Douglas
"So, Artoria, how do you think we should engage? It's unlikely that we sneak by them, seeing how large two of us are. I can charge in and set up the battlefield for the two of you to finish off the rest quickly."

*Damn. It would really help if Idrid knew their powers. Guess they would have to improvise. He would charge in and use some icy magic to hold them in place, so even if he was somehow incapacitated, the others could clean house.*
Anthony
"I can see quite a good distance from here, Idrid. From the looks of it, a good amount has some shields, and they're all wearing a good deal of heavy armor on them. Can't really see much more than that, but judging from the sillhouettes of their weapons, looks like they're using shields and whatnot. Though, their movement is most likely going to be heavily restricted due to that armor, so we could probably set up a diversion somewhere inside. I can try and use my fire magic to set something off inside the village, and set a mobility trap there as well. Sound like an idea? If you have any suggestions, go ahead and give me some."
Douglas
"I can set you up if you have a spell that can wipe out a large area. It'll be around 10 feet in radius. You're most likely faster than I am, but I can distract them so they don't target you first. Zenoral can do what he does. We should wipe out one of the small squads first, then charge in and do what you said."
Anthony
"If we try and take on one of the small squads, the bigger ones are sure to follow. I'm not sure if that's the best course of action to take, but I agree with the fact that Zenoral should support us if we were to attack one side head on. Taking on one group will cause more to show up, and there's not really a way out of that, or so I think. If I can set a building on fire, we can hide out near that fire, while I set a mobility trap where they're most likely to go. Or, i set a building on fire, drawing them closer to our vicinity as you do your spell. Either way works. What do you want to do?"
Douglas
*Idrid thinks for a bit. Artoria's right. They may get surrounded if that happens.*

"Perhaps fight just enough to disrupt them, then you can set a building on fire. My spell is more to hold them in place, so you and Zenoral can take them out. So, we charge, you light a building on fire, I'll keep them in place, then you and Zenoral can take them out."
Peter
*Zenoral would softly hang from one of the more well endowed branches to slip down and land on his feet. With the angle he was at, he was lucky that the tree itself provided a sense of cover for that singular branch. But that wasn't his point for simply coming down. His eyes would slowly stare forward towards the compound while they spoke about the heavy units. His face softly turned to a more dissatisfied one while he heard them, showcasing his more so scornfullness by crossing his arms while he had himself against the side of the tree.

It was clear that he could possibly easily overpower one of them. So maybe a blitz with the two doing what they do best while he exploited this and came from behind. Since they were using heavy armor, he was surely faster, if not also capable of creating opening. He was at a clear advantage, along with the night to
 shield himself a bit.*

`"....I say we give them a welcome present. Create destruction from inside the walls to dismay them and have them wary for us. Let them slowly settle in to what's happening. From the chaos and confusion, me and Artoria can take out their longer range units by looping around and moving from behind there to get to them. Afterwards, regroup and rip the rest into shreds. The faster we kill, the better the outcome. That's my pitch."`
Douglas
"I doubt that they'll accept any gifts. These guys seem to be trained, so it's doubtful that they'll accept anything from us. They won't trust us, since they probably know that the boss is after them. Getting inside would be nice, but we'll have to break the outer shell to do that. This we can do easily, I'll be able to make myself a much more apparent threat. You guys quickly break through, light some stuff on fire, cause chaos."
Anthony
"I think you two are misunderstanding what I'm trying to propose," *Arthur began, trying to be as patient as he could with the two. Zenoral's plan was more suited to what he had in mind, but it was still a good ways off from what he had imagined in his mind. Idrid's plan, which was to charge straight into the village, would likely cause our downfall.* "You're essentially suggesting we just barge in there like fools. It would be much better if we were to attempt to sneak into the village while the guard's are patrolling. Their movement patterns suggest that they sweep the area from one direction to another, in a sort of clockwise motion, and then switching back into a counterclockwise direction once they reach the end of their path. I think if we were to quickly sneak past while they'd be about 3/4ths of the way to the end of a certain direction, we could slip in without anyone noticing. Timing is crucial, though, and I still have to verify if theyre actually moving in this pattern."
Douglas
"Well. It will be difficult for us two to sneak in, though it may be possible. If so, you can do what you suggested. If it goes wrong though, we must strike quickly. I will set up the battleground to keep the enemy in place, and you two can pick off easy prey."
Anthony
"You? You mean I'm probably going to have to go alone in this endeavor?"
Douglas
"No, we'll go with you, but we're more likely to be caught than you are."
Peter
`"You both are some damn fools. Taking on the outer shell will only make the inner roll out for support. We will die the moment we do this, since we'll be surrounded. From how the Vampire looks, he looks capable of moving fast. What I was suggesting is to make the chaos beforehand and slip in. Take out the rangers that could cause us trouble and them smash the rest of them like the incests they are. None of us could sneak in beforehand since they'll be ready. And even if we initiate a attack beforehand and let the vampire go. They'll more then likely keep some troops inside. This plan allows for us to not only cause a commotion, put them in dismay no matter how trained they are. And from there we can pick off their supports and only deal with the soldiers our self. It's better then the suicide plan you're making Lizard Face."`

*Zenoral seemed somewhat serious when it came to planning ahead. Creating dismay within their community and leaving them guessing before they have their throats torn out was a simple smash and grab. Of course there were more smother plans that could've been thought out. But the Macen seemed content on this.*

`"For this to even work. Does anyone have any kind of destructive tool or magic. If so how much or how many can you use."`
Douglas
"I will choose to ignore that insult for the job's sake. I am able to freeze the battlefield, which will hold the soldiers in place. I do not know what magics Artoria is capable of. If you tell us, it will be helpful. However, how do you plan to cause the chaos before hand?"
Peter
*Zenoral would softly grin. His smirk slowly turning a bit more sinister while his eyes would shift in color. Before they were a complete deep development of a dark crimson winish color. But the color would seem to be sapped from them as they changed to a pure pearlescent white. The skin that the man held would slowly chip away like ash soon enough, exposing pale skin that seemed to complement the dark tattoos. Their depth in color seeming to change into a more voidish purity of black. His hair would slowly shift in a more longer strand of white to mimic the same color as his eyes, the length would continue until it reached his waist. Those horns of his now actually extending from his forehead to grow more prominent. It was clear that he was a Oni, more or less a Pale Oni. While this transformation continued to shift, his words would change along with his vocal cords to have his voice shift from a more brutish tone to a more elegant one. That of stodic and more reserved words to say the least.*

`"...That's simple... If the vampire has any kind of skill that can fire directly into the town itself, then we'll have him move towards one of the sides of the town and cast it. From there me and you will approach the gate while they are focused on that and kill the two.

During this the vampire will slowly sneak in and slaughter their long range support. And while he handles that we'll kill the others, and if they bring us trouble, then the vampire can aid us after he's done. How does that sound?"`
Anthony
"You know, Zenoral, if we weren't reliant on each other for this mission, I'd have kicked you to the curb for your insolence and arrogance. A damn fool, huh? This 'damn fool's probably gone through so many more scenarios and jobs than you could ever hope to dream of, and this 'damn fool' came out alive after each one. There were countless sieges I had to do which were much, MUCH more dangerous than this one, so don't even act like you know what you're talking about. While you guys go screw around at the front, or wherever you're going to go, I'm going to sneak into the village and cause a fire on one of the more flammable buildings; maybe I'll just set the entire damn place aflame. Either way, you guys go twiddle your thumbs while you're fighting the guards. I'm going to find a way in."
Peter
`"You wish for respect since you seem more competent in this kind of job? If this wasn't a mission. You're head would be served on a damn plate for your foolishness. Do what you will, but I will do this with or without you little dog."`

*He showed more of his arrogance through the more reserved sense of words he spoke. It was clear that he didn't like the attitude the vampire gave. Though, this didn't shed away from the fact that now he'll have to do something else. Since out of the plans there. One was unpredictable, one was suicidal, and while Zenoral liked his plan, it was risky due to the fact that they lack teamwork and competences around it. It was clear that this misclick was going to probably do one of them in.*
Douglas
"You do that. I'll try to find a way in as well, and if I'm not, I'll be able to hold them off for you to set fire. Pale Oni, you better do your part, lest I crush your skull. Let's go, the faster we do this, the better. Artoria leads."
Peter
`"...You both are drivel. Be concerned about doing your part. I'll at least make this somewhat easier."`

*And with that, Zenoral would move away from the tree he was at to slowly move out from the treeline. Teamwork was out of the window. And he had no intentions on letting the others get some kind of last laugh. It was clear that they needed to do something. So the Pale Oni continued to walk towards the entrance of the area. The reserved and relaxed stare that was plastered on his face showcasing itself. Instead of immediately engaging the enemy. A distraction was all that was really needed.*
Douglas
*He was quite annoyed at Zenoral. Rash, headstrong. Not to say that Idrid wasn't, but he was at least willing to work with others. Oh, if Zenoral only knew what power existed in him. He wasn't the only one with a surprise. He waited for Artoria to attempt to sneak, them would follow.*
Anthony
*If Arthur was to be completely honest, Zenoral reminded him way too much of those jackasses who, by some amazing and unknown reason, always thought they were better than anyone else they met. Zenoral was way too cocky for his own good; but perhaps this experience would mellow him down. Silently he hoped that the guards would beat his ass, and when that happened, Arthur wouldn't do anything about it. Rather, he would probably laugh in the distance, leaving Zenoral to try and escape for himself. Who knows, maybe when he was isolated from Idrid, a couple of flaming swords could be sent directly through his heart? If, by chance, Zenoral were to have a dagger pierced straight through his skull, that would be quite unfortunate indeed, but it wouldn't be able to be prevented if he never saw it coming. How ironic it would be if the most cocky and arrogant of them all was to be the one begging and groveling at the enemy's feet for mercy? It would be quite funny indeed; Arthur actually wanted to be the one to send his filthy, disgusting face driving into the floor. Though, he probably couldnt do it now. He'd have to wait for later, when his value deteriorated due to the mission being complete. Maybe then he could treat him the same way he treated Cornelius; how poetic would that be?*

*He then broke away from the tree he stood at, using the fauna and the structures that were presented towards him as cover, as well as the darkness of the midnight. The torches would only illuminate so much before the dark took over the visage of the guards once more. He waited until the guards were, as he predicted, three fourths of the way down a certain side, and since he was supposedly approaching from the west, he attempted to sneak past the guards using the night as cover. Due to his armor's silenced enchantment, he himself shouldn't be making any noise, so this would be a great advantage to him. He wasn't too sure about Idrid, however, so before he made his endeavor to dash through their lines, he gestured Idrid to pause momentarily on the other side of their path. He could come in when he saw fire, so that he wouldn't draw attention to their pair. Hopefully he understood.*
Yolanda
He wasn't stopped, no one was really able to spot him. At this point, he would only have a few minutes to process what to do before the next squad approaches. Apparently, according to Frank, there was a massive wall there. 

A west entrance could be seen, being protected by a group of soldiers. The top seems to be scalable from all the arrows stuck in it, assuming he was light enough. If anything, he might just have to bust a hole in the wall! 

Basically, you have 2 turns to think about what to do before you are caught by the guards. Good luck! Since he was closer, he could probably spot rotting dead bodies on the floor, maybe even stepping on one of them! A lot of them looked like mercenaries, some having a massive chunk cut out of them from what seems to be a massive pig slicer.

Their movements could be further masked by the random conversations inside, the clinking of steel, and of course, the occasional horn call to switch out the guards. Switch out the guards? This could be an opening. The entrance was left unguarded for over 2 minutes, but there could be some other guards there waiting for the next group to come in. It was logical to assume that the bulk of the group has left.
Anthony
*Arthur turned back to Idrid, motioning for the reptilian to scurry in over time his position. Contrary to what he had first thought, there indeed was a wall blocking the village, which would pose as a pretty great problem in itself. There are reasons why walls are so popular to defend forts and whatnot - without the proper equipment, they were nearly possible to penetrate. The top, from what he could see, could be climbed due to the arrows stuck in it, but there wasn't really a way to get there. To penetrate a wall's defenses required so many things, most of which were strength, namely which Arthur thought he himself had lacked. There were so many things that could happen from here on out, but the first one that came to mind would be the guards closing in on their position, taking them all out. If they switched shifts every time a horn in the distance sounded off, then there was bound to be a possible armada inside the village waiting for them. It d be a fool's errand to barge in their without any sort of plan, but luckily for Arthur, he already had one in mind.*

*The beastkin reptile, Idrid, looked strong enough to possible create a loud noise that could draw the guards to their position. Beforehand, he could place a mobility trap there; a little spell he had dubbed, "Hunger of the Pit." It could essentially leave the guards slow enough so that they could be easily picked off by Idrid and Arthur, and if more came along to strike them down, Idrid could use the spell he mentioned earlier to control the mob. From then on, it would only be a matter of how many guards there were to take out, and how strong they each were. His spell had a pretty good width and radius, and lasted for a pretty decent time as well. He motioned Idrid to come over with his hand, but with his other, silently cast Hunger of the Pit on the ground where he thought the guards would wander into, which was closer to the front entrance of the village rather than to the back. He made sure to aim it so that it would be rather close, and motioned Idrid to come to the side opposite of where he fired the sphere.*
```Hunger of the Pit cast. Remaining mana: 174/210 ```
Douglas
*Quickly noticing Arthur for him to come close, Idrid snuck as quietly as he could, holding his mace close to its head, and softly treading on the earth. He made his way to the other side of the invisible pit. The wall wouldn't be a problem, but the noise breaking it would. He would whisper quietly.*

"You need me to break this? Or maybe get you over it?"
Yolanda
Nothing to note for the group. If they were to knock on the walls, it would be very obvious that... It was well fortified. Maybe a stone secondary wall... Or at least a very good wooden backing. It wasn't going down for anyone. Maybe they could bring it down if they had a massive object to slam into it. They'd see a light pass from on top. Damn guards. Good thing they didn't look down

Meanwhile, at the entrance that Zenoral was approaching, the guards on the outside prepared a shield wall, their spears pointing forward. They were really on edge. A loud booming vouce yelled from inside. 

"State your business traveller. We are on orders to deny anyone into the village unless given permission to by a local"

The man yelled, seemingly coming out of nowhere. From Zenoral's perspective, the man seemed to have appeared from a small shed beside the wall. He was dressed in a gambeson, wearing a full coverage helmet and an Almainn. He carried a long sword, but that wasn't really that important. The most important thing he carried was a horn. At any moment, he could blow the horn and summon just about every guard to their location... Effectively sealing off Arthur, Idrid, and Zenoral from their target.
Peter
*Zenoral would simply take a moment to stare at the man. The horn in his hand seeming to showcase that if the Oni killed him now, it would only ring the rest to them. Fortunately, Zenoral was a Pale Oni, not some dumb meat head. Given the chance, his demeanor would change with a rather massive smile on his face. Letting out a bellowed laugh before he slowly approached the man. Careful to not get too close, but reasonably close to speak with the man better.*

`"You really are a life saver, I don't seek entrance at all, but rather the opposite! Would you mind taking a moment to point at a close enough town from here? I have a map in my backpack, unless you want to dig it out yourself? You know how people are these parts. Almost not very trustable. And don't think that I know that it would be an extreme nuisance to just do this out without me helping you in some kind way. So I'll give you two gold coins if you can help me!"`

*He changed the aura that he had from before. Giving off a more cocky, noble type of demeanor. Spoiled Brat sort of thing. And just to make it so that he had at least some kind of trust. He untied the coin pocket latched on the side of his hip to pull out two golden coins and holding it between his hand. This should be a long enough distraction until those two idiots found a way in.*
Anthony
*Idrid walked closely to Arthur, within whispering ear's distance. The crocodile had almost stepped into the well-hidden magical trap, but swerved out of it's way just before his foot hit the floor of where the spell had taken effect. Off in the distance, he could hear the quiet chattering of Zenoral to the town guards; that fool! What the hell was he doing, trying to talk to the guards directly? He was going to get them ALL killed at this point! He hissed under his breath, agitated that the macen had wound them all up in a stupid situation so quickly. Recollecting his thoughts, however, he turned back to Idrid, filling him in on what he needed to do.*

"I honestly need you to make a loud ass noise involving this wall. Something along the lines of using your mace to hammer into it. If my guess is correct, the guards will be summoned to investigate from both sides, and from there on out, since we can't really afford any room for vulnerabilities, you're going to use your spell to control their movement. From there on out, prepare for a good battle. I saw some guys with horns earlier, and those are most likely going to be used to summon more and more of the guards, which are going to be a huge pain to deal with. When you slam your mace into the wall, back away from it until you're confident you won't be able to be seen; maybe even try blending in with the bodies on the floor. Some look pretty fresh, anyway. I'll back off, waiting for the guards to either walk into the trap, or get hit by your spell."

*He paused for a moment, giving a little warning before he proceeded.*

"I hope you can handle a little bit of fire."
Douglas
"I'll be fine. Would you like for me to break it as well?"

*Oh boy. Time to fight. He hefts his mace over his shoulder, holding it similar to a baseball bat. Should he break it? Or does Arthur have a plan?"
Anthony
"Go ahead, if you can."
Yolanda
The guards at the entrance stared at Zenoral. The officer thought for a moment, looking him up and down, before yelling out

"Why would someone like you be travelling alone. You have a map in yout back. Scram. If you are meeting someone, this isn't the time. Come back in the morning"

He growled, not allowing the soldiers to loosen up. He had the bugle in his hands and was prepared to call the precautionary toot-toot after they left. 

There was approximately 1 full turn left before the next patrol came into view. They had to act quickly. They could already hear the splashing of the soldiers' boots as they approached the corner. At least the guards at the gate seemed to be distracted by Zenoral. 

Be prepared for just about anything. Who knows, this mission could end here and that would be it... Unless... They could somehow take out the officer with the horn... And the soldiers... Without alerting anyone.
Peter
`"Wait, man. I'll be honest. I was out to gather some herbs after a long journey from my home. You just gotta point me to the direction of some town man! I'm begging you! My map only has the main locations and some insight of the forest. I have zero idea where the next town is, so can you please just help a person out?Eh? Eh?!?"`

*Zenoral did something he normally would never do for someone. He dropped on his knees and gave off a sense of both worry and well. The need of assistance. He hoped that this pathetic display of well some common rich fool would play well for these people. For a Oni, it seemed even more pathetic. But he didn't seem to care about that fact. Time was being bought for the time being.*
Douglas
"Then let us create the sound of battle."

*And with that, his body starts to glow blue, crackling with lightning. He swings his mace as one would a baseball, slamming it into the wooden wall.*
```Rite of the Arcane cast, 32 mana spent, 48 mana remaining```