MIthrokk will attempt to slow down the boat by rowing against the current. (Being near the prow, someone else will have to turn the rudder in the direction of the harbour.)
OOC: Um, okay, I think there's some confusion or misunderstanding here.
Mithrokk, what do you mean by slowing down or stopping the boat? If you stopped rowing, the current would take you away from Phandalin. Do you want to row to maintain your present position (100 feet from the harbor)?
The party is rowing against the current in order to reach the town. Think of yourself as Robert Redford leading the 82nd Airborne Division to attack the bridge at Nijmagen (?) in A Bridge to Far. The Nazis on the shore are blasting at you with artillery, but you're rowing towards them so you can combat assault their sorry asses with your rifles and bayonets.
You guys are basically attempting an amphibious landing at Phandalin. By the way, Redford survived the assault; the rest of the 82nd ... eh, not so much.
Xel, if you want to find out what happens when you cast a spell, tell me that you're casting the spell and I'll tell you what happens when you do.
Anyway, talk about clumped Initiative rolls.
Mithrokk is first, followed by Khial, Epos, Xel, Redbrands, ???.
Mithrokk, based on the clarification given above, you can change your actions if you wish. Yes, you can access the heavy crossbows used by the robed figures earlier.
Thanks for the clarification, Mike! And the visuals too. MIthrokk does not want to end u like the 82nd Airborne. :-)
Further questions:
1) If we are rowing against the current to get to the harbour which is 100ft away, and we move at 20ft/round, then does that mean we have to keep rowing and making successful Strength checks every round for 5 rounds?
2) And are those full round actions?
3) Alternatively, is there another spot (apart from the harbour 100ft away) where we can beach the boat, get ourselves on dry land, and take cover? How far away would that spot be?
OOC: Mithrokk, 1) and 2) Yes, for 5 straight rounds. Though I'll allow one person to do it, that eats up all of the character's actions for the round.
3) You can land away from the harbor, but I'll add 20 to 50 feet (randomly determined) to the distance you have to travel.
If you beach the boat away from the harbor, per the description given earlier, the rocky shoreline will likely wreck your boat.
Xel, if you travel further upriver, the Redbrands can rake you with crossbow fire for up to 3 rounds before you get out of range; somebody will still have to row, though, since you want to go past the town.
Mithrokk, you're still up! Tell me what you decide to do. Those Redbrands have sweaty trigger fingers.
OOC to DM: Follow-up question re landing away from the harbour approx 20 to 50 feet from our present position - upstream or downstream? Correct me if am mistaken, Upstream or towards the harbour means we pass in front of the redbrands while downstream means we let the current take us but don’t pass in front of the brigands?
OOC to players: Gents, Mithrokk favours the option that gets us the least exposure to enemy fire. Mithrokk can do the rowing and Str checks but you guys have to handle the ranged attacks to cut down the number of brigands firing at us.
OOC: Sorry was busy at work... @DM - so if we let the current take us, i.e., we don't fight the current we go back where we came... can we find a landing point downstream. I assume we would have spotted a landing point since we already came that way....
OOC: Yup, you could have beached the boat several miles downstream, then walked to (or sneaked into) Phandalin. That's not an option right now, though. Tell me what Epos wants to do.
OOC to DM: Khial can attempt to swim to the nearest shore. And hide among some trees while shooting arrows at the Redbrands. Hopefully it would be enough to distract one of them, just enough for his companions to reach the shore as safe as possible.
A splash of water off the port bow informs the party that Khial has jumped overboard and is swimming towards shore ...
OOC: Khial, what tree line? There are no trees along the shore, just sharp rocks. Are you headed towards the harbor (100 feet away) or will try to go past it (a longer distance)? For now, I'll rule that you're headed in the same direction of the boat.
A few things you should know: water is considered difficult terrain for creatures without a swim speed (and no, you don't have a swim speed; if you were a sahuagin or a kuo-toa you'd have one). That means you'll move 15 feet towards the shore each round, 30 feet if you take the Dash action, though you have to make successful Athletics (DC 10) each round. Since you can't attack while swimming, I'll rule that you're taking the Dash action. Note, however, that you might actually get to the harbor before the boat.
On the other hand, since you're submerged, I'll grant you three-fourths cover from the Redbrand's attacks.
Hmmm, this just got interesting ...
Back to the story:
Rowing mightily, Mithrokk looks in wonder as the agile Khial swims ahead of the boat.
OOC: Epos, if you succeed on a Strength check, I'll let you add 10 feet to the boat's movement. That'll be a full-round action, though.
Epos tries to help Mithrokk row, but adds little to the dwarf's efforts.
The wise elf realizes that the party is relying on brute strength to move the boat forward. Perhaps if one of them was a silled sailor (OOC: Proficiency with vehicles-boats), they'd be able to make more efficient use of the boat ...
Everything seemed to happen all at once. Mithrokk was furiously rowing towards the dock. The red armored crossbowmen (who apparently are connected to the ones who had kidnapped Mithrokk previously) will begin shooting at us in a manner of seconds. Khial had just jumped into the water and disappeared from sight. Epos grabbed an oar and is trying to help Mithrokk row.
We have no plan and our actions are all uncoordinated. - Xel exasperatedly says to himself.
I hope we will be able to discuss basic tactics further...assuming we live that long. - Xel resignedly thinks.
OOC: I am assuming that the boat it headed towards the dock and the front of the boat is pointed in that direction. So positions A and B would be the front of the boat.
Xel quicky chants: From my mind's eye I now create, let magic now give form, size and shape.
Xel casts Minor Illusion on space B of the boat (in front of Mithrokk). It is a fog which should hide and cover Mithrokk. Xel makes it large enough to provide as much Cover to Mithrokk (if possible Total Cover).
With his movement, he moves to position H on the boat and drops Prone, trying to get as much cover as he can.
When prone, Xel tells Mithrokk and Epos, I have cast a small illusion in front of you to hopefully fool our assailants for awhile. I hope it buys us some precious time.
OOC: Does Xel know where the owl which was flying nearby go?
OOC: Since I told Mithrokk and Epos that that shield was an illusion, they should see it as such.
OOC: Okay, then. Let's go with that.
MIthrokk will attempt to slow down the boat by rowing against the current. (Being near the prow, someone else will have to turn the rudder in the direction of the harbour.)
Strength check: 15
OOC: Um, okay, I think there's some confusion or misunderstanding here.
Mithrokk, what do you mean by slowing down or stopping the boat? If you stopped rowing, the current would take you away from Phandalin. Do you want to row to maintain your present position (100 feet from the harbor)?
The party is rowing against the current in order to reach the town. Think of yourself as Robert Redford leading the 82nd Airborne Division to attack the bridge at Nijmagen (?) in A Bridge to Far. The Nazis on the shore are blasting at you with artillery, but you're rowing towards them so you can combat assault their sorry asses with your rifles and bayonets.
You guys are basically attempting an amphibious landing at Phandalin. By the way, Redford survived the assault; the rest of the 82nd ... eh, not so much.
Xel, if you want to find out what happens when you cast a spell, tell me that you're casting the spell and I'll tell you what happens when you do.
Anyway, talk about clumped Initiative rolls.
Mithrokk is first, followed by Khial, Epos, Xel, Redbrands, ???.
Mithrokk, based on the clarification given above, you can change your actions if you wish. Yes, you can access the heavy crossbows used by the robed figures earlier.
OOC: Sorry if I wasnt clear which way the current was headed, dudes. Check out this video from the 2:09 mark to the 2:15 mark: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r6O8rLXB7Qg&ved=0ahUKEwjM6JSRuuviAhXKUN4KHSblAjEQo7QBCCowAQ&usg=AOvVaw281CDG9-HVkxYoCKlabM7G.
You're attempting a fantasy version of this kind of combat assault.
OOC to DM:
Thanks for the clarification, Mike! And the visuals too. MIthrokk does not want to end u like the 82nd Airborne. :-)
Further questions:
1) If we are rowing against the current to get to the harbour which is 100ft away, and we move at 20ft/round, then does that mean we have to keep rowing and making successful Strength checks every round for 5 rounds?
2) And are those full round actions?
3) Alternatively, is there another spot (apart from the harbour 100ft away) where we can beach the boat, get ourselves on dry land, and take cover? How far away would that spot be?
OOC to DM:
That clip is kinda scary.
I'd like to explore the option of travelling further down the river to a portion where it will be safe to disembark without getting shot at.
OOC to DM:
If no area to beach the boat, perhaps any quays or jetties where we can scramble ashore?
Concurrng with Xel, though ideally between our current position and the harbour to limit exposure to enemy fire.
OOC: Mithrokk, 1) and 2) Yes, for 5 straight rounds. Though I'll allow one person to do it, that eats up all of the character's actions for the round.
3) You can land away from the harbor, but I'll add 20 to 50 feet (randomly determined) to the distance you have to travel.
If you beach the boat away from the harbor, per the description given earlier, the rocky shoreline will likely wreck your boat.
Xel, if you travel further upriver, the Redbrands can rake you with crossbow fire for up to 3 rounds before you get out of range; somebody will still have to row, though, since you want to go past the town.
Mithrokk, you're still up! Tell me what you decide to do. Those Redbrands have sweaty trigger fingers.
OOC to DM: Follow-up question re landing away from the harbour approx 20 to 50 feet from our present position - upstream or downstream? Correct me if am mistaken, Upstream or towards the harbour means we pass in front of the redbrands while downstream means we let the current take us but don’t pass in front of the brigands?
OOC to players: Gents, Mithrokk favours the option that gets us the least exposure to enemy fire. Mithrokk can do the rowing and Str checks but you guys have to handle the ranged attacks to cut down the number of brigands firing at us.
OOC to DM: Just saw your last edit. In the interest of time, will just proceed with this round’s actions.
MIthrokk will row against the current towards the harbour for this round. (Can the previous Str check roll stand or should I reroll?)
OOC: I'll let the Strength check stand.
Straining mightily against the current, Mithrokk rows the party closer to the harbor.
Khial and Epos, you're up! (Since you both have the same Initiative, your actions will occur simultaneously.
OOC: Sorry was busy at work... @DM - so if we let the current take us, i.e., we don't fight the current we go back where we came... can we find a landing point downstream. I assume we would have spotted a landing point since we already came that way....
OOC: Yup, you could have beached the boat several miles downstream, then walked to (or sneaked into) Phandalin. That's not an option right now, though. Tell me what Epos wants to do.
OOC to DM: Khial can attempt to swim to the nearest shore. And hide among some trees while shooting arrows at the Redbrands. Hopefully it would be enough to distract one of them, just enough for his companions to reach the shore as safe as possible.
Athletics check: 13
A splash of water off the port bow informs the party that Khial has jumped overboard and is swimming towards shore ...
OOC: Khial, what tree line? There are no trees along the shore, just sharp rocks. Are you headed towards the harbor (100 feet away) or will try to go past it (a longer distance)? For now, I'll rule that you're headed in the same direction of the boat.
A few things you should know: water is considered difficult terrain for creatures without a swim speed (and no, you don't have a swim speed; if you were a sahuagin or a kuo-toa you'd have one). That means you'll move 15 feet towards the shore each round, 30 feet if you take the Dash action, though you have to make successful Athletics (DC 10) each round. Since you can't attack while swimming, I'll rule that you're taking the Dash action. Note, however, that you might actually get to the harbor before the boat.
On the other hand, since you're submerged, I'll grant you three-fourths cover from the Redbrand's attacks.
Hmmm, this just got interesting ...
Back to the story:
Rowing mightily, Mithrokk looks in wonder as the agile Khial swims ahead of the boat.
OOC: Epos, you still have a turn!
Keeping a low profile, Epos grabs the nearest pair of oars helps the dwarf close the distance as quickly as possible to the harbor.
OOC: I'm assuming it's possible to help row. STR2
"Holy Moly! Mithrokk, am I rowing in the right direction?" Epos calmly asks...
OOC: Epos, if you succeed on a Strength check, I'll let you add 10 feet to the boat's movement. That'll be a full-round action, though.
Epos tries to help Mithrokk row, but adds little to the dwarf's efforts.
The wise elf realizes that the party is relying on brute strength to move the boat forward. Perhaps if one of them was a silled sailor (OOC: Proficiency with vehicles-boats), they'd be able to make more efficient use of the boat ...
Xel, your turn is up!
Everything seemed to happen all at once. Mithrokk was furiously rowing towards the dock. The red armored crossbowmen (who apparently are connected to the ones who had kidnapped Mithrokk previously) will begin shooting at us in a manner of seconds. Khial had just jumped into the water and disappeared from sight. Epos grabbed an oar and is trying to help Mithrokk row.
We have no plan and our actions are all uncoordinated. - Xel exasperatedly says to himself.
I hope we will be able to discuss basic tactics further...assuming we live that long. - Xel resignedly thinks.
OOC: I am assuming that the boat it headed towards the dock and the front of the boat is pointed in that direction. So positions A and B would be the front of the boat.
Xel quicky chants: From my mind's eye I now create, let magic now give form, size and shape.
Xel casts Minor Illusion on space B of the boat (in front of Mithrokk). It is a fog which should hide and cover Mithrokk. Xel makes it large enough to provide as much Cover to Mithrokk (if possible Total Cover).
With his movement, he moves to position H on the boat and drops Prone, trying to get as much cover as he can.
When prone, Xel tells Mithrokk and Epos, I have cast a small illusion in front of you to hopefully fool our assailants for awhile. I hope it buys us some precious time.
OOC: Does Xel know where the owl which was flying nearby go?
OOC: Since I told Mithrokk and Epos that that shield was an illusion, they should see it as such.
The Redbrands fire a hail of crossbow bolts straight at the party ...
Two head for Khial, swimming in the water - 4, 4 damage; 15, 4 damage.
Two more head for Mithrokk -- 6, 9 damage; 3, 10 damage -- and Epos -- 11, 4 damage; 4, 5 damage.
OOC: Huh, that's weird, where are my dice rolls ...