River's Edge engagement [two] - Round 4

[Eclecticon]

Situation: Moving along the river's edge, the companions come upon the other half of the orc raiders who were not caught unawares.

Combat Advantage dice:
• Arbogast 1d
• Grimbeorn 1d
• Hathcyn 2d

Situation Modifiers:
• The orcs have initiative

Physical Modifiers (complications):
• combat near the river's edge may be hampered due to mud - all PC's will give me an Athletics roll at the beginning of combat. On a failure, they will suffer a -2 penalty to their PARRY rating.

Esgalwen failed (-2 to Parry)

PC/NPC		PARRY		ARMOUR		HOPE		END		STANCE
Arbogast Esgalwen Grimbeorn Hathcyn		6 (Shield +3) 6/9 (in Close) [-2] 4 (Shield +4) 7	• • • •	2d (helm +3) 1d (helm n/a) 2d (helm n/a) 2d (helm n/a)	• • • •	14/16 14/14 8/12 10/13	• • • •	5/26 WOUNDED, WEARY 15/27 18/31 7/29 WOUNDED, WEARY	• • • •	defensive defensive defensive defensive

ENEMY		PARRY		ARMOUR		HATE		END		NOTES
Orc cheiftain Orc 1 Orc 2 Orc 3 Orc 4 Orc 5 Orc 6 Orc 7 (archer) Orc 8 (archer) Orc 9 (archer)	• • • • • • • • • •	4 (+2 shield) 4 (+2 shield) 4 (+2 shield) 4 (+2 shield) 4 (+2 shield) 4 (+2 shield) 4 (+2 shield) 2 2 2	• • • • • • • • • •	3d 2d 2d 2d 2d 2d 2d 2d 2d 2d	• • • • • • • • • •	3/5 2/3 0/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 0/3 0/1 0/1 0/1	• • • • • • • • • •	6/25 11/16 0/16 0/16 0/16 0/16 0/16 8/8 8/8 8/8	• • • • • • • • • •	v Grimbeorn v Arbogast DEAD DEAD DEAD DEAD DEAD fleeing fleeing fleeing

STANCES
Forward - action order 1 Close combat TN 6+ parry Forward Stance maneuvers		Open - action order 2 Close combat TN 9+ parry Open Stance maneuvers		Defensive - action order 3 Close combat TN 12+ parry Defensive Stance maneuvers		Rearward - action order 4 Ranged combat TN 12+ parry Rearward Stance maneuvers • Must be 2 other PC's in Close Combat • May not use if outnumbered 2:1		From any Stance Escape combat Must start in Rearward or roll TN 10 + highest attribute level of opponents Athletics roll. On success, may safely flee from the scene of combat

[tomcat]

Esgalwen could hear the heavy breathing of her companions as combat and wounds wore them down. What had started as a triumphant morning was fast becoming a fearful plight. She moved to defend either Arbogast or Hathcyn, as the orcs surged forward once more to press an attack.

But then the sun rose above the edge of the horizon and the river bloomed into a fiery orange. The once gloating orcs now wavered in their confidence - the archers giving a squeal and dropping their bows. The orc chieftain cried out at his craven allies, even as he moved on Grimbeorn.

The orc archers ran towards the crude boats that bobbed quietly in the river reeds.
Esgalwen is not taking a defend ally maneuver this round, even though my narrative above sounds like she is. More that she realizes that if she can kill their attackers, then the odds will change to the company's favor.

As for the orcs, the Archers have Hatred of Sunlight, which diminishes their by 1 per round they are exposed. Seeing as they have only 1 , they are reduced to 0 which causes their Craven trait to kick in and thus they flee, even as victory is close at hand for their side.

The remaining orcs attack...

[tomcat]

Orc attacks...

Orc soldiers and chieftain also are reduced by 1 each

orc axe
5   edge:   injury: 16

broad-bladed swords
5   edge: 10  injury: 14

Chieftain v Grimbeorn
TN 20 orc axe 3d

1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 3d6 : 4, 3, 5, total 12

Orc soldiers v...
TN by PC bent sword 3d

v Arbogast TN 21 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 3d6 : 5, 1, 3, total 9

v Hathcyn TN 19 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 3d6 : 1, 5, 2, total 8

[tomcat]

Their weak attack opened up opportunity, and the Dúnadan took advantage. She stabbed with Nimronyn in hopes of saving Hathcyn from further harm.
Esgalwen attacks...
TN 18 longsword 4d

1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 4d6 : 1, 6, 2, 6, total 15

11  edge: 4   injury: 18

[tomcat]

With that roll 19 , Esgalwen does 23 damage and causes a piercing blow [DEAD]

[Eclecticon]

I've gotta say, Esgalwen has really carried this one for us.

Also, and I'm prepared to be wrong here, is Hathcyn weary?  I thought Beornings didn't count as weary if they'd been wounded?

[Eclecticon]

As the momentarily makes the remaining orcs either squint or turn and flee, and yet another creature falls to Nimronyn, Arbogast sees his chance.  Stumbling as he darts forward, he seizes the Warden's Axe and holds it aloft in blood-slick fingers.  Though darkness gathered at the edge of his vision, he tries to find breath to cry out "on them, fellows of the Helm!  The light burns still!"


  trying for an Inspire...

1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 3d6 : 4, 4, 4, total 12

[tomcat]

I've gotta say, Esgalwen has really carried this one for us.

Also, and I'm prepared to be wrong here, is Hathcyn weary?  I thought Beornings didn't count as weary if they'd been wounded?

It helps that her weapon has an orc-bane! Yea, I forgot about Beorning an weariness.

[Eclecticon]

I was just about to declare a Hope spend to turn the roll into a success when I realised that weariness doesn't affect the Feat die, so it already was one. 

I probably need to get more sleep. 

[Telcontar]

  i had not forgotten, my rolls were all just craptastic.

[Telcontar]

Hathcyn seeing the sun rise struggles to stab once more with his spear.

Rolled 1d12 : 3, total 3

Rolled 3d6 : 4, 6, 6, total 16

[tomcat]

Nice roll, Tom!

[tomcat]

I will update the game tonight.

[Eclecticon]

Are we still waiting on Matt?

[GandalfOfBorg]

Heartened by the fleeing scum, Grimbeorn wades cautiously back in with the orc leader.  He gives a great slash but holds back a bit to help protect against further strikes.

 
Held back 2d for parry at end of last round.
 

Axes -  1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 3d6 : 6, 5, 6, total 17

Next round...
Stance: Defensive
Action: Defensive Strike