The Storm - OOC

[Benedict]

Yeah, it would be best to play this final scene together with Stempest. But as he has not logged for more than two weeks...

Guess time is limited. No sweat.

I don't know, maybe someone else on the forums would like to take control over Karl? If not, you will play Karl.

That would be a good idea. If none is interested I have no problem at all playing Karl, after all I have the stats. But let's give Stempest 1-2 weeks first if its ok with all.

in this scene I wanted to involve Karl more

Yes, I fear Ruthard has monopolized the whole thing for quite some time and I hate it when I monopolize things. Unfortunately this can easily happen in PbP games, especially when time is limited. Anyway, let's wait for now.

[Korbel]

Anyway, let's wait for now.

You know what? Let's continue and see what happens. If we confront a situation where you will have to make a decision, we will wait for Stempest for another week or so, hopefully he will be able to make a single decision or point a general direction of Karl's actions. And if there is fighting, we will probably let you or someone else take control over Karl, do some rolling etc.

[Marras]

Well, I have had a lot of fun with Hans at the early part of the game and I don't feel bad that Ruthard has been in a spotlight recently. Besides Hans has seen a lot of action, too.

So, we have 5 people in one room armed to teeth and then there are us. Hans really doesn't like the idea of frontal assault. Any ideas?

[Korbel]

There are six opponents, not five. Three guards, captain, knight with another guard.
Captain has got a bardiche, not a halberd. Edited my mistake.
If you can help it, dont talk OOC, making plans. If you want to, speak in-game.

[Marras]

OK.

Just to make sure I got this right. There are 4 people on the same "level" as we are. The knight plus one guard are on a some sort of balcony. All of them has seen us. Are there stairs visible that lead to that "balcony"?

[Korbel]

No, they are only slightly elevated. Two steps up and youre on the dais. Something like this:

[Benedict]

Just to make sure I got this right. There are 4 people on the same "level" as we are. The knight plus one guard are on a some sort of balcony. All of them has seen us. Are there stairs visible that lead to that "balcony"?

I think its 5 people total. Three guards in front, spear and shield, ready to receive a charge (really, how does that play?), behind them the captain with his polearm, and behind them all the lord clad in plate, correct?

Now I have a serious question:

Calmly he replaces his weapons, wraps the severed head in a torn curtain and ties the grizzly trophy to his belt, sets fire to the room, and sword in hand, carefully gets out of the room.

What about that fire?

[Korbel]

I think its 5 people total.

No no no, six total! Four guards (3 in front, 1 with knight), captain, knight himself
Basically, at the start lord Erich had 10 guards. Four of them where beaten outside, two - when dealing with Georgius... so, there are FOUR left

ready to receive a charge (really, how does that play?)

Hmm, what I mean is, they're ready to fight, but not advancing. Waiting for the attack.
Mechanically, if we come to skirmish, I believe we could assume they have laid an ambush and when anyone charges, they can attack? If this makes sense for you.

What about that fire?

I assume the fire will need some more time to spread and become an obvious threat. I rolled some Perception for your opponents, they might or might not be aware of the fire.

[Benedict]

Mechanically, if we come to skirmish, I believe we could assume they have laid an ambush and when anyone charges, they can attack? If this makes sense for you.

Well, Ambush doesn't work that way I think.

AMBUSH
One character gets a drop on another, whether by sneaking up on them or attacking unseen.

LAY AMBUSH
Get into position to ambush a target. Designate a kill zone for your ambush, which can be as small as a single door frame, or as wide as an alleyway.

If you’re using a melee weapon, it is a matter of taking a position and waiting. When the target moves into the nominated area, you may immediately initiate melee with them before they have the chance to finish their action.

In essence if we attempt anything else than attacking while entering their designated Kill Zone they attack before we finish our action.

If I read the rules correctly we are in Short range (Short: Anything happening in halls, narrow streets, or courtyards. Longest practical distance for thrown weapons. 7-25 yards). So I guess they can't attack us *yet*. Unless they drop their defensive stance.

Our best bet is to adopt a defensive stance as well and goad them.

[Korbel]

If you’re using a melee weapon, it is a matter of taking a position and waiting. When the target moves into the nominated area, you may immediately initiate melee with them before they have the chance to finish their action.

Yes, that's what I was thinking about.

If I read the rules correctly we are in Short range (Short: Anything happening in halls, narrow streets, or courtyards. Longest practical distance for thrown weapons. 7-25 yards).

Yup, the range is SHORT.

So I guess they can't attack us *yet*. Unless they drop their defensive stance.

Hmm, technically they could use their spears as improvised thrown weapons. Or something like what Marras did: close the distance and than throw, using Run and Gonne. Nice move, under certain conditions.

[Benedict]

Hmm, technically they could use their spears as improvised thrown weapons. Or something like what Marras did: close the distance and than throw, using Run and Gonne. Nice move, under certain conditions.

Well, by all means, please do. That would be the worst mistake of their (soon to be shorter) lives.

[Korbel]

Probably yes, but what if one of the spears hits Hilde or Otto?
Anyway, they're not doing anything like that. Just waiting.

[Stempest]

Hi folks, I'm alive. I had been watching along (not every day unfortunately) but had been leaving Karl's combat actions to Benedict, and as it's been mostly combat, haven't really had much to say. (As established, I just don't have the time to participate in detailed combat unless you want to take 3 months to resolve it).

As it appears more combat is about to ensue, I'm happy for Karl's combat actions to be dictated by others, Benedict again, or Korbel (or Marras if he wants, whoever). It's the same old story, Karl is an efficient and conservative fighter, seeking to draw attention and allow others to strike the blows.

[Korbel]

Everything is clear now. So, how do you guys respond? Lord Erich asked a question. Or do you charge? Something else?

[Marras]

Sorry for taking so long to respond, things have been surprisingly hectic for a while.

I'll let Ruthard to answer something snappy as I see this mainly as his scene. Hans's time comes, if it come and should he survive this one.