Episode 10
The party continued forward at speed, but they did not encounter any more enemy scouts. But day after day, the ominous dark cloud along the coast continued to move north in a strange ponderous foreboding. At night they kept watch and saw snakes of spreading torches invade inwards, burning villages and towns and surrounding Silver City.
The terrain also began to grow more technical as rolling hills and scattered trees gave way to treacherous marshland that sucked at their mounts’ hoofs and tall waist-high reeds, sometimes even as tall as a man’s height obscured their route.
I assume there’s a known road or route between the two keeps for trade etc, especially given the friendly nature of the two dukes?
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
A somewhat well-maintained road wound through and above the marshlands. They moved two abreast, Lancet next to one of his men and Arnstein next to Shauneer. Lancet found the route and motioned them after him. They made good speed along it towards the keep.
The first day into the marshlands, they have their Second Hazard. The terrain changes from Populated to Wilderness as they move into the marsh: 90 = 90[d100]
The encounter is
Free Peoples
I think this means either 1-30 defenders of Halde-Marsh Keep, 31-60 refugees fleeing the invasion or in some other need, 61-90 or other unfriendly parties:
95 = 95[d100]
A group of bandits then is hiding amidst the reeds. Is it a larger group than the party?
(Somewhat Likely | 6[d10]) Yes
Considerably larger?
(50/50 | 4[d10]) No
Bandit’s Rog +20
85 = 65[d100]+20
Vs
Perception +40 for Shauneer
Pathcutters aid
79 = 39[d100]+40
Partial
Arnstein’s aid:
Perception +30-5 helm
40 = 15[d100]+30-5
Failure
Shauneer’s perception
78 = 28[d100]+40+10:
Not enough to beat them. Which means the party is surprised. Arnstein suffers a further complication on his perception. What is that?
Carelessness
Messages
The complication is that his armor easily reflects any light and so he becomes a target for any surprise-round bow shots near him.
7 individuals on horseback
There are 10 bandits, five hidden on either side of the road and then five down the west side, forming a ragged L for their ambush.
Sunset burnishes the marshes in an amber glow. Arnstein on his mount, trotted next to Shuaneer, learning of her homeland when wicked barbs slashed out from in front of them and off to their west slamming into man and mount.
“To arms!” Lancet shouted
Round 1:
Pathcutter
Lvl 4, MR: 15L, AT: LA, Def: 20, TSR: 30, WSR: 25, HPs: 80, Attacks: +60 Blade / +80 Bow, CT: NH, Rog: 40, Adv: 45, Lor: +10
Lancet
Lvl 5, MR: 15L, AT: LA, Def: 20, TSR: 35, WSR: 30, HPs: 85, Attacks: +70 Blade / +90 Bow, CT: NH, Rog: 40, Adv: 45, Lor: +10
Bandit:
Lvl 4, MR:15L, AT: LAs, Def: 25, TSR: 25, WSR: 20, HPs: 70, Attacks: +70 Melee / +50 Ranged, CT: NH, Rog: 20, Adv: 30, Lor: +0
Parth
Lvl 3, MR: 16L, AT: NAs, Def: 20, TSR: 10, WSR: 10, HPs: 45, Attacks: +65 Blade / +35 Bow, CT: NH, Rog: 30, Adv: 50, Lor: +30
Assessment:
The party already failed their Perception.
The bandits attack and get +20 on their attacks and defenders, the party, can’t use Shield Bonus or Parry.
Action Declaration:
Bandit attack. Ten attackers, five from the front, five from the side. Do the bandits all attack with some kind of ranged attack first?
(Likely | 6[d10]) Yes
CMB +50 Ranged + 20 surprise = +70 this round
This might be really bad.
Move Phase:
Bandits stay put and shoot with short bows, using their range to their advantage.
The party can only do half movement. They can’t dive for cover because they can only do that if they’re aware of the attack, which they aren’t.
They all draw their weapons, Pathcutters draw arming swords. Arnstein draws his longsword. Shauneer draws her two-handed blade.
Arnstein and Shauneer both have 1 drive point each. I’m tempted to spend it, but I should probably save it for the bad critical hit I know is coming.
Spell Phase A:
N/A
Ranged Phase A:
Everyone gets one attack on them, but Arnstein gets three from the failure above. Nice...
To Lancet:
99 = 29[d100]+70
-20 = 79 vs LA
0 Hits
To Pathcutter 1:
150 = 80[d100]+50+20
-20 = 130 vs LA
20 Gri
108 = 78[d100]+30
Strike to lower leg Torn muscle +4 damage -20 all actions.
To Pathcutter 2:
75 = 5[d100]+50+20
-20 = 55 vs LA
Miss
To Pathcutter 3:
91 = 21[d100]+50+20
-20 = 71 vs LA
0 Hits
To Parth:
151 = 81[d100]+50+20
-20 = 131 vs NA
21 Let
Piercing on critical
My d100 was open ended crit ending up at 148 before the +50 lethal modifier!
Max result for Lethal piercing crit 150:
Strike through the eye into the brain. Instant death.
Goodbye, Parth...
To Shauneer:
115 = 45[d100]+50+20
-20 - 85 vs MA
4 Hits
To Arnstein:
91 = 21[d100]+50+20
-25 = 66 vs MA
0 Hits
154 = 84[d100]+50+20
154-25=129 vs MA
(140 is Max for short bow)
22 Gri Ouch!
Here we go
90 = 60[d100]+30
Major abdominal wound: If armored (he is, thankfully), +4 damage, +3 bleed.
166 = 96[d100]+50+20 (that one is open ended)
228 vs MA (OUCH!)
Thankfully 140 is Max for short bow
But still, ouch! He only has 1 drive to offset bad criticals. Better roll low.
22 Gri
89 = 59[d100]+30
Second critical: Strike to lower leg under knee. Tendons and muscle torn. +3 damage, stunned, and -25 to all actions.
That was a pretty low roll. I think I’ll keep that result even though he’s now stunlocked. Grrr.
Parth - DEAD
Arnstein (Medium human) – Level 2 XP 25/30, HP 130, Damage, 44 Bleed: 3
Other: STUNNED, -25
Drive Points: 1
Hero Points: 3
Shauneer (Medium human) – Level 1 XP 10/30, HP 65, Damage, Bleed:
Other:
Drive Points: 1
Hero Points: 0
Pathcutter 1
Damage: 22
Other: -20
Melee Phase:
N/A
Ranged Phase B:
N/A
Maybe I should have asked more questions about these bandits rather than assuming they were ready and willing to go full bore into battle. Maybe they would have just threatened or sought for a tax to pass, instead of just assuming they were ready to attack with arrows set. But it’s too late now.
Arrows slashed out in front of him and and to his side. Arnstein saw Parth riding ahead of him, take a dark shaft in his eye and pitch backwards off his saddle, an arrow driven into the back of his skull. His arms reflexively clawing at his face as he fell and twitched to groaning stillness.
“Parth!” Arnstein shouted. But a sickening coldness throbbed in his gut. He knew the other man was dead. He heard other shouts and cries down the line as three arrows lanced towards him. One glanced off his armor. Another struck his midsection, but fell out, not penetrating deeply. A third barb found the gap between knee and leg, where his greave didn’t cover and drove into his lower leg just under the knee. He hissed at the poker hot pain under his knee and rocked back in his saddle, struggling to remain seated.
Note: Yes, a shorter episode. I actually had this part written up some time ago but wanted to include the entire combat before posting. But a few rounds into it I realized I wasn't applying some things properly. So I think I'll redo things starting in round 2. Plus, things honestly became a bit unwieldy the way I was tracking the fight. I need a better way. I'm considering using Fantasy Grounds for larger combats like this going forward. Anyway, I wanted to get this part posted at least.
The party continued forward at speed, but they did not encounter any more enemy scouts. But day after day, the ominous dark cloud along the coast continued to move north in a strange ponderous foreboding. At night they kept watch and saw snakes of spreading torches invade inwards, burning villages and towns and surrounding Silver City.
The terrain also began to grow more technical as rolling hills and scattered trees gave way to treacherous marshland that sucked at their mounts’ hoofs and tall waist-high reeds, sometimes even as tall as a man’s height obscured their route.
I assume there’s a known road or route between the two keeps for trade etc, especially given the friendly nature of the two dukes?
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
A somewhat well-maintained road wound through and above the marshlands. They moved two abreast, Lancet next to one of his men and Arnstein next to Shauneer. Lancet found the route and motioned them after him. They made good speed along it towards the keep.
The first day into the marshlands, they have their Second Hazard. The terrain changes from Populated to Wilderness as they move into the marsh: 90 = 90[d100]
The encounter is
Free Peoples
I think this means either 1-30 defenders of Halde-Marsh Keep, 31-60 refugees fleeing the invasion or in some other need, 61-90 or other unfriendly parties:
95 = 95[d100]
A group of bandits then is hiding amidst the reeds. Is it a larger group than the party?
(Somewhat Likely | 6[d10]) Yes
Considerably larger?
(50/50 | 4[d10]) No
Bandit’s Rog +20
85 = 65[d100]+20
Vs
Perception +40 for Shauneer
Pathcutters aid
79 = 39[d100]+40
Partial
Arnstein’s aid:
Perception +30-5 helm
40 = 15[d100]+30-5
Failure
Shauneer’s perception
78 = 28[d100]+40+10:
Not enough to beat them. Which means the party is surprised. Arnstein suffers a further complication on his perception. What is that?
Carelessness
Messages
The complication is that his armor easily reflects any light and so he becomes a target for any surprise-round bow shots near him.
7 individuals on horseback
There are 10 bandits, five hidden on either side of the road and then five down the west side, forming a ragged L for their ambush.
Sunset burnishes the marshes in an amber glow. Arnstein on his mount, trotted next to Shuaneer, learning of her homeland when wicked barbs slashed out from in front of them and off to their west slamming into man and mount.
“To arms!” Lancet shouted
Round 1:
Pathcutter
Lvl 4, MR: 15L, AT: LA, Def: 20, TSR: 30, WSR: 25, HPs: 80, Attacks: +60 Blade / +80 Bow, CT: NH, Rog: 40, Adv: 45, Lor: +10
Lancet
Lvl 5, MR: 15L, AT: LA, Def: 20, TSR: 35, WSR: 30, HPs: 85, Attacks: +70 Blade / +90 Bow, CT: NH, Rog: 40, Adv: 45, Lor: +10
Bandit:
Lvl 4, MR:15L, AT: LAs, Def: 25, TSR: 25, WSR: 20, HPs: 70, Attacks: +70 Melee / +50 Ranged, CT: NH, Rog: 20, Adv: 30, Lor: +0
Parth
Lvl 3, MR: 16L, AT: NAs, Def: 20, TSR: 10, WSR: 10, HPs: 45, Attacks: +65 Blade / +35 Bow, CT: NH, Rog: 30, Adv: 50, Lor: +30
Assessment:
The party already failed their Perception.
The bandits attack and get +20 on their attacks and defenders, the party, can’t use Shield Bonus or Parry.
Action Declaration:
Bandit attack. Ten attackers, five from the front, five from the side. Do the bandits all attack with some kind of ranged attack first?
(Likely | 6[d10]) Yes
CMB +50 Ranged + 20 surprise = +70 this round
This might be really bad.
Move Phase:
Bandits stay put and shoot with short bows, using their range to their advantage.
The party can only do half movement. They can’t dive for cover because they can only do that if they’re aware of the attack, which they aren’t.
They all draw their weapons, Pathcutters draw arming swords. Arnstein draws his longsword. Shauneer draws her two-handed blade.
Arnstein and Shauneer both have 1 drive point each. I’m tempted to spend it, but I should probably save it for the bad critical hit I know is coming.
Spell Phase A:
N/A
Ranged Phase A:
Everyone gets one attack on them, but Arnstein gets three from the failure above. Nice...
To Lancet:
99 = 29[d100]+70
-20 = 79 vs LA
0 Hits
To Pathcutter 1:
150 = 80[d100]+50+20
-20 = 130 vs LA
20 Gri
108 = 78[d100]+30
Strike to lower leg Torn muscle +4 damage -20 all actions.
To Pathcutter 2:
75 = 5[d100]+50+20
-20 = 55 vs LA
Miss
To Pathcutter 3:
91 = 21[d100]+50+20
-20 = 71 vs LA
0 Hits
To Parth:
151 = 81[d100]+50+20
-20 = 131 vs NA
21 Let
Piercing on critical
My d100 was open ended crit ending up at 148 before the +50 lethal modifier!
Max result for Lethal piercing crit 150:
Strike through the eye into the brain. Instant death.
Goodbye, Parth...
To Shauneer:
115 = 45[d100]+50+20
-20 - 85 vs MA
4 Hits
To Arnstein:
91 = 21[d100]+50+20
-25 = 66 vs MA
0 Hits
154 = 84[d100]+50+20
154-25=129 vs MA
(140 is Max for short bow)
22 Gri Ouch!
Here we go
90 = 60[d100]+30
Major abdominal wound: If armored (he is, thankfully), +4 damage, +3 bleed.
166 = 96[d100]+50+20 (that one is open ended)
- 87 = 87[d100]
228 vs MA (OUCH!)
Thankfully 140 is Max for short bow
But still, ouch! He only has 1 drive to offset bad criticals. Better roll low.
22 Gri
89 = 59[d100]+30
Second critical: Strike to lower leg under knee. Tendons and muscle torn. +3 damage, stunned, and -25 to all actions.
That was a pretty low roll. I think I’ll keep that result even though he’s now stunlocked. Grrr.
Parth - DEAD
Arnstein (Medium human) – Level 2 XP 25/30, HP 130, Damage, 44 Bleed: 3
Other: STUNNED, -25
Drive Points: 1
Hero Points: 3
Shauneer (Medium human) – Level 1 XP 10/30, HP 65, Damage, Bleed:
Other:
Drive Points: 1
Hero Points: 0
Pathcutter 1
Damage: 22
Other: -20
Melee Phase:
N/A
Ranged Phase B:
N/A
Maybe I should have asked more questions about these bandits rather than assuming they were ready and willing to go full bore into battle. Maybe they would have just threatened or sought for a tax to pass, instead of just assuming they were ready to attack with arrows set. But it’s too late now.
Arrows slashed out in front of him and and to his side. Arnstein saw Parth riding ahead of him, take a dark shaft in his eye and pitch backwards off his saddle, an arrow driven into the back of his skull. His arms reflexively clawing at his face as he fell and twitched to groaning stillness.
“Parth!” Arnstein shouted. But a sickening coldness throbbed in his gut. He knew the other man was dead. He heard other shouts and cries down the line as three arrows lanced towards him. One glanced off his armor. Another struck his midsection, but fell out, not penetrating deeply. A third barb found the gap between knee and leg, where his greave didn’t cover and drove into his lower leg just under the knee. He hissed at the poker hot pain under his knee and rocked back in his saddle, struggling to remain seated.
Note: Yes, a shorter episode. I actually had this part written up some time ago but wanted to include the entire combat before posting. But a few rounds into it I realized I wasn't applying some things properly. So I think I'll redo things starting in round 2. Plus, things honestly became a bit unwieldy the way I was tracking the fight. I need a better way. I'm considering using Fantasy Grounds for larger combats like this going forward. Anyway, I wanted to get this part posted at least.
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