"That would be Lieutenant Hayes. A fair man, takes in new recruits daily. I don't know much about him, but he's honest and maybe a little quiet. He does seem to get a bit stressed when there are so many recruits around, as of late. The truth is that I mostly deal with the Exchequers, they pay all the tabs and help me keep the kitchens stocked."
"Common names, I wouldn't know, really. I named my six sons and adopted five more boys over the years. Their names are: Felix, Alden, Darwin, Ogden, Sheridan, Trevin, Ashby, Oakley, Bertrand, Guildford, and Rudyard. Those are the Fosters, their mother died years ago and all my daughters live in Sapphire City with my Sisters as seamstress apprentices. I've been meaning to make the trip to go visit them. Once Felix gets old enough to take over, maybe I will."
"Looking for more work, I know at quitting time, the Kitchen gets really busy, and all my boys are either cooking or waiting tables. I can't pay much, but since you helped me with the wood beams, I could hire you as kitchen staff for a night, free meal and a bed."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
He nods his head. "Thank you for your kindness." He approximates a grin afterwards. "I confess, I had perhaps envisioned a grander request, but if this would be of service to you I would do it."
In an evening spent in the kitchen, He carefully listens to all those around him, seeking to learn new information about the disposition of the town, what current issues are most pressing, as well as any more information about the Sweepers. If anyone seems to notice his listening, or gets too curious, he will use one of his three low-rolled portents for the day for their insight checks as cover.
Assuming no major events happen in the course of doing dishes, sweeping the floor and later spending some hours in relative rest and deep thought, the beginnings of a plan come to mind. First, he would require gold, and lot's of it. Then, a spellbook, a repository for his knowledge and findings, with room for later expansion. Perhaps those aforementioned dwarves and trade routes might come in handy.
To acquire gold most readily, he could offer services or create chaos - what services he could offer were limited, without resorting to his most powerful and dangerous magics, but Chaos could be profitable. He would have to avoid causing chaos such that the Fosters would be harmed, however - that would be a poor way to repay a debt, so kindly given. His intellect he could leverage later for monetary gain. Chaos was risky, but controllable. Information - that much he had to sell.
In the morning, the portents seemed...
Portents: 1611
Optimal, and so He would choose a name this day. To the mortals, he would go by whatever name was most appropriate. To himself, he had another name: Locke.
Carefully combining some adequately textured tree saps and a dropped eyelash from one of Foster's children, Locke fashions a small orb of sap for casting the spell invisibility, and taking his leave and farewell from the Fosters he sets out to gather information from the local Sweepers.
(Invisibility is a signature spell for Locke, so he will perma cast it while infiltrating the local Sweeper HQ to listen, learn and observe for a few hours, soaking up as much information as he can.)
One Soldier was a messenger from Old Big Tree with news of a gathering force one hundred Orcs strong on the farthest reach of the Kingdom.
Day 4: Dawn
As you infiltrate the ranks of Seekers, you overhear many anti-orc and anti-goblin talk. Some of these Soldiers have never fought in battle, while others have deep physical and emotional scars from recent bouts.
You follow a squad of Darkwood Sweepers who seem seasoned and organized. They travel on foot with spears, hide armor, about eight to a squad, with a wagon master driving a two horse wagon filled with supplies for seven days.
Day 5: Dawn
You and your squad have arrived on the edge of the Darkwoods. While patrolling west to east, and without much effort, you can see all manner of creatures beyond the treeline, Giant Boar, Deer, Orc, and Orog. The squad leader urges the Sweepers to be on alert but ignore our foes beyond the trees.
Day 5 (Patrol Day 2): DC 96 16 Day 6 (Patrol Day 3): DC 91 99 Day 7 (Patrol Day 4): DC 86 13 Day 8 (Patrol Day 5): DC 81 96 Day 9 (Patrol Day 6): DC 76 71 Day 10 (Patrol Day 7): DC 71 97
One Soldier was a messenger from Old Big Tree with news of a gathering force one hundred Orcs strong on the farthest reach of the Kingdom.
Day 4: Dawn
As you infiltrate the ranks of Seekers, you overhear many anti-orc and anti-goblin talk. Some of these Soldiers have never fought in battle, while others have deep physical and emotional scars from recent bouts.
You follow a squad of Darkwood Sweepers who seem seasoned and organized. They travel on foot with spears, hide armor, about eight to a squad, with a wagon master driving a two horse wagon filled with supplies for seven days.
Day 5: Dawn
You and your squad have arrived on the edge of the Darkwoods. While patrolling west to east, and without much effort, you can see all manner of creatures beyond the treeline, Giant Boar, Deer, Orc, and Orog. The squad leader urges the Sweepers to be on alert but ignore our foes beyond the trees.
Day 5 (Patrol Day 2): DC 96 16 Day 6 (Patrol Day 3): DC 91 99 <<< combat event Day 7 (Patrol Day 4): DC 86 13 Day 8 (Patrol Day 5): DC 81 96 Day 9 (Patrol Day 6): DC 76 71 Day 10 (Patrol Day 7): DC 71 97
Day 6: Dawn
After Patrolling for 4 hours, the Sweeper Squad is ambushed by an Orc War Chief. Roll initiative.
One Soldier was a messenger from Old Big Tree with news of a gathering force one hundred Orcs strong on the farthest reach of the Kingdom.
Day 4: Dawn
As you infiltrate the ranks of Seekers, you overhear many anti-orc and anti-goblin talk. Some of these Soldiers have never fought in battle, while others have deep physical and emotional scars from recent bouts.
You follow a squad of Darkwood Sweepers who seem seasoned and organized. They travel on foot with spears, hide armor, about eight to a squad, with a wagon master driving a two horse wagon filled with supplies for seven days.
Day 5: Dawn
You and your squad have arrived on the edge of the Darkwoods. While patrolling west to east, and without much effort, you can see all manner of creatures beyond the treeline, Giant Boar, Deer, Orc, and Orog. The squad leader urges the Sweepers to be on alert but ignore our foes beyond the trees.
Day 5 (Patrol Day 2): DC 96 16 Day 6 (Patrol Day 3): DC 91 99 <<< combat event Day 7 (Patrol Day 4): DC 86 13 Day 8 (Patrol Day 5): DC 81 96 Day 9 (Patrol Day 6): DC 76 71 Day 10 (Patrol Day 7): DC 71 97
Day 6: Dawn
After Patrolling for 2 hours, the Sweeper Squad is ambushed by an Orc War Chief. Roll initiative.
Over the preceding days, whilst invisible, could LOcke have intentionally swiped a number of small, easily missable items if such are available either around HQ or in the baggage train? Things like a small mirror, a magnifying glass, and other spell components that would reasonably be found therein? For the mirror and glass, he would have left his one gold coin as payment for his pilfering.
Over the preceding days, whilst invisible, could LOcke have intentionally swiped a number of small, easily miss-able items if such are available either around HQ or in the baggage train? Things like a small mirror, a magnifying glass, and other spell components that would reasonably be found therein? For the mirror and glass, he would have left his one gold coin as payment for his pilfering.
Yes. While invisible, you would get advantage on Slight of Hand with someone watching. Behind closed doors, you can do anything you want. You have all those items and even more if you choose to.
** Edit, ignore the mention of targeting Paragon Locke in the above and last post, you're undetected by Soldier or Orc, so I moved those attacks onto Soldiers 7 and 8
You are invisible, untargeted, undetected, and it's your turn in the initiative order.
Assuming that the orc ambush hasn't quite yet closed fully around the battle line of the Sweepers, about how many of the orogs could I catch in a Fireball without hitting a solider? Using his movement, Locke positions himself and drops invisibility to Upcast Fireball at 6th level, for 35 Fire damage with a Dex save at 19, catching as many of the ambushers as possible and the minimum number of soldiers, preferably 0.
Assuming that the orc ambush hasn't quite yet closed fully around the battle line of the Sweepers, about how many of the orogs could I catch in a Fireball without hitting a solider? Using his movement, Locke positions himself and drops invisibility to Upcast Fireball at 6th level, for 35 Fire damage with a Dex save at 19, catching as many of the ambushers as possible and the minimum number of soldiers, preferably 0.
Portent rolls: 10, 15, 15
You can hit the Orc War Chief and six Orogs, leaving three Orogs unaffected by Fireball. Orc War Chief Dex Save DC 19 vs 7 Orog 1 Dex Save DC 19 vs 15 Orog 2 Dex Save DC 19 vs 21 Orog 3 Dex Save DC 19 vs 12 Orog 4 Dex Save DC 19 vs 18 Orog 5 Dex Save DC 19 vs 20 Orog 6 Dex Save DC 19 vs 4
Orog 7 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball Orog 8 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball Orog 9 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball
Assuming that the orc ambush hasn't quite yet closed fully around the battle line of the Sweepers, about how many of the orogs could I catch in a Fireball without hitting a solider? Using his movement, Locke positions himself and drops invisibility to Upcast Fireball at 6th level, for 35 Fire damage with a Dex save at 19, catching as many of the ambushers as possible and the minimum number of soldiers, preferably 0.
Portent rolls: 10, 15, 15
You can hit the Orc War Chief and six Orogs, leaving three Orogs unaffected by Fireball. Orc War Chief Dex Save DC 19 vs 19 Orog 1 Dex Save DC 19 vs 4 Orog 2 Dex Save DC 19 vs 20 Orog 3 Dex Save DC 19 vs 21 Orog 4 Dex Save DC 19 vs 7 Orog 5 Dex Save DC 19 vs 4 Orog 6 Dex Save DC 19 vs 4
Orog 7 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball Orog 8 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball Orog 9 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball
Orc War Chief (66/93) Orog 1 (7/42) Orog 2 (21/42) Orog 3 (25/42) Orog 4 (7/42) Orog 5 (7/42) Orog 6 (7/42) Orog 7 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball Orog 8 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball Orog 9 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball
"That would be Lieutenant Hayes. A fair man, takes in new recruits daily. I don't know much about him, but he's honest and maybe a little quiet. He does seem to get a bit stressed when there are so many recruits around, as of late. The truth is that I mostly deal with the Exchequers, they pay all the tabs and help me keep the kitchens stocked."
"Common names, I wouldn't know, really. I named my six sons and adopted five more boys over the years. Their names are: Felix, Alden, Darwin, Ogden, Sheridan, Trevin, Ashby, Oakley, Bertrand, Guildford, and Rudyard. Those are the Fosters, their mother died years ago and all my daughters live in Sapphire City with my Sisters as seamstress apprentices. I've been meaning to make the trip to go visit them. Once Felix gets old enough to take over, maybe I will."
"Looking for more work, I know at quitting time, the Kitchen gets really busy, and all my boys are either cooking or waiting tables. I can't pay much, but since you helped me with the wood beams, I could hire you as kitchen staff for a night, free meal and a bed."
He nods his head. "Thank you for your kindness." He approximates a grin afterwards. "I confess, I had perhaps envisioned a grander request, but if this would be of service to you I would do it."
In an evening spent in the kitchen, He carefully listens to all those around him, seeking to learn new information about the disposition of the town, what current issues are most pressing, as well as any more information about the Sweepers. If anyone seems to notice his listening, or gets too curious, he will use one of his three low-rolled portents for the day for their insight checks as cover.
Assuming no major events happen in the course of doing dishes, sweeping the floor and later spending some hours in relative rest and deep thought, the beginnings of a plan come to mind. First, he would require gold, and lot's of it. Then, a spellbook, a repository for his knowledge and findings, with room for later expansion. Perhaps those aforementioned dwarves and trade routes might come in handy.
To acquire gold most readily, he could offer services or create chaos - what services he could offer were limited, without resorting to his most powerful and dangerous magics, but Chaos could be profitable. He would have to avoid causing chaos such that the Fosters would be harmed, however - that would be a poor way to repay a debt, so kindly given. His intellect he could leverage later for monetary gain. Chaos was risky, but controllable. Information - that much he had to sell.
In the morning, the portents seemed...
Portents: 1611
Optimal, and so He would choose a name this day. To the mortals, he would go by whatever name was most appropriate. To himself, he had another name: Locke.
Carefully combining some adequately textured tree saps and a dropped eyelash from one of Foster's children, Locke fashions a small orb of sap for casting the spell invisibility, and taking his leave and farewell from the Fosters he sets out to gather information from the local Sweepers.
(Invisibility is a signature spell for Locke, so he will perma cast it while infiltrating the local Sweeper HQ to listen, learn and observe for a few hours, soaking up as much information as he can.)
Rumors from the night before 638
One Soldier was a messenger from Old Big Tree with news of a gathering force one hundred Orcs strong on the farthest reach of the Kingdom.
Day 4: Dawn
As you infiltrate the ranks of Seekers, you overhear many anti-orc and anti-goblin talk. Some of these Soldiers have never fought in battle, while others have deep physical and emotional scars from recent bouts.
You follow a squad of Darkwood Sweepers who seem seasoned and organized. They travel on foot with spears, hide armor, about eight to a squad, with a wagon master driving a two horse wagon filled with supplies for seven days.
Day 5: Dawn
You and your squad have arrived on the edge of the Darkwoods. While patrolling west to east, and without much effort, you can see all manner of creatures beyond the treeline, Giant Boar, Deer, Orc, and Orog. The squad leader urges the Sweepers to be on alert but ignore our foes beyond the trees.
Day 5 (Patrol Day 2): DC 96 16
Day 6 (Patrol Day 3): DC 91 99
Day 7 (Patrol Day 4): DC 86 13
Day 8 (Patrol Day 5): DC 81 96
Day 9 (Patrol Day 6): DC 76 71
Day 10 (Patrol Day 7): DC 71 97
Day 6: Dawn
After Patrolling for 4 hours, the Sweeper Squad is ambushed by an Orc War Chief. Roll initiative.
Sweeper Soldier
Human, Fighter 1 (16,11,16,10,14,10)
AC 12 (hide leather), HP 13, Init +0, Speed 30 feet
Senses: Investigation 10, Perception 14, Saves: Strength +5, Constitution +5
Soldier: Animal Handling +4, Athletics +5, Intimidation +2, Perception +4
Fighting Style: Protection, Second Wind (1d10+1)
Spear +5 (1d8+3), Common, Goblin
Dwarven Wagon Master
Hill Dwarf, Fighter 2 (14,10,16,12,14,8)
AC 13 (hide leather, +1 defense style), HP 24, Init +0, Speed 30 feet
Senses: Investigation 10, Perception 14, Saves: Strength +4, Constitution +5
Soldier: Animal Handling +4, Athletics +4, Intimidation +2, Perception +4
Fighting Style: Defense, Second Wind (1d10+2), Action Surge
Heavy Crossbow +2 (1d10), Common, Dwarven
Day 6, Sweeper Patrol Day 3, Orc Raiding Party, Combat, Roll Initiative
Dwarven Wagon Master, init 6
Soldier 1, init 1
Soldier 2, init 12
Soldier 3, init 20
Soldier 4, init 18
Soldier 5, init 15
Soldier 6, init 1
Soldier 7, init 7
Orc War Chief, 5
Orog 1, 16
Orog 2, 15
Orog 3, 16
Orog 4, 11
Orog 5, 3
Orog 6, 6
Orog 7, 21
Orog 8, 19
Orog 9, 2
Please roll your initiative, and I will add you in this Order
Orog 2, 20
Orog 1, 17
Orog 9, 16
Soldier 4, init 16
Orog 4, 15
Soldier 2, init 13
Soldier 7, init 12
Orog 8, 10
Orog 5, 9
Orog 7, 9
Dwarven Wagon Master, init 9
Soldier 1, init 8
Soldier 3, init 8
Soldier 5, init 7
Soldier 6, init 7
Orog 6, 5
Orog 3, 5
Orc War Chief, 4
Initiative: 8
Over the preceding days, whilst invisible, could LOcke have intentionally swiped a number of small, easily missable items if such are available either around HQ or in the baggage train? Things like a small mirror, a magnifying glass, and other spell components that would reasonably be found therein? For the mirror and glass, he would have left his one gold coin as payment for his pilfering.
Yes. While invisible, you would get advantage on Slight of Hand with someone watching. Behind closed doors, you can do anything you want. You have all those items and even more if you choose to.
Orog 2, BA Aggressive moves 30, Move 30, Multiattack Soldier 2, Attack: 12 Damage: 15, Attack: 22 Damage: 16
Orog 1, BA Aggressive moves 30, Move 10, Multiattack Soldier 1, Attack: 13 Damage: 6, Attack: 18 Damage: 10
Orog 9, BA Aggressive moves 30, Move 10, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 22 Damage: 6, Attack: 23 Damage: 13
Soldier 4, moves and attacks Orog 2, Attack: 20 Damage: 4
Orog 4, BA Aggressive moves 30, Move 10, Multiattack Soldier 4, Attack: 25 Damage: 10, Attack: 24 Damage: 8
Soldier 2, moves and attacks Orog 2, Attack: 6 Damage: 4
Soldier 7, moves and attacks Orog 1, Attack: 17 Damage: 5
Orog 8, BA Aggressive moves 30, Move 10, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 26 Damage: 12, Attack: 20 Damage: 15
Orog 5, BA Aggressive moves 30, Move 10, Multiattack Soldier 5, Attack: 9 Damage: 15, Attack: 24 Damage: 6
Orog 7, BA Aggressive moves 30, Move 10, Multiattack Soldier 7, Attack: 18 Damage: 10, Attack: 23 Damage: 7
Dwarven Wagon Master, fires a heavy crossbow bolt against the War Chief, Attack: 21 Damage: 10
Soldier 1 (-3/13), Dying
Soldier 2 (-18/13), Dead
Soldier 3 (13/13)
Soldier 4 (-5/13), Dying
Soldier 5 (7/13)
Soldier 6 (13/13)
Soldier 7 (-14/13), Dead
Soldier 8 (-6/13), Dying
Orc War Chief (83/93)
Orog 2 (38/42)
** Edit, ignore the mention of targeting Paragon Locke in the above and last post, you're undetected by Soldier or Orc, so I moved those attacks onto Soldiers 7 and 8
You are invisible, untargeted, undetected, and it's your turn in the initiative order.
Assuming that the orc ambush hasn't quite yet closed fully around the battle line of the Sweepers, about how many of the orogs could I catch in a Fireball without hitting a solider?
Using his movement, Locke positions himself and drops invisibility to Upcast Fireball at 6th level, for 35 Fire damage with a Dex save at 19, catching as many of the ambushers as possible and the minimum number of soldiers, preferably 0.
Portent rolls: 10, 15, 15
You can hit the Orc War Chief and six Orogs, leaving three Orogs unaffected by Fireball.
Orc War Chief Dex Save DC 19 vs 7
Orog 1 Dex Save DC 19 vs 15
Orog 2 Dex Save DC 19 vs 21
Orog 3 Dex Save DC 19 vs 12
Orog 4 Dex Save DC 19 vs 18
Orog 5 Dex Save DC 19 vs 20
Orog 6 Dex Save DC 19 vs 4
Orog 7 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball
Orog 8 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball
Orog 9 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball
Orc War Chief (66/93)
Orog 1 (7/42)
Orog 2 (21/42)
Orog 3 (25/42)
Orog 4 (7/42)
Orog 5 (7/42)
Orog 6 (7/42)
Orog 7 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball
Orog 8 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball
Orog 9 (42/42), on the other side of melee, unaffected by Fireball
Let's replace the Chief's roll with that 10 from the portent, so he takes full damage!
Soldier 3, moves and attacks Orog 1, Attack: 7 Damage: 6
Soldier 5, moves and attacks Orog 4, Attack: 15 Damage: 9
Soldier 6, moves and attacks Orog 5, Attack: 11 Damage: 7
Orog 3, BA Aggressive moves 30, Move 10, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 19 Damage: 10, Attack: 19 Damage: 5
Orog 6, BA Aggressive moves 30, Move 10, Multiattack Paragon Locke Attack: 10 Damage: 9, Attack: 14 Damage: 7
Orc War Chief uses Battle Cry to self and Orog's all advantage until the start of his next turn, then as a bonus action Greataxe, targeting Paragon Locke, Attack: 25 Damage: 23
Done, Orc War Chief (48/93)
Combat Round 2
Orog 2, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 21 Damage: 16, Attack: 25 Damage: 10
Orog 1, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 20 Damage: 12, Attack: 18 Damage: 6
Orog 9, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 12 Damage: 9, Attack: 15 Damage: 15
Orog 4, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 7 Damage: 8, Attack: 20 Damage: 12
Orog 8, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 21 Damage: 9, Attack: 23 Damage: 9
Orog 5, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 25 Damage: 6, Attack: 24 Damage: 11
Orog 7, Multiattack Paragon Locke, Attack: 25 Damage: 9, Attack: 26 Damage: 16
Dwarven Wagon Master, fires a heavy crossbow bolt against the War Chief, Attack: 18 Damage: 3
Let me know if you have an Immediate spells like Contingency + Globe of Invulnerability
Or Reaction spells like Shield
I added up 196 damage
Luck roll 1 to replace the Warchief's attack: 17
Luck roll 2 to replace Orog 4's first attack: 18
Luck roll 3 to replace Orog 4's second attack: 7