For the moment, Mulligan is visible giving an idea of where the other three are to the rest of the crew.
Bitur slowly hefts his axe from hand to hand, eager for the thrill of battle again. His plate and shield newly gleaming since he gave them a thorough cleaning after the last battle.
Binton is stationed in the forward Eagle’s Nest (as he renamed it). Gwaelur and Bitur are to lead most of the infantry as the invisible scouts wait to go last.
Gil-Gandel can still sing inspiring poetry to support the troops and remain invisible or lend supporting harp and voice to Estë Prayer song which will last for 14 minutes for all and keep working for all within 12” of her. This gives all friends a +1 save and -1 to be hit and damage. She will be at the back of the cavalry on Kali support the horses. She gladly give her Commander his kiss for luck and fresh ribbon from her hair to bolster his strength. Oddly, Thoroncir does feel stronger as Kálthalionfeels warm on his side.
The forces of King’s transport fleet are to make a beach head and hold it. The 5 galleys will bridge via The Elendil as the 8 transports will send men over by small boats as fast as possible. The General will launch and assault to support the landing. A full 200 Sea Knights, will be in this landing in all, nearly the entire force, though supplement heavily from Rohan. 480 infantry of Gondor and 160 freed galley slaves will also be landing and the party. There are nearly 850 men in this army, well men and two young women.
The Elendil comes in slowly. A few ballista bolts thud into the bow and the trebuchets both answers in a rain of death that destroy two ballista and scatter many defenders. They reload. One sailor in the bow is down.
Captain Langdon shouts out, “All Hands, Brace for Impact!” 30 seconds later The Elendil grounds to a stop as the bow runs up the beach. The ramp drops and Sir Thoroncir, Hraedsig, Orodreth and Pelendur charge off the ramp leading the thunderous company up the beach and into the defenders. Deor sights two ballista within range and area of a fireball and blasts 13 defenders and their engines into ash. The race is on.
It appears there are several hundred defenders on the beach. Folca sights a few hundred more coming from the direction of the walled port but at least 10-15 minutes away. The cavalry charge causes confusion as it is unprecedented in the annals of history. The fireball did not help. Folca now sees a large winged object, large than a great evil flying in from the east!
Hraedsig charges fast with the strength of Windfoot beneath him adding momentum to his lance. He will keep working the lance as long as he has the room to keep charging. If things get too tight, he will drop the lance and switch to his sword.
“For Rohan!!!”
Mulligan: Ok, let’s give them two minutes to cause havoc and then head for the main gate of the town. Don’t get involved in the combat and meet up 50 yards down the port wall to the left as you look at the main gate from the outside. See you there in 30 minutes, last one there is a rotten egg.
Thoroncir is joyous in battle as ever. Like his Rohirric comrade Hraedsig, he will rely on the lance wherever possible, but will drop it and switch to longsword if necessary. He will not be quite as committed to personal combat as in the past, as he now has broader command responsibilities as well. He will oversee his men’s efforts and make sure that the attack maintains its momentum. (Any identifiable enemy commanders close at hand will receive his personal attention, however). Elendil!
Perhaps Folca could take a closer look at whatever’s flying in from the east?
Does the scabbard Kalthalion’s warmth indicate anything in particular? I don’t remember it having that attribute.
Leading the infantry is a position Gwaelur is comfortable with, he glances over to Bitur and gives a sly smile. He has been waiting a *very *long time for some action. He pulls out his axe and holds it over his head like a flag.
“Ready men! Charge!”
And with that he drops his axe into a fighting position and charges off into the battle.
Ghân checks with Mulligan that there will be room for the stealthy group to pass by the battle safely. It involves over 1000 combatants at present with several hundred more arriving within 15 minutes.
Plus the large winged creature will be here soon…
*"Ghan, the idea is to be out of here before the fight starts for real and certainly before those extra troops arrive.
At the moment it is the opening skirmish and so the numbers are few. We are going to be caught in the centre of it if we wait too long and I really want to be away from here before whatever is flying in gets here.
The good news is that the gates should be open when we get there to allow any retreating soldiers to get to safety before our troops arrive. That’s where we come in.
If we are all ready, shall we go."*
Mulligan checks her gear quickly, checks Kkhosal’s Bane and then fades from sight
Here is the map of the landing.
I need to wait on Deor for Folca and the large winged creature.
“Oh, for the love of… Captain!”
Deor quickly relates what he’s seeing to Captain Langdon and sends Folca off to check it out, as low and fast as she can possibly go. She’s Invisible, so she should be fairly safe. He’ll reserve spells until then.
As the 40 Sea Knights spread and charge in a V through the left side of the defenders, the heavy infantry forms up to head to the right. The small boats are rowing in fast to drop more horses and men.
The initial charge drives through the defense and draws troops over. Thoroncir slays 2 with his lance and switches to Cirist. He feels stronger than he ever has and full of hope. Seafoam’s barding has warded off several blows.
Hraedsig kills one and deftly withdraws his lance and charges through a ballista bowling it over. He switched to his sword and lays about him with sword and shield. Windfoot has barreled over several foes and struck 1 dead with his hooves.
They push through the defenders loose line and wheel about to strike again. The see the first 5 boats landing and these might need help.
The invisibles head out behind the infantry and make their way close to the shore. They will have to strike for the ford though.
Folca gets closer and zips around quick. It is a Wyvern and a human rider with a black staff held aloft. This wyvern is a fearsome relative of the dragons though smaller. Deor knows they are resistant to magic and poisonous. The pair are still nearly a mile away but they are moving fast enough to be here is only 5 minutes.
Ghân appreciates Mulligan’s wise words. He hops into a handy pocket on Gil_Gandel and is ready to cast spells or stay out of sight, whichever is needed.
(Actually he’s rather excited - he visualises casting Cure Serious Wounds or Neutralise Poison on the Bard whilst Gil_Gandel lays about him with his swords…
Hopefully we can get to the Ford and across it before the reinforcements from the town turn up.
Deor relays what he’s seeing to Captain Langdon and prepares himself for whatever comes; this could be an ally or an enemy. This could be an enemy spellcaster, too, so we should prepare to repel spells. Deor will cast Shield to protect himself, then advise Captain Langdon that at least some of the siege artillery should prepare to attack an airborne foe.
What are the rules regarding dispelling in 1st Ed.? Can Deor prepare to dispell [color=blue]Fireballs as they come in?[/color]
No
Wondering to himself, as Mulligan leads the invisibles down to the beach, the thought that they are about to sneak invisibly passed two armies and a battle raises a smile on Rorimac’s face.
As they hit the beach he drops back slightly to keep an eye on the ensuing fight and to follow her footsteps in the sand, trying to keep pace, realising she has more experience in this.
Ghân’s presence is welcome, and the need for a [color=blue]Cure Serious Wounds may arise, but there will be no need for a Neutralise Poison 
[/color]
Off we go then, in search of mischief. 
Hraedsig charges to the newly landed boats to provide assistance to the landing parties.