Strangers get surprise and the start of round 1
Subject DM Magic
I wonder how many of you noticed the magical apperances of a couple of horses that had been left behind in the previous turn.
Ran and Fal did not urge their horses forward. They stepped forward themselves.
No one is on horses.
From: Kevin
Subject Strangers
Harp feels an odd sensation. This foreigner is speaking the "right" words, but something just does not feel right. Even with out the apparitions threat of another test, Harp would find it surprising to encounter another group right where a good camp site sits. One such occurance he could chalk up to fate, but two was down right odd. When Harp sees Ran and Kal start to move forward, he will try to think of some way to communicate to Ran that there is something "fishy" about these folks. He will also suggest that maybe they should go back and get their horses, giving them some time to talk amongst themselves.
From: Mark
Subject Harp
It is nice to see Harp back from his wanton debauchery in Key West. :)
From: Karl
Subject Harp
I *thought* I heard screaming coming from the South. ;-)
From: Kevin
Subject Harp
Funny thing was, it was PrideFest while we were down there. My mother in law had never been to Key West, and on her first trip, she caught some party beads thrown to her by an Elvis impersonator dressed in a pink jump suit. She believes that it will be very difficult to top that as far as unusually experiences go.
From: Mark
Subject Harp
Karl,
I did not know you were in Key West this past week end? ;)
From: Randy
Subject Strangers
Ran, taking heed of what Salix and Harp point out, replies "Let us go gather our horses. We have plenty of food for ourselves, but we will listen to your tale and help in what way we can."
With that, he turns and gestures for the companions to follow him back to the horses.
From: Karl
Subject Harp
I get around.
From: Karl
Subject Strangers
(OOC - is this pre-empting Salix's question to the group leader? Do we want to wait for his answer before returning for the horses?)
From: Randy
Subject Strangers
We will wait for the answer in order to appear polite.
From: Kevin
Subject Strangers
As the group turns to walk back to the horse, Harp decides that someone should keep an eye on these newcomers. As Ran and Salix pass him, he will offer to Ran "Sir, I will stay here and keep an eye on these folks. There is something "wrong" with these people, though I cannot put my finger on it. I will do nothing offensive. If I may, I would like to suggest that if Surin thinks he can make his way to one of the side of the clearing, it might worth our while. If they ask, we can tell them that he went to find some roots and spices for our dinner."
Harp will keep watch on the group down the way until the rest of the party returns with the horses.
OOC: Mark, the topography of the area is what? I thought you had written earlier that the other group was down in a shallow depression/valley/ low spot. Is that correct?
From: Mark
Subject Strangers
Yes.
However, your actions may be a bit early. I know what you want to do but wether you have time to do it is something else.
From: Kevin
Subject Strangers
OOC: I understand. At this point, all Harp knows is that the head of his group plans on saying that we are going to go back and get our horses. If we indeed are able to do that, I was giving my plan. If as we turn or do something else, these new folks take offense and begin an attack, then we will have to go to plan B.
So, in a normal strategic sense, we would have the high ground, for what little good it will do us.
From: Mark
Subject High ground
There is very little in D &D about how high ground affects combat. And it it not that high of ground. In small unit skirmishes, which is what most D&D combats are, elevation has very little to do with anything.
From: Kark
Subject High ground
Tell that to the witch in the Overlook campaign. ;-)
From: Mark
Subject High ground
Well flying is different. I am talking ground pounders here. Of course if you had a halfling half as tough as Melani, she would have wiped out this whole group before reporting back. :)
From: Karl
Subject Strangers
Yeah, yeah,
So what's their answer?????????
From: Mark
Subject Strangers
I am actually going to be working on it at lunch time. Which is in 23 minutes.
From: Mark
Subject Strangers, surprise and the start of round 1
There is confusion in the ranks. Noticing Ran and Kal taking some steps towards the strangers Salix whispers a little louder than he had intended "Keep your ground, and stay alert" He then turns to the strangers who are still advancing a little and yells ?"Thank you, but we have food enough to maintain ourselves," Salix calls out to the man who spoke."What is it you seek and how is it you think we may be of help to you?" (Diplomacy here, if it applies.)
The leader, still moving slowly towards the party says "I think you help us find where our prize is." They are now about 25 feet away from the party. Kendrick says something to his companions in their own language. Bel, Cai and Ran feel something strange in their minds, almost like a hammer blow that threatens to knock them out. Bel and Ran are able to shrug off the effect but Cai is not. (Will save DC9, Cai 8, Bel 18, Ran 17)
One of the men in the back races towards Cai. When the man is about 5 feet from Cai he jumps in the air and lashes out at Cai's head with his foot. His foot smashes into Cai's chin, snapping her head back.(AC 16, 22, hit, damage 3) The other man in the back row gestures at the party and a bolt of energy streaks from his outstretched hand and slams into Fal. (Damage 2)
End of surprise round
Round 1, Initiative (Stanger5, Ran, Bel, Stranger1, Stranger3, Harp, Kal, Stranger2, Stranger4, Rochelle, Surin, Salix, Cai, Fal) However Cai is dazed this round and can take no action.
The man standing next to Cai takes two quick punches. The first blow hits (AC16, 16, hit damage 4) but the second blow misses. (AC16, 9, miss)
OOD: Ok it is on. :) Let me know what you want to do.
From: Jake
Subject High ground
Surin pauses for a moment in his caber tossing to take umbrage at that remark.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 1
Harp, watching with dismay as those at the front of the party are attacked, lifts his skyward and asks for the help of the battlelord (Bless). He then aims his crossbow at 1) the opponent who fired the bolt of energy or 2) Kendrick (they guy in chain mail). He will then drop his crossbow and take a 5 foot step toward opponents, generally toward where Cai is (if allowed). If no one else has done so, he will also yell to Rochelle to move to the back of the group.
OOC: Mark, I am not sure who of the enemy I can shoot at with out risking hitting a fellow party member. My intent is the mage type first, chain mail second, and your choice of any of the plate guys or the monk type third.
Mark, can you give us a better descriptor of who is who on the other side - i.e. - plate armor is 1& 2, chain is #3, etc? As it is, we the players have no way of knowing if we would be able to attack a particular person without tripping over someone else.
From: Mark
Subject Round 1
I will make a new map tonight.
Stranger1 is in chain and that is Kendrick. Stranger2 and Stranger4 are in full plate. Stranger5 is the one attacking Cai. Stranger3 is the one that cast the spell.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 1
Thank you, that does make it a bit clearer.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 1
Did you have stranger 5 do their action for the first combat round already?
From: Karl
Subject Round 1 and Map
IS there a map for this?
From: Karl
Subject Round 1
In the interest of expediency, I'll explain what Salix wants to do. If you want me to clarify after the new map, I will:
Salix curses himself for not having seen that coming. His hand already on the holy symbol on his armored chest, he prays to Obad Hai for the blessing of the animated forest once again. (Entangle) He will try to center the effect to cover as many of the enemy as possible without hindering his own party.
From: Mark
Subject Round 1
You did see the initiative order right?
From: Karl
Subject Round 1
Hmmm. Well, can I say that this will be Salix intention unless the two groups are too integrated in melee by the time he can take his action, and if they are too integrated he will cast Heat Metal on the two in full plate, if they are close enough to each other (30 feet).
If I can't submit an "either or" type turn, just go with "Heat Metal".
From: Mark
Subject Round 1
He can do an either or. I will take it under advisement. :)
From: Ran
Subject Round 1
Ran, being very near to Cai, will draw his sword and attack the man who kicked her.
If it looks like anyone is going after Rochelle, Ran will call to Harp to protect her.
From: Derrell
Subject Round 1
Fal launches Magic Missile at the guy who attacked him.
From: Derrell
Subject Strangers
Fal is wary of the strangers. What if their employer is the person who paid for Rochelle's kidnapping, he thinks to himself.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 1 and hero worship
When Harp grows up, he wants to be like Salix. When his entangle spell will not suffice, he decides to make the two best armored guys into human sauna's. How great is that. All Harp can do is cast a puny bless spell and put a band aid on a couple of cuts. Worthless, I tell you, worthless.
From: Josh
Subject Round 1
Kal will follow Ran's lead. When Harp suggests he stay behind, Kal responds: "If you don't trust these people it would seem unwise to have only one of us stay behind. They could most likely overpower just one of us. I suggest that I stay behind with you, or that we both leave. I don't think we'd gain much with one person watching them."
From: Mark
Subject Round 1 map
Ok here is the updated map. It shows only the movement of Stranger5, who beat up on Cai some.
Others will move, including party members when I get their turn.
I still not heard from Jason, Rob or Jake. Jason is not really needed this turn since Cai is stunned.
Josh are you going to send in something for the first round of combat?
From: Josh
Subject Round 1
Kal draws his rapier, and tries to get back to protect Rochelle. If he has time he'll cast magic missle at someone.
OOC: I'll probably expand on this a bit when you send out the map.