D&D Gamer

Ok, just gonna make this note here so I can track what the hell is going on here.

First up, A mile out, Jess gives you heads up that they're approaching.
Next, there would be occasional flashes of light from a hooded lantern. It's not possible to pinpoint the distance or location, it's simply an indicator that they're coming.
When the lead cultist is 55ft from Viales (65ft from Nirili). Nirili spots him. Distance is based on Nirili's perception so pending triangulation on Viales' precise location, but it's around that distance.
It is clear that the cultists have not yet noticed the ambush.
Would Nirili do anything at this point?

I suppose we should have discussed what the plan was. As far as I knew, we were intending to let them get to the tree, see the guard, then cut them off from behind. Pell said there was a method to his madness, but Viales didn't discuss anything different with the team.

She would probably not do anything at that point, unless maybe she thought that the lantern would reveal their location. She definitely wants to get a feel for how many there are.

I'll give Pell a chance to weigh in. I would say, it's gonna be tricky for you to determine when, if ever, they'll spot you, so if there is a distance from you that you think Nirili would act on if the group are still unseen, that might be helpful info. You've seen the image, you know the forest is medium density, so it's unlikely there'll be a point where you can clearly see every member of the group.

You never mentioned it - did the guard captain and his men return?

Cmdr Maxwell wrote: ↑Tue Jun 24, 2025 5:37 pm
When they arrive and we manage to get the drop on them, Viales' opening action will be to cast Stonecall.

I did mention what my plan was, although I suppose I didn't elaborate. It'll make the ground around the cultists difficult terrain, allowing us to close in. Getting them from behind is the other half of the equation, so would wait until they pass, unless the rolls are shit enough that we have to act.

Just to clarify as well, I instructed Jess to be slightly further out to act as a sentry, but remaining within the 1 mile range for empathic link. The instruction would be "send a feeling of anger when you see anyone that isn't from our group"

Cmdr Maxwell wrote: ↑Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:55 am I''m thinking we pair off, keeping the tree within sight. Jess will be about a mile out, and I can feel her reaction through the empathic link if someone is approaching. Looking for a knoll of some kind to shelter behind.

Pairings, Viales and Timidity. Zandorian and Nirili.

Signal TBD but should be close enough to see/hear each other.

Here's the post about Jess

The terrain is already difficult terrain.
And I did say you got the signal from Jess, already. You'd get it when they're a mile away.

Does Viales' plan hinge on him seeing a cultist? If so, they shall continue to approach until either he sees them or they see him.

I'm also just gonna clarify the ways this could go down.

Right now, Nirili is aware. If she acts, she gets a surprise round and then (if necessary) initiatives will be rolled and combat will ensue.
If you wait, the cultists will approach until the next person's perception surpasses a stealth. If that is, for example, Zandorian, then the two of you could take a surprise round. Of course, if it's a cultist...

This is the tricky part of an ambush. When precisely do you spring your trap? :)

Understood.

Apologies in advance, my replies will be delayed for the immediate future. I've got a lot of information about the restructuring to read through and digest. My job security isn't in writing yet, despite the verbal assurance I've been given yesterday :/

Just so we're clear, yes the guards have returned and will be positioned:
"Maybe AR15, AH26, AR34 ish."
As requested.

What this boils down to is we have one group, you guys, laying in ambush in a heavily forested area.
We have a second group, the cultists, approaching.
At some point, they will notice you guys. The question is, how much are you willing to gamble on letting them get closer (thus being more beneficial to you) before that happens. Basically, if Nirili choose not to act here, the cultists will come closer, with me checking in when the next spot check is passed, assuming its one of you that succeeds, or initiative will be rolled if the cultists pass their check next.
Does that make sense?

(I'm aware Pell has some real life issues going on at the moment. This isn't a pressure for speed, just wanna make sure we're all on the same page)

Ok, so at this point we think that they will spot us before they see the guards and will focus on them?

Oh boy. When did my life get so busy? XD

"Ok, so at this point we think that they will spot us before they see the guards and will focus on them?"

Timidity had the lowest stealth at 16.

If the cultists have better perception than that then yes, they will see your group before they see the guards.

Viales' plan hinges on them being about 80 ft. Less, ideally, as that's less to traverse.

You still going to throw the stonecall even though this is already rough terrain?

I am. I could try a thunderstomp which is my other ranged offensive spell, but its Close and only affects one creature. Stonecall does 2d6 damage with no saving throw, so hopefully I'll roll high

Well, don't forget they're gonna have a kidnapped girl with them.

Well hopefully she won't be caught in the crossfire XD I'll endeavour to be careful

The fucking math on this is driving me insane. I think I did it wrong the first time.

When the cultists are 80ft from Viales, he spots them. At this point they are 90ft from Nirili which is currently outside her perception range.

So let me reissue the status.
Viales is first to spot. Does he immediately spring the trap or does he wait?

No wait. That's wrong too. I need to sleep. Will tackle this in the morning.

Ok.

Breakdown.

Nirili. Spot checks start at 60ft.(Darkvision 60ft)
Zandorian. Spot checks start at 80ft. (Darkvision 120ft)
Viales. Spot checks start at 40ft. (Normal Vision)
Timidity. Spot checks start at 40ft. (Normal Vision)

Viales/Timidity ten feet ahead of Nirili/Zandorian.

Zandorian makes first spot check at 80ft and fails (adjusted check is -5). Again at 70ft and fails with a -4.
At 60ft, he fails with a -3, but Nirili passes with an adjusted check of 23.
At this point the cultists are still 50ft from Viales and Timidity.

If Nirili acts now, combat will begin with Nirili in a surprise round.

If you wait until the next check (made at 40ft from Viales) Zandorian will fail with a -2. Timidity will also fail with a 3.
Viales' check will be a 19. The cultists' spot will be checked against the stealth of Viales (18) and Timidity (16).

Scenario A. Viales passes, Cultists fail. Agency is with you. Initiating combat will put Viales and Nirili in a surprise round.
Scenario B. Viales fails, Cultists pass. Combat begins. Surprise round for Nirili and Cultists.
Scenario C. Both pass. Combat begins, Nirili, Viales and Cultists get surprise round.
Scenario D. Both fail. Next spot check is made at 30ft.

I am of the understanding that the intention is for Nirili to delay so that Viales can make that 40ft check. Is this correct? Because once I proc those spot checks, there will be no undoes.

(yes, I know it's not spot, but I'm not typing perception that many times.)

Had confirmation from Pell, so...

At 40ft from Viales, Viales spots the cultists. They do not yet seem like they have spotted anyone.

Would Viales act here or would the next set of checks at 30ft proc?

Charon wrote: ↑Fri Jul 25, 2025 10:09 am I am of the understanding that the intention is for Nirili to delay so that Viales can make that 40ft check. Is this correct? Because once I proc those spot checks, there will be no undoes.

Correct. She has her bow at the ready to fire.

Viales will act on his 'turn' at 40ft

Ok, in which case I will take initiative from Viales.
I am assuming Nirili would wait for Viales to do his thing, essentially delaying her initiative to after he acts?

If this is correct, this will mean we open with a surprise round (a single action) from Viales, then Nirili.

I will work on the battle map in the mean time and hopefully it will be up this weekend at the latest. If I can't get something suitable in Dungeon Alchemist I might just have to use an excel sheet.

Turns out I did get the time I was hoping for this afternoon so...

Let me start with this. Not full scale, but shows the kind of 3D scenario we're dealing with. Forest. Moonlight. The clear area at the bottom right represents the area under the canopy of the Kraken Tree. Obviously kinda hard to render that. Likewise, the muddy brown section in the bottom right corner is essentially the tree trunk.
3D render:

Spoiler

From there, I had to do some copy pasting as we were at maximum map size, so the result isn't perfect, but here's the top down map. I changed the lighting to sunset to help with readability.
Top Down Render:

Spoiler

With that in mind, here is my interpretation of approximate positioning based on your original plan combined with where it sorta makes sense to hide. I have not yet included the cultists as I want to make sure this is sufficient or whether, with the visual map you wish to make any adjustments. Bear in mind that there was no way to really place Viales precisely ten feet in front of Nirili, so our math is an abstraction. I still want to keep the two in fairly close proximity so as best to represent the visual scenario we've produced.
Preliminary Battle Map:

Spoiler