Really miss detect evil...too bad divine sense can't help here. I take it that these aren't local soldiers?
Lindaer crept back and informed the party of what he had seen.
Stealth:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Luckily, he did so without revealing his position or otherwise endangering the mission.
"Six men in the open with spears and shields, three orcs trying to hide, one half-orc with a greataxe. they've captured seven goblins who are tied up. How should we proceed?"
That is hysterical, and very true to form for a barbarian. :) Kill first, ask questions later. Lindaer, about whether these are local guards or not. Tough to tell in the rain, they are all wearing sailcloth cloaks to keep the rain off, and none of their shields has any sigil of allegiance on it.
"I am hesitant to kill first and ask questions later. Does anyone here have any idea as to who this half-orc is or who the humans are? I, for one, am of the mind to see if I can get closer to find out more."
Male Forest Gnome NG Hermit Druid of the Mountain Circle 3 AC 16 HP 22 Passive Perception 15 Init +2 Proficency Bonus +2 Spell Attack Modifier +5 Spell DC 13 Inspiration 1
Psalm looks incredulously toward Shenkt. "Lets at least get a look at the armor. We don't need the Imperials hunting us." He looks in the direction of the other party. "I think the soldiers are selling the gobs to the orcs. . . .whoever is behind all this is trying to cover his tracks by removing the goblins. That would be my guess."
"I say let the exchange happen then we can follow the orcs and get the Goblins and find out what Grugiz knows." He ads as an after thought "The other soldiers if they are not imperials should be easy to find trail of here or in town."
Can we get close enough to hear what they're saying at all? Perhaps Quint (alone) could sneak closer, or maybe Vralk could get closer without drawing attention (he wouldn't have to hide, just look like a bird doing bird things) while Boddy used his senses to spy on them?
Female High Elf NG Monk 3 Character Sheet | HP: 26/26 (3d8 + 3) | Defense:AC: 17 (10 + Dex(+ 4) + Wis(+ 3)) Saving Throws: Str. + 4, Dex. + 6 | Advantage vrs Charms, No magical sleep | Perception + 5, Passive + 15, DV 60 ft | Init. + 4, Spd 40 ft.Offense: Unarmed Strike + 6, 1d4 + 4 Ranged: + 6, 1d6 + 4, 80 ft./ 320 ft. | Ki points: 1/3 | Luna's Heritage
-Eafphqu- wrote:
Okay, I am not rolling initiative yet, because combat is not a foregone conclusion here. There are myriad ways this could end, and depending on your choices, combat might be the last thing on the list. However, that said, I did update the battle grid just in case combat is what happens. :)
** spoiler omitted **
Seems legit... O.o ...
Literal LOL at those stealth checks!!! Thanks! I was needing a good laugh!
GG Forest Gnome Boddynuck Male Wizard Folk Hero | Hp 18/18 | AC 12 | S -1/D+2/ C+3//I+7/W+3/C+1 | Passive Per 11 | Per +1 | Insight +1| Acro +2 Spells DC 15 save, [3/3 L2]
The problem with Vralk is that there is no way that a normal bird would be flying in this wind and rain.
"Have the soldiers noticed the orcs? Maybe the orcs are planning on ambushing the soldiers? We should help the soldiers against the nasty, disgusting orcs."
Gom slips out her hand crossbow and loads a long black bolt. She steadies the foregrip on her bent elbow, putting the half-orc in her sights for death shot. Gomdebo had no lust for killing but she wanted to be ready.
The problem with Vralk is that there is no way that a normal bird would be flying in this wind and rain.
He wouldn't have to circle their heads, just perch in a tree nearby enough to hear what's going on. Fun fact: 5e familiars can be dismissed to a pocket dimension as an action, then as another action, they can be re-summoned to any unoccupied space within 30ft of the master, essentially giving them the ability to teleport (slowly) from one place to another.
"Why don't I make a distraction to allow the rest of you to get into position?" says Jun as he motions for the group to hide. Giving them but a moment's headstart, he then backs up and begins screaming while he runs. As he becomes visible, he does his best to make it look like he didn't see the edge of the bluff, until it was too late.
Jun falls and begins rolling down the bluff, sliding to a stop at the bottom.
Acrobatics to try and help keep himself from getting too badly hurt:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
He waits there in a daze for a moment, then scrambles to his feet and begins running until he slams into one of the guards. Seeing the man, Jun screams "Run you fool! Do you want to be killed!" at the man.
Lindaer, from within his hiding spot, just stared. What was the bard trying to accomplish? Was he going to lead them over here to an ambush? Was he about to get impaled by a spear? Without any explanation given to him, all he could do was wait and hope that Jun knew what he was doing.
Okay here we go... First, all movement in the area of the hill is difficult terrain, 2:1 movement cost. However! I would allow a DC 15 Athletics or Acrobatics check to move downhill at regular speed.
Moving uphill is a flat 2:1 regardless.
Insightful?:
Guards:1d20 ⇒ 10 Half-orc:1d20 ⇒ 6 Orcs:1d20 ⇒ 3
Jun's tumble down the mud-slick hillside is deftly done, aided by his training as a performer, his ability to agilely twist and turn his body helps him to land at the foot of the hill within striking distance of one of the guards holding the tie-rope for the goblins. He watches as the half-orc, who, up this close, looks like someone who knows his way around a combat all too well, lifts his weighty axe off of his shoulder in an instant, and all the soldiers move spears into ready positions. The guard that was in discussion with the half-orc exclaims, "What in the multiple layers of the damned Abyss is all this about?! Where'd you come from?!" He turns his attention up the hill waiting to see a bugbear, a troll, or a giant crashing down to kill the poor half-elf. When all he sees is a lone Highlander barbarian, he chuckles. "That? Is he who you're running from? There's a reason the Highlanders lost the Nine Years War, boy. Discipline beats recklessness." He looks over at his men and says, "Azan, Gauce, go take care of the half-elf's problem for him." Immediately two of the soldiers that were guarding the goblins move toward Shenkt.
Looks like you all set some kind of an ambush... Not sure how effective it's going to be, except for the fact that at this point the only enemy any of your enemies are aware of is Shenkt... Jun has the advantage of being seen as an innocent bystander. Let's see how it plays out!!! I'm putting us in initiative just because action economy matters at this point. If you want to wait to see what happens before acting, remember you can always use the Ready action. If you are going to use the Ready action, please be very specific both about the triggering conditions and the subsequent action. Thanks!
Lindaer watched this with growing alarm. Who were these humans? Were they soldiers? Even enemies? It looked liked they were about to kill Hack to help Jun. A reasonable action when it appeared that a northerner was trying to murder an innocent half-elf.
Concealed in the bushes, Quint curses. What is he thinking?! He whispers to Shenkt, Run away!We might still be able to avoid a fight if Shenkt can make himself scarce before anyone can reach him. If they pursue, at least they'll be walking right into our ambush that wasn't really intended to be an ambush.
Male Forest Gnome NG Hermit Druid of the Mountain Circle 3 AC 16 HP 22 Passive Perception 15 Init +2 Proficency Bonus +2 Spell Attack Modifier +5 Spell DC 13 Inspiration 1
Psalm curses, "What's the point here. Who are we attacking?" He looks around.
Just to ask an obvious question are the soldiers wearing a uniform I failed to notice before? Also I am confused. I thought that the soldiers were meeting with the orcs? But the map seems to have the orcs waiting in ambush. I must have missed some major details.
"Yes run. We don't know what is really going on?"
I want to formally out of character endorse Shenkt playing his character as he sees fit even if Psalm would be mortified.
3 groups. Goblin prisoners. Human captors. Who are selling to a half-orc, who in turn has orc backup in hiding. Most likely for if the deal went south.
3 groups. Goblin prisoners. Human captors. Who are selling to a half-orc, who in turn has orc backup in hiding. Most likely for if the deal went south.
That's my assessment as well, but other than the goblins (who are prisoners), we don't know why any of them are there, or if they should even be considered enemies. Even if we want both the orcs and the soldiers all to die, we would be better off trying to upset whatever uneasy truce they have between them so that they start fighting each other first.
"No, you idiots, that man is my useless bodyguard. It's the rather large group of undead coming this way, however slowly, led by some sort of cloaked necromancer type. I think he's decided to take over this place, and given the sea of undead he controls, I'm frankly more than willing to let him."
Turning and shouting to Hack, Jun says "Get down here, you imbecile! Do you want to have your brains eaten?"
as he's speaking, Jun starts backing away from the hill and towards the one who is talking, as if trying to use the leader as a human shield.
Female High Elf NG Monk 3 Character Sheet | HP: 26/26 (3d8 + 3) | Defense:AC: 17 (10 + Dex(+ 4) + Wis(+ 3)) Saving Throws: Str. + 4, Dex. + 6 | Advantage vrs Charms, No magical sleep | Perception + 5, Passive + 15, DV 60 ft | Init. + 4, Spd 40 ft.Offense: Unarmed Strike + 6, 1d4 + 4 Ranged: + 6, 1d6 + 4, 80 ft./ 320 ft. | Ki points: 1/3 | Luna's Heritage
I was really hoping we would be able to wait & observe & then follow the orcs (as someone else had suggested!) if it had not gone badly before that, but, oh well. Too late for that at this point probably.
What are these crazy lunatics doing? Why didn't they step back and observe to see what happens? Luna will try to wait to see if any of her companions are attacked. If they are then she will try to tumble down the hill to help defend them. Otherwise she will stay in hiding.
I do agree with Psalm, Shenkt is playing his character well, though Luna would think he and the bard are madmen right now.
Male Forest Gnome NG Hermit Druid of the Mountain Circle 3 AC 16 HP 22 Passive Perception 15 Init +2 Proficency Bonus +2 Spell Attack Modifier +5 Spell DC 13 Inspiration 1
Psalm looks around amusement cracking his confusion? "This would be hilarious if not so deadly."
Male Forest Gnome NG Hermit Druid of the Mountain Circle 3 AC 16 HP 22 Passive Perception 15 Init +2 Proficency Bonus +2 Spell Attack Modifier +5 Spell DC 13 Inspiration 1
Do the soldiers have any markings to identify them? Killing mercinaries forcing goblin peasants into orc slavery is an easy choice.
Killing imperial soldiers while in the service of a senator a little more murky.
Gom tries to discern who among the goblins might be their leader and thus perhaps 'Grugiz'...
Investigation:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
She also harkons back to her time in the tower, seeming to recall that sometimes slaves were given the names of their master, and tries to remember if the same is true for goblinoids and orcs...
Jun's words ring true with all those present, and the guard captain calls his two men off of their attack. "Necromancers, undead? This day just keeps getting better and better." One of the guards overseeing the goblins mumbles.
The half-orc with the hefty axe looks at Jun, then Shenkt, and then at the captain of the guards he was in discussion with, and says, "What's all this nonsense?"
Psalm sees no markings on any of the guards marking them as of the Republic. Likewise Gomdebo gets no clear indication, from visually scouring the pack of goblins, which, if any, is their leader, or Grugiz.
All three orcs are readying actions, so... Current Initiative = Block 3: Psalm, Quint, Nikeisha. Followed by Block 4: Guards (red), (orange), (yellow). Make it count. :P ;)
Quint waits, staying hidden and keeping his how at the ready.
Ready action to fire on the nearest aggressor who he can still sneak attack (which should be anyone, as long as he remains unseen) if anyone tries to attack his allies.
Female Human Warlock 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 17 | Saving Throws - Str (+0), Dex (+6), Con (+2), Int (+1), Wis (+3), Cha (+6) | Passive Perc - 11 | Init +4 | Spell Slots - 2/2 |
Nikeisha prepared to vaporize anyone who decided to attack with Eldritch Blast. It had gone well so far for her, as a tactic. Or perhaps sending them sleep...
GG Forest Gnome Boddynuck Male Wizard Folk Hero | Hp 18/18 | AC 12 | S -1/D+2/ C+3//I+7/W+3/C+1 | Passive Per 11 | Per +1 | Insight +1| Acro +2 Spells DC 15 save, [3/3 L2]
"I'm so confused. What the heck are we doing? Do we have a plan? If we do, why didn't anybody tell it to ME? These big people are very, very strange."
Male Forest Gnome NG Hermit Druid of the Mountain Circle 3 AC 16 HP 22 Passive Perception 15 Init +2 Proficency Bonus +2 Spell Attack Modifier +5 Spell DC 13 Inspiration 1
Psalm looks up at Gom, "Do they have a close to this undead horde con?" He looks down at the soldiers and goblins and orcs. Not sure what to do next plays along with Gom's lead with a slightly different pitched groan, "Ugggghhhhh" adding a wheezy, "Brians."
Male Forest Gnome NG Hermit Druid of the Mountain Circle 3 AC 16 HP 22 Passive Perception 15 Init +2 Proficency Bonus +2 Spell Attack Modifier +5 Spell DC 13 Inspiration 1
Just for future reference are their limits to 5e wildshape with sizes like smaller than small. If I wanted to become a tiny rat or squirrel that would be possible right?
She whispers back "He's trying to get some of the soldiers clear of the boss while he positions himself close up...see him feigning to sneak behind him, as if for cover?" she sighs "He's going to pull his sword in a moment and get the rest to drop their weapons...wish we had some illusion magic to help draw more men off the cluster..." ever keeping the xbow trained downfield. "Or some kind of cover a bit closer...like a smoke cloud."
"Look friend, I was just explaining to you fine captain here that there is a horde of undead on the ridge above. They are dangerous, and are being lead by some sort of what I can only assume is a Necromancer. I don't know what you and your... associates" he says as he looks significantly at the Orcs "Are doing here, and I do not really care, but you might want to position some of your men near the ridge to form a defensive line. Otherwise, we're going to get swarmed."
As he finishes speaking, he waves Hack over and says "My guard will protect me, even if he is an uncivilized barbarian."
Turning to the guards, Jun shouts to emphasize his point "What are you standing around for? Form a battle line!"
Okay, so deception roll first, to get that out of the way.
Deception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Then, I would like to use Intimidate as a form of "Someone is barking orders at us! We should follow them" on the guards to get them moving.
Lindaer looked back at the ridge, caught up in the lie. Undead? Was that why he had run out? Or was this a ruse? Either way it didn’t make sense to him, so he held his position. He closed his eyes, opening up his senses...
Divine Sense used to see if there are in fact any undead or evil outsiders around
Psalm, I have never read anything that limits the size of creature a Druid can wild shape into. The only restrictions are: have you seen the beast before, is the CR equal to or lower than the table requires, and whether it has a fly or swim speed. So squirrel away! :) Also, did you want to ready an action? Or are you just waiting to see how things play out? I'm moving forward assuming that if you wanted to ready an action, you would have, therefore did not.
Staring up the hill waiting for this undead mob that the mud-covered half-elf who fell down the hill, running in fear, indicated is on the way, the guards surrounding the goblins move back dragging their charges with them, and then place themselves strategically between the hill and their captives. They raise their shields and spears staring through the pouring rain up the hill waiting for... something.
Male Forest Gnome NG Hermit Druid of the Mountain Circle 3 AC 16 HP 22 Passive Perception 15 Init +2 Proficency Bonus +2 Spell Attack Modifier +5 Spell DC 13 Inspiration 1
"I'm gonna get closer." He then shifts into a tiny grey squirrel moving in a wide circle toward the orcs stopping for split second intervals to twitch and continue running, hoping to pass as a real squirrel.
I can live with the weasel stats though I was hoping really small and faster. Weasel's move 30. Assuming 30 I can double move to where I put myself on the map.
GG Forest Gnome Boddynuck Male Wizard Folk Hero | Hp 18/18 | AC 12 | S -1/D+2/ C+3//I+7/W+3/C+1 | Passive Per 11 | Per +1 | Insight +1| Acro +2 Spells DC 15 save, [3/3 L2]
Boddy is far to confused to act at the moment. He has no idea what the heck is going on :-).
Psalm, Cat is tiny like weasel but has 40 ft speed. I think it might be the smallest and fastest of the wild shape level 2, not sure though.
Remember what our GM told us about cats in this setting. They don't exist in the wild. If you see one, you know it's somebody's familiar (or, apparently, a wildshaped druid).
Male Forest Gnome NG Hermit Druid of the Mountain Circle 3 AC 16 HP 22 Passive Perception 15 Init +2 Proficency Bonus +2 Spell Attack Modifier +5 Spell DC 13 Inspiration 1
Inconspicuous trumps speed. I was thinking weasel was the closest match stat wise but Psalm is even smaller just a little squirrel. Nothing to see here. Just a little guy perhaps fleeing a zombie horde.
Never thought about the wildshaped druid thing with cats before. Good call Quint. So, yeah, a cat would either be someone's familiar, or a wildshaped druid. :) Jun, did you want to stick with your deception/intimidation as your action this round? If I don't hear from you, I'll assume that's the case. Or, obviously, if I hear from you that that's what you want. :P
Listening to Jun's, rather convincing, description of the horde of zombies that are about to descend upon them all, the guards look around at each other with somewhat confused glances. Jun's ability to read a room, a skill he learned both as a merchant and an entertainer, tells him that the soldiers believe him, but aren't sure if they should obey him or wait for their captain to issue orders before obeying.
The hulking half-orc grunts to the guard's leader, "We didn't come here to fight undead. Tell your boss, he'll have to find someone else to take these arrow fodder off his hands." He then turns, rests his axe on his shoulder, and takes off at a jog.
The guard captain turns, watching him leave and shouts, "You'll get no gold for cowardice!" He calls at the half-orc's retreating back, but a strike of lightning that slams into the river a half-mile away more than likely drowned his voice out and the grey-green skinned warrior continues his retreat without hesitation.
Shenkt, this is actually the tail end of Round 1... :D I'm assuming double move there, since, again, so everyone is aware, the area between the black curved lines on the map is muddy and downhill, so difficult terrain.
The guard captain points at the two guards that were about to stop Shenkt, and instead of stopping him, they move into position with him to form a defensive line at the bottom of the hill, locking shields and spears in a shield wall, much like the Highlander would have been used to forming with his clan and kin. All three men stare up the hill, arms at the ready, prepared to defend themselves and their goblin captives against the undead onslaught that surely approaches...
Gom continues her Oscar-worthy zombie impersonation, circling wiiiide around to the north and trying to rotate the soldier's defenses to point that direction, leaving them exposed to the party's actual position. She holds her 2 daggers out with both arms knocking everything she can as she goes, so as to sound like 3 people instead of 1.
Double dash and move to the northwest, not caring about being heard but will try staying out of sight if possible (its nighttime right?).
This was going nowhere. Quietley, Lindaer used the rain to slip out of cover so that they wouldn’t see that he had been hiding. He then advanced confidently towards the soldiers, away from where Gom was dashing.
Depecption:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
He walked up with his shield held up high and his head back, the epitome of a proud paladin. Looking out at the shield wall, he yelled out in a confident tone:
”What is happening here? Don’t you know there are undead about? I order you disperse before you become more zombies for my brothers and I to deal-...are those goblins you have tied up? What is happening here?”
Female High Elf NG Monk 3 Character Sheet | HP: 26/26 (3d8 + 3) | Defense:AC: 17 (10 + Dex(+ 4) + Wis(+ 3)) Saving Throws: Str. + 4, Dex. + 6 | Advantage vrs Charms, No magical sleep | Perception + 5, Passive + 15, DV 60 ft | Init. + 4, Spd 40 ft.Offense: Unarmed Strike + 6, 1d4 + 4 Ranged: + 6, 1d6 + 4, 80 ft./ 320 ft. | Ki points: 1/3 | Luna's Heritage
Conditional post if that's ok Mended?
If Luna thinks she can spot the leader of the soldiers well enough to stay hidden and take aim with her bow, she will do so. Do you want a perception check or another stealth check? Both?
Otherwise she will try to move to some point where they would not see her as she comes out of hiding, and then run for it & try to tumble down down the hill. Stealth & Acrobatics checks?
Okay, this, right here, what follows, is EXACTLY why I started this whole thing in initiative. The rules are pretty darn clear about when a PC gives away their position, and both Gomdebo, and Luna have done so. PHB pg. 177 under hiding says: "If you make noise, you give away your position." PHB pg. 195 under Unseen Attackers says: "If you are hidden when you make an attack, you give away your position." So now all of the guards, and the orcs are aware of Gomdebo's position, Luna's position, and, obviously Lindaer's position. In addition, it is well known that zombies do not attack with ranged weapons, so, that this is some kind of ruse, and an ambush is quite obvious at this point. Now is when the proverbial "all hell" is going to break loose.
While Lindaer makes his way out of the foliage and slowly remember difficult terrain - I assumed double move action there makes his way toward the guards in line, Luna nocks, draws and looses an arrow from her shortbow in one swift, smooth motion.
Shortbow Versus Guard (black):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 Advantage Shortbow Versus Guard (black):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Piercing Damage Guard (black):1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Max damage! I'm going to go ahead and add one more damage onto that for "higher ground 'n' stuff..."
Luna's arrow drives, fletching deep, into the neck of the captain of this band of guards, and he falls to the earth gurgling and spilling arterial blood into the muddy ground. At that exact same moment Gomdebo's noise and chaos to the north causes the guards still holding the goblins to let go their ropes and turn shields and spears in her direction. The orcs, seeing an advantage, and having zero scruples, seize the opportunity and advance.
The reputation of the D'rak as deadly warriors is put on full display as both of the guards are sliced near in half. The d'rak's hefty axes cut through steel and flesh with ease, spraying blood all across the roped goblins and the one guard that remains there. The tusked warriors growl in rage and glory.
