Alright, I’m going to go ahead and propose a marching order. I’m assuming the following:
1)We can fit 2 wide in a ten foot wide corridor
2)Spears and pole arms can attack from the second rank (confirmed by Judge)
3)Spellcasters can cast spells with one hand (allowing them to hold a light source in the other hand.
Feel free to offer alternatives to the below marching order. Asterisk represents light source
The front line was largely determined by AC, and the ability to spam Turns if needed. Putting Kerrick in the rear allows us to turn any undead coming from behind. I’m not sure if a magic-user in the second rank has line of sight in melee or not (to cast spells). If not, it might make more sense to move Kerrick to the second rank, putting Gwydion and Kaul in the third rank with Masov bringing up the rear.
I have no specific objection to acting as rear guard in case we get attacked from behind (although admittedly I’m used to giving that job to clerics, our clerics have the best ACs), but it feels like I should mention that paladins can’t turn undead.
My expectation, being first level, is that we’d want to rotate front line, second line, and rear guard duties as HP declines anyway; we have limited ability to recover from injuries.
I still hope to start with a spear carrier, which would add a second rank combatat. In any event Hengist can carry a torch if he throws it down in melee. I’d more or less expected to be first rank as a fighter but can handle second rank and rotate in, or start first and rotate back when wounded.
Again, I assumed that the ability to cast at opponents in melee (especially if the enchanter gets Sleep) outweighs the benefits of having another spear in the second rank. However! Once melee is joined and any spells are cast we can always rotate Kerrick and Gywdion, to bring that extra spear to bear.
We will need meatshields. I intend to hire a few once I have spare coin. In the meantime, I will carry a torch or lantern to give light to the front rank.
I’ll put her in the second rank if needed, but she (in addition to Miska the Cleric) has the best AC out of everyone, a +1 to damage and a nasty 6+ attack throw. The other two melee types have worse AC, the paladin has only one additional hp, and both of them have worse attack throws. Plus, she’s going to be wicked impossible to surprise or get the drop on.
Again, if you’d like I can totally re-arrange it so that she’s in the second rank, but it seems like from a logistical viewpoint she should be a front-ranker.
Just to let everyone know, I am traveling this coming week, and I have no idea whether or not I’ll have an internet connection. I am going to try and get a number of things posted before I leave tomorrow (e.g. hex map, gods, more geographic info, etc.), including an intro post to set up a number of rumors and choices. You lot can work out where you’d like to head from there, and we’ll get rolling at the start of the following week. This also gives you some time to figure out a few SOPs. Does that work for everyone?
I’m moving tomorrow, so I may be out or spotty for a few days (in fact I’d expect this might be the last time I have free to post until things settle). I’ll weigh in on whatever is being discussed once that’s dealt with.
I’d really prefer Aria to be in the second rank at least until 2nd level. A character with 6hp can be killed in one hit by a 1HD monster, while a character with 7hp or 8hp cannot. She can move forward when the front rank gets hurt.
Again, I assumed that the ability to cast at opponents in melee (especially if the enchanter gets Sleep) outweighs the benefits of having another spear in the second rank. However! Once melee is joined and any spells are cast we can always rotate Kerrick and Gywdion, to bring that extra spear to bear.