Assuming he isn’t needed in camp, Miron will be happy to come and help.
Excellent. By Gil-Gandel’s leave, Thoroncir and Miron will slip off to do some hunting, bows at the ready, taking care to be back before dark.
Have fun hunting, we will have something ready for you when you get back.
Don’t be too long.
The hunting goes poorly. There is little to hunt and few tracks in the area. You only have about 2 hours of light at this point.
**That night at about 2am, just after the watch change, Gil-Gandel and Miron both hear what must be orcs approaching. **
Hodwain, Gwaelur, Deor and Renee are sleeping. Thoroncir & Riglo are in armor and on watch. Brin just got off watch and is still mostly armored. See post #1 for the watches.
Thoroncir will quietly wake the sleepers, and listen attentively to the approaching orcs.
As soon as he sees that Thoroncir is attending to the sleepers, Miron will attempt to stealthily approach the noises to ascertain how many orcs are about.
Elfstan gets himself behind a tree as he doesn’t want any of the Big Folk or the orcs tripping over him. If there is a fight, he’ll lend a hand in combat if someone needs help, but if it’s one-sided for the party, he will preserve his invisibility. If someone is in need of a Goodberry, he should still have seven (maybe eight if Ghan ever gave him another) and will try to get them to whoever needs them. Lastly, if there is no combat, this might be a good time for him and Mulligan to follow the orcs back to their lair (if that’s the direction they are heading).
After shaking his head in an attempt to clear the dreams of home from his mind, Deor will stuff any non-essentials under his cloak to resemble a sleeping body, then fade off into the bushes on the side away from the approaching orcs, making sure that Thoroncir, the Hobbits, and any other party members about know where he is hidden. If possible, he’ll try to cast from his hidden vantage point, especially cantrips, only using real spells if the party is losing.
Ghân has plenty of Goodberries, so constantly replenishes Elfstan to 8.
I thought we were in a well-constructed hide?
Ok, lets see what happens as the Orcs draw near. Their conversation will be of interest, I’m sure.
As for following them back, we know where they are, and we have just done a Watch, let’s do it in the morning, unless we really have to.
You are!
Miron carefully approaches the Orcs. He gets a count of 12 orcs and they appear to be carrying nets, clubs and short bows. They are either unarmorer or lightly armored. They are not talking much, mainly one is always spooked by being in this area and another telling him to, “Shutyerlip or you’ll be da when one 'ere morrow night comes!”
Gil-Gandel followed Miron and brought back the information to the group.
Ghân, is Brownie going airborne?
caught up! Sorry I got bogged down trying to keep the thread straight on pages 10 and 11. I am with you all now. Orcs I am comfortable with.
So, clearly the orcs are sacrifice hunting, no? Do they have any real chance of finding us? If not, would it be better to try to track them rather than kill them?
(sorry if that is a stupid question, but I am still a little fuzzy on some of the details of the past 5 pages.)
Provided there is some cover (e.g. trees) for Brownie to flee to, Ghân will ask Brownie to cautiously fly around (watching out for orcs and Beings :eek: ).
While Gil-Gandel is quietly relaying information to the party in the hideout. Miron hears something he did not wish to hear.
“Wass dat ovar dare? Don’t member seeing dat bafore” The Orc is looking towards the shubbery blind the party is using.
A orc that berate the spooked orc, “Lets go check it out boys, its wasn’t date bafore.”
The Orcs head over to the blind, they will be upon it in 2 rounds, they get very quiet as they approach.
The Hobbits Gil-Gandel spies them heading over and I need to know what Miron does and everyone else.
Miron will quietly follow the orcs, and just before they fall within the melee range of the party members in the blind he’ll open fire, prioritizing obvious spellcasters, then the leader, then the toughest looking orcs that are left.
If anyone else opens fire before he does, he’ll start shooting to aid them, but the ideal scenario in his mind would be to trap the orcs in a pincer, he and Gil distracting the orcs in one direction, allowing the party’s melee fighters to surprise them by charging from the other.
If he can see well enough, Thoroncir will loose an arrow from his longbow at the biggest, nastiest-looking orc in range. If it’s still too dark (is the moon out? How full?), he’ll draw his fine Numenorean longsword and silently await the arrival of the orcs, at least until someone else starts the battle, at which point he’ll charge.
I will be circling around to a safe distance away, ready to lend a hand, but would prefer not to, to keep invisibility up.
If any of the Orcs try to flee, I will attempt to stop them, probably by tripping them up.
I don’t think they are going to be a challenge to the Fighters in the party, but you never know.
If there is enough growth for an Entangle, Ghân will cast that as soon as combat starts.
Otherwise Faerie Fire.
Until the round the orcs are on top of the party, the Entangle won’t work well, but at that point it will work normally.
The night is partially cloudy and the moon is not providing enough light for a good shot, once they get closer the humans would be able to shoot with a -4 to hit. Again, the round before they are on top of you. Keep in mind they also have bows.
Hodwain quickly whispers to Thoroncir and Gwaelur, “Are we waiting to draw them in and then assault them in mass?”
Gil-Gandel quietly circles back out, trusting the dark, his stealth and his elven cloak.
Renee awaits melee to sing and heal.
Ghân stands ready to Entangle once they are close.
Deor & the Hobbits stay hidden in various spots.
Brin, (remember Brin) draws his blades and regrets the need for sword work. He plans to work the edges of the melee and to use the 3 bruisers as a steady distraction.
Riglo appears to have faded away.
Elfstan’s thoughts remain unchanged. He will try to retain his invisibility if the party is in no great danger. Making sure Renee, Deor, and Ghan are safe is his priority. He will be ready with Goodberries to help any wounded.