Okay, first off I can't find a decent forest floorplan and I think we'd really need one this time :(.
Here's some initiative rolls then:
Group 1:
Shenaistos 23
Kundar 23
Amras 21
Group 2:
Orla 17
Belshar (Orla's dire wolf) 16
Hasta 12
Arlin (Orla's wolf) 10
Group 3:
Garrick 9
Kharsis 9
Orc leader 9
4 Orcs with shortbows & battle axes 7
4 Orcs with spears 3
Group 4:
Godric 2 (s)
Thorgrin 2 (s)
2 orcs with swords 2
I'll try to get a battle map sorted out soon but basicaly the orcs are coming through the woods in a disorganised mob, spread out a bit and not very coordinated. So Shenaistos (Kundar) and Amras may act first. Let's say the orcs are currently around twenty yards away, maybe thirty at the most. The leader is easy to pick out because his shield is different to that of the other orcs (it's clearly not orc made but scavenged from someone that he killed).
Balgin what is the '(s)' for after Godric & Thorgrin?
Quote from: Custom_Hobby on July 29, 2008, 11:45:42 AM
Balgin what is the '(s)' for after Godric & Thorgrin?
They not only got the same initiative scores but have the same initiative modifier so it's a reminder for me that they're actualy simultaneous unless one's got a higher dex than the other (which I haven't checked yet).
Let me know if any of these maps help
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/Ravenloft_Maps/100580.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/Ravenloft_Maps/100579.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM4_Maps/98746.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM4_Maps/98749.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM4_Maps/98750.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/shadowdale_maps/106747.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/Barrow_Maps/103828.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM5_Maps/107544.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/Sarlona_Maps/103028.jpg
Shen will place himself in a position to give the orc leader as little cover from him as possible (exact position will have to wait for a map). He will then hold his bow drawn until he has a clear shot at the leader, then fire.
Of course, if there is already a clear shot, he will fire immediately.
If I do have hold my action and the orc presents an opening this round, my new initiative number will be 9.
Balgin how far away are the orcs? I need to know to decide on a spell.
Quote from: Custom_Hobby on July 29, 2008, 03:31:44 PM
Balgin how far away are the orcs? I need to know to decide on a spell.
Here's a map (thanks to Custom Hobby). Because there are probably way too many combatants to put an initiative order down the side I've added the portraits to this post so you can see which orcs are which. Unfortunately it won't allow me to attach them all so suffice it to say that the other 4 orcs are the ones with bows and axes.
Ah. Didn't think the leader would be in the rear.
Shen will hold position and fire an arrow at the orc between him and the leader.
Amras casts Magic Missle at one of the orcs with a bow.
Quote from: Woojitsu on July 29, 2008, 06:31:26 PM
Ah. Didn't think the leader would be in the rear.
Well normaly he wouldn't be but as I said, it's a disorganised mob and they're looking for something so he's waiting for them to come back to him with results (and smacking them if they don't get any).
More coming later.
Ok so thats group 1
Hi
Godrick wil manouvre to catch as many orcs as he can in a sleep spell.
Cheers
Paul H
Grrr, Shenaistos rolls a 13 which skims the orc's shield and sticks in his shoulder armour. That was so close to a hit.
I forgot to mention that we should ignore the "path" and the tree in the middle of the group is the remains of the campfire. So, ignoring the "path" Kundar charges along it and hacks at one of the orcish archers. His attack roll is a shocking 25 and he does 11 points of damage (high rolling). The orc goes down - bow in hand with a shocked expression on it's face. Amras magic missiles another orcish archer for 3 points of damage. He's only a 1hit die monster so I'm happy for that to put him down. He was probably pretty weedy for them to make him use a cowardly bow anyway (orcish attitude there - obviously).
Garrick casts a sleep spell. It catches 3 orcs (including the leader). They all fail their saves (with a will save of -2 that's not exactly unpredictable).
We now move on to group 2. Orla moves and casts Entangle. Unlike in the computer games, it does not make plants grow and wave about wildly. Rather, as in all editions up to 3rd, it uses the existing plantlife in the area (in this case tree roots, tree branches, brambles and all manner of prickly bushes) to grab hold of and imobilise the targets in the area of effect. All of the orcs in the woods on the left are entangled (it fills an 8 square wide circle which can fit all bar one of them in so they're pretty stuck, frustrated and confused). That includes the 3 who are aslsep (and are likely to wake up but now they're lying down it'll be more than just their clothes and ankles that get scratched and grabbed).
Belshar charges the lone orc spearman on the flank. He rolls a disgusting 19 to hit and mauls the orc for 16 damage and putting him down. Arlin charges the orc who wasn't caught in the entangle spell. He hits for 6 damage and rips it's throat out.
Go Hasta!
Blagin can you mark off who is dead on the map or just take them off (sorry if you already did). And who is that next to the letter E on the map?
Hi
I think that's the illustrious Garrick next to the top left of the "E".
Think this battle's going a bit quick - might to need to hold back on my disabling spells for the Care Bare
Cheers
Paul H
Thanks Paul for the info. Good idea on holding back, this one is almost over.
Quote from: Custom_Hobby on July 30, 2008, 09:12:26 AM
Thanks Paul for the info. Good idea on holding back, this one is almost over.
The only reason I could see it going to round 3 is if you can't reach them all in time. That's what you get for having a 6th level ranger and a 4th level druidess along with the party :).
Hi
If any of the Orcs are still asleep then I'll finish them with a simple coup de grace.
(Sleep lasts for 10 rnds, they're woken up, or take damage).
Cheers
Paul H
Shouldn't we interrogate the leader?
Yes, we should. Of course, there's quite a bit of round 1 to go before Shen can do anything else.
While we're waiting for Hasta the rest of you might as well post your actions. I've just noticed that Garrick hasn't technicaly had aturn yet so the entangle spell went off before the sleep. Do you want to re-target your sleep spell Paul?
Hi
Yes please. Still want to catch as many as I can.
If it matters - will 'Charm' the leader if he's still alive to make him more helpful. If he co-operates I don't mind freeing him. (Forest creatures will do for him). Coup de grace the others might help him make the 'right' decision. :icon_twisted:
Cheers
Paul H
(Garrick)
Edit: That's Charm spell after the battle's ended, of course!
Thorgrin will advance on and attack any Orc that is not entagled.
Okay so Hasta does nothing this round (she's still getting up or something). Garrick casts his sleep spell at the orcs round Kundar. I've already rolled a load of orc saves so they've all failed. Kundar himself unsurprisingly doesn't need to roll a save because he's above 4th level. Kharsis jogs up to support Kundar should he need it (and because all the other orcs are entangled). The orc leader tries to break free (and fails). One orc archer breaks free, struggling over to Arlin and taking a swing at the wolf with his axe. He deals a whopping 12 damage! That wolf is hurt! The other bowman's asleep on the floor by Kundar. One orc spearman is also asleep. The other struggles but is held fast. The two orcs with swords try to break free One succeeds but he's also asleep (I forgot) so they're both still entangled.
Godric moves towards the injured wolf and Thorgrin moves towards the entangled orcs but stops just shy of the spell's edge (not because he's being careful but because he ran out of movement :p).
So 2 orcs are asleep, 1 is entangled and asleep. 3 are entangled and 1 isn't.
We now move on to round 2, go Shenaistos
Amras tries to use his ray of frost on the orc that attacked the wolf
Shen will move up next to Godric and fire an arrow at the sword-orc near Garrick. He's still entangled, so he should be an easy target.
I'd like to change this move if difficult terrain doesn't allow me to get that far and still shoot.
Garrick will try to use a sleep spell to incapacitate the Orc near him & the one on the Wolf,. (Sleep 10' rad).
He'll then move away to get into position to use his longbow.
Cheers
Paul H
Shenaistos moves up and shoots the orc (18). I've marked off the arrow already. The orc takes 8 damage. That'll be enough to put him down :). Kundar performs a full round action to kill the sleeping orc next to him. It takes a maxed crit (24 damage) and if it survives (which it doesn't) it would need to make a fortitude save at something like 35 or die (I'm fairly certain it's only 10+damage done for a coup de grace, it's 15+ or -15 or something, for the shock from massive damage stuff). Anyway, it's dead. KUndar gets to shunt up a square towards the other snoring figures.
Amras advances and can't quite get close enough to cast his ray of frost this round (it's practicaly a 5 square range). Now Group 2 does stuff. Orla moves up and prepares an action to heal Arlin if he moves back to her. Snarling and whimpering Arlin backs away from his attacker and recieves a cure light wounds spell for 9 damage. Now he's only got 3 damage remaining :).
Belshar charges past Kundar and attacks the sleeping orc. Sleeping orc versus charging pissed off dire wolf? I'm not even going to bother to roll. The wolf picks him up in it's teeth and shakes him. Bones snap and he throws the carcass away. Hasta hangs back to assess the situation (she's glad not to be the target of a kidnapping attempt this time).
We now move on to group 3. That's Garrick, Kharsis, the orc boss, the one surviving orc bowman (now using his axe and shield) and the one orc spearmen near THorgrin who's still alive.
Hi
Like I said - Garrick will use his Longbow & return fire.
Cheers
Paul H
Saving her spells for their coming confrontation, Hasta spins her sling bove her head and sends a bullet towards the nearest orc.
Hasta 13 (bounces off helmet), Garrick's arrow gets a 21 on the leader for some 7 damage. Kharsis charges the entangled orc swordsman and rolls a natural 20 to hit! It's about time :). No critical confirmation but 9 damage (plus any for being mounted). The orc's going down either way. Lucky ride checks (and lucky save for the horse too).
Now I'll see if we can quickly tidy up group 4 while I work out which orcs are left alive. The axe weilding orc advances and slashes at Arlin for 5 more damage (8 total). He's now very exposed 'though. The orc with the spear pokes at Thorgrin timmidly and doesn't even manage a touch attach. Clearly he's demoralized by the slingstone to the head (and all his mates dying around him, and the magic plants).
Gudrot fails to break free. I think we can assume Thorgrin's going to close and attack the orc with the spear. Godric's up next and then we're into round 3.
Garrick will move to get a shot at any of the Orcs still standing.
QuoteOkay then, I'll ask Paul not to modify any character sheets 'till I can get in touch with him and explain afew bits and pieces tonight (monday evening).
This fight's taking way too long. I want the orc boss to turn to run and get mauled by agreat big bear coming out of the woods. Unfortunately a bear'd be too close to what you're looking for and that particular bear isn't very close nearby. I don't want it to be a wolf (after playing Circle for 3 monthes earlier this year I'm pretty sick of dogs) and can't see a boar or badger crushing him to death.
Actualy, I've had apretty cool idea for tomorrow's update :). It could be that particular bear provided it doesn't happen too close to the party. So the orc legs it, maybe dropping some of his stuff, thinks he's got away and then a darker shadow falls across him and he hears adeep growl. He turns into the embrace of something darker than the moonlight, and strong, and angry...
He is gonna get so crushed man innit :p.
So yeah, sopmething like that coming. Fight's over (I really can't be arsed with the last efw diuce rolls when it's pretty much already finished). Back to story thread.
Hi
OK, cheers
Paul H