Turning the tables
Subject The second camp
Fal wants to know if there could be other orcs hiding in the brush waiting for someone to attack the 2 orcs that the bird saw.
OOC: Mark, what's the range on my Sleep spell?
Fal wonders if the terrain is such that he could get close enough to the orcs to cast his sleep spell without being seen. Of course Fal woud prefer to have the rest of the group close at hand in case the Sleep spell fails.
From: Karl
Subject The second camp
Salix relays the information to the group then adds, "Sounds like an ambush, though I wonder how they knew we were coming. Or maybe we are close to their camp and this is just a guard, I do not know. However, if we can get close enough to see the tree but not close enough for the creatures to feel comfortable attacking, perhaps we can flush them out. If they are armed only with clubs, they would likely expect us to come fairly close before revealing themselves."
From: Karl
Subject Ambush
(OOC - Did Fal wonder that out loud or just to himself? As for the first part, the birds have pretty good spot checks, I imagine and a second ambush would probably be just as hard, if not harder to conceal so we should probably proceed with caution but concentrate on the ambush we know about.)
Salix will ponder out loud, "I suppose I *could* use the forest to entangle them, but it seems like such a waste on only two. Or with the grace of Obad-Hai, I could summon a creature to flush them out of their hiding space and we might be able to attack them while they are distracted." He pauses, thinking, "If we are able to flush them out, perhaps our mage friend here can put them to sleep and we might be able to tie them up and get some information from them . . ."
From: Rob
Subject Ambush
Bel says " I don't see what the problem is, there are only two of them, and thanks to Ebon we know where they are, for the most part. If you know about a trap before it happens it becomes a trap for those attempting it rather than who is was intended to trap."
He checks his quiver and bow, and feeds Ebon a treat, stroking his feathers. He says to Ebon, "Thank you, Ebon...good work."
From: Kevin
Subject Ambush
Harp nods in agreement
"We should just ride up, turn toward them, and let Fal cast his sleep spell from behind all of us.. If it works, we tie them up and question them, if it fails, we attack until they submit. We do not kill them, as they may have knowledge of their leader and his plans.
Would it be usefull to use me as a distraction?. Seeing someone of my background may surprise them enough to give us an extra few seconds."
From: Randy
Subject Ambush
"We don't know what manner of creatures these are other than the fact that they are large and they hold large clubs." Ran speaks out loud but seems to be talking to himself. "We need to draw them out of hiding without allowing them to get the jump on us."
Speaking to the group he says "Harp, I think that you should approach ahead of the rest of us. Make a lot of noise and see if they may confuse you for an ally. As soon as they come out, Fal can attempt to put them to sleep. If he fails, we will open fire."
"Salix, will you take the rear and keep an eye out for anyone circling back behind us? If enemies approach from the rear then perhaps your god would favor us with another entanglement."
From: Karl
Subject Ambush
"I will do as you ask," Salix replies. He drops to the rear of the party and scans the area for any threats. He also nudges Noctis awake and sends him out into the trees as an added pair of eyes.
From: Kevin
Subject Ambush
Harp nods in agreement, thankful to be able to do something useful. He rides slightly ahead of the group, his crossbow loaded and cocked, but at his side so he can respond if he needs to.
As he rides forward, he will make comments about being chased by humans, cursing them, etc. trying to confuse the listening ambushers.
OOC: Mark, if Harp has any insignia on his armour, he will try to cover it with a cloak, clothing, shield, etc. If the mark is on his shield, he will remove his shield and hang it so the mark does not show.
From: Mark
Subject Ambush
OK I need to know how close every one is to each other. I know that Harp is out front and that Salix is going to be in the rear, but I would like a general lay out. How far ahead of the group is Harp? Is Salix trailing the group or is he just the last man in line? Where are the rangers?
The path is only about 15 feet wide at this point and has been for a while.There is only about another 5-10 feet on each side of the path before the slope starts to get fairly steep. There are trees up the hillside, but they are not as thick as they were a couple of days ago. Some of them are quite large though, on the range of 6-8 feet across. A person can climb here but horses would be useless off the path.
From: Karl
Subjest: Ambush
In that case, Salix would suggest tying off Surin's pony to his and having Surin try to climb up and see if he might be able to flank the ambushers.
He'll be the last man in line but staying relatively close to the rest of the group unless Ran wants him to do otherwise.
From: Randy
Subject Ambush
Ran agrees with Salix and says as much sending Surin to get in the treeline and sneak his way up to flank the attackers.
The group should be holding back as much as possible while still maintaining arrow and spell range (without penalties - so whatever range that would be). Salix should be just at the rear of the group, not really seperated from them. Ran, Cai, and Fal will take the lead of the group with Alatyr and Bel just behind. probably about a 5 foot seperation between each individual.
From: Kevin
Subject Ambush
OOC: Randy, I think the sleep spell has a medium range (100 ft or so), and most of our ranged weapons are 60 ft or so; I expect that Harp will stay 40-50 ft ahead of the group, making noise and trying to draw attention to himself.
Mark, as we move forward, when I finally encounter these guys, I would like Harp to respond loudly enough that the rest of the group will hear me. I will not let the ambushers know that I am being followed, I will just be trying to make enough noise for the others to hear.
From: Mark
Subject Ambush
Ok I get the idea. However, please remember this, Surin, if he is trying to keep hidden moves at 1/2 speed, which is 10, unless he wants to take penalties to move at normal speed, which his 20. Both of these speeds are on foot. Damn those short halfling legs. So is the party going to let Surin get a bit of a lead before they move out? And will they keep a slower pace so that he can keep up with them?
From what you said I am assuing that he will be moving down the side that the creatures are on, right?
From: Mark
Subject spell range
The range of your spell is 140 feet but the area of effect is a 10 foot radius burst. If you do not know how spread out the creatures are, targeting the spell at a spot you can not see would be difficult. You would be guessing as to where to center it. You would take a chance that you might miss one or both of the creatures. Of course there is also a chance that you would get one or both of the creatures. You do not know. :)
From: Randy
Subject Ambush
Yes, we will give Surin a head start but we will always stay in range so that he won't be in too much trouble if he is spotted. We will take it slow enough that Surin can keep pace with Harp.
From: Nate
Subject Ambush
Alatyr hears the news of the ambush ahead, and with news of the Lady Rochell still being alive, suggests the following:
"Let me at them. Let me charge their cause down their throat, and remind them that one does not simply steal a royalty and not recieve justice. Forget trying to be sneaky, or entangling them, we should meet this trouble head on."
OOC: Sorry for not being around. Had some problems with gmail while vacationing.
From: Randy
Subject Ambush
"Alatyr, we need to be smart about this. Their could be others waiting. If not, we will not be too long delayed by taking the time for caution."
Ran encourages Alatyr to take his place in the middle of the group and be prepared to fight if necessary.
From: Kevin
Subject Ambush
OOC: As I mentioned as Harp earlier, wait for these guys to attack or talk to me so we can determine where they are, then throw the sleep spell. If it gets me as will, so be it. I will try to stay far enough away that it will not hit me, but if it does, que sera sera.
From: Ami
Subject Ambush
Cai is confident with her composite long bow to a range of up to 160 feet, if necessary. But she would prefer to stay closer to Harp and cover him.
"If the others think this wise, I will stay behind within 30 feet of you as my aim is truer at that range, moving just off the path to avoid being seen, and so as not to be heard (move silently). I will keep an arrow notched and ready to fly as soon as they appear. They are large enough that I suspect one arrow would not kill them. If needs be, I could be ready to wound both quickly."
She wonders about Rochelle, with the torn clothing they discovered. How would such a lady fair under those circumstances, even if alive?
From: Mark
Subject Ambush
Ami
Are you going to be on foot? It would probably be possible, but you would move at 15 instead of 30, unless you wanted to take a large minus to you move silently roll. However, if Harp is moving slow enough then you could keep up with him, even moving silently.
It is impossible to move silently while on horse back.
From: Karl
Subject Ambush
And someone will have to take your horse if you move on foot. Salix already has his own and a pony. (FYI)
From: Kevin
Subject Ambush
Harp says to the group:
In order to best confuse the ambushers, I will dismount and walk my horse down the path, leading Stupid as I go. This will allow the rangers to shadow me on the sides and allow those of you following to keep with in range. I don't expect these two to be much of a problem, but if you hear me shout Angelwing, please come running.
From: Mark
Subject Map
Attached is a map of the site. Your party is moving from north to south. The green things are trees or large bushes. The grey things are large rocks or rock outcroppings. The large brown thing near the bottom is the fallen over tree trunk. Please let me know if I have your postitions correct. If not I will adjust before we go on.
I would also really like to hear from Abby or Jake. I do not like taking people into battle when their players are not around.
