You going to get your post up, mate?

Apologies works been hell.

 

Quick question the kings name? You have called him both King Vangar and King Valorian in the same post.

That's okay.

And oops, yeah, I keep confusing myself lol. It's King Valorian. The city is called Vangar. So if you see me call the king Vangar, just ignore it lol. It's Valorian.

Sorry about that! XD

Shall I assume Azax and Legion say 'yes' in instructing Möhmal how to ride? Then I can get straight on with my next DM post.

Yes

I don't know about the rest of you but Azax would 100% want to aid the merchants.  The fact that they are orcs also might provide information, although I doubt it.  Azax would say charge - for him that means going up in the air and preparing to shoot arrows down.He could do it pretty quietly.

To the DM:  I am a bit confused about what is happening. Are the merchants fighting back?  If the orcs are digging stuff out of the caravan it doesn't really seem like they are in mid-battle, especailly if the merchants outnumber the orcs 7-5.  Are orcs that strong in your world?  

The traders don't know crap about fighting, whereas the orcs have been trained since they were very little. Plus, orcs are more bulky than most humans. I'm making my orcs a bit stronger than regular D&D orcs. Bit more of a challenge. Don't want the campaign to be too easy! Haha. The orcs have tied up the traders so they can leisurely rifle through their wares and take what they want. Should have mentioned that, sorry.

Legion's current orders are to retrieve the potion, dealing with roadside banditry is not what he should be doing. If the king wanted to be rid of bandits he would have said so. So 1 vote for continuing forward, current objective takes priority for a warforged.

@Nomad Mömhal is in the same mind - the more Orcs we can 'defeat' in small groups the less will be in the fortress.

 

My question is we are only a few hours out from the city and a small band of Orcs are attacking a caravan in daylight .... this fortress may be closer than the King realises. 

 

I feel we must help and either follow the survivers or at least gain what information the traders has - how was it a direct ambush or have they been running form the group? 

Just wanted to speak to you about Legion's lack of self will. I get that he's programmed to take orders, but what about when this quest for the king is over? What will he do then when he has no more orders? And what is he going to do in the currant situation with the orcs attacking the traders' caravan? Just stand there and not help Azax and Möhmal? Just saying that Legion won't always have direct orders so if that's the case, he's just going to have to stand there and do nothing for some of the campaign then.

So Momhal and Azax are in for the fight.  

Tom - what will Legion do if we do join in?  Or do we just post and find out?  I guess Azax would ask before doing anything, but a nod from Momhal would likely be enough.  Then he is in the air and shooting.

*I was about to post that Azax flew up and took a shot, but realized that he probably needs to know what you two want to do on the ground first.  

DM:

1.  Is there any way to approach in a stealthy way or is it all open ground until we get there?  I suppose this would include trees that a flyer could use for some cover.

2.  Are they grouped at all?  One of Azax's special archer abilities does damage to anyone within 10' of a strike so I'm looking for a cluster to target.  

 

I'm not doing very well as a DM lol. I need to remember to describe the land more. Sorry. I'll remember for the future.

To answer your questions, Nomad:

1) There are trees, but they are quite sparse. A cluster of 4 beside the road, then a gap of about 50 yards, then another small cluster. The terrain is rocky, but not very. So rough-ish ground but it doesn't slow movement down too much (besides, you're on horses anyway).

2) 3 orcs are at the rear of the caravan to get their spoils. The other 4 are clustered about 10 yards from it, examining the stuff they just pilfered. So 2 clusters. Take your pick.

There is nothing wrong with what you have done so far - half the time you don't know what is important until we start pestering you about it.  Don't worry.  

Since this is our first combat - how do you want to do it?  In my game I do all of the rolls.  But this is also a free form game.  I'll post below what Azax would do and how the numbers work in D&D, but then you need to figure out what is actually happening.  And how you want us to post this.  

Azax would take off from his forse and fly straight up.  Since he has the sharpshooter feat he doesn't get disadvantage from ranged shots.  So he can shoot from 600' and not be at disadvantage.  If that is 600' UP - it is hard to get hit back.  That is the plan.

He gets two shots per turn at 6th level.  So he would go up and shoot twice at the group of four.  His to hit roll is +10.  He gets +4 for dexterity, +3 for his proficiency bonus, +2 for his archery fighting style and +1 for the magic bow.  (Note that because of the sharpshooter feat and all of those plusses, he could choose to take a -5 to hit (so still +5 total since he had +10 to start) and then get +10 to damage.  I'm opting not to do that.)  

When he hits he does 1d8 +5 damage (+4 for dex bonus, +1 for the bow.)

But as an arcane archer he also has a couple of Arcane Shots.  He can only do this twice per short or long rest - and he can decide AFTER he knows the attack hit if he is going to use the ability.  The one he would use now is:  

• Bursting Arrow: You imbue your arrow with force energy drawn from the school of evocation.
  
  • The energy detonates after your attack. Immediately after the arrow hits the creature, the target and all other creatures within 10 feet of it take 2d6 force damage each.

He would likely do this on both of his shots - if they hit.  (He would target two separate orcs hoping to kill them all.)

So the result would be:  Two attacks at +10 to hit.

If they hit he does 1d8+5 damage and then everyone (including the original target) within 10' takes an additional 2d6.  

 

That is how the math works in fifth edition D&D.  You weren't really looking for all those numbers I don't think, but it gives you an idea of what would happen.  Sixth level characters can do some cool stuff.  Do you want that sort of detail?  Is it easier for you if I tell you that or would you prefer to just get the general idea of what I'm doing without all the D&D numbers?  

*I will still post in the game thread - this is just to figure out what you want in the game.  Plus, the two stuck on the ground may want to slow up his attack since they can't get there as quickly, but I don't know.

 

 

Yeah, didn't undersdand any of that lol. I might have to research everything and how it works because that's seriously confusing. Plus, I'm dyslexic at maths, I'm embarrassed to say.

If you have any questions - just ask.  I can try and help.  The math isn't hard once you get the general idea.  And remember that you described this as freeform.  There is a lot of room in that for "faking it" and doing what you want.  Honestly, in D&D the numbers are there to make it easier - to give the DM a way to judge what should happen.  But do what you want and we will live with it.  At least I speak for myself since I know I signed up for a freeform game. 

Also, I should note that this is the perfect situation for an Owlin Arcane Archer to strut his stuff  - Outdoors, with the ability to make use of the skies and shooting from a distance.  If Azax seems very strong in this situation it is because he is.  The only thing that could make this further to his advantage would be to make it at night.  Shove him inside a fortress where he can't fly and where shooting at range is somewhat limited and he will be much weaker.