Expedition to Tharkad-Kûl

Game Master Patrick Curtin

"Absolutely my friend, If they are fool enough to charge us, well then let them come. Bows out . There are orcs in need of killing. "

Eitri says, "Yeah, lets stay put. In fact I have a little surprise for those orcs!" Eitri calls upon the power granted to him by Torag to soften the earth where the orcs are likely to pass through.

Using Soften Earth and Stone to great a 10 by 30 area of softened earh between us and the orcs, 30 ft away.

Eitri casts his spell and hee feels the hills' flesh begin to soften. The spell keeps it looing the same, but he senses its liquidity increasing.

The orcs cries increase and they suddenly break cover, riding worgs. There are about a dozen or so. They begin loping up the hill, long spears grasped in their hands.

OK, you have two free rounds until they hit Eitri's trap. Post up two actions and I'll get a map fixed up this afternoon

A question, oh DM. Are we rested? Is the group in fine form to engage in combat?

You are as you were at the end of the last combat, which occured about 4-5 hours ago subjectively.

Borondon pulls out a javelin and waits until the orcs reach the mud.

As the Worg mounted Orcs break cover,

"Oh skund!" Crystal swears as she sees the foe advancing, "Kolo? We should dismount. No Cavalry warrior am I." She informs her freind, even as the light war horse shifts and jostles at the sound and sight of thee on rushing foe.

So, one action to dismount.

She then leads her mount towards the rear of the group, the better to keep the animal away from the coming affray.

Second action, a move one, to get the horse out of the way of everyone else.

Kolo scrambles down from the horse, then looks around nervously at the treeless hill, trying to find something to hide behind as he strings his shortbow and notches an arrow to it.

Move action to dismount. Standard action to look around for cover.
Perception check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
If he finds some sort of cover, he'll move to it, drawing his bow as he does, then hide
Stealth check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Otherwise, he'll just move to somewhere in the middle of the group.

Merzhan moves up to the edge of the mud and begins casting a spell. A shmmering heat aura seems to surround his body.

"As soon at they come within range fire, it will encourage them to try and close the gap!"

He wait for the orcs to hit the mud patch the words on his tonugy, his hands slowly beginning their arcane movements.

1st round, mage armor 2nd round hold until the orcs hit the mud, hit the front wave with color spray.

1st round: nock an arrow, shoot at a Warg at the tree line. (Not using Deadly Aim - accuracy is more important than damage on this shot.)

2nd round, nock arrow, using both Point Blank Shot and Deadly Aim on the first Orc to attempt to clear the trap.

Corvus remains seated on Myst and readies her longbow for action, aiming for the closest orc.

Round One

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 101d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Round Two - again the closest orc

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 241d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

No penalties as I have Mounted Combat as a feat and Myst is a trained horse/companion.

"May the blessings of Torag be upon us!" says Eitri, calling upon Torag's power to aid him and his allies.

Eitri will cast Bless

>MAP<

Sorry for delay, rough week. I'll straighten positionings up, the orcs are heading upslope at you.

Twelve orcs on worgs break cover and begin whooping up the hill. the first four hit Eitri's traps and are stopped

All four are thrown from their snarling mounts. The others behind them adjust their charge to circle.

OK so the first four are unhorsed (unworged?), so adjust your actions thusly and we'll get going on this donnybrook ..

Crystal stands amongst her friends as some of the Orcs hit the trap and go down. As the remainder begin to spill around the trap to the parties flank, Crystal draws her Elven Curved blade and moves to bolster that side of the group

Round Two Actions: Draw sword and move to J-19

Borondon hurls a javelin at the orc in fornt of him.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Daris shoots at the Warg under the orc in R18.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 151d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

(I'm assuming +2 to hit for being on higher ground)

Sorry for the delay all, been rather hectic as of late. I'll need a group init roll.

Merzhan hits the next wave of mounted orcs coming to the left with a wave of shining rainbow death. Two mounted orcs and their mounts cry out as they are blinded and stunned. L22/M21. Kolo finds a bramble to crouch behind and prepare. Crystal leads her horse away from the hill's edge as Eitri blesses them all, then she runs back to stand by Merzhan.

Borondon and Daris attack, but their weapons fail to reach their foes.

>Updated map<

Group init 1d20 ⇒ 11

so 13 for Merzhan

If the group Initiative base is 11, then 13 for Crystal *bows*

Initatives Round One:

Navorn: 17 [pending]
Corvus: 15 [pending]
Kolo: 15 [pending]
Daris: 14 [pending]
Crystal: 13 [pending]
Merzhan: 13 [pending]
Borondon: 13 [pending]
Eitri: 12 [pending]
Orcs: 8 [Attacking]

The orcs split up around the muddy/sandy patch of ground. The unsaddled orcs struggle to regain their feet and their mounts. Two on the left side howl and attempt to clear their eyes of Merzhan's rainbow flash.

OK, first real round. Post actions and I'll try to get this steamboat going..

First Action, First Round:
Crystal draws her sword, the large Elven curved blade ringing softly as it clears the scabbard. She adjusts her stance and prepares to meet the foe.

Will begin using Bard Inspire courage on 2nd round, to carry it a little further into combat.

Kolo stands up from his hiding place, aims briefly, and fires an arrow at the nearest orc.

Attacking the orc at L22. +1 to hit for higher ground. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage (second die is sneak attack): 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + (1) = 6

Daris lets fly another shaft at the Orc she missed before

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 141d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Borondon draws his axe, hefts his shield and waits for the orcs to come.

Eitri tries to blast an orc with an acid dart.

I'm targeting the one at r16

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 101d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Initatives Round One:

Navorn: 17 [pending]
Corvus: 15 [pending]
Kolo: 15 [hit!]
Daris: 14 [miss]
Crystal: 13 [drawing sword/holding action]
Merzhan: 13 [pending]
Borondon: 13 [drawing axe/holding action]
Eitri: 12 [miss]
Orcs: 8 [Attacking]

Sorry for my intermittent postings. Springtime is a very busy time of year for me :).

The orcs howl as Daris aims and shoots her bow. The arrow goes wide, vanishing into the darkness. Eitri's acid bolt also goes wide, missing his target and spalshing againt a nearby rock which begins smoking.

Kolo pops up and fires a shot at one of the orcs. His arrow flies true, lancing one of the burly humanoids in the shoulder. The tusked raider squeals and turns towards Kolo.

OK, I will advance this if no one else posts by tomorrow..

OK, I am sorry it took me so long to get back to this, I am dipping in and out here as I can. I really have little time today to DMPC everyone who hasn't gone, so I will do it tomorrow, time permitting.

Initatives Round One:

Navorn: 17 [Bardchant +1 ATK/DAM]
Corvus: 15 [hit]
Kolo: 15 [hit!]
Daris: 14 [miss]
Crystal: 13 [drawing sword/holding action]
Merzhan: 13 [miss]
Borondon: 13 [drawing axe/holding action]
Eitri: 12 [miss]
Orcs: 8 [ 5 Attacking/ 4 prone/ 2 blinded/ 1 dead]

*sigh* OK, I feel enthusiam might be waning here. A lot of that is my bad, I have really not wanted to get into DMPCing a bunch of folks. I am going to give this a try.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 151d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Corvus shoots her bow again to good effect, killing the orc she had wounded previously. The humanoid pitches off his worg, thudding on the stony ground.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Merzhan points and intones several words in Ignan. A fiery lance of light shoots out, but his timing is off. The fire flies over the heads of the orcs.

Navorn sings a stirring rondo, lifting everyone's spirits

The orcs ride in, worgs snapping. Wary of the party, they throw wickedly-barbed javelins at them from a distance.

Attacks:

Crystal and Kolo receive gashes as the javelins flash by them.

NEW ROUND! Post actions!

>UPDATED MAP<

Even as the javelins fly past, Crystal snarls and swings her sword in reply. She takes a five foot step towards her target and relies upon the length of the two handed weapon to "Reach out and touch faith!"

Att Roll:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Dam Roll:2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 = 14

Then, on the 'back swing', she lifts her voice to rouse her companions.

So, every one now gets the +1 bonus. This should last long enough for us to finish these vermin! (^_^)

"Hah! Its like that eh!"

Borondon Returns fire with a javelin:

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Daris nocks her next arrow, and takes her shot at the orc in Q-15.

"This shall not pass."

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 141d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Eitri curses as his shot missed the orc and then fires another.

Eitri will attack the orc in p14

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Initatives Round two:

Navorn: 17 [pending/Bardchant +1 ATK/DAM]
Corvus: 15 [pending]
Kolo: 15 [pending]
Daris: 14 [miss]
Crystal: 13 [hit]
Merzhan: 13 [pending]
Borondon: 13 [miss]
Eitri: 12 [miss]
Orcs: 8 [ 5 Attacking/ 4 prone/ 2 blinded/ 2 dead]

OK, lets see what we have going on here ...

Daris' arrow flies wide, earning her a snarl for one of the tusked raiders. Crystal's massive sword arcs out, cleaving an orc nearly in twain. Borondon's javelin misses its mark by a small margin, the shaft blurring by an orc's head. Eitri's ill luck unfortunately continues, his next attack also missing

I am expecting some company this weekend, so I will probably not be able to update more. If no one has posted more actions by Monday I will DMPC again.

Sorry t'is not exactly my turn but I too shall be occupied during the week end so here's my contribution. :)

Crystal steps across toward the next brute and swings.

Att Roll:1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 = 19 (Own Bard Inspire)

Dam Roll:1d2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

As she continues to raise her voice in rousing song.

Kolo looses a hasty arrow at the nearest orc, then scrambles back into the midst of his allies.

Attack roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 (+1 bonus from height advantage)
Damage roll: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Merzhan again sends a ray of fire searing towards an orc.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Initatives Round two:

Navorn: 17 [pending/Bardchant +1 ATK/DAM]
Corvus: 15 [pending]
Kolo: 15 [miss]
Daris: 14 [miss]
Crystal: 13 [hit]
Merzhan: 13 [miss]
Borondon: 13 [miss]
Eitri: 12 [miss]
Orcs: 8 [ 5 Attacking/ 4 prone/ 2 blinded/ 2 dead]

OK, lets see what we have going on here ...

Merzhan and Kolo attack, but Kolo's hasty arrow flies past Merzhan and disturbs the fire caster's aim. His bolt of fire flies into the air, sizzling like a firework.

DMPCing Corvus

Corvus sends another arrow towards the orcs:

DMPC info

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 131d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

She comes up shy as well.

The orcs cast another flurry of javelins:

Attacks:

Crit Confirms:

Corvus, Daris and Eitri all are hit by the wickedly-barbed ebon shafts.

NEW ROUND! I have Crystal's action already for rd 3, post the others. AbstactXP and Seeker, you still with us? If you have lost interest, please post up in OOC thread.

*bows* And posting to show interest. (^_^) Rousing my allies and swinging steel for me on round three!

Frustrated with the ranged battle Borondon yells "Come on up and fight you cowards!" Then he throws a shortspear.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Frustrated with the ranged battle Borondon yells "Come on up and fight you cowards!" Then he throws a shortspear.

Attack: 1d20+6
Damage: 1d6+5

Borondon's shortpear finds its mark, drawing a howl from one of the riders

Daris uses a Swift Action to heal herself (Lay on Hands - use 3 since the wedding, and it's the same day)

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 91d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Daris continues the fluid motion, and draws, nocks and aims.

And misses. Sigh. :)

(How is it that Daris missed on a 14 and Crystal hit on a 13 before, btw?)

Daris uses a Swift Action to heal herself (Lay on Hands - use 3 since the wedding, and it's the same day)

1d20+7; 1d8+6

Daris continues the fluid motion, and draws, nocks and aims.

And misses. Sigh. :)

(How is it that Daris missed on a 14 and Crystal hit on a 13 before, btw?)

Good eye! Daris should have hit and I will retcon that. Mea Culpa.

Initatives Round 3:

Navorn: 17 [pending/Bardchant +1 ATK/DAM]
Corvus: 15 [pending]
Kolo: 15 [pending]
Daris: 14 [miss (retcon hit)]
Crystal: 13 [hit]
Merzhan: 13 [pending]
Borondon: 13 [hit]
Eitri: 12 [pending]
Orcs: 8 [ 7 Attacking/ 2 blinded/ 4 dead]

Rolling along ...

Daris' arrow finds the throat of one of the circling orcs, he gobbles and falls. Q-15 down. Crystal slices at another I/J-22 and slices another down. Daris touches her chest briefly and a surge of healing washes through her. Borondon hits with his spear P-14 and wounds the orc badly.

The orcs unseated by Eitri's spell have now managed to regain their footing and are readying to attack close range, their falchions at the ready.

OK, leaving it there. If no one else posts up within the next few days I will DMPC.

Did we get an updated map?

It would help a bit

>UPDATED MAP<

Still carrying her uplifting tune Crystal again swings her Elven battle sword at the Orc before her.

Att Rol:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Dam Roll:2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 4) + 9 = 14

"Ha!"

Then a five foot step to K-21 me thinks to at least gain a flanking bonus on the next Orc over. (^_^)

Eitri moves out of the rear rank and attacks an orc with his warhammer.

Moving to n13 and attacking orc in o13

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Borondon swings at the orc in front of him (n16).

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19