The paladin moved to the edge of the camp and worked to clean his armor from sand and dust as best he could, while keeping close watch on the approaches he expected would most likely be used by anyone hoping to ambush himself and his companions.

quote:

11:39, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,6.  Take watch.

Spriggy ended up having an incredibly miserable day, but thanks to his friends, it was not as bad as it could have been. In the future he would remember not to assume that the food animals enjoyed were also foods safe for an elf to consume. By the time the adventurers settled down for the day, Spriggy was left feeling weaker than usual. Hopefully it would pass in time though.

He turned in for the night, glad that Gorrid was taking first watch. He wasn't sure if he himself would be a reliable watchman if his stomach ended up being anymore distressed. Buckthorn hadn't been kidding when he suggested having an extra pair of pants ready. There had certainly been some close calls...

---

The Weak condition has been noted on my sheet.

With his divine blessing, Gorrid has no problem staying alert all night. And though nothing has bothered your rest, the veteran notices worrisome signs. Animals growing silents, slight haze along the horizon, a tension in the air. Things he grew familiar with during the war. Signs that the orcs are planning an attack, likely at sunrise...

The knight assessed the most likely attack routes then silently nudged each of his companions in turn giving them a heads up as to what was likely coming.  He bid each to continue to feign sleep, while ensuring they were fully prepared for battle.  "I will whistle when it's time to spring our trap."

Confident that his companions were prepared, he positioned himself against a tree where he'd have a good view of his friends as well as anyone approaching.  Finally he closed his visor and slumped, doing his best to look as though he'd fallen asleep on the job, though his eyes remained wide open behind the grill.  With luck, the raiding party would sneak into camp expecting easy pickings, but would be in for a rude surprise.

As the sun grew tantalizingly close to the horizon, he reached out to Gianam in prayer for aid during the coming fight.  Then he watched for approaching shapes and did his best to figure out which one seemed to be giving the orders.

quote:

10:19, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,4.  Cast bless on self. – 11
10:19, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,3.  Cast Magic Weapon on sword. – 9
10:20, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,2.  Discern realities. – 9

Will forget my first magic weapon slot
Discern: Who's really in charge here

Also, I believe everyone gets to take a +1 into what's about to go down from my "keep watch" roll :>

Russel blends into the pile of gear from the goats and stays alert for any approaching enemy.

Buck heeded the old knight's warnings, knowing he spoke from great experience, and remained in place at the outermost edge of camp. He had propped himself between two rocks to sleep, wrapped tightly in his cloak, camouflaged by one of the many rocky outcroppings that dotted the landscape.

Camouflage: When you keep still in natural surroundings, enemies never spot you until you make a movement

Spriggy curled up on his bedroll near the fire and tried to look as weak as he felt. He did, however, make sure to position the campfire between himself and the spot enemies would likely approach from. That way they would be less likely to notice Spriggy was awake and ready for a fight. Maybe he could even cast a spell or two without "waking up" when the time came.

Looking at the raiding party stealthily coming, Gorrid manages to spot their leader. He seems to be the cautious type, while four orcs approaches your camp, he signals four more to circle your camp, passing behind the large rock you used to provide yourself a bit more protection. You guess he plans on catching you in a pincer attack, while staying back to either shore up a flagging flank, or to take advantage of an exposed weakness.

The sun rises over the horizon as they close in...

OOC: You have the initative, so go ahead and describe how you ambush the ambush.

How far away is the leader?  Would Sir Gorrid have to wade through any of the orcs to reach the leader?

I have also been waiting for the answer to those questions.

The leader has three orcs close to him, and reaching him without getting blocked by one of the group flanking your camp would require a Defy Danger roll for Gorrid, at least. It would be harder for the others, since you're pretty much directly between the two squads.

Sir Gorrid tenses his muscles quietly inside his armored suit and waits until the enemy is almost on top of his friends before jumping forward and charging towards the orc leader, a terrible yell erupting from behind his face mask "III WILLLL KIIILLLL YOUUU!!!!"

The aging paladin wasn't up any more for long runs, but he was in good enough shape that short sprints were no issue.  He angled his shield and plowed through the slightly stunned orc between him and the band leader, knocking the creature aside.  He hoped his yell and charge would provide a helpful distraction for his companions as they dealt with the enemy already within the camp.  As soon as he reached his target, he brought his longsword in a heavy sweep at the leader's torso.  "It's been too long..."

quote:

21:54, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 13 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 4,6.  Defy danger - Str. – 13
21:58, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 15 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 6,5.  Hack & slash. – 15
21:58, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 16 using d10+3d4+1 with rolls of 6,4,4,1.  Damage. – 16

Forgot my blessing on the first roll.  Invoking Exterminatus.

When Gorrid erupted into battle mode, Spriggy wasted no time and began casting a spell. "Colrokthu mozriluk vovorivu mostroknah!" Even as he lay on the ground, he sent a magic Missile screaming through the campfire toward an orc on the other side.

Only after his magic was cast did Spriggy spring to his feet and take a defensive stance, still keeping the fire between himself and the enemies as much as possible.

---

Casting the spell Magic Missile at one of the enemies.

20:42, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 10 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 1,6.  Cast Magic Missile.

20:42, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 3 using 2d4 with rolls of 2,1.  Damage.

Buck rolls out of cover and towards Sir Gorrid's scrum, revealing a rapier and springing to slash the orc that the old knight has bashed aside to reach the leader.

Hack n Slash: 8 using 2d6+1 (3,4) (If this is a surprise to the target, a roll may not have been needed)
Damage: 4, 1d6

As an Orc nearest the pile of supplies turns to look at Sit Gorrid's scream of defiance, Russel rises from the pile and attempts to strike, with surprise on his side.
08:34, Today: Russel Albion rolled 3,5 using 1D6,1D6+3 with rolls of 3,2.  Backstab w/Bonus.
11:15, Today: Russel Albion rolled 6,4 using 1D8,1D6 with rolls of 6,4.  Backstab Damage

Gorrid's charge did a great job at distracting the orc's vanguard, you're able to catch your foes by surprise. Three of the orcs fall, while Gorrid's opponent stumbles back from the paladin's blow. But while your assault has turned the table, the remaining orcs quickly recovers.

Buckthorn and Russel finds their group get in position to fight, slowly moving to flank both. On the side, Gorrid finds two of the orcs moving to block his path, while the leader stumbles back with his third guard's help. Only Spriggy is not facing anyone at the moment, being at the far end of the camp.

OOC: Spriggy can choose to help either Buckthorn or Russel. The one he chooses will have two orcs facing them, while the other will have three. Gorrid has two orcs in his way. Everyone but Spriggy needs to Defy Danger to act.

The orcs attempting to block him from reaching their retreating leader hadn't yet had a chance to plant themselves firmly, so the paladin repeated his previous play.  He charged forward and used his sword and shield to knock the two defenders to the side, freeing him to thrust his sword deep into the belly of the leader.  He knew this left his back unguarded, but he put his faith in his armor and in Gianam.  Defeating the leader would hopefully break the morale of the others and help his companions the most.

quote:

11:17, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 11 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 1,6.  Defy danger - Str. – 11
11:17, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 11 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 1,6.  Hack & slash. – 11
11:18, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 13 using d10+3d4+1 with rolls of 6,1,1,4.  Damage. – 13

Their group had the upper hand, but the orcs were still more numerous. And the orcs were starting to get organized again as well. Spriggy decided to try and add a bit of chaos back into the mix. The bard cleared his throat and prepared to unleash a (hopefully) potent magical performance. He started slow, but quickly cranked it up to 11!

"The orcs are swarming, closing in,
don't know if we'll see night again.
Our hopes are drowning, our worries high,
can't help but feel the end is nigh.

But what is this? I see the light.
A new warrior joins our fight.
Flashing tusks ands hardened steel,
he switches sides to make a deal.

The roaring orc betrays his friend,
to save us from our bitter end!

YEEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!"

Although perhaps Spriggy should have done some vocal warmups before attempting such an advanced vocal technique...

---

I would like to use my bard ability "It Goes to Eleven," targeting one of the orcs near Russel.

quote:

It Goes To Eleven
When you unleash a crazed performance (a righteous lute solo or mighty brass blast, maybe) choose a target
who can hear you and roll+Cha.

* On a 10+ the target attacks their nearest ally in range.
* On a 7–9 they attack their nearest ally, but you also draw their attention and ire.

20:46, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 5 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 1,1.  It Goes to Eleven.
Failure... But +1 XP!

Buck can't help but grimmace as Spriggy starts up behind him, groaning and shaking off the noisy distraction he tightens his grip on his rapier and advances, slashing to keep the orcs occupied, on their heels, and hopefully away from Sir Gorrid. He lands his swipe but braces for the inevitable retaliation.

Buckthorn rolled 11 using 2d6+2 (CON) Defy Danger (to act outnumbered)
Buckthorn rolled 9 using 2d6+1  Hack & Slash (Rapier)
Buckthorn rolled 3 using 1d6 Damage

Before Spriggy's song can have the effect he wished, one of the orcs facing Buckthorn drops his sword, to pull out a small bag. With practiced ease, he throws the item at the bard, causing it to explode in a cloud of dust. As Spriggy catches his breath, he breaths in the dust, causing his lungs and throat to burn painfully.

The orc doesn't have the chance to celebrate his success though, as Buckthorn takes advantage of his distraction to take him out. The other two orcs snarl as they strike the druid, cutting a nasty gash on his side.

On the far side of the battle, Gorrid manages to shove his opponents aside, before slaying their leader. The shock of the paladin's assault stuns his opponent for a moment, letting him turn back toward them before they could attack.

OOC: Buckthorn takes 5 points of damage from the cuts.
Spriggy is struggling to do anything, and will need a Con Defy Danger to do something useful.

Sir Gorrid spun, ignoring the gurgling body of the leader.  His sword danced as he quickly cut into the two guards.  "WYAHZZH GROE!  YE'GROE HRUK!"  Hopefully that translated to "Leader dead! You dead next!".  Orcish had never been one of his strong suits...

quote:

11:51, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 10 using 2d6+4 ((2,4)).
11:52, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 8 using d10+1d4+1 ((3,4)).

Didn't use Exterminatus this time, as ideally I'd like to hit two orcs with one attack.

To clarify, there's 3 regular orcs on me, and 4 total remaining on the rest of the party?

The cloud of dust was doing a number on Spriggy's lungs. Whenever he tried to say or do anything, he was overcome by an uncontrollable coughing fit. He would not have expected a bit of dust to be so effective, but it was. As much as he hated being the victim of such an attack, he had to admire its effectiveness and filed it away as a potential tactic for himself in the future.

---

09:38, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 6 using 2d6 ((2,4)).
Failure. +1 XP!

Seeing only one option in the moment, Buck clenches one arm tight against the deep cut across his ribs and lashes out with another sword attack, hoping to hold his foes at bay until help can even the odds. He feels lucky to land another solid blow against the much bigger orcs but the feeling never shows through his clenched teeth and wincing from pain.

10 using 2d6+1 Hack & Slash Rapier
6 using 1d6 Damage
This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Sun 24 Mar.

Buckthron cuts down the orc that harmed him, while his other opponent is distracted by Gorrid's shouts.

For his part, Gorrid manages to cut down two of the orcs, but not before receiving a few blows in return.

OOC: Gorrid takes 5 points of damage.

Facing two against one odds, Russel attempted to out maneuver them so that only one could attack. He made a swift jump to one side of the pile of equipment. He hoped that when they were after him, they wouldn't notice his friends.

14:53, Today: Russel Albion rolled 1,9 using 1D6,1D6+3 with rolls of 1,6.  Defy Danger (DEX).