Black Tom's Citadel by the Sea

[Broccan Dunchad]

(Broccan attempts to take advantage of the situation, striking at the dazed orc before him.)

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Oh well, at least the damage roll was crappy, too. It would suck to miss AND roll max damage.

[Sanstree]

The storm burst is for the distant orc after healing Broccan

Yeah got ahead of my self!

[Edrukk Thorvirgun]

I was away today, also, did I miss a round? Or are we still on the round where Broccan was staggered and healed? He was going to do go turtle behind his tower shield, I think, for that round.

For Edrukk's next round:

Seeing Broccan's been healed by Sanstree, Edrukk will save his spell for now. He returns to the arrow slit to play "Poke an Orc" with his greatsword. Move action to return, can he use his standard action to ready an attack? I always have to look that rule up...

If he can attack:

Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 5) + 3 = 9

[Canvy Mandrain]

Canvy his sweat and blood mingling on his body, has a new lease of life seeing his previous strike draw blood from the orc. He seems to shuffle sideways, but then appears to stay in the same place, until two Canvys seem to be fighting the Orc. Four staring purple eyes watch the Orcs movement, targeting his strike.

I'm not sure if Copycat will work if they both occupy the same square. If it does, then I'll use it, if not then I won't.

Falchion attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

Crit confirm 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Damage 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

[Broccan Dunchad]

"ye got'em Cap'n!! Ye bes'run, greenskins, or we'll make porkchops out o' the lotta'ye!"

[Sanstree]

Sanstree thinks that not wasting the food and it seems natural to eat the orcs this time!

[Black Tom]

OK, when I say: "you're up" or something like that it means that it is a new round. I was just trying to get things straight and instead I got another round's worth of actions. Oh well.

The orcs step up and attack but Canvy easily parries them both as Broccan hides behind his shield to take a breather. The wounded orc collapses, and then Canvy takes advantage of the other orc's befuddlement to strike it a devastating blow, almost severing its neck. Sanstree sends his winds buffeting the last orc.

That leaves only one orc standing, with Tiana, Erine and Edrukk left to go.

Edrukk, the orcs have abandoned the arrow slits behind you.

[Tiana Twelvefingers]

I don't really understand where the last orc is and what's his condition. Tiana will try to sneak attack the last orc if possible without receiving an AOO (otherwise she'll just attack normally).

Rapier attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23(add +2 if flanking), damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5, sneak attack bonus 1d6 ⇒ 4.

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18, damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Tiana advances and pierces the last orc with her rapier, hurting it badly.

[Edrukk Thorvirgun]

"Looks like 'is one's fer gettin' smart 'n runnin' away! Make way, lads!"

Current positions?

Spoiler:

I believe there is 5' between our front-line and the remaining orc, so I don't think our lady rogue has a flank yet. I'm picturing the orc standing two squares in front of Broccan's wall and Tiana directly in front of Canvy since she didn't roll an Acrobatics check to get past the orc. Edrukk should be able to come through Canvy's square and diagonal into the square in front of Broccan without incurring an attack of opportunity, I think, so he will do so, but it will take his entire round's worth of actions to get there. Of course, if Tiana chose to move into the square in front of Broccan (not conducive to a tumble next round), Edrukk will take the square before Canvy.

The dwarf hustles forward, stepping in front of the wounded front line to give them a break, and prepares to give the rogue some tactical advantage.

[Black Tom]

Tiana nimbly sallies forth and takes a stab at the last orc, deftly puncturing some artery and sending blood gushing all over the place. The orc roars in pain and fury and despite his life force ebbing out rapidly takes a dying swing at her. Only her lightning-quick reflexes enable her to dodge the ferocious blow as the orc finally topples.

You may eat the orcs now. Or do something else. There are no enemies within sight. About 40 feet ahead the corridor opens up into some sort of courtyard.

You also get 167 xp each for defeating the orcs.

[Edrukk Thorvirgun]

Edrukk will coldly and efficiently make sure each orc is dead coup d' grace before turning to the injured and see how serious their injuries are. Muttering to himself as he finishes off each foe, "Ye fought well. May yer god receive ye int' 'is 'alls wit' 'onor."

Heal check for Broccan 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Heal check for Canvy 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

"D'ye think ye c'n keep goin'? 'r d'ye need Gorum's aid first? I'm wantin' t' be fer gettin' outta th' shootin' alley, but I dinna want t' walk int' a trap afore yer ready t' fight ag'n."

He'll channel if their condition warrants it and is willing to strip the corpses of easy-to-remove gear like weapons, but he's not interested in dining on orcflesh or removing their armor because it will take too long.

[Sanstree]

"Edrukk, Ima agreein tah movein outta tha arrow alley, perhaps securin tha room ahead will giv us a chancetah regroup."

Sanstree gives the orcs weapons a once over to see if there are any masterwork weapons/armor.

"Broccan sees any chops yah like on any o these green devils"

Sanstree pauses to sniff an orc, and decides not to eat one, but if Broccan wants to cook one up....

[Broccan Dunchad]

(laughing at Sanstree's comment)

"I think I'd haft'be a day from starvin' to eat one'a them, boy-o."

(in a more serious, subdued tone)

"I'm damn lucky no'to've ended up'a shankroast m'self."

(to Edrukk)
I can move, Mast'r Edrukk, an'I can fight, but I feel like th'sheep that survive'da wolf attack."

For Edrukk: (regarding Broccan's status)

Spoiler:

Broccan is at 10 hp. His full is 19.

(Broccan waits for anyone who wants to search the orcs. In the meantime, he watches the area for anyone approaching.)

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 13

[Edrukk Thorvirgun]

"Me father 'd say 'tis better t' 'ave a full barrel o' water at th' forge 'n one 'at's 'alf empty. I'm thinkin' yer barrel could use some water, lad."

Channel energy 1d6 ⇒ 6 Yay! healing to the party

"Lad, if'n any o' 'ose slicers 'r quality, let's be fer takin' 'em 'r stashin' 'em fer later. What d'ye think o' 'em?"

[Broccan Dunchad]

(feeling the healing surge renew him)

"M'thanks again, Mast'r Edrukk. My debt t'ye is accumulatin' fast."

(to Crommard assuming he's caught-up with us)

"Mast'r Crommard, do ye fancy any'o these blades like y'did th'big axe? Are they of a like?"

[Canvy Mandrain]

Canvy looks to Edrukk and nods in appreciation, as the healing surge passes through him, closing any open wounds and refreshing his body. Canvy thinks, 'This is a man who knows how to conduct himself, we shall keep him close in battle. Our honour will be joined in our victories together.'

Canvy wipes his blade, getting the excess blood and gore from it, quietly tasting the death of his foes and smiling. His pulse quietens down, he wipes the sweat from his brow, with a dirty cloth. He watches as the others go through the bodies of the orcs looking for any spoils. "Well done everyone, take what we can from these bodies and lets get out of here. We don't want to be here when they bring the reinforcements. Tiana, when you've finished, scout ahead quickly and make sure the way is clear. We need to find somewhere we can make safe and set up as a base to rest overnight.".

He takes a waterskin, takes a long drink. Those close by will smell the alcohol once again on his breath. He lets out a sigh of appreciation for the refreshment and moves to the entrance of the kill corridor, he stops hiding his body behind the wall looking out to the interior of the citadel. He stays guard, watching for any movement until the rest of the party are ready to move on. His blue eyes intent on spotting any unfriendly activity.

He will watch Tiana as well if she scouts ahead into the citadel. And what time of day is it now?

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Stealth 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (16) - 4 = 12

[Black Tom]

It is about midday, but it is a cloudy day.

The orcs are not wearing anything especially valuable, except their purses with some gold pieces. Crommard explains that the orc swords are falchions, a weapon favored by orcs but nowhere near the axe in craftmanship. Still, shooting crossbows is unusually civilized for orcs, and he is inclined to believe that this particular tribe is not devoted to Rovagug. Even the quality of the axe belies that....

He would go on, but I guess you'll want to press on. Do you have some sort of marching order and tactics?

[Edrukk Thorvirgun]

Broccan Dunchad wrote:

(feeling the healing surge renew him)

"M'thanks again, Mast'r Edrukk. My debt t'ye is accumulatin' fast."

"'tis not me, lads. 'ank th' Lord 'n Iron fer yer respite 'is day." Despite his words, Edrukk is obviously pleased that his gift has been shared with someone that appreciates it.

I'm not sure who else was injured, but Edrukk was careful to include everyone in that healing burst, so you should get some hit points back if you were one of them.

"I'll stay at th' rearguard 'nless ye think ye need m' eyes up front 'n th' dark. 'tis daylight, so I'm not thinkin' 'tis time fer 'at yet. Goat, ye should be fer stayin' by me, I'm thinkin'."

[Broccan Dunchad]

"I'll take the front'o the rank."

(Broccan cleans his blade on a dead orc's shirt, then sheathes it. He recovers his javelin, cleans it as well, and keeps it in hand.)

[Canvy Mandrain]

Canvy turns his head and talks back to the group, "please bring me the best looking falchion, aways nice to have something to fall back on, should I loose this trusty old blade. thanks a lot me fine body of fighters. Them crossbows and bolts will be useful too, for anyone that can use them. If you can bring me one and plenty bolts over, it means we can have a few more options for those enemies a distance away. Try and make sure those who want a crossbow and bolts have sufficient supply." He will insist on being close to Edruuk and will walk in front with Broccan, hopefully Tiana will scout ahead.

[Sanstree]

Sanstree casts detect magic for the corridor ahead and the door behind it.

To Tiana
"I fer usin magic tah find magic on yon door, if yer fer lookin tah see iffin its trapped"

To the group
"We can move up tah the door, Ima thinkin we might be able tah rest up a bit in the room ahead"

Midday sounds like a good window to recoup spells, the (ides of the day) is a good time to get things done. Will only need an hour.

[Tiana Twelvefingers]

Tiana examines the orc corpses and comments: "These weren't as strong as the earlier one, and their equipment is worse as well. They probably taste worse also".

@Sanstree: "I would, but you can't know. Maybe some other orc will enter or some other thing is waiting in there". After saying that, she'll move next to the door, look for traps and listen to anything from inside the room. Will take 20 on both, no rush here.

[Black Tom]

Just to clarify: there is no door. The corridor opens out onto the courtyard.

[Canvy Mandrain]

Do you have Canvy, by the wall looking into the courtyard, as per prev posts? he hid behind wall, looking into the interior of the citadel.

[Sanstree]

Failed perception check...I was sure there was a door

[Broccan Dunchad]

(to Tiana)

"Iss wide open in th'courtyard, lass. I can come with'ya to give cover while yer lookin' round if y'like. I'm no' gonna be much use sneakin' about though."

[Sanstree]

"Tiana could go first an sneak an peek, Yerself an Canvy an I could be right behind to keep her safe, but not so close as to ruin her sneakin"

Staggered file so that not all lined up and keeping a distance of at least 7 feet apart to move into the courtyard

"Any tother ideas tah be safer?"

[Canvy Mandrain]

Canvy hears the varied conversations, but keeps quiet to himself, he calls Edrukk to him. "Did you say you were in Forcastle Watch. Hmmm, we need to operate more as a unit, like those good ole days, yes?" His steely blue eyes ask Edrukk's opinion on what he can see taking in the courtyard, which building looks the most suitable to set up as a base for rest and recuperation. We need to send Tiana she's a stealthy person to look at a specific places, protect her from afar.

If Tania is willing, would she do a quick recky of the courtyard buildings, looking into windows/open doors etc but not entering. With instructions to avoid contact with the Orc forces or any others she might come across. Then come back here to report. This depends on the size of the courtyard, if its less than 150ft, that's OK and we can stay in cover watching her progress. If there's anything that looks like it might have been stables, thats a good place to start.

[Black Tom]

I'll wait for Tiana. There are really no doors nor windows. What I refer to as the courtyard is just a large open area that takes up most of the citadel.

If Tiana makes a stealth check you might get some intel about what hides behind the corner, if not it will probably be time for initiatives. I'll see what I can come up with for a map.

[Sanstree]

Initiative roll 1d20-1,....1-1 = 0, I hope someone does better!

[Edrukk Thorvirgun]

Sanstree wrote:

Initiative roll 1d20-1,....1-1 = 0, I hope someone does better!

Well, I can't promise to do much better, but I'm pretty sure I will do better...

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

[Broccan Dunchad]

I'll give it a go as well.

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

[Tiana Twelvefingers]

"I'll move on towards the courtyard. Stay here until I signal you, I don't want no green-skin rushing at me because of your noise. After a moment's thought she adds: Talk to the professor here while I'm away, I'm sure he has interesting things to say...,

Tiana rearranges her equipment, trying anything loose so that it won't make noise, then begins to sneak along the corridor walls, trying to move as silently as possible and discern if something is waiting ahead.

Stealth:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

[Canvy Mandrain]

Initiative 1d20 ⇒ 19
Might as well join the init rolls

[Black Tom]

Here is a crude map.The back hole is a dry well, and the white ring is a ruined statue. You're in the corridor to the left, with Tiana peeking around the corner.

Crouching behind the statue are two orcs with crossbows. A little further away (some 20 feet) is a very old orc dressed in colorful rags and accompanied by some sort of greenish cat-like creature the size of a man and two more orcs.

They don't seem to have seen you yet, but their crossbows are pointing in your direction.

[Broccan Dunchad]

(to the group, in quiet tone)
"Can one'ya make tha' fog again? They canna shoot'well a'what they canna'see. Perhaps we shoul' try an hit th'old orc from 'ere with javelins an'arrows first, then fog'em, then run'in an'fight."

[Sanstree]

"I can make tha fog agin but will be afogin ourselves an not afogin them."

"onna upside a fog moves with either meself or goat"

"I can calla fog, but won't be asmucha help lost inna fog myself"

"Broccan, tha best by my rekonin I can do would be to keep wind an rain on tha old orc tah hope in stopin any magic from comin at us, while everyone tries to get to him, Iffin no magic comes from their side an we have magic on our side were sure tah win"

"Iffen he opens his mouth fill it with yer sword"

[Sanstree]

Knowledge nature 1d20+10--> 6+10 = 16

studying and trying to rememeber anything related to a "greenish catlike creature"

[Black Tom]

Sanstree wrote:

Knowledge nature 1d20+10--> 6+10 = 16

studying and trying to rememeber anything related to a "greenish catlike creature"

It's called an Eidolon.

[Sanstree]

"Erine? Do yah know a spell or hexa o charmin tha o orc witha mark onhis head is tha one needin tah be charmed"

"Goat do yah know a spell o charmin ye can put onns that o orc?"

sanstree crosses fingers and hopes

[Broccan Dunchad]

(to Sanstree)
"D'ye have th'power to call animals t'fight f'ya? I heard tales in th'common room of magic-usin' folk callin' bears n'tigers n' the like to fight fer'em...maybe an angry bird t'peck 'is eyes out?"

[Sanstree]

"Aye I can do such but the creature appears an disappears in tha blink o an orcs eye never to return"

"I might as well tah carry a chicken uner my arm an throw it inta tha face o an orc!"

"It mighten be worth it were it to allow Tiana a chance to strike him where it will hurt"

"Or tah get them crossbowers tah shoot at, but who tah know iffen they'll shoot or hold, Ima knowin Ima not wantin tah be shot again Id rather fight yah bareknuckled in abar!"

[Erine Wintyle]

Sanstree wrote:

"Erine? Do yah know a spell or hexa o charmin tha o orc witha mark onhis head is tha one needin tah be charmed"

"Goat do yah know a spell o charmin ye can put onns that o orc?"

sanstree crosses fingers and hopes

Erine shakes her head, facing Goat. "I can make him slightly less ill-disposed towards us, but he still wouldn't be a friend, and if he knows magic his mind is probably able to resist such effects with ease."

[Broccan Dunchad]

(clearly a bit befuddled by Sanstree treatise on summoning magic)

"Thanks fer tha' boy-o. Y've made it clear t'me tha'I'mno magician, nor will be."

(adjusting his armor and whispering conspiritorially)

"I wouldn't mind seein' an angry chick'n thrown inn'iz face. Ha!"

[Sanstree]

"I can do tha mist an walk us in there even ifi do it at tha gate it will only go in 20 foot givin them crossbowers 10 foot of clear shootin"

[Sanstree]

Sanstree decides to rest for 1 hour to recover spells, realizing that both CLW were used to get this far, only have some storm bursts and obscuring mist left (and can't drop mist to summon either).

A return to town might be prudent, now that we have more information and besides who wouldn't want to go through the fun tunnel again

[Edrukk Thorvirgun]

Sanstree wrote:

Sanstree decides to rest for 1 hour to recover spells, realizing that both CLW were used to get this far, only have some storm bursts and obscuring mist left (and can't drop mist to summon either).

A return to town might be prudent, now that we have more information and besides who wouldn't want to go through the fun tunnel again

Unless there's a significant rule change I've missed, you can't "double up" spells for the day by resting for an hour. We'd have to rest for the night to recharge.

[Broccan Dunchad]

"Th'green tiger looksa might fierce, an' th'old orc's a caster fer certain. If we can take'em out fast, we shou'have a good chance against th'regu'lr orcs in th'open.

We shou'try to hit a few from 'ere, bowsn'spears, then move in quick.

I'll take th'tiger m'self. That'll keepitoff the lasses an' Sanstree.

Sanstree can throw'is storm intha'old orc's face, while Miss Tiana guts 'em or shoots 'em.

Mast'r Edrukk an' the Cap'n can each take a pair'o orcs, with the wee-lass usin' her daisy-spell to help keep th'orcs distrac'td."

[Sanstree]

"Aye I will move ahind yerself an hit that spellslinger with a storm burst fer as many rounds as i ken."

Initiative 1d20-2
11

Storm burst
ranged touch attack
1d20 -2
14

[Edrukk Thorvirgun]

Sanstree wrote:

Initiative 1d20-2

11

I thought you already rolled initiative, but your "bonus" was -1 instead of -2. Which one's correct? And I'm going to try to provide a map at BT's behest, but it may be tomorrow before I can get to it -- things didn't work out like I hoped.

"Lads, if'n yer seein' a foe that needs t' go down fast, ye need t' be throwin' everythin' ye got at it, not lettin' it whittle yer numbers down one at a time. I 'ave a trick 'r two up me sleeve 'at I saved - it sounds like 'is might be th' time t' pull 'em out."

Edrukk has Enlarge Person and Shield of Faith prepared. Haven't thought too much yet about the best combination and timing in which to cast them yet. Edrukk will be wanting to concentrate on the spellcaster, for what that's worth. He's thinking he's matching up with the orc shaman that way.