Ambush brainstorming - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Ambush brainstorming

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
paulos
Feb 02, 2009 17:57:56 Can you help me set up a rivetting ambush situation.

6 lvl2-3 mounted PCs are escorting a dwarf alchemist and a wagon of all his supplies to a city where he's going to relocate his business.

They're also 'with' a troop of 25 town militia. They can be either ahead of or behind the troop to make it more challenging, less largescale battle. If there's a good reason. Maybe the wagon is having slower going on a steep slope. Or maybe the adventurers are ahead because they're scouting, and more flexible than the marching soldiers. Two higher level friendly rangers have been tracking the orcs and hop into the PC group to warn them before the rush and to help them all not die.

Orcs on Dire Boars are going to ambush them, or just plain attack them without surprise.

What terrain elements and/or complications the orcs or others can cause would make for the most fun and heroics?

My ideas to start:
- A Chase skill challenge to run away if they want, or to achieve a better terrain advantage, or just delay the fighting? (What sorts of things would grant terrain advantage to a wagon and horses?)
- Survive for a certain amount of time until the troop can catch up or come back to help them out of a dire spot.
- Cliffedges for falling, rock walls, water, bridges, etc. What would be engaging ways to employ these?
- Dwarf dons armor (if there's time) and fights
- or PCs can pluck vials from the wagon bed and throw them (if the Dwarf is unconscious, too far, or preoccupied then roll to see what random alchemical potion it is? Sounds fun.)

What would be in the orcs minds as tactically advantageous? (BTW They have an intelligent orog commander)

Please help me out. You all are great at creative ideating. My session is coming up in a couple days. Have fun.
#2
doomsought
Feb 02, 2009 19:33:56 The road curves around a steep hill, with shrubbery and trees on the other side and top of the hill. The hill is difficult terrain and requires a climb check to go up, but give a suitable bonus when charged down. the shrubbery is difficult terrain that provides full concealment. The trees take up 1/4 square and provide 1/2 cover. A tree is felled just around the corner.
Orc artillery and dire boars are up on top of the hill, and some more orc brutes in the shrubbery to the side. First the boars are sent down to distract the guards. The next turn the orcs come up from the other side, into flanking positions, and attack. Listen check when the Boars charge out to hear an orc artillery giving the boars the order to attack.
#3
paulos
Feb 02, 2009 19:53:56 Oh I didn't specify that the orcs rode the boars? Maybe it'd be better if they didn't...

Also, the Orcs can be alerted to who the party is, since a gnome runner sent out by the last goblin leader they just thrashed (and his whole tribe) called for the orc and his crew, and some remnant goblin wolf-riders to come to his aid (while the PC's took an extended rest after clearing out half his fortress) The orcs and wolf-goblins found the fortress full of dead goblins and now are in the area of the road because it makes for good raiding when they locate the PCs and their entourage.
#4
paulos
Feb 03, 2009 10:12:29 Other ideas?
#5
evilkobra
Feb 04, 2009 11:18:27 You could try giving them an unwinnable situation, then make it look like their actions turned it into a winnable one - and from there into a (hopefully) crushing victory. It can be laid out much like Doomsought suggested:

A road spirals up a steep hill. The caravan climbs slowly, with a sheer cliff on either side (one up, one down). At some point, the caravan is forced to stop. A felled tree works, but I'd go for the orcs rolling boulders from the hilltop and damaging to the wagon's wheels, or even toppling the wagon without quite managing to force it off the cliff (thanks to the PCs' quick actions - mini skill challenge?). Either way, it can't keep climbing, but it also can't easily back up out of harm's way. It needs to be repaired, but...

A group of Orc artillery (bows, rocks, spears...) are perched atop the hill, and can attack the caravan with almost complete impunity. You should probably use a bunch of minions for this, since they will have superior cover and very few of your party members will be able to reach them anyway (vertical distance should set the range to more than 10), so it will be nice that there's a noticeable result any time they do manage to hit something. The minions will distribute their attacks among all targets, including the militia, so the situation may look very dire but the PCs themselves are not actually taking a lot of damage. The Dwarf can hide behind the caravan, put on his armor, then emerge when he's ready several turns later (giving the players a nice 'timer', for a change of pace in the battle).

Among the minions is the Orog commander, who also shouts orders to the second group of Orcs. He looks important and smart, but he won't come down, and he will take cover behind minions to avoid being shot at. So his presence in the first part of the battle is mostly as a big neon sign that reads "find a way to reach me and kill me and you will win the battle".

The commander and the rock-tossing minions can actually be reached by continuing a few hundred feet up the road, but as soon as the players attempt this (prompted, if necessary, by one of the militiamen), the second group of orcs come charging down the road. That leaves the heroes really stuck, as they can't advance past the wall of brutes, and the artillery is gradually grinding down their HP and killing off the occasional militiaman. The leader of the chargers should be some form of elite berserker, and you could describe him quite vividly to give him a feel of importance, too. Things should look grim!

The key point is, despite the frantic orders from the Orog commander, the berserker should go on a frenzied rampage after it takes a bit of damage from the PCs (or the militia, if the PCs are really getting into trouble). The first turn or two of his frenzy should be really scary, but then, in his blind rage, he will make a deadly mistake - he will stand and attack someone (the Dwarf?) right at the edge of the cliff. A perfect opportunity for the players to be creative and bullrush/thunderwave/tideofiron/etc him off! Fudge if needed.

When that happens, the rest of the orc chargers flee in disarray, leaving the path open for the PCs to sprint up the hill and trap the artillery minions in close combat (where they're worthless) and decimate them, possibly capturing their leader.

Convoluted, but you can pull it off ;)
#6
paulos
Feb 04, 2009 12:28:24 That is fantastic EvilKobra, thanks. I worked out something last night (session is tonight) that I'll trade for that anyday. It'll be a bear keeping track of 2 dozen militiamen. What would they be doing during the trapped/bombarded section? Pinned down behind cover (wagon, trees, etc)?

The dwarf, being an alchemist has the wagon full of nice volatile vials too. Which could be interesting.

I like the Orog being free to talk, he knows the PCs since they took out his ally and a runner alerted him.

I'm going to make the 2nd group berserkers into a goblin pack on wolves, with an elite berserker like you said. That fits my story perfectly, and I dont hvae to explain why the militia wouldn't be with them for a tough fight like this.

Oh yeah, and bellybows for the artillery so it knocks people around, put some militia over the edge. Maybe the militia can have a comisariat wagon too to provide more cover.

I am immensely grateful for your help guys. Any ideas for managing 25 NPCs not counting enemies?
#7
evilkobra
Feb 05, 2009 7:20:04 Sorry I couldn't get back to you in time. How'd it go?
#8
paulos
Feb 05, 2009 10:16:38 Ran it last night. It went well. Obviously took a long time, 2.5 hours maybe, but they did find themselves in a pickle. Nothing got out of hand. Quick creativity saved the day a few times.

I split the militia into 2 platoons of 12 with a leader making 25, one was rearguard a few 100 feet back, (off the map, dealt with a force of orcs from that way with the help of a stronger adv. party that'll become mentors for a while. They'd been tracking the raiders, and warned the PCs and helped for abit before singlehandedly holding the rear front (off screen, easier that way)

All the militia hit the deck and huddled by the cliff for cover, the leader asked the PCs what the plan was. They were busy catching the wagon's horses who were teetering on the edge, and tied a rope from the wagon to a tree growing by the cliff to stabalize it.
A potential complicatoin was that the wizard really wanted to put a flaming sphere to roll around up on top and take everybody out but we ruled he didn't have line of effect and barely had range. So he climbed the tree, did a flaming burst and got knocked out of the tree by a bolt.
I put the cliff at 35 feet up with rocks for superior cover, and my rogue has mad climbing skills, feats etc, so he started climbing followed by the minotaur barbarian and even the elf cleric attempted (taking about 4 rounds to get up. When the halfling got up he took out one bolter with sneak attack but quickly incurred the orog's scorn, lots of damage, faked his death and so the orog charged the minotaur who had just cleared the top (without a standard left to attack anyone, 2 tries to climib up) with scorn and fury and laid him low in one huge critical hit.

Finally the cleric made it up but decided it was death up there alone and so he yanked theminotaurs body which was dangling off the edge and "rode it down" (it was sort of a slope) which gave the minotaur damage but he had lots of hp even in the negative. The rogue popped up and slit the next guys neck without anybody noticing and slid himself down the cliff again with acrobatic stunts.

Meanwhile the militia leader was trying to oust his fearful band further down the road looking for a way up, inviting the PCs who then squared off with wolves, goblins and a berserker orc freak. The dwarf finally emerged armed and tossed some alchemical bombs and swinging his hammer semi-innectually.

THe militia leader got owned, almost dying while everything else was mopped up slowly, the orog running ni the endon his boar, to be seen another day.
#9
paulos
Feb 05, 2009 10:17:22 EvilKobra, I like your style of DMing, I read your other thread abuot modifying single encounters in a day.
#10
evilkobra
Feb 05, 2009 14:12:15
EvilKobra, I like your style of DMing, I read your other thread abuot modifying single encounters in a day.

Thanks - it's definitely not to everyone's taste, but it can be refreshing if you thrive under pressure ;)

I'm glad to hear it went well, I like the spin you put on it. Especially the climbing up and down bit, it must've made them quite scared. And by now the Orog will have the players foaming at the mouth in anger!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 paulos Feb 02, 2009 17:57:56	Can you help me set up a rivetting ambush situation. 6 lvl2-3 mounted PCs are escorting a dwarf alchemist and a wagon of all his supplies to a city where he's going to relocate his business. They're also 'with' a troop of 25 town militia. They can be either ahead of or behind the troop to make it more challenging, less largescale battle. If there's a good reason. Maybe the wagon is having slower going on a steep slope. Or maybe the adventurers are ahead because they're scouting, and more flexible than the marching soldiers. Two higher level friendly rangers have been tracking the orcs and hop into the PC group to warn them before the rush and to help them all not die. Orcs on Dire Boars are going to ambush them, or just plain attack them without surprise. What terrain elements and/or complications the orcs or others can cause would make for the most fun and heroics? My ideas to start: - A Chase skill challenge to run away if they want, or to achieve a better terrain advantage, or just delay the fighting? (What sorts of things would grant terrain advantage to a wagon and horses?) - Survive for a certain amount of time until the troop can catch up or come back to help them out of a dire spot. - Cliffedges for falling, rock walls, water, bridges, etc. What would be engaging ways to employ these? - Dwarf dons armor (if there's time) and fights - or PCs can pluck vials from the wagon bed and throw them (if the Dwarf is unconscious, too far, or preoccupied then roll to see what random alchemical potion it is? Sounds fun.) What would be in the orcs minds as tactically advantageous? (BTW They have an intelligent orog commander) Please help me out. You all are great at creative ideating. My session is coming up in a couple days. Have fun.
#2 doomsought Feb 02, 2009 19:33:56	The road curves around a steep hill, with shrubbery and trees on the other side and top of the hill. The hill is difficult terrain and requires a climb check to go up, but give a suitable bonus when charged down. the shrubbery is difficult terrain that provides full concealment. The trees take up 1/4 square and provide 1/2 cover. A tree is felled just around the corner. Orc artillery and dire boars are up on top of the hill, and some more orc brutes in the shrubbery to the side. First the boars are sent down to distract the guards. The next turn the orcs come up from the other side, into flanking positions, and attack. Listen check when the Boars charge out to hear an orc artillery giving the boars the order to attack.
#3 paulos Feb 02, 2009 19:53:56	Oh I didn't specify that the orcs rode the boars? Maybe it'd be better if they didn't... Also, the Orcs can be alerted to who the party is, since a gnome runner sent out by the last goblin leader they just thrashed (and his whole tribe) called for the orc and his crew, and some remnant goblin wolf-riders to come to his aid (while the PC's took an extended rest after clearing out half his fortress) The orcs and wolf-goblins found the fortress full of dead goblins and now are in the area of the road because it makes for good raiding when they locate the PCs and their entourage.
#4 paulos Feb 03, 2009 10:12:29	Other ideas?
#5 evilkobra Feb 04, 2009 11:18:27	You could try giving them an unwinnable situation, then make it look like their actions turned it into a winnable one - and from there into a (hopefully) crushing victory. It can be laid out much like Doomsought suggested: A road spirals up a steep hill. The caravan climbs slowly, with a sheer cliff on either side (one up, one down). At some point, the caravan is forced to stop. A felled tree works, but I'd go for the orcs rolling boulders from the hilltop and damaging to the wagon's wheels, or even toppling the wagon without quite managing to force it off the cliff (thanks to the PCs' quick actions - mini skill challenge?). Either way, it can't keep climbing, but it also can't easily back up out of harm's way. It needs to be repaired, but... A group of Orc artillery (bows, rocks, spears...) are perched atop the hill, and can attack the caravan with almost complete impunity. You should probably use a bunch of minions for this, since they will have superior cover and very few of your party members will be able to reach them anyway (vertical distance should set the range to more than 10), so it will be nice that there's a noticeable result any time they do manage to hit something. The minions will distribute their attacks among all targets, including the militia, so the situation may look very dire but the PCs themselves are not actually taking a lot of damage. The Dwarf can hide behind the caravan, put on his armor, then emerge when he's ready several turns later (giving the players a nice 'timer', for a change of pace in the battle). Among the minions is the Orog commander, who also shouts orders to the second group of Orcs. He looks important and smart, but he won't come down, and he will take cover behind minions to avoid being shot at. So his presence in the first part of the battle is mostly as a big neon sign that reads "find a way to reach me and kill me and you will win the battle". The commander and the rock-tossing minions can actually be reached by continuing a few hundred feet up the road, but as soon as the players attempt this (prompted, if necessary, by one of the militiamen), the second group of orcs come charging down the road. That leaves the heroes really stuck, as they can't advance past the wall of brutes, and the artillery is gradually grinding down their HP and killing off the occasional militiaman. The leader of the chargers should be some form of elite berserker, and you could describe him quite vividly to give him a feel of importance, too. Things should look grim! The key point is, despite the frantic orders from the Orog commander, the berserker should go on a frenzied rampage after it takes a bit of damage from the PCs (or the militia, if the PCs are really getting into trouble). The first turn or two of his frenzy should be really scary, but then, in his blind rage, he will make a deadly mistake - he will stand and attack someone (the Dwarf?) right at the edge of the cliff. A perfect opportunity for the players to be creative and bullrush/thunderwave/tideofiron/etc him off! Fudge if needed. When that happens, the rest of the orc chargers flee in disarray, leaving the path open for the PCs to sprint up the hill and trap the artillery minions in close combat (where they're worthless) and decimate them, possibly capturing their leader. Convoluted, but you can pull it off ;)
#6 paulos Feb 04, 2009 12:28:24	That is fantastic EvilKobra, thanks. I worked out something last night (session is tonight) that I'll trade for that anyday. It'll be a bear keeping track of 2 dozen militiamen. What would they be doing during the trapped/bombarded section? Pinned down behind cover (wagon, trees, etc)? The dwarf, being an alchemist has the wagon full of nice volatile vials too. Which could be interesting. I like the Orog being free to talk, he knows the PCs since they took out his ally and a runner alerted him. I'm going to make the 2nd group berserkers into a goblin pack on wolves, with an elite berserker like you said. That fits my story perfectly, and I dont hvae to explain why the militia wouldn't be with them for a tough fight like this. Oh yeah, and bellybows for the artillery so it knocks people around, put some militia over the edge. Maybe the militia can have a comisariat wagon too to provide more cover. I am immensely grateful for your help guys. Any ideas for managing 25 NPCs not counting enemies?
#7 evilkobra Feb 05, 2009 7:20:04	Sorry I couldn't get back to you in time. How'd it go?
#8 paulos Feb 05, 2009 10:16:38	Ran it last night. It went well. Obviously took a long time, 2.5 hours maybe, but they did find themselves in a pickle. Nothing got out of hand. Quick creativity saved the day a few times. I split the militia into 2 platoons of 12 with a leader making 25, one was rearguard a few 100 feet back, (off the map, dealt with a force of orcs from that way with the help of a stronger adv. party that'll become mentors for a while. They'd been tracking the raiders, and warned the PCs and helped for abit before singlehandedly holding the rear front (off screen, easier that way) All the militia hit the deck and huddled by the cliff for cover, the leader asked the PCs what the plan was. They were busy catching the wagon's horses who were teetering on the edge, and tied a rope from the wagon to a tree growing by the cliff to stabalize it. A potential complicatoin was that the wizard really wanted to put a flaming sphere to roll around up on top and take everybody out but we ruled he didn't have line of effect and barely had range. So he climbed the tree, did a flaming burst and got knocked out of the tree by a bolt. I put the cliff at 35 feet up with rocks for superior cover, and my rogue has mad climbing skills, feats etc, so he started climbing followed by the minotaur barbarian and even the elf cleric attempted (taking about 4 rounds to get up. When the halfling got up he took out one bolter with sneak attack but quickly incurred the orog's scorn, lots of damage, faked his death and so the orog charged the minotaur who had just cleared the top (without a standard left to attack anyone, 2 tries to climib up) with scorn and fury and laid him low in one huge critical hit. Finally the cleric made it up but decided it was death up there alone and so he yanked theminotaurs body which was dangling off the edge and "rode it down" (it was sort of a slope) which gave the minotaur damage but he had lots of hp even in the negative. The rogue popped up and slit the next guys neck without anybody noticing and slid himself down the cliff again with acrobatic stunts. Meanwhile the militia leader was trying to oust his fearful band further down the road looking for a way up, inviting the PCs who then squared off with wolves, goblins and a berserker orc freak. The dwarf finally emerged armed and tossed some alchemical bombs and swinging his hammer semi-innectually. THe militia leader got owned, almost dying while everything else was mopped up slowly, the orog running ni the endon his boar, to be seen another day.
#9 paulos Feb 05, 2009 10:17:22	EvilKobra, I like your style of DMing, I read your other thread abuot modifying single encounters in a day.
#10 evilkobra Feb 05, 2009 14:12:15	EvilKobra, I like your style of DMing, I read your other thread abuot modifying single encounters in a day. Thanks - it's definitely not to everyone's taste, but it can be refreshing if you thrive under pressure ;) I'm glad to hear it went well, I like the spin you put on it. Especially the climbing up and down bit, it must've made them quite scared. And by now the Orog will have the players foaming at the mouth in anger!