Correct
I am going to agree with Omi here, I don’t think we want to give any warning that might help prepare the Orcs in any way. Surprise is always best.
Elfstan wipes the orc blood off of Sting as best he can and puts it away to once again conceal the glow. He then makes a quick check of what the orcs were carrying while the others discuss how to proceed. With this accomplished, he does his best to blend into the shadows and pretend to be invisible.
Sting once again tastes orc blood! Huzzah!
Given the thoughts of the others, I guess a silent recce of the Throne room is in order.
Elfstan, please don’t get over confident. Certain elderly hobbits would tan my hide if you wind up dead.
Seconded. Be careful!
Mulligan sneaks into the throne room for a quick recon and finds that there are 15 orcs in here, at least three that are as large as a tall man and well armored. The Large (and fat) Orc on the thrown has a fancy and gaudy gold crown and is wearing what appears to be well made black chain mail. Most of the orcs are not armored however.
Report back and start assigning targets. No shaman by the looks of it, which is good.
If there is a group Deor can take out with a sleep - even better. Hopefully including the three larger ones.
I’m sure Hodwain has a few tricks up his sleeve as well.
Somehow I think we want to try and keep the King alive. I’ll sneak back round and once the fighting starts, a dagger to the throat should keep him occupied. His chain mail will not help him in that situation. If he moves, then he is a dead Orc.
So what’s the charge order? I have no problem with going in first and start softening them up a bit before you all join me, though I wouldn’t be opposed to a little company if someone wanted to join in the fun. But there are only 15 of them. How large is the room? Deor may be able to sleep them all in a single shot! 
(Just a joke, I would rather fight).
Hodwain. “I would love to join the good dwarf in the charge. I live for such things. I was never really good at waiting and this keeping quiet stuff has me a little on edge.”
Riglo, “Excellent and I will follow the distraction in a go for one of the large orcs.”
“That’s why I’m back to hiding in the shadows at the moment. My mother would kill me if I ended up dead!”
Elfstan will use his sling and join the missile troops if possible. If things break down into melee for the missile troops, he will try to see if he can use Sting to intimidate any of the orcs. He will also be looking for foes engaged in combat where he can get in a good back stab.
Should I focus on the larger orcs or the smaller ones? With three shots a round I could really help cut down their numbers, but it seems like it’d be more advantageous for our tanks if I helped take down the leader and the three larger fellows.
I can probably take out either a whole bunch of normal orcs or those three with a Sleep. This group seems like it doesn’t merit more than one spell, though, so after that I’ll switch to cantrips and/or standing behind the missile troops waiting.
What else was Mulligan able to tell when he was in the room? Was he able to recognize the type of armour and how heavy it was (so we know if projectiles are a good use or not) and where are the larger orcs located in relation to each other? Are they close enough that Deor could sleep them right before the first charge?
Hodwain, “Please leave a big one for me, the little ones are not as much fun.”
The large orcs were scattered and no more than one could be in a sleep spell. There was one group of orcs numbering about 5 that would be a good sleep target. The King was in black chain the 3 large orcs were apparently in splint.
The King only has one orc near him. The smaller orcs were mostly unarmored and lightly weaponed.
**Good, do if Deor starts by Sleeping the group of 5 and an archer shoots the one orc by the king Mulligan can sneek up on the king and put a knife to his neck. Me and the rest of the early charge can rush in and each take on one of the big orcs with everyone else following behind doing cleanup and providing cover.
Sound like a good plan?
GM, would you think that the large orc are heavily enough armoured that it would warrent me using my 2 handed axe so I can get better penetration for a quick kill or should I stick with my shield axe combo?**
Riglo, “Sounds like a good plan to me.”
Assuming they have at best an AC of 1 with D penetration the Big Axe (Dwarven Battle Axe) will need an 11 to hit, the Battle Axe needs a 12 and the War Shield needs a 13. The odds would seem to favor two chances to hit. If you ever find or buy a magic Dwarven Axe it would change the calculations. It is especially effective against Trolls and Dwarven Plate though with a B penetration.
Ghân will cast Barkskin on his armour and then he and Fang will protect Deor when he casts Sleep.
Ghân will use Summon Insects on:
- a caster
- anyone threatening the party casters;
then Heat Metal on anyone dangerous in metal armour.
Finally he will use Goodberries and Cures.
Miron will focus on helping to take down the big orcs with his elven bow, leaving at least one for Hodwain and switching to target the smaller orcs if it looks like the party will be zerged.
Sounds like a good plan to me.
Hopefully, I can keep the leader quiet, unnerved and, more importantly, out of the battle.
Let’s remember to keep an eye on Hodwain, too. He seems ok, but the last thing we need is for him to take advantage of the distraction presented by our fight to screw us somehow.