Aftermath at the Hill, Melani's Plan
Subject: Start up
So when is every one gettting back to work so we can get back to playing? :)
Mark
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Start up
Present and accounted for, SIR!
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Start up
I'm sitting at my desk as we speak, ready to role play!
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Pensive runs after the wolf, and although he has never met a man outside his order that can best him in a footrace, he can barely keep up with the swift animal. It is still several dozen yards ahead when it reaches the fallen swordsman, and before Pensive can reach him, Tichenor casually rips out his throat. Pensive arrives only in time to hear the man's final gurgle. Tichenor looks up at the monk, his mouth hanging open in a blood soaked grin. There is no hatred or anger in the animal's eyes. He is only acting by the simple set of rules that allow for survival in a very harsh world. Pensive sees the bond the animal shares with Rennik, and finally understands something about the halfling. Under the skin, the small warrior and this wolf shared a simple, brutal view of existence. And one that is not unjustified, considering the world in which they lived. Rennik would expect an enemy to tear out his throat, should he fall, and so would fight like a demon to the bitter end to keep it from happening. It is a new thing for Pensive, this necessary brutality. One he must think on more, if he is to live in this world outside the order.
Osred prays over Vincy, his hands glowing with the warm healing granted by Hieronious [Use entropic shield; healed 7]. Vincy takes in a huge gasping breath, and rolls over coughing. "You ok, boy?" Osred asks. Vincy nods, but keeps coughing for a bit. He looks like he'll make it. Osred then turns his attentions to Melani, and seeing the extent of her wounds, offers up a more powerful prayer for aid [Use protection from energy; Healed 26]. The little halfling's eyes open wide as her wounds knit and close in seconds. She bows low when the priest is done, surprised by the power of his god. In the forest, her people dismissed the gods of the humans. She would not make that mistake again.
Garyth takes a final look around at the battlefield. All his men are on their feet again. Melani and Rennik are already stripping the bodies of the fallen of their clothing. Osred is helping Vincy back over to the group. It seems the Falcon's are gathering around him, probably waiting for orders. Garyth starts to speak, then stops. He doesn't want to say anything that Rennik or Osred will feel the need to dispute, and that makes him even angrier at himself. A good leader speaks without fear. Hesitation is a luxury that those in charge cannot afford.
Behind him he hears a thump, and turns around to see Pickle sitting down and holding his throat in both hands. He has a strange expression on his face. He keeps running his hands across the newly formed scar there, as if trying to convince himself that it won't burst open and pour out his lifeblood again. Osred and Vincy arrive, and the priest says, "Back on your feet, Pickle, there's work to be done, lad, before we can rest." Pickle looks up at the big sergeant, a strange and distant expression on his face. "Kenneth. My name is Kenneth. I don't think I want to be called Pickle any more. I never did like that, you know." Osred's face softens, and he reaches down to help pull the man back to his feet. "Aye, Kenneth it is. Now back on your feet, lad."
Munch looks around him at the many bodies. He gives a low whistle, and turns back to Garyth. "So many of 'em, and us all here breathin'. Beggin' your pardon, sir, but do you think this'll be a permanent assignment for you? I'd very much like to stay in your squad, if you think I've given good service, and all. I bet the other lads feel the same." Vincy and Kenneth nod, "Aye, captain. If you still want us after this, we'd like to stay with you." Garyth looks at Osred, and the sergeant grins and says, "You keep all your men alive like this, and you'll get very popular."
Robert finishes making his way down the hill, and runs over. He slaps Vincy on the back once and throws an arm around Munch's shoulders. "Well that was a hell of a row! Glad to see you slow moving pincushions didn't get too many holes poked in you! Now where is this demon shagging witch that needs bleeding?"
[It's been a while since the last turn, so I want to sort of start from here. Jake, send me any further healing requests, now that I've done Melani and Vincy. I did not do one for Garyth. Also, a firmed up plan on how to set the ambush for the witch would be fabulous, as well as any additional post battle RP. As always, I am generous with the xp for those who are generous with the rp. :)]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
| Current HP: | |
|---|---|
| Garyth | 50/-39 |
| Pensive | 38/-6 |
| Rennik | 52/-11 |
| Tichenor | 20/-7 |
| Osred | 48/-10 |
| Melani | 36/-1 |
| Vincy | 20/-17 |
| Robert | 31 |
| Pickle | 20/-16 |
| Munch | 31/-25 |
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Good to be back in the RPing saddle. Ty, if you'll send me updated HP info for the various characters (I know you sent it to me a while back, but I'm having trouble finding it), I'll write up a turn tonight.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Ah, should have read the next message. Turn forthcoming.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Melani feels Osred lay his hands on her and start his prayer. Used to the minor healing of the Belneth, she is unprepared for the power of this cleric. She feels the healing heat surge through her. A look of amazment comes into her eyes as she sees all the scrapes, cuts and bruises change color, scab over and heal before her eyes. "Friend Osred, I thought to get just a little healing, but your god has made me almost as good as new. I thank you for this."
She bows deeply and then turns to help Rennik with the dead. She wants to talk with him about the ambush.
"Chordath, would you hear my thoughts on how we might suprise the witch? I am thinking that we need a distraction and if you are willing, you should be that distraction.
Our big freind Osred should wear the armor of the brute, while the rest of the humans should try to look as much like this rabble as possible. We should put a few of the dead bodies around the camp, maybe sitting down or something. We can probably even have the elf wear some type of armor to hide him. Make him sit down or something so his size does not show. Then we should have Osred and a couple of the Falcons act like they caught you and are having a bit of fun with you. We want the witch's attention focused on the group, maybe mad that they are not paying attention to her. If she thinks that the brute has caught a spy and is interogating him, she may not be worried. I would be waiting, hiding under the wagon I think, trying to get in an attack at her back. The Lt. should be carrying his bow so that he can get a shot at her as well. We would have your bow around as well so that you could get it fairly easily. The rest of the men would also be armed. Do you think you could get your wolf to play dead? It already has enough blood on it to look like it was hurt."
"What say you?"
OOC: The basic idea is to have it look like the guards have surrounded Rennik and that their attention is focused on him, so that the witch will also focus on Rennik and not the men.
Mark
Pensive and the Wolf, Much Healing
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Pensive sinks down by the fallen man's side, wrinkling his nose at the stench. "Well, wolf," he says, looking Tichenor in the eye. He trails off for a moment, then loops the stonesash over the man's chest, and under his arms.
"The difference between you and I, wolf," he says, as he begins dragging the body back to the dugout, "is not that I would have let this man go free. The difference is that if I killed him, it would be done for more than just the brutal necessities of war. Was it really even neccessary to rip this fellow's throat out? Hmm? Some would argue that it was, pending our ambush of the witch. But that smacks more of a killing of convenience, not a neccessary brutality. We killed this man to keep him from alerting her. But we men are cognizant and imaginitive creatures-- much of our thinking lives are spent coming up with alternatives to neccessary brutalities. That's how civilizations flourish and remain stable."
He pauses a moment to wipe the sweat from his face. "I hope you'll forgive my rambling. I was talking about the differences between us, wasn't I? Do you see that body up on that rise over there? I killed that man because he attacked me. I was ready to kill
the alchemist that had been holed up in his wagon. Those were neccessary brutalities, because in the end, we came here to stop the witch's attacks and both those men stood up in opposition to us. But killing this man, after he had been knocked unconscious was. . . graceless.
"It's graceless because. . ." and for a moment, Pensive flounders. Was it really that different? All this talk of coming up with alternatives to neccessary brutalities, and had he even tried to come up with alternatives to killing the alchemist? Or the soldier on the rise? No-- he hadn't even offered the men a chance to surrender. Weren't these men, not beasts? They had access to the same reasoning facilities that Pensive had-- shouldn't they have been allowed the opportunity to offer their allegiance to a better cause? What if these were not soldiers at all, but conscripts forced to fight for the Pathless?
Pensive continues dragging the dead, stinking body across the dust and patches of grass. But he is silent in thought, now. Conscripts or no, the army of the Sandtaken was a threat to Huss. He should not forget that, in all his grand. . . niceness. Pensive spits. He was no savage. What was the balancing line between necessary brutality and wanton mercy? The man the wolf had killed could have easily alerted the witch, and what were they to do with him if they took him prisoner? Was it really feasible to demand that a trial be held on each and every Pathless soldier to determine if they were worthy of death?
Pensive grunts as he hauls the dead body over a patch of rocky ground. "War," he pants, "sharpens boundaries through neccessity. I think I see that now. I cannot spend so much time bawling over the perhaps-circumstances of these men that I loose focus of the fact that they have in fact, aligned themselves with the Pathless. However, I hope you'll understand, wolf, and your master as well, that I do intend to show mercy where I can. I would have shown this man mercy, because. . . because I could not countenance killing him in cold blood. It is not in me to do so, no matter the reason. What is it in you that affords you this capability?"
A bloody, wolfish grin is all the answer that Pensive receives. Was that it then? No logical reason for his actions, no defineable method for determining when to show mercy, and when neccessity demanded brutality? Just, 'it is not in me?'
This was new territory for him-- and for the Path of Blood and Stone, he realizes. There was nothing in their history that dealt with warfare or armies. The body behind him snags on a rock buried in the ground-- Pensive takes a moment to free it. And then continues trudging on back to the dugout.
He deposits the body in front of Rennick. "Here is the body of the man your wolf killed," he says plainly.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Osred nods at Melani's words. "Hironeous smiles on you, little one. You made him proud with the boldness you showed in attacking the brute."
As Vincy lets forth another round of explosive coughs, Osred turns back to him. "Gods boy, you'll wake the dead with that cough, and we'll have to kill them all over again," he says, laughing. "Come here." He places his palm against the soldier's chest, closes his eyes, and says a quick prayer [sacrifice 1st level Shield of Faith for Cure Light Wounds]. As he feels the warmth fade from his hands he stands, his eyes seeking the captain. He starts to head toward him, but winces are his armor shifts, putting pressure on the shaft of the arrow that still protrudes from his back. Gritting his teeth, he resumes his path.
"Captain?" he says, approaching Garyth, "Let Hironeous lift some of the pain from your shoulders--we need you hale and whole if we're to bring down this witch." Placing his hands over the worst of Garyth's wounds, the divine energy seems to flow through him almost unbidden [sacrifice 3rd level Magic Circle Against Evil for Cure Serious Wounds], before he can even close his eyes. He shudders with joy as the pale flame of Hironeous' grace washes across his vision, rendering the scene before him pale and unreal. He holds his hands in place for a few moments after the healing has occurred, half smiling, his eyes focused elsewhere. With a shake of his head he comes back to himself and surveys the rest of the group.
"Kenneth, Munch, you both look worse for the wear. You fought valiantly today, and both of you deserve what healing the god will give you. Come here lads." He touches first one and then the other, giving them what healing he can spare [sacrifice 1st level Remove Fear and Divine Favor, both for Cure Light Wounds]. When the healing energy has flowed he begins to turn away, then winces again. "One of you do me a favor and pull this arrow, would you?"
[OOC: Osred has a couple of healing potions, but it reluctant to use them since they'll probably be needed after we finish with the witch. Likewise, he's reluctant to burn through any more of his spells for healing purposes. I'll see how the roles go, though, before I decide what else to do healing wise.]
IC: Once the arrow has been removed he ignores the wound completely, turning his attention on Melani as she lays out her plan for the ambush. He nods noncommitally and turns his attention to Garyth, obviously waiting to hear if their leader endorses the halfling's plan, or puts forth one of his own.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Pensive frowns at the idea of wearing armor, but he holds his tongue. This halfling would not be the one to make an objection to, anyway. He moves away from Rennick and Melani, up the hill to the swordsman he'd killed, and drags the body down to the dugout to lay with the other dead bodies in the dust.
Then he approaches the priest. Osred, was it? "I have some healing kits, priest," he says softly. "Who among these men needs aid the most?"
Rennik Explodes
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Pensive frowns at the idea of wearing armor, but he holds his tongue. This halfling would not be the one to make an objection to, anyway. He moves away from Rennick and Melani, up the hill to the swordsman he'd killed, and drags the body down to the dugout to lay with the other dead bodies in the dust.
Then he approaches the priest. Osred, was it? "I have some healing kits, priest," he says softly. "Who among these men needs aid the most?"
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
[OOC-In D&D terms, what do these healing kits do? Am I right in thinking that they stabalize the person they're applied to, if they're at negative HP, but don't give any immediate benefit in terms of HP?]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
8-0
I think you might be right, after looking at the Opeen Source Heal skill. . . huh. I thought that Mission used a couple of healing kits to regain HP, though.
Rats.
From: Mark
Subject: Where is everyone?
I see Jake and Scott and myself. Where is Matt? I know Mike has a new job.
Ty I guess you could go back for a while and take care of Raja and Karl in the city. They have not had a whole lot to do for a long time.
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
As Rennik listens to Melani's plan, he wonders if it wouldn't be better for him to hide in the wagon with bow drawn.
"If she is flying in, and something goes wrong, we need all the shooters we can manage. You and I can hide in the wagon. I don't think Friend Osred is large enough to disguise himself as the Brute, either - perhaps propping the dead body as though it were resting against something. That might provoke the hellspawn's anger at his laziness. Also, if we..."
As Pensive returns to camp hauling the dead body, Rennik stares at the elf in disbelief, trying his best to control a frustration that has left him near speachless.
He had dragged a dead body, trailing blood, through the grass over a hundred yards back to the camp... what could have *possibly* possessed him to do such a thing? Were there no bushes to stow the body under where the man fell? Did he expect them to perform a funerary ceremony here by the wagon before the witch returned? Everyone was trying to make it look like a fight never happened, hiding bodies and kicking dirt over bloodied ground, and this green, senseless elf was strewing blood willy-nilly and dragging bodies back *to* the ambush site....
Rennik is apoplectic.
"What in the seven hells are you doing, elf?! Maybe after you've trailed a bloody path to the ambush site from each of those bodies and piled them high by the fire, you can scrawl 'hellbitch your time is up!' on the canvas of the wagon! Or is there some spellweaving you know to write it in flaming letters in the sky?!"
Rennik immediately sets to shoving the corpse under the wagon and covering the bloody path by kicking dirt over it - hoping to somehow hide the traces that a dead bloody litterally oozing blood from a gaping throat wound had been dragged back to camp. He is distracted totally from his discussion with Melani.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Garyth looks at the faces of the men, sees something in their faces. Respect, maybe. Admiration. Trust. But it's misplaced. These men are alive more through their own skill and that of Rennik and Melani than by anything he might have done. And he'd tell him that if there were any way to do it without making more of a mess of things than he already has. Men need a strong leader, a wise leader. Seeing Garyth's weakness would only confuse them, make them doubt themselves. So even though it is no different than lying to their faces, he holds his tongue and tries to endure the burning in his soul. It's a small price to pay, really, if it will help these men.
Hearing Melani's plan, he begins to think. It's not a bad plan, but the group needs to make better use of their archers. Of course, he's barely even had time to realize that before Rennik is saying as much--once again showing how slow Garyth's own tactical mind is. He opens his mouth to agree with the halfling when Pensive drops the body before Rennik. Garyth isn't fast enough to stop Rennik from boiling over, but he quickly interposes himself between the two.
"We've no time for this," Garyth says. He turns to Pensive. "As long as we are in harm's way we must be a team. Doing otherwise puts us all at risk. You may think what you like, but if you cannot put aside your feelings long enough to keep from endangering this group, then you will keep out of the way until you've time to leave."
Not that, somewhere inside, he didn't agree with Pensive. Garyth had grown up with ideas of honor and chivalry, and Rennik's brutality often left him feeling unsettled. But now he was responsible for lives other than his own; not only the men in his command, but the people of Overlook, and he could not afford to let his own morals get in the way of protecting them.
More Planning, Pensive Searches the Wagon
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Pensive's face flushes with embarassment and anger at the halfling's words. What exactly did the halfling want him to cover the body with out there? Rocks? The witch that could somehow see trails of blood in the dust was expected not to see an obvious body laying not far from her camp? Pensive drowns his anger with a sharp intake of breath, and begins, "Rennick, if I've--"
He is utterly unprepared for Garyth's barrage. "We've no time for this. As long as we are in harm's way we must be a team. Doing otherwise puts us all at risk. You may think what you like, but if you cannot put aside your feelings long enough to keep from endangering this group, then you will keep out of the way until you've time to leave."
Endangering the group? Pensive feels Garyth's critiscism like a slap. What had he done to endanger the group? What thoughts and feelings was Garyth alluding to? Surely the guardsman hadn't heard him talking out loud to to the wolf, and even if he had, Pensive had said nothing that could possibly be considered dangerously prejudiced against the halflings.
Pensive swallows down his anger again. Wisdom and caution were needed here, not ferocity. Garyth was correct on the most important point. They had no time for bickering or blame-laying. And now was not the time to damage Garyth's standing with his soldiers by pointing out the injustice of his demands. Pensive nods solemnly at the young soldier, and then turns to Rennick. "There is a body at the top of the rise as well. Unless Mistress Melani wishes it for her. . . ruse, I will conceal it as best I can behind the bushes there."
He will wait a moment for any further tongue-lashing, then go and hide the body. He will retrieve his bow as well.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Melani will do whatever Garyth tells her to do. She has given her ideas but will submit to the will of the chief. She will, however, keep an eye out for a really good hiding place.
OOC: Ty, how close is Osred to being the same size as the 1/2 orc? Osred is listed as being 6'7"tall and 260lbs. I would guess that the 1/2 orc would be a bit heavier, but was he that much taller? I still think Osred could put on the 1/2 orc armor. Maybe over his own.
Remember this does not have to last for very long. Melani is +12 to hit with her bow and if there is surprise, she gets +2d6 damage.
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Of course, you're assuming that the witch doesn't have Protection from Normal Missiles still active from her latest engagement with the army.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Nothing a couple of fireball blasts wouldn't cure.
Oh wai
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
If she has that then we are all screwed. Except that Melani's bow is a +1 bow and IIRC that makes her arrows magical, in which case they would bypass that spell. :)
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Pensive wants me to point out that he made this very observation to Garyth before they even attacked the witch's camp.
Alas, you've hurt his feelings-- he's sulking up there on top of the hill. Expect no further strategic help from the elf for a while, you meanies.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
OOC: That spell last 1 hour/level of the caster and prevents 10 points/level of caster in damage reduction. So if she is 10th level it would last for 10 hours and take 100 points of missle damage to get through the spell.
We can do that.:)
Rennik and Melani both have Rapid shot, Garyth gets 2 shots per round and Pensive gets 1 shot, so that is 8 shots between the four of us. Robert and Pickle both would get a shot. That would be just in the surprise round when her dex bonus would not count and we might get a bonus to attack.
We can still take her. :) It is just one witch. ;)
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
It took us ~three rounds to do 25 points of damage to the barbarian.
And he wasn't flying around casting spells at us.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
We could not surprise the Barbarian. And we were shooting at other troops as well.
I still think we can take her. Osred will summon some flying creature to drag her down. :)
What, do you want to live forever?
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Osred, glowering at Pensive, seems about to speak when Garyth cuts in with his repremand. He nods at the captain's words, hocks, and spits a thick mass of phlegm to one side. "Captain, what'll it be? Unless someone here is handy with disguises I think I'll have a hard time passing as the brute, but I'm willing to give it a try if you think it best. I've used more of the power Hironeous granted me today in healing the men than I'd've liked, but I've got a couple of tricks up my sleeve that may catch the bitch by surprise. Do we have any reports of the types of attacks she's used on the troops? Might be good to know the sort of thing we can expect from her."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
The half orc was a couple inches taller, and fifty or so pounds heavier than osred.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Guys that is my point. We want her to think that the 1/2 orc is alive. As long as she does that she will probably land. Things can not look like nothing happened. Too many bodies laying around, too much blood. But if we can give her a reason to think something else, she might buy it. A bloodied 1/2 orc "interogating" a prisoner, while the buddies look on is somehthing that will divert her attention. Even a few boides laying around might not be such a bad thing. As long as she assume the 1/2 is still in command I would think she would land to see what happened.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
I should point out that the half orc's skin was a grayish green in color, and that his eyes were blood red.
There are more than a few cosmetic differences from Osred.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Osred and Garyth would know that the witch has been attacking the cavalry with firebombs.
Clearly she is saving her own magic.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
OOC:
Osred heals:
Vincy 9 points
Garyth 18 points
Kenneth 3 points
Munch 5 points
IC:
The men nod and smile at Osred as he moves through them bestowing Hieronious' grace upon them. Vincy opens up the straps of the priests armor, and removes the arrow sticking through his back plate. He then wraps a quick bandage about Osred's waist, covering the wound, and reclasps the armor.
Pensive offers his healing kits, but Osred replies, "When we have time to rest and care for the men, those kits will be most helpful. For now, with battle soon to come upon us again, my God's grace must suffice."
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Whereas Osred is really pale, has blue eyes, and no tusks.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
I don't have my player's handbook on me, but doesn't Cure Light Wounds do 1d8 +1 HP per level of the caster? If that's the case, wouldn't Kenneth and Munch have taken at least 7 hp of healing apiece?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Actually, it maxes out at +5, but that means that I still gave them 4 too few. I've updated their totals accordingly.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
No. oddly enough I did Garyth's correctly. (it is +1 per level up to a max of +15) His includes the +6.
From: Mark
Subject: Disguise
I guess I am not being that clear. We do not need Osred to pass up close, only at a distance. The skin is the biggest problem. He would have to have his back to her most of time and be sort of hunched over so that the height diff would not show. A cloack or something would probably hide the skin color difference.
I guess my thought was to get her on the ground. I would think that when she comes back she would expect some reaction from the brute and we need to give her a reason as to why the brute is not responding.
Just ideas. I am willing to listen to anyones who has some.
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Aftermath at the hill
Good to know. I've updated my character sheet to reflect the sacrifice of the various spells Osred cast.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Disguise
Too bad we don't have a cleric with us capable of animating the brute's corpse. Be kind of satisfying to have a zombified brute take a chunk out of the witch when she got close enough.
For what it's worth, Osred has two instances of Spiritual Weapon that he's been holding in reserve for the witch. The spell has a range of 160 ft, lasts for a decent length of time, and doesn't require continued concentration of the cleric's part (I'm pretty sure of that last bit, but not positive). If he can distract her with a celestial hippogriff (or maybe with two celestial eagles or hawks, or whatever the lower level creature is) and two instances of Spiritual Weapon (I'd have to check, though, to confirm that I can have two instances of this spell going at once), that should keep her on the defensive for at least a little while, and possibly force her to the ground.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Disguise
While Osred may not know the game mechanics, as a character he should have a pretty good notion that his chances of fooling the witch into thinking he's a half orc are slim to none.
Rennick and Garyth know that the witch and the brute have worked together. It's not like they're strangers-- at the very least, she'd be able to recognize him on sight (+4 to her spot check). Since Osred and the brute were different races, Osred gets a -2 to his Disguise skill check. This negates his charisma bonus. . . so at the outset, she's starting with a +4 bonus over our boy.
IC:
Pensive retrieves his bow after concealing the body on the rise as best he is able. He comes down the slope that leads north and west, around the bowl, rather than dropping straight down into the bowl as he had done during the battle. The walk does him a bit of good-- he is able to push off some of the frustration that had built up in him earlier.
The alchemist's wagon. Pensive draws close to it, catching the stink of the dead man inside, and the sharp tang of. . . something else.
Pensive will search the wagon and the alchemist's body.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Disguise
Pensive will find with a quick search of the wagon [Search check]:
A wooden box containing 10 more potions like the firebomb used on Rennik.
A metal box containing a wide variety of compounds and reagents.
A complex alchemy kit.
A crate full of empty glass bottles.
A smaller wooden box with 6 potions of some other type.
Under the driver's bench, a burlap sack filled with coins (though I doubt pensive would count them).
On the body:
A long dagger that glows with a faint red color when drawn.
A ring on each hand.
An extremely ornate belt.
Under the belt, a hidden money belt with more coins in it.
A diary or journal of some type in a pocket of the shirt.
A small leather pouch containing a variety of odds and ends like dice, an eating knife, and several small wooden figurines of naked women.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Disguise
Pensive will call to Garyth, "Perhaps some of these potions would help us against the witch!"
He carefully lays the firebomb potions out on the ground next to the wagon.
This was a man entirely too absorbed in his own possessions. Rings, money, two belts, more money-- why so much? Pensive frowns. Perhaps the money was to pay for the soldiers? Mercenaries did not come cheaply, but they were the easiest to dissuade from battle.
The dagger catches his eye, but only for a moment-- perhaps the halfling woman would want it. There is nothing in the wagon, beyond the potions, that particularly interests him.
When Garyth approaches, Pensive will tell him quietly that there is a large amount of money and other valuables inside the wagon. He will give the dagger to Melani wordlessly.
Pensive Kills Some Time
Subject: Re: Disguise
While he's waiting for Garyth to come over to the wagon, Pensive will open the diary and scan through it for any mention of the witch, or what the alchemist was doing for the Enemy.
Garyth Chimes In, Potion Discussion
Subject: Re: Disguise
"Perhaps some of these potions would help us against the witch!"
Garyth looks over to where Pensive is standing and sees the firebombs laid by his feet. He goes to get a closer look, thinking it over as he walks.
"It's pretty risky," he says when he gets there. "It may come to close combat, and the way these things splash we'd be as likely to light ourselves on fire as the witch."
At Pensive's mention of the money on the wagon, Garyth pauses. The men might feel entitled to what "salvage" they might find, but the thought doesn't sit well with him. No time to deal with this right now. "Leave it where it is for now," he says, "and don't tell the men just yet. We have to concentrate on the witch first."
OOC: I really don't see a disguise working very well. I just can't imagine that we'd be able to fool the witch into thinking her camp is safe to land in. I think our best bet is to get good cover and try to get as many arrows into her as possible in the surprise round, plus whatever spells Osred might be able to throw at her. Really, unless we have some way of restraining her, I don't see how we can stop her from getting away if she wants to, even if she does land. That probably means we need to use a summoned creature to keep her occupied while we take our shots at her.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Disguise
OOC: I don't have my Player's Handbook with me. Can anybody tell me if Summon Monster III would get me 3 celestial eagles, or up to three? I'm going back and forth between calling a larger number of lower level creatures to slow her down, or sending a single celestial hippogriff after her.
IC: Hearing Pensive's call, Osred accompanies Garyth to the wagon.
>"It's pretty risky," he says when he gets there. "It may come to close
> combat, and the way these things splash we'd be as likely to light ourselves
> on fire as the witch."
"Aye, I don't like the look of those. Hate to have one of those on me and risk having it break. Still, might not be a bad idea to arm a couple of our best throwers with a few of them. I hear halflings are hell on aim--might not be strong enough to hurl one of these things very far though, even as light as they are. You've had more experience with them that I have captain, what do you think?
>"Leave it where it is
> for now," he says, "and don't tell the men just yet. We have to concentrate
> on the witch first."
Osred nods. Don't want them getting distracted by visions of the whores they'll be able to buy with that money back in Nesalin. Plenty of time for plunder after we've killed the bitch.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Disguise
Summon Monster III
Conjuration (Summoning) [see text for summon monster I]
Level: Brd 3, Clr 3, Sor/Wiz 3
Effect: One or more summoned creatures, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart
This spell functions like summon monster I, except that you can summon one creature from the 3rd-level list, 1d3 creatures of the same kind from the 2nd-level list, or 1d4+1 creatures of the same kind from the 1st-level list.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Disguise
Thanks Mark. Looks like the Hippogriff would be a better bet then.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Disguise
That hippogriff saved the party's collective bacon when they were attacked by a swamp dragon.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Disguise
OOC: Do we know if the potion works by exposure to air (thus opening the bottles=bad idea), or is it like acid? If it's acidic in nature, can we use the potions to coat our arrows?
In addition, will the bushes at the top of the hill and at the entrance to the dugout offer any cover from someone flying in?
IC:
Pensive nods. "I will take a bottle and leave the rest for you and your men."
He bites his tongue. You. Your men. As if he were seperate from them all. As if there were no bond between them. . .
There wasn't. And so what was it that held him here?
Pensive retrieves his bow from the side of the wagon. "Garyth, I doubt that I'll be much use in an ambush, disguised as a human. If you've no objections, I'll try to find a place close by that has shelter from the sky."
He won't wait for an answer, but will go and do exactly that.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Disguise
Yeah, I remember that. Can a summoned creature be taken out by Dispell Magic
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Disguise
There are many bushes about that are large enough to hide a man. You guys actually counted on that during your approach.
Based on observation, it seems safe to assume the potions burst into flame on contact with air.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Disguise
Would attaching one just below the head of an arrow screw up the arrow's flight path too badly to make that a workable plan? Would there be a -2 or -4 penalty to hit or something?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Disguise
In that case, unless Garyth stops him, Pensive will go hide himself under one of said bushes. If there are any more bodies lying around, or other cover-up work, he'll help hide those first.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Disguise
It would make the arrow un-aimable. The potions are in glass bottles, meaning they are too bulky and heavy for an arrow. There would be almost no way to know where the arrow might wind up.
Like, in the realm of -20 or something.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Disguise
I vote for not doing that then. :)
From: Mark
Subject: Ambush
Still thinking that the disguise would work, Melani sets off to prop up what men she can, trying her best to make them look alive. She will ask Munch and Kenneth to help her. She will then hide under the wagon, making sure she is hidden from the air.
OOC: How about the idea of the humans dressing up like the guys we killed?
Mark
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Disguise
I bet all the random fires would sure confuse the witch, though. . . :-D
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Karl, Raja, I think this is where we left off with you guys.
Can you give me an update of where you would be going and what you would be doing? At least for the rest of this day? It is late afternoon now.
New Plan
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Farron agrees that they should visit the library to see if they can find anything on magical imprisoning, in general, and especially anything that sounds like dark prison they encountered in the mountain. If Sa'id doesn't object then that is what they will do.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Disguise
OOC: The more I think about it the less I think that we're going to be able to get the witch on the ground. But assuming for the moment that it's possible, it really doesn't seem likely that we'll be able to dress anyone up as the brute, so maybe we should disguise some of our party as the bad guys and then have them pretending to be cleaning up bodies (including the brute's) and such after a fight.
IC:
Garyth can't recall seeing either of the halflings throw anything before and says as much to Osred. "We can't afford any mistakes with these firebombs," he says. "Even a good thrower can miss, and I don't want to take any chances of roasting one of our own."
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Disguise
OOC: Now that would have a chance of working.
IC: Osred nods at Garyth's words. We should pack them away then, stow them somewhere where they'll be safe during the battle. What are your thoughts on the girl halfling's plans to fool the witch?" [OOC: am I right in thinking that all of our conversation about the plans since Melani first proposed disguising ourselves has been OOC? I'm just trying to move things forward to a point where Ty can actually write the next turn.]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Disguise
So, here's what I'm getting:
Pensive is hiding beneath a bush, waiting for the witch to show up.
Melani is hiding under the wagon, waiting for the witch to show up.
Rennick is hiding IN the wagon, waiting for the witch to show up.
The humans are going to dress up like the witch's soldiers, and pretend to be mopping up after a battle in which the half-orc was killed.
The only problem that I see with this is that our guys may not have enough time to get into their disguises.
It may also be a good idea for Osred to get into the wagon-- we really will need his hippogriff or whatever to cut off the witch's escape, and we can't take the chance that he's spotted, or that his spell casting is interrupted. The wagon will give him cover enough to cast the spell as soon as the witch is sighted, and get his creature in on the melee.
Rennick, on the other hand, may want to get under a bush rather than in the wagon. Don't want to put all our eggs in one basket, as it were.
When should we attack? As nice as it would be to have the old girl land, that may not be feasible. If the witch has protection from missiles cast, nothing anyone on the ground does will matter much. I propose that Osred start casting his summon as soon as the witch shows up. After it attacks her, then we all attack.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Disguise
Your summation of what you're getting is pretty much what I'm getting too.
I was also going to suggest that Osred be in the wagon, in fact, but we'll need a spotter to somehow indicate to him in a non-conspicuous manner when he needs to start casting the summoning spell.
It would be best to play it by ear, I think, and wait to attack either until she's landed or until she begins to pull up to gain altitude.
The Spiritual Weapon spells that Osred have memorized do require his concentration, and the attack always occurs from the direction of the spellcaster, so I won't be able to summon two of those, and have one of them attack her from above as I'd been thinking.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Disguise
OOC: Sorry, been sick. And I'm writing this turn as though the idea to have men clean up after a fight had been said out loud, in the interest of moving things along.
IC: Rennik listens to the conversations and looks at the field with an increasingly critical eye. It is true, there is no way to clean up this mess. Garyth's idea has the best chance of working, so far as he can tell, and he will go along with that. He will hide in the bushes some distance away from the other archers, trying to position everyone so that there is a circle of fire, rather than just arrows coming from one side. He will also do his best to conceal the others from aerial view before going to hide himself.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Disguise
I am not quite sure how this works but the range on the summoning spell is 40 feet. Does that mean that the creatures can get no further away than 40 feet from the caster, or that they have to show up with in 40 feet of the caster and then can do whatever they want at whatever distance.
Also they will only stay around for 6 rounds.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Disguise
Appears within 40' of caster, but can then move as far as it wants within the next six rounds.
Garyth and Melani Ready
Subject: Re: Disguise
OOC: So are we agreed? Attacking as soon as the witch lands or starts to pull away sounds good to me. Garyth is willing to be the spotter if no one else will do it. I'm all set to go. Just let me fill in the gap between Jake's and Matt's posts.
IC:
Garyth shakes his head to Osred. "There's no way that witch will believe one of us is the brute," he says. "We need some way of explaining his absence." He jerks his head toward the door and leads Osred out to address the group. He quickly outlines his plan, and seeing agreement from Rennik and Osred, starts setting about implementing it.
OOC: Garyth will be more than happy to listen to Rennik's advice about placement to get the best pattern of fire.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Disguise
Melani is ready to go. She will be hidden somewhere close by, trying to get a sneak attack at the witch when she is in range, which is 30'.
Mark
More Planning (Will It Ever End?)
Subject: Let's BURN her!
Everyone ready?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Let's BURN her!
Yes.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Let's BURN her!
Ready!
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Yup, no objections. Let's do that. :)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Let's BURN her!
Ok, guys. I just need to fill in my map with everyone's exact location.
Can you guys give me a quick pin on the map to show me where you intend to be?
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Let's BURN her!
Osred's in the wagon. And just to be clear, did someone get those explosive vials out of there like he suggested?
From: Matt
Subject: Rennik sets positions
Taking a calmer, slower look at the bowl and the layout of the land, it quickly dawns on him that there's no way to hide the signs of major struggle. The blood, the burnt ground, the broken branches, the disturbed grass. But, if all the bodies were hidden, it would certainly look strange - huge struggle, no bodies.
The witch might not land, if there were no bodies and everyone was hiding. Or she might fly on to look for them, or survey for survivors. They needed her to drop close enough for clear shots, and to give Osred a chance to keep her at that altitude.
A plan starts to form in Rennik's mind.
"Reth'tenn Melani, Friend Garyth and I have the shortest range on our bows, so we will take the closest bushes at the top of the rise. I will place the rest of you some distance apart in the bushes below the bowl, far enough that her magics can only affect any one person at a time."
"I worry about hiding all the bodies, now. It is impossible to hide the signs of struggle in time, and with no bodies, the entire scene would be suspicious. Here is what I suggest: Leave the bodies where they are, except for one. We strip one and dress a volunteer in that armor, an actor pretending to be wounded, trying to crawl back to the wagon. We could rip up his cloak, to make it look like he tied a bandage around his own head, and maybe used his sword to splint his own leg - though not truly tied, so it wouldn't stop movement."
As he speaks, Robert speaks up. "I will volunteer. It seems I escaped that last battle without a scratch - wouldn't want to feel left out."
Rennik nods, and continues.
"With one alive and moving, the witch would be more likely to investigate, if only to interrogate him about what happened. If you see her, you could try to wave her down, but when she gets within range, I would give the signal to fire. The archers would loose their arrows and Arms-brother Osred would call aid from the skies."
Pausing, considering some more, he takes Robert's crossbow from him and looks at it. "If you could load this, and lay on top of it... one of us would whistle when she was coming, so you could start to act like you are crawling. When I give the signal, you could roll over and get a point blank shot at her underbelly. Could you do this?"
OOC: If everyone seems okay with this, he will place the others according to the map attached.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
OOC: I am ok with that plan but which one is Melani? She should be close to the Robert. Maybe hidden under the wagon. The reason is that she should be able to get a sneak attack and do an additional 2d6 of damage.
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
Pensive will take the southern-most bush.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
OOC: The trick with Melani is that she's a good archer, yet she also has that sneak attack option. She can't really be an archer from under the wagon, and we can't really be sure that the witch will land - in fact, once she figures out what's up, she'll probably try to fly away.
Putting Melani under the wagon drops us one ranged weapon and gives us only the possibility of a sneak attack. From where she is at the top of the hill, she's a turn slide down to the bowl, if need be.
Rennik, however, would allow the Reth'tenn the priviledge of selecting her own spot, though he would quietly make his suggestion and opinions known to her.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
"Not a bad plan, halfling..." Osred says, trailing off. "Hm." He strokes his chin as though it were bearded.
"The bitch might notice, though, if all the bodies are from her side. What would you say to having a man or two of ours lying out, playing dead? Maybe around where Robert is. All three of them might be able to get off a good shot before she knows what's happening."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
Rennik considers, and realizes that is a very good point.
"A smart idea. It might also be worthwhile if Arms-brother Robert put is own armor on the dead soldier he has taken his clothing from."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
If Garyth or Osred think that unstrapping and restrapping armor might take too long (Ty at one point said that Garyth thought the witch might be 20 minutes away from us. . .), now might be a good time to voice those concerns.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
Ty, how long has the talking been going on?
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
Melani can sneak attack with her bow from a range of 30 feet. My idea was to be under the wagon and sneak attack her with the bow, assuming she is with in 30 feet of the wagon. If she is not, Melani was going to move silently, assuming the witch's back is to her, and close enough to get the sneak attack.
So where does Rennick want her?
Mark
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
On the hood of his car, baby.
Er...
Logistical Question
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
:D
Good thing I wasn't drinking anything when I read that or I'd have to clean my monitor and keyboard now.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Rennik sets positions
LOL!
Well, Ty, logistically, what works?
Is the rise within 30 ft, and therefore within sneak attack range?
If not, can a bow be fired from under a wagon? How much space is under there?