CH. 01 - Fight for Freedom

[GravityEmblem]

“Ah...want to make sure they not shorter,” Grognak answers. He is still aware that the two types of Elves have different cultures, but he neglects to explain that due to the difficulty of doing so.

[Snacs]

Runt sighs and stretches his wings, enjoying the increased height, trying his best to commit some of the Gallant's poem to memory. His bow hangs loosely in one hand, already strung and checked for heft and pull.

"Mmm. Sharp-ears good at standing around and watching yes? No matter." His bass drone is even deeper than normal with the increase in size, and he chuckles to himself. The wine had settled in his stomach as a pleasant burn that would probably last at least long enough for him to hit something. He tried to cherish the feeling, since with the low attendance and bulbos's sour mood he guessed the ogre would not be quite as forthcoming with booze as Dorias's 'patron' had been.

[Ezeze]

Teakettle scans the crowd for the elves, not one to leave anyone else.

"Hey!" she taunts "my friend here-" she points at runt "-says elf tastes like garbage!"

[Rax]

"And so is she..." Dorias mutters to himself before scanning the crowd to see if he can spot the elves Ravarie noticed.

"So, anyone want to guess who or what we'll be fighting today?"

[Daos]

Searching the audience, Teakettle and Dorias don't see any elves, but they do spot a pair of slender, man-sized humanoids wearing heavy cloaks with hoods pulled up over their heads. They are far too small to be ogres or trolls or gnolls; and too petite to be hobgoblins or even humans. Although it is cold outside, it does seem like they are making efforts to keep their faces hidden with their hoods.  Presumably that is who Ravarie is referring to.  Neither of them reacts at all to Teakettle's taunt, though.

It's at this point the announcer finishes introducing the second team, and the gates on the other side of the arena lift open.  A group of seven sligs emerge, each carrying a spear.  Sligs are ferocious humanoids, distantly related to goblins and hobgoblins. They are six feet in height, with tough, horny, hairless hides of a dull orange color. They have narrow, slitted eyes, pointed ears with large earlobes, long, thin snouts, and huge mouths filled with sharp fangs.

The sligs line up about 120 feet away from the party, spears at the ready, and seem fairly organized.  The party has a minute or so to discuss strategy before the announcer calls for the fight to begin.

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(OOC:  Click the map to enlarge; each hex is about 5' in size.  The key is:  t = Teakettle, RR = Runt (Large), G = Grognak, r = Ravarie, D = Dorias.)

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, whoever is in the audience today, we have to focus on what is going on right now," Ravarie says. "How do you guys want to handle this?" she asks.

[Ezeze]

"Yeah, let's do this! You two-" she indicates Runt and Dorias "-hit them really hard. I'm going to befuddle and astound!"

[Rax]

"Have any of you fought foes such as these before? I confess, I have not. But I observe that they outnumber us and their master has seen fit to arm with spears - our armour may be fine to look at, but I wouldn't bet on it to ward off a determined spear thrust. We have bows, so ordinarily I would suggest that we use them to thin the herd a bit, but unless they're exceptionally slow, I fear they can easily charge us as soon as the signal for combat is given," Dorias says.

"Given such circumstances, I think we would be wise to form a shield wall of sorts. I suggest that Runt and I take the fore with Teakettle between us. Teakettle, use your charming manners to enrage them. If that works, Runt and I will strike them down as they try to attack you. Ravarie, if you will consent to it, pray stay behind us and cast what magic you can to inconvenience them and to salve our wounds. Grognak, either take a flank or stay behind the line to protect Ravarie. And when the sligs have engaged us, move around to strike them from behind. Does that sound agreeable?"

OOC: I'm suggesting that Dorias, Teakettle and Runt form a front line, with Dorias on the left (so that he can't be easily attacked on his unshielded side), Teakettle in the middle, and Runt on the right. We should take advantage of the hex setup so that Teakettle is one hex "back" from Dorias and Runt, forming a sort of funnel and preventing more than one enemy from attacking her.

Grognak and Ravarie have the worst AC, so the harder it is for the sligs to get to them, the better. Ravarie is also our primary spellcaster, so we want her free to use spells without the sligs interrupting her. Grognak would be a free agent - extending our line if the sligs try to come around it, intercepting them if they go for Ravarie, or running around to attack the sligs from behind.

Daos: The above assumes this is regular fight, but maybe that's not true IC? Is this intended to be a normal combat or do we need to hold back, not using offensive magic and only striking for nonlethal damage?

[Daos]

RAX:  The above assumes this is regular fight, but maybe that's not true IC? Is this intended to be a normal combat or do we need to hold back, not using offensive magic and only striking for nonlethal damage?

(OOC:  This isn't a death match, so you would be expected to use nonlethal attacks (but as Ezeze pointed out earlier, there is a house rule that removes the penalty for doing so; you simply need to announce during your attack that you are using nonlethal damage).  However, people do still sometimes die in the ring.  Accidents happen.  However, if anyone deliberately starts killing opponents, they will likely start trying to do the same to the party.)

[HorizonsDream]

Ravarie nods in quiet agreement to Dorias' plan, and moves into position behind the rest of the group so that she can be mostly protected. She just kind of hopes none of the enemies decide to try to go around them to attack her from behind.

[Snacs]

Runt eyes both team-mates as they offer up battle plans.

Truth be told, he's fine with Teakettle's. It suited the old Baaz's current temperament, though the imbalanced size of their teams made him unhappy.

"Mmm. Don't remember."He answered Dorias. "Carry spears though. Maybe throw? Not so good for little taunt-kettle, spear as big as her. Stay behind me yes?" He nudges the tiny kender besides him with a chortle, his eyes bright with spirit at the fight to come. He tests the draw on his bow again, the creak of wood satisfying the Draconian, though after a moment he blinks slowly.

"Mm. Shoot once, maybe twice with bow. Even numbers maybe? Aim for legs, stomach. Painful yes? But more important, maybe slow down Slig."

[ OOC: Hey Daos does runt have any additional information on these Sligs at all? Player doesn't remember them, but Runt might . Would bow shots count as deliberately entering into lethal combat or?

Fine with that battle-line. My current plan is to just drop the bow once they close and shift to melee. Not like there's arrows laying around for them to take ]

[Daos]

The party moves into the agreed upon formation just as the announcer calls for the fight to begin.

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(OOC:  Everyone roll initiative and give actions for Round 1.)

Initiative

Slig 01

D20B4d1S1d10

Slig 02
1d10

Slig 03
1d10

Slig 04
1d10

Slig 05
1d10

Slig 06
1d10

Slig 07
1d10

1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10·1d10

[GravityEmblem]

After howling towards the sky, Grognak takes out his hand axe and, wielding it in his right hand, prepares to hurl it at the first Slig that gets within range of him.

[OOC: Is action readying a thing in 2e?]

xQXPD|HN1d10
1d10

[Ezeze]

YGsrsd_e1d10

Teakettle dances in place while waiting for something to happen. Then gets a little distracted because dancing is fun.1d10

[Snacs]

kfsKwG7m1d10 - Initiative.

As the announcer calls Runt nocks an arrow, drawing it back until the bow creaks. For a moment he stares down the Sligs, then blinks, making a low noise in his throat. He glances to either side and speaks loud enough for the others to hear over the call to start.

"Mm. Remembered. No fire, doesn't burn them yes?" He aims down the sight of his bow at the closest Slig. For a moment he aims for the creature's head, then curses quietly in Draconian and tips the arrow just a smidge lower before loosing his first arrow. "Mm! Also, Sligs spit. Not pleasant yes? Burns if it touches. Mm. Not fun. Ruined the drink." The Draconian's expression is distant for a moment and he sighs wistfully. An entire barrel-full of drink, wasted by the addition of a battered Slig dunked upside down into it during a brawl in the barracks. In a smooth motion, he draws another arrow and lets fly, correcting only at the last moment to make sure to avoid a kill-shot.


[OOC: If I'm doing it right, I believe I get 2/1 bow shots, which is two per round correct? Rolls below]

Attacks:
1d20+2 
1d20+2

Damage(add 50% due to large size)
1d8+3
1d8+3
1d10·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d8+3·1d8+3