COMBAT

[Gelatinous Q]

Orcs @ Grimleaf Forest: Round 1

Initiative
Orcs: 1

[onlyme]

Orcs @ Grimleaf Forest: Round 1

Initiative
Orcs: 1

I hope this one works


[1d6] = 6

[Nuke66]

"Who wants to circle around and cut off any retreat? None can survive."

[Alethan]

"Aye, I'm no good at this distance," he judges how far away they are from the orcs, "but even you lads with the short bows are going to have a rough time hitting them from behind the trees at this distance."

He thinks for a second, "What if three of us stay up here to keep their attention while the others circle around and come at them from their blind side? Ulf, Glogs - you two want to circle around with me and we'll try to cut off their retreat? Once we get into position, we won't be able to attack if the rest of you are still flinging those arrows at them, so stop shooting at the sound of my charge. And once we engage them, we'll need you to come along quickly, right?"

[onlyme]

"Aye, I'm no good at this distance," he judges how far away they are from the orcs, "but even you lads with the short bows are going to have a rough time hitting them from behind the trees at this distance."

He thinks for a second, "What if three of us stay up here to keep their attention while the others circle around and come at them from their blind side? Ulf, Glogs - you two want to circle around with me and we'll try to cut off their retreat? Once we get into position, we won't be able to attack if the rest of you are still flinging those arrows at them, so stop shooting at the sound of my charge. And once we engage them, we'll need you to come along quickly, right?"

That first step in a frontal is a dousy... Not sure how effective it would be to wait until they are on us to attempt that jump down. How can we use the height to our advantage? Thinking throwing some lamp oil down on them and tossing a lit arrow/torch, something?

[Alethan]

"Aye, I'm no good at this distance," he judges how far away they are from the orcs, "but even you lads with the short bows are going to have a rough time hitting them from behind the trees at this distance."

He thinks for a second, "What if three of us stay up here to keep their attention while the others circle around and come at them from their blind side? Ulf, Glogs - you two want to circle around with me and we'll try to cut off their retreat? Once we get into position, we won't be able to attack if the rest of you are still flinging those arrows at them, so stop shooting at the sound of my charge. And once we engage them, we'll need you to come along quickly, right?"

That first step in a frontal is a dousy... Not sure how effective it would be to wait until they are on us to attempt that jump down. How can we use the height to our advantage? Thinking throwing some lamp oil down on them and tossing a lit arrow/torch, something?

Height difference or no, 120 yards is more than the length of a football field... That puts it at long range for short bows and medium range for light crossbows and long bows... and no range for the likes of a thrown vial of oil or a lit torch.

It seems more like they're hunkering down and going to shoot at us from afar; I think with 50% cover, and that kind of distance, there will be a lot of wasted arrows and bolts between the two groups (assuming we likewise take cover behind trees). Plus, if they try to flee, then they'll have a huge head start. I agree with Nuke... we're going to have to send some people around to cut them off. Tossing oil and lighting it might be an option later on... but not from where the party is currently.

[onlyme]

Height difference or no, 120 yards is more than the length of a football field... That puts it at long range for short bows and medium range for light crossbows and long bows... and no range for the likes of a thrown vial of oil or a lit torch.

It seems more like they're hunkering down and going to shoot at us from afar; I think with 50% cover, and that kind of distance, there will be a lot of wasted arrows and bolts between the two groups (assuming we likewise take cover behind trees). Plus, if they try to flee, then they'll have a huge head start. I agree with Nuke... we're going to have to send some people around to cut them off. Tossing oil and lighting it might be an option later on... but not from where the party is currently.

That makes sense. However, if they wanted to escape, not sure how we could get around them in time.
I assume the tree cover isnt great, if 120 yards away, the trees provide 50% cover at best. They will likely be able to spot our movements, and have a huge advantage picking us off with their crossbows. Not sure if there is any other way, however.

Maybe we could "ignore" them for a bit, and start moving on a few yards down the path. Hopefully they will think we thought better than to fight them. Possibly have one or two stay put or backtrack a bit as we do it. Then, they can cover the rear flank as we progress?

Any magic that is of use here?

[Alethan]

Nope, not here. I have some spells available to me that might work to our benefit, but the range on them is pretty poor (3 yards or so). Or I could heal them... but I'd rather not.

We DO have three thief/assassin types in the group who could hide in shadows and attempt to make their way to them undetected.

Bran could always try to do some taunting to draw their attention. Nothing like a good dwarf taunt to irritate some orcs.

[Gelatinous Q]

Stregghi: "The head of the ravine rises to meet the trail about 100 yards ahead. The descent would be much easier there." He reaches beneath his robe and produces a club of stout, knotty oak. "And as the tomb still lies most of a day's ride away, I'm not beholden to our pacifist vow." He grins.

[Nuke66]

OCC: I have a longbow, but only a couple dozen arrows.

I can provide cover fire, but just enough to keep them occupied

[onlyme]

Stregghi: "The head of the ravine rises to meet the trail about 100 yards ahead. The descent would be much easier there." He reaches beneath his robe and produces a club of stout, knotty oak. "And as the tomb still lies most of a day's ride away, I'm not beholden to our pacifist vow." He grins.

I think we should move forward these 100 yards before we try to descend upon them. Let one (especially one of the double mounted, so we still look as we are entirely leaving) hide and wait, while the rest move on. That protects our rear somewhat, while the rest of us can get to a place we can attack in a more favorable manner.

[Alethan]

Sounds good to me. Ulf, then, maybe? He and Bran are the double-mounted and he has better hiding skills...

[rredmond]

Glogs is in favor of a more advantageous position.

[Argennian]

Savik will go along with the others, taking whatever position he needs to help make their plan go forward. Whether this involves him providing cover fire, sneaking around the flank or just moving "casually" away, he offers to go along without hesitation.

He'll also keep his bow and an arrow at the ready, hoping to get much closer so that he'll have a better chance of success when the action starts.

[Nuke66]

Initially thought where we are was advantagous.

However, once the sneak attack begins, we cannot get to the group quick enough.

So, we all should continue the the point Stregghi recommends, find some cover, and let the three sneak away up the path to prepare for our advance.

I have entangle available, so I can get in range to cast, then we can charge. I doubt crossbows will be much good to them.

[emirikol57]

Ulf is willing to stay and hide to protect the rear.

[Alethan]

Ok, so Ulf will stay behind while the others lead or ride their mounts along the ridge 100 yards to the easier place to descend.

[Nuke66]

Gordon retrieves his horse, and walks up the path, taking care to not be in clear sight of the crossbows.

[onlyme]

Gordon retrieves his horse, and walks up the path, taking care to not be in clear sight of the crossbows.

Iomhar does likewise...

[Argennian]

Savik nods to Ulf and retrieves his horse as well. He'll take a quick reconnoiter about their perimeter to see if he notices any others watching or approaching.

He will then head out behind the others, walking his horse as well but keeping his bow and an arrow to hand. If the orcs begin to move up or fire upon them, the elf will quickly lead his horse to the opposite side of the road and out of sight as much as possible, and then look for a fire position.