**There is still fighting near the ballista and close to where the two main halls intersect. I just took a pause in the battle for player input.
Also there were still orcs in the caves beside the two large scout parties. **
Thoroncir, with the white scarf of his true love tied to his scabbard, is joyous in battle, continuing to hack away at any orcs who stray nearby.
In which case, lend a hand and keep an ear out for other Orcs in the vicinity
If the fighting looks to be well in hand by the ballista, Elfstan will stay to protect the casters. He hides Sting under his cloak again and attempts to fade back into the shadows, waiting for more orcs.
Down near the Ballista, Gwaelur hits the orc with his axe and shield killing it. Brin steps up and fires at the one going for Thoroncir and hits it squarely in the back, turning the orc around as it writhes in pain.
The orc on Thoroncir misses as Thoroncir kills it.
The two orcs left on Hodwain try to run; he succeeds in sweeping their feet out from under them with a long low arc and then finishes both off. At this point, another 10 orcs in heavy armor charge out from the East and West side of the Main Hall intersection and another 10 comes out various doors in the hall between Thoroncir and the Miron all the way back by the King’s Hall.
Gwaelur and Brin find themselves in close combat swiftly.
Thoroncir starts to run up to help Hodwain, but he growls, “GO HELP THE DWARF!”
Thoroncir sees Hodwain go through some strange shuddering and grow larger and hairier very swiftly as he tosses off his gear and most of his clothes. Thoroncir heads off to help Gwaelur and Brin at a run, forgetting even to give his normal war cry this time.
Brin takes one shot with his bow at the closest orc and drops it. He then drops his bow and pulls out his swords as he and Gwaelur back up to a far wall to cover each other’s backs and flanks. Two of these orcs have heavy crossbows and fire them at Brin as the orcs in between race forward in a low bent over run using their off hand nearly as much as their feet. Brin is hit twice for 8 points.
The first orcs reach the pair and Gwaelur hits one with his axe killing it and injures another with his shield. Brin knocks a spear aside with his long sword and hits the injured one with his short sword finishing it off.
Thoroncir reaches the orc Brin injured with an arrow and kills it and then continues on to help.
The two crossbow orcs reload this round as the other seven swarm the pair from the north. Elfstan is charging down that way to help with Renee following. …
Thoroncir’s heart leaps into his throat as he sees Renee nearing the fray, but he continues to lay about him with his longsword, determined to minimize the hazard to her.
Good to see Hodwain gettin’ all Beorning on their orcish asses!
So if I understand correctly, there are still orcs remaining between Elfstan and Thoroncir’s group? How long for Elfstan to close and do they have their backs to him?
Elfstan can close on the orcs in a short time and might find the cross bow users the easiest backstabbing targets.
In that case…
Elfstan will head for the crossbow users, hoping to stab at least one from behind with Sting. He will use stealth as long as possible. When the orcs are on to him and/or Renee, he will try to use any fear that Sting can generate to his best advantage, shouting any remotely Elvish names that come to mind (and maybe throwing in one “For the Shire” for good measure).
Good to be back, seems I am in a spot of trouble…
Gwaelur attacks the orcs who are reloading their x-bows. Teaching them the important lesson to “never take a bow to an axe fight.” Brin and I should probably put our backs together at some point so keep from getting forced into a corner we can’t get out of.
This is getting a little too hot for Deor- he’s out of Sleeps and has only Web and Invisibility left. He’ll cast a Web on the next group of foes who look like they need it (probably the ones between the two groups of the party), then hold on to the last spell of the day, unless it’s greatly needed immediately. He’ll also bring any remaining Goodberries to hand, ideally for Hodwain but available for anyone who needs them soon.
It is hard to show on line with out dozens of uploads but roughly speaking the action near Gwaelur and Brin
-------------Xbow----------------------------…Xbow------------------<------------ Elfstan
Thoroncir------->-----------Orc
--------------------------Orc/sw\Orc
-----------------------Orc l/B…G**a **Orc
Brin & Gwaelur are already Almost back to back but using the wall to instead form a triaangle. This allows Gwaelur to help cover Brin with his war shield.
The l represents Brin Long Sword and the a is Gwaelur’s axe. The sw is respectively Short sword and War Shield
Elfstan is moving quck but stealthily and Renee is moving up slowly but trying to get close enough to help.
All this is to say Gwaelur is too occupied to go after the Xbow users.
The Sea-Knight will, of course, come at once to Brin and Gwaelur’s assistance, and cut down any orc he sees attacking them.
In that case, as he moves to assist the group, Miron will try to take out one or both of the crossbow users with his bow before trying to help with the melee.
Ghân will first check no new orcs are heading for Deor and then head carefully (with Fang) towards the combat, preparing either Heat Metal (for suitably-clad opponents) or Faerie Fire.
He has one Neutralise Poison in reserve, plus many precast Goodberries and a few Cure Light Wounds.
N.B. He is wary of Hodwain going berserk in his bear form.
Thoroncir reaches the Orc with the heavy crossbow. The orc throws the crossbow and several bolts at Thoroncir and grabs out two knives. Thoroncir bats aside the crossbow for minor damage and skewers the orc.
Brin strikes the two lightly armored foes, trying to quickly eliminate attacks on him. He hits and drops both with well placed strikes. The Splint Mail wearing remaining Orc hits Brin for another 6 points, he has taken 14 total. . (This is the Orc shown opposite his short sword)
Gwaelur attacks the large orc in front of him, nearest the wall. The Orc is wearing Splint and has a full shield. Gwaelur hits it for 18 points but it is still standing. The large orc hits Gwaelur with his *shining finely made Long Sword * for 10 points and the other orc misses, barely battering Gwaelur’s shield.
Elfstan reaches the other orc with a crossbow. He realizes the orc is distracted and has only leather armor on. Sting makes short work of this orc.
Renee is cautiously making her way to aid the injured fighters when she gets an opportunity.
Miron dashes towards the melee and gets one short into the lightly armored orc on Gwaelur, he hits and drops it.
Ghân heads for the melee, but stays at a midway point where he can easily assist Riglo & Gil-Gandel or help is a fighter goes down in the melee. He notices that Hodwain is a very large bear and the weapons of the orcs do not appear to be biting him as he tosses them like ragdolls into the walls and his claws rend their leather armor like mere cloth.
So far it is still quiet near the throne room and entrance.
**Deor through Folca’s eyes sees a fire has been lit at the summit of the hill by two orcs. **
------------------------------------- <–Elfstan
-------> Thoroncir ----------------------------------------------------------------Renee
--------------------------Orc/sw\ ----------------------<------Miron------------------Fang Ghân
---------------------------- l/B…G**a **Orc
The Sea-Knight presses his attack, his Numenorean longsword rising and falling with grim purpose, and he is mindful of any threat to Renee.
I will pop up and provide support where I can keeping an eye on the rear of the party as well.
If I can get a batch of Orcs, they may also get a smoke bomb in the centre just to totally confuse matters.
Elfstan will assist on the last two orcs (if there is time).
He will then check to see if there is anything to be done to help Hodwain and yell, “we need to get the party back together!”
**Thoroncir ** races in from behind the orc on Brin, he slashes and hits for 12 points.
**Brin ** misses the orc twice and the Orc hits him for another 7 for 21 total.
**Elfstan ** comes in with a quick backstab and hits for 32 points kill the Orc and severing his spine.
Gwaelur hits the large Orc wearing Splint and full shield with his axe for another 14 and then it is hit by Miron’s arrow for another 10. The orc goes down. His shining finely made Long Sword clatters to the ground.
It appears that Hodwain is winning his battle. He has just thrown one orc at another that was trying to flee. His roars echo up and down the halls.
Still quiet by the King’s Hall.
**Outside Folca sees a large number of Crebain gathering from the south. **