Re: Book Two: Chapter Six: "Prosperous Hosts"

[151prooftattoos]

I don't have much of an idea of whats going on still - still need to catch up- but I could place a Fogwall to cover the guys on the wall?

OOC: The party travelled thru the underdark for many days until they came to an empty stretch of tunnel that lead to a battlemented Dwarven wall blocking the way. Dwarven sentries manned the wall and a Dwarven army was partying on the other side.

The party contacted the Emperor, Jenna, and Col. Olivia via sending. Then, imperial troops portaled in, along with Reed's rangers. The Velatin Vanguard portalled in. Jenna and the High Scholars portalled in. Most of the troops are quietly waiting back in the empty tunnel.

Meanwhile, the heroes (the PCs and a few select NPCs) quietly climbed onto the wall and killed the sentries; with the intention of opening the gate so their troops could blitz the Dwarven troops. ... BUT, several few Dwarves (within the mass of partying Dwarves on the other side) looked up and saw what happened. They are trying to alert their brethren of your presence.

Despite the added complication, getting that gate open is still paramount; in fact, it's more of a priority now than ever (since you want to get your troops through before the Dwarves are fully organized).

...

Covering the heroes on the wall (with fog) might buy some time, in addition to providing cover (because it would then take those Dwarves who've seen you a slight moment longer to explain what they saw; that is, they couldn't just point and have everyone else look up).

The wall is 140 feet long. Can you cover that much?
It's also 50 feet high and 30 feet thick.

The 40x40 barbican sits in the middle of the wall, and is the same height.
The gate under the barbican is 20 feet high and 30 feet wide.
The winch for the gate is inside the barbican; at ground level.

There is 20 feet of clearance between the top of the wall and the cieling of the tunnel (which is 70 feet high and 70 feet wide).

[151prooftattoos]

[The 40x40 barbican sits in the middle of the wall, and is the same height.
The gate under the barbican is 20 feet high and 30 feet wide.
The winch for the gate is inside the barbican; at ground level.

With the speed of thought Mordax snags the stonework with his heavy net and leaps from the battlement. Once dangling, he drops the remaining distance and rolls. Leaping from a crouch, he dashes for the winch!

OOC: Mal, I don't have my links on this machine. Can you post the Athletics and attack(s)?

[151prooftattoos]

With the speed of thought Mordax snags the stonework with his heavy net and leaps from the battlement. Once dangling, he drops the remaining distance and rolls. Leaping from a crouch, he dashes for the winch!

Catching the corner of the Barbican with his net, Mordax leaps from the battlements; swinging by the spoke, he soars to the end of his rope ... and drops to the ground. Quickly, he plows through the door. Once inside, he muscles the winch into revolution.

Round 2 ...
Standard: Attack Roll to Net the Stonework: 15
Move: Athletics Stunt: 18.
Free: Acrobatics check to reduce falling damage: 24*
Falling Damage (1d10-*12): No Damage!

Round 3 ...
Move: Athletics to shoulder open the door: 31
Standard: Athletics check to operate the Winch: 24.

That's about as quick as that could be done, really. Nice job.

The gate begins to rise!! The dwarves who noticed the assault have gotten the attention of many of the others, by now; and the rising gate alerts many more ... but they are still largely disorganized. Only a dew dozen have begun approaching the wall. But the sound of your own troops rushing toward the opening gate assures you that you won't be fighting these Dwarves alone.

What's everyone else doing while Mordax hurls himself from atop the wall?

[151prooftattoos]

Verity - HP:98/98 AC:28 Fort:23 Ref:23 Will:25 Healing Surges: 11/11 Action Points:0 Init:27

Free: drop sword
Minor: stow shield
Move: ready crossbow
Standard: shoot at a dwarf, miss.


OCC: What is the access to the top of the wall here, is there a stair / ladder down this side?

[151prooftattoos]

Davin: HP 76/71; AC 25 Fort 20 Ref 23 Will 22; Healing Surges=8/8, SV:18, Action Points=0
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Hound: HP 105/105; AC 20 Fort 17 Ref 17 Will 15; Healing Surges=8/8 SV:26, Action Points=1

With a whistle to Reed, Davin points to the Dwarves approaching the open gates below. Then he begins to speak in the minds of his allies.

"Rangers! Cover Mordax! Let's keep that gate clear!"

"Azzy, begin your bombing run!"

Round 2
Initiative - 27
Move - To the edge of the Dwarven side of the wall
Minor – Designate 5 closest Dwarves below as my Quarries
Standard – Twin Strike Dwarf

Twin Strike 1=35
Twin Strike 2=38
TS 1 Damage=9
TS 2 Damage=14
HQ Damage=2

O.O.C. - I left Hound with Kersh. When I see him approaching the battle (looking over my shoulder for a huge Ogre) let me know.

-Swift

[151prooftattoos]

OCC: What is the access to the top of the wall here, is there a stair / ladder down this side?

OOC: Sorry, forgot the dscribe that! On the Dwarfside, there are ramps leading down from the gatehouse; the ramps run along the wall, away from the center.

[151prooftattoos]

OOC: Now can we have a map?

DM EDIT: Not yet. I have something special in mind (assuming circumstances allow for it) ... for now, just go ahead and post your actions from atop the wall. A sea of dwarves is percolating below; only a few dozen have rushed forward (and they'll need a couple rounds to reach it).

[151prooftattoos]

Alex will help with any magical bursts he can. His mind goes over an idea for a spell he once heart of. Pillar of Ice.

[151prooftattoos]

Straegis surveys the rising sea of dwarves as quickly and as accurately as he can, paying special attention to the location of individual groups (bolters, hammerers, etc.) and their movements. Satisfied with his 'early' tactical advantage, he makes a quick move to the backside of the wall trying to see if he can find Olivia. If he can, he will do his best to inform her of what he has seen with hand signals.

O.O.C.: If Straegis cant see or find Olivia or if there is no way to pass along the info, lemme know and I'll amend the post.

[151prooftattoos]

Verity - HP:98/98 AC:28 Fort:23 Ref:23 Will:25 Healing Surges: 11/11 Action Points:0 Init:27

Minor: load
Standard: shoot at the bloodied dwarf, 25 to hit, 8 damage.
Move: ready shield

[151prooftattoos]

Catching the corner of the Barbican with his net, Mordax leaps from the battlements; swinging by the spoke, he soars to the end of his rope ... and drops to the ground. Quickly, he plows through the door. Once inside, he muscles the winch into revolution.

Round 2 ...
Standard: Attack Roll to Net the Stonework: 15
Move: Athletics Stunt: 18.
Free: Acrobatics check to reduce falling damage: 24*
Falling Damage (1d10-*12): No Damage!

What's everyone else doing while Mordax hurls himself from atop the wall?

Free: drop sword
Minor: stow shield
Move: ready crossbow
Standard: shoot at a dwarf, miss.

With a whistle to Reed, Davin points to the Dwarves approaching the open gates below. Then he begins to speak in the minds of his allies. "Rangers! Cover Mordax! Let's keep that gate clear!" ... "Azzy, begin your bombing run!"

Round 2
Initiative - 27
Move - To the edge of the Dwarven side of the wall
Minor – Designate 5 closest Dwarves below as my Quarries
Standard – Twin Strike Dwarf

Alex will help with any magical bursts he can. His mind goes over an idea for a spell he once heart of. Pillar of Ice.

Straegis surveys the rising sea of dwarves as quickly and as accurately as he can, paying special attention to the location of individual groups (bolters, hammerers, etc.) and their movements. Satisfied with his 'early' tactical advantage, he makes a quick move to the backside of the wall trying to see if he can find Olivia. If he can, he will do his best to inform her of what he has seen with hand signals.

As Dwarves muster their numbers, Verity and Davin and Alex fire down into their oncoming mass. Straegis steps over to a crenel as signals to the troops, as they rush toward the gate. The rangers join the heroes in firing from the wall, as does Jenna; Garret takes a defensive positon between his mistress and the ramp.

Round 3 ...
Move: Athletics to shoulder open the door: 31
Standard: Athletics check to operate the Winch: 24..

The gate begins to rise!! The dwarves who noticed the assault have gotten the attention of many of the others, by now; and the rising gate alerts many more ... but they are still largely disorganized. Only a dew dozen have begun approaching the wall. But the sound of your own troops rushing toward the opening gate assures you that you won't be fighting these Dwarves alone.

By now, some of the Dwarves have reached the ramps ... But it looks like your troops will hit the gate just as it opens to allow them passage; they should clash head-on with the first real wave of Dwarves just after that, about 20 yards "Dwarfside" of the wall.

Minor: load
Standard: shoot at the bloodied dwarf, 25 to hit, 8 damage.
Move: ready shield

Round 3? What's everyone doing? Mordax will be operating the winch, and Verity will be firing his crossbow. The first Dwarves will be reaching the bottom of the ramps this round. ... your army should hit the bulk of the dwarven army sometime in round 4.

[151prooftattoos]

paying special attention to the location of individual groups (bolters, hammerers, etc.) and their movements.

There appears to be no concise groupings; you caught them in the midst of a revelry, so they are muddled and disorganized.

[151prooftattoos]

"Azzy, begin your bombing run!"

Any response to this? We want him to attack prior to our troops getting mixed in, and while the Dorf's are still unorganized.

Davin: HP 76/71; AC 25 Fort 20 Ref 23 Will 22; Healing Surges=8/8, SV:18, Action Points=0
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Hound: HP 105/105; AC 20 Fort 17 Ref 17 Will 15; Healing Surges=8/8 SV:26, Action Points=1

Round 3
Initiative - 27
Move - Perception check to find the Dwarven Commander (this is now a minor action, the rules change is on pg 223, PHB2)
Minor – Designate 5 closest Dwarves below as my Quarries
Standard – Twin Strike another Dwarf

Perception=32 (take 10)
Twin Strike 1=26
Twin Strike 2=38
TS 1 Damage=13
TS 2 Damage=15
HQ Damage=13

If the Commander is in range, I want to shoot him instead of one of the Dwarves approaching the wall, and tell Reed to do the same. Let me know and I will edit the above attacks (hopefully we caught him close to the wall). If he is not in range, the above attacks are fine on an approaching Dwarf.

-Swift

[151prooftattoos]

Vangg will cast Lance of Faith at the nearest opponent?

Attack: 1d20+11=16 (+any bonuses forgotten)

Damage: 1d8+6=14 (+any bonuses forgotten)

[151prooftattoos]

Despite the rising clamor of battle, Verity's allies clearly “hear” the message, “The ramps must be blocked to keep them off our ranged attackers. I’ll help cover the one opposite Garret.”

OCC: The dwarves are getting to the bottom of the ramps (which are 1 square wide) this round (round 3). We are atop the ramps, on the wall. It looks VAGUELY like this (Word is not the best software for scale mapping):

<a href="http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV8icmr" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.postimage.org/aV8icmr.jpg" border="0"></a>

Hopefully that's helpfull.

[151prooftattoos]

"Alex, can you and your kin freeze either one or both of the ramps and keep them from getting up here?"

[151prooftattoos]

<a href="http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV8icmr" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.postimage.org/aV8icmr.jpg" border="0"></a>

OOC: That's pretty good.

Your army isn't through the gate, yet, but they will be real soon. Also, there are dwarves scattered all throughout the area labelled "armies will clash here," though most ARE where you put the dwarf army.

Nice job.

[151prooftattoos]

"Azzy, begin your bombing run!"

Any response to this? We want him to attack prior to our troops getting mixed in, and while the Dorf's are still unorganized.

He took flight, but he hasn't cleared the wall yet. I didn't mention it cuz I figured your attention was diverted elsewhere. .... I was going to describe when he flew over head, and then describe the effects of his efforts the round after that. (There are thousands of troops. It'll be a long time before they're all mixed in).

[151prooftattoos]

So, Round 3 ...

After the the gate begins to rise ...

Verity fires at an already injured dwarf; Davin fires two more arrows into the crowd. Reed and his Rangers fire, as well. Vangg and Juugug fire beams of holy light. Straegis asks Alex to "freeze" the ramps. Alex blasts the approaching Dwarfs with icy water; Jenna seems to be doing the same from the other side.

The front ranks of your army come through the gate, lead by Kersh and and Hound and Frater! Just as the troops barrel through, Azzy swoops overhead.

Davin scans the crowd of Dwarves, and spots several "leaders" ... none of which were part of the initial rush (they are still caught up in the main crowd).
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

And so begins Round 4 ...

What's everyone doing? The first few Dwarves will begin climbing the ramps this round; and the bulk of the two armies should clash head-on this round, too.

[151prooftattoos]

Davin: HP 76/71; AC 25 Fort 20 Ref 23 Will 22; Healing Surges=8/8, SV:18, Action Points=0
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Hound: HP 105/105; AC 20 Fort 17 Ref 17 Will 15; Healing Surges=8/8 SV:26, Action Points=1

Davin sends his thoughts to his former protege.

"Keep an eye on that Commander, Reed. When he comes into range, help me take him out. Have the others target Subcommanders"

Round 4, Davin
Initiative - 27
Move - Race down the ramp towards Hound 35 feet (move of 7)
Minor – Perception check to keep the Commander in my sights
Free - Whistle for Hound
Standard – Leap down to meet my dog

Perception=32 (take 10)
Acrobatics=19

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Round 4, Hound
Move - Move toward Davin
Minor - Designate Dwarf near Davin as Hunter's Quarry
Standard - Charge Dwarf near where Davin landed

Initiative=8
Charge=25
Damage=9
HQ Damage=5

-Swift

[151prooftattoos]

Straegis II: HP:75/75 AC:24 Fort:23 Ref:23 Will:20 Healing Surges:8/8 Action Points:1

"Alex, can you and your kin freeze either one or both of the ramps and keep them from getting up here?"

With no word back from the maelstrom, Straegis decides to make his way to one of the ramps (umm, lets say the one on the right, looking at the map). He heads down to try to get within range to throw an axe and slow the dwarves progress up the ramp.

Move: Down ramp as far as possible.
Minor: Pull Handaxe.
Standard: Attack Dwarf(?) within range at end of move.

Attack: 1d20=5+12=17
Damage: 1d6=4+5=9

O.O.C.: If I can't get close enough, I'll probably just keep moving that way until I can attack, lemme know.

[151prooftattoos]

OOC: Since Vangg has asked me twice for a map, and so has Verity, I drew one out. It's just hand drawn, however, as the sheer size of the area would make a textured map too grainy to see. Also, there is no way i'm throwing 14,000+ minis on this map. I'll try to color code it for y'all after a bit ....



EDIT: Color-coded for battle, it might look something like this (Red=Them, Green=You).
NOTE: This depiction is after the armies hit in round 4. We're not quite there yet.

[151prooftattoos]

OOC: Okay, where is everybody? We've been at this wall for two weeks in RL! Waiting 24 hours to update only makes sense when most people are posting everyday. If so many people aren't going to post at all, maybe I'll start updating when the "regulars" are done posting.

Round 4

Davin moves along the the wall to the ramp, and then heads down; before reaching the ascending Dwarves, he drops to the ground below, so he can meet up with Hound. Meanwhile, Hound charges into the flanks of the nearby Dwarves, tearing at the foe's bearded ankles.

Straegis runs across the barbican, and heads down the ramp as far as he can. As he draws near the Dwarves, he chucks his axe at the closest one and kills it!

Verity (per our phone call) heads down the opposite ramp, intending to "clog" the dwarfs' rise; they'll have a tough time getting by this death knight.

The rest of the Rangers have now reached the top of the wall. Those who were already up there continue to fire at the Dwarves on the ground. Juugug and Vangg add radiant rays to the barrage; Alex and Jenna add watery destruction.

Taalgarnuk follows Verity down the ramp, uncertian what to do next.

Frater and Kersh lead the Imperials across the baily, and clash headlong into the Dwarven ranks with a thunderous clamor. Olivia and the Valatin Pikeman follow directly behind the first rank of Imperials. The other troops follow behind, ready to do battle (blending into the ranks, hiding until the moment is right, is the Garkondrak skirmishers and the Imilite Scholars).

Mordax steps out of the gatehouse, seeing the familiar face of battle. Hefting his heavy hammer and shaking his net, he wades out toward the tide of blood.

War is here.

Round 5?
"Let's Do This!"

[151prooftattoos]

Vangg will move to the middle and stay protected.

Continues to cast At-Will Lance of Faith to avoid burning up spells.

OOC: Roll for me please, pressed for time.

DM EDIT: Np; will do.

[151prooftattoos]

Davin: HP 76/71; AC 25 Fort 20 Ref 23 Will 22; Healing Surges=8/8, SV:18, Action Points=0
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Hound: HP 105/105; AC 20 Fort 17 Ref 17 Will 15; Healing Surges=8/8 SV:26, Action Points=1

With the Dwarven Commander now within range of his deadly Crossbow, Davin asks the allies closest to him for protection while he targets the bearded leader.

"Cyl, Kes!"("Hound, Guard!")

"Mordax, keep them off me - I have the Commander in my sights."

Round 5, Davin
Initiative - 27
Move - Designate 5 closest Dwarves as my Hunter's Quarry
Minor – Assume Spitting Cobra Stance
Standard – Hunter's Bear Trap Dwarven Commander

Hunter's Bear Trap=22
Wild Elf Luck=2
Elven Accuracy=32
HBT Damage=28
Brutal Accuracy=9
Spitting Cobra Stance=34
SCS Damage=19
HQ Damage=11

The Commander is Slowed and takes 5 Ongoing, save ends both.

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Round 5, Hound
Initiative=8
Move - Move to guard Davin from Dwarven attacks (flanking with Mordax if possible)
Minor - Designate nearest Dwarf as Hunter's Quarry
Standard - Hit and Run Dwarf

Hit and Run=27
Damage=9
HQ Damage=6

Dwarf is knocked Prone if Hound was flanked with Mordax.

-Swift

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