Out Of Character

[waysoftheearth]

Can spears be used from the second rank?

Another question: the "ordinary supplies" all characters started with, do they contain foodstuffs?

I've marked one of those off from today's march, and am not sure whether I need to mark off a ration as well?

Spears: three spearmen can form a defensive line across a 10ft wide passage, while only two men with axes or swords can fight in the same space. Whether the spearmen are technically in two "ranks", or just shoulder-to-shoulder on a single rank, is a matter of situational judgement or preference, but the net effect is the same: more spearmen can fight on the same frontage.

Supplies: Yes, the seven days of normal supplies comprise primarily fresh foodstuffs; break, cheese, fruit, savory cakes, buscuits, quiches, and so on. These are not dried, hardened, or salted trail rations, so they will not keep indefinately.

Yes, one day of rations are consumed for each turn of wilderness exploration.

[flightcommander]

Since there are so many characters, I think we should rotate the nights' watch. I think I have the first night correct; alternate nights might be as below:

Even nights

First watch
Brother Alfwin
Wetzel the Fighter

Second watch
Boggs the Dwarf Mouser
Leudigar the Tracker

Third watch
Karl the Fighter
Brother Herald

Odd nights

First watch
Menno Fenvak the Fighter
Faengol the Elf Medium

Second watch
Fendrel the Fighter
Dopey the Hobbet Fighter

Third watch
Gerthrude the Medium
Gunter the Dwarf Fighter

[flightcommander]

As for marching order in the wilderness, I unscientifically propose the following:

Leudigar the Tracker

Menno Fenvak the Fighter
Fendrel the Fighter

Faengol the Elf Medium
Dopey the Hobbet Fighter

Brother Herald

Gerthrude the Medium
Gunter the Dwarf Fighter

Boggs the Dwarf Mouser
Brother Alfwin

Wetzel the Fighter
Karl the Fighter

Perhaps the front and rear pairs of fighters can swap positions on alternating days.

[The Red Baron]

Only two men to a rank?

Lets see how wide tunnels are before we confirm marching order.

3 men or 4 hobbits to a 10' may be allowed if they are carrying just light arms.

[ehiker133]

Only two men to a rank?

Lets see how wide tunnels are before we confirm marching order.

3 men or 4 hobbits to a 10' may be allowed if they are carrying just light arms.

The standard is that in a 10' wide corridor, three fighting men would only be effective if all three of them wielded spears. Otherwise, they would be unable to properly attack (either attacking with penalties or not being able to attack at all or some combination of both - two characters attacking with penalties and one character unable to attack). Two characters/rank has been the norm in all Hinterland parties thus far.

Also, WOTE mentioned the following just a bit ago...

Can spears be used from the second rank?

Spears: three spearmen can form a defensive line across a 10ft wide passage, while only two men with axes or swords can fight in the same space. Whether the spearmen are technically in two "ranks", or just shoulder-to-shoulder on a single rank, is a matter of situational judgement or preference, but the net effect is the same: more spearmen can fight on the same frontage.

I think that answer is applicable to the question of "how many men can stand in rank in a 10' wide corridor?". Three if all have spears and just two if otherwise.

[ehiker133]

The Night Watch and Marching Orders you proposed look good to me, flightcommander.

[sully]

I am fine with the proposed night watch and marching order, although the Herald will grumble about being so far away from the action.

Thanks, nightcommander!

[ehiker133]

Here is the Delving Deeper by-the-book ruling on the amount of space required for combat:

Space Required
Note that melee requires space. The referee should allow perhaps three men to stand abreast in a 10ft wide passage if they carry spears; swords and axes would require more space. Up to six men can surround a single man-sized target (with rear attacks striking at +2 to hit), while up to eight men can surround a larger monster.

[The Red Baron]

Sorry flightcommander, I didn't see that you were specifically speaking about a marching order for the wilderness.

Dopey would like to occupy a position when he may toss stones should a combat occur.

[Eris]

Sorry flightcommander, I didn't see that you were specifically speaking about a marching order for the wilderness.

Dopey would like to occupy a position when he may toss stones should a combat occur.

About the only thing Gunt could toss would be Dopey and with his Dex, he is unlikely to hit anything with him. So, putting him near the front or back where he can fight hand-to-hand might be the smart thing to do.