Entering Blackspell

[granger44]

Once Lucius notices the crabs (and assuming no one is calling to not attack or some other plan), he will move up stealthily to 100 yards and open fire with his bow.

[Todd Spengo]

Once Lucius notices the crabs (and assuming no one is calling to not attack or some other plan), he will move up stealthily to 100 yards and open fire with his bow.

Are Lucius and Zaid aware of the crabs or are our heads down in our in-progress pit?

[granger44]

...and starting keeping a lookout from there.

Just a note, my original intention was not to work with Zaid on the pit but rather keep guard and lookout while he did the work since I figure working makes you more likely to be surprised. Granted, it probably makes more sense that Zaid and Lucius alternate working and keeping guard; if it's okay, let's assume that was the case. Mostly wanting to clarify that intention before we get too far into the encounter.

My assumption, based on the wording of the post describing the crabs, was that Lucius and Zaid had not noticed the crabs yet (failed our surprise roll, are out of LOS, etc.).

[Todd Spengo]

My assumption, based on the wording of the post describing the crabs, was that Lucius and Zaid had not noticed the crabs yet (failed our surprise roll, are out of LOS, etc.).

That was my assumption as well.

[drpete]

ah, ok... The crabs come out, but they are around sort of on the other side of the beach. With looking out, you guys are aware of them before any significant time has passed. They are not charging or acting in an obviously aggressive manner, since they are not near any of you. The beach curves around the water, do that all of it is visible to you, up to the rocky point at the end.

[The-Dungeon-Shaker]

Minos Torak silently warns Rego there are crabs on the other side of the beach. He'll then try to join the others where they'll set up for firing their bows.

"Come with me" he mutters to Heraclides "We might as well take advantage of this and observe their behavior."

[Rodriguez]

Ludwig gets on his horse and calmly gathers his men, preparing them to ride in with their bows to cut off the retreat of the crabs. He orders them not to go into melee with them though.

[granger44]

Seeing no one else is attacking, Lucius will keep his bow ready, but hold his fire.

[Todd Spengo]

Zaid will move next to Lucius, bow-ready.

[drpete]

Ludwig gets on his horse and calmly gathers his men, preparing them to ride in with their bows to cut off the retreat of the crabs. He orders them not to go into melee with them though.

Just to be clear... The beach is a fairly narrow strip of sand (40 feet)... Are you going to get up close to them to get between them and the water, or go around them to the far side of the beach, or...? Remember, last time they just dashed into the water.

[Rodriguez]

Just to be clear... The beach is a fairly narrow strip of sand (40 feet)... Are you going to get up close to them to get between them and the water, or go around them to the far side of the beach, or...? Remember, last time they just dashed into the water.

Right, I forgot how narrow the beach was...
Ok, In that case I will just circle around.

[drpete]

Lucius and Zaid walk over to the others by the pile of furs, about 100 yards from where the crabs came out of the water. Noting that no one is attacking (and that this is outside of bow range) they pause to look at the crabs. Minos warns Rego about the crabs, and he nods quietly, watching them amble out into the beach.

The crabs don't seem to be acting aggressively... They have come up out of the water and at fanning out onto the beach. Ludwig orders the men to follow him around them, but as he approaches, it's clear that to get around them, at the moment, they'll have to go up the bank and into the woods, as the crabs are sort of spreading out as they approach the tree line. There seem to be three groups of two, one going straight toward the trees, one going diagonally array from you, and one diagonally toward you. All of the crabs seem to be ignoring you at the moment. If the crabs keep doing this, the beach will soon be empty.

[PyroArrow]

Erico says to his companions,
"Should we wait & ambush the 2 giant crabs heading towards us? or is there something else in mind?"

[granger44]

Lucius says: I'm no expert, but this behavior seems strange for these creatures. Maybe they are searching for something?

[Todd Spengo]

Lucius says: I'm no expert, but this behavior seems strange for these creatures. Maybe they are searching for something?

Zaid shrugs.

Can Zaid make a naturalism check concerning the crab behavior we're seeing? Does it seem natural or contrived?

[drpete]

The crabs don't seem to be doing anything obviously unnatural, just fanning out as they approach the tree line. They are moving somewhat deliberately, but then giant crabs probably need to find large game to support themselves. The closer ones look like they'll reach the treeline about 270 feet from the main group, so they don't seem to be paying you much attention right now. (they aren't really advancing on you)

[Rodriguez]

Ludwig circles around the one heading towards the treeline, hoping that might slow their retreat when the ambush is called.

[granger44]

Huh...in that case, seems like hitting these two while they are separated from the other four would be a good idea.

Am assuming that Zaid shares his knowledge...if he doesn't, then I'll have to edit.

[The-Dungeon-Shaker]

Minos will wait for the first volley of arrows, then he'll get ready to attack. He asks Heraclides to do the same.

[drpete]

Note: Most of you have been watching from the furs, which are about 300 feet from where the crabs came out of the water. 2 crabs are now 270 feet away, two are 300 feet away, and 2 are 330 feet away. They are still well out of bow range, and will soon have some tree cover to missile fire. As I understand it, Ludwig is planning to take the soldiers to the beach between the closest crabs and the water, so he'll be about 30-50 feet away from them, but nobody else has moved.