Raid on Sandpoint Timeline

[bonebrah]

Partway through this encounter, but it seems its impossible for the party to run anywhere without pretty much getting to the end of the timeline. The sandpoint map has a 300ft measure, so if the party goes to the north gate then runs to Tanners bridge you're talking what? 6 rounds to run 900ish feet to run around the streets to the bridge? Don't even ask about the Scarnetti Manor. The raid is long over by that time.

Am I missing something with the traveling options in this event or is the point this encounter that the party is largely helpless to the town getting wrecked and the giants retreating?

[Java Man]

It is hopeless without some form of enhanced travel, which a party at this level should be able to pull off. Flight, dimension door, even mundane horses make a huge difference.

If they try to just run from encounter to encounter it will go poorly.

[Jhaeman]

Different groups will have different movement options by that point in the game: dimension doors, teleport, expeditious retreat, mounts, haste, etc. It's a situation designed to test the PCs speed and mobility instead of just their combat skills. And yes, there's no expectation that PCs will be everywhere and stop everything--that's the drama of having to decide on priorities or even (gasp!) splitting the party.

[ckdragons]

Case in point, everyone in my party had fly, which made traveling between encounters a bit easier for them. They focused on stopping the ground attacks, which left the dragon's strafing runs unchallenged. That is until the elf ranger archer decided to separate from the party, and start shooting the dragon. 2 turns later, elf was trapped in burning building with dragon hovering with a ready action.... elf barely escaped.

[bonebrah]

Thanks for the responses. It seems that perhaps my party didn't focus on movement or simply isn't taking advantage of it.