[Continued] - Bertram/Dwarven Ruins - 19 April, 1 VC

[Keehnelf]

This expedition departed Vaul heading eastward to recover what riches might be found in the burned out dwarven hold that once (and again does) served as a tomb for the dwarves of the Firedeep Clan. It was led by veteran explorer and expedition leader Bertram, and included a large band of adventurers of varying levels of experience in the wilds of Vaul:

Krysta
Galen
Abi
Martin
Constance
Ulf
Seadu
Mokata
Bromric

[Keehnelf]

Please indicate your initial direction of travel and/or course and I will update!

[KingOfCowards]

I think we'll start out heading east like we did last time, after two days we take a NE bearing. Following our old trail will hopefully keep us from getting lost.
Galen can scout ahead on horseback. Otherwise we'll keep the warriors towards the front (Bertram, Ulf, Bromric, and Mokata) and the spellcasters towards the back. We're a large enough group that it doesn't make sense for a marching order column.

Bertram meets the large group at the gates, making sure preparations are in order.

[Zhym]

Ulf might be better suited to the second row in this group. He has a +1 spear (technically, he's holding on to it for Elbreth, whose player may or may not return) and so could attack from the second row.

[Keehnelf]

April 19, 1 VC - 11:10am

The party heads east from Vaul, following a well-worn trail that has recently been made even clearer by the passage of a large party also heading toward the forest (a couple of weeks ago, but big enough and with a horse as well). Now a clearly-laid trail and path across the moor makes travel even more straightforward, allowing travelers to avoid the various dead-end gulleys and ravines and the like that litter this territory. As a result, the group makes good time, perhaps half again as fast as before due to fewer delays.

In late morning, Galen is shocked to see a mixed party of goblins and gnolls following the trail back in the opposite direction around a promontory of rock, seven of the former and three of the latter. The gnolls spot Galen as soon as he spies them, at a distance of about 200 feet. While the goblins all have spears and shields, the gnolls are holding longbows at the ready and seem prepared to fire.

Galen is about 300 feet ahead of the party at this time, ranging and scouting as noted above.

Action and Initiative! (Galen only)

[YamItheonly1]

Mokatah has a close range of 80ft with his crossbow, if you put him in the back along with one of the other "ranged" character we could better protect the squishies and provide long range fire support

[Mister-Kent]

"Oh, what a lovely walk," Constance coos from the back of the group. The old woman's cape is draped loosely over her shoulders, and she clutches her ten-foot-tall walking stick closely.

[Marullus]

(Catching up with the first posts. As Bromric is also mounted and ranging, I was going to ask if he could be up front with Galen?)

[Keehnelf]

Sure thing!

[KingOfCowards]

Ulf might be better suited to the second row in this group. He has a +1 spear (technically, he's holding on to it for Elbreth, whose player may or may not return) and so could attack from the second row.

More than likely, Ulf also has the most hit points. I suppose Bertram could move back to the second rank as well, but its nice to keep the sturdier members in front.

[Zhym]

We'll see about that when we get the character sheets, but however we arrange people, we should make sure the second rank can also attack in melee.

[KingOfCowards]

In enclosed spaces, I agree. When we're out in the open, the name of the game is protect the magic users, let them cast sleep, cure light wounds on the wounded, rinse, repeat.

[Marullus]

Bromric arrives with the group, setting out in the early dawn as the begin their trek eastward. He is tall for a dwarf, standing roughly four and a half feet with a weather-worn visage that shows him to be well into middle-aged. Solidly muscled with wide shoulders, he is nonetheless leaner than the average dwarf, his onyx hair streaked with slate-gray, creating a striped effect on his plaited beard. He wears heavily worn black leathers from shoulder to boot and a heavy black woolen cloak and hood. He carries a bow and shield on his either shoulder, and a worn, leather-hilted longsword crosswise on his back.

Bromric is mounted on a sturdy mud-brown pony with long mane and fetlocks, who he introduces as Gustav. The pony is equipped with a sturdy saddle, a mound of gear secured in a hump behind it. He rides comfortably (notable, for a dwarf) and joins Galen in ranging in front of the group.

As the gnolls and goblins are spotted, he reigns in next to Galen, encouraging him to circle back a bit to exceed their range. "We are quite far ahead of the others... and you know this gathering best. How do we proceed?"


(Trying to make sure I understand these Lab Lord rules. We are 200' away - longbows can shoot with a -1 penalty up to 210'. We are both mounted. Mounts have a movement of 120. We can move 1/3 of that, or 40', and still attack. We can move up to 120' running (galloping) in one round. So, if we decide to close, we take at least two rounds of fire while charging, but can't attack until round 3? If I use my shortbow, it has a -1 penalty out to 150', but can't shoot longer than that, right?)

[Keehnelf]

Depending on initiative rolls, you could take as little as one round of ranged attacks while closing at top speed--120' vs incoming fire, then if you win initiative you could charge the rest of the way in with no attacks but be in melee before they have the chance to fire, charging them down.

And yes, you are correct with the bow ranges.

[Spartakos]

"We are quite far ahead of the others... and you know this gathering best. How do we proceed?"

"As scouts, the others are counting on us to warn them of dangers like this," is Galen's swift reply, and even as he speaks he is wheeling his horse to ride back to the rest of the party.

When he gets to them, he pulls up his horse sharply, and immediately begins readying his sling. "Three gnolls and seven goblins, all armed...the gnolls have longbows. Possibly in pursuit. If our mages act quickly, I believe a sleep spell would outrange their bows."

Once the others are warned, Galen will prepare his sling and attack as soon as they are within 160' (maximum range for his sling)

[YamItheonly1]

"I will target the Gnolls, I can out shoot them, and if they are slain quickly perhaps the little ones might flee or surrender"

Mokatah loads his crossbow and moves to the side of the group, giving himself a wide angle of fire. If possible he tries to find an elevated area no more than 40ft from the party. Mokatah will drop his pack behind him and as soon as he sees a Gnoll within 160ft (medium range) he will open fire. Mokatah will also call out a confirmation on numbers as he sees them.

[Keehnelf]

Hold on, don't get too far ahead--if the enemy get initiative in that first round, they can get a volley of arrows off before the riders can get out of range.

[Mister-Kent]

Wrote an action in the hype of the moment, but it shall be held until resolution of the riders and the enemy roll

Constance wiggles her knobby fingers, mentally preparing to cast her sleeping spell when the goblins and gnolls have appeared. She hums a lullaby, a gentle song at first, but the tune grows increasingly strange and dark as it continues...

Sleeeep: [2d8] = 11

[Spartakos]

Initiative for me and Bromric, hoping to get out of range before they open up on us:
Initiative: [1d6] = 4

[Keehnelf]

Enemy Initiative [1d6] = 4

The gnolls have a +1 initiative but so do both of our heroes, so they manage to spur their horses out of arrow range, the flight of longbow shafts striking in a cluster near the position where they had spotted the creatures while the duo race back to the party.

OK, let the preparations commence--assuming the monsters are running full-tilt in pursuit, you have perhaps two combat rounds before they are at long missile range.