Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game. Fourth Adventure. Journey to Rivendell

Thread Games
361

I agree that we have to take the first strike. Surround their camp if possible and have me and any other archers open the attack with a volley while Deor casts a sleep before Thor and myself head into the frey for some melee.

We should probably get another couple of scouts down there to check out the lay of the land and give us our attack positions. But we will need to act fast so as to maintain the element of surprise.

Are me and Thoroncir the only serious melee combatants still with the party at this point?

(BTW, I know it’s slow on the weekends, but a heads up that I have family in town and don’t know if I will be able to check the game at all. Just in case a fight breaks out I want to attack with the double xbow, regular bolts, first and then follow with the axe and shield unless my new axe seems like a better plan when the scouts give a full report.)

362

You’re the only straight fighters, yeah. You might ask Ghan to send Anca with you, though; that dog probably outweighs you (at least out of armor, anyway).

363

“I suspect that you’ll want me flanking our foe,” Miron murmurs, testing his bowstring and briefly fidgeting with his equipment to ensure everything is balanced, “But I would be happy to accompany one of our fighters if need be.”

He isn’t anything close to an effective melee fighter, but if we want one of our fighters to have overwatch, Miron might be a good choice: his constitution is unusually high for an archer, so he’ll probably be able to take a beating slightly more gracefully than Gil.

364

Strangely Elfstan appears to be the next best hand-to-hand orc fighter after Gwaelur & Thoroncir. He even has the AC for it. Sting gives him a big advantage against Orcs.

Miron is extremely deadly with his bow against orcs and has troubles hitting in melee. At least Miron has armor and an good AC.

I will assume the party is on quiet alert, gently raising up members. If you are attacked, I strongly recommend using the Dwarves as a partial shield wall and killing as many orcs as possible with your missile weopons and spells. Between Bows, Slings and Crossbows, you have a lot of firepower.

Curunauth offers up, “While I am no fighter I am strong and my weapons and armor are sound. He slips on his Elven Chain in the meantime. I should be able to aid our defense.”

365

Deor will use Change and Hide to keep any noncombatants (Lorliana and anyone else who would rather avoid this) from direct threat. He’ll wake up Lorliana and offer her the choice of standing with us (she does have magic items, Gilraen Detected them in Minas Tirith) or hiding. In battle, he’ll try to stay back, probably with Ghan and hopefully with at least Fang as a melee guard, and make judicious use of Sleep and Web to slow down the enemy’s advance. If it can be reasonably determined that the enemy have few spellcasters or archers and there are convenient trees, he’ll climb one or use Levitate to get into a good arboreal position.

366

Mulligan will be staying out of the way, but is looking forward to putting her new Sling into action. Not to mention wearing her new lucky charm from the Woses.

Don’t forget I still have those smoke bombs which will cause all sorts of confusion if they are not expecting it and will stop them co-ordinating a quick response to an ambush.

The Wildcat, will probably not be invisible, but will be expected to stay close by and keep out of trouble.

367

Speaking of quick responses, the Wargs are really bothering me; given enough time I think we can outlast 50 orcs, but the wargs are probably fast enough to flank us if they survive our initial volley, and even if the archers are standing in a Ring O’ Dwarves, I’d feel bad about quite literally throwing our clients to the wolves…

368

It’s tempting to burn those two scouts, but if we’re outnumbered I’d rather prepare our ground to stand and fight - we’re too few to surround them effectively. I’ll slip away quietly and return to camp.

Once everyone’s in armour, I want our dwarven friends to quickly cut some six-foot stakes, assuming there is standing timber available (the elves and Ghân will repair the damage later) and embed them in the ground, sharp ends facing the enemy. Then they will form a shield-wall among the stakes, single rank, so that upon being charged they can step back three paces and let the enemy impale themselves. The spellcasters will be at the centre of the second rank, close in. We want to take our stand where there are plenty of attachment points for that Web and plenty of undergrowth for Entangle. If, once battle is joined, Ghân can oblige with a Plant Growth to put a hedge at our backs so we can’t be surrounded easily, so much the better.

Put Gwaelur and Miron at the left end of the line, Thoroncir and myself at the right, and the hobbits in the centre along with the canines. Mulligan, your call whether you think you are more effective with your sling and any smoke you have left, or would prefer to hide close to the casters in order to… inconvenience… any foe that does manage to break through in the centre. Elfstan, I’m sure, is just itching to stand and fight. And Anca will presumably be looking to lock his teeth in the throats of as many Wargs as possible.

Archers, all, concentrate on the Wargs to begin with. The less mobility the enemy has, the better - and if all the Wargs are as unsure about their business as this one sounds, they may all flee if the going gets tough. If we see any obvious leader-types then we’ll shoot them.

If a prolonged melee looks like breaking out, I’d like the dwarves to hold the line with the spellcasters supporting them, while Miron and I run into positions behind the enemy lines and Gwaelur and Thoroncir start bashing their way inwards from the ends (if we’re not outflanked).

Distribute Goodberries to everyone and assure our fellow-travellers that no-one is getting thrown to the wolves today.
…And prepare to bellow Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai-menu! as bloodthirstily as possible. :smiley:

369

“Gil-Gandel’s plan is a sound one,” Thoroncir says, putting on his helmet. He tests his own bowstring and makes sure his Numenorean longsword slides easily in its scabbard (he will use his bow initially, but drop it and hack at his foes with his sword when they get closer). “Let it be as our Elf-captain has said.” He quietly asks Princess Gilraen to remain behind him but within his field of vision, so that he can come to her aid, if necessary.

He has never fought wargs before, although he has heard many tales.

370

I will be more effective with sling and smoke, but I will stay close to the casters to ensure that any enemy will be inconvenienced if needs be.

371

The Dwarves safety stake the horses and ponies and 6 of them set about cutting and planting the six-foot stakes as directed to the East front. They are quick, efficient and very business like about it. Another pair breaks out two large saddlebags and the last two break out some deadly looking spring traps. They warn the party that the right (southern) flank will have razor sharp caltrops and leg traps set up. Finally they string up between two trees 5 strands of barbwire very fast. They apologize as cleaning up after the battle will take a few hours they expect.

They also break out and load 37 crossbows, a mix of 10 Dwarven, 15 heavy and 12 light. They are all wearing at least chain and all have shields or war shields. The have battle axes or hammers for mêlée weapons.

Curunauth pulls out his long swords and says, “They are still over a 300 yards away at least.”

Lorliana appreciates any help, “I have never before been in a fight or witnessed one. My magic is not for combat. It is for research and recording.”

Gilraen, “I am ready and the song of Estë will help protect us. I will try a Hold Person if any break through the line. Lorliana stay low and stay behind me, I will be brave for the both of us. ”

My understanding is Anca and Fang will stay behind the lines as a last defense for the Spellcasters and Lorliana.

The Dwarves have provided a south flank and Ghân will provide a rear (west) hedge, but what of the North or do you want a large triangle instead? The Dwarves barely have enough material to partially secure the south.
I just need to verify if Ghân is toss up a solid hedge behind (west) and what Elfstan is planning. I think everyone else has given their main ideas. I will try to put up a map and the initial combat later today.

372

Hmm, the Dwarves have already done more than I expected. Provided we have attachment points for a Web to the North I don’t mind leaving it as it is. It won’t take long for Deor to get the spell off if the enemy go that way. Entangle will help there too.

I want the dwarf crossbows to hold fire until the enemy is fifty yards away, then loose off in one concerted volley and, assuming that doesn’t break the enemy charge, go straight to melee weapons. Amended: They have more than one each? They can loose off the excess as soon as the enemy are within long range, then, but save one loaded one each for the fifty-yard mark.

373

Deor will use Web to cover our flanks if necessary and to break the enemy charge if possible, then try to Sleep the enemy in large groups as usual. He’ll stand back with Gilraen and Lorliana so as to keep our casters in one easily defensible group.

374

Here is the map of the camp.

Brownie comes racing back; the orcs and wargs are approaching. Many of the wargs are flanking North and South but none to the west. The party has maybe 5 minutes. Deor will toss up his Web, which should last 80 minutes.

Gilraen will quietly begin her Song of Estë and she has her bauble ready.
Deor commands his Dragon to glow and fly into a tree near the front but then to drop in front of the Dwarves to provide more light for them once the orcs engage in melee.

    • Round 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
      Gil-Gandel is looking for archers or wargs and finds his target in a warg to the right (south). He sends 3 +1 arrows at it at long range and hits all three times for 27 points dropping it. (19 to go?)
      Miron finds his own warg. He fires his 3 shots with +1 arrows. His first arrow hits the warg for 18 on a critical hit. His second hits and drops it. He quickly acquires a third warg and gets his second critical hit in three shots! This one for 20. The weak warg collapses as his throat is pierced. (17 to go?)
    • Round 2 - -
      When the orcs get to 160’ out the dwarves take advantage of the bright moonlight and fire their Dwarven Crossbows. 10 bolts fly out and 3 orcs scream in pain. Thoroncir adds two arrows nearly at random to the flight but doubts he hit anything. Gwaelur hits twice and drops an orc. Elfstan whips two bullets into the orcs and believes he hits once. Mulligan gets two and dropped at least one. She begins dropping back to help protect the spell casters.
      The dwarves quickly put their crossbows down grab up 5 heavies and 5 lights and fire again. 5 hit this time and at least 2 dropped. Orcs have 8 probably injured and 4 dead already.
      This round Gil-Gandel targets a second warg at medium and short range. He again uses +1 and but hits only twice for 18 buts still drops the warg. Miron also hits but twice with his +1 arrows and he drops it. (15 to go?)
    • Round 3 - -
      Gilraen’s Song of Estë has grown to suffuse the camp and lift everyone’s spirit.

The dwarves exchange one last time for 10 heavies at point blank range. They hit 7 times and 3 for extra damage. 4 orcs drop. This time they drop the bows and grab up their weapons and shields and from a shield wall around Gwaelur.
Gwaelur fires and hits twice again dropping another Orc. He swaps to Axe and shield. Thoroncir can now see and fires two more shots and hits twice dropping a pair. He slings it and pulls out the Númenórean Long Sword and his large magic shield. Elfstan whips two bullets into the orcs and drops another. Curunauth Sword is gleaming a strong blue color as he stands ready. He holds the line only as Thoroncir stops him with a quickly barked command that he will probably apologize for later. Deor drops 9 orcs with a Sleep spell. Orcs have 11 probably injured and 12 dead and 9 sleeping.

Mulligan waits for the yelps of the wargs running into the barb wire and drops a smoke bomb quickly among them to add to the confusion and is soon rewards with at least one yelp of great pain as a leg trap goes off. She lobs a second just beyond the web. As several wargs seem puzzled to the north. Ghân throws an Entangle on the southern wargs. He is not sure how many he captured but he has greatly added to the confusion.

Gil-Gandel & Miron target more wargs and slip out around behind them and the charging orcs.

Gil-Gandel hits with 3 more +1 arrows and he drops one. Miron hits 3 times with +1 arrows. He drops one with two and injured a second. (13 to go & several injured or trapped or entangled?)

The orcs are charging in with long heavy spears. None are over 5’5”. Everybody in the front line get two spears thrust at them and Thoroncir three. Thoroncir is missed all three times. Gwaelur is missed twice. Elfstan is hit but his marvelous mithril chain stops half of the damage (rounding down). He takes 2.
Curunauth is missed and quickly slices one goblin dropping him. Of the ten Dwarves, Krenin is hit for 6. Janin for 4. Hartur for 6. Hartur drops to the ground. Gilraen rushes forward. (Her Song of Estë reduced the damage.)

The orcs leave or drop spears and switch to short swords. The dragon figure swooped down behind the orcs to further dismay them.

Orcs have 11 probably injured and 13 dead and 9 sleeping.

Cúran whinnies and Gil-Gandel, Ghân and Thoroncir and even Gilraen realize he is giving warning that some wargs are trying to sneak through the western hedge.

375

They’ll have trouble forcing their way through a Plant Growth, and if Ghân can oblige with another Entangle then so much the better. Stick to the plan, the enemy is hurting badly.

376

If the Wargs are sneaking through the hedge, Deor will wait for Ghan’s entangle to trap them, then light the hedge on fire. Between Firefinger (6" jets of flame should get the blaze started quickly!) and the bonuses from the dragon and the tinderbox, it should go up nicely and give our fighters all the light they need.

377

“Forgive me, Curunauth, if I was too brusque,” says Sir Thoroncir through gritted teeth as he hacks away at the Orcs, “but we need you here! Stand fast, my Elf-friend, stand fast, and we will yet win a great victory! Listen to my lady’s song, take heart, and fight on! Elendil!”

378

Ghân will keep casting Entangle (the Western Hedge sounds the priority), possibly Plant Growth if useful to block and Heat Metal on any metal-armoured leader-type.

As per Gil-Gandel’s strategy, Goodberries are distributed to those who can use them.

Neutralise Poison is ready if needed.

Anca and Fang are guarding Ghân, Deor and Gilraen.
Brownie is staying out of trouble, but will try to observe the battlefield from above if safe to do so.

379

Elfstan’s actions have been spot on to this point. Thanks for that!

Elfstan is a little surprised by his wound, but no less determined to hold the line. He draws Sting and in his loudest Hobbit voice yells, “For King Elessar and The Shire! Gurth a chyth vín!”

380

What’s that mean?