OOC: new map for group 9 is now available.

The party dismounts and takes cover against the wall, sneaking forward to catch a glimpse of the layout ahead of them. Unfortunately for the group, the horses are restless and Ol' Charlie especially makes a great deal of noise clomping and snuffing and stamping around.

Celador and Therarak both sneak ahead further (to about H8) to scope out the lay of the land. Both see a flash of movement in an opening in the wall far from their current position and a good 50' above the road (cave C). Neither can make out what exactly it was, but something was there for a second, then ducked back into the darkness.

Moments later, an unnatural tapping sound can be heard, like a wooden block being struck repeatedly. It's difficult to say from exactly where the sound is coming (the sound plays tricks on the ears against the tall stone wall).

A second cave (cave A) is closer and on the same level as the road. They see no movement there.

OOC: If you want to inspect around the corner, you'll have to move further south (H10), fully exposing you.

In reply to DM (msg # 6):

Thorfire sort of sneaks up to the group, and strains his eyesight and hearing to determine where the creatures are, what the noise is, and where is it coming from. I am fairly agile, do you guys think I should I climb up the slope and check out that cave up there?

10:04, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 22 using 1d20+2, rerolling ones.  Perception.
10:04, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 10 using 1d20+5, rerolling ones.  Stealth.


OOC: Just out of curiosity, how was a caravan with wagons, etc. going to travel on this road?!?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Tue 10 Oct 2017.

In reply to Thorfire Shortankard (msg # 7):

"You are agile, but not as stealthy as some. I can help you."

Lazaret casts Invisibility on Thorfire.

In reply to DM (msg # 6):

Therarak, moves carefully further along the cliff to get a better view of the surroundings.


22:16, Today: Therarak Gemfinder rolled 14 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only.Perception Stealth. I roll with advantage and I assume that along the cliff would count as rocky terrain.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:20, Wed 11 Oct 2017.

The heroes shimmy up as far as they can while still receiving cover from the rock wall on their right. Behind them, Kathel has a short arguement with Kevril, ultimately covincing him that he needs to stay with the horses, which he reluctantly does.

Therarak uses his Snirfneblin ability to blend in with stone to sneak further ahead. Thorfire, with the aid of Lazaret, disappears entirely and also moves around the corner.

From what they can all see, there are 3 caves, none of which show any signs of life at the moment. Kathel suggests, however, that more than one are home to a pack of orc bowmen.

The wooden tapping noise has ceased. Before it does, however, Thorfire gets the impression that it originated at the furthest cave (cave C), some 200 feet away.

Both the Gnome and Halfling see, as they come around the corner, a fourth cave opening (cave D). This cave, like two of the others, is quite a way up the cliff. The opening is dark and there is nobody there by the looks of it.

OOC: regarding a caravan travelling the road, good question. The road is actually wider than the skinny trail picture. Referencing the map, the road itself is 10 to 12 feet wide and there is a good 10 to 20 feet of (fairly) level ground on either side of the road before the stone wall (on the west) and the dropoff into the scrub and brush (on the east).

Also OOC: The map has been updated to show current positions. I made Thorfire's morker gray instead of black to show he's invisible.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:44, Wed 11 Oct 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 10):

To Kethel, "The little fellows will sneak forward and find the orcs. We should know in a minute if Thorfire has found something because a dead orc will come flying out of a cave. The Darjeeling gnome will probably pour acid on one of the poor bastards. Pretty awful when you think about it. Not sure what we are supposed to do. We'll think of something."

After another moment, "The horses are going to die, you know. They never make it out alive from these sorts of adventures. A shame, really."

Celador looks at Lazaret with a look of -...why would you say something like that?!?...- in response to the comment about the horses.

He then moves to where he has some cover a the point where the wall curves and if he were to go much further he would be exposed to attack. He nocks an arrow and sets his sights on the cave higher up the face of the wall and close enough that he believes it is within range of his bow.

"I guess we will wait and see what happens." Celador sighs.

"Yasha, where did you go?"


Celador moves to square H9 which is roughly 150' to cave B and takes half cover at the edge of the rock wall. He readies his bow in anticipation that something will pop its head out.

Kathel stiffnes as the Tabaxi waxes poetically. "By the white gauntlet of Torm," she finally cries through clenched teeth at Celador. "Does he ever shut up?"

In reply to DM (msg # 13):

Yasha and his blue fimilar will walk right behind Celador and Yasha will look prepared to cast an Eldridge blast.
His fimilar will wave at Celador and his familiar will with a shrill voice say"Heyyy, I'm Mr. Meekseeks look at me I am here because Yasha asked me to translate for him. Look at me" Then Yasha will move 30 feet up the road along with his meeseeks both ready to fight some orcs.



23:53, Today: Yasha rolled 8 using 1d20.  Stealth. Oof

23:55, Today: Yasha rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Mr meeseeks stealth roll.

In reply to Yasha (msg # 14):

"Who the hell is the blue guy? What the hell is the blue guy?"

(OOC - What the hell is the blue guy?)

Lazaret notices a large bushy tree about 20' up. Using his cat's claws and cat's speed he darts up the sheer face and crouches behind it. "I should be able to get a better look from up here" he thinks.

(OOC - I am using the picture and looking at the tree that has the "B" on it. If this is being too literal with the visuals, then we can skip this movement.)

08:16, Today: Lazaret rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  Perception. (Passive = 16)
08:16, Today: Lazaret rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Stealth.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:18, Thu 12 Oct 2017.

Yasha (with a strange blue companion now perched atop his shoulder), Celador, and Kathel find a bit of cover behind some loose rocks where the cliff wall turns to the east. From their vantage point, they can see three cave mouths (A, B, and C), but notice no movement inside any of them. They also notice Lazaret scurrying along the wall about 30 feet above the road. It isn't clear what the unpredictable Tabaxi has in mind, but he appears to be headed to a grove of trees surrounding one of the cave mouths.

Speaking of unpredictable, the northerner proceeds to step out from behind the cover and down the road with his outspoken companion aboard his shoulder seemingly unaware of the awaiting ambush. Still, this bold action draws nothing from the three caves they can see.

Thorfire, still invisible, walks along the road. He notices a fourth cave, now directly above him (cave D). His eyes catch a glimpse of movement after Mr. Meekseeks announces his arrival. Something back in the shadows is stirring, but not enough for the halfling to tell what it is.

Therarak, blending in against the stone wall at his back, sees the same stirring in the cave above him.

OOC: Lazaret, you couldn't cover the entire distance to the trees (about 140', and a climb up a sheer wall, so I placed you about halfway there (see updated map). We are talking mid afternoon now, so hiding in the shadows will be difficult.

In reply to DM (msg # 16):

Therarak gives a quick signal to his comrades in range that he sees some movement and that they should sit tight until a threat makes itself known.

In reply to Therarak Gemfinder (msg # 17):

Lazaret freezes and hopes the rocks will provide some cover.

In reply to DM (msg # 16):

Thorfire signals to his companions that something is stirring in the cave above him...for some reason they don't respond in any meaningful way so he just shrugs his shoulders and waits to kill some orcs.

21:51, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Stealth.
21:52, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Stealth.

OOC: I don't know if I roll with advantage if invisible.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Mon 16 Oct 2017.

Celador finds this new traveling companion and his blue minion a bit bizarre.

With an arrow at the ready on his bowstring, he scans the caves.

He wonders where the halfling went. -...he is invisible, so of course I can't see him...I wonder what it's like to be invisible...if you're invisible can you look down and see your shoes?...I would like to be invisible one day, maybe for just a day...I could go back to Glenvendale and see my family...but they wouldn't see me...what if Thorfire wants us to come up there...how would we know, we can't see him...-

Celador's daydream is interrupted by the gnome signaling them to stop. Once again he is on the look out for orcs.


23:03, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  perception.

The tension breaks in a flash. Three orcs, armed with longbows, emerge from the darkness of the cave with their weapons loaded. Before anyone can react, they rain arrows down upon Yasha, striking him twice (OOC: Ouch. Yasha takes 10 hp damage).

The northerner has paid a dear price for the information, but their enemy is now visible.

Post round 1 actions! Three orcs are visible in front of cave D. Remember that the mouth is 40 to 50 feet above the road. Cleador cannot technically see them from his current position, but he sees the path of the arrows so he would be able to move and attack at range this round.


23:54, Yesterday: DM rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Orc3 Longbow vs. Yasha.
23:53, Yesterday: DM rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Orc2 longbow vs. Yasha.
23:53, Yesterday: DM rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  Orc1 longbow vs. Yasha.
00:01, Today: DM rolled 8 using 1d8.  Orc3 damage.
00:01, Today: DM rolled 2 using 1d8.  Orc1 damage.

In reply to DM (msg # 21):

"I couldn't understand a word he said, but I think I'm going to miss this new fellow. And, seriously, what is that blue thing?"

Lazaret casts Faerie Fire on the orcs in the cave and then climbs up another 30 feet to stay out of the sight of the other caves.

(Orcs must make a DC 13 DEX save or be lit up by the spell - attacks against them would have advantage.)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:47, Mon 16 Oct 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 21):

Yasha raises his hands and a crackling green energy shoots out towards the cave.


15:20, Today: Yasha rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch blast .
7:49, Today: Yasha rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch blast
17:50, Today: Yasha rolled 8 using 1d10+3.  Damage




Then he runs to cover of the mountain side after taking two arrows from the orcs.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Mon 16 Oct 2017.

Celador winces as he sees Yasha hit with the arrows, but now at least he has an idea where the orcs are hiding.

He quickly moves into a position where he can just see the origin of the arrows and fires at the orcs. He then ducks back to a place where he has some cover.


16:51, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  attack with long bow.

and just incase that hits:

16:52, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 4 using 1d8+2.  damage with long bow.

or else if they failed faerie fire:

16:53, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  attack with long bow with advantage secondary to faerie fire.

that's more like it.

Does Yasha get advantage on his eldritch blast?

to Yasha: Who taught you how to eldritch blast? Perrin?!

This message was deleted by the player at 22:49, Mon 16 Oct 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 21):

In the commotion, Thorfire silently climbs 25 feet up the slope toward the left side of the cave.

19:54, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 25 using 1d20+5, rerolling ones.  Stealth.

The orcs' attack on a single target is quickly answered, much to their dismay, from multiple directions. Lazaret casts faerie fire at the cave mouth, and two of the three bowmen finds themselves glowing in an eerie, blue light. And behind them, somewhere back in the cave, a fourth orc is now revealed by the same glow.

21:06, Today: DM rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  Orc1 DEX save vs. faerie fire.
21:06, Today: DM rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Orc2 DEX save vs. faerie fire.
21:06, Today: DM rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  Orc3 DEX save vs. faerie fire.
21:08, Today: DM rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  Orc4 DEX save vs. faerie fire.

With targets now plain to see, Celador and Kathel jump from behind cover and let fly with arrows. Celador's pierces one in the shoulder, but Kathel's arrow plunks harmlessly into the wall several feet below the guards.

21:34, Today: DM rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  Kathel longbow vs. Orc3.
21:34, Today: DM rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Kathel longbow vs. Orc3 (advantage due to faerie fire).

Having done his part to reveal their opponents, Yasha retaliates with a blast of green eldritch energy, drawing a wretched scream from the first of the orcs. It staggers for a moment, but regains its balance and snorts in defiance of the Warlock.

21:26, Today: DM rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  Orc1 DEX save vs. losing balance after being hit (DC10).
21:28, Today: DM rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Orc3 DEX save vs. losing balance after being hit (DC10).

During the chaos, Thorfire scampers up the side of the cliff silently until he is within 25 feet of the orcs. The halfling stirs nary a pebble as he takes his place completely unnoticed by his foes.

Still need a post from Therarak, then the orcs will take their turn to close out round 1.

In reply to DM (msg # 27):

Therarak seeing that the orcs are out of range remains still, so as to remain blended in with his rocky surroundings. He readies his alchemical fire if the orc party rapidly advances. OOC: I'm readying an action. I will remain hidden until the orcs come around the bend at which point I'll throw the fire. Dex Save required, DC 14.
20:24, Today: Therarak Gemfinder rolled 4 using 1d6.  Fire.

With Therarak, Celador, Yasha, and Kathel all hugging the cliffside, the orc archers have no shot at their targets below. One of the orcs is fortunate enough to identify Lazaret some 70' away, but his shot at the Tabaxi is way off the mark. He snorts in disgust while pulling another arrow from his quiver.

The other two orcs peer over the edge of their landing toward the road below. "Come out, cowards," one of them shouts. "Show yourselves!"

No immediate attacks come from the orcs, however a drum can be heard coming from the cave


23:18, Today: DM rolled 17 using 1d20.  Orc1 perception to find Lazaret (DC15).
23:19, Today: DM rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Orc1 longbow vs. Lazaret.

Map has been updated with a blown up version of your immediate area. Remember that this is happening at different elevations. Lazaret is slightly above the cave height. He is 50' above the road. Thorfire is about halfway between the road and the cave mouth (25' elevation). Everyone else is up against the cliff face (0' elevation).

I almost forgot... Post round 2 actions!
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:21, Sat 21 Oct 2017.

In reply to DM (msg # 29):

Lazaret moves to the nearest, best cover and takes the dodge action.