Chapter One: Into the hill

[GreyWolfVT]

Parnell gives Dorni a strange questioning look "Eh? What?" he whispers back to Dorni. The dwarf clearly having no idea what is going on now.

[Marullus]

Dorni nudges him forward. "You are an orc now."

[GreyWolfVT]

Parnell "What? Why? I hate smelly orcs..." he whispers back.... grudgingly he looks at everyone else to see if they nod proving he indeed looks like an orc. Then eventually he eases forward....."What you want?" he says to the orcs...

[Leitz]

Grease dripped off the carcass skewered over the orcan fire. It could be a child's body, or a lost kobold. Their crude swords and short bows were close at hand. Alert, one of the orcs grabbed his sword and stepped forward, sniffing the air.

"Who are you?" It growled.

You have two surprise rounds, actual time two segments.

[GreyWolfVT]

Parnell trying to think up an orc name replies "Grognard, me Grognard. Who you?"

Two d20 [1d20] = 9 [1d20] = 1 Two d6 [1d6] = 4 [1d6] = 2 One percentile [1d100] = 48

[Marullus]

Rolls:

Backstab with Shortsword [1d20+6] = 18+6 = 24 sm [1d6x2] = 5x2 = 10 l [1d8x2] = 6x2 = 12
Backstab with Shortsword [1d20+6] = 10+6 = 16 sm [1d6x2] = 3x2 = 6 l [1d8x2] = 6x2 = 12
Standard Rolls: Two d20 [1d20] = 5[1d20] = 2 Two d6 [1d6] = 4[1d6] = 3 One percentile [1d100] = 11

[The Bindoner]

Rolling:

Hide in Shadows: Thief Ability Check [1d100] = 98

No backstab then

Longsword:
To Hit [1d20] = 12 Damage [1d8] = 3
To Hit [1d20] = 17 Damage [1d8] = 8

Standard roll Two d20 [1d20] = 14[1d20] = 11 Two d6 [1d6] = 5[1d6] = 5 One percentile [1d100] = 24

[dmw71]

Thokk, Half-Orc, Fighter 3
Posture: Bold, Steadfast, Cowardly


Thokk continues to grip his trident, but, aside from his steady breathing, remains motionless, waiting for any hint of aggression from either side. He keeps a keen eye on the situation unfolding before him; curious how the attempted subterfuge will play out.


Rolls

Requested: Two d20 [1d20] = 7[1d20] = 2 Two d6 [1d6] = 1[1d6] = 1 One d100 [1d100] = 84
Initiative: [1d6] = 2
Trident: [1d20] = 5, s/m [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6, lg [3d4] = 6

[DexterWard]

Xavril Darkstone (Half-Elf Cleric)
Posture: Steadfast

Xavril awaits his opportunity to club some Orc mellon...

Standard Rolls: Two d20 [1d20] = 2[1d20] = 15; Two d6 [1d6] = 5[1d6] = 6; Percentile [1d100] = 7
Mace Attack 1: Initiative [1d6] = 3; Attack [1d20+1] = 2+1 = 3; Damage [1d6+2] = 2+2 = 4
Mace Attack 2: Initiative [1d6] = 1; Attack [1d20+1] = 20+1 = 21; Damage [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8

[cybersavant]

Kurzuk, 1/2O R/M hp 16/20 fires his bow in the first round, then rushes up with his bardiche



[1d20] = 14[1d20] = 13[1d6] = 1[1d6] = 3[1d100] = 22

bow [1d6] = 4[1d20] = 13[1d6] = 1[1d20] = 8[1d6] = 3
bardiche [1d6] = 2[1d20] = 20[2d4+1] = 6+1 = 7

[Leitz]

Dale, the human warrior, elected to stay near the cavern entrance to ensure the exit route was protected.


The other two orcs join the inquisitive one. They sniff, but the smoking grease deadens your scent. Unfortunately (for them) they have been arguing about the meal and staring at the camp fire. Before their eyes can adjust to see the multiple heat sources nearby, they are dead.

I assume the group has some tactical cohesion and spread the successful kills around.


Searching renders little; the guards do not seem to be the strongest nor the most well fed. Like the kobolds above, hunger is likely a key driver to whatever is planned. Orcs don't quibble about what they eat, as lot as it's meat...

The bridge, while totally shoddy to a craftsman's eye, is sturdy enough to hold several full sized people at once. It can be dropped, with not too much effort, but likely rebuilt within a couple of days.

Those who are familiar with orc habits express some concern that there were three guards. Usually it's just two; three means there are likely quite a few in the main group. The good news is that there seem to be fewer wide spots, so numbers may not tell as much. The bad news, that Parnell can easily point out, is that such caves as these often have one or more open spots. Likely the orcs will camp there, with smaller groups out and about.


Discussion and planning interlude


With stout hearts the party presses forward, ready to deal a decisive blow to the vile creatures who feast on farmer and farm animal alike. The malodorous air catches at your throat as faint sounds become louder. Soon your scouts report finding what appears to be the main lair. Dozens of the creatures lounge about; sleeping, or doing whatever crosses their dark minds.

Picture an uppercase R, and you're coming in on the right most leg. The open area in the upper center is the pit.

The caves narrows for several dozen paces, and then opens up into a chamber that is at least a hundred paces at its widest point. In the center of the open area is a pit with trash, bones, and mud. The orcs seem to give the pit a wide berth. Half a dozen small fires are spread around the edges of the chamber, and it is not known what is down the other path. the left leg of the R

For the moment, the orcs are not aware of you.

[Marullus]

Dorni pats Parnell on the back. "You make a great orc," he says with a mischievous grin.

Seeing the dozens of orcs in the room ahead he asks the others: "Where do you want their attention? On a roaring from the other hallway? Mysterious burbling in the pit below? Do you wish to move into positions with orcish appearance or to be hidden for a moment until we can spring a trap?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Parnell grimaces at the compliment but then chuckles at his acting. "Thanks." he mumbles to Dorni.
Posture: Bold & slightly confused
Two d20 [1d20] = 6 [1d20] = 3 Two d6 [1d6] = 6 [1d6] = 5 One percentile [1d100] = 8

[Leitz]

As you plan the action against the orcs, you are thankful Baron Nalas' court wizard gave each of you a potion. It could come in handy.

Each PC chooses a potion (DMG p121). If you don't have a DMG, speak up in OOC and we can make suggestions. I don't have a PDF to cut and paste from.

Merry Christmas!

[dmw71]

Thokk, Half-Orc, Fighter 3
Posture: Bold, Steadfast, Cowardly


Still not jumping at the opportunity to mindlessly slaughter orcs -- with whom he shares at least half his blood -- Thokk waits patiently for others to take the first action; knowing he will come to the defense of his companions without hesitation.

He continues to watch the situation unfold before him; curious how the upcoming assault will play out.


When the opportunity presents itself, he will jab at the nearest orc adversaries with his trident, repeatedly.


Rolls

Requested: Two d20 [1d20] = 5[1d20] = 12 Two d6 [1d6] = 3[1d6] = 2 One d100 [1d100] = 91
Initiative: [1d6] = 2, Trident: [1d20] = 4, [1d6+1] = 6+1 = 7
Initiative: [1d6] = 4, Trident: [1d20] = 14, [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

[DexterWard]

Xavril Darkstone (Half-Elf Cleric)
Posture: Steadfast

Xavril chuckles softly to himself at the friendly jesting between Dorni and Parnell. It is always good, he thinks, to keep a light heart when times are dark, or risk falling prey to the darkness within. Speaking of Orcs, if we could get them all to go down or focus their attention on the other tunnel, of which we know nothing about, it might give us an element of surprise. if some stay behind, that might work in our favor as well. Either way I am ready to fight. My vote would be for a roaring sound from the other hallway.

Standard Rolls: Two d20 [1d20] = 13[1d20] = 1; Two d6 [1d6] = 1[1d6] = 1; Percentile [1d100] = 26
Mace Attack 1: Initiative [1d6] = 1; Attack [1d20+1] = 3+1 = 4; Damage [1d6+2] = 1+2 = 3
Mace Attack 2: Initiative [1d6] = 2; Attack [1d20+1] = 15+1 = 16; Damage [1d6+2] = 3+2 = 5

[The Bindoner]

Tinwendil (Posture: Cautious)

There is something nasty in that pit that the orcs are avoiding. So should we.

Shall I try to sneak a look down the other passage before we start?

The offer is sincere, but Tinwendil hopes his mediocre abilities are not called upon without assistance.

Or shall I just find a roost to snipe from?

[Marullus]

Sorry, I lost track of this one!

Dorni looks at the pit suspiciously after Tinwendil's caution, taking him seriously, and decides to go with Xavril's plan. He quickly explains to the others, then sets about setting up a scenario to help them with the assault.

As the group still hides in the hallway, he faces the room full of orcs and waves his hand with a flourish. "Abracadabra!" he whispers, making Thokk and Parnell vanish from the orc's sight. The sound of their jangling armor and boots still is heard, but he lets them know they have a brief time to gain advantageous position. (Hide cantrip x2, lasts 1 turn, makes them unseen by everyone in front of me when cast, which is the whole room of orcs, but not the PCs.)

He then points at the entrance to the other hallway and any orcs nearby it, mimicking some fake battle sounds. The sound of clashing swords and indistinguishable orcish voices is then heard by them from down the hallway; hopfully getting them to call their compatriots and go down the hall to check it out. (Noise cantrip, orcs each get a save, affects those in a small radius near the other hallway)

He waits for the orcs to begin to move, then gestures over himself, dark-enameled platemail unfolding and covering his whole small gnomish form, including an orc-shaped facemask and helm. "Now we go!" he tells the others, beginning his own stealthy approach towards the nearest orc sentries.

Hopefully that's a good enough setup!

(Cast: Phantom Armor. Lowers his armor class from 5 to 0 (as if wearing platemail, but not affecting stealth or dex), lasts until he gets hit for at least 2hp of damage, then it dissappears and he goes back to AC 5.)

Once the assault by our vanguard begins, he'll try to execute a backstab on sentries.

Pile of Rolls:
Mundane Surprise [1d6] = 3 Move silently (37%) [1d100] = 38 Hide (30%) [1d100] = 10
Initiative [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6
Backstab with Shortsword [1d20+6] = 11+6 = 17 sm [1d6x2] = 6x2 = 12 l [1d8x2] = 4x2 = 8
Backstab with Shortsword [1d20+6] = 12+6 = 18 sm [1d6x2] = 2x2 = 4 l [1d8x2] = 4x2 = 8
Standard Rolls: Two d20 [1d20] = 17[1d20] = 5 Two d6 [1d6] = 1[1d6] = 6 One percentile [1d100] = 50

[Leitz]

As battle sounds emanate from the other hallway, those who speak Orc hear "What's that?" "Is it?" Along with various orcan expletives, there is an strong sense of terror as most of the orcs timidly gear up and slowly head in that direction.

The clamor from the other hall, as well as the commands and movement in the room, seems to drown out most of the party's own sounds.

There are 6 orcs not paying attention to the other hallway. About triple that number have gone down the other hall, in terrified battle formation.

Anyone trying to move silently or hide in shadows gets a 20% bonus. Dorni's Move Silently was successful.

Of the 6 orcs in the chamber, each has 5 hit points and armor class 7 (not actively using their shields). If you kill one with a single attack it goes down without a sound. The party has 1 surprise action. If all 6 orcs go down in the surprise round the party will have a chance of surprise on the other group.

Since we seem to be reforming after the holidays, let's see who is here and how much damage you can do.

[GreyWolfVT]

Parnell still not entirely sure what is going on at this point and apparently looking like an orc but also invisible? Readies to attack if the orcs surely cannot see him as he is not entirely sure what the whole abracadabra bit was about.

Attacking nearest orc from behind if possible.
Lucern Hammer init [1d6] = 5, [1d20+3] = 18+3 = 21 to hit, [2d4+6] = 6+6 = 12 [1d6+6] = 4+6 = 10 dmg

Rolls suggested by DM for "funzies"
Two d20 [1d20] = 15 [1d20] = 10 Two d6 [1d6] = 3 [1d6] = 6 One percentile [1d100] = 47