Middle Earth FA64 D&D Game: Ninth Adventure – Against the Cultists

First the disclaimer: The thread is for the game itself. Questions and peanut gallery stuff should go on the control thread:
Middle Earth D&D Game on Domebo: FA63 Setup Thread

Middle Earth Role playing Game FA 63 & 64 Player Timeline Project.

First Adventure Thread
Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game, the Second Adventure, Scouting Ered Lithui
Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game, Third Adventure, Ered Lithui Mystery Creature
Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game. Fourth Adventure. Journey to Rivendell
Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game: Fifth Adventure - War in Goblin Gate.
Middle Earth FA64 D&D Game: Sixth Adventure - Harrying Harad by Sea
Middle Earth FA64 D&D Game: Sixth Adventure - Harrying Harad by Sea. conclusion.
Middle Earth FA64 D&D Game: Seventh Adventure – The Ruins of Old Hatha
Middle Earth FA64 D&D Game: Eighth Adventure – Adventure in Raj and bringing Peace to the South.
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The Role Call
Gwaelur son of Gwaelin – ??? - Fighter, Dwarf of the Glittering Caves. 7th level Age: 135
Bitur son of Bofur - Hoopy Frood - Fighter, Dwarf of Erebor. 7th level Age: 180
Sir Thoroncir, Knight-Errant– Elendil’s Heir - Fighter, Man of Gondor, a Sea-Knight of Linhir 7th level Age: 22
Princess Gilraen (Renee)- NPC – Beautiful young woman of Gondor and trained Healer of Estë 7th level Age: 17
Gil-Gandel – Malacandra – Bard 5th, Sindar ("Grey Elf") 6th level F/Th Age: 624
Ithilneth – Pleonast - F/MU: 5th Silvan Female age: early 2nd age.
Rorimac Brandybuck - CatInASuit – Hobbit Ranger 7th Age: 45 Meriadoc’s youngest son.
Mulligan Took – CatInASuit - Burglar, Hobbit (Daughter of Peregrin Took's Sister) 8th level Age: 30 (From a larger family)
Deor – appleciders – Mage of Rohan (Brother of Theogrim) 8th level Age:21 (From a very large family)
Ceol – kenobi65 - Paladin of Eonwë 6th level Man of Rohan - Age 25
Drindoleth – Zuul – Beorning Druid 7th level – age 30. Shape Shifter.
Sala - NPC – Man of Kophra, near Port Hatha, 6th level Rapier Expert. Age 31.
Luzi Mati - NPC – Woman of Raj, Scout, 8th level, Twin Scimitars. She looks weather worn but fit. She has dark hair and dark skin and wears a silver medallion in the shape of an odd looking fish. Her cloak is gray but seems to have greens, browns and tans in it from certain angles. Her leggings appear to be of similar material. It is hard to judge her age and she is by no means a beauty.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Notable Animals - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Folca: Deor’s really well trained Red Tailed Hawk. He is often invisible.
Baygir: The very good Heavy War Horse of Thoroncir.
Cúran: A very swift and well-trained horse of the Elves, Gil-Gandel’s mount.
Kali: A fine Silver Grey Mare of exception stock. Her lines trace back to Shadowfax. She is Gilraen’s mount.
Missy: The strange green eyed, white fur cat, companion of Gilraen. It will not talk to Ghân but seems very intelligent and dutiful to Gilraen. She is an excellent night guard and usually invisible now thanks to Deor. She is apparently a descendent of Mirëgol’s ancient cat Warrior.
Freyja: A Wildcat with Mulligan that is from Ered Lithui. She speaks occasionally.
Dulindar: (noble-nightingale) she is a nightingale and Ithilneth's friend and familiar.
Leofwin Paladin’s War Horse of Ceol.
Hound The Wolf: Animal Friend of Drindoleth, raised from a pup. Her mother was a wolf and sire a warg but she inherited her size from the warg side and more so. The young pup drank Ent draught on several occasions and grew to a great size, a size to perhaps rival Draugluin though not Carcharoth. Larger than even Huan of lore.
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It is December 31st of FA64 and the King himself has asked the party to go North of Raj above the Forest of Suza Sumar to defeat or disrupt the Cultists of Morgoth and Sauron that have their strongholds in the Greater and Lesser Janilaar Marshes, among the trees of Suza Sumar and the arid plains of Far Harad. Luzi is their guide and she knows of 5 locations and knows at least 4 more are in the marshes. There are known to be at least 12 groups. The 5 she knows of are numbered on the map.

King Elessar is hoping to forge a long standing alliance with the Kingdom of Raj. This would give the alliance virtual control of the Western Shores of Middle Earth. It would give Gondor a strong ally to subdue Harad. Finally it would allow the King a chance to turn his attention to the North where Elladan, Elrohir, Glorfindel and the Dwarves are trying to bring to an end the thread of the Orcs and Angmar.


The small expedition has landed just to the east of the Janesha Delta. Luzi knows some trails that lead along the river and the woods to the first goal. She shares a map of the known targets but part of what we need to do if find leads to the other lairs.
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Some background, it is 64 years since the Bearers of the Three Rings left Middle-earth for the Uttermost West and 66 since Sauron and Barad-Dûr fell.

King Elessar & Queen Arwen are in their prime and young Prince Eldarion is in his early training at age 21. There is still a constant struggle to tame the brown lands, Umbar, Harad, Nurn and the North. The court summers in Evedim near the lake and spend 9 months in Minas Tirith. Aragorn has campaign more often than not in the last 64 years, but far less than the prior 67. He and Arwen have had 4 daughters. Silmariën (FA45), Gilraen (FA47), Telperiën (FA51) & Fíriel (FA55)

Legolas has removed a small number of his people to Ithilien to support Prince Faramir in this fair land. He visits the courts of Faramir, Elessar, Éomer and Gimli son of Gloin often. His beautiful sister Elenwë is adventuring and rides a Minaras (Unicorn)

Faramir and Éowyn have two sons: Elboron (FA3) & Caramir (FA7). Both are hardy Warriors. They say that Prince Elboron has the look of his father and Caramir of his mother’s people. Prince Caramir is a great Horseman and loves his visits to his Uncle. Both appear to take strongly after Faramir as they are aging slowly. It has been noted that Éowyn has remained very youthful for all her long years. She could be taken for Éomer’s daughter or even granddaughter rather than his sister. She looks to be in her 50s more than her late 80s. Some wonder if this was a gift of King Elessar’s healing or a reward for slaying the Witch King of Angmar. Faramir is of course still a hale and hardy man. A little over a hundred he too looks to be in his 50s.

Currently Minas Tirith and their allies are fighting a two front war in the South and a Campaign wiping out orc lairs in Ered Lithui and around Nurn. Gondor is expanding and trying to build up a large force of horseman to supplement the Riders of Rohan. They are building a great road to Rhûn to create trade and build an alliance. They also hope to increase trade to Erebor & Dale. There is a project underway at a slower pace to improve travel along the Anduin. It is expected to take decades. Dark tidings arrived out of Rhûn brought by Hodwain the Beorning Bard. There is apparently unrest and some organized evil activity out near the Sea and beyond.

Dol Amroth is still the great Principality of Gondor. It is under the wise care of Prince Elphir (TA2987), son of Prince Imrahil of course. Sister to Lothíriel the Queen of Rohan. His eldest son Alphros (TA3017)is the Commodore of the Gondor Fleet and commands the great and swift flagship the Amroth.

King Éomer has passed away leaving the behind his widow, Queen Lothiriel of Dol Amroth. King Elfwine, his eldest now leads in all things. He is seeking the hand of Silmariën. Elfwine is a tall man of 6' 5" with blond hair and piercing blue eyes. His features show a bit of elvish influence of his mother's side. He speaks with a deep voice and looks to be no more than 30 years old but he is probably 50. He uses a long sword and Gwaelur knows that Elfwine was given a fine chain mail shirt as a gift from Gimli. The Chief Mearas likes the new King, his best son is Prince Elfwine's partner. They think he is a very good human. Prince Éomund is the next in line currently. He is a few years younger than Elfwine and also still single. He is leading a large force of Riders of Rohan on behalf of his brother the King to aid King Elessar in Harad.

In 61 Samwise Gamgee left Middle-earth via Mithlond. Merry and Pippin got their affairs in order and headed south to live in Gondor. Mulligan Took was among their escort. Samwise’s eldest Grandson Elfstan Fairbairn joined the group after visiting Minas Tirith. Faramir Took son of Pippin is the Thain and the Shire’s greatest Warrior since Meriadoc the Magnificent. Mulligan’s Brother Ponto Took is an excellent archer and a good treasure finder.

Arnor is repopulating as is the Anduin Valley. The Shire’s population is growing and their produce is helping to feed the North and even the South. They have steady wains heading to and from the Dwarves of Ered Luin. They are even supplying produce and pipe weed to the Grey Havens in exchange for salted & smoked fish.

Elladan and Elrohir of course remain the Masters of Rivendell and assist in the running of Arnor. They in no way have finished with hunting Orcs. Indeed, they have driven the Goblins far underground with their constant attacks on Goblin Gate and often roam north against Angmar itself. Elladan, Elrohir and Glorfindel seem tireless these days in hunting the scattered remains of these ancient enemies to the North. They often leave the care of Rivendell to the wise Celeborn. He did leave a thriving Sindarin kingdom in Southern Greenwood from where Gil-Gandel most recently hailed.

Thorin III Stonehelm rules the Durin Folk (Khazad). He rules from Erebor of course. His lords include Gimli in Aglarond, Lord Gíon of the Iron Hill and some lesser lords in the Blue Mountains and Fornost. The Dwarves are again thinking of Khazad-dûm. Dori and Bofur are still alive, but quite venerable and rich. Bofur is acting as the ambassador to Rivendell and Arnor as needed.

A bridge at Tharbad has been built and the great bridge is nearly rebuilt. Tharbad is already a thriving and growing town under the command of Lord Mayor Ianthír (Bridge Lord). He is Ranger of the North and the son of Aragorn's most loyal friend Halbarad. The population is mostly just men of Eriador. There are small Dwarven and Hobbit communities.

The Great South road is rebuilt and maintained from Fornost to Minas Tirith. All the additional trade has brought much prosperity to Bree and the town and the Prancing Pony have both expanded. Fornost is still small, but growing. Most of the remaining Northern Dúnedain have moved near Fornost.

For year 63 FA review & review of The Elendil.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...Farharad-1.jpg


Ithilneth memorizes:
1) Protection from Evil, Levitate, Identify, Detect Magic.
2) Greater Light, Detect Invisible.
3) Protection from Evil 10-ft Radius, Water Breathing.

Drindoleth Spells:6/6/4/3
1st: Entangle, Purify Water, Predict Weather, Faerie Fire, Detect Magic and Speak With Animals.
2nd: Barkskin, Charm Person/Mammal, Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame, Fire Trap and Warp Wood.
3rd: Call Lightning, Plant Growth, Neutralize Poison and Stone Shape
4th: Call Woodland Beings, Cure Serious Wounds & Dispel Magic

Gilraen Spells: 5/5/4/3
1st: Cure Lights of double affect; Purify Food & Drink; Detect Magic; Detect Evil, Song of Estë that gives friends a +1 Save and -1 to be hit and damage will discourage others from attacking me even more. It lasts as long as sung. It is similar to the second level chant.
2nd: Goodberries, Hold Person, Find Traps, Slow Poison, Resist Fire, Know Alignment on 3Jan65
3rd: Estë Prayer song: 12”r, last 2r/lvl after done singing, Cure Blind, Remove Curse, Dispel Magic*
4th: Neut Poison, Cure Serious 4d8+9x1.1, Protection from Evil 10’r

Thanks, we already have enough knights. :D

Time to spell up, then:

5 x 1st: Detect Magic, Entangle, Faerie Fire, Hypnotism, Stunning Discord
4 x 2nd: Heat Metal, Hypnotic Melody, Mirror Image, Song Cycle
1 x 3rd: Fear

But during down time I shall prepare and cast Protection from Fire for 84 points of ablative fire immunity.

Sir Thoroncir, knight-errant of Gondor, is ready to take to the saddle once again. He looks forward to further adventures with his true love, the Princess Gilraen, and his other stalwart companions.

Leofwin prances a bit once he's off the boat, displaing his fine new horseshoes. Ceol leans forward in his saddle, whispering into Leofwin's ear. "You're showing off, my old friend."

Rorimac will be talking to Luzi Mati about the country ahead, while Mulligan keeps an official eye on Gilraen and Thoroncir.

Spells for the day:

1: Comprehend Languages, Identify, Shield, Spider Climb
2: Web, Knock, Detect Invisibility
3: Fireball, Fly, Protection from Evil 10' Radius
4: Shape Shift, Wall of Fire
5: Wall of Force

During the trip, Bitur will start designing the music box. Unfortunately, he won't be able to do much until he can find some clockwork components.

"What's that you're working on, Bitur?" the knight-errant asks.

"I'm going to craft a clockwork music-box in a similar style to the toys of Erebor I carry with me. While it will be by no means as intricate and skillful as those are, it will still give me good experience. Some day I hope to make something equivalent to those ancient toys. But right now, I can't accomplish too much until I get my hands on some high quality gears and axles and such. I bought a magic gem in town that has an illusion of a dog dancing. I plan to time the illusion to the music when all is finished."

"Do you have someone in mind for it already, my Dwarven friend, or do you expect to sell it? Do you think it would be more suitable for an adult or a child?"

Marching order double file:

Luzi 24” Rorimac 24”
Gil-Gandel 30" Bitur 18”
Gilraen 30" Thoroncir 21"
Scout 24" Deor 24"
Drindoleth 24"
Gwaelur 15" Mulligan 15"
Pony 15” Ithilneth 24"
Sala 24" Ceol 24"

I put some speed in the back as they can move to help in the front faster. Gil-Gandel and Gilraen in particular can ride to the rear very fast.

One of our best archers are the front and back. The spell casters are distributed throughout and shown in blue.

Single File Riding Order:
Luzi 24”
Rorimac 24”
Gil-Gandel 30"
Bitur 18”
Thoroncir 21"
Gilraen 30"
Scout 24"
Deor 24"
Drindoleth 24"
Mulligan 15"
Gwaelur 15"
Pony 15”
Ithilneth 24"
Sala 24"
Ceol 24"

Watches explained earlier by Gil-Gandel and modified for party member changes and Rorimac’s new visor. I swapped Gwaelur and Bitur as I recalled Gwaelur has truly exception vision in the dark naturally and enhanced by his Helm. (240’ sight in the dark).

Gil-Gandel had explained, “Since Ithilneth and I both need little sleep as you understand it, we will rest ourselves for two hours after sunset and two hours before dawn, and will both assist the latter part of the first watch, all of the middle, and the first half of the last. You will have most need of our eyes and ears in the dark of the night.”

First 4: Bitur, Gilraen, Mulligan Took, and Ceol.
Ithilneth and Gil-Gandel with watch starting 2 hours in for 8 hours.
Next 4 Gwaelur, Rorimac, Luzi (both elves cover this watch as does Missy and probably Drindoleth’s Owl friend)
Last 4 Sir Thoroncir, Deor, Drindoleth and Sala will take over.


Luzi explains, “With the mounts we have we will be able to travel about 30 miles each day for the first two. These are mostly narrow paths in the woods. Both camps will be in the woods but the first camp will be a hot camp in a very safe location. The second camp will need to be a cold camp. From there we will strike 5 miles over fairly good ground at the first stronghold. This stronghold is an old stone keep looking over a small town on the main road. I hope you know how to get into a stone fort safely as that I cannot do for the entire party; though I myself am fairly good with a grappling hook and rope. The town should not be overly hostile to us.”

She pauses for a bit thinking, “Unless we find key information leading to another location, I will lead us down the road back towards the sea about 10 miles. We will then have a windy rambling 13 mile walk. I was led to understand your horses can be left to look after themselves, is that true? I would hesitate to even lead horses where we are going. The stronghold we are going to is very dangerous. We need to be wary of quicksand, hidden pits, reptiles and apparently the undead. On the bright side, the walls are but earthen embankments and a points only 6’ high.”

Marching orders look fine - Will Deor's watch allow him to study for spells in the morning?

Using the assumption that Deor spends the lighted part of his watch studying his spell with Folca keeping watch for him, it should work fine. Just expect Deor to be a poor watch stander overall. Typical for pure mages I think.

Drindoleth listens in interest as Luzi explains. As she lists the dangers of the stronghold he sighs a bit. "It almost sounded refreshing up until the part about the undead."

Addressing Thoroncir:

"I don't have anyone in mind to give it to at this time. And I am reluctant to sell it once it's finished. Since it is my first attempt at something so complex, I'd like to keep it as a memento of that attempt. In a similar way, I would never sell the ancient toys, and not only because their value is not quantifiable. Though, given the right situation, I'm not opposed to giving one away.

"I understand perfectly, Bitur," Thoroncir says. "Thank you. I'm sure you'll do a fine job with it, but if you don't, well... we sometimes learn more from our failures than from our successes."

The knight-errant has no objection to the watch schedule, or to the marching or riding orders.

Mulligan smiles at the description of what is required. "Breaking and Entering is a speciality and if there is info in the Fort we should have a good chance of finding it".

The first day of travel is largely peaceful. Drindoleth is one of many who finds the wooded paths of Suza Sumar refreshing. It is an old wood and a land of animals. It feels fair and the trees provide shade without the oppressive darkness of old Mirkwood. There is usually a gentle breeze blowing. After months in more arid climes this is wonderful for most of the party.

As the party winds along the pathways Luzi points out and explains about the local foliage and animals. At one point she calls a halt and has the party wait quietly for a good 6 minutes and then sings a quiet song in some unknown tongue. A magnificent looking wild cat comes padding out absolutely quietly and nuzzles her. The cat is large, nearly 5' from head to rear with a 3' tail. It stands about 3' tall at the shoulder. It must weigh a good 120-130 pounds. Its legs are long and body lean. A natural predator in appears to be built for running and climbing. Its markings are odd, patches of reddish brown and spirally stripes of blackish brown. Its eyes are bright. She scritches the cat’s ears and says, this is Windtail, one of the Rmirs of Suza Sumar. She says the dark ones were in the woods to the north east capturing animals within half a moon cycle. Drindoleth understands the Rmir fairly quick and realizes Rmirs in not actually the name of the breed of cat but an extended clan of whatever these cats should be called. Windtail moves over to sniff Mulligan, Freyja looks tense and nervous but apparently ready to defend her human. Windtail then licks Mulligan. The tongue is dry and raspy. The large cat is actually purring.

As he'd hoped, Drindoleth feels rejuvenated by the terrain. What lies ahead of them never fully leaves his mind, of course, but he takes deep breaths and tastes the life on the air and finds some peace, made all the sweeter by how brief it may well be.

He listens intently to Luzi's explanations about the flora and fauna, occasionally asking questions when he wants to know more. The calls of foreign birds and sight of unfamiliar herbs are fascinating enough, but then comes Windtail's appearance. On laying eyes on the great cat, he admires the magnificent creature, curious about the Rmir and their breed. The sight of Windtail licking Mulligan makes him smile a bit wryly. "You've been deemed friendly." He pauses. "...or tasty."

Growing more serious, he will ask about what sorts of animals the dark ones were taking.

"Does that mean I have just been accepted as an honourary big cat?" asks Mulligan. "Easy Frejya, I think this one is being friendly"

Windtail replies, “The Dark Ones are men who smell of evil and death for no purpose. They are tied to the darkness of death and not the good starlit darkness of hunting. Most wear the symbols of the unlidded red eye.”

Then she relays through Drindoleth to Mulligan, “We do not eat humans and their little cousins. You smell of cat friend as much as Luzi.” Then directly to Freyja, “Don’t worry little one, I will neither eat nor steal your human.”

The Rmir appear to be close relatives to Leopards and are all part of a rare breed that Luzi translates roughly as the royal wood cats. The name is Rajian and sounds like fahdim.

Ceol observes Windtail with quiet reverence (and amusement when she licks Mulligan). "Drindoleth, Luzi...if you would, please thank Windtail for the knowledge she's shared with us. Let her know that we are hunting the Dark Ones, and would appreciate any additional wisdom she or her clan could share about our quarry."

Thoroncir enjoys the weather and the forest very much; definitely an improvement of setting to be savored. He's surprised to see a large cat at such close range, and watches it with interest. How does Gilraen's cat, Missy, react?

Mulligan reaches behind the ears and scratches hard, where all cats like to be tickled.

"Perhaps, we should start looking to move on", says Rorimac, "30 miles is still quite a distance and the sooner we start, the sooner we get there."

Missy is as usual invisible. She is remaining quiet.

Windtail wishes the party success. She will pass word to her clan or clowder to keep a watch for you tonight and to pass any information along to you on the Dark Ones.

That night's camp is secure and peaceful. She has led the party into a very secure hidden forest valley. It is clearly a camp she has used before.
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January 2^nd of FA65: The following day, is warm but cloudy, by late morning it is drizzling.

At around 2:30pm as the party is moving single file along a narrow track, Hound the Wolf gives warning. He smells humans approaching, humans with the smell of death. They are not far, probably no more then 2 minutes away if they are planning to attack.

The terrain is rising and the woods are thick here. Terrible for maneuvering on horseback. The humans the party are nearing are uphill from your current location. Visibility is limited due to many obstructions (trees, undergrowth and vines). However, few places would be better for Entangles.


Luzi 24”
Rorimac 24”
Gil-Gandel 30"
Bitur 18”
Thoroncir 21"
Gilraen 30"
Scout 24"
Deor 24"
Drindoleth 24"
Mulligan 15"
Gwaelur 15"
Pony 15”
Ithilneth 24"
Sala 24"
Ceol 24"

Everyone dismount, horses to the rear with the smarter ones (such as mine) leading them to safety. Form up in the usual close order, but leave me out of it - this is ideal country for an Elf of the Greenwood, and clad Lorien-fashion into the bargain. I will aim to circle to the enemy's rear and cause what havoc I can, which should be plenty. The burrahobbits might like to do something similar with all this cover to sneak around in.

"If everyone can gather around quickly, I can cast Protection from Evil before this gets going.

Ithilneth will stay with Gil-gandel.

Thoroncir has a quick word in the Horse-tongue with Baygir and any other mounts within earshot, asking them to stay to the rear and out of danger. He will gladly accept the Protection from Evil spell from Deor, then draw his longsword Arcirist and prepare for battle.

Bitur accepts the protection from evil and prepares himself for battle.

Rorimac is quite happy to circle round with Gil-Gandel, this is his kind of undergrowth to play in.

Mulligan is more of a town person and will stick with the magic users to make sure that no-one from the opposition gets close to them without getting a nasty susrprise.

Gil-Gandel, Ithilneth and Rorimac quietly fade into the woods to get the drop on those approaching.
The horses retreat under the care of their leaders. Baygir, Leofwin, Cúran & Kali.
The rest gather around Deor, but the Protection vs. Evil is only good for one person and the 3rd level spell is a 10’ radius around the one touched.

What Gil-Gandel and the rest hear and then spy is a column of 20 men. They are led by a pair of woodsmen with short bows and then a dozen men at arms and 6 men in dark robes are scattered behind them. The men at arms are well armored and have swords, spears and scimitars. Those in dark robes include 3 sweeping their left or right arm from side to side like a caster detecting for magic or the like. These three all carry nasty looking flails. One has a huge sword as tall as himself. The last two have rods with skulls on them. One skull has ruby eyes and the symbol of Morgoth, an Iron Crown on it. The other skull just stares empty eyed.

Gwaelur readies his xbow.

"If the group approaching is a danger then they already have the high ground, which puts us at a disadvantage. Might I suggest clearing into more of an ambush configuration while we wait for the scouts to return and setting up behind a series of entangles? It would be better than being lumped in a group when the strangers come upon us."

Ceol will ready his swords, and move into as good a position as possible to set up an ambush.

I believe command falls to Captain Sir Thoroncir in Gil-Gandel's absence. He agrees with Gwaelur's recommendation, and if there are no objections, asks the party to see to it, making the best use of available cover: Gwaelur and Bitur forming a strong front rank, with Sala and Ceol anchoring the left, Thoroncir and Luzi on the right, and Deor, Mulligan and Gilraen slightly to the center rear.

Mulligan nudges Thoroncir slightly, "You forgot Drindoleth."

Meanwhile Rorimac, starts eyeing up the mages for a +3 arrow to the head.

The Cultist get closer. There is time for 2 spells before the cultists arrive, please state clearly the casting.

What do the 3 scouts do and when?

Does Drindoleth start casting entangles as suggested or something else?
Does Deor casts the Protection from Evil 10' on himself or someone else?
Gilraen will put a Protection from Evil 10' on Thoroncir, it seems like a good idea. She is preparing her Estë Prayer song

___Tree ___Tree __---__Tree ______ ___Tree ___ __Tree _
__Tree __Tree ___---_Tree ______-------___Tree _____Tree _
___Tree __---__Tree ___Tree MAA12 MAA11__Tree ___Tree
Ithilneth _____Tree _______Tree Flail03__Tree __Tree
Rorimac___Tree _______Tree __MAA10___Tree _----__Tree
Gil-Gandel _____Tree _________Rod02__---__Tree _\\__Tree
_____Tree ______Tree _____MAA09 MAA08__Tree ___Tree
_______Tree ______--____Tree Flail02____Tree ___Tree
_______Tree ______--____Tree MAA07 MAA06____Tree ___Tree
___Tree _____Tree _-_Tree---- Huge Sword____Tree ___Tree
____Tree __Tree _--____Tree MAA05 MAA04____Tree ___Tree
___Tree ______Tree ____Tree _________Tree _____Tree _
__Tree ______Tree ____Tree __MAA03
________Tree _____Tree ____Crowned SkullTree ____Tree
_________________________MAA02 Flail01____Tree
______Tree ___Tree _ Tree __MAA01 Tree ____Tree
_____Tree _________Tree____Sh. Bow02 ____Tree
_Tree _____Tree _____Tree ___________Tree _________
_______________Tree ______Sh. Bow01
____Tree ______Tree ____Tree _________Tree _____Tree __
__Tree ______Tree ____Tree _________Tree _____Tree ___
Tree ______Tree ____Tree _________Tree _____Tree ____Tree __
___Tree ____Tree ____Tree __------___Tree ___Tree ____Tree __
____ Tree Sala Ceol Tree Gwaelur Bitur Tree Thoroncir Luzi Tree Tree
Tree ______Tree ____Tree ------------Tree ______Tree ____Tree
Tree ____Tree _-__Tree Deor Mulligan GilraenTree ____Tree ____Tree --


Drindoleth?
Hound the Wolf?

Drindoleth casts Entangle to slow down, and perhaps separate, those approaching. For the moment, unless Thoroncir suggests he move, he will stay back near Deor's side for further casting. Unless asked for her assistance elsewhere, he'll have Hound stay between those in the back and Thoroncir's group in the front, so that she can aid in defending both groups should someone manage to make it through.

If Mulligan thinks she can put a smoke bomb in the middle of the advancing group, without affecting ourselves, she will do so.

It should stop them for a couple of rounds, allow us to pick off the outliers and give them a choking hazard to deal with.

On reflection, since there is apparently time for two spells, Drindoleth will also cast Barkskin on Hound the Wolf, to enhance her own natural toughness, before sending her forward.

Gwaelur will use the nearby trees for cover and start his attack with his xbow when enemies are in range. He will switch to his axe (happily) if necessary, but he hopes to pick people off before they get that close.

Ithilneth will put Protection from Evil 10' on Rorimac and then prepare to shoot +3 arrows at the mage furthest to the rear of the column. Once that mage goes down, she will target the next mage in the rear. She signals her intent to Rorimac and Gil-gandel.

Entangle centred on Flail02 followed by Stunning Discord centred on Flail03. The latter spell is serious business at my casting level - 2-8 rounds of unconsciousness for anyone 7th level or lower, and if the poor sap is 5th or lower he goes down without a save. Even anyone 8th or 9th has to save or be deafened for 1-4 rounds!

Oh. I thought Protection from Evil 10' would allow me to apply the spell to almost everyone, like Invisibility 10'. I'll put it on Gwaelur.

Deor will drop a Fireball near the center of the mass as it remains after the first turn. He'll use his ruby to expand the size of the Fireball to catch as many enemies as possible.

Ceol murmurs a prayer to Eonwë, then whispers to Sala, "let us stay close to one another, and focus on the same opponent."

A fireball is likely to causes a bad fire in these woods. Deor and Drindoleth would realize this quickly.

OK, well, then Deor will slather the enemies with Webs.

Bitur will take cover behind the other set of the trees and pick off people as well. He suggests that he and Gwaelur concentrate their fire on the same target starting with the first bowman and working front to back. (Unlikely going to drop more than one before they engage melee, but it's a start). If they move up the center, he and Gwaelur will close ranks back into a two man shield wall. With the trees, this will force them to either go through us, or go to the side where they will be caught between us and the allies on the flanks.

D'oh - sorry for forgetting Drindoleth! I thought I'd mentioned everyone in the party.

"Yes, Drindoleth," Thoroncir says, "please stay generally near Deor and the others in the rear rank. Many thanks."