Tristan leans on a nearby tree and looks thoughtful. "The Kill Buddy method sounds very effective, Tonk. We used similar methods in my homeland."
"I agree, Mikara. I believe Tonk and Blade would make a good pairing to deal with stand-and-fight types, and you and I have the mobility to strike down slipperier foes. In our current condition, though, we need to do whatever we must to protect Dextyr if things are worse than we anticipate. And remember that none of us is any use dead - retreat is a good choice when defeat is close at hand."
The elf shoves off from the tree and gathers his cloak around himself to shield any shiny metal on his person from the moonlight. "Tonk, Mikara, shall we go? We should remain within sight of each other in case any of us is beset."
With that, Tristan leads the way through the gate and off the path into the surrounding forest and undergrowth, nearly disappearing from sight. As he silently creeps through the moonlit woods, his eyes and ears take in everything around him.
OOC
Translation: I think Tonk and Blade should take the soldier and brute-types. With both in melee flanking the extra +2 will help overcome higher defenses, and they should be able to take them down rather quickly.
Mikara with her range should be able to target nearly any enemy she wants, and Tristan will excel vs. mobile types or those who don't want to be in melee - skirmishers, lurkers, artillery - so together we should be able to keep up with them. We all need to remember that focus fire will be important: the sooner an enemy is dead, the less attacks they can make and consequently the less damage we will take on the whole. Bloodied enemies should be a priority.
Dex can lend a hand wherever needed, though I think he should attempt to avoid melee. If Dex goes down ... we're all probably pretty hooped.
And, lastly, I'm ready to move out. It's been too long since I've played a sneaky scout-type and I love doing that, so let's go do our job I suppose Blade and Dex should move down the road along with us scouts, since the cottage is 2 hrs away from the gate. Tristan will stay fairly close to the path, within 30 ft. or so, but moving from cover to concealment to cover slow enough to avoid a penalty to Stealth checks. And naturally watching out for traps, sentries, alarm systems, and anything else that might be of note. If no one else does, Tristan will come to the edge of the path to tell Dex and Blade when to stop and wait - about 10-15 mins down the path from Applethorpe's cottage (which I guess would be by the "East Rock" mentioned in the 2nd letter), if that's good with everyone else.
Edit: I'll post a wish list soonish ... not sure exactly how soonish, though. I could give ideas like what Ken did for Tonk; that shouldn't be too hard. That'll have to wait til tomorrow, though - I need sleep now.
Tonk, you know the way...? Down the East Road for about two hours, then take the little dirt track going north just before East Rock. The cottage is in a clearing about 10 minutes up the path"
Mikara sets out as well, examining the terrain and trying to get a feel for how to get down the road unnoticed. Remebering the directions, herself, she keeps Tristan in sight, but does not follow him.
It may take us more than 2 hours to strike the dirt track if we're to keep from being noticed along the road.
“The plan sounds good Tristan. You three try and gather as much information about the cottage and its defenses as you can and then we can meet back by the East Rock.”
Dextyr pauses for a moment and then asks “What do you think of taking a prisoner for questioning? If we grabbed one of the sentries and were able to get some information out of him that could greatly help us. I am just not sure where each of you stands on the idea of interrogating a prisoner”.
“Well we should be underway then. Blade and I will meet you back at the East Rock once you have completed your reconnaissance of the area. May Hermethis grant you luck”
Dextyr watches as the three depart out of the gate and into the woods beyond. He then turns to Blade, “Well I suppose we should be off as well. Lets keep our eyes open as well, and if need be we can pose as travelers”
OOC
Good plan everyone. Lets hope it works.
A couple of questions;
#1 - Joe: Dextyrs at will abilty Vicious Mockery imposes a -2 penalty to the targets attack rolls. Tonks at will ability of Disheartening strike also imposes a -2 penalty to attack rolls due to the rattling ability. I would think that these stack since my ability is keyword Charm and Psychic and Tonks keyword is Rattling, but I just wanted to make sure before we run into it during combat.
#2 - Team: Dextyrs encounter power Shout of Triumph has the effect of pushing the targets 3 squares and sliding allies up to 3 squares. When used, and you are caught in the blast area how would you prefer I slide your character? My first thought is to slide allies into flanking positions if possible. Second would be to slide seriously wounded allies away from the front lines. Any objections to that tactic?
#3 - Team: I will rely on you to let me know when you require healing from me. Plan out your surge uses by the numbers. With Majestic Word you gain an additional 4 hit points when you use a surge. I can use that twice per encounter. With Inspiring Word you gain an additional 1d6 hit points, and that is a daily for me. My other daily power, Stirring Shout also is a healing ability - until the end of the encounter whenever an ally hits the target (of the stirring shout), that ally regains 4 hit points. So my thought would be that if we can identify the target that probably has the most hit points I will hit them with that power early on in the combat, thus allowing you all to get the most healing usage out of that ability.
As for Dextyrs wishlist; #1 – A songblade of some sort #2 – Mithral Chainmail #3 – A Fochlucan Bandore #4 – A cloak of Distortion
Blade rounds the final corner just as Tonk asks who he is. "I am Blade," the deva announces.
"'Blade'? As in knife? Okay. Now, I have question: Is 'Blade' make-up name or baby name? I no can see a mama go, 'Oh! Look at my handsome little son! I will name 'Blade'!' Maybe she do it because she see knife use to cut belly-button cord, but I think maybe no."
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMDanW
“What do you think of taking a prisoner for questioning? If we grabbed one of the sentries and were able to get some information out of him that could greatly help us. I am just not sure where each of you stands on the idea of interrogating a prisoner”.
"Oh, no. Is bad idea. If one guard go *poof*, other guard go, 'Hey, where is Tony?' Then all guard ready for us."
Tonk splits off on the scouting mission.
Skill Checks
In real life, Tonk would strip naked before the mission, because bare skin makes no noise--but since I won't get a bonus for it in D&D... Stealth (1d20+9=19) Perception, Insight. (1d20+7, 1d20+7=8, 10) -- That's 1 natural 1. Looks like Invisible Castle still hates me no matter what character I play.
Dextyr's Questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMDanW
#2 - Team: Dextyrs encounter power Shout of Triumph has the effect of pushing the targets 3 squares and sliding allies up to 3 squares. When used, and you are caught in the blast area how would you prefer I slide your character? My first thought is to slide allies into flanking positions if possible. Second would be to slide seriously wounded allies away from the front lines. Any objections to that tactic?
I will give Tonk a +1 situational bonus to Intimidate while naked. And while any enemy has a naked Tonk in line-of-sight (and is aware of him), all allies get a +1 situational bonus to Stealth.
BTW, my RL game is tonight and I need to get ready for it, so I probably won't have time to make my next big post until tomorrow.
I would have Blade answer Tonk's question about his name ... but I don't feel comfortable declaring where ren's character got his name, because I don't know. So Blade is just going to be stoically silent in response
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMDanW
#2 - Team: Dextyrs encounter power Shout of Triumph has the effect of pushing the targets 3 squares and sliding allies up to 3 squares. When used, and you are caught in the blast area how would you prefer I slide your character? My first thought is to slide allies into flanking positions if possible. Second would be to slide seriously wounded allies away from the front lines. Any objections to that tactic?
Sounds perfect to me.
Just a couple reminders: Blade and Tristan are both a lot more effective (Like, a 30% increase in accuracy. Have I mentioned that avengers rock?) against their oath target, so it would be best to slide them into flanking around whoever their oath target is. They only get the oath double-roll when the only enemy adjacent to them is their oath target, though, so try to be careful where you slide us - a crowded avenger is unable to do his thing very well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeNotCharles
Allies in LoS also take a -1 to Perception checks while within 10 squares of a naked Tonk. It's hard to look away...
It's like watching a house fire - it's so terrible you don't want to look, but you still can't look away! The horror!
DMDanW: It would be best to slide me away from any adjacent enemies, preferrably behind cover.
Joe: When you get back from your RL game, assume that Tonk, Tristan and I have set off scouting the road, the East Rock, and the cottage (if we get that far). I imagine that, at least for this instance the -1 penalty doesn't counter my critical roll for perception. Guess I'm making up for Tonk.
Just a heads-up, I'm going on a little trip this weekend to visit an old buddy. I'll only be gone Fri-Sun, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to check in here. I'll check in Sunday when I get back, at the very least.
The directions prove easy to follow - the East Rock, a large triangular wedge of stone which is both due east of the city and pointing vaguely eastward, is a well-known landmark, so it's easy to spot. From there it's only a few moments searching to find the narrow trail leading into the woods towards Applethorpe's rustic hidaway. You slip silently through the forest - well, maybe not Tonk, but silently enough. You keep a close eye for any guards that might see or hear you, anyway. You're certain you didn't miss any, and you approach the cabin without seeing any sign of defenses.
The cabin - no, let's be fair. The rundown old shack sits in the center of a small clearing. It's clear that no upkeep has been done on it for at years - the paint is peeling, there are huge gaps in the warped planks of the walls, and the chimney seems to be choked with the remains of old birds nests. Nevertheless, it's cleary inhabited, as you hear voices coming from inside. Well, A voice. It's high pitched, quavery with age, and as loud as a horn of blasting. It's at the same time incredibly irritated and incredibly irritating. It sounds like a goose crossed with a harmonica.
"Oh GODS my head! You idiots can't understand what it was LIKE to be dead! OH the PAIN! I'm still SUFFERING! Smear some of that ointment on - NO! NOT THAT MUCH! There's no need to WASTE it!"
OOC
Everyone choose a square (outside the cabin!) to start from, and also post an Initiative roll. If you're adjacent to a wall you'll be able to see inside, since even where there are no windows there are enough gaps to put an eye to. (This gives you line of sight but not line of effect.)
There are doors at J14 and L5 (the steps leading up are about 3 feet high) and windows at D9, H7 and M10 - they are all currently closed and shuttered, so you can only see through by peering through small gaps from an adjacent square. It takes a minor action to open a door or a shutter, after which you get full line of sight and line of effect through them. You can jump through an open window for 1 square of movement with an Acrobatics 12, or spend an entire move action to climb through with no roll needed.
The fireplace chimney is at M12, but it's too small to climb through.
Squares with trees are difficult terrain, and grant cover and concealment to anyone not in an adjacent square. Squares with tree trunks are impassible. Climbing a tree will take an Athletics 12 roll, which will put you 10 feet above the ground (you can't start up a tree).
If you have a token you want to represent your character, please upload it, otherwise I'll make something up.
Also, Tonk - are you naked or not? This is your chance to change your mind after I posted the penalty.
Before apporaching the clearing, Mikara whispers to Tonk and Tristan:
"I know that you two want to cause some damage, but for now, we need simply watch and learn how many there are and plan an attack.
Dextyr and Blade need information, and we'll need their help if we want to succeed.
Tonk. You keep an eye out for travelers along the trail.
Tristan. Cover the front door. Listen for other voices. Count them and try to determine race."
She then turns silent. Staying in the forest, just out of sight, she strains to determine how many people may be in the house while she watches the back door.
Tristan nods his acknowledgement, then moves to his position without saying a word. He moves to the woods near the door, then slips silently up to the wall of the house, staying low to stay out of sight of the windows, and peers through a gap in the wall.
OOC
Tristan will start at O7 and move to M7 - that should keep him mostly out of line-of-sight from the window unless someone sticks his head out. Then he'll look through the conveniently warped wall and see what he can see (and hear). Once he's seen what he can see from there, he'll creep back into the woods at O7. This would all take two rounds so that he doesn't take any penalties to Stealth.
Sessadore, if you get this before you leave, can I get a starting location for Blade? (If I don't hear from you by the time both Tonk and Dextyr post, I'll pick it myself.)
Dextyr will slowly move into position near the southern door off to the east in square O2
Stealth roll = 19 Roll Lookup
Perception roll = 17 Roll Lookup - (+1 benifit from Tristans Group Awarness ability; -1 from naked Tonk...)
Initiative roll = 7 Roll Lookup
IF Dextyr has not been notified by the scouts
Dextyr looks up and down the road trying to stay as quiet as possible. His heartbeat has quickened and he can feel the excitement of the events that will surely be coming soon. Now if only the scouts would report back and then he and blade could get in the action
I believe our intent for Tristan, Mikara, and Tonk is to scout things out, then go back to the main road to pick up Dex and Blade, then come back for the actual battle. Assuming they don't get spotted and jumped before they leave, of course. Does that sound right, everyone?
Also, I find myself wanting Tristan to jump through a window. Probably won't land him in an optimal position for his fighting style, but I mean ... jumping through a window. How cool is that?!
Anyway, Blade: will eagerly wait with Dextyr. When they get word from the scouts and come to the cottage, he'll start in K2, ready to rush the door when the action starts. Stealth: 1d20+0=2
Perception: 1d20+11=22
Initiative: 1d20+0=13
Bah, stupid Blade. I hope you guys didn't really want that element of surprise
Edit: I think we all do better with room to maneuver, so we should do our best to lure them outside the cottage, instead of going inside on their terms.
I don't want to have to deal with people leaving the map and then coming back after combat's started. If you're sticking with the plan of 3 people scouting and the others hanging back, then Dextyr and Blade are in A1 and A2 (hanging back as far as possible while still being on the map). Otherwise, Dextyr's at O2 like he said, and I'll figure out somewhere to put Blade.
Well OK I wasn't sure if Dex and Blade had been informed or not.
Lets stick with the plan then and Dex and Blade will hang back in A1 and A2 (Dex picking A1 - same rolls as before, stealth to stay hidden and perception to listen for any signs of trouble)
If Tonk positions himself between Tristan and where Dex and Blade are, he can alert us when we are ready to strike
Also, Tonk - are you naked or not? This is your chance to change your mind after I posted the penalty.
*Sigh* Sometimes, you just gotta commit, even when it means your character is fighting with a two point penalty to AC.
He's naked.
Quote:
Originally Posted by H.M.Gimlord
Before apporaching the clearing, Mikara whispers to Tonk and Tristan:
Tonk. You keep an eye out for travelers along the trail.
Tonk speaks with his sneaking voice. "Bossy, bossy, bossy. You maybe say 'please' because is good manners? I no run around tell you what for to do. I make for to suggest. Share idea. Uh...*pfft*...er...empower other with respect for the...oh...diversity and the...is like word for the feel good about you."
He shakes his head in dissappointment. "Is sad how...(What is word?)...uncivilize people is now day. Maybe I become influence for to civilize, yes?"
He scratches his buttock.
Then, sniffs his finger.
Then, sticks the same finger in his ear and digs for wax.
Remember, you asked for it...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Sessadore
Edit: I think we all do better with room to maneuver, so we should do our best to lure them outside the cottage, instead of going inside on their terms.
Ah, my ambivalence about naked Tonk.
He left the flint and tinder with his gear. Otherwise, he'd be setting the shack on fire.
But...
"Okay, wait, wait. I have idea. You stay for to hide. I make bad guy come outside."
Tonk sneaks over to the chimney. (Move to M12.) He stands and smashes the stone and mortar with his mace, yelling, "Raaaaaaaar! I am crazy naked forest monster! I hate chimney with it smoke! It make me crazy! I smash chimney and set house on fire, then do crazy naked monster thing to people inside! It is horror! It is crazy! I build mountain of corpse and poop on it! That how crazy I is!"
I suppose Blade and Dex should move down the road along with us scouts, since the cottage is 2 hrs away from the gate. Tristan will stay fairly close to the path, within 30 ft. or so, but moving from cover to concealment to cover slow enough to avoid a penalty to Stealth checks. And naturally watching out for traps, sentries, alarm systems, and anything else that might be of note. If no one else does, Tristan will come to the edge of the path to tell Dex and Blade when to stop and wait - about 10-15 mins down the path from Applethorpe's cottage (which I guess would be by the "East Rock" mentioned in the 2nd letter), if that's good with everyone else.
Hopefully I still have a bit of that once we're up to our necks in bad guys.
Linear Mode
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