GraKaww! is sorry, but he really does think in terms of ‘one, two, many’.
He says the clearing is not very big and it’s not a ‘flock’* of two-legs. Also the largest one is bigger than anyone here.
GraKaww! points his beak in the right direction and says it’s not far. (He would much rather fly high above the clearing, in case the two-legs throw things at him.)
He adds that the fire is big and rather smoky, making the surrounding forest really dark. Plus the two-legs are singing (he adds they sing much worse than you do )
*Cullen understands that a ‘flock’ means at least 50 birds to GraKaww!..
In that case (there should be large situational bonuses to both Move Silently and Hide in Shadows) I believe I dare go a-scouting without the use of magic - I’ll save my spells for when there seems to be need of them. Whoever will not clank loudly should follow close behind, and the rest prepare to fight, if we need to.
That’s my proposal anyway - I’m not claiming to be any kind of leader.
I believe I’ll go with you, though I’m going to defer to your greater stealth and stay at least thirty feet back from the clearing, just in case you need some help with a getaway.
Well, let’s have at it, then. Incidentally, if there are any foxes, badgers, rabbits, weasels, that kind of thing, in the vicinity then I’m sure I can spare a small morsel in exchange for an informative chat. If not, then it looks like I’m creeping through the bushes for a closer look at the enemy.
Thanks to all the spellcasters for their precise lists - it’s very helpful both for me and the party.
Cullen, I will give you average for your [COLOR=Blue]Goodberries, so you have 20 berries from your 4 spells. Remember that in my game, they only last one day (i.e. the day they are cast.)
Obviously both Plant Growth and Entangle will work perfectly here.[/COLOR]
As for moving through the forest, only Hans has the Thievish skills to get right up to an enemy undetected.
Characters without metal armour don’t clank, but can step on twigs. Also they are visible when they get close to the enemy.
However there are bonuses for everyone due to the current monster’s behaviour (these are given in my next post.)
Cadogan makes a Fire-Building roll.
He says that based on GraKaww!'s report, the monsters are using a freshly-cut log, instead of gathering dry, dead wood.
(Cullen nods in agreement.)
Cadogan explains that dry wood burns cleanly. What the sap-filled fresh wood does is to:
produce smoke, reducing visibility and irritating the eyes of those around the fire
give off occasional loud cracks (as the sap suddenly ignites) - which would sound exactly like someone stepping on a twig
Cadogan makes a Hunting roll.
He gives his professional opinion that the chances of sneaking up to be near the campfire under these conditions will be 30-40% better (even for those without training).
Hans does not see any burrowing mammals nearby. It appears that the noisy monsters have pushed local wildlife into hiding.
As the party gaze in the direction GraKaww! and Finn and indicating, they can now see a dim glow of the fire further into the forest. It’s just a few minutes away…
Hans makes a Move Silently roll.
Hans makes a Hidie in Shadows roll.
He sets off in the direction of the fire and soon reaches a good vantage point.
He sees the following, all sitting near the edge of the clearing (which is roughly circular about 25 feet diameter):
a Hill Giant*, wearing Chain Mail, with a Bastard Sword** and Shield
a Kobold wearing ornate red and black robes over Leather Armour, with some sort of (Un)Holy Symbol round his neck (armed with a Hammer)
12 Kobolds all wearing leather Armour with Short Swords and Javelins
The Hill Giant and ornate Kobold are on one side of the fire; the rest are on the other.
A deer is being barbecued over the roaring fire (which is in the middle of the clearing). It smells nearly cooked.
The Wain from Oakham is parked next to the Giant and a small human body is lying on it, almost completely covered by a tarpaulin.
Hans makes a Hear Noise roll.
One of the Kobolds says to another (in Kobold) “I’ll going to skip most of the deer. I like man-flesh better.”
The other replies “Yes, it makes a lovely dessert!”
*Since Hans has a defensive bonus v Giants, he can recognise the various types.
**the Hill Giant is so large and strong that he can use this weapon ‘two-handed’ and still hold a Shield effectively. (With the Shield, he has an effective Armour Class of Plate.)
Uh-huh. Slip back quietly and report same… I have a cunning plan which will depend on our foes being superstitious, which I think isn’t too unlikely a proposition. Wait for the screaming to start, people.
Without waiting to hear any disagreement, Hans returns to his vantage point and casts Phantom Force over the fire, causing a scowling fiery face to appear amid the flames, licking its lips horribly.
Aciryas makes a Religion roll.
He says the red and black robes and Unholy symbol means the ornate Kobold is a Shaman of Loki. Loki is the Chaotic Evil Trickster God, specialising in magic and illusions.
Cadogan says that he gets bonus damage against all these Orc-kind, and that the Warriors will get multiple attacks (one per level) if faced only by Kobolds.
(Sorry, Cadogan’s bonus damage is only in melee) combat.
The party are slightly startled by Hans enthusiastically* returning to the clearing, but can (if they want) clearly make their way to within roughly a round’s movement (about 250 feet) of the clearing without being detected.
Those in Metal Armour are likely to be heard clanking if they get any closer.
The others can get to within 125 feet (from there, for example, they could run in and get a blow the same round).
Crumlin looks determined. He says he will either stay with the horses, or join in (with whatever the plan is).
N.B. As this is the first combat, I’ll wait to hear from everyone before starting it. At that point I will tell you what reaction there is to Hans’ [COLOR=Blue]Phantom Force spell.
For each combat, please give a rough description** of what you want to do. I’ll carry out a few rounds of action, then publish the position and let you change your instructions (if you want).
Here are some game rules to help you:
anyone casting is +20% to be hit by either melee or missile
if there are three attackers on one opponent, then the third always attacks from behind (getting a +20% bonus to hit and negating the defender’s Shield and Dexterity bonus)
you cannot move and cast in the same round
if you know your opponents are there, but they don’t, you get a chance to surprise them. This gives you a few seconds, enough time for say moving into position, firing one missile, or getting a good start on casting a spell. Note that if Cadogan is in the front line, his Ranger training gives the whole party an increased chance to surprise.
Please do contact me to ask any questions you have, especially about any character skills or spells.
*Malacandra is playing the character in true character! :smack:
**this is a perfect example of what I need: ‘Cadogan will open by shooting the spellcaster, then switch to sword/shield and go in.’[/COLOR]
)
:smack: