It's a great question to ask coffee
From my perspective nothing different has happened yet. I've forewarned you that I want to run the
upcoming combat briskly rather than detail it out to the Nth degree the way I have previously (I just don't have the time i used to, and hey, it's an opportunity to try out something a little different and see how it flies). All it really means is: please provide me with enough detail to see you through the next turn, rather than just the next round.
What could the players have done differently so far?
Well.. it's a little unfair, perhaps, from the other side of the screen (in this case the computer screen!), but none/some/all of the following might have been useful in their own little ways:
Before leaving camp:
. Inquiring for directions from the scouts who'd seen the fort, before setting off?
. Buying more food?
. Looking to hire on a bunch of footmen?
. Magic users looking for scrolls or potions?
On the march out you did quite well. You were, perhaps, lucky not to get an encounter sooner but let's chalk that one up to wise play
Perhaps you might have:
. Taken advantage of Leudigar's primary function sooner?
. Divided the company into two groups 100yd apart? In the present scenario one group might be under duress while the second group moved to ambush the ambushers? (Dunno if that would always work, just thinking out loud)
The surprise roll was unlucky, sure (and also made me think hard about how these guys physically
could surprise you). On the other hand, it was lucky the regulators didn't attack immediately (owing to an uncertain reaction throw). Once that had transpired, you could have:
. Answered Thick-Neck's pretty standard question (even giving false name and purpose would have met protocol), or...
. Offered a bribe (food, drink, pipeweed, or even imaginary treasure) rather than asking them to jump off a cliff!
On the second reaction throw I diced an 8.
A +1 adjustment would have made it a 9 which would have given you (the players) a positive reaction and seen you on your way.
As it turned out, you instead had a -1 for not answering Thick-Neck's direct question, and a further -1 due to them mistrusting a company including dwarfs, so the 8 became a 6 (a second uncertain result).
Even so. Anyone could have posted that they wanted to cautiously rearrange their position (as Leudigar and Menno did) while Alfwin delayed them with his chatter. Actually, I thought Alfwin posted a comment to that effect, but I can't find it now...
Anyways... it seems to me the company is now getting itself organised for a decent stand-up fight. I'm a bit worried about the five crossbows, but most of the players have good odds of surviving one normal hit so I'm eagerly anticipating what will happen next...
I like that you care enough about whether these guys survive to ask
Happy to accept the consequences though; that is how the game works.