Surprised a bit by the question, Ärchönia replies to Joe, "It's a boscage, of course."

She enjoyed the walk, having travelled far to arrive here in the first place. She looked at everything as if it was new, and imagined fantastic beasts of all sorts might come from the far houses, but of course, none did. The clouds began to grow and perhaps that was the scent of ozone? "A downpour would be fair," she said, eyes shining. "Perhaps more difficult a task, but the verses to be made!"

Ärchönia had her sleep spell ready, should the scouting suggest its use, but until then, she looked to the sky, watching the clouds.

Garett stares over the rise, a small copse of trees is beyond, it is probably 150 feet across.   To the west, a picket of horses, two large draft, a pair of shaggy ponies, and a couple of riding horses.  One of the larger trees has a tent at its base, the smoke coming up getting dispersed by the branches, next to it, a wagon and cart covered in tarps.  Two more tents are there, one larger than the other.  Two men stand watch, each in leather with long bows.  There are two men tied to one of the trees to the east.   Three men sit around a fire, they occasionally gesture at the two prisoners, each has a shortsword on their belts.

           ******
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    *H                 [] *
    *H                   pp*
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           gg        

Ärchönia considers what Garett shares, and asks the others, "My enchantment can put either the three at fire to slumbering, or the two with bows to Nod. Would you prefer three swordsmen or two archers be left to engage in combat most mortal?"

She had little preference as to which it would be. If their own group had many missile weapons, then the swordsmen might be preferable to face. If they did not, then perhaps the archers would be better to fight. But she left that tactical decision to the ones who would actually be charging.

 To Joe and Ricky, Falis says, "She's talking about woodlands."

 She then carefully readies her axe.  "I'd prefer the archers be put down, first, personally... or at least someone sneak up behind them and cut their bowstrings.  Or throats." She sucks her teeth and then bites her lip.  She looks to the others, as if to ask their takes on the matter.  "The sneaking proposition might not be the easiest, with all this rain... rain pattering against metal, and all that.  To say nothing of squelchy footsteps."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:06, Sun 25 Apr 2021.

Garett nods his head at Falis' plan. "Agreed."

He looks over at Archonia. "Take out the two guards, please. Then we'll charge in and surprise the three around the fire. I expect that there will be at least one more person coming out from those tents, but if we keep the momentum up we should be alright."

He looked over at the rest of the group. "Ready?"

"The upcoming clamor of battle! Marvelous! When you give your wild ululation, the Amaranthine Doxy will send the Sandman calling," she confirmed to the others. Whether it was a cry or not, when Garrett or Falis gave the signal, she cast her spell on the archers.


(ooc)
Archonia rolled 5,12 using 2d8,4d4 ((4,1,2,2,4,4)).
So, 5 HD would be affected for 12 turns if she succeeds in casting her spell.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Tue 27 Apr 2021.

Zorbon is ready to charge in as soon as the two archers fall. (Actually, he's ready to charge, either way.)

"What do we do?" Joe asks.

 Falis, eyeing her other companions as if to confirm readiness to engage or not, says to Joe and Ricky, "Why don't the two of you fire those bows of yours on anyone who comes charging our way?" The warrior holds her axe at the ready, in both hands.

Joe and Ricky nod, checking their bowstrings, they nock an arrow, and make sure the others are arrows are easily grabbed.

The two guards are about 100 feet away, well within the reach of Archonia's spellweaving.  The lady summons her magics and the two guards collapse to their knees, then fall over.

One of the men around the fire, stands then points and shouts.  He pushes the other two to their feet.  They are prepared, but unsure of what they are preparing for.


actions?

Garett charges into the clearing shouting his battle cry! "FOR MOE AND JUSTICE!" His sword is held high over his head as his feet carry him towards the trio of men at the campfire. The heavy weight of all of his equipment slows him down, but he keeps gamely on trying to draw as much of the enemy's attention as possible away from his companions, and their weaker armor.

(OOC: I have an encounter speed of 10. So I'm probably not getting very far. However, if it is needed I did roll a five on my attack roll.  Garett rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5.  Attack Roll if Needed.)

Zorbon runs forward as well trying to stay off to one side so the archers have a clear shot.

 Shaking her backpack off as she charges, Falis runs at her foes, axe in hand.

Without the backpack, Falis moves at 20' per round, so it'll be a spell before she's close enough!

The archers fell. Ärchönia considered casting a sleep at the swordsmen next, but decided against it. It would not due to spoil the excitement her companions were charging towards. So, she kept it in reserve should more opposition come to light.

In the meantime, she stayed as hidden as she could, content to not be involved at this point if it was not necessary, but she brought out her sling so she could still assist if it was needed.

ooc: Bandits win INIT

The campfire bandits split up, two run forward towards the sleeping bowmen, one runs back towards one of the larger tents.

One of the campfire bowmen starts to rouse the two men, the other grabs one of the men's bows, and goes to nock an arrow.

Archonia readies her sling.  Zorbon, Falis and Garett take off running.  Ricky and Joe both loose arrows.  The man that picked up the bow takes an arrow to the throat and keels over.  The other man a body shot that staggers him.  The sleeping bandits start to awaken a bit groggily and will be on their feet next round.

ooc: Actions?

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           gg




     Z     F


          G


          A  R J

ooc: Zorbon, Falis run at 60, Garett at 30, Archonia, Ricky, Joe at 90

Zorbon and Falis are 40' from the bandits
Garret 60,
Archonia, 100, long sling range (-1)
Ricky and Joe at 100', medium bow range

"Well, that was disappointing," Ärchönia said to herself, as the two sleeping archers were immediately awoken. She had hoped that they would have had a moment of surprise, or that the bandits would not have immediately thought to do so, but it was not to be. They were not playing fair, she thought, as she tried to knock the one running for tent in the head with a sling stone.

(ooc)
She rolled a 9 with the range penalty, so undoubtedly a miss.

Zorbon runs to the waking guards and tries to knock one unconscious again.

23:50, Today: Zorbon rolled 6 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 4.  mace damage.

23:50, Today: Zorbon rolled 20 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 18.  attack bandit.

11:32, Today: Falis rolled 15,6 using 1d20+2,1d8+2 ((13,4)).
Battle axe on the bandit.

 Falis closes the distance with the bandit that is not getting divine sleep therapy from Zorbon, and swings her mighty axe at them...

Garett grunts at himself in frustration for forgetting to drop his own backpack in the excitement. He stops and does so now. Then lightened by nearly thirty pounds, he resumes his charge towards the swordsmen.

(OOC: Now he can run at 20 ft per round.)

ooc: Bandits win initiative

The running man disappears into the tent.

The archers rise to their feet, but have no time to nock an arrow.  Zorbon and Falis arrive, the men swing groggily, using their bows as staves. but do not cause any injuries.  The man with the arrow in him, swings his sword ineffectively.

Archonia's sling stone vanished into the trees.

Both archers are then killed by Zorbon and Falis. The wounded man remains.

Garett arrives.

Ricky and Joe wait, with arrows nocked.


ooc: Actions?

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    *H                 [] *
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   *        g             *
           ZF
             G


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          A  R J

ooc: Zorbon, Falis, Garett run at 60, Archonia, Ricky, Joe at 90

Zorbon and Falis and Garret are 50' from the nearest tents

Archonia, 100, long sling range (-1)
Ricky and Joe at 100', medium bow range

"Well, that was promising," Ärchönia said to herself, as the two sleeping archers were immediately slain.

No target presented itself, so she waited to see who would come from the tents.
A large number of bandits would necessitate sleep, but a manageable amount would only require her to use the sling again.


(ooc)
Ärchönia does nothing this round, other than wait to see what happens next. She is too far to do anything else, and is better served to be with the archers at the moment.

 Falis looks at the wounded man with pity and concern.  But, she removes one of her hand axes and waits for anyone to approach from the tent...

"Drop your weapon and stand down and in the name of Moe, you will live," Zorbon commands the wounded foe.

The bandits win initiative.

Everybody roll a separate 1d20

Four bandits flow out of the tent where one went in.  Three bear short swords, the fourth an axe.  They advance on the group.  The wounded man swings at Zorbon, " You'll all be dead soon!" he cries defiantly, narrowly missing.

The other four attack, two on Falis, two on Garett.  even though they wear no armor, and seem barely dressed, their weapons prove accurate.  Falis receives two minor wounds, but ~Garett, is knocked to the ground bleeding profusely.

ooc: 5 bandits remain, one is clutches at the arrow in his midsection, the others are not wearing any armor.

Actions?

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    *H       gbb        pp*
   *          ZFbb        *
                G



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          A  R J

08:28, Today: Falis rolled 13 using 1d20 ((13)).
What do I win?!

 Falis growls and hisses at her injuries, and swings wildly with the small axe in her left hand at the bandit nearest Garett.  But, it's a swing and a miss, and she uses the momentum to just let the weapon sail over Garett's prone form... and catch her battle axe in both hands for a two-handed grip.  For future butcher's work.

08:31, Today: Falis rolled 3,8 using 1d20+2,1d6+2 ((1,6)).
Attacking, and failing to attack, with hand axe in left hand.  As she missed, she will just let it sail and grip her battle axe with both hands.