IC VI

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf will dismount around 50' or so (just in front of Tratiln), and draw swords, moving in at a steady pace but not charging until the spells are complete.

I understand that I may not get to attack for a couple of rounds, but that is ok. Waiting for the spells. Once spells are cast, Thordin will charge, on foot, whoever is still left up. Hoping to get the leader.

Main hand +7 to hit, 1d12+3 damage, -2 AC vs one opponent, 1 chance to deflect per round. Save is 7 or higher. Off-hand is -1 to hit, 1d8 damage.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Seeing the gnolls emerge from the main gate, Lanny remains separated from the main group but slows his charge towards the hole in the wall, indicating to Rhys that he intends to stop, dismount, and fire on the gnolls to soften up the front lines before the main cavalry arrives.

Lanny intends to stop, dismount, and fire at the one of the gnoll grunts on the front lines. He will first move his horse to a point that is within medium range (180' away) and equidistant from both the gnoll formation and the hole in the wall (so that he is able fire on either location as needed) and then will dismount and fire at the gnoll formation. If gnolls emerge from the hole in the wall, he will change the direction of his attack to provide cover for Rhys (if Rhys is approaching the wall on foot). If gnolls start to charge in his general direction, he will remount and gallop away before they can get to his position.

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

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Does it appear that Lanny and Rhys have been noted, riding for the break in the wall instead of riding for the gate?

Rhys notes Lanny's actions, but... he is concerned that the opening might be used for a) escape or b) a gnoll flanking maneuver.

So Rhys continues to race his pony towards the breach in the wall, keeping an eye on the opening. If he spots any movement there or from the ramparts above, he will stop his pony at about 175' away and dismount. At that point, he will move forward, to create distance between himself and his pony, and fire arrows at the hostiles he spotted.

If he gets involved in ranged combat, he will try to maintain a distance of about 130'-140' or so, which is medium range for the long bow, but just the edge of long range for the short bow.

If he does not note any activity coming from the opening in the wall, he will stop his pony about 40' away and approach on foot, using his speed to quickly close the gap to the opening in the wall in the following round.

Sword, Normal (Basic): 1d8
Bow, Long (Basic): 1d6; range: 70/140/210

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

Drudsa dismounts as soon as Tratiln and Marodin do, staying close to them and casting Mirror Image.

[Innana]

Innana the fighter:

Innana is following behind loosely keeping to her combat position. When she sees Drudsa and Marodin start their spells she pulls the reigns on her horse, "whow Bliss", She stays mounted on her horse, and is quiet as possible while she waits to see if the spells take. Innana will stay near the two spell casters in case they need protection.

If the spells take Innana intends to charge in, and take out as many gnolls, and humanoids as possible. Her first focus will be on the leader of the squad. Innana is also keeping a close eye on the hole in the wall to the left of the main entrance. She is positioning herself to the left of the spell casters in case anything may be attacking from that area.

Innana keeps a dagger in her hand in case anyone jumps out of the grassy area from a distance, and has her net close at hand. She has a lot of anxiety over Saul. She does not have a good feeling about what they may find.

Dagger (Basic): +1, 1d4, Range 10/20/30
Net (Basic): +1, Entangle, Range 10/20/30

[thirdkingdom]

Round One

The companions race forward to their appointed positions and slide off their mounts as the gnolls begin to advance forward. Just before they can get within melee range, however, the adventurers recover from dismounting and are able to act. Both Lanny and Rhys, from their positions by the rubble, fire arrows at the massed troops. Rhys's shot misses his target, and actually glances off Bregalad's helm witout inflicting any damage, while Lanny's strikes again to deadly effect and fells one of the gnolls.

Drudsa utters sorcerous syllables and several exact replicas of the mighty mage appear beside him, potentially confusing any enemy as to which is the correct conjurer. Tratiln and Marodin both cast their magics; four of the gnolls topple over, while two gnolls and the mysterious creature in plate both freeze in place.

Semele fires a sling stone at the approaching creatures and, once again, shows uncanny accuracy with the weapon as the speeding stone catches her target in the eye and drops it instantly! The warriors move in to engage with the gnolls. Bregalad stabs one of the two largest brutes in the arm with his spear; it gives a quick yip of pain. Innana tosses her net but her intended target is able to bat it aside before it can entangle it. Thordin quickly cuts one down with his magical blade.

The gnolls are finally able to retaliate from the onslaught. For some reason the gnolls leave a wide berth around Thordin; two attack Bregalad, but neither hit, and one attacks Innana, but it, too, misses.

Sorry, I've only had time for one round. If you want to modify actions let me know, and I'll try and roll out round two tonight. There are three gnolls left standing.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Sorry, I didn't realize melee was going to take place in round one, or I never would have fired at the gnolls. No big deal this time, but Rhys will never fire into a current melee where there is a chance to hit a friendly.

Rhys continues to the rubble and enters the keep, keeping an eye out for lookouts (and Saul).

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

Drudsa will try to approach the sleeping gnolls without entering melee range with the ones that are still active.

If he manages to do that safely and no other hostile creatures appear he will start dispatching the unconscious enemies.

If another wave of enemies comes out of the castle he will retreat back the way he came, beyond where melee is taking place but within slingshot range of it.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny follows Rhys through the rubble, moving briskly but cautiously so as not to trip on the debris. Upon entering the keep, he scans the courtyard and focuses his attention on the main gate to see if there are any reserve warriors hiding behind the wall...

If any targets are spotted, and if time allows, Lanny will immediately fire upon any target that stands out from the rest. If all targets look the same, OR if Lanny or Rhys are immediately threatened by warriors within melee range, Lanny will fire upon the nearest target.

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.

[sulldawga]

If Marodin can reach melee range on foot, he will do so and engage one of the gnolls still standing. If not, he'll quickly remount and approach the battle.

Semele will not fire into melee but will approach the sleeping gnolls and attempt a coup de grace with her warhammer.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf

"No one will fight me! They all run away..."

Thordin will move into one of the gnolls attacking Bregalad.

"My elf, not yours! Bad dog!"

Main hand +7 to hit, 1d12+3 damage, -2 AC vs one opponent, 1 chance to deflect per round. Save is 7 or higher. Off-hand is -1 to hit, 1d8 damage.

[Bouv]

Tratiln, again with a small smirk on his face, draws his sword and shield and will engage the big creature in the plate mail, "Ha, that was a good one! Thordin, didn't know you cared so much for us!"

Masterwork sword 1d20+4 vs. armed, -1 ACvs. 2, 1d12 dmg

[thirdkingdom]

Round Two

Combat continues, with Drudsa and Semele circling about hoping to get a clear shot into the scrum of melee combatants but unable to spot an opening. Bregalad stabs at the same gnoll again, drawing another slash across its torso. Blood is now beginning to drip off its previously injured arm. Marodin advances and smites a gnoll with his warhammer, but the brute is thick-skinned and the blow is largely absorbed by muscle and hide. Innana tosses a dagger at the one nearest her but misses; Tratiln is unable to pierce the defenses of the one he faces, and Thordin's blades get tangled on one another and he, too, misses. Despite his uncoordinated assault two of the gnolls determine that Thordin is the greater threat and converge their attacks upon him, but the long shafts of the halberds slice over the doughty dwarf's head. Innana is not so lucky, as the one she had previously targeted swings his in a vicious stroke that opens an artery in her leg! Red blood begins to pump onto the dusty ground.

Lanny and Rhys enter the courtyard through the rent wall and come face to face with a tall, cadaverous gnoll approaching from the other direction. Both companions are caught unawares, for the gnoll appears to spring forth from the ground itself. It quickly touches a medallion worn about its neck and a gout of black flame shoots out, engulfing Rhys in oily, unwholesome fire! Behind the solitary gnoll is a crumpled form lying in the middle of the courtyard.

Thordin rolled a 1 with his primary attack. Innana suffers 10 hp damage; the roll just hit by one and he got lucky on the damage. Rhys and Lanny were surprised. Rhys took 4 hp damage from the attack. It is a magical flame, and doesn't set him alight or anything. The sorcerer gnoll is perhaps 15-20 feet away and can be engaged in melee next round.

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad switches his attack to the Gnoll fighting Innana.

edit - please see new intention in Bregalad's later post

Spear (Skilled): 1d20+5, 1d6+3

[Bouv]

Tratiln continues to press his attack against any gnoll trying to get to Innanawith his masterwork sword. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots Innana's leg begin to get red and it run down to the ground. "Semele! Tend to Innana's wound now!"

Masterwork Sword, 1d20+4, -2 AC vs. 1, 1d12 dmg

Edited!

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

"riftstone"]Thordin the dwarf

"No one will fight me! They all run away..."

Thordin will move into one of the gnolls attacking Bregalad.

"My elf, not yours! Bad dog!"

Innana laughs at Throdin's comment, and looks down, and sees the blood seep from her leg, but can not feel the deep wound, except for a slight deep ache. She reaches around for her shield, and her sword. Knowing she can not walk anywhere quite yet, she feels faint, and wonders if she is losing too much blood. She hears Tratiln echo a command to Semele to heal her leg.

Innana sees that the gnolls have moved over towards Thordin, and Bregalad, and starts to hobble over with her shield and sword in hand. She takes a deep breath and hops over to where Thordin is, and swings at the nearest mob.

Sword (Basic): +1, 1d8

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny watches as Rhys take a direct hit from the oily black fire.

"SORCEROR!!! Take cover and shoot to kill!"

Lanny himself looks for any large chunk of the crumbled wall that might provide even a hint of cover, and he scrambles behind it as he targets the gnoll sorcerer at point blank range, hoping his arrow either stuns or kills his foe.

Longbow, Laminated (Skilled): 1d20+3 (vs. armed), 1d20+4 (vs. unarmed), 105/180/265 range, 1d8+2 damage
(I was not sure if the sorcerer was wielding a melee weapon).

AC Bonus: -1 vs. 1 armed opponent (if applicable)

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.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf

His eyes go grim as he sees the blood spilling down Innana's leg and onto the ground, and screams to Bregalad in Dwarvish, "Protect the Val-kyrie*, Dannedd Blaidd will vanquish these gnolls!"

*Dwarven word for shield-maid.

Main hand +7 to hit, 1d12+3 damage, -2 AC vs one opponent, 1 chance to deflect per round. Save is 7 or higher. Off-hand is -1 to hit, 1d8 damage.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys takes cover in the rubble and fires at the gnoll shaman with his long bow.

bow hit: 1d20+4 (includes +1 BAB, +2 dexterity bonus, +1 short range bonus)
Damage: 1d6

[Finglas]

Thordin the dwarf

His eyes go grim as he sees the blood spilling down Innana's leg and onto the ground, and screams to Bregalad in Dwarvish, "Protect the Val-kyrie*, Dannedd Blaidd will vanquish these gnolls!"

*Dwarven word for shield-maid.

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad heeds the dwarf's command, and attempts to force his way between injured Innana and the attacking Gnoll!

Crouched low, hairs standing up on the back of his neck, the elf growls at the Gnoll attacking Innana, ready to pounce with his spear!

Spear (Skilled): 1d20+5, 1d6+3