D&D 5E hafrogman's Hoard of the Dragon Queen (full)

[Forged Fury]

That middle group has 15 enemies in it and we don't know the capabilities of those ambush things. You may not be able to get away from them if they have a fast move speed. I kind of like taking the front or the back first, but I'm worried that when we eliminate either side, the patrol group is going to be alerted that something is going on. If we could take back/front, then back/front back to back and retreat into the church, we might have a shot, depending on if there are any combatants holed up in there.

We're basically outnumbered 6.5 to 1 considering all the opponents. Granted, some of those enemies should be beaten pretty easily, but it's just the quantity of attacks that concern me.

 

[Forged Fury]

Hmmm... I can't remember what spell resources we have, but what about:

1) Kill the back group. Cast an illusion of a successfully set fire and maintain it.
2) Go through the church, wait for the patrol to pass. Open the door and kill the battering ram crew.
3) IF the illusion of the fire is still up, the patrol may run back around to the front to attack, at which point we mad dash with the refugees to the woods to the south?

Granted, I don't know if we have a Silent Image spell available or if we could pull off maintaining concentration on it through the fight at the front.

 

[Skarsgard]

Option 2 is not my preferred option.

I would be hesitant in drawing in the civilian into the fight, they could take casualties quite easily and I would like to avoid that.

What ranged elements do we have in the party? Maybe a ranged ambush on the front group with a dedicated tag and bag person to capture the leader? The kobolds don't seem to have much in the way of ranged weapons and that could gives us some time to even the odds before melee.

I think the numbers of the large group work in our favour, they are less likely to call for reinforcements as they have a numerical advantage over us?

 

[Forged Fury]

Ranged: Hunter and Morgan have javelins, Carad has his bow, Jeni has a bow as well, Venn obviously has his eldritch blast. I know at least some of the kobolds had slings since I got crit with a stone in our first fight.

Not sure if the numbers really go in our favor when that group alone has a 3 to 1 advantage over us (plue the issue of the lizards that we don't really know anything about). They may not call for reinforcements, though, you're right there. The other groups may focus on their tasks, but that engaging the big group might result in the church getting set on fire or the ram busting through.

No easy choices here.

 

[Skarsgard]

No, no easy choices. As this is potentially a big play, it might be prudent to sort out a plan in this thread.

As for resources, Hunter has another Rage left. Obviously, I would like to use that when/if we fight the big group.

You mentioned illusion? Do we have the ability to create a noisy disturbance away from the church that might draw away the large group? From their point the church is relatively secure and they might be sent of to investigate??

 

[Forged Fury]

I think a few people have minor illusion, which can create sound. The range is only 30 feet though and the spell lasts for a minute. The only guidance it gives is that "its volume ranges from a whisper to a scream." (Nice Icicle Works reference)

 

[Forged Fury]

I feel like we can probably debate this for a long time. I think we've had at least two suggestions for trying to ambush whoever we attack at range. That seems like a pretty solid decision, particularly considering the two people who haven't weighed in yet are ranged attackers. So let's go with that as our opening gambit. So the question is, who do we attack first?

A) Front group with the battering ram (9 opponents: 1 Dragonclaw(?), 2 cultists, 6 kobolds)
B) Back group trying to start a fire (8 opponents: 2 cultists, 6 kobolds)
C) The patrol group (15 opponents: 2 ambush drakes (?), 3 cultists, 10 kobolds)

 

[Skarsgard]

Ok, I'd go with group A.

Why? I am not sure what a dragonclaw is, but I think taking it out (capture) early might be a better option as it also takes out their leader and breaks their chain of command. The would be more likely to act instinctively, attack us rather than potentially run to get support?

 

[Forged Fury]

Whoops, wrong thread.

 

[Skarsgard]

We've all been there mate.