IC II

[thirdkingdom]

Telemachus

"Not to be completely mercenary about it but we need the cash. And if we're going to open the road, we need to eliminate potential bandit threats. These orcs are exceedingly likely to attack traffic on the road. Best to deal with them now before they formulate a defense.

I would want to get another night's rest, though, so I can memorize a couple of Sleep spells."

That's why I was kinda surprised you guys passed up on the ogre hunt. They're notorious hoarders of gold.

[sulldawga]

That's why I was kinda surprised you guys passed up on the ogre hunt. They're notorious hoarders of gold.

They'll still be there when we get back. There can't be that many other adventuring groups anxious to tangle with an entire lair of ogres.

[shaidar]

Newton

"I'd be happy to scout ahead and get an idea of numbers and general layout, perhaps with Haaki keeping an eye on me from above. I'm not so sure it's a good idea hanging around here for a night and then attacking, they're going to get suspicious. If you don't want to engage with them now then maybe we should wait and do it on the way back"

[sulldawga]

Newton

"If you don't want to engage with them now then maybe we should wait and do it on the way back"

Telemachus

"Sleep spells are a powerful tool but it's not the only one at my disposal. We should attack today if the scouts say the opportunity is favorable."

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

"Let's just do this now. If Telemachus feels confident and Newton says the way seems ok. I say we move quickly. Maybe the mercs move up behind us providing fire support."

[shaidar]

Newton

"Ok, once Haaki is ready, I'll go take a look. Be ready, I may be returning in a hurry if it goes wrong"

[sulldawga]

Telemachus orders the mercs to set up a picket line 100 yards out and keep watch, as well as to be ready to form ranks around the party in case of a full attack.

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

"Ok, once Haaki is ready, I'll go take a look. Be ready, I may be returning in a hurry if it goes wrong"

Atl, let me know if Haaki is going to go scouting with Newton.

[Atlictoatl]

Haaki looks askance at herself. “Did I say ‘the morrow’? I must have mice on the brain. I meant an hour or so.”

As conversation progresses, she looks a-goggle at Newton. “You want to scout their lair? Without magic? That’s bold. Wouldn’t you rather wait for me to turn you invisible?”

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

"Ok, once Haaki is ready, I'll go take a look. Be ready, I may be returning in a hurry if it goes wrong"

Atl, let me know if Haaki is going to go scouting with Newton.

Haaki actually can't change shape again until she rests -- or rather, she can change shape, but she can't change back -- we'll assume Newton heads out on his own for the time being, since the consensus seems to be to investigate sooner rather than later.

Newton dismounts and continues on up the trail, moving as silently as he can, which is apparently extremely quiet. He advances forward, flitting from tree to tree, observing that the poisoning of the earth grows worse. Eventually, he finds himself atop a low rise, looking down upon a partially ruined structure, trees growing up through the shattered roof. It looks like it may have been a lodgehall, years ago, or perhaps a meadhall. Regardless, it seems as though this is where the orcs dwell. He sees a good two dozen orcs moving about, girding themselves as if for battle, and more movement can be seen within the structure.

http://orokos.com/roll/756196: 1d20 20 Damn, nat 20. Yeah, he's a ghost.

[shaidar]

Newton spends a few minutes studying the situation and once satisfied he will sneak back to the others.

I'm interested in 4 things: The landscape and possible approaches to the hall, the hall itself (possible means of entrance), whether or not he can see signs of orc spell casters and finally who might be inside (more orc soldiers, or is it orc families). I realise he might need to move to get some of this info

[Atlictoatl]

Haaki, the Feather Witch

While Newton sets off to scout, Hakki instructs her dogs to form a perimeter around her, then she pulls feathers from a pouch and tosses them one by one into the air, studying them as they fall to the ground.

Replacing Allure (1st) and Hypnotism (1st) with Auditory Illusion x2, and Produce Flame (2nd) with Obscuring Mist

[thirdkingdom]

Newton spends a few minutes studying the situation and once satisfied he will sneak back to the others.

I'm interested in 4 things: The landscape and possible approaches to the hall, the hall itself (possible means of entrance), whether or not he can see signs of orc spell casters and finally who might be inside (more orc soldiers, or is it orc families). I realise he might need to move to get some of this info

Newton spends a couple of minutes observing the scene. He counts roughly thirty-five orcs, as best he can tell; one of them is a massive, hulking brute almost as large as an ogre, and there is one other, slighter of build than the others, with the accoutrements that suggests a spellcaster of some sorts.

See map, here: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1KxQ ... sp=sharing
These woods are considered "thick". There's enough shade that the orcs don't suffer penalties from light, the trees are close enough to provide cover for sneaking, but it's also not great for missile fire; the maximum range for missile fire is 75 yards, and creature further than 50 yards away have partial cover, gaining a +3 bonus to AC.

[shaidar]

Newton sneaks back to the others to report.

so the landscape is pretty flat and there's no advantage coming in from any particular direction?

[thirdkingdom]

Newton sneaks back to the others to report.

so the landscape is pretty flat and there's no advantage coming in from any particular direction?

Correct. It's flat enough that the thick trees off more cover than the landscape. It definitely looks like the orcs are mobilizing for something.

[shaidar]

Newton appears out of the woods and throws a wink towards Haaki "Magic is useful, but you can't beat skill".

He looks more serious "I estimate 35 orcs, and they're preparing to attack something."

He clears some space on the ground, grabs a stick and draws a quick map, pointing out what he saw.

"That's a lot of orcs, and the trees limit the range of bows, so we're going to have to be clever and plan this one carefully. I've got a spell to entangle, which will help disable some of them for a while"

[Atlictoatl]

Haaki, the Feather Witch

"We should attack them when they move, where they will be more vulnerable, and not at their fortification."

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

“Gardo-Maybe you and I and Cas can anchor the middle. The archers arc behind us...”

[VonAlric]

Gardo

"I guess we can do that. Thought you were going to say I should go after the big one. Notai and Wulfka can take care of any potential attacks near Telemachus then."

[Atlictoatl]

Haaki, the Feather Witch

"Split them, and tackle each force separately. Your archers are at a disadvantage here, and they know the terrain. Our sole advantage is that we know where they are, and their numbers, and they know nothing yet about us."