Quote from: wrymspear;880077(Assuming he is too far from the camp for the others to see any of this)
Esgalán marks the cave entry in his mind--planning to return later--then quickly estimates whether he could make it back to warn the others ahead of the wolf riders.
 
If it seems plausible he can forewarn the company, he immediately runs back to do so.  If the wolf riders come within bowshot on this dash, Esgalán takes advantage of his ability to fire on the move to harry them as he goes.

If there seems no hope that he can reach the company in time, he instead plans a route behind, alongside, or to intercept the wolf riders in order to harry them with bow shot. Perhaps he can draw a couple of them off?

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OOC:

If it comes to exchanging missiles then, because I'm assuming my guy has the same move rate as a mounted giant wolf (12") and can shoot on the move, my elf will aim to maintain approximately a medium range elf-bow shot between himself and the wolf riders.

Also, I don't think I posted this anywhere, but can we presume my guy has memorised a Sleep spell for this adventure?

It is three miles to the camp site, making it doubtful that a burdened wolf could move at full speed the whole distance. Likely they will hit a dog trot (pun intended) for the early and mid leg of the ride, so if you moved quite rapidly you could conceivably beat them there by a bit. Though doing this would be quite fatiguing. As to the sleep spell, I just assume sleep is a default spell for 1st level M-U's, ha.

Quote from: Spinachcat;880385Grunhilda, who has been shadowing Esgalan in the search for concealed passages, is disturbed by the news of the goblin riders, but not surprised. As her only missile weapon is her daggers, she opts to keep her hand axes ready instead for close combat.

She is concerned Esgalan's bowshots may draw the goblins upon her and him, she is unsure how they can make any unified attack with the Humans from the camp.

[OCC - I am a bit confused on ranges here. How much space is there between the goblins and the camp and us?]

There is three miles between the goblin hidey hole and the camp site, you are currently perhaps forty or so feet from the goblins who seem oblivious to your presence. The area is rough terrain with a decent amount of vegetation so it would be easy enough to conceal your presence from an un-alert foe.

OOC: Distance matters!

IC: Arranges tea cups and pickle dish in an aesthetically fetching manner. It's all about the tension between distances... :cool:

"Oh, I do hope he shows one day. I might even get a regular commision!"

Grunhilda quietly and swiftly hides deep into the vegetation. Many things may be happening today, but her dying ain't one of them. She hopes the Elf will hide with her instead of getting himself killed, but she is not waiting to see what he does. The fey may be immortal, but Dwarfs get one shot at this life.

Once the wolves have passed for some time (when they are beyond halfway to the Man camp), Grunhilda will approach the goblin hidey hold.

(Sorry for my late reply things have been rather hectic at work lately)

Esgalan sets out at full tilt, still out of sight of the riders he manages to stay hidden while quickly outpacing them. They seem to think they have the jump so to this point they are moving at a moderate pace.

The elf arrives to the camp site with a few minutes to spare. The riders can't be seen yet due to the rough terrain.


Meanwhile Grunhilda has moved in on the goblin tunnel. After the riders left someone replaced the entry way and now it appear for all the world to simply be the side of a grassy hillock. However her dwarvish eye for stone work and earthwork reveals to here that is simply a carved stone plate with an outer facade. It could likely be budged with a pry bar and some effort.

(Elvish)
"Wolf riders come!" Esgalán reports tersely to Sanders (and whomever else can understand). "Get this rabble into a fighting line, and prepare missiles and spears!"

Esgalán himself prepares to fire on the trot as the wolves come, and to move behind the fighting line.

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OOC: We must take advantage of a) missile fire, and then b) setting spears against their charge.  Under no circumstance does Esgalan desire to get involved in any melee!  If it starts to go south, Esgalan will use his sleep spell.

Sander readies his crossbow and repeats Esgalan's orders (in the Common language, of course, for not all are versed in the Elvish tongue). "Right! Random and Bill! Get behind me and ready your missiles! Everyone else ready your shields! I'll help you hold the front line. Don't spread out, don't let them pass charges between us! We'll show these goblins the strength of our arms and our hearts!"

Ok... Bill tags along and, once a skirmish site has been determined, prepares to lay down some withering bow-fire.

(you ARE seeing my posts, yes?)

Random sets himself with mace and shield and a lot of praying

"Dill gherkins or cornichons? Whatever shall I do?" :hmm:

Quote from: wrymspear;881398(Elvish)
"Wolf riders come!" Esgalán reports tersely to Sanders (and whomever else can understand). "Get this rabble into a fighting line, and prepare missiles and spears!"

Esgalán himself prepares to fire on the trot as the wolves come, and to move behind the fighting line.

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OOC: We must take advantage of a) missile fire, and then b) setting spears against their charge.  Under no circumstance does Esgalan desire to get involved in any melee!  If it starts to go south, Esgalan will use his sleep spell.

Quote from: mindcontrolsquid;881413Sander readies his crossbow and repeats Esgalan's orders (in the Common language, of course, for not all are versed in the Elvish tongue). "Right! Random and Bill! Get behind me and ready your missiles! Everyone else ready your shields! I'll help you hold the front line. Don't spread out, don't let them pass charges between us! We'll show these goblins the strength of our arms and our hearts!"

Quote from: Werekoala;881418Ok... Bill tags along and, once a skirmish site has been determined, prepares to lay down some withering bow-fire.

(you ARE seeing my posts, yes?)

After a few moments the riders come into view, they are approaching from the east and are at a full charge. They will reach you in two turns, you have the initiative due to Esgalan's warning. Of the brothers John will take his place in the line hand axe and shield ready, Jem has placed himself forward a bit readying his sling to fire leaving his club on his hip for the moment.


(Werekoala the last post I see for you was the 21st. Is there some I have missed?)

Esgalán takes full advantage of the distance they must cover, sending a hail of arrows to intercept them on their approach.

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OOC: If they are out of range during our missile segment of the first turn, Esgalán will move 6" nearer, fire once, then move back 6". Otherwise he will stand fast where he is in order to fire twice.

In the second turn, they will presumably be in range during our missile segment, so he will stand fast (behind the line!) in order to fire twice.

Bill aims for the lead wolf in the pack, hoping to take it down (or at least cause it to stumble), slowing charge as the other riders maneuver around the fallen(-ing) wolf.

(If we don't have any more replies by the morning I will go ahead and advance the situation further.)

Sander will fire his crossbow at the closest goblin-rider.

Grunhilda studies the carved stone plate. The goblins don't pry it open. They are weak, stunted and lazy. There must be another method they use without force. She carefully searches the area seeking how the ugly runtlings open the door, keeping one axe in hand at all times.  As she begins her search, Grunhilda oddly gets a sudden and mighty hunger for cornichons.