Yet another Planning Thread

[Hussar]

Ok, we got bogged down this week in the details. Heh. It happens. So, from what I understand, this is your plan:

1. The tiger dwarves will start a fire in the fields to the west and draw the Proud away from the village.

2. Once the Proud have left, you will enter the temple, deal with the serpentmen inside, get the shard and leave.

Sounds good so far, what's next?

[Hussar]

Here is a map of the village



and a map of the interior of the temple (which I have now shrunk to more manageable dimensions. Sorry about that. )

[Hussar]

And, I suppose a map of the surrounding is a good idea too.

[Hussar]

And a larger scale image. 1 Hex equals 6 miles

[Kelly]

I have given some thought to the attack, and perhaps we should not split our forces over such a great distance (slave town and snake town). Given the fact that it is 18 miles to the cave to get off the plateau, there is no way to outrun pursuers especially with slow dwarves in tow who are not in the best of health. This means we should try to take out the pursuers before we leave. Also, there were concerns that the dwarves alone might not be able to subdue the proud and that they would need some of the PCs to help with this battle.

Therefore, to address both of these legitimate concerns I suggest that we all attack the snake man village at one time. We would still divide into groups, but all the groups would be in or near snake city. That way the PCs are all close to each other and also close to the dwarves should any of the groups run into trouble.

It is likely that our wizard has 2 gaseous form spells or perhaps an invisibility sphere. We also have one scroll of invisibility and the chameleon ring.

Here is what I suggest:

1. Select a group of the most powerful party members to deal with the snakemen inside the temple. Limit the number of this group to however many we can make into gaseous form plus 2 more PCs using the ring and scroll.

The two members with gaseous form get inside the temple behind the snakemen and snakewoman. The other two with the ring and invisibility wait just outside near an entrance or windows. As the two PCs outside enter the temple, the other two with gaseous form materialize inside and we all attack simulataneously. I suggest the two inside focus on taking out the snake woman first, then move to the snake men. We can also partially plug our ears with wax and cotton balls I carry since it seemed that the sound of the snakewoman's prayers hurt us.

2. The other PCs (not in the temple attack) will divide up with the dwarves and attack the snake village from different directions at approximately the same time. If we come in from different directions it should be confusing and also help to ensure that no snakemen or proud gets out to awaken the other snakemen who are in hibernation. This way each group of dwarves is also lead by a PC to add some punch to their attack.

We can still set the crops on fire as a diversion and to lure alot of the proud into the main ambush at the bridge near the city. This would be the signal for the attack to begin on the snake city from different directions by smaller groups of dwarves and also inside the temple by the small group of PCs.

Hopefully we gain surprise at the bridge in an ambush. Then the other smaller groups of dwarves can hear this battle and see the smoke and attack into the city from several different directions to ensure that none escape. (I think it is important to try to take out all the snakemen and proud in the city so that they cannot awaken the sleeping snakemen).

These two attack actions described above would be almost simultaneous. Then finally, those inside the temple could begin to attack the snake men who would likely be temporarily distracted by this noise and surprise them as well.

This plan keeps us all together at the same location, should give us surprise rounds of attack before initiative, strengthens the dwarven attack by having some PCs participate, and also takes out all or the bulk of our pursuers before we even leave.

I also favor setting up our escape route. Perhaps we could spend a day building a temporary rope bridge over the turtle river (we built them in boy scouts in a few hours). Then it is ready for us to cross, before it is needed. We can cross quickly without risk from the turtles. If we are pursued, then we can cut the rope bridge after crossing. I know that this adds a day to our plans, but it might come in handy if we are pursued. At the very least, we could have the materials for the bridge assembled to take with us and then spend the time at the turtle river near the cave to build it after the attacks (although this assumes that we are not pursued which is not a guarantee at all).

This type of rope bridge is built by cutting four trees. Tie them with rope into giant X shapes. Then anchor them into the ground, one on each side of the river. A main rope to walk on is placed in the groove of the X and tied to a tree on each side of the river to keep it taunt. Nearer to the top of each arm of the X smaller ropes are tied and are run across the river to be used like handrails. It is quick to build and easy to cross. (I know b/c even our most clumsy boyscouts easily crossed it).

Okay, this is just a starting point for these ideas. I imagine that we can refine this basic plan to work out the bugs. Please post your thoughts. By the way, it would be nice to have ranged weapon fire in the dwarven hands (but I do not remember mention of bows - perhaps slings?).

For sure, Kelly will want to be one of the PCs going into the temple. He has the highest armor class, most hit points, good attack statistics, spells, and it is his diety that sent him here to collect the shard broken off of his diety's sword long ago. So count me as one of the PCs going in to the temple to recover the artifact that my diety sent me here to get.


PS: Last game session seems like it was bogged down, but actually all that discussion of various ideas was very helpful toward constructing this plan. It actually was like how a real life plan evolves.

[aaronp]

I thought this was a really good session. I really enjoyed the RP and was sad I had to leave early.

I think Kelly's plan is solid and well worked out and we should try to implement it.

I can use 2 gaseous forms, but I am going to lose my lightning bolt and haste, 2 spells that can really have a huge impact on battle(especially a hasted Palai). But we can work around that.

Now the key point becomes who goes into the temple.

I was personally thinking myself and Palai. Because Palai can do some heavy damage. And we realy need to take out the snake-woman fast.
Once Palai and I are inside, I can try to confuse everything with a combination of color spray/hypnotic pattern/ glitterdust and web. Plus grease on any major magic items such as a staff. These are all things that can help Palai get in positon for a major wallop.

Now if Kelly goes in, I have a second strategy which is try to get to the door as soon as possible- Summon a monster with the scroll I have, and rush in for battle. Grease and hypnotic pattern have reasonable ranges, so this may be an effective strategy.
If I am fighting the Proud, I cant see myself being that effective outside of a web spell or flaming sphere-doing so so damage. So to be effective, I am going to need to get into the temple really quickly.
Also a successful sneak attack by an invisible Endil might give us the edge we need. Possibly Kelly can distract the serpentmen? But Im not sure sending Kelly in first, as much as I love him, will be as effective as a Palai-Endil or Turjan-Palai, Turjan-Endil attack, mainly because of spell effects.
maybe 2 of my spells and some bad saving throws(like the grease against the night ghouls) could have some devastating effects against our opponents.

What do you think?
As always, couldnt be with a better group of adventurers! Lets get these guys.

Turjan

[aaronp]

After further thought, I think I should charge in through the door with one other member(further research on my spell areas of effect tells me it I can still use most of my disruption spells coming through the door).
Now the gaseous form spells I have-defenitley Palai should be one of them-he might have to charge for three rounds before reaching the serpent woman, so the gaseous form should give us a tactical advantage.
So Palai and Kelly?

Turjan

[aaronp]

by the way,
by 2 going into the temple, I meant in gaseous form, not going in through door/window/etc.

[Kelly]

Kelly will want to go into the temple. The sole reason for being here is that his diety specifically charged him with recovering the sword shard artifact. I have been suffering penalties until "I" recover the artifact.

Plus the inside of the temple is likely to be a slugfest and very difficult. I am the most survivable PC, plus the only one who can heal the massive wounds we are likely to take inside.

I do not have to be in gaseous form necessarily, but will want to be one of the ones that is fighting in the temple and the one who actually should take possession of the shard. It is charged with the energy of my diety, so there is no telling how it might affect a non-follower of Corean.

Besides my attacks at +10 to hit, my 77 hitpoints and my AC of 23, I also bring some powerful spells to the party (in addition to healing). Spiritual Weapon, Prayer, Searing Light (3d8) and Summon Monster I - IV. Several of these spells or their conjurations can act independent of my other actions to add extra attackers to the battle, and of course prayer will help to aid us in the battle inside the temple.

If I use the ring or scroll of invisibility, I can also cast certain protection spells as needed for the two of us going into the temple from the outside. Aid (7 minutes), Shield of Faith (+3 to AC - 7 minutes), and Resistance (+1 saves - 1 minute).

Just as a note, taking a day to build the bridge over the turtle river should not cause a delay. All of the spellcasters need this day to recover or realign their spells anyway.

Also I plan to pray to Corean to grant me my domain spells for this attack. Since it is solely to recover the artifact for him, it might just happen. This will add extra spells to my repetoire such as Burning Hands (5d4), Spiritual Weapon or Produce Flame, Magic Vestment making someone's armor +2, and Wall of Fire in case of emergency.

[Hussar]

Thanks for the thanks aaron. I was worried that people were bored/frustrated. heh. Nice to see things worked out.

[Hussar]

The dwarves have a collection of spears, axes, sickles, and clubs. They also have a fair number of suits of leather jerkins. Certainly enough for everyone. When you ask, they tell you that dinosaurs come into the village from time to time, so the Proud and the Snakemen allow them to keep weapons. Most are warriors of some skill, but not a lot. They look miserable, but, being dwarves, they are still a pretty hardy lot. You can count on 35 combat ready dwarves, plus another 10 who could fight in a pinch, but are not all that strong due to age.

As to your question, no, they don't have slings. Sling stones are not terribly useful against dinosaurs. Spears are far more useful.

You probably could rig up a bridge across the river without too much difficulty. You also probably don't need the dwarves help to do so. They could cover your path for you. Walking overtop to confuse your scent.