Foul Portents

Vozz tries to figure out where they are on the actual map and the proximity of the "hidden danger" he found earlier.

Roll(1d20)+2:
15,+2
Total:17

if Investigation +3 = 20

if Insight or Astrology +2 = 19

Ali laughs laboriously at Vozz's joke, waving his arms as if to encourage others to laugh as well, "see? is cultural exchange!"

"Good idea Mighty Tungo! I will find a high place to keep watch.". Ali shimmys up a tree in the high rocks and uses his spyglass to look for where the next beacon pyre might be.

As Vozz returns to group, he passes by the Gnollish corpse yet again. The Seerstone reverberates in the same manner.

Try as he might, Vozz cannot seem to reconcile the map's symbols and scale with the realities of terrain and distance.

Perhaps a more experienced outdoorsman might be better able to orient the party towards the objective...

*Edit for 5e language*

Chris wrote:Vozz tries to figure out where they are on the actual map and the proximity of the "hidden danger" he found earlier.

Roll(1d20)+2:
15,+2
Total:17

if Intelligence +3 = 20

if Wisdom +2 = 19

+2 more if any skill like Investigation, Insight or Astrology apply

MAS wrote:As Vozz returns to group, he passes by the Gnollish corpse yet again. The Seerstone reverberates in the same manner.

Try as he might, Vozz cannot seem to reconcile the map's symbols and scale with the realities of terrain and distance.

Perhaps a more experienced outdoorsman might be better able to orient the party towards the objective...

If a 19-20 can't read a map, everyone must wander around lost a lot in 5e  

Vozz hands the map to Tungo and Ronan, "See if you can make heads or tails of this thing"

Vozz takes out the Seerstone and approaches the gnoll corpse again.  Let me know if there is something I should roll.

Tungo will get up from crawling around on all fours, looking for gnoll tracks, and examine the map with Vozz and Ronan.

Ali Abbas Uz Amirr is comfortable in a tree-top. He thinks he is getting the hang of the spyglass. The last time he got his hands on one, he tested it out on a wealthy merchant's harem garden. He didn't get to use it very long that evening. Now he knows that reflections off of the lens can give him away. He carefully keeps a hand over the top of the lens to damper the sunlight.

Ali looks all around for... Wait, what is that?!?! Oh, it's just a rock. What about that?

If a 19-20 can't read a map, everyone must wander around lost a lot in 5e

It's not the roll, its the skill being used. Survival is used for navigation. That is what I was trying to communicate - the map itself makes perfect sense to Vozz, but he doesn't have the outdoors skills to reconcile the map with what he has been seeing around him.

---

Guys, if you are taking an action that you know is going to require a roll - for example, tracking or peering from the top of a tree, go ahead and include the roll in your post.

Tungo, make a tracking roll to track

Alli, make a perception roll.

---

Vozz drops the map in frustration. The pictures make sense but the wilderness doesnt seem to match in any way consistent way!

He focuses his efforts on the Seerstone instead...

Arcana roll, Vozz

MAS wrote:
He focuses his efforts on the Seerstone instead...

Arcana roll, Vozz

Arcana
Roll(1d20)+0:
5,+0
Total:5

INT +3, prof +2

total = 10

Sorry.

Ali perception:

18+5=23

Back on track. I was incorrect in my interpretation of the rules.

Pg 174 of the PHB pdf =

"For every ability check, the DM decides which of the six
abilities is relevant"

As long as the skill you propose to use falls under the relevant ability, you can make an attempt. If you have the specific skill called for, you are eligible to use your proficiency bonus =

"Sometimes, the DM might ask for an ability check
using a specific skill—for example, “Make a Wisdom
(Perception) check.” At other times, a player might ask
the DM if proficiency in a particular skill applies to a
check. In either case, proficiency in a skill means an
individual can add his or her proficiency bonus to ability
checks that involve that skill. Without proficiency in the
skill, the individual makes a normal ability check."

I would have found that if I wouldn't have been in a hurry. Pretty distracted getting ready for the big show in 2 weeks. Lets drive on!

RETCON:

Vozz gets his bearings on the party's objective (he estimates it is about 2 hours ahead) then Tungo and Ronan search the area for additional signs of Gnollish presence.

In an idle moment, Vozz tries to focus his will on the Seerstone, but he is unable to elicit any response but a lone "gong" when nearing a corpse.  He can sense the power within it, but cannot exert seem to exert any control over it.

A set of tracks are discovered wandering further northeast from the sight. Their path runs in same direction of the party's intended path!

Ali scans the horizon from his perch in the tree top. Although the day is bright and clear, there is a haze of smoke hanging above the canopy several miles in the distance. Not the same kind of smoke that would have been produced from the signal fire that the party was lucky to have extenguished, but the kind that lingers in the presence of many smaller fires...

"Tungo say we must keep stealthy. There may be large party of dogfolk ahead."

Vozz would agree with anything the brute said at this point out of fear, but he has a good point. Vozz tells Ronan about the gong vibrations and his lack of any further understanding of the Seerstone.

"You want to try?" he whispers, though he isn't sure why

Ali scampers down from the tree.  "I am thinking is good for you to have Ali Abbas Uz Amirr with you.  I find dogmen army.  Many small campfires... That way, several  miles.  Maybe we bury bodies in rocks and fix the wood pile? Cover our tracks?"

Tungo nods in agreement. "We create diversion. I can make a false trail leading off in the opposite direction. Then come back and meet up with you. Together, we sneak into gnoll camp."

Vozz timidly suggests, "What if we ignite their signal fire? They will be looking for it and come running. Maybe we can make some kind of trap for them..... or set an ambush..... or even just use it as a distraction to clear out some of their camp? It would test their response time and level of force too. We just need to be far enough away when we light the pile."

Just checking to let you know I am here, still digging the RP - keep it up till the party has a plan...for as long as you dare take!

MAS wrote:Just checking to let you know I am here, still digging the RP - keep it up till the party has a plan...for as long as you dare take!

Vozz looks about nervously, "Uh... maybe we should get moving... sooner is better"

Sorry guys. I've been out of town for a few days.


Did we ever figure out the map? Ronan takes a look.

Survival roll: 11+5=16

"Okie dokie, so either we are leaving "Art" up there for the dogmen's viewing pleasure, in which case we might as well light the fire and watch them respond from hiding closer to their camp, OR we are burying "Art" with... Most of his friend and making it look like they deserted their post to keeping sneaking around?"

"Tungo say let the filthy dogmen come to us! We leave Tungo's art up as warning. We make fire. Then when they see it they come to us. We ambush them! Or we draw them away from their larger camp and with distraction, we enter stealthful-like." He smiles. "Tungo can also make and set traps around here to bind them."

"Those gnolls were pretty tough, so I vote for whichever plan means we fight fewer of them at a time." Vozz looks about nervously again, "I wonder how much.... err.... how quickly can you set up some traps, Tungo?"

"No need to worry about building traps. I can call upon the earth and plants to trap any who approach."

"maybe we make little fire? Make them curious?"

Ok then! The party's plan is to prepare the area with traps and such, then light the signal fire?

What specific preparations will be made, and how long will you work before lighting the fire?

"we set ambush along the path we found from wood pile to army camp.  Ali Abbas Uz Amirr mark out 3/4 of short bow range to ambush and keep watch from hiding there." I will give a number for the range shortly.

Range 80'. Ali will post up as close to 60' as he can.

Vozz doesn't want to hide alone, but he doesn't want to be up front with Ali. Vozz looks for a spot about 90-100ft from the wood pile, so he can ignite it from range with his Firebolt. Hopefully Ronan or Tungo want to hide nearby as well.

MAS wrote:

Map for reference...

DM, which direction do the gnoll tracks come from? That info hinges on our strategy. Is it around F-24 area?

"Tungo offer to take position in the area surrounded by boulders. Tungo stay hiding first, then spring out! There are a few choke points Tungo can cover... Ronan help Tungo, use his druid magic to trap and entangle the dogfolk.

"Tungo have one bear-trap. He can set at one of the choke points. (If we think we have time,) Tungo can dig a pit at one of the choke points too. Set sharp spikes in bottom.

"Ali and Vozz light fire. They hide and cover that position. We all hide, at least at first... if we are over run, we should recollect by the river. On the south side of it, going east, past the briars."

1) Ali and Vozz find suitable hiding places.
2) Yes, the tracks wind northwest from the camp near F/24.
3) It will take 30 minutes to dig and construct a 5 sq. foot pit trap
4) Bonus points to Rob for solid US Army Ranger style patrol tactics. The patrol leader will establish easily recognizable rally points while on the move, and will always designate a fallback/rally position prior to executing an ambush or assault. Hooah!

Again - Exactly how long will the party take to prepare before lighting the fire?

DM's expertise must be wearing off on me. Or maybe all the years in Boy Scouts  

Tungo gets to work digging a pit at K-18 with one of the looted spears. He digs into the dirt with his hands too, if the soil is loose enough. Then he sets a dozen pointed wooden spikes at the bottom, sharpened with his hand axe. He covers the opening with some tinder and leaves.

Tungo sets his bear trap M-11. He will hide at N-19.

Maybe Ronan can cover the choke point at R-17.

But I think we need a lure... Does Ronan or Vozz have any spells (cantrips,illusions) that will help draw the gnolls inside the boulders? It would suck if they decide to go around. Of course once they fall in the trap and Tungo springs out, they may try to come after him. Maybe.

I think our preparations shouldn't go longer than an hour. 40 minutes would be better.

"I can make a static illusion somewhere, but I would need to maintain concentration on it. Maybe an injured gnoll?"

"Hmm. Tungo intrigued by Ali's plan. Wants to hear more.

"Tungo thinks a barrier is best. Or some alteration of the terrain, either natural or illu'shionary, in which to funnel the enemies into the kill zone."

"I duna know with dogmen what is best. Ali Abbas Uz Amirr always with merchant's guards trick them to... Overextend. They see possible threat and approach carefully, focusing on the threat, I am already behind them.". Ali demonstrates with rocks and a stick. "Guards see fallen tree ahead. They sneaking up to tree looking for ambush, but Ali Abbas Uz Amirr is already back here waiting for them to separate their group. They usually leave gold in back with laborers."

"Killing dogmen, maybe is still good to separate them, but maybe Tungo is on path with us but kiddo is making a threat near fire to make dogmen unguarded?"

"Ali say we fell tree on them? That could work. Tungo can help... Should we set fire to trees? Hmm.

Vozz make good plan too. When a dogfolk becomes injured, Vozz put 'lusion on him, then his own comrades attack him. Ha-ha!"

The goliath chuckles then, appreciating his comrades' talents and anticipation of the oncoming battle  His warrior's blood begins boiling.

Keep rolling guys. You've got till tomorrow evening to finish plans and preparations...then we move on.

Ronan will hide in the thicket around T-14. My plan is to cast Entangle on whichever area the gnolls seem to approach from (which is the nice part of using a spell vs. a trap). You guys can soften them up with ranged attacks once they're caught.

DM: I do have the Stalker feat from my astrological sign, so I can hide in light cover and attack without giving away my position.

Vozz will hide somewhere around Q-9, where ever GM thinks he has the best cover with a clear LoS to the wood pile and the trap zone.

Vozz will unload some items from his pack.  He learned that adding physical elements to an illusion greatly increases its authenticity.  Vozz will set up his bedroll and camping supplies near the center of the clearing O-13 to make campsite.  "Anyone got a tent?  Maybe that will take their attention....."

New thread tomorrow night gents. In true and respectable fashion, I sure wasn't expecting you guys doing this!

I-14 for Ali. Up in the bushy crevices between the rocks. Spyglass in hand until they get close. Then the bow.

Tungo crouches, has new bow in hand, arrow nocked. He thinks it fitting the weapon will be tested on filthy dogmen. His spear and javelins are handy, and his axes hang at his side. The barbarian is confident great Gorm will smile upon him when all the blood starts flowing. Violence is the ultimate offering to the patron of battle.

Tungo listens to the ground, sensing who is coming and how many.