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"Oh, right," whispers Fingers. "We should do our noble duty and protect the good people of the Ford and all that. And take the Orcs' loot. But mostly protect the good people."

"You guys attack. I'll stay hidden and circle around a bit so I can pick 'em off from the side."

Markd suggests they cover the orcs while one of them run/ride to the ford to alert the soldiers. Why fight their battle, as chances are, these orcs have no valueables in the blind with them. Oh, and he speaks goblin only.

"We've no one to spare for that," Bandy replies, letting loose his arrow...

Shortbow THAC016 [1d20+2] = 6+2 = 8 Damage [1d6] = 5

Well that didn't go well...

Hengist settles his shield on his arm and take a firm grip on his mace. The staff was returned to Markd, or at least it should have been.

Zhym wrote: "You guys attack. I'll stay hidden and circle around a bit so I can pick 'em off from the side."

That's his action.

Markd fires wildly.
Shortbow (Thac0 16) [1d20+1] = 3+1 = 4; [1d6] = 3

Marullus wrote:So, Fingers forgoes his action and moves 120' (to 80' away)? Or he goes 60' (140' away) and rolls to-hit?

His goal is to get into a position to sneak attack and see if any of the orcs do anything other than run up to attack. So the former, I think.

The awkward moment stretches between the groups as they debate action... finally Bandy makes a decisive choice. Bandy advances to range for his shortbow (140') and fires, the shot sailing wide. Markd and Hengist advance with him, Markd's bow likewise sending its shot harmlessly away from the orcs due to the hilltop cross breeze. Hengist stands stalwartly to protect his companions, ready if the orcs charge.

The orcs spring into action, despite the ineffective assault. They pivot to use their blind as cover from the incoming arrow fire (-4 AC bonus). Armed with shortbows themselves, six arrows fly over the blind at the oncoming party. At this range and with the wind, most piff harmlessly in the dirt. One skids off Markd's armor - a solid hit but for the distance, it didnt find a chink in his banding. Bandy, however, takes a well-aimed shot, the arrow embedded to its fletchings. (-6hp)

Meanwhile, Fingers dons his cloak and slinks around to the flank (80'), his surprise positioning allowing him to ignore their blind's cover. Franken and Allmond remain at the rear, beyond the range of the orc short bows, calming the mules.

Date: 1:01pm, 23 July 2021
Light: Sunlight
Effects: None
Weather: 62 degrees, fair and sunny
Injuries: Bandy (minor injury)

Markd mentions,
I think we should back out of their firing range and make them come toward us. We are sitting ducks out here and will be hard pressed to hit them.

He fires to help provide them cover.
Shortbow (Thac0 16) [1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6; [1d6] = 2

Bandy likewise retreats, not figuring they can effectively fight the orcs.

"Let's clear out, tell the guards at the ford about the orc blind and let them deal with it. They have too good a position with the blind. And we're sort of out in the open."

Fingers waits for the orcs to get drawn out from their blind—if they are.

Bandy, Markd and Hengist withdraw back to the road, out of range of the orc bows. Fingers waits for them to abandon their blind and move forward on the offense.

After several minutes of staring at each other, it is clear that neither side is willing to charge and end the stand-off. The orcs continue to watch you from within their blind.

Date: 1:10pm, 23 July 2021
Light: Sunlight
Effects: None
Weather: 62 degrees, fair and sunny
Injuries: Bandy (minor injury)

Markd continues retreating toward the fort, to alert the soldiers of the orc. He will use Bandy's blood to prove authenticity.

Fingers circles back around to rejoin the others, thinking they need to get some longbows.

Bandy removes the arrow and bandages himself up before following Markd to the fort to report the orcs. He holds on to the orc arrow as proof of their presence.

You head back to the Ford and give warning; the guards are both alarmed and grateful - the send a mounted patrol back to address the threat.

When they arrive, however, the orcs have fled to the north, escaping further up river. The patrol says they'll take it from here.

Allmond uses his staff to heal Bandy's wound, which seals fully understand his ministrations.

(If you want to pursue the orcs further, you can track them north, or Fingers could have followed them and returned. If you want to move on, the soldiers have it.
Zhym?)

Date: 3:00pm, 23 July 2021
Light: Sunlight
Effects: None
Weather: 62 degrees, fair and sunny
Injuries: Bandy (minor injury)

Fingers will track the orcs if it doesn't take too long so he can relay their position to the guards.

OOC: This is just meant for role play. If there's any chance that I derail our mission by having Fingers trot off after the orcs, he goes back with the others.