Shadow Over the Dales (Inactive)

Game Master dickie

"yes, act fast"

In her excitement, Alyna switches to elven.

Xune translated the plan to the rest of the party. It was much more organized than anything Xune might think up on her own, Alyna's leadership was obvious.

Sid shrugs. "Let's hope they don't spot us back here while you're getting into position." He nods at the front of the column. "Go on, let's set up as fast as possible."

"If them see us in front of your attack, then they form on us, and you attack rear. But then we need help quick, Clearness. We will go now?"

Alyna starts moving swiftly towards the southern end of the small patch of woods, and waits there for Xune, before moving on.

...Xune merely adds "Just remember, our target is the wares. If we get overwhelmed, seizing the wagons and/or boat should be our backup plan." before drawing her beautiful elven swords and engaging with Alyna.

I take it we can use the elven surprise -4 penalty here. Am I right that theres no roll for that, but then once combat begins I could roll move silent for a backstab attempt?

Right, the penalty applies to their surprise chance roll when the conditions are met. Hide and/or MS will keep you able to make a surprise-style backstab even if you're not actually at the target's back if you can close and hit from hidden. I'm just mostly waiting for Davin and Xeno to touch base in case the priest has any pre-combat buffs (bless cannot be used once combat starts in 2e, for instance) and because I know Xeno's player was away for the weekend, want him to have a chance to catch up.

Plus I know the next 24-48 hrs will be busy for me so I might be slow a couple of days.

Xune and me can make use of this rule

Elves move through forests and other natural terrain silently and almost invisibly. As long as elves are not attacking, they can only be spotted by someone who can spy invisible objects. When elves move through the woods, if they are careful, they will appear only as shadows of the leaves of trees, dancing in the undergrowth. This is of immense value to elves, who can thus gather information about their enemies-enemies who often do not even suspect an elven presence.

Xune only has to roll MS and HiS when she is out of the woods (pun coincidental)

Beau will move with the assignment once they make their attack charge. He seems strangely smokeless and drinkless as they make ready

Davin blinks several times at the blisteringly quick, yet somehow still melodic, stream of Elvish coming from Alyna. Thankfully, Xune, took pity on him enough to translate for him, and Davin once again resolved to ask her to help him learn her language.

And once he was able to digest the plan itself, he nodded. It was a solid plan.

"But can we be sure these people are Zhents? Can we spot any markings? Or maybe try to overhear them? I would hate to accidentally become a bandit. My god, Helm, is not known for his love of irony."

Alas, no bless spells. I prepared two cure spells, and one light spell, in case we attacked at night with my zero darkvison.

From a distance the uniforms look like the ones you saw the day before. Even if not Zhents, they're for sure up to no good transferring cargo in the middle of nowhere to an untraceable boat. No moral ambiguity for this one.

From a distance the uniforms look like the ones you saw the day before. Even if not Zhents, they're for sure up to no good transferring cargo in the middle of nowhere to an untraceable boat. No moral ambiguity for this one.

I think we can safely assume that Xune points this out to Davin with a "well, duh" tone in her voice.

Davin nods.

"Good enough for me."

Time has passed, I suppose we're good to go with my plan. I can't edit the map, so I'll describe

Alyna moves a little back (so south side of black square), and then straight to the river. Then she moves along the bank, out of sight, to the thicket next to where the loading is happening. She moves together with Xune.

"yes, act fast"

In her excitement, Alyna switches to elven.

** spoiler omitted **

You're in there. You're "Clarity"

Thought I set the folder to be editable so everything inside it should default, but I guess I didn't. I will fix that shortly, and be able to update shortly as well.

How much movement are we allowed at this point since init hasn't been rolled, move*10 yards? Just double checking

Okay, updated the folder settings and verified the map itself. I've placed Xune and Alyna at a new location to reflect moving to flank. At this point we are going into combat turns, so movement rate*10 feet.

Xeno, assuming Alyna's plan I'm just going to allow you to enter from any edge of the map at any point you choose to join in. We will assume your first turn is appearing at that edge, the next round you can act normally. Does that make sense?

Surprise Round Go!

Gotcha boss!

My thought was to charge from cover. Appearing at the edge and standing there for a full minute kinda is the antithesis of that idea.

Surprise round: Alyna stays in the cover of the bush.

I placed you within charge range of some targets, just not within half-move-and-attack range. You can inch closer at a half-move and remain hidden during the surprise round if you'd like to get closer before emerging from hiding.

I think me and the other two man sorta move up together, like a solid wall.

Beau walks steadily towards the cart, faking disinterest

I placed you within charge range of some targets, just not within half-move-and-attack range. You can inch closer at a half-move and remain hidden during the surprise round if you'd like to get closer before emerging from hiding.

Yeah, let's do that. Inch closer, while remaining in hiding

Little confused why we aren't charging as planned, but will stick with Alyna.

We'll charge them as soon as they form up against Sid, Beau, and Davin
That way, we attack those who do not want to be in melee

Sid walks up alongside Beau, attempting trickery rather than stealth to get close.

Davin? I'm assuming if Xeno had wanted to enter he would have said so above, lol.

Oh, sorry. I thought I composed a post where I said I walked alongside Beau. Maybe I didn't hit submit or something.

Davin follows along with Beau, his mace in hand, and a grim look on his face.

A human, a dwarf, and an elf walk up to a Zhentilar mercenary with weapons drawn. The man's eyes go wide. "Sergeant Mara!" he calls out. His hand goes to his sword. The half-orc turns and immediately orders the company to attack.

The Zhents closest to the river see the scuffle up front and turn to face their officer who tells his men to load faster before popping up the hood of his cloak.

Okay, first round of real combat starts now! Don't forget your initatives.

I haven't seen any of the pictograms on the map move, yet, so I guess we're waiting out this round, too.

Round 1:
Alyna motions Xune to hold a little longer, to wait for the main fighting detachment to run to the trouble, while she and Xune prepare to charge the officer and the loaders. She's wary, checking if any of the Zhenths are drawing a ranged weapon or grabbing spell components.

Weird. I for sure moved some folks and other folks moved others, just checked the map and it shows the most current placements. Remember the opposition hasn't acted in combat yet so they have not moved themselves. Xune and Alyna are about 40 feet from two mercenaries, Beau, Sid, and Davin are adjacent to one and have other targets, including the half-orc, about 30-50 away.

Init: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Could Alyna and I attack on our Init on the condition that the others engage before us?

I can't recall what they call it in 2nd edition, but yes, there is a "delay until" type rule, I just can't find the daggone thing at the moment. I am pretty sure we can just let you guys delay to go after the other three for now.

If we are not going to make it on the same time I would like to delay our group attack until we can all hit someone. For me, sid and Davin atleast.

Beau calls out to those approaching, or rather more in a loud voice to hsi companions " Ye know what I did the last time I saw people coming at me? I split them so hard their ma's forehead hurt."

I actually laughed at that, Beau :D. But, ok, then we delay until those of the Zhenths who're gonna move up to the fight have done so. Means we'll take the last action of the first round of fighting, or at the end of the second round, depending on how fast they respond

But the half-orc already ordered them to attack us. We're (Beau/Davin/Sid) not surprising them. I don't want to lose a round of attacks while the half-orc and the archers set up.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

The moment the half-orc orders the guards to attack, Sid's hand goes to his sword and he lashes out at the one he, Beau, and Davin had walked up to. Not knowing what to expect and seeing the mass of guards descending on them, he starts conservatively.

Longsword, one handed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 AC -1 this round
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

3/2 attacks, so 2nd attack:

Longsword, one handed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Cool, a crit! How are we handling those?

that crit falls in next round. 3/2 means you get two in the second round, says phb. A crit is autohit and double all the damage.

I was just checking because there's the critical hit tables and other rules in Combat and Tactics.

More like pass than round, and yeah it is one of my biggest headaches when trying to parse out the end of the round, but I like how it actually plays out. You can toss in an attack roll ahead of time for A and Xu whenever. They're currently unaware of you so you should be able to get rear or flank attacks easily.

I will look at the tables. I tend to avoid them at live games bc they slow down combat, but that's not an issue in PbP.

Alright, I'll roll for when the opportune moment comes. My priority for targets is as follows;

1 any spellcaster
2 any ranged combatant
3 that commander who oversees the loading who pulled the hood over his head (and didn't drew a weapon, yet, right?).

I opt for increased AC this round, so AC is 1.

initiative: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 but that one is delayed anyway...

attack roll: 20 - 1d20 - 5 ⇒ 20 - (16) - 5 = -1

damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Attack rolls for the right time. I'll include rear attack bonus, since Xune will always try and flank Alyna's main target.

Move Silent 40%: 1d100 ⇒ 87

Mainhand: 20 - 1d20 - 3 ⇒ 20 - (1) - 3 = 16 (-2 twf, +2 reac, +1 elf, +2 rear)
Broad: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
Offhand: 20 - 1d20 - 1 ⇒ 20 - (11) - 1 = 8 (-4 twf, +2 reac, +1 elf, +2 rear)
Short: 1d6 ⇒ 4

As Sid starts the swinging, Beau gets to work. He starts singing some song about some misty mountains

I think this is right? +2 from my strenght then a flanking bonus if I read it right

Mainhand: 20 - 1d20 - 4 ⇒ 20 - (1) - 4 = 15
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

I think I just need to hear Davin's round 1 action at the moment. Pretty sure Xeno would have said something if he were ready to swoop in.

I've been super-sick for like five days. I'll swoop in once the Zhents react and I see where the trouble spots pop up!

Davin draws back his mace and lets it fall.

Initiative: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Mace: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (5) = 15

Yeah, that probably doesn't hit.

Sid's d10 init: 1d10 ⇒ 1 I'm ready to start saying let's just use the d20 since we're all so used to it, lol, but no, not really.
Beau's Init: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
ZFG: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
ZL: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
ZB: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Mara: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Red: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Sid Slash Crit Loc: 1d10 ⇒ 4
Sev: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Sid's first attack goes wide and the man in front of him seems completely startled.

"Keep loading!" shouts the hooded man. Pulling out a razor sharp curved sword and keeping his eyes on the dwarf, elf, and human suddenly confronting his troops, he scoots low sideways into the forest where he is suddenly confronted face-to-face with two elves already hiding where he was looking to flank the three obvious attackers. His eyes go wide and he shouts out, "Cast off! Now! Go, go, go!"

The guards respond to the initial incursion and rush towards the three known threats. Two of the guards draw swords and charges Davin while a second charges directly at Sid. Yet another moves more cautiously to engage Beau.

ZFG Sword w/charge: 20 - 1d20 - 2 ⇒ 20 - (12) - 2 = 6 vs Davin
Damage if hit: 1d8 ⇒ 6
ZFG Sword w/charge: 20 - 1d20 - 2 ⇒ 20 - (15) - 2 = 3 vs Davin
Damage if hit: 1d8 ⇒ 4
ZFG Sword: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (1) = 19 vs Sid
Damage if hit: 1d8 ⇒ 5

The Zhentilar grunts nearest the boat respond to the hooded man's commands and begin hoisting up the anchor and untying a rope from around a tree.

Beau thrusts his sword up into one of the guard's chest who gurgles briefly before flopping hard to the ground. Davin has less success with his attack despite the reckless charge from the Zhent coming his way.

Xune and Alyna immediately spring into action attempting to tag team the hooded human. Luck saves him from Xune's broad sword, but her shortsword draws blood on his left side while Alyna's longsword cuts an even wider wound onto his right side.

A few of the Zhents seem unsure what to do and begin tossing things onto the boat in a hurry, not worrying about being careful with their cargo.

Leading with a battle scream, the half-orc hefts a battle axe before charging at the dwarven warrior.

Mara BA w/charge: 17 - 1d20 - 2 - 2 ⇒ 17 - (10) - 2 - 2 = 3 vs Beau
Damage if hit: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Stick with the original text, not the rolls! She missed Beau. I had forgotten one of the guards and inserted the missing attack which screwed up the dice roller when I submitted the edit, I'm going with the original intended roll instead.

She seems to lose her grip on her axe however and can't quite connect with the dwarf.

Sid effortlessly severs the guard's artery with a deep slash. He is too shocked to even register his imminent death and drops to the ground.

Round 1 Recap

4 - Sid easily slays a goon.
6 - Red looks to flank but ends up finding he's been flanked already.
8 - ZFG move to engage S, B, and D.
11 - Beau drops a goon. ZB start to cast off.
12 - Davin fails to hit a goon.
13 - Delayed Xune and Alyna both engage the hooded man.
14 - ZL keep loading and Mara totally misses Beau.
?? - Xenotime circles about.

Round 2 Go!

Init: 1d10 ⇒ 10

Sid briefly looks up into the sky and, hoping the dragon is somewhere close enough to hear, shouts "Don't let them push the boat away from shore!"

He switches to a two-handed grip and aggressively goes for one of the two guards facing Davin, hoping to finish off the small fry quickly and then turn as a group to the half-orc. "We'll be with you in a second, Beau!"

Longsword, offense: 20 - 1d20 - 4 ⇒ 20 - (11) - 4 = 5 (AC 4 this round)
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Davin breathes a sigh of relief after he manages to deflect two sword charges with his shield. But he tenses as one of the men seems primed to slip behind him. He swings his mace wildly, hoping to stop him in a single hit.

Initiative: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Mace: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (8) = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Following Alyna's lead to keep up the rear attack bonus

Init: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Mainhand: 20 - 1d20 - 3 ⇒ 20 - (17) - 3 = 0 (-2 twf, +2 reac, +1 elf, +2 rear)
Broad: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4
Offhand: 20 - 1d20 - 1 ⇒ 20 - (19) - 1 = 0 (-4 twf, +2 reac, +1 elf, +2 rear)
Short: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Zove flourishes, delivering a multitude of solid slashes. She lacked Alyna's grace and discipline with the blades, almost seeming to be operating on some dumb luck and her ability to only be noticed when she wanted to...

Alyna and Xube are suddenly confronted with someone cutting through their woods. That wasn't part of the plan, but no matter, they would fall regardless.

Alyna will try to make quick work of the Zhenth in the woods. She has two attacks this round, though, and Xune has attacks too. So, if she still has attacks left when the Zhenth is dead, she'll run along the riverbank to strike at the next one.

She means to go aggressively, so the +1 goes to the attack roll, not AC

initiative: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
and +5 on that for the second hit

attack roll: 20 - 1d20 - 6 ⇒ 20 - (18) - 6 = -4
damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

attack roll: 20 - 1d20 - 6 ⇒ 20 - (20) - 6 = -6
damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Edit: that second one was a crit! :) double damage or table?

From out of the forest cover swoops the infant dragon, quietly sweeping across and over the battlefield, then blasting the boat's occupants with a storm of tiny, coruscating crystals that flay off flesh!

Breath weapon: Crystal shard damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Save for half damage, second save or dazzled (-2 on attack rolls)