Carrow listens intently before taking cover in the undergrowth of a tree, he gives himself a little distance from the others, bow ready he takes a knee to conceal himself.
For the next minute or so, all movement and sound seems to cease. Only the slight rustling of the leaves in the trees can be heard alongside the breathing of the horses.
The silence eventually breaks when the sound of a human voice is heard to the south. All of the party members recognize Xolkin's voice immediately.
"No walls to protect you here!" he shouts. "Let's have that face-to-face talk, eh?"
"They are a long way out still, we are probably more effective at range than them but we are being flanked, they know where we are and they are closing in. I doubt they will do anything other than buy enough time to close their trap so we might as well attack quickly, we could try and catch the one out to the west before they realise we know where they are? Or we hide just inside the cave but there could be an entire tribe of goblins ready to pounce."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
Xolkin and the two that are with him dismount their horses and begin to walk on foot. None of them seems to be in a hurry; although one of the riders moves laterally to the west, distancing himself from Xolkin. All have crossbows drawn.
A fourth person comes into view; she is creeping along the hillside to the southwest and makes her way behind a tree and has a crossbow at the ready. (A20).
Updated map (with the exception of Rixton, locations of party members are based on the loose descriptions that have been provided):
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Carrow
The ranger waits and listens keeping low on one knee, hopefully hidden from sight, confident his group is slowly being surrounded he checks his immediate area.
I move to i15, putting the trunk of the tree there between me and the person to the west. I loudly speak, letting my voice carry into the open. "If it isn't the friends of Nightstone! You decided to help the poor villagers after all! Did you bring your 48 friends? Those villagers are surely safe now."
Rixton advances a bit more to the south, staying well-concealed among the cluster of five trees that stand at the center of the action. Soon thereafter, Ladrian and Andor hurry across the open terrain and reach the northern edge of that same cluster of trees. Vigan is able conceal himself behind the massive trunk of the tree that stands near the cave entrance, and Carrow remains hidden in the underbrush beneath the tree at the base of the hill. None of the party members have any indication that another enemy is within range. The male voice to the west has not been heard again; only the positions of Xolken and the three others are known at this time.
One of Xolken's men dashes west, seemingly trying to reach the cover that might be provided by a pair of trees; the second of Xolken's men dashes north, toward another group of trees.
As if on cue, the bad weather begins to make its presence known again. Rain begins to fall, suddenly and rapidly, making a tense scene even more so.
Xolken, still standing in the open, responds to Rixton's taunt."If you're as good with a weapon as you are at running your mouth, you will be a fearsome foe! My men have been commanded to hold their fire. I will accept your surrender."
"Tut tut, Xolkin," I call out. "You have failed to deliver on every promise you've made so far. So many villagers...and friends....you have let down today. I'm not sure if you are a terrible liar or just unreliable. And now you demand peaceable surrender for some perceived slight? I'll make a deal, though. Call back your men, and you may find satisfaction in a duel with me."
"Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, but you choose to fight. Have your way." Xolken replies. He then climbs into his horse's saddle and screams, "No mercy, Zhentarim!"
Xolken spurs his horse and dashes straight north (to grid square S14); his crossbow is drawn, he slinks low in the saddle, and he stares into the central cluster of trees looking for a target.
No initiative rolls are necessary. The Zhentarim are at a clear disadvantage because they are attempting to advance with very limited knowledge of the locations of each party member.
I bite my tongue to try and preserve my location a little longer, but otherwise I do not hesitate. I move forward slightly to the next tree trunk (J16) and fire on the Zhentarim thug to my south.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Vigan
The goliath makes out most of the exchange between Rixton and Xolkin, and on hearing Xolkin's battle cry, again searches the surroundings for signs of an ambush, also monitoring the progress of the female to his south.
The goliath has no doubt that other riders are on horseback nearby. After Xolken's cry, the distinct sound of hooves beating the ground--from the west--reaches Vigan's ears.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Longbow attack by Carrow, targeting Xolken as he gallops into range: 8 |3 piercing damage if successful
Rixton's shot is accurate, catching Zhentarim 1 in the upper leg before he reaches the cover provided by a tree (G23). Ladrian and Carrow seeing that Xolken is the most vulnerable target, loose their arrows. Ladrian's shot sails wide; Carrow's misses as well.
The enemy to the south (#1) chooses to return fire at Rixton (+2 AC for 1/2 cover), and the Zhent on foot to the east (#2) does the same after safely reaching the cover provided by a cluster of trees:
Crossbow attack by Zhent 1: 11 | 6 piercing damage if successful
Crossbow attack by Zhent 2 at range disadvantage: 5 | 4 piercing damage if successful
Xolken, unsatisfied with the quality of a clear shot, turns his horse hard to the right and prepares to circle around the trees. To the northwest, two more crossbow-wielding riders enter the scene with their horses nearly at a full gallop.
Updated map (Xolken and Zhentarim 4 and 5 are on horseback):
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Andor
Moving through the heavier cover Andor heads to where Rixton is in cover, drawing his crossbow as he moves. Seeing the Zhent to the south he aims and fires of a shot, hoping the bolt will keep him from being seen when a spell would draw attention. "Let's take this one down first and then the one out to the west."
Bolts and arrows begin to fly! One strikes the tree next to me and another whizzes into the branches above me. As I nock my next arrow, I see return fire heading towards our foe to the south. Out of the corner of my eye, I see riders charging in towards Vigan's position. I swivel before knowing how Andor's bolt strikes its target. I brace myself against the tree and steady my aim against one of the riders (#5). I lead the rider a bit with my aim and loose the arrow.
Andor shortens the range between himself and the Zhent to the south; the sorcerer's shot is perfectly placed and the enemy drops to the ground lifeless. Rixton then places an arrow into the side of one of the riders (#5) that just entered the area from the west.
(Strength check for wounded rider , DC 10: 5)
The wounded rider, while in full gallop, tumbles awkwardly from the saddle and smashes into the muddy ground taking 4 bludgeoning damage. The horse continues at full speed in a southward direction.
Carrow
Carrow listens intently before taking cover in the undergrowth of a tree, he gives himself a little distance from the others, bow ready he takes a knee to conceal himself.
Perception: 14
Stealth:15
DM screen:
13, 15
For the next minute or so, all movement and sound seems to cease. Only the slight rustling of the leaves in the trees can be heard alongside the breathing of the horses.
The silence eventually breaks when the sound of a human voice is heard to the south. All of the party members recognize Xolkin's voice immediately.
"No walls to protect you here!" he shouts. "Let's have that face-to-face talk, eh?"
The three riders, one of whom is Xolkin, begin to move a bit closer now. (Grid squares R24 and S24)
Rixton:
I smirk and remain hidden, but look back towards my companions and raise my eyebrow. I will confront Xolkin if they wish.
Andor
"They are a long way out still, we are probably more effective at range than them but we are being flanked, they know where we are and they are closing in. I doubt they will do anything other than buy enough time to close their trap so we might as well attack quickly, we could try and catch the one out to the west before they realise we know where they are? Or we hide just inside the cave but there could be an entire tribe of goblins ready to pounce."
Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
Lyreis - Level 6 Elf Fighter - Eberron: Omega
DM - Dzenda: The Cracks - DM - Dzenda: Whispered Tales
DM screen:
3
Xolkin and the two that are with him dismount their horses and begin to walk on foot. None of them seems to be in a hurry; although one of the riders moves laterally to the west, distancing himself from Xolkin. All have crossbows drawn.
A fourth person comes into view; she is creeping along the hillside to the southwest and makes her way behind a tree and has a crossbow at the ready. (A20).
Updated map (with the exception of Rixton, locations of party members are based on the loose descriptions that have been provided):
Carrow
The ranger waits and listens keeping low on one knee, hopefully hidden from sight, confident his group is slowly being surrounded he checks his immediate area.
Perception 8
Rixton:
I move to i15, putting the trunk of the tree there between me and the person to the west. I loudly speak, letting my voice carry into the open. "If it isn't the friends of Nightstone! You decided to help the poor villagers after all! Did you bring your 48 friends? Those villagers are surely safe now."
Ladrian
"Guess we have company... Where is the rest of the group? There were 7 of them right?" he asks looking around looking for further threats.
Perception: 20
Ladrian them uses all of this movement to try to go to Rixton's side.
Stealth if required: 12
Vigan
"Probably hiding in the trees. Quicker we kill them, quicker we're not surrounded", the goliath grumbles.
Attempting to blend in with the horses and trees surrounding him, the eight foot-tall goliath presses himself against the nearest tree trunk,
Hide (Stealth): 20
Lol. 8ft armoured goliath vanishes like a ninja, no smoke bomb needed.
Rixton advances a bit more to the south, staying well-concealed among the cluster of five trees that stand at the center of the action. Soon thereafter, Ladrian and Andor hurry across the open terrain and reach the northern edge of that same cluster of trees. Vigan is able conceal himself behind the massive trunk of the tree that stands near the cave entrance, and Carrow remains hidden in the underbrush beneath the tree at the base of the hill. None of the party members have any indication that another enemy is within range. The male voice to the west has not been heard again; only the positions of Xolken and the three others are known at this time.
One of Xolken's men dashes west, seemingly trying to reach the cover that might be provided by a pair of trees; the second of Xolken's men dashes north, toward another group of trees.
As if on cue, the bad weather begins to make its presence known again. Rain begins to fall, suddenly and rapidly, making a tense scene even more so.
Xolken, still standing in the open, responds to Rixton's taunt."If you're as good with a weapon as you are at running your mouth, you will be a fearsome foe! My men have been commanded to hold their fire. I will accept your surrender."
Updated map:
Rixton:
"Tut tut, Xolkin," I call out. "You have failed to deliver on every promise you've made so far. So many villagers...and friends....you have let down today. I'm not sure if you are a terrible liar or just unreliable. And now you demand peaceable surrender for some perceived slight? I'll make a deal, though. Call back your men, and you may find satisfaction in a duel with me."
"Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, but you choose to fight. Have your way." Xolken replies. He then climbs into his horse's saddle and screams, "No mercy, Zhentarim!"
Xolken spurs his horse and dashes straight north (to grid square S14); his crossbow is drawn, he slinks low in the saddle, and he stares into the central cluster of trees looking for a target.
No initiative rolls are necessary. The Zhentarim are at a clear disadvantage because they are attempting to advance with very limited knowledge of the locations of each party member.
Rixton:
I bite my tongue to try and preserve my location a little longer, but otherwise I do not hesitate. I move forward slightly to the next tree trunk (J16) and fire on the Zhentarim thug to my south.
Shortbow Attack: 18 Damage: 8
Vigan
The goliath makes out most of the exchange between Rixton and Xolkin, and on hearing Xolkin's battle cry, again searches the surroundings for signs of an ambush, also monitoring the progress of the female to his south.
Perception: 11
Vigan:
The goliath has no doubt that other riders are on horseback nearby. After Xolken's cry, the distinct sound of hooves beating the ground--from the west--reaches Vigan's ears.
Ladrian
Readying his action he prepares his shortbow, waiting for the first enemy that is out in clear view or shoots at his friends
Attack: 8 Damage: 8
Longbow attack by Carrow, targeting Xolken as he gallops into range: 8 |3 piercing damage if successful
Rixton's shot is accurate, catching Zhentarim 1 in the upper leg before he reaches the cover provided by a tree (G23). Ladrian and Carrow seeing that Xolken is the most vulnerable target, loose their arrows. Ladrian's shot sails wide; Carrow's misses as well.
The enemy to the south (#1) chooses to return fire at Rixton (+2 AC for 1/2 cover), and the Zhent on foot to the east (#2) does the same after safely reaching the cover provided by a cluster of trees:
Xolken, unsatisfied with the quality of a clear shot, turns his horse hard to the right and prepares to circle around the trees. To the northwest, two more crossbow-wielding riders enter the scene with their horses nearly at a full gallop.
Updated map (Xolken and Zhentarim 4 and 5 are on horseback):
Andor
Moving through the heavier cover Andor heads to where Rixton is in cover, drawing his crossbow as he moves. Seeing the Zhent to the south he aims and fires of a shot, hoping the bolt will keep him from being seen when a spell would draw attention. "Let's take this one down first and then the one out to the west."
Movement to I15 aiming for Zhent 1
Crossbow attack 6 for 8 piercing damage if hits.
Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
Lyreis - Level 6 Elf Fighter - Eberron: Omega
DM - Dzenda: The Cracks - DM - Dzenda: Whispered Tales
Rixton:
Bolts and arrows begin to fly! One strikes the tree next to me and another whizzes into the branches above me. As I nock my next arrow, I see return fire heading towards our foe to the south. Out of the corner of my eye, I see riders charging in towards Vigan's position. I swivel before knowing how Andor's bolt strikes its target. I brace myself against the tree and steady my aim against one of the riders (#5). I lead the rider a bit with my aim and loose the arrow.
Shortbow Attack: 18 Damage: 5
Andor shortens the range between himself and the Zhent to the south; the sorcerer's shot is perfectly placed and the enemy drops to the ground lifeless. Rixton then places an arrow into the side of one of the riders (#5) that just entered the area from the west.
(Strength check for wounded rider , DC 10: 5)
The wounded rider, while in full gallop, tumbles awkwardly from the saddle and smashes into the muddy ground taking 4 bludgeoning damage. The horse continues at full speed in a southward direction.
*Actions for Carrow, Ladrian, and Vigan are next.