Tree Lords I

[JadedDM]

Jerrard pours his last lantern oil over the creature and lights it on fire. The creature quickly burns up, and Thuskar stomps out the flames when they've done their job so it won't spread.

"Me?" Malika asks, putting a hand to her chest. "It didn't even come near me," she responds.

Locky's and Babushka's attempts to heal Aleaha barely help at all. The elf took heavy damage, but manages to shake it off. Turning to Jerrard, she asks, "What exactly would your battle strategy had been had I not been there to hold your frontline by myself?" There is a sharp, disapproving edge to her voice.

===========

Locky heals Aleaha by 3 HP.

[Jerrard]

"A harsh point, well made." Jerrard agrees, "This place is more dangerous than I suspected. Ulster, Thuskar go up front Locky take the rear with those ponies. Imani.." he ponders, "Perhaps you should stay behind the warriors?"

"Thank you, we should not need to rely on you like that." He bows, "Allow me to aid you."

[Jenara]

"Sorry, Paladine seems to dislike me." Locky gives a crestfallen look, "Sorry."

[Breila]

"Should I stay in front and help looking for tracks, or behind to cover our rear?" Babushka asks.

[HorizonsDream]

"We need the ones that know the forest up front, Jerrard," Imani points out. "I'll ride behind them, Jerrard and Locky need to be in the middle, and Ulster and Thuskar can watch our backs. That way, if we are attacked again, I can help Aleaha on the front lines."

[Jerrard]

"Yes." He sighs, "That would be best." The mage looks thoughtful staring off into the distance a moment.

[JadedDM]

"The problem is less the marching order, but more the order you gave when the battle started. You told everyone to attack from a distance, but told nobody to hold the line. If I had not so myself, the troll would have attacked your more vulnerable members, as there was nobody to protect them. Indeed, we were lucky the troll was so stupid. A more intelligent opponent could have easily moved around a single elf to reach the others," Aleaha says. "When a battle begins, you should always establish a front line to protect the weaker members."

[agamotto]

"I guess that puts me somewhere near the front lines." Jeremy adds. Of course that's where I was to begin with." He sighs, Right in front of its faces."

[Breila]

"You seem to have much more experience of leadership in battles than any of us has" Babushka tells Aleaha. "Thank you for teaching us. And I'm very sorry you got so badly hurt, and none of us could really help you."

[JadedDM]

Aleaha smiles to the gnome. "Don't worry about me. I've taken worse than that before." Addressing the group, she adds, "Once you all are ready, we should continue on."

[Jerrard]

"I am, learning." Jerrard admits, "I can master the elements themselves, but ordering others is something I need to learn." He blushes, "Thank you for the advice."

"Imani, allow me to protect you with magic, and you Aleaha." (He casts armor on the pair)

[Breila]

Babushka goes back to the front. "Are we ready to go on, then?" she asks.

Suggested new marching order

Babushka
Aleaha
Jeremy with his donkey
Imani with/on Artemis
Jerrard
Malika on Lanae
Locky with Ilvain
Ulster with Dekker
Thuskar with Haera

[JadedDM]

The spell Jerrard casts bolsters Imani's defenses, but the magical aura in Aleaha's armor seems to interfere, negating the spell entirely. "It is no matter," she says. "I am more than capable of taking care of myself anyway."

==========

Jerrard casts Armor on Imani, improving her AC by 2 points.
Jerrard casts Armor on Aleaha, improving her AC by 0 points.

(OOC: Aleaha is wearing leather armor +2, which is AC 6; so the Armor spell does nothing for her, I'm afraid.

Aleaha will insist on being up front, otherwise she can't track Lareth. Also, as they are in a forest as opposed to a narrow cavern, there's not a whole lot of reason to make the party walk single-file like that.

How about:

Aleaha/Babushka
Jeremy/gelding/Imani (on Artemis)
Jerrard/Malika (on Lanae)
Locky/Ilvain
Ulster/Dekker/Thuskar/Haera

[Jenara]

Order works.

"I tried." Jerrard admits as he takes his place, considering tactics.

Locky goes silent, moving back to the group.

[agamotto]

"May I suggest that those of us who use bows or crossbows see if we can salvage any of our ammunition first." Jeremy offers, and then makes a quick scan for what ever arrows he can while readying to leave.