Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game, the Second Adventure, Scouting Ered Lithui

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701

So the plan is:

-Send back our Fifth Columnists to get the orcs to charge out of the cave to attack an imaginary caravan.
-The Gondorian cavalry, probably co-ordinated with our help, splits into two groups and each group goes around one side of the orcs.
-The cavalry meets behind the orcs, then charges in for the climactic battle scene. (may I suggest that the two cavalry groups each come in 90 degrees apart from one another, both 45 degrees from directly behind? That will give us a flanking advantage without separating our forces enough to prevent them from helping each other.)
-Right now, we need to send a messenger to go tell the cavalry what’s going on, then keep the cavalry informed of what’s going on. The fastest line of communication within this party is between myself and Folca; the only drawback is that only Ghan and myself can speak to her. To that end, I volunteer to go back with the Gondorian cavalry to keep them informed of our plans and developments, and Ghan will stay with the party to speak to Folca if necessary.
-Being the most frail member of this party, I’m particularly interested in not being the bait, so staying with the cavalry appeals to me. If I could get a member of this group to escort me, I’m ready to go. Probably Theogrim, so that he can easily bring back the party’s mounts afterwards.

702

I’m back!

As always, Thoroncir has ink and quills if we’d like to just write a message to the cavalry and send it back with the hawk.

703

So is Gil-Gandel racing off to the meet and halt the cavalry?

Is the plan what is summarized by Deor & Mulligan?

Will the party be the decoy or a portion of the cavalry?

Is the party OK with Deor not sticking with them?

What about Renee?

What about Thoroncir, Moose & Theogrim?

What exactly are the orcs to tell the Shamans and Uruks?

704

Ghân appreciates the summaries.

Hopefully it will be slightly easier than above, because the 15 or so orcs we’ve captured are going to tell the orc leaders that there is something worth capturing (which their original hunting group couldn’t quite defeat).
That means that only the leaders (Uruk-Hai and Hunter-Killers) come out, because they want the treasure for themselves.
Sadly there are no ambush sites, but once the leaders are far enough out of the caves, they can be cut off by the Cavalry.
Then, as you say, the Orcs working with us will assist to kill some other Orcs if we let them go East after the battle.

We also need the casters to get their spells back…

705

Although Ghân appreciates your enthusiasm, there’s no ambush site, so no chance of beautiful cavalry manouevres. We just have to hope the cavalry can cut the orc leaders off.
While your idea to keep you and Folca to communicate is fine, I think we need Folca as the ‘eye in the sky’. Also your Sleeps are better than anything Ghân’s got.
So perhaps Ghân should ride Moose to find the Cavalry, then ask Brownie to guide him and the cavalry in, whilst Folca keeps you and the party informed of the orcs movements.

706

Ghân’s replies in purple…

707

Um. And paper. Of course, paper!

708

I’ll be posting today, but am away on a trip Tue-Thu. :o
I would be happy for Gil-Gandel to run Ghân for me. :cool:

709

Let us know when you are ready to get this started Gil-Gandel, we are awaiting your word.

Does anyone have any further comments on Ghan’s plans?

710

I say go for it. Since Moose is to hand and can presumably run faster than I can (probably not faster than I could ride, but my mount is away in a place of safety for now), our good Wose had better be off. Let the rest of the party dispose themselves in a suitable place to make a stand, ideally where they can be seen but quickly retire to cover in case there are many archers to worry about, and I’ll find a hiding place somewhere where I can spy out the approaching enemy. If I can do the old grass-blade-between-the-thumbs trick as a noise-maker to pass signals with, I’ll quickly run over a few simple calls to pass whatever information I can. I don’t intend to expose myself to too many enemies or get into a firefight against overwhelming numbers, but if I can let them come past me and get some clear shots at the enemy rear, so much the better.

711

So Ghân and Moose ride off to intercept the Cavalry. Brownie flies ahead looking for them. For the time being Folca flies with them, flying lower than usual to keep an eye on them in the dark. Whenever the path ahead allows for it Folca flies back up higher and to increase safety.

The party releases the orcs with the story and arrangement. If they are forced to march out with the Uruks, they will be wearing green headbands to indicate those against the Uruks that plan to flee.

The party makes final preparations and carefully moves off to the plains to be ready to coordinate with the cavalry.

The party move with as much stealth as possible with Gil-Gandel leading and Brin trailing, trying to obscure tracks.

Brownie sights the cavalry after about 45 minutes. It is now 4:15am. By 4:30 Moose and Ghân have intercepted them and are making plans.

By 4am the party finds a good scrub area to rest. It is unlikely that Deor or Renee will get back their spells before the ambush, but they do fall back to sleep readily enough.

The cavalry agrees to have 12 of their best armored riders act as the decoy. They will ride in closer to the mountains until 5am and then ride back away heading east. They will set a camp at dawn with a large lightly smoking fire. Any that are will to be with them are most welcome to join. They are thinking that Gwaelur might prefer this.

712

I’m back!

They would be correct.

713

Ghân can speak to Brownie and will use Speak to Animals if necessary to communicate to Folca, so hopefully everyone knows where everyone else is.

Ghân checks with Moose if he wants Ghân on his back - Ghân is quite happy to ride with the rear of the Cavalry if necessary.

Does Ghân have time to reload any spells?

714

I’ll be keeping quiet off to one side. If anyone in the party wants to hide with me out of the way, that’s fine by me.

I will probably be making a surprise appearance, hopefully, when they least expect it :smiley:

715

Moose, “Moose plans to charge in battle against large orcs, you better off on small horse.”

Gwaelur makes it to the camp to join the decoys.

716

Thoroncir is ready for action, and will make sure to remain between the enemy and Renee.

717

The party has their mounts ready. They can see the smoke from the fire of the decoy camp. The decoys plan to though a bunch of fresh pine branches on it at the last moment to make a big puff of smoke as an additional signal. The decoys each are armed with a good bow and Gwaelur of course has his Crossbow.

The Cavalry is in 8 groups of 6. Scattered approximately ½ mile each from the camp wherever there is enough scrub to partially hide. The groups expect to converge on the battle within two rounds. This is a rate of speed around 15 mph.

No word yet from the other Rangers.

The waiting game begins. The morning dawns clear and bright, but it starts to darken. As of 9am there has been no attack and no sign of the orcs. Some crows fly high in the air and a pair of hawks. The Spell casters are back to full spells.

The sky is now dark with threat of a storm.

Deor & Folca sights a line of large orcs making their way through paths unseen accept from the air. They are only a mile from the camp and coming from the east. It appears to be 25 large orcs, 12 with large bows and 13 with large swords and shields. Following a short way behind are another 120 orcs, some 60 with green headbands finally an creature with a bulls skull for a head follows the orcs and is followed by 6 very fierce looking orcs with heavy boar spears.

There is still time for **Folca ** to try and warn the camp, but no time to give details.

Wait what’s that, a figure coming warily from the east?

718

Folca can definitely swoop in to give a warning to the camp- that will get the decoys ready to go. I’m going to avoid the Hunter-Killers and stay hidden while the party engages them, then ride in and cast Sleep on the regular non-green-headbanded orcs or the monster-handlers. If the monster gets free, maybe it will do some work for us.

Wow, I hope that’s Caramir or Riglo. Trouble is, I don’t think we’d see them coming.

719

Folca comes gliding down to the camp, gives a loud squawk and heads east swiftly. He rides the air currents up and races off to check out the lone figure.

Folca sees the orcs breaking into a trot. They will surely be upon the camp in a matter of minutes.

The party mounts up on Deor’s words and rides off in staggered groups.

Gil-Gandel takes off at an amazing rate, 26 mph and if he was headed to the camp he would be there in a round, but instead he sweeps around to come upon the rear of the orcs and to see what this monster is.

Theogrim leads at a full charge with Thoroncir to his left. It will take them 2 minutes to get to the camp.

Brin trails behind with Deor and Renee they will try to flank. It will take them 3 minutes to get to the camp.

Coming up slower at a simple trot are Ghân & Mulligan. It will take 4 rounds, also assuming the will be flanking the fun.

At this point sparks fly up from the campsite and much spoke follows. The skies crack open and Folca is forced to seek cover as the winds blow fiercely.

The Uruk-Hai with swords race forward to the camp; followed by dozens of orcs. 12 arrows and a bolt meet them. Two Uruks drop. A dozen arrows return but only one hit a man. The bows are dropped and swords come out to meet the charge. Another dozens arrows fly, another man is wounded.

Horns can be heard from the North West. Riders are charging in lances lowered. An arrow flies at the bull skulled creature. It is but a large orc with an ornate bull skull helm. Gil-Gandel assumes this might be a Shaman and wishes to drop him early. His first arrow hits. Just before the Uruk-Hai can hit the party in the camp, flaming pine branches are tossed in front of the fighters and a cry of Khazad Dum is heard.
The Uruks wear banded armor.

Theogrim runs a tall Uruk through for 30 points.
Thoroncir strikes one for 14, injuring it.
Gwaelur blocks a sword with his shield and chops with his battle-axe for 13. His shield missed.
Blows are exchanged but none fall but Theogrim’s victim.

The smaller orcs look hesitant as group of fast businesslike riders come charging into their ranks to get to the Hunter Killers. Gil-Gandel hits the Shaman again; he has now done 13 points. The hunter killers are distracted by the charging riders and fire at them. A horse goes down, as does an orc shot in the back by his own. Another man screams in pain and rides off.

Many orcs are run down, they cannot stand against this charge from many directions. The six large orcs in the rear charge Gil-Gandel but Cúran knows to dance beyond their reach and give Gil-Gandel more shots at his target. Cúran actually puts on a bust and bring Gil-Gandel in close enough for an easy shot. A well-placed arrow does another 9 for 22 total.

So far the orcs have mostly missed the riders on this opening charge.

720

Thoroncir is mounted on his light warhorse Seafoam. He cries, “Elendil!”, steadies his lance and eagerly charges again through the rain, supporting Theogrim. If his lance becomes fouled, he’ll drop it, draw his longsword and thus have at the orcs, taking care not to attack those with green headbands. He will, when the opportunity safely presents itself, glance back to ensure that Renee is not in danger.