After an hour of riding, the weather has turned terrible and slowed your progress to get to the bridge location. Your visibility is cut in half, and it will be difficult to shoot in the precipation and wind. The good news is the weather is just as bad for the caravan.
The bridge is 20 ft wide, made of mortared stone and is a single arc, cresting 2 feet over the water level at its highes. It looks solid and built well.
MAP BRIDGE SITE The Caravan is moving from the right hand side of the map (East) and heading to the left hand side (West)
Much as I hate to harm an animal. Only way I see o garunteeing the wagon.don't move is to kill the horse or at least smash it's kneecap to make it lame. I could run outfrom the front edge o the bridge and smash the knee . Ye could heal the animal.after an hope since that's the only injury the break will heal.
Janiven will mention that"Gorvio, Rizzaro and Larko are in the feint attack and scouts. Providing the an early warning with Larko and Gorvio. They could hide after they warn and look for stragglers or anyone who runs off to the north or south. Rizzaro is a big brute, who can handle a bit closer combat if it happens but she would like him guarding the stream from the South in case someone flees.
Andrea hmmsss. At what point should we attack? If the wagon travels in the middle, and if the stream is unfordable, we could wait until it is in the middle before attacking. As you say Duncan, unfortunate that we must harm the animal, but slaying it in the middle would make a barrier to the troops in front, at least forcing them to funnel themselves towards us while we deal with the rear guard and secure Areal.
"We can always just stop them by having me and Duncan be on one side of the river and the rest on the other."
Very well, you two could conceal yourselves on the other side. but we might end up having to cut through all of them if they are grouped on the bridge.
1.Examine if stream is fordable.
2.Determine who will be where, Andrea prefers to be concealed on the right side of the bridge in the stumps perhaps with Shinon.
3.Determine if it is viable to use oil as a bloackade.
"We can always just stop them by having me and Duncan be on one side of the river and the rest on the other."
Strong enough to stop a charging horse, boy? Thought you soldiers in trainin' were taught that if'n yer caught in an ambush ye run out o the killing zone. That driver is gonna charge off the bridge wit is precious cargo. Course, ye could READY a pike or sommat to have the horse impale hisself on yer polearm. Tha'd work. He can't turn sharp off the bridge witha wagon.
"We can always just stop them by having me and Duncan be on one side of the river and the rest on the other."Strong enough to stop a charging horse, boy? Thought you soldiers in trainin' were taught that if'n yer caught in an ambush ye run out o the killing zone. That driver is gonna charge off the bridge wit is precious cargo. Course, ye could READY a pike or sommat to have the horse impale hisself on yer polearm. Tha'd work. He can't turn sharp off the bridge witha wagon.
Shinon, before we start attackign I can place a spell on your bow to slightly increase its ability to stike and damage, would this be acceptable?
Shinon frowns and looks up at the storm. "I'm afraid that your magic will do little good here, Andrea. Even with my dedicated training of hunting humans and your magic, I don't know if I'll be able to shoot through these winds. But every little bit helps I suppose." He draws his weapon and holds it out in front of Andrea.
It was funny, not 24 hours ago if a woman had asked Shinon to lay her hands upon his bow and enchant it with magic, he would have slapped her across the face and walked away. But Shinon had to believe that this woman was on his side. Not much else he could do at this point.
Actually Kenji even with the rain and wind, you can tell the caravan is nearby. You can hear the animals, wheels and voices and occassionally catch a glimpse of shadows at a distance behind you.
Shinon frowns and looks up at the storm. "I'm afraid that your magic will do little good here, Andrea. Even with my dedicated training of hunting humans and your magic, I don't know if I'll be able to shoot through these winds. But every little bit helps I suppose." He draws his weapon and holds it out in front of Andrea.
It was funny, not 24 hours ago if a woman had asked Shinon to lay her hands upon his bow and enchant it with magic, he would have slapped her across the face and walked away. But Shinon had to believe that this woman was on his side. Not much else he could do at this point.
The spell will only last a few minutes since I am not yet adept at making it last longer, so I will cast it right before will will be attacking.
Shinon frowns and looks up at the storm. "I'm afraid that your magic will do little good here, Andrea. Even with my dedicated training of hunting humans and your magic, I don't know if I'll be able to shoot through these winds. But every little bit helps I suppose." He draws his weapon and holds it out in front of Andrea.
It was funny, not 24 hours ago if a woman had asked Shinon to lay her hands upon his bow and enchant it with magic, he would have slapped her across the face and walked away. But Shinon had to believe that this woman was on his side. Not much else he could do at this point.
The spell will only last a few minutes since I am not yet adept at making it last longer, so I will cast it right before will will be attacking.
1.Determine if we can still use the oil. I am thinking that we will need to use all of it in one location for it to be effective.
2.Determine if the stream can be forded.
3.Get all remaining clw potions divided. We have 8, so 1 each to our allies i suggest.
2. Shinon wants to get to a good vantage point where he has high ground (+1 to attack rolls) and can hopefully see the entire wagon.
3. Shinon wants to try and pick out the Sergeant from all the rest.
Perception: , including the -4 for poor weather.
4. Shinon wants to attack the Sergeant from a distance of at least 40 feet. (Don't know the penalties for shooting in weather, so just apply them to this roll),
1. Shinon wants his bow enchanted with magic weapon.
2. Shinon wants to get to a good vantage point where he has high ground (+1 to attack rolls) and can hopefully see the entire wagon.
3. Shinon wants to try and pick out the Sergeant from all the rest.
Perception: 1d20+6, including the -4 for poor weather.4. Shinon wants to attack the Sergeant from a distance of at least 40 feet. 1d20+8 (Don't know the penalties for shooting in weather, so just apply them to this roll), 1d8+3
Shinon's Climb Check: , +2 if Andrea's Aid Another is successful.
Anyone know much bout bridges? Mabbe we could drop it while there on it. If the river ain't deep we could damage all o the knights in the fall, take out the wagon and kill the soldiers as they climb outta the water. We got about 1/2 hour to chop out most o the wood plylons and the weight o the wagon could do the dropping. I'll take a look but I aint no engineer
Andrea shakes her head. No knowledge, but I would be willing to swing a blade or hammer.
The water is not very cold but it is fast moving. It stinks to a depth of 4 feet pretty quickly form what you can measure. Assuming you re using some sort of pole, spear or stick, that is what you can test. Does it bottom out near the middle...possibly but you are not 100% sure.
As far as copse of trees to the east side of the stream, and south of the road, it is 45 feet from an acceptable tree to the far north side of the road. Shinon your climb check failed (rather than roll falling damage, I will say it was way to slippery for you get a good hand hold) Shinon does realize that with the rain and wind there is a real falling hazard from the tree.
All the loose tinder and wood is moist and does not look like it will hold a flame. If it does it will be smoky (quite a bit of oil will be necessary)
The bridge is masonary and is sturdy, its top is flat and can be used to stand on basically a flagstone floor consistentcy. Yes, the bridge can be destroyed but it will take a lot longer than 30 minutes of pick axes. Basically, with the right tools and equipment it can be done. Also, destroying the bridge may bring the hellknights out in force against the lawless rebellion.
Janiven would suggest trying to create small caltrop out of sticks and wedge them between the stones on the roadway. Horse's hoof may snag in one or two and stop the horse.
By the time this idea was considered you would only ahave a few minutes remaining
The group could create and set
Shinon shakes his head firmly. "Destroying the bridge is unacceptable. People use this bridge every day. Innocent, hard-working people. The people we are trying to protect. Causing serious damage with no guarantee that the nobles of this city will cough up the money and resources to fix it, and with no way to pay to fix it ourselves, is a bad idea and I will not participate in such an act."
Shinon gives up on the tree and settles for hiding in some bushes or behind a wall, somewhere that gives him ample cover and a clear shot at the bridge.
Wooden caltrops are better than nothing, I will help make them. Andrea gets busy making some before hustling over to be with Shinon., crouching down and hoping the rain covers their positions.
There is word from the two scouts that the caravan approaches. Huffing and puffing about a minute before the slow moving prison cart and guards is Kenji arrives.
Word from Kenji, and the scouts, is the escort has three riders mounted on warhorses leading, spear head formation, and dual warhorse mounted riders following at the rear. There are two guard on the roof with a mounted ballista, and two guards hanging on each side running board. Plus the driver. Total guard observed 12. The prison cart has two horses pulling it.
The caravan is now at the Eastern edge of the map. Janiven and her crew would take position as previously mentioned.
Shinon positions himself in the northeast bush near the bridge, the one that is fully on the map (not the one in the corner).
Andrea positions herself with Shinon. When the caravan gets just before the bridge, she will cast Magic Weapon on his bow(+1 Hit and Damage, 2 minute dureation) and then cast Guidance on him(+1 Hit/Saving Throw/Skill check for 1 minute or until discharged.
*Pssst Shinon, I believe it is best to shoot the ballista operators first.*
The first rider of the spearhead is 7 squres in from the Eastern side, the other two riders are 5 feet back and to either side. Each horse takes up 10 feet. The two horses leading the carriage are side by side, taking up a 10 by 10 block, and following 10 feet behind the lead riders.
Surprise round for the PC's:
Note the riders and carriage is still out of range but when they are in range you can opt to act. Janiven's crew is not going to act and Janiven is too far away.
Surpise RD Order:
Duncan
Shinon
John
Kenji
Andrea
After the surpise round I will roll in initative.
As soon as the bastilla operator comes within range of Shinon's bow, Shinon will fire an arrow, catching the operator off-guard and striking him down.
Attack:
Damage:
When Shinon fires his bow, Andrea will cast Guidance on him again(+1 hit) keeping an eye out for any soldier who looks to be a leader type.
John will put on his shield.
Peering from around his rock and seeing the caravan approaching, Duncan keeps low and quietly casts BLESS to improve he and Johns abilities. He whispers to John, gotta git in thier way. Play along
He then takes a Double Move 8 squares south calling to the caravan.
He invoke JUDGEMENT on his foes. (Going for +1 AC atm)
Ho there, ye soldiers of hell. I be a prophet o' beer an swill. Wonderin we the hells me pub has gone. Did the damned rains wash er away? Oh..tis a sad day when.a dwarf cannot drink. I beg ye for assistance. I am being harrassed by a fool who thinks ta take me fat purse. Might ye be willing to arrest the fool? A night in the cells should convince him not to annoy law abidin drunks.