On the run
Subject On the run
As we run, I'll reposition myself behind Rochelle. I'll keep pace with Salix and let him lead us out.
From: Josh
Subject on the run
Kal quickly speaks "We should retreat to an area where we can surround him. Any open area will do. I think all of us can take on one half-orc without too much trouble."
When we find the open area, Kal will have Rochelle(or anyone else) spread his caltrops in the most likely spot the half-orc would approach from. Meanwhile he'll cast alarm in the area so we know when the half-orc is near. When the half-orc gets within range, Kal will cast Magic Missle. If there is no one else stepping in for close melee with the Half-Orc, Kal will, otherwise he'll hang back in order to cast scorching ray.
From: Rob
Subject On the run
I was wondering...how far of a lead do we have from the boss at this point? In Bel's assesment, would he have time to plant and fire two arrows at the boss, and then run away without falling too far behind the others.. in other words, would the boss be able to catch up if he did so?
If Bel thinks he can take two shots at the boss and still stay ahead of the half-orc, he will...if not then he will fire one...once again if he thinks he can safely.
If not he runs ahead to Harp at full speed, ahead of the others, and helps Harp ready the horses.
From: Karl
Subject On the run
Well that's certainly exciting. I'd love to actually see the film of that scene that was playing in my mind as I read it.
From: Kevin
Subject On the run
OOC: Mark, I think some response to when we wer exiting the camp got mixed in with action after we left the camp. Here is how I see things right now.
The group, at least roughly, is about 600-700 feet east of the camp, most of them hustling, Surin running his little legs off. The 1/2 orc boss just vaulted the wall of the camp and has just started running toward us. We still have another 600-700 feet to get to where the horses are.
Right?
Guys, when and if Mark confirms this, Surin will have a suggestion to help give us some space.
From: Mark
Subject On the run
At this point the party is approximatly 720 feet from the camp where the 1/2 orc just landed outside of the gate. Bel would have time to plant and take a full round action to shoot twice. However, I am going to send out an e-mail with some info on ranges. Then you can make your decision.
From: Mark
Subject On the run.
Correct. The party is 720 feet to the east of the camp. The have been running/hustling for 9 rounds. The 1/2 orc just jumped down from the watch tower and is starting to move your way.
From: Mark
Subject Ranges
Ok a small primer on ranges.
All missile weapons have range increments. Bows and crossbows can shoot up to a max of 10 X the range increment. For a normal longbow with a range increment of 100 feet that means that they can shoot up to 1000 feet. For every 100 feet past the first the get a cumulative -2 to hit, so at the max range they are -20 to hit.
The same basic math applies to all ranged weapons. Light crossbows with an increment of 80 can shoot up to 800 feet, but at -20.
Both Cai and Bel have the Far shot feat which means that their range increments are 50% longer than the standard for their weapon.
Bel uses the standard long bow but with his feat his range increment is 150 feet. He can fire upto 1500 feet at -20. Cai has an even longer range since she has a composite longbow.
Hand propelled missile weapons, such as thrown daggers, axes and slings, only get 5 range increments.
The half orc is just at 5 range increments for Cai, so she would be at -10 to hit. The same applies for Bel. He is at 9 increments for Ran with his crossbow, so he would be -18.
My assumption is that any one who is trained in a missile weapon would know all about the ranges they can reach and how such ranges affect their chances to hit. The characters would not know the specific numbers, but they would know that at over 700 feet their chance to hit is reduced dramatically.
From: Kevin
Subject On the run
Surin will keep running as fast as he can but trying to stay close to Salix. When and if he hears something from one of the others that the 1/2 orc is following them, he will say to Salix, panting as he does so "Salix, d'ya think Obad-Hai might heed a hasty request to help slow that beast down? He don't seem none to happy with us and I'm guessin' that he might want his "property" back. If you could bring these here plants alive and have them hold him, like ye did back with them orcs, I would be mighty appreciative"
From: Derrell
Subject Spell
Fal can use his Grease spell to slow up the pursuer.
OOC: Can the spell be cast while moving, or would i have to stop?
From: Mark
Subject spell
You can, but do you.
You would have to stop to cast. The range is 35 feet.
From: Karl
Subject Spell
Salix, still running, roles his eyes. Why does everyone think me a tool to be used as they best see fit, he thinks to himself. Have I not proven that I know my own abilities and can decide how best to serve the group without being told each step I should take? "There are many manifestations of the powers of Obad-Hai, my friend," he says in response. "I'm sure we'll see more than one this evening."
From: Mark
Subject On the run
This is the start of round 10. Initiative(Surin 24, Fal 20, Bel 18, Ran 16, ? Orc 16, Harp 16, Cai 13, Kal 12, Rochelle 11, Salix 4). I am going to be doing several rounds in a row. As the pursuit progresses I will stop and let players decide what to do.
Surin continues to run towards the east. As he runs he sees the shadowy form of Ebon swoop down and veer a little to the left. ?The hawk my Lady. Follow the hawk, he knows the way to the horses.? Rochelle looks at the halfling but nods and adjusts her course.
Fal huffs as he runs. All of a sudden Lenore appears in front of him and swoops a bit to the left. Fal, trusting his familiar, changes course to follow the bird. Up ahead he can see a group of horses.
?I am going to go ahead and help Harp get the horses ready? Bel says to Ran. At Ran's nod he heads off at full speed.
Ran thinks about what Bel said and yells over to Cai and Salix. ?You two should go ahead with Rochelle and Bel and get the horses ready. Kal and I will stay with Surin.? As Ran hustles along he is able to get another bold loaded into his crossbow.
The ? orc runs with amazing speed. He seems to fly over the ground, covering what looks like twice the distance the party did in the same amount of time.
Harp sees Fal only a couple of hundred feet away and the rest of the party about half way to where he is. He starts to get the horses ready. His crossbow is loaded at his side.
At Ran's command Cai, Salix and Rochelle dash forward at full speed.
Kal stays with Surin and Ran.
Round 11
Surin continues running his little legs into the ground.
Fal sees Harp in the moonlight getting the horses ready. He shouts ?They should be right behind me if everything went well.?
Bel, Cai, Salix and Rochelle continue following Ebon towards where the horses are, running at full speed.
Ran and Kal keep up with Surin, silently wishing the little halfling could run just a little faster. As they are moving they keep looking over their shoulders, watching the progress of the ? orc.
The ? orc continues speeding towards the party. In the moonlight they can see some type of weapon in his hand. It looks small in his grasp, until they realize that the brute is close to 7? tall. Ran mutters under his breath ?Look how fast he moves.?
Harp hears Fal's shouts and continues untying the horses from the tree they were hitched to.
Round 12
Taking a quick glance back over his shoulder, Surin sees that the ? orc has made considerable progress to where the horses are. He hopes they can make it there before the brute catches them.
Fal runs up to where Harp. Harp says ?Here you get the horses loose. I am going to see if I can slow that brute down some.? With that Harp steps away from the tree a bit and pulls up his crossbow.
Bel, Cai, Salix and Rochelle keep running towards the horses. They can see Fal already there and Harp standing with his crossbow aimed almost at a 45 degree angle. As the run Salix tells Rochelle ?My Lady, when we get to the horses, you need to ride. We will join you if we can, but you must get away. Head east until you get to Camlost. You can probably find help there.?
Kal and Ran keep pace with Surin. Ran watches as the ? orc seems to speed along, gaining quickly. ?Damn, I hope we get there in time.? He is trying to figure out if they will make it, and if not what type of defense they can set up.
The ? orc makes more progress towards the party. They hear shouting from the brute. ?Bring back my prize. Dargrak will chop you all to little pieces. You tell god-man that he not take girl without pay.?
Harp sites down his crossbow and lets fly. He watches as his bolt sails over the head's of his friends and fall about 10 yards short of the ? orc. He curses himself for forgetting how far he could shoot and loads another bolt.
Round 13
Surin turns back to watch where he is going. Luckily the night is bright and the plain is fairly smooth. Not much place to hide out here he thinks.
Fal has most of the horses untied and just loosely tethered to the tree. A quick pull on the reins and a person could mount. He looks at the party running towards him and at how fast the ? orc is gaining. He decides to follow Harp's lead and shoot at the brute. He grabs at the crossbow at his side and starts to raise it and pulls the trigger as he does. The bolt smashes into the ground at his feet.(AC11, 2-13= -11, miss). Cursing his clumsiness he reloads.
Bel, Cai, Salix and Rochelle continue their run. Bel puffs out ?We will be there in a few seconds.?
Ran and Kal continue shadowing Surin. They both are keeping an eye on the ? orc, noting it progress towards them.
Harp takes aim again and lets another bolt fly.(AC11, 1-13 = -12, miss) His bolt flies over the head of Dargrak. He quickly reloads.
Round 14
Surin sees Harp up ahead and hope burns in his chest. At least if they get caught the brute will be out numbered.
Fal gets off a shot this time. However the range does him and and the bolt fall's short. (AC11, 12-9=3, miss) He grabs another bolt from his belt quiver and reloads.
Bel, Cai,Salix and Rochelle run up to where the horses are. ?Salix, would you please get the Lady mounted and on her way. Cai and I will do what we can to slow this Dargrak.? With that both rangers turn and prepare to shoot at the ? orc.
Ran sees Rochelle and the rangers reach the horses and breaths a little sigh of relief. At least she should be able to get away. Now he would need to make sure of it.
Kal keeps pace with Ran and Surin, thinking what magic he knew that could aid them
Dargrak keeps running. He seems to fly over the plain. The large two headed axe is clearly visible in his hand..
Harp sights again and takes another shot. Again the range causes problems and the bolt falls short.(AC11,11-9=2, miss) He reloads again.
Round 15
Surin can see the horses just ahead. He keeps moving as fast as he can.
Fal takes another shot, and this shot comes close to hitting but seems to bounce off the brute as well.(AC11, 11-1=10, miss) Fal reloads, murmuring to himself, ?Just a little closer and I'll show you a real missile.?
Bel takes aim, trying to adjust for the range. He releases two quick shots. The first strikes home.(AC11, 20+1=21,hit, critical threat, Critical threat roll, 18+1=19, critical hit. Damage 12) The arrow passes through the arm of the brute, but he hardly slows down. The second arrow seems to bounce of his chest, doing no damage.(AC11, 9+1=10,miss)
Ran sees the four party members shooting behind him and hopes a few of them connect. Maybe he will slow down once he has a few arrows in him.
Dargrak howls in rage at the arrow hit and continues running after the party, shouting obscenities and curses as he goes.
Harp lets go with another bolt.(AC9, 12-1=11, hit, damage 2) The bolt flies by the brute, barely grazing him. Grinning that he finally hit something, Harp reloads
Cai also makes two quick shots. The first goes wide(AC9, 1+1=2, miss) but the second hits(AC9, 10+1=11, hit, damage 4) The arrow put a small cut on the arm of the ? orc but does no serious damage.
Kal keeps up with Ran and Surin, trying to decide which spell to use first.
Salix starts to help Rochelle mount the horse that is closest to her. ?I know how to ride, help your companions.? With that she swings herself into the saddle.
Salix grins at the feisty girl and turns to see what is happening.
OODM: Ok I think I have progressed it enough. Salix, Harp, Fal, Cai and Bel are all at the horses. Ran, Kal and Surin are about 120 feet away. The ? orc is still over 350 feet away but moving fast.
From: Josh
Subject On the run
Kal will get keep running toward everyone else, staying pace with Surin. As he's running he asks Ran: "Fight or run?"
If we're gonna fight, Kal will slow down as he reaches a good battle ground ( any wide open space where they can surround the half orc ) and quickly spread the caltrops behind him. He'll continue forward another 20 or 30 feet (whatever the area allows), draw his rapier, and prepare to cast scorching ray.
If we're running Kal will just hop on his horse and get out of there.
From: Derrell
Subject spell
If the enemy is a considerable distance behind us, I'm not going to stop and wait for him to catch up. If he gets within range of my Grease spell, I'll cast it.
From: Jason
Subject On the run
Cai admires the woman's strength of character, thinking to herself that it was good that despite her station, Rochelle had managed to learn some useful skills and take care of herself. Despite that, she wonders if it wouldn't be best if at least one member of their company were accompanying her. Shrugging off the thought and deciding to let Ran decide, she will at least have Grey follow her (assuming Grey is awake, which I'm not quite sure of actually.)
She wonders if they will stay to confront the brute, or if they will follow quickly after Rochelle. For now, she'll continue to fire as quickly as possible. If the other members of the party close with the orc, she will summon a wolf to aid them, trying to place it so that it will block the orcs path, if this is necessary, or flank it if he stops to fight.