DM Mitch Thursday March 5th, 2020 8:00:24 AM Niall keeps quiet and alert. Bastarge is also alert. Lothlo asks if Naithi’s animal friends can smell or otherwise detect the enemy. Naithi says Fuzzgig can track and checks for caltrops Myre can see pretty well Ash is feeling better now that they have a plan.
Naithi finds that Caltrops were indeed included in the gear at her request. Captain Silverleaf hands the bag of holding to Bastarge. ”This is where we separate. We’ll get the fires going as planned. Good luck!”
Her squad splits off in another direction, leaving the party with nothing to do but advance. Everyone keeps their eyes and noses open, but they don’t notice any sentries as they approach the camp. Soon they can see the lights and fires from the camp, burning low this late at night. Everything seems quiet - hopefully that means you got through undetected.
Zazu (AC12, HP10/10) and Boyo the bunny (Cayzle) Thursday March 5th, 2020 8:23:38 AM
BEFORE we pass into Orc Scouting Range, we have to set our Ambush Point. It will take time to dig some trenches and set the traps, so it can't be in a spot that orc scouts will be checking on the regular. Does Murzash know a good spot? If not, we pick the best chokepoint we can find -- even just a copse of trees or a small tor.
Then it is time to set traps, dig trenches and pits, and leave a safe path for the refugees who will be coming through. Maybe this takes an hour? A half an hour?
Also, carefully coordinate where the mist will go! That's the most dangerous job, probably, because the mist originates from the caster's location -- the job is to see the orcs coming, stand pat until they are closer, then cast the spell and carefully back out of the mist!
Just behind the mist is where Zazu puts tbe traps -- the same ones from before. They were designed to catch varmints, and the rogue hopes that if an orc or wolf steps out of the mist and onto one, they'll be entangled or snared for a little while. Just enough time for us, hidden behind hunting blinds 25 ft away, to unload a few rounds of ranged attacks!
AFTER the ambush is set up, and hopefully still well before dawn, then it is time for Ash, Zazu, and the elves to go make the distraction, circling wide around the orc camp to get in position.
DM Mitch Thursday March 5th, 2020 9:22:06 AM
Murzush suggested you set up the ambush in the slave camp so you could take advantage of the narrow valley and hold off the whole tribe if needed. No one contradicted her, And the commander suggested you pick a spot and come to a decision, but then everyone ran off to prepare for the trip. As such there’s a stratus no ideas as to where a good spot would be: one patch of open plane is as good as another
Bastarge (JeffO) -- AC: 19/15/15 CMD: 16 HP: 21/21 d20+13=14 ; d20+9=13 ; Thursday March 5th, 2020 12:32:33 PM
Bastarge moves along carefully, trying to remain quiet and out of sight. He nods as the commander turns and heads in the other direction. He helps look around for a good place to place some traps to slow the orcs.
OOC: Stealth? 14 Trapmaking/setting? 13
DM Mitch Thursday March 5th, 2020 12:59:08 PM
Survival check I’ll let you find a good defensive position on the plains.
Zazu (AC12, HP10/10) and Boyo the bunny (Cayzle) d20+3=22 ; Thursday March 5th, 2020 1:55:05 PM
Zazu looks around at the other PCs. "Naithi, you're a druid! Where do YOU think we should set up our ambush?"
Zazu tries to help Naithi -- aid another check 22 to aid another! LOL
Myre (Carl) AC: 12/12/10 HP: 8/8 CMD: 13 d20+1=18 ; Thursday March 5th, 2020 4:13:21 PM
Myre finds her hand holding Ash's as they walk together. She's not sure when that happened. When they arrive, she casts a Message spell on Ash in case they end up separated.
Myre isn't suited to picking ambush sites, so she keeps an eye open for any trouble while the rest of her new friends look around.
Perception: 18
Niall (JonL) Need to fix header d20=12 ; Thursday March 5th, 2020 4:24:32 PM
Niall at least knows some idea about how to swing a weapon and where to do it and pipes in, quietly, with any suggestion he can have.
Aid Another: 12
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 18/18 , CMD = 16 d20+9=11 ; d20+9=21 ; d20+10=27 ; d20+8=15 ; d20+8=10 ; d20+5=22 ; d20+7=18 ; d20+6=19 ; d20+7=26 ; Thursday March 5th, 2020 10:30:47 PM
I take the lead with Camalayaas and Fizzgig by my side, searching for a perfect ambush site, making note of the enemy patrol routes (from the maps, perception, and scent), and selling am eye out for enemy traps and scouts.
Once we set up I command Fizzgig to defend the mules and horses (staying out of combat).
Naithi ----------- Perception = 11 Perception to check for traps = 21 Stealth = 27 Survival to find a defensive location = 15 + from aid another = 19 Knowledge Nature = 26
Fizzgig (guard dog) ----------- Perception = 10 Tracking Orcs Patrol Route(scent) = 22 Fizzgig had the detect, hunt, defend tricks
Camalayaas (animal companion) ------------- Stealth = 18 Perception = 19 (Has the scent ability, but is not trained in survival)
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 18/14/14, HP: 22/22, CMD: 18 d20=4 ; d20+6=17 ; Thursday March 5th, 2020 11:47:24 PM
Lothlo listens and notices that people weren't quite on the same page regarding the plan. So, we are setting up an ambush point? I don't think I have enough arrows for 100 orcs, but I have a sling I can switch to if I run out. Of course, fortified or not, we should still be as stealthy as possible.
Are we going to take out the hills? IF so, can we do that quietly? I've asked a few times, Murzush, as we really need to know how quickly we need to do this for them not to set off an alarm. I don't think you've answered that any of the times I've brought it up... but it could be nerves from coming back here that just made me forget your answer.
Lothlo continues to keep an eye out for patrols. perception = 17
Ash Silverkin (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 17/17 d20=11 ; d20=14 ; d20+2=16 ; d20+10=19 ; Friday March 6th, 2020 6:23:57 AM
Ash looks down to find she is holding Myre's hand. Like Myre, she's not exactly sure when it happened. Fortunately she doesn't seem to notice that Ash's hands are starting to sweat from nerves. With a smile Ash withdraws her hand and wipes away the sweat.
She stays very quiet and keeps to the back of the pack. Zazu seems to have thought this through and at this point Ash is happy to do as directed. There's too much on the line and she doesn't want to be responsible for all those lives. She casts a Message spell on Naithi so they can communicate over some distance.
DM Mitch Friday March 6th, 2020 8:10:23 AM
The party searches for an ambush point and Lothlo asks a question. Murzush looks confused. ”You asked about taking the slave camp guards quietly I thought. Maybe I just misunderstood you. The head of each guard squad will have a signal horn. We’ll need to take them out first. If we can stop the horn from going off then we just have to keep them from running down the hill. Since you can only get down it from two spots we should be able to cut them off and clear them out as long as we can stop the horn from sounding.”
They find an OK spot. A cluster of rocks large enough to stand on or take cover behind. It’s not much, but you’re not likely to find much better on the open plains. The main advantage of a plains ambush is the tall grass - with a little time and effort it’s easy to hide all sorts of nastey surprises (+5 to hiding/spotting traps). Of course then you have to remember where those are hidden later to not stumble on them.
(Here’s a map - go wild! You have the weekend to set up whatever defenses you can dream up within reason. You had time to gather materials for traps back at the fort and several hours to throw things together.)
DM Mitch Friday March 6th, 2020 8:18:59 AM
Stick to simple traps you could realistically make quickly and you can do as many as you want. Ditches/pits are possible but more limited - we'll say a 5 foot deep hole 5 feet wide takes 1 hour for 1 person to dig - don't forget that dirt has to go somewhere, meaning you can make small dirt walls for half cover! There are 7 members in the party and 6 elves helping out. You have 3 hours.
When/if the orcs chase you here the preparations you make this weekend could save you later. I will monitor my e-mail so if you have any ideas or questions about the defenses you can set up ask and I'll try to reply quickly so you can formulate plans.
Bastarge (JeffO) -- AC: 19/15/15 CMD: 16 HP: 21/21 d20=13 ; Friday March 6th, 2020 11:28:03 AM
Bastarge tries to help locate good spots for the traps and ambush (survival, aid another: 13).
He tries to find places in front of the rocks, assuming the defenders will be using the rocks, to place a trap where an orc who is attacking the person behind the rock will step so that the traps will disable or slow them.
Ash Silverkin (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 17/17 d20=5 ; d20=19 ; d20=5 ; d20=19 ; Friday March 6th, 2020 5:52:30 PM
The others are making preparations and traps and what-not, and Ash does what she can to help - which isn't very much. She keeps an eye on what Zazu is doing and makes a friendly suggestion every now and then.
There aren't any spells she can cast right now that would help the party, so Ash just pulls out a knife and holds it tightly. She's not exactly sure what she's going to do with it, but feels better just holding it.
----------------- Aid another checks for traps that Zazu is making: 5, 19, 5, 19. Ash should be able to help with two of them
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 18/14/14, HP: 22/22, CMD: 18 d20+6=24 ; Friday March 6th, 2020 9:26:12 PM Ah, a horn that is held by the head of the squad, that is exactly what I was wanting to know. Thank you Murzush, sorry if I wasn't clear. I know a trick shot that can disarm that horn, but I it's probably better to focus on taking him out so he doesn't just pick it back up and blow. it.
Lothlo listens as the others make plans on how to prepare their spot.
My bow is ready, so I can help with any digging or other preparations you want to make. Lothlo continues to scan the site for unwanted patrols. perception = 24
Zazu (AC12, HP10/10) and Boyo the bunny (Cayzle) Saturday March 7th, 2020 1:25:16 PM
Zazu points out four places for pits. The rogue suggests putting in traps behind each pit. What is the direction from which we expect pursuit to come?
Traps just outside where the enemy will emerge from the mist, too.
How far can we make a berm?
How about hunting blinds to hide behind?
Myre (Carl) AC: 12/12/10 HP: 8/8 CMD: 13 Sunday March 8th, 2020 6:01:17 PM
Myre figures she can probably cast grease on the orc's horn if he's about to blow it.
She stays close to Murzush, acting as the orc's assistant should she need one.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 18/18 , CMD = 16 Sunday March 8th, 2020 11:54:29 PM
I spend my time making sure the caltrops are in multiple sacks that can be handed to the escapees to throw as we retreat to delay and followers.
DM Mitch Monday March 9th, 2020 7:09:58 AM Bastarge looks for good trap locations. Ash does what she can to help. Lothlo thanks Murzush for the information. Zazu thinks over several questions. Myre assists Murzush in preparations. Naithi preps the caltrops for quick deployment.
The party circled around to the south of the camp, so it is now to the north of them. They and the orcs are probably going to come strait south to it.
For every 5x5 ditch you can make a 10 foot wall 2.5 feet high that provides half cover.
If you can describe how you do it, you can make it, including hunting blinds.
Myre (Carl) AC: 12/12/10 HP: 8/8 CMD: 13 Monday March 9th, 2020 3:02:13 PM
Myre is sturdier than she looks. She's happy to grab a shovel and dig.
"Do we want to move these rocks around, any? I could grease them up to make it easier to slide them."
Niall - Carl subbing Monday March 9th, 2020 3:05:44 PM
Niall stands back and looks. How much like an ambush point is this starting to look like? How likely are the orcs to see what's been done here and get their guards up?
Zazu (AC12, HP10/10) and Boyo the bunny (Cayzle) Monday March 9th, 2020 3:56:33 PM
"All they will see is slaves escaping into mist, says Boyo," Zazu declares.
Bastarge (JeffO) -- AC: 19/15/15 CMD: 16 HP: 21/21 Monday March 9th, 2020 4:47:22 PM
Bastarge says, "I think we're ready here. Who will be working on silencing the orcs with the horns? I can usually stay pretty well hidden (Stealth: 13)."
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 18/14/14, HP: 22/22, CMD: 18 Monday March 9th, 2020 5:14:50 PM
Lothlo responds to Bastarge's question I've done enough hunting that I'm not half bad at remaining undetected, but I'm not the greatest.(stealth 8). With the sheer number of orcs we are expecting don't we need a fairly large number to come with us?
Zazu (AC12, HP10/10) and Boyo the bunny (Cayzle) Monday March 9th, 2020 5:52:36 PM
Zazu helps to make sure that Naithi has his mark for where to stand before casting his mist. And Zazu scratches the path for the refugees in the dirt. "Make sure the refugees are clear before you cast the mist," the elf says to Naithi, "because they will fall in a pit or trap otherwise. And really make sure you can get out even after you make the mist."
Zazu helps make four earthworks that we can use for cover when the enemy breaks through the mist. If they do.
(Giving up on hunting blinds for lack of foliage.)
(amended map)
DM Mitch Monday March 9th, 2020 7:44:26 PM
You find you cannot move the rocks. Even the "small" ones are 5 foot hunks of rock and a little digging reveals they are actually much bigger, just mostly buried.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 18/18 , CMD = 16 Monday March 9th, 2020 11:16:51 PM
I go where Zazu directs and scratch Camalayaas' head and smile. I believe we can out run you guys fairly easily. We'll be able to catch up. Just let me know when and where. After that I'll just cast it behind us as we run.
ooc: Place Zazu and Camalayaas where you want us to stand. I assume the circle is where you want the mist? I can cast it three times.
Ash Silverkin (RobC) -- AC 12/12/10 -- CMD 12 -- HP 17/17 Tuesday March 10th, 2020 5:18:19 AM
With no noticeable upper body strength, Ash can do little but watch as holes are dug and things moved about.
DM Mitch Tuesday March 10th, 2020 7:41:57 AM
The party plans and digs and soon as a set up they’re satisfied with (you might want to label your white circles and half circles). Between tall grass and the mist you intend to magically create they should hopefully not see the pits and traps coming, though it’ll be tough to properly find the spot again and remember where the traps are (A survival check will be required to find the ambush spot when you return- failure means you find it but approach from an unexpected angle as it took a bit of circling and searching)
With the location prepared and time advancing the party needs to move on. The elves take their leave and circle around to the north end of the camp; presumably so does the distraction team. The rest of the party and Murzush head to the south end of the camp.
This late at night campfires are low and everything seems deserted.
Zazu (AC17, HP10/10) and Boyo the bunny (Cayzle) d20+3=23 ; d20+8=25 ; Tuesday March 10th, 2020 10:49:17 AM
Zazu leads Ash around the camp and a good 500 ft north of the fairgrounds.
Survival to get into position ... 23!
Zazu pauses as if listening to Boyo. "Oh, Ash, you need this." The elf hands over the scroll of Silent Image.
Zazu casts Mage Armor personally, and looks for the fires that the elves are going to set.
When Zazu sees them, then the elf sneaks up close to the entrance to the fairgrounds, using whatever cover or concealment there is to find.
Stealth 25 woot!
DM Sanity Info
Spells prepped: Mage Armor (cast) Silent Image Color Spray Ray of Frost Ghost Sound Message
Bastarge (JeffO) -- AC: 19/15/15 CMD: 16 HP: 21/21 Tuesday March 10th, 2020 4:02:06 PM
Bastarge watches Zazu with a confused look on his face. He says, "I thought someone was going to attempt to kill the orcs with the horns first."
Niall (JonL) Need to fix header Tuesday March 10th, 2020 4:10:57 PM
Niall draws his sword but keeps it down low and waits. He isn't about to try to sneak anywhere.
Zazu (AC17, HP10/10) and Boyo the bunny (Cayzle) Tuesday March 10th, 2020 4:31:15 PM
[OOC: First Ash and Zazu and the elves head out. When you see the fires that the elves are going to light, then give it a few minutes, then sneak into the back of the camp, then kill any orc guards, on hills or in the slave quarters as you see fit, then rescue the slaves and come back to the Ambush Point.]
[Be ready to improvise. No plan survives first contact with the enemy!]
Myre (Carl) AC: 12/12/10 HP: 8/8 CMD: 13 Tuesday March 10th, 2020 4:53:51 PM
Myre does what she can, which isn't much. She's glad when it's time to get the show on the road. She worries a bit when Ash goes off with that weirdo Zazu. She checks to make sure the message spell is still up.
"Hey, this still working, Ash?" No reason to think it wouldn't be, but it'll make her feel better. She trusts these people to find a proper place to hide more than she does herself.
If anyone has a mage armor spell to lend her, she'd appreciate it. She accepts her role as glass cannon, but she'd appreciate a little less glass.
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 18/14/14, HP: 22/22, CMD: 18 d20+6=24 ; Tuesday March 10th, 2020 8:12:32 PM
Lothlo double checks his gear and prepares to head out. I have my bow, and I think camp is as ready as it's going to be. We'll be awaiting the lighting of the fires, wish us luck.
perception = 24
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 18/18 , CMD = 16 d20+10=14 ; Wednesday March 11th, 2020 12:15:03 AM
Already well hidden, I slowly move around some dead grass and dirt to further hide my presence. I climb into Camalayaas back and wait to cast my spells.
Stealth = 14
Ash Silverkin (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 17/17 d20=14 ; Wednesday March 11th, 2020 5:10:36 AM "Yep. I'm here. This guy seems to know what he's doing" She tries to reassure Myre "I've only got one Mage Armor spell and was going to use it for myself. Wait a minute..."
Ash uses her bonded item to cast a Mage Armor spell on Myre. "That should do it".
She then casts the other on herself and renews the message spells. Ash takes the scroll from Zazu and awaits instruction. It's highly likely someone else will spot the orcs before she does.
--------------- Perception: 14 Spells in effect: Mage Armor (Ash and Myre)
DM Mitch Wednesday March 11th, 2020 6:13:08 AM Zazu leads Ash around the camp and gives her a silent image scroll Bastarge gets a little confused as to the plan. Myre tests the message spell, but unfortunately Ash quickly gets beyond it’s range (120 foot range at 2, they’re on the other side of the camp which is much bigger than 100 feet) Lothlo is ready to go. Naithi is all stealthy. Ash casts mage armor on Myre before leaving.
The elves are long gone by now - they of course have to set the distraction fires outside the range of the orcish scouts, else it wouldn’t convince the orcs a rival tribe has snuck up on them. It’s a long, tense wait.
Then the bright glow of a fire in the distance lights up. And another and another - from here it looks like a fairly big group has suddenly lit a dozen campfires and one big bonfire. The orcs notice quickly.
A deep, thrumming noise echoes across the plains - the signal horn of the hill scouts. It’s very loud and distinct, you could probably hear it from miles away. Immediately things start to stir in the distant camp. Torches are lit in the ashes of campfires and grey outlines are rushing around everywhere.
Bastarge (JeffO) -- AC: 19/15/15 CMD: 16 HP: 21/21 d20+13=23 ; d20+4=6 ; Wednesday March 11th, 2020 11:28:30 AM
Bastarge stays hidden (stealth 23) and watches for orcs (perception 6)
Niall (JonL) Need to fix header d20-1=18 ; d20+2=6 ; Wednesday March 11th, 2020 3:42:24 PM
Niall hunkers down to try and stay hidden and wait for their chance while keeping an eye out too
Stealth: 18 Perception: 6
Myre (Carl) AC: 16/12/14 HP: 8/8 CMD: 13 Wednesday March 11th, 2020 4:32:35 PM
Myre feels kind of guilty that Ash had to use her one bond spell, but she's glad for the added protection. Waddles starts flying around her head as her excitement rises. She grabs him and holds him down, silently scolding him for being difficult.
Zazu (AC17, HP10/10) and Boyo the bunny (Cayzle) Wednesday March 11th, 2020 5:54:23 PM
Zazu lays prone and quiet like. The ghost sound spell is ready to be cast as soon as Ash's orc illusion walks into hearing range.
Zazu hears that horn, and for a minute daydreams about the sound summoning a meteor-fire-storm to take out all the orcs. But then the elf realizes that it's just Boyo whispering to him. He briefly snuggles the bunny and whispers, "Boy oh boy you are just too cute!"
Lothlo (WillD) -- AC: 18/14/14, HP: 22/22, CMD: 18 d20+6=17 ; Wednesday March 11th, 2020 7:11:34 PM
Lothlo lays silently, keeping an eye out to make sure the fires are doing there job and that nobody is heading their way.
Perception = 17
Assuming nothing has gone awry yet, in just a few minutes it should be clear for them to proceed to the next phase of the plan.
Naithi (JamesD) AC: 19/14/17 HP: 18/18 , CMD = 16 Thursday March 12th, 2020 12:23:32 AM
I stay hidden and silent as I watch what happens.
Ash Silverkin (RobC) -- AC 16/12/14 -- CMD 12 -- HP 17/17 Thursday March 12th, 2020 4:50:30 AM "Ok.... here we go"
Ash concentrates really hard on the scroll and uses it to cast Silent Image. She goes with the plan as closely as she can: a huge armored and helmed orc carrying a banner of a rival tribe.
She tries to make it appear to be walking rather slowly to give the orcs time to get to it.
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