Immersive Ink

The Hinterlands regulators are none-too-impressed with Dopey's invitation to leap off the cliff, nor Brother Alwfin's continued dawdling.

"Take 'em down," orders Thick-Neck.

The ref dices to determine how the regulators will respond to this further dallying; 2d6-4 → 1 so it's hostile. Oh dear.

The referee notes that, aside from Menno and Leudigar, nobody has made use substantive use of the time bought by Alfwin's negotiations to better position themselves. So be it.

Combat is about to ensue!

For those who may have experienced PBP combat here previously: I want to try something a bit different.

For everyone: please observe the Order of Battle.

Specifically: this combat will treated more as an abstract table-top battle, and less as the micro-managed blow-by-blow account you may be accustomed to. The end result will ideally be that: combat is all said and done in about the same amount of real time as any other exploration turn.

There will be a missile/magic segment, immediately followed by a brutal melee which will comprise as many combat rounds as are necessary to get a result. Note especially: I will not be pausing for player orders at each and every combat round! I will take player orders once only for a whole one-minute combat turn. If individual players don't post any orders, I'll assume that the caller's orders or common sense apply.

Salient Points:
. This may be turn out to be brutal (we'll see) but it will mean the PBP format doesn't cause combat to drag into weeks of real time.
. Those at the eastern end of the line may have a viable option to run east.
. Assuming the enemy charge and connect, bows will fire only once prior to contact. Only if the shooter and target is then still un-engaged will a second shot be possible (see the Order of Battle).
. Assuming the players don't flee or surrender immediately, some form of party strategy is advisable. I.e., the hard-types might form a line which the soft-types can hide behind, or whatever.
. May the dice be with you!


So now brave players: what will be your orders for the fearsome combat turn?


(As this is the first combat I'll allow a couple of days to discuss the options/strategy and to respond. I will give fair warning before any dice roll).

Before engaging in melee, Leudigar will throw his spear at the nearest crossbowman, hoping to take him out before he can fire his weapon. Then he will engage the nearest hobgoblin with sword and shield.

waysoftheearth wrote: The referee notes that, aside from Menno and Leudigar, nobody has made use substantive use of the time bought by Alfwin's negotiations to better position themselves. So be it!

In other words, this is not a passive game! Take action! Be involved! Or be happy with your character's decision (and consequences) of inactivity.

Boggs looks for an opportunity to hide or flee. Is there any chance of scrambling down the cliff using his grappling hook and rope?

Alfwin steps forward swinging his staff "Thuul!!!!" he shouts with righteous glee.

As far full turn actions Alfwin would tries to help on the front line as long as he can, if the opportunity for retreat occurs he would take it. If there is a chance of picking up a discarded shield occurs he would take it and switch to mace+shield for the added protection.

Gunt hollers, "Fighters, form a line on me!" the dwarf steps forward and raises his shield, gripping his war hammer in the other. If we can form a line in front of the magic users, then we should advance as a line. Hopefully the M/U and archers can attack better from a protected position.

Dopey tosses a stone at a hobgoblin, then fumbles for the dagger at his belt.

mushgnome wrote:Boggs looks for an opportunity to hide or flee. Is there any chance of scrambling down the cliff using his grappling hook and rope?

Assuming the player company can block the enemy advance for a few moments, then yes; Boggs could stamp his grapple into the ground and abseil down the escarpment.
Yes, he could attempt to simply hide--perhaps dangling over the cliff-edge out of view? Albeit an exposed escarpment is not his preferred operating environment; if this were a mausoleum or sewer he could vanish almost like magic!

Faengol will cast his spell, The Zeligneous Perterbation, on the enemy hoping to remove the crossbows and axes (and any spears they might have).

He will then step back and ready a dagger for throwing at anyone out of melee.

Once that is completed, he will ready his staff to bash anyone in melee, hoping to move around the back of any target.

Last resort is grab a shield and slide down the slope.

riftstone wrote:Faengol will cast his spell, The Zeligneous Perterbation, on the enemy hoping to remove the crossbows and axes (and any spears they might have).

Does Faengol intend to ruin said weaponry with his sorcery? Or animate/levitate them out of reach so that they might be usable/saleable at some later date? (He can probably ruin more items than he can animate/levitate). Note you can use the M tag to give any mention of a spell or enchanted item additional impact