Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game, the Game itself

Thread Games
101

I’m about to go offline for the evening. I can stick with Ghan, or flank the other side, whichever the team prefers. Targeting preferences are shamans or other casters(if any are present), then bowmen, then targets of opportunity. I’ll switch to sword to defend our own casters if it comes to it.

Magic Missile is a single target spell. I see we are of opposite schools of spellcasting. I prefer to hold as much in reserve as I can until the end (which often had the party wondering if I was going to do anything to help). I’d rather go to bed spells unused that face something really tough out of spells. I do like Sleep on the rear guard.

102

Gil-Gandel will circle around to the right to put himself on the flank of the enemy, find any cover that is going, approach within fifty yards if possible, and wait for the attack to begin. At the first sounds of battle, he will begin shooting the archers, ideally from behind a tree.

If one of the orcs looks like rallying his troops and issuing orders, and is not in melee, Gil-Gandel will shoot him instead.

If any orc looks like getting into a wagon, Gil-Gandel will shoot him in preference to any of the above targets - in case there are prisoners in there to be rescued.

After four rounds of battle (one quiver empied!), he will charge the nearest surviving archer (if any), or attack the rear of the orcs now engaged in melee. However, he will keep an eye on the wagons as before and prepare to disengage if necessary.

103

Gwaelur plans to take the main front charge. With his armour and battle shield he can take a lot of damage. He will attack with his shield and single handed axe going after every Orc within reach. He will do everything in his power to keep himself between Ghan/Brin and the Orcs allowing the mounted fighters to take on the Orcs farther from the party.

104

Casting doesn’t negate Invisibility, does it? Then I amend my plans to this:

Deor will cast Invisibility on himself and Folca, then send Folca up above the party to keep an eye out. He will then sneak into range of the rearguard, cast Sleep on the rear guard, use Magic Missile on any spellcasters or archers in range, then dismount and tie up any sleeping orcs. Does anyone have rope to lend? Deor prepared Tie this morning, so this should be a snap. Then he’ll slowly sneak inwards and use his remaining cantrips to cast Bee and Cough to give our melee fighters the advantage. After he’s down to two remaining cantrips, he’ll retreat, remount his horse, and observe.

It’s just that I have so darn few spells right now. If I hold them back, I won’t have much to do, ever.

So if I can get some orcs tied up, we can maybe get some information from them. Let 'em live, if possible.

105

Any kind of attack does, including attack spells, I believe.

106

Mmm… Well, Deor can sneak inwards invisible, cast Sleep, then run back to his horse, remount, and continue with Magic Missile and Cough, and Tie the sleeping orcs from his horse, then avoid combat.

107

This is correct, additionally the Invisibility spell will do only one creature. Not the Caster and Hawk.

Merry makes one suggestion, “Mulligan, if you are willing, try to get into a wagon quick and start freeing prisoners. I will remain on my Pony and be an Archer. Deor, your last plan sounds good to me at least.”

Ornan, “So I just skewer the first Orc I can beyond the back three and then it is time for sword work. Sounds good to me. Someone keep an eye out for more orcs. Nothing worse than ambushing an ambush and being ambushed.”

“If it is ok, I will remain back a bit and bow from very short range”, Anthor says nervously. “I will do everything I can to protect Ghân. He saved my Pa.”
I think we only need **EH ** & **CatInASuit ** to check in.

108

Really? I was working from a D&D site that said
"Share Spells

At the master’s option, he may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) he casts on himself also affect his familiar. The familiar must be within 5 feet at the time of casting to receive the benefit.

If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the familiar if it moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the familiar again even if it returns to the master before the duration expires. Additionally, the master may cast a spell with a target of “You” on his familiar (as a touch range spell) instead of on himself.

A master and his familiar can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the familiar’s type (magical beast). "

Not in 1e, huh? Ok, Folca’s purely eye-in-the-sky on this one.

109

Ghân says “This is good stuff. Your Sleep takes out the rearguard and lets the Fighters wade straight in without warning. Don’t worry, you will become more powerful with every level - but only if you avoid melee combat.”

With Anthor staying with the casters, I can be more specific with my spells…

My priorities are:

  1. Protect myself and Deor
  2. Heal the party
  3. Save the captives
  4. Kill fighting orcs (try to save a couple of slept ones for interrogation)

Use Heat Metal (provided it works, else Summon Insects) on any orcs coming for the casters.

Use precast Goodberry / Goodberry / CLW to heal party (if they’re OK, then cure any captives needing help). Run into combat only if anyone from our party goes down, or calls for help.
N.B. Can I cast CLW on my finger, then run in and cure by touch?

Use Entangle or Summon Insects to stop orcs escaping with captives

Use Summon Insects on any orc leading or rallying, or Faerie Fire on any in melee combat

110

You have Faerie Fire?! This just made my archery a lot easier!

111

In first edition if the MU has multiple Magic Missiles, they can hit any creatures within a 10’ area.

As for casting spells, I realise that reinforcements may turn up, but I still like to ensure the foes present go down (and don’t have enough time to do stuff like killing captives).
If the Fighters are winning comfortably, then by all means stop casting and go on guard.

112

:cool:

…although it’s low on my priorities, because I’m worried about saving the casters and the captives.
Nevertheless, it is my pleasure to assist your fine bowmanship. :slight_smile:

113

Thoroncir will wait for battle to be joined, observe which orcs are being zapped by spells, and then immediately run down with my lance the biggest non-zapped orc that presents itself. I’ll continue skewering as many as I can, while keeping an eye on Ghan and Moose and assisting them as needed. If my lance gets stuck/fouled on any foe, I’ll immediately drop it, draw my sword and have at them, remaining on horseback as long as possible.

114

Just to amend Gil-Gandel’s earlier orders, a couple of conditionals:

While he is shooting, if Gil-Gandel is charged by the enemy he will back off, happy to run the legs off them in going that should suit him far better than them.

He will stop shooting early as soon as the enemy are outnumbered, but will keep the bow handy while closing on the wagons - once again, if any enemy looks like entering the wagons, he will shoot them.

115

Mulligan listens eargerly to all the warriors deciding what to do.

Deor: I have plenty of rope I can lend here if you should need it.

Ghan: Can I borrow a few of those goodberries, in case they are needed for the villagers in the wagons?

My Actions as follows.

  1. Sneak around to the side of the wagon party. Give me a couple of minutes.
  2. When the fight does break out enough to attract the orcs attention move in silently from the side to the wagons. Dual daggers at ready.
  3. Check the wagons CAREFULLY for the villagers (I am waiting for at least one surprise in the wagons) and free them as necessary. Get them moving away from the orcs and into the forest a little way.
  4. By the way, until I hear an “All Clear” from outside, anyone poking their head into the wagon I am in, will regret it.
  5. Once I have checked the wagons, freed prisoners if possible, moved them on, I am hoping the fight will be over, otherwise sneak attack with sling from behind the line to any MU Orc, then archer orc, then standalone orc. If an orc is engaged only take action if they are going to strike a killing blow on another character.

Here’s hoping to stay silent and hidden :cool:

116

Ghân is happy to pass Mulligan his remaining 8 Goodberries (each berry does 1hp ; the maximum on one person is 8), as Ghân still has curing spells.

What Exit?, I assume anyone can use the Goodberry?

I was going to give you some whenever you scouted ahead, but being the only healer, I thought I’d better see how we did in our first combat before doing so.
But I feel confident…

Noted.

Good luck! :slight_smile:

117

Ok, I have plenty to resolve the initial combat. As soon as I get a free moment I will work it out and post the blow-by-blow results. The plan looks very solid.

118

Thanks Ghân. Lets see, family of 10 less Anthor and his Pa equals 8. Lets hope I don’t need any more.

What Exit?: I will be using throwing daggers to cut any ropes if necessary, and for throwing at anyone who disturbs me.

119

Now that’s just showing off. GG’s pretty damn dexterous, and even he would use a hand-held knife for that :stuck_out_tongue:

120

Advanced Orc with Bow handy
Orc
Horse Horse
Wagon #1
Orc Orc
…………………-----------……………………………………………………………… Orc w/ Bow__________ Gil-Gandel

Orc
Horse Horse
Wagon #2
Orc Orc
……………………………--------------------………………………………………………………………………………… Mulligan

Orc w/ Bow………………-------------------------…………………………………………
Orc
Horse Horse
Wagon #3
Orc Orc
Orc w/ Bow

Orc w/Bow Orc w/Bow

Brin………………… Anthor………………….
Ghân Deor(Invis) Merry(on Pony)

Ornan Thoroncir Moose Theogrim
Gil-Gandel gets himself into position and using all his elven skill, he shadows the Orcs to the right flank, 50 yards from the right side bowyer/guard. He has no problem.

Mulligan uses his stealth skills very effectively and shadows even further to the right, ready to run in low and quiet when the fun begins.

Deor, who is invisible, approaches to within 50 yards of the Orcs who are grunting and complaining in their guttural speech. He quietly casts his sleep spell setting everything in motion. He times it to when he can get the back 5 and all 5 go down silently.

Gwaelur chargers to get the orc leading the back wagon. Gil-Gandel fires his bow, being within short range and the orcs wearing only leather armor he hits with ease but does not drop the orc, it looks seriously injured and it frantically looks for it assailant. To the right, Theogrim charges through the woods toward the front of the wagons, ** Moose** bellows in Westron, “Kill Orcs” racing towards the Orc leading wagon #2. To the left, Ornan makes for the left bowyer and Thoroncir charges to those pushing wagon #2.

Brin advances and fires at the left guard. His innate ability to know direction and distance helping overcome the darkness to some degree, he hits and drops his foe.

Anthor sees no targets at this points and holds ready to fire.

Merry trots forward and shoots the orc on the right rear of wagon #2. He hits easily, sending the arrow through his back and dropping it quickly.

Ornan seeing his foe dropped, tramples it and races for the front wagon, Mulligan races to the middle wagon as Thoroncir misses his target, Moose blasts his target into death tossing him a good 6 feet. He spins and confronts the ones pushing wagon #2 as Gil-Gandel releases his second arrow dropping his foe. Theogrim does too good of a job & punctures the lead orc to the point where he must leave the lance for now. This orc will never draw another breath.

Ornan misses the orc leading the front wagon. The orc takes a swipe at his horse but also misses. The draft horse takes this opportunity to bite the orc. The orc is caught off guard and injured.

Gwaelur chops the orc leading the third wagon and shield bashes the orc that was pushing the second wagon dropping in to the ground. The orc had turned to fight the charging the dwarf. (This is the same one that Thoroncir missed).

Gil-Gandel releases his third arrow at one of the ones that were pushing the first wagon. He hits for a third time and drops this one immediately. Brin fires his second arrow, but misses the other Orc that was pushing the 1st wagon. Ghân keeps alert for any other activity. Merry does not have another target.

The orc looks up at Moose and starts to run.
Mulligan scrambles into wagon #2 and finds 4 tied up prisoners. All girls of various ages. He quickly starts untying them as he tells them to remain quiet.

Moose quickly kills the fleeing Orc. Gil-Gandel sees things are well in hand and goes back to scouting and alert.

Thoroncir charges the last Orc as Ornan gets turned around. Thoroncir hits it in the leather helm, snapping its neck back and never losing his lance. The orcs all lay dead, dying or sleeping. **Deor ** & **Anthor ** begin tying up the sleeping orcs as **Brin ** check the 3rd wagon. He finds the mother and an older son. Both look injured.

Merry rides past wagon #2 calling out, “Are you okay Mully?”.

When Mulligan confirms, **Merry ** rides to wagon #1 and gets in. He finds two young boys. …