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Upon reaching a suitable tree Linar turns to face the nearest orc so that he's a step away from a sturdy (higher up branch) and the trunk will protect his back and cast Darkess 15'r, centered on a couple of foot in front of where he's stood.
If still able, the drow will silently pull out his longsword, stashing the longbow if possible too.

Stik wrote:Boyd stares at the orcs fleeing, and although this could be viewed as a victory of sorts, there's a good chance that the orcs will regroup and come back later, if for no other reason than to erase their shame. The need to be taken down.
Besides, he's frustrated at all the missed swings he's had so far. He needs to bag an orc today. He leans forward and drives Salem toward the nearest orc.

To Hit: [1d20+2] = 10+2 = 12, Damage (battle axe): [1d8+3] = 3+3 = 6

[OOC]
It's been a long day, so my math skills might be a bit suspect, but I think that the odds of Boyd missing five rounds in a row are about 12 to 1 against. Unseen Servant hates me! [/OOC]

Is the +2 modifier correct?

Dwarves get +1 to hit Orcs as a racial enemy.

You also get a +1 mounted bonus vs unmounted opponents? (Attacking from higher ground - table 51, PHB.)

DMG extract: (mounted combat) Fighting from Horseback
In mounted fighting, a character gets a +1 bonus to his chance to hit creatures smaller than his mount. Thus, a man on horseback gains a +1 bonus to his attack rolls against all medium-sized creatures such as other men, but would not gain this bonus against another rider or a giant. Those on foot who fight against a mounted rider, have a -1 penalty; this not applied to attacks against the mount, however.

Vanidur holds, keeping his weapon ready as his foe finally decides to withdraw from the combat. The leader continues to try to put distance between himself and the fierce combination of boar and dwarf. Boyd follows doggedly, snapping and goring and lunging at the chieftan wildly. The aggressive actions throw Boyd’s strike off just enough that his blade fails to draw blood yet again.

Linar stops abruptly, the orc next to him thrown off for an instant and passing him by. Stepping quickly to a nearby tree, he slings his bow over one shoulder and draws upon the magic trained deep over his lifetime in the darkness. Deep purple tendrils seep and weave out from his arms as he spreads them wide. Slapping his hands together with a loud CLAP! A pocket of absolute darkness springs to life a few feet away, enveloping the Drow and the base of the tree!

The orcs in pursuit roar towards the pitch-black area in a fury, swinging wildly but unable to land their weapons with the absence of light. Ducking and covering as best as he is able, Linar prepares himself.

With his opponent escaping, Vanidur quickly attends to his friend; tearing more strips of cloth to staunch the bleeding.

[Linar can could draw his longsword at the end of the round if he likes, but if he plans to try to catch the limb it might be better if his hands are free]
[Garroth is Stabilized!]
[Actions R7?]
=======
Initiative R6:
Vanidur (5): 5
O1: 5 (Leader. hide armor) weaponless, withdrawing
Linar (8+2 innate spell ability) : 10
O2: 10 (hide armor) weaponless, fled
Salem (9+3 natl attk): 12 [same base init with Boyd, diff modifier]
O5: 15 (axe and shield, std leather)
Boyd (9+7 axe): 16
O3: 16 (axe and shield, std leather)
O4: 17 (axe, hide armor) fled
Garroth: Down; Stabilized

Vanidur holds, waiting to determine if O4 will withdraw.

O1 continues to withdraw!

Liniar stops running and turns to a nearby tree!

O3 dex check [1d20] = 16, fail!
O3 doesn’t stop fast enough, no attack of opportunity!

Linar puts his bow away and casts Darkness 15’ radius! A sphere of darkness forms around the base of the tree!

O2 continues to withdraw!

Salem follows O1’s retreat and gores with his tusks! (+2 piercing vs Hide ar)
Thac0 19 vs AC 6 (+2): Need 11+
Salem Vs O1 [1d20] = 2, [2d3] = 4
Miss!

O3 slashes with his axe at Linar (AC 2) in the darkness (-4)
Thac0 19 vs AC 2 (-4): need a crit to hit!
O3 vs Linar [1d20] = 16, [1d8] = 5
Mis!

O5 catches up to Linar! O5 slashes with his axe at Linar (AC 2) in the darkness (-4)
Thac0 19 vs AC 2 (-4): need a crit to hit!
O5 vs Linar [1d20] = 12, [1d8] = 5
Miss!

Boyd slashes at O1 (+1 racial vs orcs) with his axe!
Thac0 19 vs AC 6 (+1): Need base roll of 12+
To Hit: [1d20+2] = 10+2 = 13,
Miss!

O2 turns and runs off into the forest once he is clear of the melee.

O4 begins to Withdraw!

Vanidur stabilizes Garroth!
Garroth is stabilized at [-8/18] hps!

O4 turns and flees as soon as he is clear of melee range.

ausie wrote:

Stik wrote:Boyd stares at the orcs fleeing, and although this could be viewed as a victory of sorts, there's a good chance that the orcs will regroup and come back later, if for no other reason than to erase their shame. The need to be taken down.
Besides, he's frustrated at all the missed swings he's had so far. He needs to bag an orc today. He leans forward and drives Salem toward the nearest orc.

To Hit: [1d20+2] = 10+2 = 12, Damage (battle axe): [1d8+3] = 3+3 = 6

[OOC]
It's been a long day, so my math skills might be a bit suspect, but I think that the odds of Boyd missing five rounds in a row are about 12 to 1 against. Unseen Servant hates me! [/OOC]

Is the +2 modifier correct?

Dwarves get +1 to hit Orcs as a racial enemy.

You also get a +1 mounted bonus vs unmounted opponents? (Attacking from higher ground - table 51, PHB.)

DMG extract: (mounted combat) Fighting from Horseback
In mounted fighting, a character gets a +1 bonus to his chance to hit creatures smaller than his mount. Thus, a man on horseback gains a +1 bonus to his attack rolls against all medium-sized creatures such as other men, but would not gain this bonus against another rider or a giant. Those on foot who fight against a mounted rider, have a -1 penalty; this not applied to attacks against the mount, however.

[The +2 is a combination of his orc bonus and 19 thac0. it is simply how Stik decided to list his modifiers.
The mounted combat bonus is for creatures smaller than his mount.. The orcs are not smaller than salem]

Silently as he can Linar draws his short sword and then takes two swipes at the nearest foe.

======
LS THAc0 19, dam [1d20] = 5, [1d8] = 2
Sh Sw THAc0 21, dam [1d20] = 14, [1d6] = 1

Out of interest, is there a chance of one the orcs might hit the other orc?

Ooc: yep... I wasn't sure if Salem was M sized or L sized. Make sure not to forget when fighting goblins.

[Trust me ausie, i have it under control.
chris: yes, if one rolls a fumble]

Van will work on Garroth, trying to wake or rouse him.

"C'min Gar! Look! I fought off the orcs! The dwarf did most of the work, but damnit, I stayed put!! C'mon buddy!"

Rudimentary first aid doing good? Is Gar stabilized?

[Yes, Garroth is stabilized but still unconscious. He will need to return to 1 hp before he wakes up. A single heal spell will do it]

Boyd will continue to press the attack, waving his axe like a drunken butcher and howling at the orcs (on the theory that foul language might have more effect than his axe, which clearly needs a new handle, and a new head).

To Hit: [1d20+2] = 2+2 = 4, Damage (battle axe): [1d8+3] = 7+3 = 10

Vanidur checks and re-checks the bindings, certain now that they will at least keep his friend’s condition from declining farther. With the orcs fleeing, Thoreau emerges from the trees nearby and approaches the fallen minotaur. He sniffs at the massive ranger and licks at his face tentatively, but the great horned humanoid is unable respond at the moment aside from shallow breathing indicating he still lives.
[A successful healing nwp proficiency check w/in 5 rounds of last wounding can restore a few negative hps. Any cure spell will bring him up to 1 hp and allow him to wake. Otherwise he will only wake at 1 hp.]

The Orc leader continues to try to avoid the boar, who now gores at him with reckless abandon! The porcine assailant fumbles his footing in the thickening brush; his frenzied attack blinding him to a small rodent den one leg slips into. The fall jars Salem somewhat and puts Boyd’s own strike far out of range; leaving the bandit leader room to slip out of range. He turns, preparing to flee into the forest if not stopped.

The magical bubble of inky-black darkness rings with the sound of combat as Linar and the orcs slash and stab at each other in the seemingly infinite pitch. Drawing his swords, the Drow strikes violently in the direction he believes the first opponent to be. The steel catches naught but air, with no hint how close or how far either strike was to tasting flesh. A solid chok! echoes out as one axe strikes the tree nearby, while the other whiffs through invisible space far from the mark.


[Salem fumbled and fell prone. He will not be able to act next round. The orc is 5 feet away (beyond Boyd’s current melee range now) but the Dwarf can easily dismount and pursue next round if he wishes.]
[Actions R8?]
====
Initiative R7:
Vanidur (5): 5
O1: 5 (Leader. hide armor) weaponless, withdrawing
Salem (9+3 natl attk): 12 [same base init with Boyd, diff modifier]
Linar (8+ 5 Long sword): 13
O5: 15 (axe and shield, std leather)
Boyd (9+7 axe): 16
O3: 16 (axe and shield, std leather)
Garroth: Down; Stabilized



Vanidur double-checks Garroth’s bandages and continues to try to rouse him.

O1 continues to withdraw!


Linar Slashes at O5 with the Longsword in his Right in the darkness (-4). (dual wielding penalties offset by dex)
Thac0 19 vs AC 6 (-4): Need 17+ to hit
LS THAc0 19, dam [1d20] = 5, [1d8] = 2
Miss!

Linar Stabs at O5 (+2 pierce vs hide ar) with the short sword in his Left in the darkness (-4)
Thac0 21 (non prof) vs AC 6 (-2): Need 17+ to hit
Sh Sw THAc0 21, dam [1d20] = 14, [1d6] = 1
Miss!

Salem follows O1’s retreat and gores with his tusks! (+2 piercing vs Hide ar)
Thac0 19 vs AC 6 (+2): Need 11+
Salem vs O1 hit, dmg [1d20] = 1, [2d3] = 3
Miss! Possible Fumble!

Salem vs O1 Fumble conf [1d20] = 5
Fumble confirmed! Salem falls prone!

O5 slashes with his axe at Linar (AC 2) in the darkness (-4)
Thac0 19 vs AC 2 (-4): need a crit to hit!
O3 vs Linar [1d20] = 3, [1d8] = 4
Miss! Badly


Boyd will continue to press the attack, waving his axe like a drunken butcher and howling at the orcs (on the theory that foul language might have more effect than his axe, which clearly needs a new handle, and a new head).

To Hit: [1d20+2] = 2+2 = 4, Damage (battle axe): [1d8+3] = 7+3 = 10



O3 slashes with his axe at Linar (AC 2) in the darkness (-4)
Thac0 19 vs AC 2 (-4): need a crit to hit!
O3 vs Linar [1d20] = 14, [1d8] = 3
Miss!

Silently as he can Linar takes two swipes at where it sounds the nearest foe is. (He takes a stealthy pace or so as necessary to allow that.)

======
LS THAc0 19, dam [1d20] = 5, [1d8] = 6
Sh Sw THAc0 21, dam [1d20] = 19, [1d6] = 2

Boyd rolls from the saddle as the boar falls, eyeing the orc as it flees but not pursuing. Once he is sure that the orc is out of range, Boyd turns his attention to Salem, reaching out to help the boar to his feet. "He is not going anywhere, pal. We can get him in a moment."

Ooc: I knew this combat was going to shit when Inrolled a natural 20 for my natural weapons proficiency..

Boyd hops down, keeping an eye on the Orc leader as he helps Salem recover his hoof from the gopher-den. Seeing the Dwarf tending his ally rather than continuing pursuit, the bandit turns and runs into the forest as fast as he is able; quickly leaving sight into the trees.

Back in the darkness, Linar manages to stab one of his assailants as their axes continue to fail to meet their targets.

====
Initiative R8:
O1: 5 (Leader. hide armor) FLED!
Salem (9+3 natl attk): Recovering from Fumble
Linar (8+ 5 Long sword): 13
O5: 15 (axe and shield, std leather)
Boyd (9+7 axe): Aiding Salem
O3: 16 (axe and shield, std leather)
Garroth: Down; Stabilized


O1 turns and flees!

Linar Slashes at O5 with the Longsword in his Right in the darkness (-4). (dual wielding penalties offset by dex)
Thac0 19 vs AC 6 (-4): Need 17+ to hit
LS THAc0 19, dam [1d20] = 5, [1d8] = 6
Miss!

Linar Stabs at O5 (+2 pierce vs hide ar) with the short sword in his Left in the darkness (-4)
Thac0 21 (non prof) vs AC 6 (-2): Need 17+ to hit
Sh Sw THAc0 21, dam [1d20] = 19, [1d6] = 2
Hit! for 2 damage!
O5 is Hurt

LS THAc0 19, dam [1d20] = 5, [1d8] = 6
Sh Sw THAc0 21, dam [1d20] = 19, [1d6] = 2


O5 slashes with his axe at Linar (AC 2) in the darkness (-4)
Thac0 19 vs AC 2 (-4): need a crit to hit!
O5 vs Linar [1d20] = 14, [1d8] = 3
Miss!


O3 slashes with his axe at Linar (AC 2) in the darkness (-4)
Thac0 19 vs AC 2 (-4): need a crit to hit!
O3 vs Linar [1d20] = 16, [1d8] = 1
Miss!