Brannor has rolled a 9 for his Initiative check at the edge of the forest, @Hekazu. I suspect, given the ranger-knight was ahead of the group, that he is likely near to or at the front of the procession into the woods when the riders at last catch up. Other than that, I have no real say or power in any way; that is the only reasonable place to be based on the turn of events.

I dunno about positioning, but I'd figure that since Orchid is a big burly guy and Parum is a halfling, could Orchid carry her, and then put his sword away for his shield, and utilize his speed and bulk to carry her away while she does her thing? Basically I wanna make Orchid into a mount for Parum.

Orchid is Medium, Parum is Small. By that regard, it seems fine to me. Orchid isn't exactly equipped with the typical mount anatomy though, so that may (read: will) result in disadvantages on forced dismount checks and Orchid's own attacks. As long as Parum consents, she can be carried by the half-orc and can dismount as normal, using half of her movement. Or Orchid may unceremoniously drop her flat on the ground, that is also an option.

Since Kyra is a native to this area and a wood elf to boot, would it be possible for her to have managed to guide the party further across the open field ahead of the horsemen? I imagine she would have showed them quick ways through the forest, as well as paths that, while easily accessible on foot, would be incredibly difficult for someone who is mounted.

The woods are a fair distance away, but rest assured I was counting on Kyra using her knowledge to the party's advantage as soon as they would reach them. In mechanics sense, they will be likely to avoid any slower to catch up riders based on that.

Brannor has rolled a 9 for his Initiative check at the edge of the forest, @Hekazu. I suspect, given the ranger-knight was ahead of the group, that he is likely near to or at the front of the procession into the woods when the riders at last catch up. Other than that, I have no real say or power in any way; that is the only reasonable place to be based on the turn of events.

Noted.

Man we're all just getting some really bad initiatives. I have a 5. I don't mind Orchid carrying me as long as he follows my orders. Does this mean he goes on my initiative or does he just do his own thing?

Man we're all just getting some really bad initiatives. I have a 5. I don't mind Orchid carrying me as long as he follows my orders. Does this mean he goes on my initiative or does he just do his own thing?

Intelligent mounts act on their own initiative, always. And that is what Orchid is, an intelligent creature serving as a mount. They cannot be controlled on the rider's initiative.

Torus has a whopping 2. He likely would be near the rear closest to the encampment.

@Hekazu

This took way too much manual effort, what with the grid being incomplete. I should probably just succumb to using some more premade tools to make things actually look good, but here we are, with the traditional "just how shitty can Hekazu have it look this time" extravaganza. Have it as a sneak peek while I move on to prepare the post itself.

@Hekazu

Unfortunately we'll have to continue our theme of bad luck rolls for initiative as Kyra only has a 4. These guys are going to be on us fast aren't they?

That settles that then. @The Harbinger of Ferocity, the stage is yours.

Not even close to a hit, but now certainly is the time to make short work of them as expediently as possible before another wave or worse decides to eventually catch up. The escape was one thing, now sealing the escape is another, something which I would say - dare hope - is the end of this chapter if we manage it right. The forest should make it very difficult for them to even dare to keep up with us between all of the natural talent we have and someone's character being familiar to the lay of the land, but there are likely to be patrols or the sort about.

First things first however, someone kill one of them. That is all.

This should be about right, no? @The Harbinger of Ferocity I'll have to mention that using his bow to attack and then putting it away, while consecutively drawing his sword does go over the free object interaction budget though. You are free to stow your bow, but you would need an action to draw your blade after. Of course, the exception would be if you already had your bow in hand, you could drop it and draw your weapon without any particular hassle. Object interactions are complicated, I will freely admit...

Either way, it seems to be Orchid's turn now @Lucius Cypher.

That would be correct for positioning and dropping it will be the best option then, @Hekazu. No point in making this overly complicated any further, this chapter has gone on for far too long.

That would be correct for positioning and dropping it will be the best option then, @Hekazu. No point in making this overly complicated any further, this chapter has gone on for far too long.

Any spot in particular you would want it at? I could add an icon on the map.

The same square as he ended in, hopefully meaning that it can be in reach if needed, @Hekazu. I do not intend to have him start firing arrows in the midst of met combat, but not having it out of reach would be positive as well.

Done. Not all that visible at the present moment, but will be there for future reference.

Right, let's see here @Lucius Cypher...

Your Rage would have ended on the transition period, I am afraid. You'd have to pop another one to maintain the status. Then there's the classic "Torag not found, did you mean Torus?" that I can easily solve myself but... your choice of action is the most peculiar of them all. Intercept? I am unsure if I know what you are aiming to do there. If it was only against yourself, I could count it for a Dodge action, but since you are adamant on protecting anyone, is it an attack you are going to make if anyone enters your reach? Or are you looking to get in on some "Get down Mr. President!" action? Because for that last one I would have to custom brew an action option. The closest we have now is a Fighting Style option, which I do not think you possess.

Anyhow, I think this looks about right for your movement?

@Hekazu

Basically what I had in mind was any attack that tries to hit my ally will instead be directed to me, so yeah a sort of "get down Mr. President" dealio. I figured with an AC of 16 I could probably take on any attack melee or range, and if they still break through my AC I got more HP than everyone cept Torus in bear form.

I'm aware that my action isn't exactly written down in any format, but I figured it's basically a readied action to try and block an attack. Unlike the protection fighting style, that is a reaction, which would imply sharper reflexes compared to the actively anticipation that Orchid is doing. Better action economy with the fighting style.

Very well, @Lucius Cypher. If that is what you desire, that requires a consistent ruling in case it is brought up again in the future. And let me try and create one quickly...

Intercept
Choose any number of creatures within 5 feet of you. By expending your action and reaction, you prime yourself to absorb any incoming attacks in their stead. When any of the chosen creatures is attacked for the first time until your next turn (I find it hard to word this, though it only works once. One attack, one of the creatures chosen to be protected), you intercept the attack/spell, directing the attack towards yourself instead. However, this reckless action grants the enemy advantage on their attack roll.

What say you? It differs from the protection style by actually moving the targeting of the attack, but it does come with a drawback severe enough to not make Barbarians consider to just become walking HP pools for their spellcasters in later-game content. Or perhaps the action economy penalty is enough on its own. I would value your thoughts as well, @The Harbinger of Ferocity.

@Hekazu

I feel that simply being the target of the attack, and actively trying to defend against it, shouldn't impose advantage for the enemy since this isn't a reactionary thing but a active defense. Basically what Orchid is trying to do is block whatever attack with his shield/weapon. Now maybe if there was a sort of reckless defending thing like literally throwing your body in front of an attack, the advantage would be warranted, but in this instance Orchid isn't being so reckless but actively defending his allies. Everything else looks just fine though.

Trying to protect things with a shield is exactly what the fighting style is about, weapons not being that different, and I am unsure if I am willing to go to such overlap, however. That's a feature for classes that can take it, and I don't want to undermine viable features by allowing anyone to do that. And besides, often the man with the protector style would much rather have the attack targeted on them, I am quite sure, instead of simply protecting an ally. And if we want the ruling to be consistent, which it has to be if we are allowing the action in this game, I would err towards the side of caution and apply the drawback to every intercepted attack.

All right, intriguing news incoming.

After more thorough thinking and a brief correspondence with Harbinger, whose understanding of rules and their implications I do value, another problem with said ruling was unearthed. It was not only the fact that we could not settle on whether to have an advantage applied to the intercepted attack or not, but also the question of what happens when a boss starts using trash mobs as buffer? That is already a feature of Goblin Bosses, and it is a rather nasty feature to have at times. And then there was the matter of mounts, especially of the uncontrolled sort. What would be there to stop them always pulling off the intercept as long as they lived, protecting the rider even more than their additional movement already allowed?

In the end, all this simply added up to more headache than there was worth to be seen in it, so the proposed action had to be scrapped. However, it is not only bad news, for I remembered something. The usual Help action is, indeed, an action. However, there is a class whose Help is just better, that being the mastermind rogues. So it could well be that we could have a worse version of the protect after all. Choose one creature within five feet to intercept incoming attacks for, and apply disadvantage to the first one they suffer until your next turn. It is weaker action economy wise, as well as having less freedom of choice, but it would be an usable option.

Question is, @Lucius Cypher, if this was the ruling made would you still seek to intercept incoming attacks, and if so, for whom?