01. Situation at the Falls

[dmw71]

From: Prologue: All Players
---

The assembled group of relative strangers begin contemplating their options: A dead body or the newly found caves. A debate seems to be on the verge of breaking out over the relative value of time when Garth quickly hushes everyone and encourages them all to take complete cover behind the falls.

"There." he says, pointing to a spot across the canyon. Approximately five hundred feet from where you are, and advancing in your direction, is a small band of humanoids. "That's not far from where Shannigans and I entered from."

This group of humanoids is still too far away to make an identification. You suspect there are approximately ten of them in total, but even an accurate count of their numbers at this distance is difficult.

---

We will resume the game in this new thread.

When we left off, the party was debating the merits of returning to investigate the body Garth and Shannigans had previously discovered when the incoming band of humanoids was spotted. While this scene played itself out a bit further in the original thread, the game will be starting over as of this point. It is very possible that the course of the game will play out the same way, but a deviation from what previously happened is possible as well.

---
Still awaiting confirmation of readiness from Nuke66 and saalaria that they're ready, but prepare for the game to resume on Monday.

[dmw71]

Let's kick it off...

---

"There." Garth says, pointing to a spot across the canyon. Approximately five hundred feet from where you are, and advancing in your direction, is a small band of humanoids. "That's not far from where Shannigans and I entered from."

This group of humanoids is still too far away to make an identification. You suspect there are approximately ten of them in total, but even an accurate count of their numbers at this distance is difficult.

---

ooc: At current, everyone is safe from detection in the approximately 10' wide gap between the face of the cliff and where the waterfall crashes down. Everyone is free to take whatever action they seem fit; whether it be the same actions to took previously, or something completely different.

Game on!

[Stonjuz]

"Does their approach formation looks like they are leaving themselves open to flank attacks? I cant see much from down here. Maybe I can try to sneak out there? Dont want to get cornered right here like rats in the bottom of a boat."

[Nuke66]

OOC: I thought we had a good plan before, considering Ewell and Strom. Garth will wait until they declare intentions.

[Alethan]

Gwilt sets an arrow to string and lowers his stance as he begins moving west in a flanking maneuver, without so much as a word to anyone else.

He will move 30-40 yards west before turning south. He will use any natural cover available, so if that means turning a bit sooner or a bit later to take advantage of shrubs or tall grasses or rocks, then he will.

[saalaria]

Kaltar will peer into the cave to get a sense of the layout of the immediate entrance and if there are any more foes in the vicinity.

[onlyme]

OOC: I thought we had a good plan before, considering Ewell and Strom. Garth will wait until they declare intentions.

I dont know what other plan we could do. The cave could have hundreds of them, and we would get trapped between the incoming and the cave dwellers.
If we did the narrow patch, it could dead-end, leaving us trapped. At least this way, we have exit strategy for those of you who believe in such notions.

[dmw71]

ooc: Clearly my mapping skills leave much to be desired (I suspect this is especially true for those using mobile devices). My apologies. A map of the most recent situation is below. The character names, in parenthesis, are the locations from which the characters originally arrived on the scene.

All characters except Gwillt are currently in complete cover in the 10' gap behind the waterfall. I have moved Gwillt (Gw) to the western end of the cliff, to the point where it begins to bend to the south. Do note, Gwillt, there is very little cover available.

Code: Select all

                                         Waterfall
                    
                                          |~ ~ ~|
                                          | ~ ~ |
                                          |~ ~ ~|
                                          | ~ ~ |
                              Cliff       |~ ~ ~|  Cliff
       (Gwillt)                           | ~ ~ |
                                          |~ ~ ~|
    <-- ~ 40 yards -------------------->  | ~ ~ |  
Gw  --<  >--!---------------------------  |~ ~ ~| --------------------------
  /         !                  |          | ~ ~ |  \___  10'  (PC's are in this 10' gap)
 /          !                  |          | ~ ~ |  /    
/           !                 Wolf        \ ~~~~ \_____
           Rope             Restraint      \ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~   Flows off to right...
                                            \ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~ 
                                              ___________
              
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
                                                                                     (Ewell)
      
                                                    ^
         (Garth & Shan.)                            |
                                               Approaching                 N
                                                  Group                    |
                                                                        W --- E
                           (Strom & Kaltar)                                |
                                                                           S

---

Images

[dmw71]

Kaltar will peer into the cave to get a sense of the layout of the immediate entrance and if there are any more foes in the vicinity.

PM sent.

[Alethan]

So noted.

Then Gwilt will stick close to the cliff base and extend his movement out another 20 yards before cutting over.

[Computer +1]

Strom looks over the area and tries to quickly form a plan. Not seeing many options he decides on a course that he hopes will give them a chance.

The only way I know out of here is where they are advancing from. We cannot assume they are friendly nor can we fight with a open cave behind us, anything could emerge. Let us use the waterfall to our advantage as cover and have one person scout the path the other way.

I will move to parley if you he gestures at Ewell hold the line at the waterfall and allow those with bows to fire from its cover.

Strom slides his shield off his back and straps it in place.

[onlyme]

Hmmm... deja vu?

Ewell shakes his head, knowing he could be missing the action, or even lack thereof, babysitting a bunch of stick slingers. No, my good man. I shall walk with you. Seeing both of us should weaken their thoughts of a quick attack against you. I gladly yield the negotiation itself to you, of course. You are more trained in those arts, I am sure.

[dmw71]

Hmmm... deja vu?

I did tell you that the scenario may play out the way it did previously.

---

The band of humanoids continues to advance.

Strom announces his intention to approach the humanoids -- alone. Ewell insists upon accompanying him. As the two men begin to discuss their strategy, their planning is interrupted by a loud drumming sound.

The group notices that this newly arriving group has stopped marching in your direction and appear to have settled on a position approximately 200 feet from your current position. Also visible amongst the group is a large, round kettle drum, with two members of this humanoids group alternatingly beating upon its sides.

After six bangs upon the drum, the canyon falls quiet.

---

Gwillt, I have you making your way in a southern direction, but you're forced to remain extremely low to the group to best avoid detection and progress is painstakingly slow.

[Alethan]

...progress is painstakingly slow.

Well, "painstakingly" slow is fine. Just want to avoid the word, "painful".

[Nuke66]

Garth looks around, and seeing Kaltar peering into the cave, he walks behind him and pulls in back from the cave entrance. As Kaltar turns to look at him, the elf puts a single finger in front of his lips to indicate silence. Pulling the cleric back against the cliff face and some 15 feet from the opening, he stops.

Whispering, "I suspect they are summoning something from the cave, beware."

[saalaria]

Dave I think its a lovely map!

(whispers to Garth)"I agree - thanks my friend"

Kaltar grips his mace tighter and continues to watch the entrance from where Garth has led him to, first checking they are both still in full cover and, if not, pulling Garth back into cover (and gesticulating to make his point) but staying as far back from the cave entrance as possible.

[Stonjuz]

"If anybody talks to them , see if they did anything with the body, cause that's the direction Garth and I came from. I'm going around this way."
Shannigans reattaches the scarf and rolls off and crawls.....following the rangers path as before

[dmw71]

Kaltar grips his mace tighter and continues to watch the entrance from where Garth has led him to, first checking they are both still in full cover and, if not, pulling Garth back into cover (and gesticulating to make his point) but staying as far back from the cave entrance as possible.

Kaltar and Garth are safely concealed behind the waterfall.

"If anybody talks to them , see if they did anything with the body, cause that's the direction Garth and I came from. I'm going around this way."
Shannigans reattaches the scarf and rolls off and crawls.

Shannigans dons his camouflage disguise and carefully makes after Gwillt.

[dmw71]

The group of humanoids remains halted in place.

[onlyme]

Strom announces his intention to approach the humanoids -- alone. Ewell insists upon accompanying him. As the two men begin to discuss their strategy, their planning is interrupted by a loud drumming sound.

Ewell senses that action is nearing. He finishes his dialogue with Strom. Come, now, gallant one. We must not lose a moment more if we are to find success in our plan. We need to move out and encounter them as far away from this bloodly mess as possible. I hope you agree.

Whether or not Strom agrees, Ewell, being a wee bit impatient, begins his slow and steady walk toward the incoming group. He is confident and calm.