Passing over 6 more berries to comlete the curing, Ghân smiles at Anthor and his healed father and asks what they want to do.
“We are going to chase the orcs to rescue any captives. You could stay here to guard any mounts we leave behind. Also there will be some reinforcements coming from Minas Tirith and you could tell them which way we went.”
Starshine. The Elf’s name is Starshine.
[
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Can Thoroncir track, especially in starlight?
Ghân has finished healing (it only takes a couple of rounds as he has the spells ready) and is ready to track.
He’s not trying to usurp anyone, but it seems that the circumstances favour him here.
He only needs to cast one spell (Barkskin) on himself before we set off.
He likes Gwaelur’s description of Moose as a ‘mounted assault force all his own’!
Anton’s Father: “My name is Norvon and I thank you. Anton please go with these men and help save the rest. I will let the reinforcement know.”
Anton leaves his package of food, hugs his Dad, hugs Ghân and hurries on.
It takes very little for you (Ghân) to catch up, the party has only a short lead. You take up the lead position with Brin.
Meanwhile, Merry looks thoughful at what Brin said, “I don’t think that was it.” looks slightly puzzled and then laughs.
My remaining question is who will be mounted and who is on foot. I have a fair idea, but I would like to wait for confirmation.
Ghân is on foot (can you track while mounted?), and Moose is with the lancers at the rear.
Breathing an inward sigh of relief, Theogrim will bring up the rear, mounted.
My remaining question is who will be mounted and who is on foot. I have a fair idea, but I would like to wait for confirmation.
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Mulligan is on the ground, leading the pony slightly off to one side, so the lancers can get through as needs be.
Gwaelur is on foot, ready to kill anything that might attempt to harm our two trackers.
Deor is mounted, behind the trackers and ahead of the lancers.
Merry was leading his pony, but now that Ghân has taking the lead, he remounts and falls back to the middle.
Anthor go on foot and Ornan goes by horse of course.
Of course, of course! 
Thoroncir has no particular tracking skills, IIRC.
Eager to kill orcs and rescue innocent captives from durance vile, Thoroncir will remount his horse, sheath his sword and ready his lance, then follow the lead of the rest of the party.
Brin is on foot
wait, so Anthor and Gwaelur are the only fighters on foot? Is that wise? Honest question, I really don’t know.
All of my character’s protestations to the contrary, I am a Ranger, and use the fighter’s hit tables. It is just that 1e is very unkind to lightly armored fighters, and to look at me, you would think I’m so clumsy that you might be in more danger from my sword than any orc.
Well, Brin and Gil-Gandel will probably fight on foot, at least after they run out of arrows, and you’ve got Moose too.
I think I have enough to move this one.
Gil-Gandel is off on his own.
Leading the next 10 are:
Brin - Ghân
Gwaelur - Anthor
Mulligan
***Mounted * **
Deor - Merry
Moose – Thoroncir – Ornan – Theogrim
It takes another ½ hour for Gil-Gandel to overtake the Orcs who are still moving. He noted they turned first west and then back south. He notes that they number only 15 and has seen no signs that any split off. He notes that three trail behind and one is at least 100’ in front. Six appear to have bows. The rest appear to have light armor and nine are working hard leading the horses or pushing the wagons as needed.
He doubles back to find the party, which has been moving at a good pace.
(Time to plan you battle and let me know the options of what you will try to do in a given round) I would prefer not to spend 2 weeks on a 6 round battle is possible. ;))
Jim
If no one else objects, Deor will open the battle with a surprise Sleep on the three orcs trailing behind. That might incapacitate the rearguard, allowing our horsemen a free path inwards and quick, easy kills for the foot soldiers.
After that, I’ll use Magic Missile on the nearest two orcs who can be hit with the same spell. After that, I’ll circle back to the rear, dismount, and cast Invisibility on myself, then slowly and carefully approach the main battle from the left, looking to get behind an orc. If I can’t sneak quickly enough to get into melee before the battle’s over, that’s fine too. If I do get that one invisible hit and lose invisibility, then sprint back to my horse, remount, and stay well out of range for the rest of the battle.
Ghân tells the party Moose is keen to fight and suggests (to keep it simple) that Moose fight alongside Thoroncir.
Ghân asks Moose if that’s OK.
Ghân says that he has a number of useful spells, plus of course curing. However he can’t silence any rear-guard orcs (to stop them giving the alarm).
Is the orcs’ armour metal? (for ‘Heat Metal’ purposes)
Ghân suggests that in the battle he and Deor, hopefully with one bodyguard, stand back a little and throw in their spells.
He is quietly confident that the party will win quite quickly, because some of the party can take out an orc with a single blow.
Deor, Sleep is the best way to take the rearguard!
(Just remember the party can be affected by it too…)
Magic Missile is fine, but I really wouldn’t go in yourself.
The Fighters have far more hit points, better armour, hit more often and do more damage. And even dumb orcs prefer to hit a man in robes rather than a Fighter in Armour.
You are a valuable resource casting - don’t put it all at risk!
I’ll wait to see if Deor’s sleep spell works. If it does, I’ll ride right past the snoozing orcs and into the thick of the foes, trying to get past as many as I can before I’m forced to engage. If I can make it all the way to the lone advance guy, I will - then attack him. If the sleep spell fails, I’ll charge the rear guard and try to skewer the nearest orc with my lance.