The journey through the mountains is beautiful. There are breathtaking vistas to be seen from the passes. Several valleys have glacial lakes that are pale turquoise in color and seem to be a painting rather than what is real. Game is plentiful and you are able to hunt along the way finding small game as well as a deer. Foraging for herbs and edible plants is easily accomplished. It is a wonderful journey. Only one storm catches you while you are in a valley fortunately.
You are near the evening of the sixth day and only another day from Grantistead by Belgger's estimation when danger occurs. The trail you have followed has opened up to an area free of trees. Low shrubs and moss with wildflowers are the ground cover. The sun is on the horizon and shadows are long. Eight figures rise from hiding spots on the ground ahead of you, orcs armed with battle axes. Cyrus chitters loudly pointing behind you. There you see a creature flying low behind you. It appears to be a lion with bat wings and a raptor's talons for rear legs. Its long tail swishes in the air behind it and is tipped with long, wicked looking spines. You are under attack!
Movement - Chadwick dismounts carrying his bow and halberd. He tells Bela "she's a good girl, now go hide" and slaps her on the rump to get her moving. Then he will move east by the rocks to get cover against the manticore (if he can).
Attack - shoots manticore 20 to hit, 4 damage (rolled a 1 and 2 per my norm).
Chadwick dismounts and looks to find cover. The rocks are low and the bushes few and scrubby. No real cover is to be found. He casts his spell and fires at the manticore, landing a grazing hit. The manticore is undeterred by the scratch. Bela moves away a bit from Chadwick after being slapped in the flank.
Orc 8 moves and uses a bonus Dash action to move again. He then uses the Dodge action.
Dismount, take cover such that Raspy is between me and Manticore.
cast minor illusion (so it seems to come from 30’ to my SE) of the sound of dragon wings, and a dragon screaming “Begone! These are MINE!!!!” In draconic and common, alternately.
Shouts to Chadwick: another hypothesis test: are manticores more frightened of dragons or invisible dragons!! Ha Ha! ( Starker is somewhat over excited.)
Kragen hustles his “Donkey” 15’ to the left, dismounts, then pulls his holy water from his pouch and flicks droplets on Chadwick, Trolkarl and Belgger.
”Tyrs blessing and protection upon you!” Casting Bless on those three.
Orc5 is using the Dodge action, so attacks are at Disadvantage. Second rolls are 11 (miss) and 14 (hit).
6 damage inflicted.
The manticore drops to 15’ off the ground as it approaches in the air. The dragon’s voice surprised it and it veers left, firing tail spikes at Chadwick as it roars. To hit = 12, 11, 6. All miss.
Trolkarl moves his mount closer to Kragen and marks the manticore with Angle Blade Boon. He then casts Eldritch Blast and by the blessing of Tyr (added 4 to the to hit roll) hits the manticore with his Eldritch Blast, To Hit = 16 for 8 force damage.
Orc 6 seeing a weak target, closes on Starker but swings wildly with his battle axe, To Hit = 7. Misses.
(( Updated the manticore's token. It is a Large creature so 2x2 on the map. ))
It is clear that Bela the riding horse is spooked.
Attack: breathe dragon breath lightning such that 15’ cone hits Orc 6 (and Orc 8 if he closed and geometry works without hitting ally) (3d6 dam, halved if orc(s) make(s) DEX save) (damage = 8)
Cyrus jumps from Starker’s shoulder onto Raspy and grabs on to his mane.
Starker mounts (1/2 movement) Raspy (giving Orc 6 opportunity attack?) and grabs the reins and holds on for dear life. If he has any control over Raspy (doubtful) rides South. (Ask that DM move tokens accordingly after Orc 8s action).
Chadwick fires his bow again, hitting the manticore solidly. It is getting angry at Chadwick's attentions. Bela is spooked by the manticore and runs away from it.
Orc8 closes on Hoid and hits with his battle axe, To Hit = 20, damage = 4 slashing. Reduced to 1 due to Heavy Armored feat.
Starker belches lightning all over Orc6 and it takes the full force of the effect, DEX save = 4 for 8 lightning damage. Starker then mounts Raspy with Cyrus jumping onto the horses neck as well. Orc 6 takes the AoO on Starker, to Hit = 17, for 7 slashing damage with his battle axe. Raspy is a bit wild-eyed but stays under control. Starker then urges him away from Orc6.
The journey through the mountains is beautiful. There are breathtaking vistas to be seen from the passes. Several valleys have glacial lakes that are pale turquoise in color and seem to be a painting rather than what is real. Game is plentiful and you are able to hunt along the way finding small game as well as a deer. Foraging for herbs and edible plants is easily accomplished. It is a wonderful journey. Only one storm catches you while you are in a valley fortunately.
You are near the evening of the sixth day and only another day from Grantistead by Belgger's estimation when danger occurs. The trail you have followed has opened up to an area free of trees. Low shrubs and moss with wildflowers are the ground cover. The sun is on the horizon and shadows are long. Eight figures rise from hiding spots on the ground ahead of you, orcs armed with battle axes. Cyrus chitters loudly pointing behind you. There you see a creature flying low behind you. It appears to be a lion with bat wings and a raptor's talons for rear legs. Its long tail swishes in the air behind it and is tipped with long, wicked looking spines. You are under attack!
Mountain Pass Attack!
Orc 6 moves and uses a bonus Dash action to move again. He then uses the Dodge action.
Chadwick to act.
((Dismounting from your horses uses 1/2 of your movement.))
Free action - Chadwick yells; "guys, guys, there's a manticore behind us! Those things are so cool!
Bonus action - Casts Hunter's Mark on the manticore
Movement - Chadwick dismounts carrying his bow and halberd. He tells Bela "she's a good girl, now go hide" and slaps her on the rump to get her moving. Then he will move east by the rocks to get cover against the manticore (if he can).
Attack - shoots manticore 20 to hit, 4 damage (rolled a 1 and 2 per my norm).
Chadwick dismounts and looks to find cover. The rocks are low and the bushes few and scrubby. No real cover is to be found. He casts his spell and fires at the manticore, landing a grazing hit. The manticore is undeterred by the scratch. Bela moves away a bit from Chadwick after being slapped in the flank.
Orc 8 moves and uses a bonus Dash action to move again. He then uses the Dodge action.
Starker to act.
Dismount, take cover such that Raspy is between me and Manticore.
cast minor illusion (so it seems to come from 30’ to my SE) of the sound of dragon wings, and a dragon screaming “Begone! These are MINE!!!!” In draconic and common, alternately.
A booming draconic voice emanates from the direction of the blue circle on the map, "Begone! These are MINE!!!!"
Raspy is skittish.
Hoid to act
Shouts to Chadwick: another hypothesis test: are manticores more frightened of dragons or invisible dragons!! Ha Ha! ( Starker is somewhat over excited.)
"It'll know true fear if it gets close enough to actually fight me!" Chadwick yells back laughing (and hoping to goad it into exactly that).
Hoid moves 10’ left and shoots at the manticore. 19 to hit. 8 damage.
Hoid’s arrow finds its mark.
(( I assumed you dismounted the mule/donkey ))
Kragen is up.
Kragen hustles his “Donkey” 15’ to the left, dismounts, then pulls his holy water from his pouch and flicks droplets on Chadwick, Trolkarl and Belgger.
”Tyrs blessing and protection upon you!” Casting Bless on those three.
Kragen casts Bless on Chadwick, Trolkarl and Belgger.
Orc 5 moves and uses a bonus Dash action to move again. He then uses the Dodge action.
Gneuman is up.
Gneuman leaps from his pony and rushes orc 5, bashing it with his staff.
to hit: Natural 20 (+5) = 25. 6+5+3= 14 damage.
He follows up with a kick to the orc nuts: to hit: 18+5= 23 damage= 3+3= 6
20 total damage.
Orc5 is using the Dodge action, so attacks are at Disadvantage. Second rolls are 11 (miss) and 14 (hit).
6 damage inflicted.
The manticore drops to 15’ off the ground as it approaches in the air. The dragon’s voice surprised it and it veers left, firing tail spikes at Chadwick as it roars. To hit = 12, 11, 6. All miss.
Trolkarl to act.
Trolkarl will remain mounted. Using control mount rather than independent action.
move ; horse moves back next to Kragen
Bonus action; Angel Blade Boon on the manticore
Action; Eldritch blast on the manticore 12 to hit damage 8
reaction ; radiant castigation if attacked by manticore
Trolkarl moves his mount closer to Kragen and marks the manticore with Angle Blade Boon. He then casts Eldritch Blast and by the blessing of Tyr (added 4 to the to hit roll) hits the manticore with his Eldritch Blast, To Hit = 16 for 8 force damage.
Orc 6 seeing a weak target, closes on Starker but swings wildly with his battle axe, To Hit = 7. Misses.
(( Updated the manticore's token. It is a Large creature so 2x2 on the map. ))
It is clear that Bela the riding horse is spooked.
Chadwick is up.
Attack - 17+3+1(bless) 21 to hit. Dam 1d8+1 + 1d6 =10
Free action - Pick up Halberd
Bonus action - Stow the bow so ready for a possible AoO.
Movement - move down to hopefully get in a position to flank.
Chadwick taunts the manticore further; "Why don't you come down here and fight, or you just a scared little kitty?!"
(assuming Orc 8 hasn’t killed/incapacitated Starker)
Cast Dragon Breath (electric) on self (Bonus Action) (starts 1 minute clock)
Attack: breathe dragon breath lightning such that 15’ cone hits Orc 6 (and Orc 8 if he closed and geometry works without hitting ally) (3d6 dam, halved if orc(s) make(s) DEX save) (damage = 8)
Cyrus jumps from Starker’s shoulder onto Raspy and grabs on to his mane.
Starker mounts (1/2 movement) Raspy (giving Orc 6 opportunity attack?) and grabs the reins and holds on for dear life. If he has any control over Raspy (doubtful) rides South. (Ask that DM move tokens accordingly after Orc 8s action).
Chadwick fires his bow again, hitting the manticore solidly. It is getting angry at Chadwick's attentions. Bela is spooked by the manticore and runs away from it.
Orc8 closes on Hoid and hits with his battle axe, To Hit = 20, damage = 4 slashing. Reduced to 1 due to Heavy Armored feat.
Starker belches lightning all over Orc6 and it takes the full force of the effect, DEX save = 4 for 8 lightning damage. Starker then mounts Raspy with Cyrus jumping onto the horses neck as well. Orc 6 takes the AoO on Starker, to Hit = 17, for 7 slashing damage with his battle axe. Raspy is a bit wild-eyed but stays under control. Starker then urges him away from Orc6.
Hoid to act.
Hoid missed orc 8.
Hoid swings wildly, missing.
Kragen to act.