DM Flykiller's Council of Thieves

Game Master flykiller

Soon afterwards, your preparations are interrupted by Janiven, who appears in the company of five of the Children. Rizzardo, Gorvio, Ermolos, Vitti and Fiosa are all dressed up in colorful rags and wear hooded cloaks. The group is armed with short swords and crossbows, Janiven herself carries her usual longsword and a longbow.
"It is time to leave. Divide in pairs and split up, we'll meet at Jacovo's stables in a half an hour."
You each get assigned one of the Children, and they guide you through the twisting streets of Westcrown along different routes, finally arriving at a stable near the city gates. You see Janiven already there, mounted, and five more horses await you. Each pair mounts a horse and rides on, levaing behind Jacovo's shouts: "Gorvio, I need them back alive and well by sunset, you hear me?! You can get your arse into any sort of trouble you like, but don't you dare involve my horses in it!"
About half an hour ride later, you arrive at the spot. The shadows become longer and the sky begins to get a yellowish tint, as Janiven says: "There. You could try to hide behind the trees, or climb up the canopies. There is also a camping place with stone cairns which could make you harder to see, or some big boulders. You've got some time to make yourself comfortable, while we prepare the ambush up ahead."
Here is the map. It is quite large. I've designated the appearance of the enemy with a yellow arrow. You should be able to move yourselves around.

Is there any check I have to do to set up the black powder or do I just do it?

Bishop will make sure the black powder is rigged before finding a hiding spot behind a nearby tree(G29).

If the Hellknights are coming on the right hand side/east end of the map, I assume that Janiven and her crew will spring out of hiding on the left/west end, and that the armigers who fall for the bait will ride off the map to the left/west.

That being the case, would we not want to set up on the east/right side of the bridge, so that the carriage passes us by, and then we can spring out and attack them from behind? It will be easier to get Arael away that way too. And we won't get caught between the armigers who fell for Janiven's trick and the ones left with the carriage.

If I'm misinterpreting Janiven's plan, let me know.

I am assuming we have the time to take 20 on a Stealth check?

Janiven's decoy will be far off the map to the left/west side. The idea is to pull part of the armigers off the combat entirely, giving you a short while to rescue Arael and retreat, before they are able to return. If the carriage is before the bridge, it might be easier for it to turn around and flee, possibly skirting or overrunning you. If the carriage is after the bridge, it will serve as a choke point. But yes, the idea was that you launch your attack from behind, at least partially.
Yes, you can take 20 on Stealth. I was planning to factor that in automatically, provided you don't stand out in the open waving your weapon.

I'm not at home atm and google docs is being weird. I shall group up with Dracius, if possible.

"Shelyn has blessed me with a voice that can raise the spirits, and I try to use it whenever I can." Illithia's eyes twinkle when Dracius speaks of his first encounter with the songs and liturgies of Shelyn. Perhaps she had been among the first singers that so entranced him.

When he comments on her beauty so evenly, Illithia replies in kind, not a hint of embarassment or irony about her. "They say that half-orcs aren't creatures of beauty, Dracius, but you have certainly shown them wrong."

She is shocked when Dracius says his peace about Ferrucio. "I did not get that feeling from him, but perhaps Shelyn has blessed you with more sight than I. I will be cautious around him."

I imagine we will (Illithia and I) start around X26 or so -- the bushes should help hide we two who aren't otherwise good at hiding, and let us attack once they're over the bridge (as per the plan)

Out of pocket at the moment. I'll try to get a post in tomorrow.

Ferrucio arrives on horseback, with Fiosa mounted double behind him. He reins in his horse, a bay stallion with a little more spirit than he is used to.

"Sorry," he says to Fiosa as they wait for Ermolos to come over and help her dismount from the tall horse. "My horsemanship has always been indifferent at the best of times."

Not that the rough ride had stopped Fiosa from talking--mostly about Iomedae. If I hear one more word about that woman's miraculous acts... To hear Fiosa tell it, everyone owed their lives to Iomedae, whether they realised it or not. To Ferrucio, such blind faith represented a trap for the unwary--a crutch upon which they might limp their way to the grave, their limits left untested and their faith merely a shield between them and the harsh realities that pervaded this world--and the next, and the one after that, and the one beyond that...

Faith was a mystery to Ferrucio--one which defied logical comprehension. He knew it gave some people great comfort and power, but he preferred to be the one in charge of his destiny, rather than surrendering it to some unknowable entity. At least devils were bound by the agreements they struck, and if he died, it would be for no-one's cause but his own.

Ferrucio rouses himself from his contemplative trance, dismounts, and takes stock of his surroundings. The bridge is a good chokepoint, but there is little in the way of cover--except the bridge itself.

When he gathers with his new companions, Ferrucio puts forward the options as he sees them.

"We will want to remain on the east side of the bridge," he says. "That way, we can't get caught between the two groups of armigers, and hopefully the carriage will get stuck on the bridge itself. The river current appears relatively swift--perhaps Dracius or Illithia could push a couple of the armigers in, if required. It would take them some time to free themselves, and the chainmail-and-leather you say they wear shouldn't prevent them from swimming safely to shore downstream."

"As for hiding, I suggest either the small copse of trees just south of the east end of the bridge, or under the bridge itself--anything else would seem to be too far away to launch a surprise attack. If we wade into the water, we should be able to brace ourselves against the current, and then we can attack the carriage from two directions at once. Plus if Shanwen chooses to use fire magics against us, hopefully our wet clothing will protect us somewhat."

"Professor, since you are the one who will likely be opening the door to the carriage, do you have any means by which you can convince Arael of our allegiance to the Children? He will likely be wary; he won't have survived this long without a healthy dose of paranoia."

Dario rides on Rizzardo’s horse. Wordlessly, he dismounts and clasps the man’s hand before Rizzardo takes the gelding off to stand beside Janiven. The professor examines the surrounding area.

”Ferrucio, you and I are going to need line of sight to the carriage to get our spells off. After that it’s probably going to be chaos.” He nods at Ferrucio’s selection of hiding places. ”I like that stand of trees too. It’ll let me get to the carriage quickly. As for words, I hadn’t considered anything special. Janiven, is there anything special Arael would respond to? Maybe something you’ve used in the past?

Would hiding up in the trees allow Dario to see the carriage from his hiding spot? How high are the trees at Y27?

Dario rides on Rizzardo’s horse. Wordlessly, he dismounts and clasps the man’s hand before Rizzardo takes the gelding off to stand beside Janiven. The professor examines the surrounding area.

”Ferrucio, you and I are going to need line of sight to the carriage to get our spells off. After that it’s probably going to be chaos.” He nods at Ferrucio’s selection of hiding places. ”I like that stand of trees too. It’ll let me get to the carriage quickly. As for words, I hadn’t considered anything special. Janiven, is there anything special Arael would respond to? Maybe something you’ve used in the past?

"Hmm...what about using the same sequence of knocks on the carriage door that we use at the safehouse, Janiven?"

Would hiding up in the trees allow Dario to see the carriage from his hiding spot? How high are the trees at Y27?

Unfortunately by my estimation the trees are around 50ft. from the bridge--which means I won't be able to cast grease without climbing down or emerging from behind the trees anyway (30 ft. range at 1st level). I figured perhaps if I were under the bridge I could use the cover to my advantage and whatever initiative result I got, delay my action until the bottom of round 1/top of round 2 and blast off a second sleep spell after yours (move action to emerge, standard action to cast).

Anyone have any thoughts?

"There will be no time for long cyphers. I'm not even sure Arael will be conscious. You'll have to force the door open one way or another as soon as possible, and I think Arael would be thankful to anyone who rescues him from the Hellknights. Just mention that you work with me as the newest members of the Children of Westcrown. Our group is not well-known yet, it will be a safe sign for him that you are trustworthy."
Dario - The tree itself is about 40-50ft. high. Let's say you're going to climb at least 20ft. up the tree to get into the canopy. Sliding down will be a move action, any higher and it's a full-round action which can be reduced to a move action with an Acrobatics check. You will be able to see the carriage. Shooting/casting a spell from up the tree will require a DC11 acrobatics/concentration check.
Since you're staging an ambush, you will have a surprise round unless you're spotted prematurely.

Dracius looks at Ferrucio and says, "If we are to hit them when they cross the bridge, then should some of us not be on that side to harry them, rather than allowing them to ride forward and away from us? Or have I misunderstood the plan?"

"According to plan, my group will be posing as a threat in front of the bridge, so riding forward will be a desperate move. After what Yakopulio has told us, I think they're going to be risk-averse and attempt to return back to Westcrown at the first sign of trouble. They will be torn between their arrogance and fear for their careers, and this is where you should strike.
Now please excuse us, we have to set up our act or else the plan will fail."
With that, Janiven and the rest run forward, leaving the horses tied to the trees about 100ft. deeper into the forest on the east side of the stream.
Bishop, I'd like you to tell me where you intend to deploy the black powder, please.

"If he's conscious, he should recognize my voice too. But I'll identify ourselves as the Children of Westcrown."

Dario walks over to the southern set of trees and begins climbing up them. Afterwards, he does his best to slump down and minimize his form among the branches.

20 feet up the trees at Y27. Take 20 for stealth, which gives me a 26.

I was thinking of setting it up right behind the bridge so that when they cross, it'll be harder for them to turn back. The idea is to make a wall that blocks their line of sight. Unless of course, someone has a better idea.

"I think half of us are gonna be on the other side of the bridge so we got them surrounded. That is, if I figure it right."

Janiven turns round and shouts:
"Almost forgot to mention - once you've got Arael, run for the horses and ride towards the stables! Don't let them catch up with you. We will reach Westcrown on our own, later, after leading the hellknights off track. Don't worry about us, I've got it under control."

Flykiller, can you put an arrow on the map indicating the direction to the horses? Thanks.

I was thinking of setting it up right behind the bridge so that when they cross, it'll be harder for them to turn back. The idea is to make a wall that blocks their line of sight. Unless of course, someone has a better idea.

I figured the idea was to have Janiven and the other Children engaging half the armigers and drawing them off, while we attacked from behind the carriage--which would mean deploying the powder on the west side of the bridge would make sense, to block the line of sight to the other armigers and hopefully convince them to turn the carriage--which will be difficult to impossible while on the bridge, giving us a greater opportunity to attack while the remaining guards fiddle around trying to work out what to do. Still, whichever way we choose, let's get moving.

"Bishop, how do you plan to light the powder? Do you have some remote trigger set up?"

Ferrucio will secrete his backpack with the horses, and soak a kerchief in the stream before tying it around his mouth and nose to protect from the smoke. He'll then wade into the water and hide under the bridge and take 20 on his Stealth check for a total of 20 + 2 = 22 plus total cover against any attacks from on the bridge itself.

Ah so we want them to try to turn around. Sounds good to me. I'll set it up on the west side of the bridge then.

"Well I was thinkin' that I can lob this alchemist's fire from where I'm hiding onto the powder. The flask will break and the contents will light it up. Unless one of you mages have some fire of your own you'd like to employ."

Silly me, I forgot to get flint and steel so I'm gonna improvise. Should be spectacular.

Silly me, I forgot to get flint and steel so I'm gonna improvise. Should be spectacular.

Awesome. Especially if they don't see you throwing the flask. : ) Pity we didn't think to talk about this earlier, I could have taken spark as a cantrip.

Nah its fine. I should have remembered it, since using gunpowder was my idea. Though having spark in the future would be a good idea. Or something else fire-related.

EDIT: thought you were talking about the other arrow. Assume the direction is down the stream, to the south. I've put the enemies on the map, but it's late right now so I'll do the starting post tomorrow.

Nah its fine. I should have remembered it, since using gunpowder was my idea. Though having spark in the future would be a good idea. Or something else fire-related.

<summons hell hound> Will this do? ; )

Yep

Cool. Just wait here while I grind for seven more levels, and I'll be right with you. ; )

Pity I can't give fire elementals the fiendish template, or they'd be much more fun. : D

K. We'll be here when you're done with that.

You find your cover and wait, for what seems to be an eternity, but in reality is less than half an hour.
Finally, you sense the tremble of multiple hooves striking the ground, and a small cavalcade of riders appears from beyond a road curve, followed by a carriage pulled by two horses.
The cavalcade consists of four riders, and the carriage is manned by two people, one of them a normal armiger, akin to the ones you saw in the sewers, and another wearing an armor emblazoned with Order of the Rack insignia. This must be Shanwen, the Signifier overseeing the transport operation. His red beard is seen from beneath the partial helmet.

Shanwen

Four more armigers cling to the sides of the carriage, and when you look up (or, in Dario's case, slightly less down), you're in for a surprise. On the carriage roof there is a relatively small but nevertheless intimidating ballista, manned by another armiger. The ballista looks like it's able to pierce cover and heavy armor. Neither Yakopulio nor Shanwen mentioned anything about it.

Carriage

The riders and Shanwen look tensely ahead of them, and you instinctively try to blend into your cover. But luckily, your hiding worked well and they do not seem to be aware of your presence.

Moving at about 5 miles per hour, the riders regroup in two pairs to cross the bridge. Ferrucio can hear his teeth clattering from standing in the cold stream water in sync with the hooves clanking over the bridge. Now everything depends on the Janiven's group.

And her timing is impeccable. As soon as the last rider leaves the bridge, you hear Shanwen barking the order to stop. The carriage stops awkwardly right in front of the bridge.

"Ruffians on this road? They must have gotten really desperate. I will let the Paralictor know about this incident. Guido, chase this scum away!"

The riders draw their swords and push their horses into gallop. The remaining armigers exchange short laughs in anticipation of seeing Guido making short work of the 'brigands'. Shanwen gives the driver a nudge and the carriage starts moving slowly through the bridge. But the laughs are immediately replaced by the cries of disbelief, as the horses hit some kind of an invisible wall and fall down, taking the not-quite-expert riders with them.

You can strike at this moment or choose to do so a bit later. Roll Initiative.

As the 'brigands' scatter into the woods, instead of attempting to rob the prone armigers, the realization dawns on Shanwen. His face becomes contorted with rage.

"Fools! Damned idiots! These are no simple brigands! We return to Wescrown NOW, before your ineptitude ruins my career!"
"But my lord, the horses can't turn the carriage around so close to the river!"
"Then move your arses and help them!"
The armigers drop off the sideboards and prepare to push the carriage to the side to help the horses pull it around. Shanwen orders the ballista shooter to drop down and help the rest.

I've moved them into the position where they begin turning the carriage, but if you wish to strike earlier than that, let me know. They are trying to use the camping space for the turnaround.

Is it okay to say that I had the alchemist's fire in hand so I can actually light the powder during the surprise round? I forgot to state that I was keeping it drawn but I meant to. My surprise round is to either throw the alchemist's fire or draw it.

Initiative
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Yes, you could keep it in hand while they were passing by, so you can start your round by igniting the powder.

Is it that time already? ; )

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

I am quite happy to wait until they try to turn the carriage, but as I'm unable to see what's going on from my vantage point beneath the bridge, I will wait to hear the inevitable shouts of alarm that Bishop's attack will cause before I make my move. In the end I suspect our choice will be decided based on where Bishop put the black powder; if it is now behind the carriage there is little point in igniting it as it will be more of a hindrance to us than to the armigers.

I am posting from my mobile at the moment; when I get to my laptop I will adjust Ferrucio's positioning on the map so he occupies a square rather than a grid intersection.

Also, if the armigers on the west end of the map are still prone but able to collect their wits, they will be able to rejoin the fight in 5-6 rounds. Better get a move on. : D

I've scribbled the supposed position of the black powder. Bishop, please correct me if I'm wrong.
The armigers are really off the map, about 300 ft. off the edge. It will take them at least a minute to reach you, assuming they are able and willing.

You have it right, they just got farther than I thought they would.
:( Low Initiative is like that.

Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Is the black powder lit yet?

No, since you are higher on init than Bishop. You can delay your action till it is, if you like. The combat is not started until the first hostile action is made.

Dario waits until the carriage begins to turn north into the campsite so that the horses cannot simply bolt farther down the road. When the time is right, he mutters a few words and makes a motion with his hand like it's lying something down. As soon as the spell is finished, he shimmys down the east side of the tree, giving him some cover from the carriage.

Wait until the carriage just begins its turn into the campsite. Sleep spell. Affects 4HD. DC 13 Will save. Centered on the group of Armigers, helping turn the carriage. I think I can cover all of them.

Get 'em, boys!

Will saves:
4d20 ⇒ (2, 1, 17, 14) = 34
EDIT - nevermind, found what I was looking for. Two armigers are down at the start of the combat. Waiting for Illithia's Init before making a proper combat post and updating the map.

Illithia's Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

As the carriage begins to turn, something strange happens: two of the armigers suddenly stop pushing the carriage and fall flat on their faces, as someone shouts "Get them!" to the south from the road. The remaining armigers began drawing their weapons, but before they could act, something hissed fiercely from the side of the bridge and a fire burst out of nowhere, cloaking the bridge under a thick wall of black smoke.
Illithia, Dracius and Ferrucio still have a chance to act in the surprise round

Round 0

Illithia steps out of the bushes with the glaive out. The plan hadn't gone perfectly, but as well as could be expected. Shanwen was too far for now, so Illithia would try to disable to other armigers first. Now that the trap was sprung, Illithia begins to sing an Chelish battle-hymn, from an age gone.

Perform (sing) [no real effect :P]: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
X28->X24

We'll see about that ;)
One more request - if you move, please write your start and end points in addition to simply moving your picture, e.g. E2-E4

I thought I'd post my Round 1 actions as well; I am going to be pretty busy today so might not be able to otherwise post in a timely fashion.

Description
Ferrucio’s chattering teeth echo the staccato beat of the horses’ hooves as the carriage makes its way across the bridge. He readies himself to spring out, waiting until he hears some other evidence of the attack as he listens to what he assumes is Shanwen berating the armigers.

When he hears the whoosh of Bishop's alchemist's fire, he pauses for a moment, then scrambles up the bank of the stream, arcane words already on his lips as he sidles up to the post of the bridge and peers around the edge of the smoke cloud to gain a bead on the armigers.

Focusing his mind, Ferrucio pulls a handful of rose petals from his belt pouch and tosses them in the air, where they remain in defiance of gravity for a few moments before seemingly sublimating into a coruscating ball that speeds toward the armigers. The ball makes a glomph noise as it hits the corner of the carriage between the would-be Hellknights and explodes like a water-filled bladder, its eldritch energies washing over the men pushing the carriage. Satisfied, Ferrucio prepares himself nervously for any counter-attack, a dagger in hand.

Quick question: which side of the carriage is the door on?

It is never mentioned; let's say it's on the rear side.
Will saves: 3d20 ⇒ (18, 13, 12) = 43
Another two armigers, who were pushing the carriage from behind, have managed to draw their weapons right before feeling awfully tired and crumbling onto the earth near their snoring brethren. The remaining two armigers and Shanwen see a slender robed man briefly appearing from behind the smoke screen. Shanwen screams: "They've got a mage! Kill him!", not yet realizing he lost two thirds of his minions. The attention of the enemies is now focused on the wondrous smoke and the arcane threat, and they are oblivious of the party to the south.
Dario's move action for Round 1 was getting down the tree, one action left. Dracius has an action in the surprise round and Illithia can act again in Round 1.

Dario slides down the tree, landing on his feet and he sprints toward the rear of the carriage. He shouts at the lone armiger surrounded by his sleeping brothers, "You're surrounded, kid! We don't want you. Just run and we won't hurt you!"

Down the tree at Y29, Y29->U25
Intimidate 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Shanwen screams: "They've got a mage! Kill him!"

Ah, crap. : D

Round 0:

As some of the armigers fall, Dracius turns his attention to the nearest one, clutching his holy symbol in his hand as his mind reaches for the darkest images he can think of, terrible and horrific in their beauty, and funnels their essence out to the defender.

Casting Cause Fear Will Save: DC 14

This rounds actions for me depend on weather Dracius manages to make the last remaining Armiger flee. I will post both sets of actions but will leave the board alone to be edited later (I can't view the board at work, but want to keep the combat moving). Also, that is a very good idea to handle combats in the future Flykiller. I may have to steal it for my game

Hah, I realized that there are 2 remaining armigers, so I'm gonna change my actions slightly.

Illithia sprints as fast as she can to the front of the wagon with her glaive drawn. Getting close enough to Shanwen to be able to reach the man, Illithia stops singing and instead says: "You have more to worry about than a mage!"

X24->P19 (I think. P19 should be the sqaure adjacent to armiger 1, but within reach of Shanwen).

It was P18, my bad.