While they wait to see a defense plan, Adaran looks over at each of the others seated at the table. Seeing that Borimer is chatting with Grizz, Kahan is busy rummaging through the two magic bags, and Grung is remaining silent as usual, he turns his attention to the three new additions to the group. "I guess we'd all better get acquainted if we're going to be fighting together. I know Flint's a mage. Naj and Arthure, what skills can you bring to the battle?"

Grizz smiles.  "I'm beginning to think the big one that got away is actually Tarimar."

To add to Adaran's comments, he says, "My father taught me how to fight and fish.  Those things I know well.  I have much more patience with fishing than with fighting, so don't hold it against me if I jump in to a fight without much forethought.  That's how I flanked that dragon turtle, if you'll remember."  He smiles at the memory.

At Grizz's mention of their battle with the dragon turtle and Grizz's impulsiveness, Adaran seems to clench his jaw slightly in disdain, as if making a concerted effort to hold back some comment. He is clearly not pleased with the memory, but turns his attention back to Naj and Arthure.

He shrugged, not entirely sure how to list out his skills. It's not like he kept them organized on a resume or something. " Eh, I've seen my fair share of battle, I suppose you could say. Survived on my own for a while." When he spoke, it was as though he were leaving bits out. Not that they were secrets, more like he expected you to fill in the blanks on your own.

As for introduction to the newcomers, Grung says matter of factly "I fight.  I survive.  Dat is my path and always will be.  Wid me axe I will fight the Orcs hard."

Flint listened to the others speak while looking over the map.  "Seems if we can find us a few points that the orc can be forced to have to funnel through.  We should be able to cause greater damage to their numbers with minimal exposure to our front lines."

OOC: FYI, now that it is over, there were two points to the mission to uncover the spy:  1- uncover the spy (of course), but 2- to get extra help for combat.  The addition of Polyanthar and Anlisade's forces will give you an extra advantage in the combat.  Nimith will not be present.

Mass combat is based more on HD than on individual skills or numbers for the most part (except for special skills like Nimith).  You will see how that all figures in, but now you see the importance of the charisma checks.

Adaran looks over at Flint and says, "Flint, what sorts of spells do you have that can aid us in battle?"

"Lighting Bolt, Web, invisibility 10 foot radius, Fly just to name a few off the top of my head."

OOC: I just had a headache of a time with something coming up in real life that will keep me extremely busy all week drafting motions, so it may be slow.

Here, however, is a basic description of the battle arena.


West: a wall outside the compound.  It has stone steps and you will be starting just outside the wall.

South: Rock walls and the mountain climb up and block passage.

East:  There is a gorge to the east along which orcs are expected to come.

Northeast:  There is another group of smaller inlets between the mountain allowing for climbing, cover, but little advance notice of anything coming through.

In front of the wall is an open area about 100 yards semicircle, less on the north.  The gorge is about 50 yards across.  The northern inlets are smaller but are about 3-10 yards across.

Looking over the map, Adaran says, "If we set traps along these inlets," pointing to northeast border, "we can focus the bulk of our defenses here." He draws a circle around the eastern gorge with his finger. "I can also fly out on one of the earthrocs and report back on the orcs' positions and movements before the battle. That should give us enough advance warning to reposition our defenses if the orcs try to circle round and attack from the northeast. The last thing we want is to be caught off guard by a rear assault while we're distracted guarding the gorge."

Krugoth says, "Unfortunately, the orcs are on to that strategy.  They know we have the earthrocs and have started using giant canvases, tarps and other strategies to avoid assessment of reconaissance.  This led to a defeat of one of our northern clans.  The orcs will also mercilessly pelt the sky with arrows to take down an earthroc."

He says, "But as for a rear assault, our dwarf forces are taking care of that.  If by chance the orcs got through from the west, it wouldn't matter what preparations you've made."

Adaran studies the map for a moment before replying, "With enough explosives, would it be possible to collapse that gorge during the orcs' assault?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:59, Tue 20 Sept 2011.

Krugoth says, "Not the gorge, but you could do some damage at the inlets.  In fact, we had our eye on a large boulder up there to send down on them if you think that's wise."

Adaran nods to Krugoth. "We need to seal off those inlets by any means we can. If we can trap the orcs in a cave-in in the process, so much the better. Then we can reduce the number of fronts we have to defend."

"We should also try to use Borimer's explosives that he bought from the Gypsies." he replied, as he continued rooting through the bags trying to find anything interesting inside.

"I've already checked 'em and they're ready to go. Got three barrels in all."

Adaran nods in agreement with Kahan and says, "If you can use your spells to ensnare the orcs in that gorge, we can pick them off from range using Anlisade's weapon without endangering any of our troops. Then we can keep most of our war machines focused on the western front."

Flint chuckled, "I could cast an invisibility spell on the large boulder the orc would know what hit them"

Borimer speaks with Adaran for a moment and then patiently waits while he retrieves the half-cooked goat parts.  The large warrior's mouth inadvertantly waters when he first takes hold of the precious soon-to-be repast, yet he takes his time slowly walking out of the hall.

Outside Borimer finds a good place to build a fire and, with a flourish born of both skill and repetition, whips out his trusty iron skillet.  When the wood has become white-hot coals Borimer slaps down the first of many steaks and grills up some magic of his own. He allows the aroma to beckon any who wish to partake of this feast on the eve of what may well be the last battle for them all.

Waving away the black smoke, Borimer's Northman instincts rumble in time with his stomach as he digs into the roasted goat.

"Mmmm, good..."

Have you all gotten your "recharges" on your magic items?  If not, make sure that is done before we move forward and record that in the item record and in your character sheet.

Adaran may have the final list?

It is time to wrap up anything before the battle.  I'm about to give you your resources and rules for mass battle.

For the new players, I use a maptool that I can use for showing where your people go, but it might not work as well for this slapshod map.  I just need to get it going.  An icon will represent you, and I may update the map with coordinates for easy configuration.

NOTE: To the extent this map does not match my earlier description, the map is what rules.  I had a hard time because the backgrounds and tiles I wanted were not available.  That's why it doesn't look exactly smooth.

Borimer reclines near the fire with the remains of the goat in his stomach. He lights a pipe and watches the stars, then tries for a smoke ring or two.  After a few failed attempts he shakes his head and taps out the ash, then puts it away.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Tue 11 Oct 2011.

A short while later, Adaran appears and joins the swordsman at the crackling fire. Beneath his dark hooded cloak is the refitted suit of studded leather and winter wolf's pelt that Borimer once wore, tailored to the rogue's slimmer frame. Nodding wordlessly to the warrior, he takes a seat beside him and skewers one of the goat steaks, watching it cook over the fire with a distant gaze in his eyes. He does not speak, but merely sits and shares in the meal with the Northman in silence as night falls upon the compound, letting the hour pass solemnly as if all is understood and nothing need be said.

Borimer stands and stretches before giving Adaran a final grin and leaving to find what little sleep can be had.