Rangergate? lol
"Can any of you magically gifted ones summon an illusion?"
I may conjure up simple illusions around me to keep the eyes of the enemies confused and their blades striking air, but I do not believe those spells will suffice for your needs.
Looking inquisitively at Harry, he adds:
I was suggesting for the man to stay both because his expertise on these creatures and the surrounding region would prove invaluable for such a difficult task as to invading an occupied enemy fort. And while I do not much about either the man Jakardros nor the elf Shalelu, I can firmly attest they are not "flesh and blood" as you call it and would not doubt his intentions. I'll concede magic, specially transmutation spells, can work wonders, byt the man doesn't have a drop of elvish blood on him while she looks positively elvish.
Ailetha looks about her companions:
My choice would be to go in through the tunnel behind the waterfall. We are strong and can defeat ogres. But I do not think that we are ready to assault the front of the fort. We can wait for the manticores, but this has its own risks as we all know.
"I agree, Sis. If we can avoid the head on direct approach, I think we will all fare much better. Does anybody want a little refreshment before we begin?" Celestra asks as she creates ale in her tankard and takes a drink.
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You're an alcoholic :)
"Can any of you magically gifted ones summon an illusion?"I may conjure up simple illusions around me to keep the eyes of the enemies confused and their blades striking air, but I do not believe those spells will suffice for your needs.
Looking inquisitively at Harry, he adds:
I was suggesting for the man to stay both because his expertise on these creatures and the surrounding region would prove invaluable for such a difficult task as to invading an occupied enemy fort. And while I do not much about either the man Jakardros nor the elf Shalelu, I can firmly attest they are not "flesh and blood" as you call it and would not doubt his intentions. I'll concede magic, specially transmutation spells, can work wonders, byt the man doesn't have a drop of elvish blood on him while she looks positively elvish.
"Father's are made in more ways than one Marek. Anyway let's move camp a bit further away from the fort and off the trail before we plan our next move. I don't like the idea that that ranger might have been closely observed by magical means and that's the idea itching at the back of my head."
"That Ranger was more bane than boon and I too am of the opinion that he was compromised knowingly or otherwise, any tactics or plans of ours he was privy to would have no doubt been immediately conveyed to our enemies. One way or another he had to go, and go quickly"
"Sneaking around in those tunnels didn't get the assurances I wanted from Miss Zomesco's divination, so I am thinking we do a classic bait and switch. After that, we do it all Pirate like and sail in under a bit of a ruse before running up the black flag and attacking them from within"
"Anyone not up for a bit of an ambush?"
Alana gratefully accepts a drink from Celestra.
"On my short-lived visit to Riddleport, I played bait for a lovely pirate captain once who was trying to convince a nearby noble that his runaway daughter had actually been captured and was being held for ransom... he was contemplating removing my hand to send as proof, I must admit I was quite terrified, as this was certainly not what I had signed on for when I took his favorite woman to my bed. Lucky for me, the woman was able to convince him that the nobleman would be willing to pay more for his daughter in tact, else wise he might never find her a proper husband... I don't suppose we will be cutting anyone's hands off, will we?"
"Hands, heads, this will be thirsty work... Miss Zomesco maybe beers at the end"
"For the ambush, a couple of those Enlargement spells, and that area of invisibility, you recall the one we used to creep in on the Grauls Miss Aurcalum? Anything else we have in area destruction will be quite helpful, anyone have fireballs or the like? Prepare those. Similarly I need a bit of extra fire protection if we are going to do that"
"Rest up and make preparations, we can hit them at first light"
Alana visibly cringes at Harry's response, and unconsciously puts her hands behind her back. "Aye then, Handsome, I can make any of use larger and I might be able to give some added extra protection to a few of us as well."
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Map Log.
Area Map
Fort Illustration
Overhead map
Phase 1: Initiation.
Action: Harry will wander up, as though a lost Ranger/traveller arriving at dawn.
Aim: Get the Ogres attention, draw a group out of the fort.
Issues:
* Ogres don’t come out – fire arrows.
* Ogres have speed/mounted – the rocky area can be used as rough terrain.
* Ogres initiate with ranged weapons – Same rocy terrain can be used as cover to return fire, Ogres being ogres they will get sick of that game before long.
End state: Part of the Ogre force will chase Harry, into an ambush set by the rest of the party.
---
Phase 2: Ambush.
Action: Party will lay in wait for arrival of Ogres after preparing suitable kill zone. Fill the engagement area with concealed pits/spikes/caltrops etc.
Aim: Reduce Ogre numbers, create opportunity for Phase 3.
End state: Ogres outside fort slain, party ready to enter Fort Rannick.
---
Phase 3: Deceptive Entry.
Action: Karlan and Harry will Enlarge just out of sight of the Fort, and dressed in the Ogres clothes, will mumble and yell incoherently appearing badly wounded and in need of help as they approach the fort, as though the fight with the Ranger hit difficulty. The rest of the party will follow on close behind them Invisible.
Aim: Seek entry to Fort Rannick, begin main assault.
Issues:
* Ogres don’t open gate – withdraw to forest.
* Ogres go on counter attack – fall back to forest and engage.
End state: Party now all within fort, postured for attack.
---
Phase 4: Assault.
Action: Melee members will hold inside the gate, keeping as much cover as they can from any ranged attack further in. Casters/Ranged party members will attempt to gain high ground (watchtower or stable) and begin area attack/denial casting.
Aim: break into the Fort and eliminate occupying force.
Issues:
*Ranged enemy – if significant, our ranged/casters engage with counter fire.
*Enemy casters – priority target.
*Enemy withdraws to keep – clear out the fort area, prepare to lay siege to the keep, likely entry is side under construction.
Nah, I was just waiting whether the others do agree or not...looks pretty impressive, Harry should apply for Admiral of the Seven Seas...
So, does everyone agree - anymore preparations are do we just skip to the next morning and let the ruse begin?
Nah, I was just waiting whether the others do agree or not...
Works for me. Is there a reason we are not even considering, or at least scouting, the secret passage through the waterfall?
I tend to agree. Alerting the whole fort would not end well for us. WE don't have any idea about numbers and capability. Only that these ogres are merely occupants and not the invaders themselves.
So, new plan?
Because I did consider them, and then discounted the idea - I'm not a fan of the idea of the tunnels.
The Augury did not come back positive.
Just 'scouting them' will take us a couple of months with no guarantee that it will be productive.
It adds a layer of complexity, searching an area we don't know.
There's no guarantee that going via the tunnels allows us a stealthy entry, meaning we might end up with the whole fort, without any depletion of their forces.
We could take damage/burn resources in the tunnels, meaning we then have to rest and camp out there some more (if even possible).
We have been sitting out the front of this place since mid May, we have been staring at it for almost 4 weeks. I really am not keen drawing out what is not even the main encounter by faffing about in an unnecessary side trek.
By doing it this way we at least eliminate some of their forces on our terms, force them to deploy (which gives us an idea of their real numbers/attentiveness) and if we change our mind on things we are doing it from the safety of being external to a fort or tunnel system.
All said, I suspect this isn't even the main encounter, spending months and months on it is probably not the best time investment. We know the BBEG's aren't here (They haven't been sighted, they haven't been detected) so I'm happy that these are lackeys with maybe some henchling support.
Well I'd be okay with the plan if we can have a reliable means of escaping. We might be dealing with henchmen, orrrr we might be dealing with an ogre zombie horde. Besides the sneaky route has served us well before.
I'm here and waiting for the outcome of your discussion :)
"So Harry, let me get this straight. To start this plan, you want to walk up to the front door and get their attention and then you will draw them back to us for an ambush? This sure seems bold and dangerous, but if we can pull off the ambush, it may be really effective. Where do you suggest we lay in wait?"
"Pretty much the case, a classic lure used by Pirates and vagabonds everywhere. Bait them into believing they have a limping ship on the run, only to be pulled into a waiting armada". They aren't clever or disciplined, we should catch a few"
Harry takes Celestra for a short walk along the road to a spot that resembles the planned ambush site.
"We can set up a pile of nastiness in the middle here, any caltrops, small pits to slow them from running and foul the terrain, anything that will slow them, injure them, or disrupt their charge. Half the party will hide on their advance, the other half ready to engage their rear. If we have too many or it is too nasty, I will just run by the ambush site and lose them in the woods. Initiation of the ambush will be when I appear to turn around and make a stand - they should try rush me and that is when they will hit the bad terrain and get confused, that is when we hit them hard."
"We need to keep Alana's Entangle though, it must be saved for the main fort as a means to cover any retreat we might have to make"
"This site looks like it will work well, but I must confess, I am not as prepared for ambushes as I would like to be. I'm not particularly good at digging ditches and I'm sorry to say that I did not bring along any caltrops. Maybe the others can help me with theses preparations. At least the ogres from the fort will not be able to see us working here. So how deep do we have to dig these small pits?"
"Just enough to foul footing and slow their charge. A few rabbit holes or the like should do it and then cover them over a little. Hard for a charging Ogre to pick out in the dawn light"
KArlan thinks on Harry's plan. "We need a means to cover our escape should things go south. We're not skirmisher's here Harry if we escape it won't be on horse back. Anyone know if ogres can see in the dark or not?"
"That's why we keep the fight at the gates once we enter, gives us the exit at our backs so that we can move straight back outside to the freedom of the woods, dropping an Entangle to foul the way for any trying to follow. Much better than trying to backtrack through poorly understood tunnels where we can be cut off or bottlenecked"
Ailetha continues to listen to the plan.
Ok - sounds like the plan is set and accepted - you make the call!
Once we have had time to prep up that bad patch in the ambush site and conceal it up we can begin!
Spikes, sharp sticks, rabbit holes, anything to break up a charge and create difficult terrain that we can conceal (until its too late)
Not?
I'm fine to go too!
When the next morning dawns - the morning your plan is about to be put into action - you feel a bit nervous...after all you're goint to fight ogres and you never know what to expect of these gruesome giantkin.
The morning is grey and autumn winds blow coldly from the icy heights of Hook Mountain...looks like the mountain ghosts don't appreciate your presence.
"Courage, my friends. It will not be long now. I think we've done everything we can for this ambush. We just need Harry to be the bait."
The morning is grey and autumn winds blow coldly from the icy heights of Hook Mountain...looks like the mountain ghosts don't appreciate your presence.
Harry doesn't care what the ghosts appreciate or not, he will be warming himself by the fire in a conquered keep by nightfall, the ghosts be damned.
After ensuring everything is in place, the traps set, the ground fouled, and all well concealed enough, Harry heads off towards the Fort wrapped deep in his cloak.
Carefully pausing to ensure that there are no patrols already outside the Fort, so no one to cut off his withdrawal, Harry watches his surrounds thoroughly. Once convinced that there is nothing going on in the dawns morning light, he moves to within visible distance of the fort and effects a bit of a stagger, giving the implication he might be weakened or injured.
”Ho there brother Rangers, open up the gates! I have journeyed from Turtleback, I’m lost and in need of rest!” Harry cries out, hoping to get their attention ”Open the gates for a lost wanderer! I need help!” he staggers slowly towards the gates...
Harry continues on the ruse, hoping the Ogres come running out for him.
Bluff
Perception
Before Harry left, Ailetha helped with his disguise so that he truly looks like an injured and exhausted ranger.
Disguise: <-- hopefully at the distance, this will help, maybe give a +2 Aid Another bonus to the bluff.
It doesn't take long until there are about a dozen ravenous ogres on the wall staring down at Harry.
Even though you had expected a sizable force, you are a bit shocked to see so many so quick...
The watch leader, a massive monster wearing a horned helmet points at Harry with a crude but obscenely large sword
Rangers all die die! We now rule! Go tell in Turtleback - Jaggrath rules these lands now!
"What!? Then I suppose I need to turn the supply wagons around and head somewhere else, just as soon as I fix that broken wheel" Harry turns and begins to walk away slowly, limping and hobbling.
KArlan whispers to the others as he guesses the number of ogres they've jsut encountered. "It's absolutely, positively, imperative, that we try to fight as few of these thigns as possible at a time. Do whatever it takes to make sure we only have to worry about one or two at a time."
Wait! We...uh...help with wagon...we strong...
the ogre bellows with what looks like an hint of cleverness.
We come down! You stay!
And quickly the bulk of the watchers races down the stairs...
Heartbeats later, the gate is slowly being pulled up...
"Hey! No! I have to warn them! The women, the children!"
Harry turns and starts running from the nasty Ogres 'in fear of his life'... but staying just ahead.
Celestra watches with her blade drawn and whispers to Ailetha. "Here they come now. Are you going to put us under your haste spell, or should I prepare to cast Blessing of Fervor on all of us?"
Wait until Harry is within range, then we both cast at the same time. Neither spell lasts very long. Also, we have to get Harry and Karlan to increase their attacks. If my understanding is correct, your blessing will also allow us to improve our accuracy and give us all some other benefits other than just speeding us up.