Borimer leads his men down into the gorge scanning the rocky hillsides with a practiced eye for terrain effects on troop movements.  He glances up at the grey morning sky in time to catch the earthrocs flying out to scout the enemy's movements.  The warrior takes in a deep breath and releases it slowly, then jokes with his fellow soldiers about war, women, and the closeness of death.

[borimer will stand at X15 in the front ranks of his men]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:28, Thu 13 Oct 2011.

Please indicate where each bombardment machine and each group of men is standing, including the number of men standing at each location.

Example:

C20: Bombardment machine and 3 warriors
D21: Adaran and 10 rogues

etc.

I will update the visual map with markers when that is all in.

Grizz (who has set snares proficiency) goes out to set a snare.  This takes 2d4 hours and 2-3 people and is at proficiency -4 on a roll...

Due to a missed roll, Grizz may only set one snare in time, and it is a mantrap.

Arthure and Naj also have the following proficiency:

Camouflage:  (By using this proficiency, the character can attempt to conceal himself, his companions, and inanimate objects by using natural or man-made materials.

Naj also has set snares.  Arthure does not.

Naj successfully sets two snares:

1 is a mantrap
1 is a large net trap (using Grizz's fishing net)

Due to their animal empathy, Naj and Arthure also get bonuses for riding the earthrocs or similar mounts.

(OOC: I suggest we go with this unless someone objects:

agreed

POSTING NOTES:

When you post your move, please make sure to post:

1 Where you are moving (and any group you are with)
2 Where your groups are moving to or doing
3 What any bombardment engines under your control are doing.

This means we should take the above list and do the following:

1 Call each group by a number, letter, or other simple moniker
2 Indicate for each group in parentheses which player is controlling that group

If you don't post within 24-48 hours, I may NPC your character and groups for that round.  This is just to keep the battle going.  You can post multiple rounds on what your controlled groups are doing.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  You may only communicate with groups you are in or within 5 squares of (about 60 feet).  Therefore, if your controlled group is more than 5 squares from your character, you need to give them advanced instructions on what to do and let them do the rest on their own.

However, you may relay messages with a percentage failure (miscommunication or failure to reach target in time for them to obey).

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:25, Fri 14 Oct 2011.

The reconaissance dwarves return on the earthrocs.  One of them steps toward you.

"We tried scouting, but they have flying creatures as well, strange beasts that seemed to come out of the rocks themselves and launch themselves at us like giant lizards.  We did not see them until it was almost too late.  They did not follow, but we had to retreat.  One thing we know for sure--there are more things than dwarves there.  We saw trolls and duergar and a large pavillion-like tent that could be holding just about anything.  That's as far as we got."

He seems even more nervous about the battle now.

Adaran replies, "How far from us are they camped and how long do you estimate it will take them to reach us on foot? Did you spot any of them in the inlets, or just the main gorge? Approximately how many flying creatures, trolls, and duergar did each of you see?"

They saw hundreds and they will be in at about noon.  Same information as before.  They didn't have time to count because they were being chased.

Here's what I have at the beginning of battle.  Everyone ready to start?

You see the advance vanguard of the orcs.  It is a group of 40 orcs (taking up 4 squares).  They are marching forward with polearms, swords, and axes.  One standard bearer stands at their rear holding a red flag with the orc realm's colors and symbols.

They are marching forward and will enter the gorge at kk17 and kk18 (entry position determined by random roll).

Grizz will remain and control those at point 1.

Arthure will remain with and control those at point 2.

Naj will remain with and control those at point 16, going between 16 and 17; he will stand at S12.

Any warriors or forces not placed on the map are considered in reserve and can be called upon to enter battle from any square occupied by the stairs on the west.

Borimer loosens his sword in its scabbard and watches the approaching vanguard of the army.  Bring them in the morning, he thought, and let the gods roll the dice at night.  The warrior leaned forward and listened to the wind blowing through the hills. I still don't understand that proverb...

Movement:

When moving, indicate which group you are moving by number and what you are having them do.  If you are with that group number, indicate as such.  If you are moving off independently, let me know your final destination, and I will mark it.


MOVEMENT:

Gorge Movement per combat round:

Rogues: 6
Warriors: 5
PCs: Movement/2
Anlisade's Group: 7
Polyanthar's Group: 5
Skeletons: 6
Clerics/Mages: same as group, else 5

MODIFIERS:

The area in the gorge is muddy: -1
Dark green area north of gorge is mossy and slippery: -2
Movement downhill: +1
Movement uphill: -2
Open Area (A through O), clear and unobstructed: +1
Hollow areas (where 1 and 2 are at) are muddy: -1
P through S in gorge: 0 (not muddy)
Bushes (north and south of gorge): -2


NOTE: You have no visual capability currently to watch out for the northern small passes where the traps are at.

Currently, it is too overcast to use the Sun Ray.

ROUND ONE

[Round 1 will start when the orcs reach the outer area of the gorge.  Luckily, you have dynamite barrels there.  Post any moves for round 1 now.]

VISIBILITY:

You have complete visibility at the moment.

East of the gorge, you can see about 50 feet before there is a thick hedging with thickets, rocks and inaccessible areas.  Therefore, you will have about 1 round of advance notice for each wave of attackers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:01, Mon 17 Oct 2011.

UPDATED INTEL:

Prior to the Battle:

1. Send the 4 scouts out again (1 down the main gorge, 1 down each of the 3 inlets) - but this time with instructions to land their earthrocs a substantial distance away from where they spotted the orc forces and conceal themselves and their earthrocs in the most effective hiding places they can find. They are to keep surveillance in those 4 locations until the first distant sightings of approaching enemies. The moment enemies are sighted, they are to sneak back to their concealed earthrocs and fly back to report warnings to Borimer's, Grizz's, Arthure's, and Adaran's respective groups (i.e. the cave group and the 3 groups guarding the 3 northern inlets).

They report that the northern inlets wind and are very deep.  They cannot well see very far or report what's coming, but there are groups of...something coming that way.  They will arrive soon after the waves from the east.

2. Adaran would have asked Naj and Arthure to use their camouflaging skills to assist in concealing the archers hiding on the northern ledge in the main gorge, as well as concealing the bombardment engines we've hidden in the bushes.

Total camouflaging takes a lot of time, and they were also working on the snares in the northwest.

They are able only to camouflage group 7 and group 8, and the cannon at 9.  However, the other archers can hide and get benefit of elevation.

3. He would also have asked Flint to use an invisibility spell to conceal the group hiding in the cave the moment the scouts brought warnings of approaching orcs.

That is up to Flint on whether he wants to use a spell to do that.

4. After the rogues finished assisting Grizz and Naj with setting traps in the 3 inlets, Adaran would have instructed them to take positions inside the cave with him and await the scouts' alerts of approaching orcs. So that would be Adaran plus 11 rogues positioned in there with the other groups.

Where #10 is at?  Is that to get mass invisibility on them as well?  There are too many people there, but I suppose you can fit in aa to dd 10.

(OOC: Yes, that was my thinking. Adaran will control groups 5 (5 archers) and 20 (light cannon), plus the rogues which are currently with group 10.)

Earlier...

When the 4 scouts return and make their reports, Adaran says to the others in the cave, "Grizz and Arthure are going to need more men to defend those inlets soon after the east waves arrive. We'll need to have a plan ready to reposition our defenses."

Turning back to the four scouts, he says, "Good work. Fly back to your surveillance positions and stay hidden until the orc forces are within fifteen minutes of reaching us. The moment you spot them coming, return and alert all units. Go."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Tue 18 Oct 2011.

Flint casts mass invisibility, cloaking everyone in the northern area with invisibility.

ROUND 1
The orcs approach the hidden barrels, and upon crossing, the archers light arrows and let them fly...

There is a loud "boom", and you feel the concussion from where you stand, as well as a slight heat wave.

The barrels explode in a chain reaction over the orcs.  (16 orcs killed.)  You hear screams and realize that the orcs dying sound somewhat like squealing pigs.  (16 orcs killed.)  The orcs are running straight west to get out of the fire.  1 more orc falls from the fire.  (23 orcs remaining.)

Two orcs appear to be leaders garbed in more ceremonious armor.  They are pointing north to where the archers fired the fiery arrows.

The ground is aflame and burning where the exploding barrels were at, but given the moistness of the ground, the fire will likely burn out quickly.

OOC:  The orcs are running west and are at about hh17 (10 orcs) and hh18 (10 orcs), with 3 orcs at ii18.

Due to a missed charisma roll, the dwarves did not follow exactly Adaran's advance commands.

Grizz and Arthure hold their positions.

Kahan will begin casting a spell, not moving from the cave, and remind everyone they should probably pull out ranged weapons in case the orcs prepare to attack the archers on the ledge. If they move any further north, he will instruct his skeletons to attack them once they have their bows or other ranged weapons out and aren't moving any further (basically to get the shortest, most vulnerable charging possibility).

Naj tells them to fire the heavy cannon (17) at the spot where 14 is at (roughly 60 yards).

"Hold your positions." Adaran says to the group of hidden rogues.

Borimer orders the light cannon to fire upon the orcs entering the gorge.

[light cannon #9 fires upon orcs #13 (ii18)]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Tue 18 Oct 2011.

Grung asks Polyanthar and his men to follow him.  He runs invisibly to #18 and will wait from there and control that one.

So I think I'm just waiting on Flint.h