<span style="font-style: italic">I hope I'm not making anyone feel rushed, but I like to minimize the amount of descriptive text dedicated to uneventful travelling. I realize that we're getting to the first combat encounter very quickly. If you're worried that this game will be 100% hack and slash, don't be. Many fights will be avoidable, and there will be plenty of tense confrontations that don't involve swords (at least not right away). I just want to get one or two quick combat encounters early on so I can see if I need any more major revisions to the vore rules.</span><br/><br/>Ryssa nodded in response to Marrok's plan, but she followed it with a shrug. "Maybe. If we could get them defenseless, I'll take it, but I wouldn't count on it. These types probably have a blade within arm's reach even when they're asleep, and it's too early for that. What we<span style="font-style: italic">can</span>realistically hope for is that they'll be drunk."<br/><br/>Another one of Marrok's soldiers, a handsome male leopardfolk (one of his more skilled swordsmen) waved a hand contemptuously. "Hah! All the more reason for us to stop dithering and attack! There can't be more than a dozen of them in there, we have them completely outnumbered. Why not just charge?" Glad to see that at least one of his friends shared his swagger and recklessness, Marcus nodded approvingly. "I'm with spot."<br/><br/>A curvaceous tiefling scout by the name of Yolanda sighed softly. "Must you be so obtuse, Marcus? We shouldn't throw away our advantage. I say we move slowly and cautiously, and see if we can get inside the building before we're noticed. Like that Marrok fellow said. Though I admit, getting past those sentries will be tricky."<br/><br/>Standing just behind her, a small, slender man with pointed ears speaks up. "Forgive me, Yolanda, but I must protest. I don't think that's wise. They might have traps, bound elementals, or any number of other nasty surprises waiting in there. Personally, I'd rather we just surround the place and wait for them to surrender... But since I'm sure many of us want to, ah, indulge themselves..." he looks a little uncomfortable at the idea of devouring. "...I say we should lure them out, into an ambush of<span style="font-style: italic">ours</span>. Maybe send someone to feign naivete and helplessness and make them think there's a bunch of defenseless travelers camped nearby?"<br/><br/>For their part, many of the Enders of the Dream look a little out of their element in the tactical discussions. Even the few paladins among them are more accustomed to guarding the temple and priesthood of Saramati than going on the offensive. "Whatever you decide," says a young blonde-haired human man, "Make sure all of your soldiers know to break away from the fighting and get close to one of our adepts if they are injured. With the manifold threats we face in this valley, we cannot afford any losses." Another of the enders, a cheerful half-elven girl, smiles brightly. "And don't worry about elementals or anything like that! Between the two of them, Salana and Leira probably have more spiritual power than all of the Gullet's shamans put together!"<br/><br/>A third Ender, a tall, willowy vixen in the robes of an adept, clears her throat and speaks softly. "I recommend we be certain that at least one of our misguided foes be... given... to Salana. Any other evil spirits we release from their mortal flesh today will soon be reborn, but she can do more." The vixen inclines her head to Salana respectfully.