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Jing Ji-ho

"Non-fighters, back! Get fire ready!" Ji-ho said as he attacked the giant spider leg.

Ji-ho Melee attacks: [1d6+1]=3+1=4 [1d6+1]=5+1=6 [1d6+1]=6+1=7

Unlike the previous spiders who simply came on without any regard for their lives the moment Ji-ho first makes contact with his sword a great hiss erupts on the other side and the creature recoils.

And then... silence.

To clarify only a single hole has been cut. The door is still firmly attached and you haven't been able to put anything through it yet.

Jing Ji-ho

Smiling, Ji-ho flicked the ichor off his blade, and then found an old rag to finish the job. He froze for a moment, and then yelled "Everyone, outside! To the camp! There may be another exit!"

He leads the way out at a full sprint.

At Jing Ji-ho's command the company retreats with all haste. The Ravenfolk overtake him with ease by leaping (and using their wings to fly with all the grace of barnyard hens) while Gurav Graka's cohort holds the rear due to their naturally slower speed and heavy armor.

Just as they clear the chamber where they first encountered the dog-sized arachnids the heavy door they had left sealed bursts open in a veritable tide of the horrid things. Korev throws all his considerable bulk and might into the door they had built to hold the cleared chamber once home to the ogres. As he does others rush to add their own strength and it is good that they do for among the swarm they can see many larger creatures among the small ones and at the rear, right as the door is thrown shut, they see a pair of massive spiders as tall as an ogre who move as if they are considering their options.

With a loud crash the door smashes a trio of the smaller monsters and is forced shut and barred with all haste. From the other size an irritated, hissing squeal is cut off by the heavy oak and replaced at once by the sound of sharp claws digging at the wood.

Jing Ji-ho

"We do not have long! Hemia, run outside and get everyone to bring as much flammable grass and weeds as possible. Tell Darfilla that her explosions might be useful, we need fire and area effect. Morphin needs to command the shield wall just outside the northern door, it will be our last line of defense. Gar and the skirmishers need to fill in and torch the southern passage so that the spiders can only come out in one direction." Ji-ho helped hold the door closed. "Rolton, stay with Gurav and his kin, give them cover. Si-woo, Drotik, and I will fire over their heads at the largest spiders."

"Everyone, listen up! As soon as we can get stuff to burn here we will fall back to the door heading out. When the spiders come through, the missiles will fire and Borav will set things on fire. Missiles fire until the spiders cross the fire line, and then we all retreat into the hallway. The confined space will work to our advantage."

It's a fairly simple plan, given the time rush. The burning stuff won't do much to the big spiders, but may slow down or eliminate some of the smaller ones, reducing the numbers disparity. By getting a round of missiles off we weaken the larger ones, and we might get lucky and really hurt one. Either way, retreating into the hallway reduces the number of spiders who can attack. Since they can jump in the big rooms, they can surround the group. In the hallway they can still jump some, but the group can stick together and support each other.

Bofur "I suppose I'll just be bashin whate'er gets in me way then."

Morwen

Once they had retreated enough to regroup, Morwen glanced around, speaking quietly. “Please, don't be alarmed... I promise they are on our side," she intoned, before using Summon Berserker, calling forth skeletal Corvids to fight alongside Macnav.

Controlled chaos ensues as Ji-ho starts calling out orders and his lieutenants repeat them back. Barnaby immediately begins his battle hymn and despite his voice carrying across the entire company with ease it only seems to make it easier to hear rather commands rathe than drowning them out.

Gurav insists he should be in front with Borav and Korev with spears behind them, "The crawlers will come on the walls and ceilings. Our axes will do best unobstructed while your spears cover our heads. Of course the same logic would hold true for Bofur as well.

Morwen's spell barely draws any attention at first but as she tosses a handful of black feathers to the stones they are joined to her hand by strands of eldritch energy and from each of the four that land a shadow grows and extends until it takes on the shape of red-eyed, skeletal ravenfolk wrapped in deathshrouds made of black feathers and gripping a bearded axe in each hand.


Rolls needed: (with +1 from Inspire)
Ji-ho: Captain
Darfilla: Alchemist

This is a big fight so I need to know who will be immediately in combat as part of three main groups
Frontline (anyone who wants to melee the initial charge)
Middle (small spiders will spill over to this quickly, be ready to fight or support)
Rear (trying to stay out and focus on ranged weapons or spells)

I also want to know who is Outside and who is on Firewall Duty.

This is long, and assumes coming through the doorway will slow the spiders enough that the group gets one "free" round of missiles. Rolls weren't helpful.


Ji-ho Captain [2d6+1]=6+1=7

Darfilla Alchemy [2d6+1]=4+1=5

Number the doors in room #2, with Door Number 1 is the eastern door to Room #3, where the spiders. Door #2 leads into Room #1, mostly empty. Door #3 will be the main battle area, and Door #4 also goes to the exit(s).

Assume map is oriented with North as "up".
viewtopic.php?p=686967#p686967

Door #1
RIGHT NOW Ji-ho and the stronger dwarves are pressing against the door to slow down the spiders advance.
WHILE the 6 Light Inf bring in as much brush to burn as possible
SO THAT those on the Door #1 can retreat to in front of Door #3 when the brush is ready.

Door #2 Will be left open, so spiders my go in there and be lost or delayed.

Door #3
RIGHT NOW Drotik and Si-Woo are just outside of the door (on the left most of 2 grid lines on the map) and have missile weapons ready.
SO THAT they can fire through the door at any large spiders
ASSUMING Ji-ho and the dwarves get out of the line of fire.

HODLAR is 10' from Door #3, with torches in case the Alchemy does not work. He will toss the torches and exit via Door #3, and be in the rear of the corridor.

Morwen is north of Hodlar, and will direct her magics against the large spiders and then head down the corridor.

Door #4
Darfilla is just north of Door #4, with her alchemical wonder.
SO THAT as soon as the spiders bust through,
AND IF Ji-ho and the dwarves are out of the way, she will launch her thing
AND THEN she will run like crazy through door #3 and keep on going until she is outside and well behind the defensive line.


RIGHT NOW Gar and the 3 SK are piling as much burnable stuff behind (corrider side) of Door #4 to deny the spiders use of that corridor.
SO THAT Gar will remain behind and light the brush if the spiders come through, or if the party is being pushed back (north)



Outside
RIGHT NOW Morphin is setting up the defensive spear wall (3 HI, 2HXb), mixed with crossbow shooting from the second rank, and about ten feet from the entrance.
Darfilla will get behind the line as fast as she can.
The LI and Sk will guard the flanks as best they can.

PRE BATTLE
Gurav, Korev, and Ji-ho, currently at Door #1, retreat to door #3, behind Drotik and Si-Woo. Ji-ho arms with bow.

SPIDERS THROUGH THE DOOR
Si-woo, Drotik, and Ji-ho fire AT THE LARGE SPIDERS
Darfilla will light the brush and flee down the corridor and OUTSIDE.
Drotik exits out the corridor and takes command of the HXb OUTSIDE
Si-Woo stays on the bow, and retreats partway into the corridor.


CORRIDOR BATTLE
Four melee lines, in case someone falls or the spiders try to use the walls to flank us.
- Ji-ho and Gurav form the first melee line.
- Rolton and Bofur form the second melee line.
- Verdugo and Korev form the third melee line.
- Hemia and Borav form the third melee line.

CORRIDER REAR GROUP
Si-woo
Morwen and her crew
Hodlar
- Gar is in the other corridor but will join this group once he lights the brush.

Man and Dwarf hold the door as long as they can, bracing it with what they have to give time for the plan to come together. The rack of firewood is dragged over to add mass but eventually the door itself begins to splinter and crack from the incredible strength of the giant arachnids. The fire trap isn't quite ready but there's no longer any time and they withdraw from the first door to their positions.

When the door flies apart moments later the smaller spiders are pushed through first but there seems to be fewer of them than previously thought. Unfortunately there are nearly two dozen much bigger specimens that actually over take the little ones and rush forward. The largest ones hold back in the room beyond, as if they know they are about to be peppered with arrows.


The Captain roll passes and everyone correctly takes their position. No bonuses, but no penalties either.
The Alchemy roll indicates an issue. I'll say its so damp that getting things to ignite is difficult and she has to use more accelerant than she thought. The effect will go off, but it costs more of her stores and takes longer. The expendable summoned skeletons can hold that area to give her time.

Everyone with a proper missile weapon can fire a free volley and may aim at either the Large or Huge spiders.

Jing Ji-ho

Ji-ho smiled as he notched an arrow in his shortbow. His voice was relaxed, and strong. "Everyone, go for the largest you have a shot at. I will anchor far left, Gurav is the far right. See how many people are between you and the closest anchor, and aim for that one."

He grinned and spoke quietly. "Also, I think the two largest ones can understand us. Be careful what you say loudly."

Ji-ho (selfbow): 2 Subdual
Ji-Ho Missile Attacks [_3d6]=(4+2+1)=7, Missile Damage [_3d6]=(4+5+5)=14

Si-woo (longbow): 1 hit, 1 subdual
Si-Woo/Drotik Missile attacks: [1d6+1]=6+1=7 [1d6+1]=6+1=7 Damage [1d6]=1 [1d6]=6

Drotik (hxbw): 2 Subdual
Si-Woo/Drotik Missile attacks: [1d6+1]=5+1=6 [1d6+1]=6+1=7 Damage [1d6]=2 [1d6]=1

In previous encounters the smallest of the spiders would flee immediately when hurt at range and fight on to the death in close. Their larger siblings behave much more like a predatory pack animal with individual reactions that betray a modicum of intelligence. The giants remain back out of sight but their hissing is as loud as shout and gives two of the injured spiders a moment of pause as they fall behind the initial wave.

The speed difference of the different types of enemy becomes apparent here. The smallest ones are as quick as an unencumbered man but the larger ones are as fast as hounds and they pull well ahead.


I will roll for Sengrim and Hodlar.


Those with throwing weapons in the front lines may attack now
Those with ranged weapons at the rear may attack again
The bows up front must either be dropped to ready shields (and may throw their spears) or they can shoot but will not have shields for the charge (well leap really)
Macnav has javelins so he may throw from the rear as well now

All targets are Huge spiders for this round.
Bows and crossbows hit on 2 and wound as before
All thrown weapons need 3s to hit and wound on 6

Macnav takes aim and throws his javelin at the advancing creatures.

Macnav Javelin Hit [_2d6]=(6+2)=8 Wound [_2d6]=(4+5)=9
2 subdual

Jing Ji-ho

Ji-ho throws his spear and readies his sword and shield. Rolton and Verdugo do the same, Drotik moves outside and takes command of the missile troops as planned. Si-Woo continues to put his longbow to work.

Ji-ho: 1 Subdual
Ji-Ho Missile Attacks [_3d6]=(6+2+2)=10, Missile Damage [_3d6]=(3+4+2)=9

Rolton: 2 Subdual
Standard 2HD Missile attacks: [1d6]=5 [1d6]=4 Damage [1d6]=3 [1d6]=3

Verdugo: 1 Subdual
Standard 2HD Missile attacks: [1d6]=3 [1d6]=2 Damage [1d6]=1 [1d6]=3

Si-Woo: 1 Hit, 1 Subdual
Si-Woo/Drotik Missile attacks: [1d6+1]=3+1=4 [1d6+1]=6+1=7 Damage [1d6]=4 [1d6]=1

The multiple options confuses the leading edge of the spiders and several break off to attack and empty room while others go south toward Morwen's summoned undead. Additionally the narrow frontage proves helpful to the party as several of the leapers hit the walls and ceiling and thus lose their momentum before they find anything to clamp their mandibles on to.


Of the 17 Huge spiders still coming at the group 3 mistakenly go to the empty northern room.
3 more go toward the southern route currently held by Summoned Berserkers
Of the other 11:
4 are hit and hesitate
2 are hit but continue
5 are unharmed.

This means 7 of them make a leaping charge.
Only 3 get the bonus, the other 4 have to leap to the walls or ceiling and then attack in melee so they lose their bonus.
The PC front line has 8HD so it takes the 3 chargers and 1 extra.
The second line I believe has 6HD so they hold the overflow and still get the bonus for being set vs charge despite their enemy losing the charge bonus.

Jing Ji-ho

Shield up and sword out, Ji-ho has set the line and let the spiders come. Everyone prepares; some are grinning.

Well armed need a 4+ to hit
Ji-ho: 2 hits
Ji-ho Melee attacks: [1d6+1]=5+1=6 [1d6+1]=4+1=5 [1d6+1]=2+1=3

Rolton: 1 hit (High STR?)
2d6 NPC Melee attacks [_2d6]=(1+4)=5

Verdugo: 0 hits
2d6 NPC Melee attacks [_2d6]=(2+3)=5

Not sure if Si-woo can fire at any on the ceiling. He will not fire into a melee. If he can fire:
Si-woo: 1 hit, 1 subdual
Si-Woo/Drotik Missile attacks: [1d6+1]=3+1=4 [1d6+1]=5+1=6 Damage [1d6]=1 [1d6]=5

Leitz wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:21 pm Not sure if Si-woo can fire at any on the ceiling. He will not fire into a melee. If he can fire:
Si-woo: 1 hit, 1 subdual
Si-Woo/Drotik Missile attacks: [1d6+1]=3+1=4 [1d6+1]=5+1=6 Damage [1d6]=1 [1d6]=5

Sorry I forgot to specify. The archers can continue to fire this round as there are bugs on the ceiling.

Bofur attacks whatever spider is nearby.

was going to make attack macros but not really understanding why everyone else is rolling d6's for attacks?