Battle Thread 2: Orcs in the Thornwood

[Balgin Stondraeg]

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).

[Custom_Hobby]

Balgin what is the '(s)' for after Godric & Thorgrin?

[Balgin Stondraeg]

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).

[Custom_Hobby]

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

[Woojitsu]

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.

[Custom_Hobby]

Balgin how far away are the orcs? I need to know to decide on a spell.

[Balgin Stondraeg]

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.

[Woojitsu]

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.

[Custom_Hobby]

Amras casts Magic Missle at one of the orcs with a bow.

[Balgin Stondraeg]

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.

[Custom_Hobby]

Ok so thats group 1

[PaulH]

Hi

Godrick wil manouvre to catch as many orcs as he can in a sleep spell.

Cheers
Paul H

[Balgin Stondraeg]

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!

[Custom_Hobby]

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?

[PaulH]

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