Not a tactic so much as a career decision.
"So, shall we get as close as possible openly, without inviting the guards to turn us into pincushions? With any luck our little friend here can sweet talk them into letting us pass, And [i]then[/] we can cut loose? That would allow us to attack with surprise, since most people who are going to attack wouldn't bother with negotiation of a toll."
"So, shall we get as close as possible openly, without inviting the guards to turn us into pincushions? With any luck our little friend here can sweet talk them into letting us pass, And then we can cut loose? That would allow us to attack with surprise, since most people who are going to attack wouldn't bother with negotiation of a toll."
"Agreed. But once we engage the guards, who is responsible for the archers? I can use my crossbow, or would you prefer my sword against the guards? But someone needs to be dedicated to that task. I've been in too many skirmishes where everyone thought someone else was taking care of business. You can guess the result."
"Hm. Well, we could simply negotiate our way past, walk openly into the pallisade, then take care of the archers. We can then return to deal with the guards. Or I can attempt to take out the archers with my bow and spells. Unfortunately my stunning spell has a very limited range."
"Either way, once we start we will want to deal with them all as efficiently as possible. The last thing we want is to be trapped between the guards at the bridge and however many more there are inside."
"Thinking more on this. Perhaps as soon as we have 'peacefully' passed the guards, we take them down right then. Then run for the pallisade. We can keep the archers pinned down with our own weapons if need be, but trying to actually remove the archers with bow fire when they have cover and we do not is tantamount to suicide. The best way to remove an archer is with a blade."
"Thinking more on this. Perhaps as soon as we have 'peacefully' passed the guards, we take them down right then. Then run for the pallisade. We can keep the archers pinned down with our own weapons if need be, but trying to actually remove the archers with bow fire when they have cover and we do not is tantamount to suicide. The best way to remove an archer is with a blade."
"Ha," Kronag says quietly. "I like the way you think.
"We'll walk right up to them -- maybe you and Praxus," with a look at Tolly, "should do the talking. We get close to the bridge guards, Praxus and I kill them, and we all hoof it for the fort."
"Let's do it then. I'm itching for some action."
As the others finish speaking Tolly's childlike voice pipes in, "Like cap said the direct approach looks best. How about dragging me down there by my arm as I kick and scream. Bring up Angoll's name a few times. Maybe I took some items that belonged to him or I am a long lost son hes been looking for. We might be able to slip right on by that way."
"Too complicated. Too many questions. Better to keep it simple. We go up, they ask us our business, we say, 'Just passing through.' They say, 'You have to pay a toll.' We attack."
"We attack."
Kronag slaps Tolly on the back, genially, but perhaps a bit harder than necessary. "We attack, that's the spirit. Let's go."
Kronag stands up and comes across the ridge in his best non-threatening manner, expecting the others to follow.
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As the party wends its way down to the bridge, there are eventually a few shouts among the guards and a general sense of readiness.
The two archers notch arrows but do not bend their bows yet. The two guards below ready their swords and wait behind the barrels.
"Look at the size of that shield! must be a real coward behind that thing!" laughs the dark haired guard up to the archers.
When the party are about halfway across the bridge, the dark haired guard shouts at them, "Who are you and what do you want?"
Allien raises an eyebrow in response to Tolly's shrug, and follows the others.
The elf gives no outward signs of being anything but a weary traveller. But his mind races as he reviews the mystic formulae in his memory.
Praxus shouts ahead to the guards. "Passing through! May we cross?"
Hobbling his way past the two brutes he gives the guards his most pitiful, poverty stricken look. "Please sirs, may we pass? I have an uncle ahead that is bed stricken and I am all that is left. He hasn't much time left in this world. And I wouldn't know what to do if he were to pass without a member of his own family to hold his weary hand as he sets foot across the great divide." Looking up at the sky with tears streaming down his face, "Finally seeing his wife again, who passed four years ago. Aunt Natty, oh how I miss your corn muffins." Gently sobbing he peaks at the guards reaction from shielded eyes as he wipes his face.
Persuade on bridge guards (1d20 6=24)
Edit: I put persuade when I meant to type Deception.
Kronag grimaces at Tolly's acting, but then tries to smile again.
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The dark haired guard softens noticeably at the words of Tolly. His mate coughs a tear away, "I 'ad an aunt once."
They wave you forwards to the barrels.
Trying to remain businesslike, the one guard says, "You gots to pay. That's normally ten gold each but the boss is asleep so I reckon for you we can make it five gold each, so long as you is quick and quiet."
The other one nods in agreement at their fair offer.
The dark haired guard softens noticeably at the words of Tolly. His mate coughs a tear away, "I 'ad an aunt once."
They wave you forwards to the barrels.
Trying to remain businesslike, the one guard says, "You gots to pay. That's normally ten gold each but the boss is asleep so I reckon for you we can make it five gold each, so long as you is quick and quiet."
The other one nods in agreement at their fair offer.
Praxus whistles. "Five gold? That's a bit steep, but what can you do?" He walks up closer to the guards.
Kronag mutely follows Praxus.
Rubbing tears from his eyes, and wiping his snot on his arm he pleads, "Thank you sirs, but we do not even have 5g between the four of us. Couldn't you find it in your souls to let us through to see my Uncle Hiram?"
Allien walks up directly behind Tolly, and pats him comfortingly on the shoulder.
"Damn, I'm fresh out of gold," Praxus says, drawing himself up to his full height and scowling through his orcish helm. "How about I just give you five pounds of steel instead? Right up your arse!"
"No gold. Steel." Praxus's voice has completely changed, like something dragged up from pits of utter darkness. Grim, cold, inevitable. He draws his bastard sword and stalks forward, utterly quiet, to attack.
Initiative (1d20+2=13)
Attack (1d20+5=10); Damage (1d10+5=9)
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Round One initiatives
Both archers pick out targets. Arrows whistle in on the party, one aimed at Allien. It grazes his arm. Then both archers step back into cover, using the edge of the roof to make it difficult to hit them.
One archer shouts down to the buildings, "Darlae, we are being attacked!"
The other arrow dives at Kronag, but bounces off his greatsword.
Kronag, grinning, draws his sword as he barrels past the guards, turning at the last moment to swing at one with a roar.
Allien slaps his hand to his arm as the arrow hits it, and spares a glance at the now-hidden archers.
"First things first,..." He mutters. With a negligent wave of his hand his amulet glows with a pale blue light, and a ghostly, disembodied hand appears, barely visible in the bright sunlight. Quick as a thought, it snatches Allien's Longsword from his scabbard, and lunges at the guard on the other side of the barrel! As it lunges, Allien steps forward and ducks behind a barrel, keeping his head high enough to see his target, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Allien to hit/dmg with 'dancing sword attack!': (1d20 3=14, 1d8 3=9)
The well armoured guard lifts his shield and ducks under Allien's longsword as it clangs against the dented boss.
As the others swings miss the guards Tolly says a silent curse to himself. "Should have listened to me, but no one listens to Tolly." As he lets loose a bullet he harumphs.
Praxus moves to J-12.
The other attacks the Baron with a straight longsword to the face.
Kronag swears loudly and colorfully. He shifts position, trying to get an advantage over the guard, and brings his greatsword down in a brutal chop, but the injury to his arm throws off his aim.
Allien, bravely peeking over the barrel, directs his sword to attack again. But he is distracted by his own attempts to keep an eye on the archers as well, and his sword clangs forcefully but harmlessly against the guards' armor.
ROUND 2: Allien magic hand sword att/dmg: (1d20 3=6, 1d8 3=11)
"Screw this," Praxus growls. "They've called for help twice. Someone else'll be joining the party soon. I'm going left."
Raising his shield in front of him, Praxus lowers his head and charges the guard, attempting to overrun him.
Combat Maneuver roll (1d20+6=14)
As the Baron runs forwards, the guard readies his shield. Meanwhile the sword snakes out at the warrior.
Baron Praxus bounces off as the shields impact. The guard begins to feel the edges of confidence.
Swords slashing, shields clanging neither of the guards are paying any attention to Tolly. To busy trying to keep their heads on from the relentless attacks of Baron and Kronag. He sees an opportunity and moves dropping his sling he unsheathes his rapier.