Entering Blackspell

[Todd Spengo]

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.

Zaid shares everything he knows.

[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.

Correction... Sorry guys, I messed up my last statement. Outdoors, you guys can definitely reach the crabs with your bows, as the ranges are in yards, not feet.

[Rodriguez]

Ludwig tries to stay in good bow distance but not closer, he doesn't want to pit his horses and men against these pincers if not necessary.

[drpete]

Ludwig tries to stay in good bow distance but not closer, he doesn't want to pit his horses and men against these pincers if not necessary.

For the moment, this would mean not getting on the narrow beach between them and the water, as they are still only about 50 feet from the water, crossing the narrow beach. He could take the men tramping off through the woods to get around them, but it's not clear that's what you've been saying.

[Rodriguez]

Yes, in that case he is not yet going between the crabs and the sea. These crabs are not worth it losing a horse leg...

[granger44]

Unless someone else has a better plan, let's take the two near ones now.

[PyroArrow]

Ok, if we are taking the 2 Near Ones now, i'll ready my Cross Bow & Fire:

To Hit: [1d20] = 19
CrossBow Bolt Damage: [1d4] = 2

[The-Dungeon-Shaker]

Minos Torak


"This time, I'll let you hurt them from a distance, no need to take useless risks. I've already gambled with death today."

[granger44]

Lucius takes aim and looses an arrow at the nearest crab.

[Rodriguez]

Ludwig and the guard will start shooting to once the others open fire.

[drpete]

The party opens fire at the nearest crabs, concentrating their fire on the largest of them. Unlike their previous encounter, these shots seem to find their marks more consistently, and Erico, Lucius, Ludwig and the guards manage to bring down one of the crabs, leaving it pincushioned with 5 hits.

A number of clicks go up from the crabs, and they all turn toward you and start to advance. Ludwig and the guard are in front of the others, and based on the slow shuffling of the crabs, it looks like it will take it a few rounds to reach them. (The crabs were 90, 100 and 110 yards from the main group, and Ludwig was in closer, say 30 yards ahead of the others, so 60 yards... The crabs are now approaching at 20 yards per turn, so the one close one will get to them in 3 rounds if they hold position.

[Rodriguez]

Ludwig wants to keep the distance and will quickly ride back 20-25 yards before firing another volley together with the guards.

[Todd Spengo]

Zaid will fire a volley at the nearest crab.

[granger44]

Lucius will continue firing arrows at the nearest of the crabs.

[drpete]

The group stems their ground, continuing to fire at the oncoming crabs, which continue to advance.

In the first volley, Zaid and one of the mercenaries score hits on the closest one, but the crabs keep coming. Everyone fits again, and again Zaid hits, along with two hits from the witchguard, which finally bring it down, leaving the next two waves of crabs, which have been slowly advancing.

The group gets off another volley. This time, Zaid and Lucius score good his on one of the two crabs, but don't succeed in bringing it down. The two closest crabs, one injured by those two arrows, will be upon the group next round if they don't retreat, and the two behind them, unscathed, will be on them in the following round.

It has come to that...do you stand your ground and meet the crabs with steel, back up firing, or beat a hasty retreat? Ludwig and the horsemen are slightly ahead of the others at the moment. Note that you are not engaged, and can back up at your combat movement rate while still shooting. The crabs are moving about as fast as the slowest members of the party could...

[granger44]

Lucius will move back from the crabs and maneuver to the side (away from the beach preferred) attempting to clear his line of fire. He'll keep firing, focusing on any crabs that aren't in melee first.

[PyroArrow]

Erico Caravellino {Human Thief HP: 15/15 AC 8}

Erico will load another bolt & wait to see what the guys in front do.
If they retreat & Erico has time to fire off the bolt, he will do so.
Then Erico will retreat as well.

[Rodriguez]

Ludwig and the guard will continue to shoot at the crabs while keeping a good distance.

[Todd Spengo]

Zaid will move with Lucius and also continue to fire when able.

[The-Dungeon-Shaker]

Minos will try to get the crabs busy while going back slowly, ready to retreat if things go really bad.