When you get across, you find Kraeg is wounded but in relatively good spirits. "Saved one for me to kill, yer Lordship?" he asks.
When you announce your plan, he suggests at first that he drive the wagon across while you shoot but, as that is obviously the most dangerous option and he is the most wounded you talk him out of it.
It'll be tricky to steer the wagons from further back behind the boxes, but that would be the safer option.
You have managed to pull the wagons across to the side of the gorge directly underneath the bandits. Attacking you from this position will be difficult for them and they would have to expose themselves to do so.
Lurret quite happily binds the three bandits and happily gags the conscious one.
"Are you good with that crossbow or do you want better tuh drive these mules?" ask Lurret. He picks up his bow as he says that, clearly indicating he wants to be taking some shots.
"Are you good with that crossbow or do you want better tuh drive these mules?" ask Lurret. He picks up his bow as he says that, clearly indicating he wants to be taking some shots.
"If'n I want ta be takin' long-range shots, that's why I have a crossbow," Orlan explains, "But I prefer ta be lettin' the power o' Torag or me forefather's axe do the talkin' in a fight."
He gestures toward Kraeg. "This one looks a might worse fer wear. Why don't we be havin' him ta drive the mules. You can keep an eye on the trussed chickens in the back and I'll offer a bolt or two where necessary from up front."
It takes a while for Kraeg to get the wagon moving but after he does, two of the bandits from up to attempt to use the rope to quickly clamber down to below where they can get a bead on you. They aren't too fast though and you have first chance.
It takes a while for Kraeg to get the wagon moving but after he does, two of the bandits from up to attempt to use the rope to quickly clamber down to below where they can get a bead on you. They aren't too fast though and you have first chance.
"Hunh! There be a coupla fools fer yuh, Lurret!" Orlan announces. He aims carefully and then picks one of them off on their climb down the rope.
The arrow strikes true and the fool on the rope loses his grip and stumbles into the mud. Despite the obvious pain, he gets up and flies an arrow in your direction. The second bandit's aim is better. He manages to direct a shaft into Lurret's leg.
Lurret misses his attempt to return the favour.
Lurret misses his attempt to return the favour.
"Hunh!" Orlan scoffs with humor in the midst of the firefight, "What good're yuh at safeguardin' me caravan if'n yuh can't hit a bandit at range?"
He then follows up his bravado by reloading his crossbow, drawing another bead on the same bandit and firing for effect...
Orlan's light crossbow attack with Deadly Aim feat... (1d20+2 = 22 to hit with natural 20, 1d8+2 = 8 damage)
Confirm critical threat... (1d20+2 = 3 to hit, no critical)
Lurret misses his attempt to return the favour."Hunh!" Orlan scoffs with humor in the midst of the firefight, "What good're yuh at safeguardin' me caravan if'n yuh can't hit a bandit at range?"
He then follows up his bravado by reloading his crossbow, drawing another bead on the same bandit and firing for effect...
Orlan's light crossbow attack with Deadly Aim feat... (1d20+2 = 22 to hit with natural 20, 1d8+2 = 8 damage)
Confirm critical threat... (1d20+2 = 3 to hit, no critical)
Lurret's arrow follows swiftly behind Orlan's bolt and finishes the job. The remaining bandit at mud level misses when he attempts to shoot the departing wagon. If the number of arrows firing at Kraeg earlier were any indication (and it was), one bandit should still be up above.
"Now there be a good shot! Well done!" Orlan congratulates Lurret. He looks next to him at Kraeg. "Let's drive the mules a bit further. As slow as our wagon goes, they'll have a hard time keepin' up with us in rugged terrain like these mountains."
He squints up at the cliff top. "By my count, there probably be one more above. And one now one trailin' us behind. Not an awful lot ta be worryin' over less'n they're fool enough ta try takin' us at night. I guess it depends on how how much they be wantin' ta save their friends. I plan on havin' a word with 'em all when we make camp...just ta find out who be sendin' 'em our way."
"The rest o' yuh alright? I can be takin' a look at yer wounds later tonight..." he offers.
You can make it to the bridge before the end of the day. You can camp in the caves, the old deadhead's camp, the stair of kings, the gorge level ...
You can make it to the bridge before the end of the day. You can camp in the caves, the old deadhead's camp, the stair of kings, the gorge level ...
You can make it to the bridge before the end of the day. You can camp in the caves, the old deadhead's camp, the stair of kings, the gorge level ...
The guards turn out to be interesting company. Kraeg seems to respect the older Lurret but mostly for things Lurret would rather forget. Lurret, it seems had quite a reputation as an enforcer. Kraeg keeps asking him about rumours of the nasty things he did to convince gamblers to pay their debts and Lurret keeps making friendly inquiries about the spires.
Orlan can head up to the spire thread at any point. They have retracted the bridge to the thronespire side, so you will have to shout once you get up there.
Lurret and Kraeg will carry goods up there with you if you want.
DM Only:
DM Only:
** spoiler omitted **
My joust rules:
1. Both riders charge.
2. Attack role as normal for a charge (+2 attack role, with -2 to your AC. Lances do double damage on a charge). Lances break at 15 points of damage.
3. If hit, opponent must make a Ride Check (DC=5+Damage Dealt) to stay mounted. 5 ranks in handle animal = +2 on ride check.
4. If both are dismounted, melee combat follows.
5. If dismounted, Ride Check (DC15) or 1d6 damage.
Player Options (must be indicated in invisible castle roll):
a.) Aim at helm: -8 to attack but Ride Check (DC15+damage dealt).
b.) Crouch defensively: -4 attack +4 to ride check
Combat is initiated and run as usual, but using muddied branches to avoid even non-lethal damage. Muddied branches do 0 damage, but demonstrate clearly when a hit has been achieved. First person to take 3 hits, 'falls'.