The group gathered the three prisoners on the road by the cart.  The several dead were allowed to stay where they had fallen.  The first to speak was D'Harum who promised them that they would not be hurt if they cooperated.  The others did not exactly jump up and support this claim, but neither did they refute it.  The monk took up a position behind the prisoners.  Fenris, seeing nobody else take the lead, stepped forward and started a brief interogation.  

"Ok, that little ambush didn't go very well for you or your companions."  Here he briefly indicated the dead that lay on the road.  "And it appears that your companions abandoned you when the going got tough.  You don't really want to suffer for them, do you?"   At this point the monk seemed to catch his eye but the half-elf didn't seem to be making a direct threat - just a general one and he hoped the monk would let it slide.  "What we need from you is information.  What can you tell us about those who abandoned you?  Where did they go?"

The three prisoners looked at Fenris and then down at the ground.  Then they looked at each other.  After the half-elf prompted with a rather grumpy, "Well??" one, an older woman who had been put to sleep by Soledad's sleep spell, looked up and spoke.  "That other one, the one behind us, she said we wouldn't be hurt.  Those who who fled - they would hurt us if they knew.  Will you free us if we tell you?  What will happen to us?"

At this point there was some discussion amongst the party and "bring them back to town" was mentioned.  This got their attention.  The young woman who D'Harum had knocked out grabbed the arm of the older woman who quickly spoke.  "Please, don't send us back to town.  The one behind us promised we would not be hurt.  If you accuse us of banditry in Ludensheim we will quickly dance the Grim Fandango."  When several of the party looked oddly at this expression she replied with exasperation, "We will get the gibbet, get strung up, get HANGED!"  She spun to look at D'Harum.  "That sounds like getting hurt to me."  

She looked up a bit more definatly after a moment.  "We'll help, but not if you are going to bring us back to that town.  Let us go and we will tell you all."

**It seems there is a bit to decide before going directly back to Ludensheim.

So, what exactly is the plan? 

Are you going back to Ludensheim?  Doing what with the prisoners on the way?  

Asking any questions first?  

Going straight back to Captain Ramboldt?  

What about the dead?  

Curious minds want to know

You are correct, it is three captives.  

It is about 15 miles back to Ludensheim.  If you choose to do tat you will get back a couple of hours before dark.  

The group looked around the woods and there were no more enemies to be seen.  At least at first glance.  Two were at their feet unconscious, several lay dead, and four were likely still inside the stinking cloud hovering over the road.  

D'Harum had the one at her feet already tied up.  Quickly the group secured the other archer.  In the meantime Gerdar, Fenris and Thaoran all kept an eye on the cloud.  When everyone was tied up the group assembled quickly in front of the cloud and Soledad prepared to drop her spell.  (It would only last a minute in total anyway.)  Everyone was ready to deal with those inside when the spell disappeared.  

*poof* 

As quickly as the smelly cloud had appeared it disappeared revealing the road as it continued around a bend through the woods.  And that was it.  There was nobody on the road.  The four bandits that were there when the spell was cast were gone.  

The party now stands on the road in silence.  Two bandits were their prisoners.  Half a dozen or so had fled the scene - they probably had a head start of 30 seconds or so.  Maybe a bit more.  

Note

With a Stinking Cloud spell on every turn anyone caught in the spell makes a constitution check to see if they can stop puking and take an action.  Obviously at some point all of those in the cloud made their save and presumably fled out the back side of the cloud where you could not see them.  

I will run with this plan unless I hear otherwise.  Dealing with extended family created a delay.  I will try to update today (3rd).  If not, the next day.  

I have a couple of posts.  But I need some clarity on actions.  Right now the fight is over - at least temporarily.  The bandits have run away, are dead or captured, or are puking in the cloud.  

If you do nothing else there is at least one question - the cloud.  The stinking cloud spell last for 1 minute.  That equals 10 rounds of combat.  We have had 2 rounds so far.  So if you all just stand around staring the spell will disappear in 48 seconds - 8 rounds.  If anyone is still inside it they will suddenly appear and be able to act.  (Or they might have made a save prior to that and try to leave the spells area of effect.)  Or Soledad can cancel the spell whenever she wants to do so.  But that action would need to be declared.  Does anyone have a plan for when the spell goes away?  

If you have plans for the captives (one of which is tied up) or those who fled you can state those as well.  But the cloud needs some comment. 

So, what is the plan?

I'm not sure what you are planning by "waiting by the stinking cloud," but remember that Soledad can cancel that spell whenever she wishes if that makes a difference.

D’Harum and Uthal led the action.  The monk used one of her arm wraps to bind the unconscious woman at her feet.  She made no protest but lay there unconscious.  The monk kept a close eye out for danger but saw none – unless seeing one of her new companions going racing past her in the form of a snow-white raptor qualified.  But that danger didn’t seem to be to her.

               Uthal, the previously mentioned white blur, sped past after the mage.  Raptors are known for their speed for good reason and even injured his long legs gobbled up the distance between him and where he guessed the mage had gone.  As he burst through the foliage he saw the mage ahead of him about 10 feet.  (The raptor moves 50’, but the mage was already about 30’ away to start with and then moved 30’ last turn making it a distance of 60’ – the speedy raptor came up just short.)  The mage was moving quickly away from the conflict when the beast burst from the wood behind him.   Spinning at the noise of the dinosaur’ approach he raised his hand and snapped his fingers and simply disappeared from in front of Uthal.  He was simply gone.  A moment before he had been right there ready to be a tasty morsel and now he was nowhere to be seen. 

               At the back of the party Soledad moved to take care of any more archers that might be in the woods.  (Note:  There was apparently some confusion here as there were no enemies still visible at the back.  There had been two rear archers – one was killed by a Thaoran arrow and the other was put to sleep by the first spell.  So, no enemy archers can be seen.  With no target visible no spell is cast.)   Soledad moved towards the archer who had wounded her and who now slept in the woods.  As she moved into the woods towards her victim she almost stumbled on another one of the bandits.  This one, a middle-aged woman, was slumped on the ground behind a big tree.  A quick look (and the sound of snores) quickly told the witch that her sleep spell had claimed one more victim than she had realized.  At least one concealed enemy had succumbed.  But the sleeping beauty also told another story – there had been more enemies here than they had originally realized.  She used the big tree for cover as she scanned the nearby woods for signs of other previously hidden dangers.  For now, at least, she saw none. 

               Back at the front of the party Gerdar was angered by the fireball and was ready to take it out on anyone that emerged from the stinking cloud.  Thaoran also approached the cloud and stood ready with his rapier if anyone emerged.  Meanwhile Fenris started beating out the flames that had started to get ahold of the wagon after the fiery blast.  Knowing the others were focused on the cloud Fenris kept his eyes on the woods as he worked.  Near the stinking cloud Gerdar finished his challenge to his enemies and listened to the sounds of puking and retching coming from within.  It was almost enough to make him chuckle.  But as he grinned a bit at the intestinal difficulties of his enemies, he realized that the sounds had gotten quieter.  It was hard to be certain, but the dwarf was pretty sure that there were no longer as many people losing their lunches in the haze.

Overview

Soledad – alone at the back with two sleeping archers.  No visible dangers.

D’Harum – alone with bound woman.  No visible dangers.

Uthal – 50’ into the woods.  No visible dangers.  The mage disappeared.

Gerdar, Thaoran, Fenris – by the stinking cloud.  At least one person is still puking.  But probably (?) fewer than before.  But you can’t see through the cloud.

Been a week - got two posts.  More needed.

That is three now. 

Post coming in the next day or two.

The road is about 15' wide.  

On both sides of the road there is dense forest - at the bottom of the map it is a short distance to the river.

The locations noted in the Stinking Cloud are where people were when the spell was cast.  Current locations uncertain.

D'Harum is fairly certain on the approximate location of the fleeing archer.  (Archer with an arrow at the top, middle of the map.)

Nobody is sure where the mage is - that is an approximate based on the assumption that he continued moving that direction after being lost behind the foliage.  

Bzzzz to the left is asleep.  Circled U by D'H is the unconscious woman at D'Harum's feet.  

Ask if something is not clear.  

When the group launched their sudden assault on the presumed bandits it was obvious that the strangers were not used to people fighting back.  The young woman holding the horse and being battered by D’Harum stayed on her feet thanks to her grip on the horse’s bridle.  Getting her bearings, she quickly let go of the horse and moved 30’ backwards into the woods, being careful to avoid Soledad’s Stinking Cloud.  (Disengage as an action so no attack but also not provoking an attack of opportunity.) 

               D’Harum seeing her foe retreat wasted no time following after.  The monk quickly moved through the trees and caught her fleeing foe.  One solid smack on the back sent the woman sprawling on the ground – unconscious.  Quickly looking around she saw another archer in the woods about 15’ away from her, previously unseen in the woods.  She prepared to defend herself if needed.

               Uthal, meanwhile, transformed into a Polar Raptor (Imagine a raptor dinosaur but suited to the cold areas that were Uthal’s home.) and ran towards the action up front passing the last archer in the rear with a snarl.

               Towards the back of the group one archer still stood.  Surprised by the large white raptor sprinting past him he nevertheless spun, spotted Soledad (Despite the Pass Without a Trace spell, making an attack such as casting a spell does make you much more notable.) and fired an arrow.  It struck its target but a quick dodge to the side at the last moment saved the elf from significant damage.  (-3hp but made the concentration save to keep Stinking Cloud.)  But she did not look pleased.  Perhaps it was the look on Soledad’s face that made the archer turn and move quickly 30’ away into the woods.

               Indeed the witch was not pleased and looked after the fleeing archer and cast sleep.  Even from a distance it was not hard to see the archer fall to the ground, presumably asleep.                

               Thaoran, seeing the opponents at the back fall, moved forward on the heels of the snow white rapter.

               In the woods not far from the Stinking Cloud another bandit with a bow stared at D’Harum where she stood over the body of the unconscious woman.  He pulled back the string of his bow and fired a shot at the monk.  The arrow shot true and would have struck the monk in the chest but such a thing is not easy to do to a monk.  With a flick of her hand she knocked the arrow aside a moment before it would have skewered her.  Her look of calm seemed to unnerve the archer as he turned and moved deeper 30’ into the woods. 

               Suddenly out of the woods near the front of the party a bright streak flashes out of the wood and hits the road about ½ way between the Uthal-Raptor and the cart.  When it hit it burst into a giant ball of flame that expanded into a 40’ diameter blast – catching Uthal, Fenris, Gerdar and much of the cart (but not the horse) in its blast.  (Fireball spell.  -34 HP each, but all three (!) made their saves and only took -17hp. Uthal has 2 Raptor HP left.)  The cart itself was damaged and was in danger of catching fire.  Some of the undergrowth to the side of the road was burning.   All three victims of the blast tracked the spell backwards and saw the spell-caster 15’ back in the woods.  He turned and moved away quickly.  Fenris sent a firebolt chasing after him, but he was quickly concealed by the woods and the bolt smashed into the undergrowth harmlessly. 

               Gerdar stepped through the blast of the fireball and called out to all those around them.  "Aight me lads and lasses, I'massuming  ye dinnae like the monsters that roam these lands nowadays aye? I'm 'ere to solve that issue - me axe is called Gobber Chopper fer a reason. Would ye really bicker with a man who could make yer homeland safer?"   It was hard to tell if the bandits listened as those they were either fleeing or concealed by the Stinking Cloud.

               Of those in the Stinking Cloud it was impossible to tell exactly what was happening.  The sound of a painful retching could be heard, but how many of them were impacted it was impossible to know. 

Overview

(Map Coming)

There is no enemy currently engaged in combat that you can see.

Towards the front both the spell caster and archer that shot at D’Harum have moved away into the woods.  Neither can be seen but you have a sense of about where they are.  The woods are pretty thick.

There is a sleeping archer 30’ into the woods at the back and another unconscious woman at D’Harum’s feet. 

When you cast the Stinking Cloud 4 people (The speaker, the ½ orc in the middle of the road, and 2 archers behind him) were in its are of effect.  You can hear puking from probably at least 2 sources within, but it is impossible to know exactly what is happening.

 D’Harum is the only party member not currently on the road.

I'm working on the update so expect it later today (Saturday) or Sunday at the latest.

Still need a couple of posts. 

FYI - Tann is out for a bit due to some real life issues.  I will keep Fenris in the game for now as an NPC.  Hopefully he will be able to rejoin at some point but we will see.

I think the 8/10 is a pretty good rating. 

I enjoyed it quite a bit.  No, it wasn't a truly great film and the various comments above are fairly accurate, but it stuck the landing for a D&D film and I quite enjoyed it as such.  It was a fun D&D film that made me laugh because they didn't take it too seriously. A good time.

When the presumed bandits came out of the wood around the cart and demanded that they halt the group moved, slowly, into action.  D’Harum seemed to take the lead, stepping up to the head of the horse and declaring herself a monk of Helm while turning a demand for identification of the strangers.  While the others turned their attention to the monk the party used the opportunity to move up.  Those in back were still under Uthal’s Pass Without a Trace spell and they crept up on the back set of archers.  As far as they could tell, they remained unnoticed. 

               Soledad was the one who would trigger the action.  After moving up 30’ she targeted a Stinking Cloud spell just a bit over 20’ in front of the horse and cart.  Suddenly a billowing cloud of stinking, nauseating, yellow fumes burst forth.  The man in the middle of the road, the two archers behind him, and the man who had been speaking from atop the rock were all caught in its grip.  Because of the putrid, yellow cloud you couldn’t see what impact it had on those within, but even at a distance the sound of retching was audible.  At least a couple of those within seemed unhappy with the contents of their stomachs.  But the exact results were unknown. 

               Seeing the cloud appear and knowing the fight was on Uthal cast and flung an ice knife at the back archer on the left.  (Those in front of the cart are too far away and not visible.  The lady by the cart would require hitting your horse and D’Harum when the blade shatters, so a back archer is the logical choice based on your description.)  The blade struck the man (human) through his studded leather armor and then exploded sending bits of sharp ice around him.  Nobody else was within range to be hit by the ice, but man seemed in a lot of pain afterwards.  (-4hp on the initial hit, -10 for the exploding dagger for -14 total.) 

               Thaoran, also seeing action all around him also lined up his shot at the bandit archer in back on the left.  He was disgusted to see his first shot fly wildly astray as he hurried the shot.  (Natural 1 on the roll, you might have hit a random squirrel!)  But a deep, calming breath before his second shot planed the arrow right in the middle of the bandits chest  (-8hp)  Even as the man reached to pluck some ice from his wounds he suddenly toppled back into the woods, dead.  The other archer in back looked towards the group in back with wide eyes. 

               D’Harum, her comments made saw the group attack and launched into attack mode.  She spun around the front of the cart horse (narrowly missing the gas) and swung her staff at the woman holding the horses bridle.  Her staff tuck with a solid thunk.  (-8hp)  spinning quickly she struck again with her staff but the woman was able to dodge the blow, just barely.  But not yet done, the monk then kicked out with her foot and caught the woman in the thigh (-7hp) for a staggering blow.  She might have gone down (injured, not dead) from the below but managed to keep her grip on the horse’s bridle and used it to keep her feet.  (Monks get 2 attacks plus an unarmed attack each round.  No ki point usage was indicated.) 

               Gerdar and Fenris grabbed their weapons and prepared to enter the fray.

Overview of the situation

The battle has commenced and the strangers will get a chance to respond this next turn.  Also, one of the awkward things about play-by-post is that you have to tell me what you want to do for the round before finding out what those with a higher initiative roll have done for the turn.  With this in mind I want to remind you about the held action.  This means that you describe a potential event and say “if x happens, I will do Y.”  For example, with part of the enemy now hidden behind a stinking cloud Gerdar might say, “If someone appears out of the cloud, I will attack them.”  In that case, if someone appears – he attacks.  If nobody does, he does nothing.  Also, most (All?  Gotta check) of you now have two attacks per round.  You can make them on different targets if you wish.  The more specific you are the more closely I can follow your wishes.

Right now the situation looks a follows:

In the cloud – 4 figures.  ½ orc in the road, the speaker and two forward archers.

D’harum and the injured woman by the horse.

Gerdar by the cart

Fenris in the cart

50’ back of the cart – one archer on the right side of the road.  (Other dead)

20’ back of the archer – Uthal, Soledad and Thaoran.

Ok, I have the spells and will post Saturday morning.  

One last delay for any last posts because I am tired anyway.  A quick note about the spells:

Stinking cloud and sleep - both could be cast if you move up 30' (Normal movement - not super stealthy beyond the spells big bonus, but it seems like you would get first action if you did.)  This would put either spell centered on the guy 20' in front of you in the middle of the road.  Either spell would include the two front archers, the guy in the road and the guy on the rock.  You could potentially get the woman holding the horses head as well but that would also include D'Harum and the horse and so according to your description is not what you want to do.  With the way you have it listed right now I am assuming stinking cloud is the spell of first choice.  Also, if you cast sleep remember that you can cast it at higher levels to potentially put more HP of opponents to sleep.  But if you wish to do so you need to make that clear.

Web - Only has a range of 60' and would thus need two turns of movement before you could cast it.  In fact, you would need to be in front of the two back archers current position to be able to target a spot in front of the horse and cart.  

Everybody else - this is your last chance to add a reaction to when the spell goes off.  IF, and it is an if at this point, you get the drop on them with the spell it is possible that all of you could act before they get a chance to do so.  (In other words, you all take an action, then I roll initiative to determine order of actions on the next round.  But they don't go before then so you essentially get a free round.)  That assumes they don't also intend a sudden attack, of course, but you wouldn't know that.  Right now all you know is who stepped out of the woods and what they said.  Anyway, the point of this paragraph is to say - if you want to do more than just move up when the spell goes off (arrows, axe swings, staff smacks, or whatever) now is the time to be clear.

I was starting to get a post ready but am a bit uncertain.  

There seems to be a thought that the casting of a sleep spell is what will trigger an attack, but there is no actual post for the casting of a sleep spell or anything else.  So far all of the posts are basically preparing and creeping up.  So . . . as the posts currently sit I will make my next post as if you are all just holding your positions/moving up.  But NOT attacking yet.  Or, and I suppose this is specifically for Soledad, give me a quick post indicating the spell and target area and I will work with that.  Others could also indicate who they would target if a sleep spell is cast.  For example, Gerdar could say, "when someone from the group attacks Gerdar grabs hi ax and swings at .  .. "

I shoudl be able to post Thursday night, but could wait as long as late Frday to move it along.

Sorry for the dealy.  I expected to get a post out on Saturday but a mother-in-law illness prevented it.  

I will update tomorrow night.  (Wednesday)

Looking for posts by Fenris and Gerdar.

I don’t really have details of your plan, so I ended up making a best guess.  I just got my computer up and running so it is good to be able to post. 

The group set out from Ludensheim hoping to bait the bandits into an attack.  A cart with a horse walked along the road with a few of the party walking next to it hoping to look like merchants.  Gerdar was there with his armor stretching the peasants clothes he was wearing.  Next to him walked D’Harum whose clothes naturally matched the “peasant look” the group was going for.  Fenris was also there – his recent time in the custody of the goblins had left his clothes looking less than fancy.  Looking at the group, they were perhaps more a group of peasants than merchants, but the cart had a tempting chest riding in it. 

               As the group moved along Uthal, Thaoran and Soledad followed.  When possible they moved through the woods to the side of the road but most of the time they were simply forced to keep their distance behind while trying to stay out of sight.  For the first 15 miles nothing happened.  This was no great surprise as for these miles the woods kept their distance to the west and farms could sometimes be seen.  But at the 15 mile mark the road passed into the Barren Woods.  The party knew at this point that the woods would be close to the river and surround the woods for the next ¼ mile or so.  At this point Uthal cast Pass Without a Trace on those following behind.  This section of the woods was known to be a potential ambush site for the bandits.  The spells cover would hopefully allow the trailing group to stay closer to the bait.  But they still followed 100 feet behind while attempting to stealth their way down a road through the woods.

***Uthal was going to cast Pass Without a Trace but the spell only has a one hour duration.  Instead of having him burn all of his spell slots in more settled territory I decided it made more sense to have him cast the spell when a more likely target site was in range.  This casting ought to last through the wooded section and a bit beyond, but not much further.

               As the group with the wagon moved through the woods the road took several turns around boulders and massive trees.  Despite it being full noon, the road took on the look of dusk as the trees closed overhead.  About 1/3 of the way through the wooded area as the group approached another turn in the woods a shout rang out in the woods.  “Halt!  This road is closed!”

               As the group in front came to a halt in response to the call it became clear that they had found the bandits.  A tall man stood out on top of a large boulder to the left of the road.  The gloom made it hard to get a good look at him as did the cloth covering his face.  Atop the boulder he was  20’ in front of the horse and about 15’ off the ground.  “Do not move.  We have you surrounded and must determine your purpose upon this road!  If you attempt any action your life will be forfeited!  You are surrounded. Don’t you know there are bandits in these woods!”

               That last statement seemed to get a small laugh that let you know that he was not alone.  A very large ½ orc with a greatword stepped into the middle of the road even with the boulder – so about 20’ in front of you.  A few feet behind him you took note of a couple of archers.  A young human woman quickly stepped out and grabbed the lead of the horse pulling your cart to keep it from bolting.  She seemed intent on keeping the horse between herself and you.  A quick glance behind showed that two more archers had stepped out of the woods about 50’ behind you. 

               While the group by the wagon halted at the sudden appearance of others, those following slunk into the shadows for cover.  They could easily hear what was being said.  Nobody seemed to have moved to surround them so perhaps they had passed without a trace so far. 

Situation Overview

I will attempt to get out a map soon.  But for now, the following description should be enough to allow you to decide how to react to the newcomers.

You are in an area that is heavily wooded.  The road is a hard track about 15’ wide that here is fairly straight until reaching the turn before which you were confronted.  The trees come within a few feet of each side of the road.  You can move through the woods fairly easily if desired, but they will block the view of anything more than 20’ away from you and provide plenty of hiding places.  As far as you can tell the trailing group (Thaoran, Uthal and Soledad) remains undetected.  For the new group – six figures are visible. 

The order of figures is as follows (From front to back) – starting at the point where the road bends to the left.  All of the figures below are before the turn in a tract that is fairly straight. 

Two archers – 25’ in front of the horse

½ orc in middle of road – 20’ in front of the horse

Speaker on boulder – 20’ in front of horse a bit to the left of the road.

Young woman – at the front of your horse holding its lead.

Your cart with Fenris, D’Harum and Gerdar.  Fenris is the only one on the cart – he was driving. 

Two archers – 50’ behind the cart.

The trailing party members (Uthal, Soledad and Thaoran) – 50’ behind the archers.  100’ behind the cart.

I've been without a cunctional computer for a week. I'll get something up within a day or so.

But has anyone said who is doing what?  Or exactly how?

I am without a computer for a bit.  I will make do with whatever we have when I can.  Could easily be a few days.

We seem to still have a party.  Thaoran can be whereever you put him.  I just don't have a clear plan posted yet.  

Azax watched the dragon and wyverling battle as he quickly drew an arrow to contribute to the fight.  But he never needed to shoot as the great golden beast destroyed the wyverling.  The nasty beast collapsed and their new elven ally moved forward to speak to her friend.

When she called the group forward Azax stepped forward after first making sure that his arrow was safely back in his quiver.  "Greeetings Tyrune.  Alyrea has been telling us of you.  It is great to find your kind still around."  At this point he allowed the elf to speak a bit on their behalf.  As he listened he pondered where the sword could have gone.  The only possibility was that one of those orcs that fled had taken it with him.  But he hadn't seen it happen.  It bothered him that it had disappeared. 

Eventually, after introductions were complete, he turned again to the subject of the fortress.  "It is great if this path leads us towards the orcs keep, but if the orcs guard the high passes as you say, how will we slip past them unnoticed?  Perhaps an animal path is not as heavily watched as the route the orcs would have taken, but is there a plan to avoid prying eyes?  And, with all due respect to Tyurune here, he seems hard to hide behind a few trees.  Yet everything we seek at the moment - a sword, an artifact and some medicine - is likely there."