Ronalt drops his pack and pulls his blade. "We had almost made it without hurting anyone. So close." he muttered.

Yew's crossbow fires even quicker than Sven does. He shot at the chain-mailed spearman at the front right then swiftly stepped back 15ft to the east through the intersection to take up a position immediately east of the intersection, clearing the way for his more heavy armoured companions to step forward.

[Private to DM: If the crossbow of speed still allows a second shot after moving, and if he still has an unobstructed line of fire at the end of the round he will shoot again, otherwise he will draw his dagger for melee combat instead. If any of the enemy crossbowmen shoot at him (without hitting their own front line fighters first) he will attempt to dodge or knock aside the crossbow bolts.]
Brother Yew rolled 19 using 1d20. Attack 1 with crossbow of speed.
Brother Yew rolled 9 using 1d6+4. Damage.

Ducking back behind Ronalt, Wonnilon relieved himself of his load, pressed against the wall and waited with sword ready for a strike from cover - if an opportunity should present itself...

Luthien was still kinda new at all this, and dropped his pack. He knew he'd be fighting the guy in plate, as the Cavalier Code...that he isn't technically worthy of yet....says engage leaders first.

OOC: As you can see from the map I've kindly provided, only Yew and Wonnilon actually have line of sight at the moment - everyone else is around the corner and still unseen, and also cannot see the opposition.

Or is Yew carrying a mirror so everyone can see?

OOC: No mirror, so ...

Yew fires his crossbow - insert sound of bolt slicing into flesh and man yelling in pain - Yew dashes back across the intersection in front of the party. Wonnilon scurries back behind Ronalt, drops his pack and waits with sword in hand. Blood-thirsty Sven anticipates a fight and steps forward to see then fires his crossbow too. Ronalt drops his pack and draws his sword. Luthien follows his example ... just waiting for two dwarves and a zombie to act, aren't we?  ;o)

At the sound of crossbows being fired, Amathaon dropped his pack and drew his falchion. He wondered how many they faced.

"Protect th' rear," Arek commanded the two zombies while looking at the seriously wounded Amathaon and lowering his own heavy load to the ground.
He was rather looking forward to a little fight - out of healing prayers he may be, but he was well and truly still loaded for bear.

Yew looses a bolt and takes a few quick steps backwards. His target drops to the floor. [Private to Brother Yew: Crossbow still in hand and only moved a couple of feet - only had one segment (6 seconds) worth of surprise. Can fire again at the very beginning of the next round with no problem. May fire at the end again but will probably have Sven, Ronalt and Luthien in the way if they do what I expect.]
Sven Arnoff steps forward a few feet and shoots, missing his intended target. [Private to Sven Arnoff: Crossbow still in hand - only had one segment (6 seconds) worth of surprise.]
Ronalt drops his load and pulls his blade.
Yew's crossbow fires even quicker than Sven does. He shot at the chain-mailed spearman at the front right then swiftly stepped back 15ft to the east through the intersection to take up a position immediately east of the intersection, clearing the way for his more heavy armoured companions to step forward.
Wonnilon takes cover, drops his burden and prepares to draw his borrowed short sword.
Luthien drops his load and draws his sword. Behind him Amathaon does the same.
Arek commands the two zombies to watch the rear as he lightens his load. It's clear the order was also a strongly worded suggestion for Amathaon to do the same and stay well back from immediate danger.

New, aka 1st round. Lets have those initiative rolls and intended actions. At this point one of the opposition is down and they're only aware of the existence of Yew, Sven and Wonnilon (although probably suspect there's others).
I won't update the map just yet as nobody has moved more than a couple of feet.

[private to GM: 8 bandits
2 L1 fighters
1 L4 leader
4 prisoners, general foodstuffs, treasure totalling 400gp
Assassin, Merchant, Thief, Tradesman

Bandits (8): AC 8 (leather armour) or 7 (with shield), MV 12", Level 0, #AT 1, D 1-6 (shortsword) or 2-5 (light crossbow); AL CE-NE, XP 14 + 1/hp

Veterans (2): AC 4 (chain & shield), MV 9", Level 1 Fighter, hp 9 0, 6, #AT 1, D 1-8 (longsword) or 1-6 (spear); AL NE, XP 19, 16

Leader: AC 2 (plate & shield), MV 6", Level 4 Fighter, hp 37, #AT 1 or 2, D by weapon (bastard sword, shortbow, spear, etc. ); AL NE, XP]

With his line of fire still clear Yew fires again with his crossbow but this time his aim is off. [Private to DM: Same as last round - if he still has an unobstructed line of fire at the end of the round he will shoot again, otherwise he will draw his dagger for melee combat instead. Also draw his dagger if the enemy rushes forward to attack him. If any of the enemy crossbowmen shoot at him (without hitting their own front line fighters first) he will attempt to dodge or knock aside the crossbow bolts.]

Brother Yew rolled 6 using 1d10. Initiative.
Brother Yew rolled 8 using 1d20. Attack 1 with crossbow of speed.

Ronalt's blade ready. He glanced to Sven to see when he was to charge and rounded the corner with him so they could block the corridor. Upon reaching the foes his sword drew blood.

Ronalt de Gault rolled 3 using 1d10. Initiative. (Hold Initiative till Sven's)
Ronalt de Gault rolled 20 using 1d20+2. R1: +1 longsword.
Ronalt de Gault rolled 6 using 1d8+4. R1: +1 longsword dam.

Amathaon stays back near his pack. He stands ready to defend himself, but hopes others will do that for him, given his wounds.


02:39, Sat 30 May 2015: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 5 using 1d10 ((5)). initiative

07:45, Today: Luthien rolled 2 using 1d10. Init.

Squire though he was, Luthien was raring to go this time...

Much as he'd like to engage the other guy in plate, he knew the limits of his meager abilities, and so attacked the other closest target.

Sven leaned his crossbow against the wall and dropped his baggage in order to later draw bladed weapons. It wasn't the most dramatic action, but swords don't get into hands by themselves unless you're a very special wizard indeed...

OOC: Edited to reflect the baggage problem
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Thu 11 June 2015.

It was Arek's intent, provided room opened up, to step up and call upon Clangedinn Silverbeard and transfix as many of the opponents as possible.

Initiative 8 plus casting time

Brother Yew shoots, but misses and attempts to back pedal out of the way as the heavily armoured man (plate and shield) lunges at him with his hastily drawn sword (miss).

Behind him, several of the crossbowmen try to herd the prisoners through the door to the south. Unfortunately for them, the prisoners aren't being particularly quick or helpful with potential rescue in sight. At the same time the spearman at the rear of the opposition tries to push his was forward. Once again though the prisoners are somewhat less than helpful and significantly hinder his movement.

The remainder of the crossbowmen shoot at Brother Yew causing him to duck and weave erratically, and he successfully avoids all but one of the missiles. [Private to Brother Yew: 6 points damage]

Luthien meanwhile squeezes past Ronalt, Wonnilon and Sven and heads for the front arriving just as Yew is hit. Seeing his intended target already down he attacks the bastard swordsman, more in an attempt to prevent Yew from being further attacked than in any real hope of taking the man down. As expected his sword slides ineffectually off the mans shield.

Seeing Sven still occupied with unburdening himself and making ready, Ronalt steps forward with Luthien and slips his blade into a gap in the bastard swordsmans armour. The man grunts in pain and the blade comes out red.

Arek steps between Wonnilon and Sven and begins to cast while Amathaon, accompanied by the two zombies keeps watch to the rear. A few moments later and Arek flicks something at the opponents. Transparent metallic bands descend from the ceiling and tighten around the bastard swordsman and one of the crossbowmen. A third man avoids being bound by the magic.

Sven is finally free of his load and has sword in hand as Brother Yew shoots another bolt past Luthien and the now stationary bastard swordsman. The bolt strikes a crossbowman, seriously injuring him. [Private to Brother Yew: The hold person allowed that second shot as Luthien was no longer dancing about in front of you. Next round might be different though, and there's a risk of any misses potentially hitting a prisoner. Up to you if you want to keep shooting or switch to the dagger.]

New round.
Red cross means dead or dying, blue cross means held and unmoving.

[private to GM: 8 bandits
2 L1 fighters
1 L4 leader
4 prisoners, general foodstuffs, treasure totalling 400gp
Assassin, Merchant, Thief, Tradesman

Bandits (one held) (8): AC 8 (leather armour) or 7 (with shield), MV 12", Level 0, HP 5 1, #AT 1, D 1-6 (shortsword) or 2-5 (light crossbow); AL CE-NE, XP 14 + 1/hp

Veterans (2): AC 4 (chain & shield), MV 9", Level 1 Fighter, hp 9 0, 6, #AT 1, D 1-8 (longsword) or 1-6 (spear); AL NE, XP 19, 16

Leader (held): AC 2 (plate & shield), MV 6", Level 4 Fighter, hp 37 31, #AT 3/2 or 2, D by weapon (DS bastard sword, shortbow, spear, etc. ); AL NE, XP]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:14, Fri 12 June 2015.

Ronalt pushed forward to the crossbowmen, his blade slashing ineffectively twice with the ring of blade on armour.

Ronalt de Gault rolled 6 using 1d10. Initiative. .
Ronalt de Gault rolled 10 using 1d20+2. R2: +1 longsword. att 1. AC 6
Ronalt de Gault rolled 5 using 1d20+2. R2: +1 longsword. att 2.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Mon 15 June 2015.

Brother Yew winced at the pain of his wound but refused to let it overwhelm him. With grim determination he drew his dagger Heartseeker (crossbow now carried in his left hand) and moved forward past the magically bound men to attack the closest crossbowman and stop him shooting again.

OOC: Brother Yew rolled 4 using 1d10. Initiative.
Brother Yew rolled 17 using 1d20. Heartseeker +? (THAC0 18).
Brother Yew rolled 6 using 1d4+2. Heartseeker damage +?

Amathaon waited with the zombies and wished he could do something more. He decided to hide in the shadows a bit, till it was over with.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:25, Mon 15 June 2015.

Arek followed on the heels of Ronalt but stopped at the held bastard swordsman. Hooking his mace over their shoulder he pulled them down to the floor with a metallic CRASH, whipped off their helmet and stove in their skull with another swift mace blow.
He, nor his god, wasn't in a mood to take prisoners...

Initiative 8

23:03, Today: Luthien rolled 7 using 1d8+4. Sword of stabbing.

21:41, Today: Luthien rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Give it the old squire try..

21:40, Today: Luthien rolled 1 using 1d10. Init?

Luthien was trying, and against a crossbowman, his tries mean something!

And he packs quite a wallop too, for a random squire.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:04, Mon 15 June 2015.

Sven moved forward behind his already advanced companions and viciously brained the second held man with the pommel of his sword, enough to ensure he went to sleep but note a killing blow. A soldier through and through never lets a free strike pass.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:27, Thu 18 June 2015.

Wonnilon dashes forward and drives the short sword up underneath the held crossbowmans armour and deep into their abdomen, slaying them almost immediately.

Brother Yew also dashes forward and finishes off the crossbowman he'd just hit with his bolt. [Private to Brother Yew: He feels a burst of intense pleasure shoot up his arm from the dagger as it plunges up to the crossguard into their chest.]

Not to be outdone, Luthien is hot on their heels, stabbing his blade into another crossbowman and felling them instantly.

Arek takes care of the last held man a heartbeat before Sven moves, leaving the big man little option but to charge at the somewhat demoralised spearman who finds himself staring (briefly) at his severed torso from across the corridor. [Private to Sven Arnoff: Max damage - he only had 6 hp...]

Ronalt leaps over the piled bodies and slices into the last remaining crossbowman in front of the prisoners. He too joins his compatriots bleeding out on the floor.

The four crossbowmen on the far side of the prisoners do not hesitate - as one they turn and flee in total panic down the corridor.

OOC: Wow. That round was nasty. The party, the whole party, beat them on initiative and not a single character missed their target. The carnage, soooo much carnage...the survivors (if you don't run them down) will be in therapy the remainder of their miserable lives.
[private to GM: 8 bandits
2 L1 fighters
1 L4 leader
4 prisoners, general foodstuffs, treasure totalling 400gp
Assassin, Merchant, Thief, Tradesman

Bandits (8 4): AC 8 (leather armour) or 7 (with shield), MV 12", Level 0, HP 5 1, #AT 1, D 1-6 (shortsword) or 2-5 (light crossbow); AL CE-NE, XP 14 + 1/hp

Veterans (2): AC 4 (chain & shield), MV 9", Level 1 Fighter, hp 9 0, 6, #AT 1, D 1-8 (longsword) or 1-6 (spear); AL NE, XP 19, 16

Leader (held): AC 2 (plate & shield), MV 6", Level 4 Fighter, hp 37, #AT 3/2 or 2, D by weapon (DS bastard sword, shortbow, spear, etc. ); AL NE, XP]

Ronalt pushes through the prisoners, "We will be back in a moment. Arek check these prisoner and release them."Chasing the crossbowmen, keen to bring at least another down with his blade.
If able Ronalt will cut any fleeing crossbowmen down from behind.

Ronalt de Gault rolled 10 using 1d10. Initiative.
Ronalt de Gault rolled 13 using 1d20. R3: Longsword Att. Hit AC 1
Ronalt de Gault rolled 8 using 1d8+4 ((4))
This message was last edited by the player at 10:16, Sat 20 June 2015.

07:41, Today: Luthien rolled 11 using 1d8+4. Damage.

07:40, Today: Luthien rolled 17 using 1d20+2. Stabby stab stab.

Even a kid was starting to get the hang of combat now.

The next crossbowman would meet a particularly nasty fate. Luthien may not have much experience, it's true...but he is STRONG. And when he does land a blow, he hits like an oxen pulled wagon.