Expedition - Lug/Exploration - May 20, 1 VC

[KingOfCowards]

Just to clarify: the plan is to wait until the others are just outside the door, then throw it open to surprise and attack them?

I actually like the wait until they are outside the door plan. That way it gives them the bottleneck and not us.

[Zhym]

I'm a little concerned that the noisy group of monsters suddenly got quiet. Better to attack before they can do whatever they're planning, IMO.

Though I might be overthinking this. Lug meant it when he said it's Bertram's mission now. If you think it's better to wait for them to get to the door, we can do that. Some of us could even hide in the inner rooms if we think it would help.

Which door did we go into? Is it possible they just stopped at a different door?

We could wait a few seconds and rush out if we don't hear anything.

BTW, Lug still has the honey of passage and censer of peace. I'm not sure we need them yet, but don't forget that those are among our assets (no wheelbarrow or holocaust cloak, though).

[Keehnelf]

Hulu went into the left-hand door, which was the middle of the three. There was one door on the right closer to the entrance by which you arrived, and another door further along about twenty feet.

[hedgeknight]

Krysta readies mace and shield, glances at Galen, and then back toward the door.
"Pelor bless our efforts this day," she whispers, waiting for the door to open.

[KingOfCowards]

"Let's do this."
Bertram waits for the sound of approaching footfalls, then swings open the door when he believes they are closest.

[Keehnelf]

May 26, 1 VC - 9:10pm

The party gets into position and waits, and eventually the footsteps begin again in the hall outside. A low murmur of voices accompany a loud crash as one of the other doors in the hall is forced open suddenly along with a burst of other guttural voices and battle noise that nearly draws an involuntary gasp from some members of the party, but they hold their peace, knowing a confrontation is inevitable.

Eventually, the hubbub quiets, and the footsteps begin once again, now unmistakably right outside the door. As the enemy group organizes itself, Bertram leans forward and pulls the door open, revealing the startled visages of a pair of male heavily-armored orcs with sword and shield standing just outside. They were prepared for battle, as is the party, so no one is surprised. Packed into the hallway beyond, the party spies a tall female orc in chainmail with a two handed sword, a gnoll with a pike, and the shadow of something massive that nearly fills the hallway and obscures what is beyond (out the hall to the left).

Actions and initiative!

[Zhym]

Shouda waited for them to bust on.

Do we think we can take these guys? Lug has the Censer of Peace. He could light it and end combat. Of course, we'd pretty much have to leave after that.

[Marullus]

Niles intends to Sleep them unless Lug/Bertram act immediately to stop him. We have several missile weapons prepared which go off first, then a sleep spell which should take down the lowest HD ones. Only then do we worry about initiative with them because they've all got melee weapons. If whatever is blocking light in the hallway is horrifically scary, perhaps it will lose its morale check when it sees some of the other party members drop...

[Zhym]

Okay. Then it is on!

Lug waits to the side of the door, hopefully out of view of the attackers, for Niles's spell to go off. When the attackers rush into thee room, he Reasons with them from behind.

Or, if his position doesn't allow that, he waits for Niles's spell then attacks.

Reason (Claymore) (THAC0 18): [1d20+2] = 3+2 = 5 Dmg: [1d10+2] = 3+2 = 5 Guh.

[Keehnelf]

Not strictly true--if they win initiative, they go in their entirety before any individual party members who don't have initiative bonuses. Simultaneous turns by phase happen based on ties.

[Zhym]

Someone else please roll initiative, since it matters so much this round.

[Marullus]

Not strictly true--if they win initiative, they go in their entirety before any individual party members who don't have initiative bonuses. Simultaneous turns by phase happen based on ties.

Oh, yikes! that's an important change (here). I didn't notice you modified that last week.

Initiative [1d6] = 4

[Zhym]

Guess I'd better stick with the odds and let that one ride.

[Keehnelf]

Not strictly true--if they win initiative, they go in their entirety before any individual party members who don't have initiative bonuses. Simultaneous turns by phase happen based on ties.

Oh, yikes! that's an important change (here). I didn't notice you modified that last week.

Initiative [1d6] = 4

It was modified about eighteen months ago to its current state. The edit in the post you note is from two years ago (late October, 2014):)

viewtopic.php?f=163&t=3348&start=20#p164815

[KingOfCowards]

I am hoping that the door creates some sort of bottleneck for the attackers, especially whatever that big creature is in the back.
I cannot imagine the entire host can weave in and out of our defenses just by winning initiative.

Bertram will hold his attack until one of the enemy enters through the door.
Attack with Longsword: [1d20+2] = 5+2 = 7, Damage: [1d8+2] = 7+2 = 9

[Keehnelf]

Based on the descriptions provided prior to opening the door, the group is well-arrayed around the entrance which means anyone entering will essentially be blocked in near the doorway unless they try to charge their way through (i.e. bullrushing folks out of the way to make room).

[Zorroroaster]

Once the orcs enter the room, Orrin attempts to skewer one of them, though the crush around the entryway makes it difficult for him to do so.

{Longsword} Attack: [1d20 +1] = 9+1 = 10, Damage: [1d8+1] = 4+1 = 5

[Zhym]

Oy do we suck. Save us, Niles!

[Marullus]

2014? Oops! Sorry, I was looking for this update. I never took notice of the caveat "when rolls are tied," actually. That makes a big difference!

Niles begins weaving his arcane gestures as the door opens, the shadows in the room lengthening and swaying where the torchlight reaches the hallway. Ferris his wolfhound hunkers down and snarls fiercely, should any of the foul goblinkin attempt to approach his wizard master.

Sleep [2d8] = 10 HD in creatures...

[Keehnelf]

OK, I think we're just waiting on Galen and Krista and then we're good to go.