IC VI

[thirdkingdom]

So it sounds like you guys are eschewing subtleties and advancing. Mounted or on foot? Charging or at a normal pace? Spellcasters, you will not be able to cast spells while charging.

[zebediah]

TK, Drudsa in particular doesn't need to charge since the distance he needs to cover is 60' and Sugarfoot's move is 70'/rnd.

[Luis]

Saul agrees with the plan and dismounts from Castanha, not feeling confident in his skill with a bow on horseback.

"Rhys, ready? Who's coming with us?"

He'll carefully walk down and shoot any gnoll that seems unaffected by the spellcaster's efforts.

I love the little details Innana brings to the game.

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad will remain with Drudsa and on horseback, awaiting the outcome of the magic user's Sleep spell. (He may need his horse to cut off the retreat from any remaining gnolls.) He will not engage in melee at this point.

Bregalad will not risk taking his horse into direct combat, and hopes the range of Drudsa's Sleep spell is farther than the reach of the gnolls' arrows.

[Alethan]

Rhys pulls his pony up next to Saul, bow in hand, and says, "Ready."

Unless something more specific gets posted, Rhys' plan is to ride up to within longbow range, then fire off a few arrows, targeting any of the creatures that looks like it may be a leader or shaman (if targeting is possible).

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

With time being of the essence, Lanny suggests that everyone in the party stay mounted and move together at normal mounted speed to get into Sleep spell range (but no closer). He suggests that Saul and Rhys charge ahead at a safe distance on the right and left flank to discourage the gnolls from fleeing.

TK, thanks for the great explanation of mounted combat, that is very helpful. If you don't mind, I will add your notes to the House Rules thread, and may also add the speed of our respective mounts (based on your ruling) to a single post on the Standards thread, for quick reference.

Lanny suggests that Rhys and Saul move ahead at "charging speed" to basically try to keep the gnolls corralled in place, to make putting them to sleep easier.

"Slow" Encumbered Mounts (1/2 speed): Thordin, Marodin, Bregalad, Tratiln, Lanny (temporarily), Semele, Innana
"Fast" Unencumbered Mounts (full speed): Saul, Rhys, Drudsa

[Innana]

Innana the fighter;

Innana likes Lanny's and Bregalad's plan. She is ready to stay with the rest of the group, riding slow into a stop behind Saul, and Rhys. Innana will make sure her mount stays out of arrow range.

[thirdkingdom]

Surprise Round

Even though the gnolls are unawares and the party has the drop on them, it seems as if either caution or indecision stays the adventurers from breaking into a charge. They advance, and both Drudsa and Tratiln are able to reach the outer limit of the spells of somnolence. Seeing the magic-user halt and begin his preparations to cast his spell the others slow down. Saul goes so far as to dismount while the others remain on their mounts.

While most of the hyena-like creatures seem blissfully unaware of the oncoming danger one looks up and sees the advancing adventurers. It points and calls something unintelligible to its mates, who leap to their feat and brandish their bows.

Okay, the surprise round is over. I am going to go ahead and say that various mounts are able to keep pace with the faster horses by breaking into a trot. The party is now 230 feet away from the gnollish camp.

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad holds to the plan, awaiting the results of Drudsa's Sleep spell.

I think making Drudsa invisible and then having him and the scouts approach the gnolls would have worked. Too bad we did not try it.

[Alethan]

Rhys will do as suggested and break off to the right. He will try to maintain his distance at about 70 yards while moving at his pony's normal rate to try and flank then.

If the others fire on the gnolls, he will, as well, from horseback.

Bow, Long (Basic): 1d6; range: 70/140/210

Taking the penalty for firing while mounted...

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny dismounts from his horse, seeing that the gnolls are within range of his longbow.

"Those shortbows can't reach us from their position..." he mutters to his companions as he glares down at the gnolls, waiting for the spellcasters to finish casting their spells. When they are finished, he shouts something unintelligible at the gnolls in elvish, then raises his longbow and fires at the leader of the gnolls (if one is discernable) or else at the closest gnoll.

Longbow, Laminated (Skilled): 1d20+3 (vs. armed), 105/180/265 range, 1d8+2 damage

AC Bonus: -1 vs. 1 armed opponent

Delay (s/m): When the wielder of a weapon with the delay ability hits an opponent with it, the opponent must make a Saving Throw vs. Paralysis or automatically lose initiative in the following round.

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

Drudsa will proceed with the casting of the spell after climbing down from Sugarfoot to avoid miscasting the spell.

Bregalad the elf

I think making Drudsa invisible and then having him and the scouts approach the gnolls would have worked. Too bad we did not try it.

Drudsa would have become visible upon casting Sleep. He wouldn't do that unless there was a wall of hp, I mean, his brave companions, between himself and the gnolls.

[Innana]

Innana the fighter:

Waits to see if the spell takes. If the spell does not take, Innana will block try to block any of the arrows with her shield while she advances in.

Don't think we can use the designated fighting positions at this point since everyone is in a different location, but will follow Thordin's lead, and will watch for an attack from the sides and the back. Also, Innana will dismount if an attack ensues.

[Luis]

Saul keeps to his plan of waiting to see how the spell works out and shooting any non affected gnolls. Meanwhile he will try to run to get closer.

I'm assuming I'm not in range yet. Yeah, not gonna try to shoot from horseback any time soon.

[thirdkingdom]

Round One

The largest gnoll waves his arm as if urging his companions on, and the others send forth a flight of arrows that fall quite short of the adventurers. Lanny fires an arrow in return; the brave elf misjudges the wind and the shaft plunges into the ground some twenty feet in front of him. The gnolls see this and erupt into hyena-like laughter. Drudsa chants the words to his charm of somnolence and sweeps his arm before him in a grand gesture; four of the gnolls collapse to the ground; their laughter choked off in an instant.

Marodin calls out to Semele, and the two clerics urge their mounts into a gallop and charge towards the gnolls.

Okay, intentions for Round Two, please. Since it is the weekend, I would like everyone's intentions in by tomorrow evening, east coast time, so within 36 hours. I went ahead and rolled out Round One simply because only Lanny and Drudsa had range to attack. If Marodin, Semele, Thordin or Tratiln want to retcon actions for this round (such as charging past their stopped companions) please let me know and I will do so.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny watches as four gnolls fall to the ground. He tauntingly gestures to the remaining gnolls to come a little closer.

"Do not allow the others to escape..." he speaks calmly to his companions before drawing another arrow (checking the wind first this time) and firing again at the largest gnoll.

Longbow, Laminated (Skilled): 1d20+3 (vs. armed), 105/180/265 range, 1d8+2 damage

AC Bonus: -1 vs. 1 armed opponent

Delay (s/m): When the wielder of a weapon with the delay ability hits an opponent with it, the opponent must make a Saving Throw vs. Paralysis or automatically lose initiative in the following round.

[Luis]

It wasn't Saul's shot but he doesn't appreciate laughter of his friend's attack.

He'll attack the nearest gnoll in range.

1d20+4, 50/100/150, 1d6 damage - Basic Proficiency (+2 base attack bonus, +1 dexterity bonus, and +1 displacer beast bow bonus)

[thirdkingdom]

It wasn't Saul's shot but he doesn't appreciate laughter of his friend's attack.

He'll attack the nearest gnoll in range.

1d20+4, 50/100/150, 1d6 damage - Basic Proficiency (+2 base attack bonus, +1 dexterity bonus, and +1 displacer beast bow bonus)

Uh, at the beginning of Round Two the PCs will be approximately 230' -- or 80' past the maximum range of your shortbow.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf will advance into bow range, and fire his short bow when possible.

+2 to hit, 1d6 damage

[Bouv]

Tratiln will continue to ride his steed until he is roughly 50-100' away from the gnolls and then dismount and draw his sword and shield in prepration for a melee attack

I figured it would be too much for him to get close, dismount, arm himself and attack all in the same round