Machines of War

[INWranger]

The guards at the roadblock were shot dead and two riders rode past them. If you want me to I can start tracking them down, but something is going down.

[madtinker]

Rode past them? As in, riding this way? To his steward, Call out the guard, ten men on the oldshire road.

[INWranger]

Unless you have other instructions I will get back out there and try to intercept them.

[madtinker]

Yes, why don't you do that? If you head a little up the road you may catch them before they get here, and my men will clean up whatever you can't manage.

[INWranger]

Equip the shortbow and get on after them, trying to find them. Go straigh towards where I saw them last using the road.

[madtinker]

Make a spot check

DM only

Spoiler

Show

the short guy (1d20+14)[26]
the other guy(1d20+15)[19]

[INWranger]

spot check
(1d20+4)[20]

[madtinker]

About a half mile up the road, you catch sight of something crouching in the brush just off the road, but in the dark you can't tell exactly what it is.

[INWranger]

Slow my horse down and get out my short bow. Then get an arrow ready and go forward slowly until I can see what it is, which should be about 120 feet.

[madtinker]

You didn't notice it until you were already right next to it. It's ten feet away to your left.

[INWranger]

Well scratch that plan then. Draw my shortbow and tell it to come out or I will shoot it.

[madtinker]

sneak attack - (1d20+5)[22]damage - (1d10)[7]sneak damage - (2d6)[10]

An arrow or crossbow bolt goes thunk - right into your back, for 17 damage. It came from behind you. roll initiative.

[INWranger]

Initiative
(1d20+4)[9]
As soon as it is my turn, get out of there. Turn around and lets the coming men know what is going on, as well as chug a couple of healing potions. Good thing I never got off my horse.

[madtinker]

init 1 (1d20+2)[17]
init 2 (1d20+4)[12]

[madtinker]

From the darkness behind you, you hear a shout "Kill him!" and the cranking of a crossbow. From in front of you, attack - (1d20+7)[14] (1d10)[6]. Your turn.

[INWranger]

Turn my horse around and get out of there as fast as I can. Move my horse out flat out running until i can get away.

[madtinker]

On your horse you easily outstrip your assailants.

[INWranger]

Chug all three healing potions I have and find the mayor, the guards, or at least a sergeant with a squad and see if they will follow me to find my assailants. This time try to sneak up on them, or at least not get shot right off.

[madtinker]

At the entrance to town you find the ten men stationed there by the mayor. The sergeant in charge seems reluctant to leave the post he was ordered to occupy.

[INWranger]

Warn them that there is trouble coming for sure. Tell them to make sure they can't be surprised, or shot from a distance. Then see if I can find the mayor. I won't try to pull someone off their post without authority.

[madtinker]

You find the mayor in the front room of his house, with the captain of the guard and a few lieutenants.

[INWranger]

I found at least three of them up the road. They strike me as organized professionals. and had an ambush set up. I took a nasty hit and got out of there. Show him the crossbow bolt Jaster got hit with.

[madtinker]

You again. He turns in your direction. Soldiers are ALWAYS organized professionals. He turns back to his men. You heard him. No one is to walk into any kind of ambush.

The captain of the guard nods in agreement. Then we'll hold our positions. You (pointing at a lieutenant) take a squad of archers up this ridge and flank the road.

The lieutenant salutes and leaves. The mayor, satisfied that the town is defended as much as it can be, dismisses the others.

You may accompany the archers if you wish. Otherwise stay to guard the road.

[INWranger]

Go with the archers. To the lieutenant: If you have an idea of where you need me put me there. Otherwise, I will go just far enough ahead that we don't get all caught at once.
Are the archers on foot? If they are, I am leaving my horse at a secure spot in town while I go on foot with them.

[madtinker]

The archers are on foot, and the lieutenant agrees with you being on point. You lead the archers (about six of them) up steep incline to a spot above the road. By now the moon is setting, and it is getting darker still. By the starlight you have a clear view of the road. The lieutenant signals a halt at your current position, about thirty yards off the road. The soldiers crouch in an attempt to hide.

[INWranger]

I am going to move up a little and see if I can get them to come to us, or at least see where they are at, unless you have an objection. If not here is the plan. If so, I stay put with you.
Keep moving up the ridge until I am above where I was ambushed. Hide and move silently avoiding being skylined on the ridge. If they are close, light them up with some alchemists fire.
Assuming he says yes:

Spoiler

Show

hide
(1d20+14)[23]
move silently
(1d20+9)[11]
spot
(1d20+4)[21]

[madtinker]

The lieutenant narrows his eyes. Orders are orders. You're sitting still or you'll be a pin cushion.

[INWranger]

Well you are in charge so I best do what you say.
Non- threateningly get out the longbow.

[INWranger]

and take a good look around
Spot
(1d20+4)[19]

[madtinker]

DM only

Spoiler

Show

hide checks for the two men on the road.

short guy - (1d20+14)[30]
other guy - (1d20+15)[35]