Sounds good, so we move in on horseback next to Edric as part of the shield wall with Vaysh and Fenna behind us then dismount and attack according to the situation?
Here is my suggestion for a round-by-round plan of attack:
Pre-combat: Fenna casts light on a small object that can be kept hidden until needed.
Everyone moves as close to the camp as possible, Sir Edric on Talia, the rest of us on foot. We move in formation, the three warriors in front and the casters behind, like so:
_______________Casimir
Bandit camp____ Edric/Talia__Vaysh
_______________Malthir_____ Fenna
As soon as we reach the edge of the camp, we will probably be spotted by the bandits, or they will at least hear us. Cries of alarm and the firing of arrows will most likely ensue.
Combat round 1:
Fenna: Cast Prot. from evil on Edric
Vaysh: Begin casting sleep, if enemies are in sight
Casimir: Drink readied potion of Shield of faith - call out and try to bluff the bandits with a message from Happs to buy time.
Edric: Activate Shield wall Challenge Kressle, if she is in sight
Malthir: ?(javelin attack, maybe)- or intimidate/demoralize. Smite evil on Kressle, if she is in sight
No-one moves
Round 2:
Fenna: Cast Prot. from evil on Malthir
Vaysh: Target sleep spell on watchtower archers - begin new sleep spell
Casimir: Charge
Edric: Charge
Malthir: Charge
The warriors all charge on the same initiative count, delaying until Fenna can get the second Prot. from evil off. Fenna and Vaysh stay 30-60 feet behind us, where they can have cover from the archers.
Round 3:
Fenna: Use Dancing lights to illuminate bandits in shadow/ fire crossbow
Vaysh: Target sleep spell - begin new sleep spell
Casimir: Melee
Edric: Melee
Malthir: Melee
Now, as with any combat situation, this plan is only good up and until contact with the enemy.
Edit: Adjusted the plan a bit - forgot that smite/challenge are swift actions
Keep Vaysh and Fenna a little closer, most of their spells are short range so we would be out of range of their support that far back. if they have watchtowers I am assuming that they are in front of the camp so we are not right on it when we ride in. We will have to take them out first and then move towards the camp.
Assuming 1 guard per tower, we may want to use Daze on them and take them out as quickly as we can with missle weapons and forge the shield wall as soon as we can after that. If we get lucky, maybe the towers are only 10' high and Edric can use his Lance on the men in the tower.
We are probably over thinking this...Remember it will be dark so we will need the light with us when we move in in order to even see the enemy
@Protective spells - I agree, if we can get Alex to play ball. One minute goes by real fast out of initiative.
@Shield of faith to Edric - He can ride and drink, but not charge and drink. Anyway, the discussion about timing and duration also applies to the potion. I don't think it makes much of a difference.
@The position of Fenna and Vaysh - I say we let them decide for themselves where the want to be. I'm sure once we see the battlemap, it will be a no brainer.
@Archers in the towers - with our AC buffed, the archers will need a 19+ to hit us, if they are similar to the ones we faced at the trading post. In my opinion, that makes them a lower priority than combatants on the ground who can flank and charge - not to mention the leader.
@Light - we use the sunrods, the coin with light on it, and Fenna can cast dancing lights. We should be good.
@Over thinking - absolutely!!
Agreed we are ready for the assault!
Upon concluding her meditations, Fenna rises and returns to the group to listen to the conversation.
After hearing the remainder of the warriors' plan, she nods thoughtfully, "This sounds like the best course of action, perhaps things will change when we see the camp, but I don't think any further planning will be of any use."
Sneaky sneaky *CRUNCH* *SNAP* *RATTLE*
We are only as quiet as the noisiest person, that is why we get to just barely seeing the ford, how far away is it from us? We would start our actions at that point.
This should be funny:
The two large logs at K4 have been moved; both of them are blocking easy access to the camp via the ford now. One is just to the right of the lower ford near K4, the other is just below the northern-most ford.
Treat any square with tree or shrubbery in it as difficult terrain.
I have assumed you are using at least one Sunrod for illumination, please clarify for me.
[b]From where you are, you can spot K3, although you can't see the upper section of K3 where you assume a sentry is standing guard. Of K2, Fenna you can only make out a rough silhouette.
No one can currently see K1 except Fenna, and again its near the edge of your vision. You can all see the glow of the campfire though though.
You reach the edge of the forest and you can hear the sounds of a fast-flowing river. Peering out from the forest, you can see the banks of a river and two clear crossing points that are shallow enough to safely cross. It seems these two crossing points have been barricaded off by two large logs rolled to block them; they are certainly not impassable, but they are designed to slow intruders down. You don't spot any bandits yet, but you can hear wooden boards creak from the nearby watchtower.
Across the river, you can see the distant glow of a fireplace at K1, and what look to be tents and bedrolls setup as well. Two more light sources are visible, coming from the watchtowers.
Because the watchtower in K3 does not have line of sight to you from where you are and vice versa, the stealth checks you have rolled won't be relevant unless you attempt to move from cover to cover etc.
Link to map- Click Here
Initiative-
Casimir-
Fenna-
Malthir-
Edric-
Vaysh-
You can make out the sound of snoring from the closest watchtower, as well as a couple of voices whispering.
You hear the hooting of a Owl somewhere overhead; but thats nothing unusual at this time of night.
Although its quite a convincing imitation, you realise it's a human making these noises...
Your sure the imitation came from the watchtower at K3... You can also hear frantic whispering from behind the northernmost log, and from behind the cart at K5.
How far are we from the logs at this point?
EDIT: and how tall do the logs appear to be?
My suggestions - speak up if you disagree.
@Positions - Edric and I switch position, and Vaysh and Fenna are on the squares north of us instead of their current position.
@Light - Fenna has cast light on a small coin. It is currently tucked tucked into my left glove. Edric and Malthir each has a sunrod, but have not lighted it yet.
@Spells - as soon as we reach the edge of the wood, Fenna casts Protection from evil on Malthir and Edric. Speak up about who goes first, guys. I drink the potion of Shield of Faith.
** spoiler omitted **
Those suggestions sound fine, Edric can go first for PFEvil.
** spoiler omitted **
"Wait," Fenna whispers, "I believe our arrival has not gone unnoticed by the watchmen; that hoot was no owl."
Peering out into the night, Casimir tires to spot any motion. Not possessing the sharp eyes of the gnome, he sees nothing though.
Well, we expected as much. There will be blood before long. Better hurry up with the protective magic, he wispers.
When Fenna has cast her last spell and he has gulped down the potion of Shield of Faith, he calls out in a loud voice.
Ho there. In the name of the Stag Lord, hold your fire! Happs sent us back with an urgent message for Kressle.
Bluff check
Happs sent you you say? Well, he wouldn't have given you my name unless he trusts you. Come closer to the river so we don't have to shout, friend!
That was too easy... You think shes trying to lure Casimir and anyone with him out into the open for an ambush.
Edric PfE- 9 rounds remaining
Malthir PfE- 10 rounds remaining
Casimir SoF- 10 rounds remaining
Fenna places a hand on Casamir's arm, and shakes her head silently.
Sense motive
Well, at least now we know which of them are Kressle. I think I fooled her - what do we do now?, Casimir whispers to his companions.
Edit: Trusting the wisdom of the gnome oracle, with her powers of perception enhanced by her guiding star, Casimir stays put and peers out into the moonlit camp.
There must be more out there - any idea of where? he says softly.
Well? the woman snaps impatiently, stabbing a dagger into the top of the log she is stood behind.
Vaysh, time to make people sleepy. Fenna, tell her where - and can you shed some light on our those logs using your dancing lights?
"Up there," Fenna whispers to Vaysh, pointing up to the nearest Watchtower, "and there are some more in those trees there," she adds, pointing to the watchtower nearer the centre of the camp.
Frowning in concentration, she sends motes of her will to coalesce as four tiny stars that begin to float and swirl near where Kressle emerged, illuminating the near area with their silvery glow.
Kressle wrenches her dagger out of the log as the lights appear around her and holds it up, ready to throw it once someone is close enough.
Bad Guys Initiative
Western Watchtower Boys-
Eastern Watchtower Boys-
Other Bandits-
Kressle-
Too long 'messenger', now you die! Get them boys! Make the Lord proud! the Bandit leader screeches
Torches are suddenly lit and flung in various sections of the camp.
-One is flung over the log by someone other than Kressle, landing ten feet or so into your side of the river and illuminating the area.
-One is hurled over the wagon, and lands near the southern Ford, iluminating the area.
-A sunrod is suddenly uncovered on the watch tower at K3, revealing three crouched bandits with bows pointing towards the river.
-A torch lands alarmingly close to the party, hurled blindly by someone in the Watchtower at K3.
Edric PfE- 8 rounds remaining
Malthir PfE- 9 rounds remaining
Casimir SoF- 9 rounds remaining
Round 1 Full Initiative
Other Bandits- 15
Fenna- 15
Edric-14
Casimir-11
Vaysh-11
Kressle-10
Western Watchtower Boys-9
Eastern Watchtower Boys-7
Malthir-2
Suddenly emerging from behind the wagon at K5, three bandits armed with bows move to the west side of the southern ford, shortswords in their hands. At the same time, Fenna spots a single bandit from the camp move next to the campfire and make a pot shot at Casimir
But the arrow thuds into the trees long before it even gets to the River.
Two bandits flanking Kressle suddenly rear up from behind the log and take shots at Malthir.
The paladins cover and armour protects him from the arrows and he is unharmed.
Fenna seems caught off guard by the sudden emergence of the bandits, and appears to have forgotten where she had stored her crossbow, cursing to herself in gnomish she fumbles around but eventually manages to get her weapon loaded.
The gnome lines up a shot towards the bandit leader, , then retrieves another bolt.
The gnome lines up a shot towards the bandit leader, , then retrieves another bolt.
The shot thuds into Kressle's cover as she ducks behind the log in an evasive maneuver.
Edric and Casimir delay until Malthir's action. Vaysh your up.
Vaysh winces at how quickly things have gone bad, but bites the inside of her cheek to focus her mind on the situation at hand. She drops her head slightly and takes a quick step back away from the torchlight; then she begins to speak softly in her strange and lofty language, while many might not understand the words they are familiar to her company.
Day is done, dusk is here, my dreamer do not fear.
Malthir will say shield wall on my mark and then move up and sleep them!
Round 1 Action do a single move straight toward Kressle so he doesn't out distance himself from the other fighters and unfortunately become a pin coushion as I hope the other men will form up to comeplete the wall. His standard action is to ready an action to attack any enemies that come within range of my sword.
EDIT:
Edric vaults up onto Talia.
Ready to move when you are Malthir. Let us take out the rabble on this side of the river before attempting to cross. The knight lowers his lance at the bandits to the south.
As the arrows clank harmlessly off Malthir's armor, Casimir smiles a clod smile.
Our plan is working. Our armor and magic protects us well.
The duelist hefts his blade and raises his buckler, prepared to move out in formation.
You are rigth, Sir Edric. Best to cut down those three in the hope of drawing out their leader from cover. Vaysh, focus on the watchtowers. Fenna, can you use your ghost sound to make it sound like armed men are comming at the bandits from behind?
All,
I need some clarification. First, Alexander would it be possible to add a grid to the map to make it easier to read and describe movement? Are the squares with trees and shrubs difficult terrain? The Bandits that came from K5 are they wielding bows or shortswords? Now if I'm reading this map right the only way for us to get to Kressle is to cut through the group of Bandits from K5 cross the ford and then climb/jump over the log. Is this right?
I think he means letters and numbers along the x and y axis. E. g. I move from G4 to F6.
Vaysh begins casting her Sleep spell. Although she cannot see the men on the watchtower, she is able to target it high enough on the tower that she thinks she can catch them in its radius.
Kressle pokes her head over the barricade, enough for you to see she is wearing a nice chain shirt. Holding a dagger, she twirls it around in her fingers expertly, smirking at the group.
As Casimir, Edric and Malthir emerge from the tree cover and begin moving out into the open, they are met by a veritable hail of arrow fire before they are finished moving into position.
The three men instinctively wince as they see arrows fly at them, but none of the arrows truly find its mark; and the one that does is deflected away from Edric by an unseen force...
What's wrong with you all! Kressle screeches as she hurls a dagger at Malthir, her closest target.
Although her aim is true, Kressle's dagger falls woefully short of the distance required to hit the paladin.
Edric, Casimir and Malthir get into position
Round 2 Initiative
Other Bandits- 15
Fenna- 15
Vaysh-11
Kressle-10
Western Watchtower Boys-9
Eastern Watchtower Boys-7
Edric-4
Casimir-3
Malthir-2
The bandits that are visible beside Kressle shift their aim to the dnagerous looking warhorse after seeing how little effect their arrows were having on the heavily armoured warriors.
One arrow flies towards Talia's flank, and Edric tries to swerve the horse away from the arrow instinctively...
The bandit at the rear of the camp by the campfire sprints over to the river bank a little to the north of Kressle. The three that were approaching the party's warriors with shortswords seem to hesitate, and then quickly move to defend the northern ford and Kressle.
Durations
Edric PfE- 7 rounds remaining
Malthir PfE- 8 rounds remaining
Casimir SoF- 8 rounds remaining
The three warriors march out of the woods shoulder by shoulder, looking fierce in the flickering tourchlight. As the hail of arrows Casimir calls out to the bandit leader.
These ragged fools aim as poorly as Happs' men did, Kressle. The message from him is this: There is a new force in these lands, come to end your reign of plundering. Happs died like a dog, on his knees in the dirt, after betraying all your secrets. Know that for anyone who follows the Stag Lord, there can be only one end - a bloody death by the sword of justice.
Round 2 Actions
Casimir will wait for Malthir and Edric to move and then follow and engage the bandits on this side of the river.