You are still on Rocky Terrain, but the it is greener here at least.
The pursued are still mostly invisible, the rangers are sure we are **tracking 11 ** in all. It was one of the smallest that went off separate earliest.
**Only one ** large orc is visible.
Gil-Gandel, the Rangers, Nanthor, Moose and even the well rested Mulligan should be able to flank. Ghân can probably hang on to Moose in the flanking maneuver. He will pick the gentlest path. Thoroncir has very light chain as it was made for Marines and Mariners. He could also flank with the lighter folk if he chooses to.
The Dwarves, Merry, Theogrim & Deor will need to just put on a burst of speed.
The Dwarves & the pony will be carrying the extra weapons for this, but the archers should have whatever extra arrows they wished to carry.
Merry says, "The trick will be ambushing invisible foes. It won’t be simple. Look for stray shadows and brush moving on its own and rocks scattering. Listen for commands being given. Big sweeping swings and staying spread out to where our weapons will miss each other, but it will be very hard to break through.
Perhaps Deor should just stay somewhat back so he and Folca can concentrate on orcs sneaking off in the mêlée. We could use something to block there further retreat in there chosen path, perhaps a rock slide or maybe Moose?"
Sorry, I was unclear. I meant I was in favor of the flanking option. Splitting the group into two pieces, a flanking section and the direct attack section. Similar to the ambush we prepared in the first encounter.
I would be best used driving the center of a main charge. If we can surround them we have our best shot.
Ghân will happily ride Moose, gently reminding him to give notice before charging.
If Deor stays with Ghân (can they both ride Moose?), Ghân can hopefully Entangle orcs sneaking off.
(I assume Ghân can only Faerie Fire opponents he can see?)
The visible orc is likely a trap meant to lure us in. Be careful. Can our Ranger and our ranger tell how far ahead the group is, roughly? Are they travelling in a straight line and in a group? Any trying to outflank us?
OOC: Could really use a fireball now. Always great for targetting invisible creatures
Good point. They become visible once they attack though correct?
Hmmm…we could set our own trap. Send in the best armoured and strongest in an immediate head on attack drawing some fire from the orcs, while the rest of the party surrounds us and draws in as they start turning visible.
It isn’t a fantastic plan, but maybe someone else can help me work on it.
(there isn’t a dispel magic available to us is there? That could help)
No - none of us is anything like high enough level to cast Dispel, not even Ghan on his weird spell table that, uniquely, gives him third-level spells at third level of experience. For Druids Dispel Magic is a 4th-level spell. /geek
Watch out for objects being disturbed - undergrowth, gravel, and so on - and listen for the noise of boots on the ground and the creak of armour. Difficult in the middle of a fight with a racket going on, obviously.
Anyone have Detect Magic going spare? It might pick up any spell effects or magic items in its area of effect.
Anything with a nose for orc isn’t going to be stopped by invisibility.
And again, they have no options other than “run silent, run deep”. All they can do is either flee or, at best, get the first blow.
The whole wizardly condition in a nutshell - you can never have all the bases covered. Not to worry. A Magic Missile is always useful, unless the enemy has a Shield spell, or any Globe of Invulnerability, or a Brooch of Shielding, or a Rod of Absorption, or magic resistance, or some kind of specific spell immunity… but in spite of all that, it manages to score a respectable fraction of the time.
Ok, in that case I still think our best bet is to try to surround them. Send a smallish group of our strongest toughest figheters to hit them directly and then once they start to counter attack we pull in the troups from the outside and close the circle around them.
We are in a rocky area so sling shots should be fairly common. Would it help if I got their attention and got our invisible foes to fire a few shots at me.
Yes, I will be staying out the way, but with any luck it will slow them down as well.
It would also allow a couple of people to get right round the group and try and make sure no-one flees.
If they think just one lone stupid hobbit is following, they may decide to prevent said stupid hobbit from warning any of his allies.
I’m tempted to say “take me along”, Mulligan, but it’s a bold notion and likely to work at least as well if you’re by yourself. Also the enemy may not waste spells on just one hobbit.
Gimli, “I’m game for either charging in and turning them visible by letting them strike me or the hobbit’s brave idea. Another hobbit used a similar tactic to save by father many long years ago.”
Merry, who has read “There and Back Again” as often as I have, has a knowing smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
Ghân blushes :o and admits he has Detect Magic loaded.
So if I can run that (for 12 rounds), I can then cast Entangle(s) where I see magic (denoting the Invisible orcs).
Perhaps Gash will have other magic, so will ‘glow’ more - because he’s the one we want.
Given I have the help of the estimable Thoroncir , can I ride Moose into range of Detect Magic (30 yards range + 30 yards area of effect)and start casting Entangles?
, can I ride Moose into range of Detect Magic (30 yards range + 30 yards area of effect)and start casting Entangles?