Strategy talk

[Alethan]

Nothing happens in-game unless it is said in the Action thread. This is just a strategy thread, so it's only discussion.

I'm pretty positive you need to have both hands free to cast a spell; at least that's how I'd play it and it's how I'd GM it.

That said, you can have a sword in-hand at the beginning of the round. If you want to cast a spell, I'm sure dropping the sword wouldn't do anything to hamper spell-casting, except maybe add a segment to determine when your spell actually completes. That's probably how I'd GM it, anyway. But I don't think you can hold a sword in one hand and still cast a spell.

Of course, you could always keep your sword sheathed. I wouldn't penalize a player for drawing their sword, as long as they weren't surprised.

Right now, Francisco's plan is just to see what is going on at the temple. He doesn't plan on making an all-out attack. Or even making a sneaking attack. He just wants to see what the party is up against.

As a player, I'm just trying to move the game along. Computer+1 is right; we were stalling in a "planning" stage. Just doing my part to get us out of the stall.

[Computer +1]

I am glad someone got us moving! I would rather wipe then let the game die out due to inaction!

[Argennian]

I'm on the same page as you guys as well. I just didn't want to miss the golden opportunity we had with the druid's charm spell to get every last bloody drop of intel we could from that guy!

I'm actually thinking that perhaps having Francisco and Yarl (and anyone else that wanted to go with them) make ready to the north of the temple and prepare to use the northern trail to approach. Then Brok and the others could make their way back to the southern trail we ambushed the patrol on, don the red cloaks and begin to casually approach the temple. If anyone is watching, they'll see what they (hopefully) think is the "lost" patrol returning and that could potentially cover Francisco and Yarl's approach from the north. That way, we all arrive right about the same time at the target, and it would hopeful afford some sneaky flanking maneuvers.

FYI: Brok's main concern (after killing all of these bastards at the temple, of course) is now rescuing that prisoner. She might end up being a captured spy that was working for Lady Celina and went missing just before we were approached about the mission.

[onlyme]

Veneficus can do whatever is best for the group. So just ask...

We have two fighters going north.
A druid, cleric and assassin staying. Might be best if he stays with this group, since it has less fighter cover.

[rredmond]

Stay! Sit! Bacon?

[Alethan]

Stay! Sit! Bacon?

You trying to give Nunyet a coronary, rredmond??

[Argennian]

Stay! Sit! Bacon?

You trying to give Nunyet a coronary, rredmond??

Ha! Lol

Heh, do love me some bacon too! (especially that thick-cut Black Label stuff) Yumm!

Veneficus can do whatever is best for the group. So just ask...

We have two fighters going north.
A druid, cleric and assassin staying. Might be best if he stays with this group, since it has less fighter cover.

Don't forget about Kurn Briar, the thief in monk:s robes!

But your point of order is so noted and I agree, onlyme. Perhaps when Francisco & Yarl get back from their scouting mission, we could finally agree on a plan & hit this place. With baddie reinforcements confirmed as being en route to either relieve or bolster those currently at the temple, the time to act has to be now! (imnsho)

[onlyme]

Don't we need to umm do something with the prisoner asap? When will the spell wear off?

[Argennian]

Don't we need to umm do something with the prisoner asap? When will the spell wear off?

Don't have my books but the druid's charm spell should last for days, even if the guy's a smarty pants!

[Nuke66]

I typed a reply before. I'll post BtB below, based on INT, it'll be a couple three weeks before he even gets another saving throw. Never know, maybe he'll be a henchman eventually.

The powerful enchantment woven by this spell will affect
any “person,” meaning character races (with the exception of
elves) and other small to medium-sized bipeds analogous to
persons (orcs, goblins, etc.). The spell also affects mammalian
animals of any kind, even those that are supernatural, giant,
or monstrous. If the target creature fails a saving throw, it will
view the druid as a trusted friend, interpreting his or her every
word in its most positive light. Charmed creatures will place
themselves into moderate danger, including combat, on the
druid’s behalf, but will not undertake risks beyond those the
creature might ordinarily take. The druid must be able to talk
to the charmed creature if he or she is to make any sort of
complex “request.” Charmed creatures are allowed periodic
saving throws to break the charm, based on intelligence:
19+ one saving throw/ day
18 one saving throw/ 2 days
17 one saving throw/ 3 days
15-16 one saving throw/ week
13-14 one saving throw/ 2 weeks
10-12 one saving throw/ 3 weeks
7-9 one saving throw/ month
4-6 one saving throw/ 2 months
3 or less one saving throw/ 3 months
The charm will be broken automatically if the druid obviously

[Computer +1]

I forget how big the wall is but I have an idea. We could move to the corner away from the break and ambush the patrol as they come around. I dont know if we want to sneak in and fight if the patrol could appear on our backs.

It will depend on cover and the height of the wall if it would even work.

[Alethan]

You mean move inside the compound? Or ambush them over the wall? I had the impression the wall was tall; much too tall to ambush someone over, like a pallisade or actual rock structure that is 10' tall or so.

What if we leave some of the cloaks we took from the patrol and leave them in a pile just outside the opening? Or in the rubble of the opening? Or... someone put a cloak on and feign injury or death right at the opening? We need to draw them outside the wall, I think, or at least to the opening where we could a) cast sleep on them and then b) have all ranged attack anyone still standing, hopefully before an alarm can go out.

[onlyme]

I think anything we do that would cause them to investigate in full (i.e. cloaks laying around) could cause them to sound alarms and bring more than we need to deal with. I think stealth and sleep makes more sense for now...

[Computer +1]

Im sorry I must have been very tired last night. I kept thinking they were patrolling outside the walls.

Yeah, my ideas make no sense.

[Alethan]

Im sorry I must have been very tired last night. I kept thinking they were patrolling outside the walls.

Yeah, my ideas make no sense.

lol. no worries, C+1.

A Silence 15' radius spell would be nice right about now...

[Nuke66]

Consider me minor melee and heals, no offensive spells to speak of, but 3 CLW, and a spear.....woot! O, and 24HP to boot.

[onlyme]

I will be fairly remote this weekend. So, what are our battle plans so far, and any actions required before tomorrow?

do we have consensus to sneak in, either attack them quickly, or sleep them?

[Computer +1]

Lets just go in guns blazing, sleep em and then kill em!

[Alethan]

I say we wait for the patrol to pass by, everyone with a ranged weapon targeted on the group, and get the sleep spell cast. Anyone who doesn't fall asleep becomes a target. Hopefully that will leave us with silencing a few and no alarm raised. Then we take it from there.

Since things always take longer in PbP, we probably don't need to plan much further past that and we're good for at least two weeks out.

[Computer +1]

I say we wait for the patrol to pass by, everyone with a ranged weapon targeted on the group, and get the sleep spell cast. Anyone who doesn't fall asleep becomes a target. Hopefully that will leave us with silencing a few and no alarm raised. Then we take it from there.

Since things always take longer in PbP, we probably don't need to plan much further past that and we're good for at least two weeks out.

Hhahaha true! Lets go do this!! We have gotten so slow I am getting a death wish.