You pull your blanket tighter about your body, trying to fight back against the freezing wind as it rips through you to your very bones. The wood of the boat groans against the water and fights back against the wind itself as it makes way for the coast ahead, the very sight of the coast does little to lift your spirits as you know what lies beyond the land you and your company are about to settle upon…
Vice Admiral Keller turns about from the front of the ship, addressing anyone nearby to listen “We are the Vanguard of the Alliance, a head of you lies Howling Fjord… our first priority is to establish a base of operations and to scout the area for an signs of the Scourge or hostile creatures that may lurk past the shore…you know your duties.” He faces back towards the land ahead, knowing what is to come.
You’re a member of the first landing party, your rowboat and others dig through the rocky shore. Before you is a thick wooded area all that can be heard is the howling wind and the soft patter of a cold rain starting…
Durin claps you on your back, hoisting his Dwarven Longrifle over his shoulder, surveying the woods as well.
"Well, Lad...let's see what's in store for us then eh?"
"Aye Master dwarf, I am ready."
Grasping the holy symbol about my neck I recite a silent prayer before sliding my full helm over my face. Peering through the iron mask out at this new and wild frontier I wonder what adventures, and evils, quietly await the shore party. "May the light protect us Durin, and these new lands be good to us."
Durin claps Ander on the back once more
"We'll scout a head lad, I'll let ye know of anything we find."
lets out a sharp whistle signaling for one other dwarf to come with him, the two jog a head into the woods to scout a head.
Two Footmen approach Ander and stand at attention, saluting.
"Captain, we await your orders."
Essentially the extra Dwarf and two Footmen will act as a bit of an extra umf to damage and being able to soak. As things progress we can maybe switch them out with stronger allies or named characters that are a lot better and maybe provide a skill or two.
When ever we get into combat it will be the usual Monsters go, then you go (depending on initiative/surprise/etc), but after characters go I will make the NPC attacks essentially the same way as the Monsters go.
I return their salute and issue my orders, "Durin and his man will be scouting ahead. We will secure the area and prepare the beach for bivouac. The beachfront is our responsibility for now. The three of us will patrol the beach and be ready to support master Durin should he signal us. Stay sharp, and be ready for trouble. We are going ashore.
I go ashore with the 2 footmen at the first opportunity. Quietly chanting a prayer, the holy symbol I wear glowss I cast Divine Sense to detect and evil hiding on the beach.
(Detect any Celestial, Fiend or Undead within 60 ft)
A soft hum fills Ander's ears as he lets the Light reach out through him and search the area. After a second the hum fades away and he feels a sense of calm wash over him, the Light has found nothing.
Durin and the other Dwarf come jogging back out of the woods, stern looks on their faces and rifles held at the ready.
The cold rain rolls off of Durin's cloak and drips out of his beard as he approaches Ander, the look on his face said he had something very important.
"Ander, just past the tree line looks to be a hunting party of...some kind of half giants. Men that stood almost ten feet tall! It didn't seem like they knew much of anything that was going on about us. If they do find us, they'll head back to where they're from...and judging by the looks of 'em I can assume they aren't to friendly to strangers."
I take a moment to consider our options.
"I trust your judgment Durin. If you say these half giants mean harm to us, we must intervene. You're best equiped to launch an ambush from the treeline. My men and I will wait in hiding until after you launch your ambush. But, if we show ourselves and they run, we must do what we can to capture them unharmed. The last thing we need is a full scale war...we just got here. Lead the way Master Durin, may the Light protect us all."
I follow Durin to the place he saw the half giants. My sword and shield are drawn and I order my men to do the same. When During ambushes the hunting party, we attack.
Durin and the other dwarf lead the party to a small ridge overlooking a clearing.
Two of the giant-men crouch over a large stag, cleaning it after a fresh kill. They don't appear to notice the imminent ambush..
Durin crouches down next to a rock and levels his rifle at one of the giant-men(a) he takes a deep breath and lets out a soft chant,he then squeezes the trigger, letting out a thunderous boom.
Spell
Hail of Thorns - Bonus Action - In addition to the normal attack, the shot erupts into a hail of thorns, the target and each creature within 5feet must make a Dex saving throw or take 1d10 damage
Attack vs giant-man A
And if Hail of Thorns hits
Seeing During launch his ambush, I decide it's the for battle. I have never tested my faith in battle, but surely the light will protect me.
Shrouding myself in the courage of the light, I charge the giant men, sword overhead.
...And smite down my newest enemy.
vs Durin's attacks
The initial bullet lodges into the thick hide armor worn by the Valkyr
vs the Hail of Thorns
A
B
The hail of thorns catches the Valkyr off-guard, it lodges deep into their armor and draw some blood!
A hp 51/59
B hp 50/59
vs Ander's attacks
Ander brings down his blade crushing hard into the torso of the Valkyr!
A hp 37/59
B hp 50/59
Valkyr A hows in pain! He brings his great axe around swinging wildly at Ander in anger
Valkyr B dislodges a javeline from the corpse of the great stag and hurls it at Durin, shouting
The Javelin clips Durin and draws little blood!
HP: 34/36
Durin loads another round and returns fire at the Valkyr who wounded him (B)
"For Khaz-Modan!"
second 1d8 is for Ranger feature Colossus Slayer