going to the mill, and it seemed like everyone else was pretty intent on going regardless if it was a trap or not. Her hands balled into fists feeling frustrated, but she wasn't going to give up. If these people were going to do this, than Parum was going to make sure they at least didn't die. "If you're going to keep going, fine, but don't just walk into a trap!" Parum shouted just a little. She didn't mean to be loud, but she wanted to be heard. She walked alongside the others and tried to think of some sort of plan.
"If this is an ambush, they may try to lure us inside the mill. They might try to pretend to be a villager, but if what Escobert said is true, than there shouldn't be anyone left in the village that needs saving. If they're already there they likely have already sealed any exits for us and set up traps to kill us. I know that grain can be highly flammable, doubly so if this mill is made mostly of wood. You mentioned there's a forest nearby; some of our enemies may be hiding in the woods as well, if they aren't hidden between the buildings or in the buildings themselves. They probably used a lot of kobolds so we'll definitely be outnumbered."
With this information in mind, Parum thought about possible strategies they could use to circumvent their foes. First they had to verify if this really was an ambush and not just the bandits stealing grain. Kyra said that there was only one road to the mill and that it was a fair bit away from the keep; unless they intended to carry bags of grain on their backs, they'll need carts and beasts to pull them. Parum wasn't sure how well drakes served as pack animals, so chances are they'll be horses or mules. Second would be activity; these bandits might be aware that there is a group actively working against them outside of the keep, but if they were really trying to raid the mill they'd just post guards and continue with their sacking. But if they were going to try and ambush them, they'll be quieter, or at least be in a force too small to take all the grain in the building. And last but not least, the forces themselves. A large number of kobolds stealing from the mill would make sense and they'll be a threat thanks to numbers alone. But if there's only a small handful or more humanoid raiders instead of kobolds around, than surely it's a trap. If the trap in the mill doesn't take out the party, than surely a gang of fresh, healthy bandits could.
"Torag, see if your familiar can find any signs of carts or horses. They have to have something to bring all that grain out. Also see if there's many kobolds or not. I suspect that kobolds make up a bulk of our enemies, but if they want to ambush us they'll either use a lot of kobolds, or have a couple of bigger humanoids and drakes. We also need to know if they're actually trying to steal from the mill or just trying to lure us in. Which brings me to one more thing..." Parum quickened her step and catch up to Kyra and stood in front of her. This might be risky for Parum to do, but she couldn't keep this to herself any further. "Kyra, you need to put aside your hatred for just a moment. I know how much it must hurt you to see this happen to your hometown, to the people you know and love. But if you let your anger control you, you'll walk right into their trap. They're expecting you to be reckless and try to stop them so you'll be right where they want you. If this is a trap, if they know that someone is after them, they'll do everything they can to make sure that you do something stupid. And once you do that'll be it. No amount of fury or prayers can save you. So please... Please! Don't let your hate get the better of you! If you want revenge, you need to live! Not die fighting."
"If this is an ambush, they may try to lure us inside the mill. They might try to pretend to be a villager, but if what Escobert said is true, than there shouldn't be anyone left in the village that needs saving. If they're already there they likely have already sealed any exits for us and set up traps to kill us. I know that grain can be highly flammable, doubly so if this mill is made mostly of wood. You mentioned there's a forest nearby; some of our enemies may be hiding in the woods as well, if they aren't hidden between the buildings or in the buildings themselves. They probably used a lot of kobolds so we'll definitely be outnumbered."
With this information in mind, Parum thought about possible strategies they could use to circumvent their foes. First they had to verify if this really was an ambush and not just the bandits stealing grain. Kyra said that there was only one road to the mill and that it was a fair bit away from the keep; unless they intended to carry bags of grain on their backs, they'll need carts and beasts to pull them. Parum wasn't sure how well drakes served as pack animals, so chances are they'll be horses or mules. Second would be activity; these bandits might be aware that there is a group actively working against them outside of the keep, but if they were really trying to raid the mill they'd just post guards and continue with their sacking. But if they were going to try and ambush them, they'll be quieter, or at least be in a force too small to take all the grain in the building. And last but not least, the forces themselves. A large number of kobolds stealing from the mill would make sense and they'll be a threat thanks to numbers alone. But if there's only a small handful or more humanoid raiders instead of kobolds around, than surely it's a trap. If the trap in the mill doesn't take out the party, than surely a gang of fresh, healthy bandits could.
"Torag, see if your familiar can find any signs of carts or horses. They have to have something to bring all that grain out. Also see if there's many kobolds or not. I suspect that kobolds make up a bulk of our enemies, but if they want to ambush us they'll either use a lot of kobolds, or have a couple of bigger humanoids and drakes. We also need to know if they're actually trying to steal from the mill or just trying to lure us in. Which brings me to one more thing..." Parum quickened her step and catch up to Kyra and stood in front of her. This might be risky for Parum to do, but she couldn't keep this to herself any further. "Kyra, you need to put aside your hatred for just a moment. I know how much it must hurt you to see this happen to your hometown, to the people you know and love. But if you let your anger control you, you'll walk right into their trap. They're expecting you to be reckless and try to stop them so you'll be right where they want you. If this is a trap, if they know that someone is after them, they'll do everything they can to make sure that you do something stupid. And once you do that'll be it. No amount of fury or prayers can save you. So please... Please! Don't let your hate get the better of you! If you want revenge, you need to live! Not die fighting."