Immersive Ink

Wen and Olaf both scamper down the rocky incline at pace and onto the orchard shelf then leg it to the nearest apple trees that look as though they might support their weight. As they reach the trees--wiry specimens--the tide of wolves come baying and yapping over the ridge and swarm down into the orchard. Hungry jaws snap at their heels as they haul themselves up into precarious perches in the nick of time!

Meanwhile, Highbough, Torben, and Armando clamber into some of the sturdier trees further back; Armando having the forethought to position himself in a tree near enough to climb out on a limb and--possibly--leap from there to the wall?

On the ground, Gustave, Beringar, and Dorgan for a defensive line (of just three!) ahead of Josiane and Ulric and prepare to take the wolf-tide head on~!

Behind them Josiane intones a poignant benediction, while Ulric keeps himself out of harm's way...

The wolves throw themselves at our heroes, and impact with a cacophony of howls and yelps and squeals as our doughty trio of fighters deal them a brutal lesson in butchery! Five wolves are gutted or incapacitated in the bloody press, but the yellow-eyed beasts come on with uncanny ferocity; Beringar somehow avoids harm, but Gustave and Dorgan each suffer wounds worth 4 and 3 hit points, respectively.

At this point, Josiane's spell would come into effect | but see my comment below |.

Those in the trees above can quickly figure there are approximately one-score wolves involved--only a few linger about the tree trunks, snapping at those secured in the branches above. Most of them are charging and leaping about our hard-pressed trio--surely they will overrun them next turn and get at Ulric and Josiane too?


| I'll use the misspelling of Thuul as an opportunity to explain that the clerical Bless spell is primarily about a positive morale adjustment. PCs are not (usually) subject to morale checks and there are no hirelings/retainers present (aside from Josiane's owl) to benefit from this morale adjustment. True, there is an additional effect of the same spell (a +1 attack adjustment), but this isn't likely to be decisive against AC 7 wolves. DoctorX do you want to use your turn to invoke the Benediction of THUUL, or not?

Combat Resolution...

With weapons set and ready, and the advantage of reach, our trio will have the initiative in the first round. Wolves are 1 HD normals, so the fighters will each have one attack per hit die.

The referee can use "normal" combat resolution (with d6s), or "heroic" combat resolution (the more "familiar" D&D combat method with d20s) for the players' attacks. He decides to do both and compare outcomes...

Normal combat resoltion:
Berignar 1d6=5, Gustave 4d6=1,6,5,2, Dorgan 4d6=6,3,4,6, and our stalwart fighters slay five of the savage beasts!

Heroic combat resolution versus woves (AC7):
Beringar 1d20=13 = 1 hit: set spear for two dice damage, 2d6=5 damage.
Gustave 4d20=12,14,13,8 = 2 hits: 2d6+2=6 damage.
Dorgan 4d20=20,4,15,2 = 2 hits: 2d6+2=9 damage.
Total damage = 20 hit points. 1 HD wolves have mean of 3.5 hit points: 20/3.5 = 5.7 wolves slain.

Same result with either method

The players include heroic types, so the wolves' attacks must be resolved with the D&D's familiar heroic combat system:
Four attacks against each of Beringar (AC4), Gustave (AC2), and Dorgan (AC4):
12d20=4,8,1,5,and 20,5,2,17, and 15,6,1,16.
Beringar somehow escapes harm, but Gustave and Dorgan are each hit once for (1d6=4 and 1d6=3) 4 and 3 damage, respectively. |

Then Desmond tries to surprise them even further by plugging one of them with an arrow...

Highbough tries to make his way from limb to limb until he reaches the Abbey walls. If any wolves snap at his heels, he will give them a swat with his Ire Spear.

Wen would try to find a sturdy perch from which to use his bow on any wolves that he can safely shoot. He would not risk hitting his friends but those still around the try he would take aim at.

Gustave is somewhat impressed (though not at all pleased) that mangy mutts managed to cause him harm. He redboubles he efforts with a flare of his shapely nostils and, keeping a eye on Dorgan's tally - seeks to dispatch more of the beasts.

Armando, seeing the foe on the wall spitted on Dieter's blade, turns his attention towards the wolves below. If possible, he'll attempt to pick a few off using his sling from his perch in the tree — not too close to his companions, and without risking a fall, of course.

Desmond/Mondes turns his attention to those on the ground below and lets fly his missiles Shooting while stationary allows two throws: 2d20=17,13 for two hits! 2d6=5,2 for total 7 damage. Ref rolls hits points for the black-robes 2d6=3,2 and neatly shoots both of them through the throat before they can utter a word.

'tis brilliantly done, and the alarm will not be raised this turn, but the yapping wolves can be heard quite clearly--surely someone will wonder what all the racket is about??

flightcommander wrote:Armando, seeing the foe on the wall spitted on Dieter's blade, turns his attention towards the wolves below. If possible, he'll attempt to pick a few off using his sling from his perch in the tree — not too close to his companions, and without risking a fall, of course.

Ah, but those outside the wall see naught but a quietly serene abbey. It is doubtful whether Armando would have even heard the black-robe's death gurgle above the din of the yapping wolves below.

Swinging a sling amid the leaves and branches of an apple tree may prove to be... tricky?

Desmond smiles and says, "Well done, Dieter!"

Hearing the wolves howling, he looks back to see the rest of the party in trouble.

"Mondes, watch our back for more black robes..."

Then Desmond pulls out his silver whistle and blows into it, hoping to distract or disrupt the wolves' attacks.

Beringar sticks as close as he possibly can to Dorgan and Gustave whilst using his spear and shield to best effect.

"Stay in formation!", he shouts.

Realising the hoped-for wall of steel consists of only three of her comrades while pretty much everyone else has disappeared up a tree, Josiane decides to change tactics.

"Your flame, Lord Ulric, as swiftly as you may," she urges the sorcerer, before drawing sword, setting elfin shield on arm and hurling herself into the fray next to Dorgan, preparing to sell her mighty 9 hp dearly...