Question: Who's where in the line up of the caravan? Who's in a wagon or mounted or whatnot and who isn't? (Obviously, I know that Juniper, Samophlange, and Korr are in (or on top of) wagons, but beyond that?)
Part of my question is toward BCM. I think we've all been assumming that this is a wagon caravan, since Blaz is said to be in one, but I don't know if there are other animals or vehicles in the line or how long it is, just that it is a "motley band".
In any case, Brace is probably in the same wagon as Korr, shoved in the back with the stuff rather than on a seat, if that's allowed.
The turnips are in the wagon in front of the Splitbark brothers, as I understood it. Remember that the gnome spilled one out of his wagon that the Splitbark wagon ran over.
I'm making up/winging this part; it's not in the module. But I've presumed a line of only a dozen vehicles: wagons, carts, pack animals, riders. If you don't have a mount (no PC does), then you're walking or hitching a ride on a wagon. The PCs will be close to the front, where the action will be, unless for some reason you want to be in the rear or join late.
From what we've got, order of posting, and how wrong you're getting the message, the lead is the Merrymar covered wagon. Next is the turnip wagon with Samo. Third is a wagon with Brace and Korr. Ilrien seems to hiking behind them. Juniper I've pictured sitting on top of a covered wagon, maybe Blaz's? How's that?
I rolled initiative for you, as I find it saves a lot of time in play-by-post. I may do that for other rolls in future. Anyway, here is the initiative list and the system I use. I divide the initiative list up into batches, so you can post somewhat out of order within your batch, and I don't have to cover all the NPCs at once. Currently, only Ilrien may act, though the rest of you may post a reaction if you wish, if it doesn't affect combat. Then Gvrag the bugbear and the regular goblins will act. Then Samo, Korr, and Brace may act in any order. And so on. When Maegraunn and Ruf's character are ready, I'll insert them into the initiative list. I hope that makes sense. Ask away if you have any questions.
BTW, Gvrag is grappling Blaz and uses his as soft cover. He's not able to coup de grace him. I've also slightly altered the scene from what the artwork shows; there is no overturned cart and the two other goblins are further away.
Based on what we've described: Blaz's wagon is covered and walled, with a door on the back. The turnip wagon is open, since the turnips can bounce out. Brace and Korr's wagon can be as you like. Depends how much apothecary equipment and supplies you're carrying, I guess. (Does someone want to make us a wagon article?)
Correct.
Every time I try to do without battle-maps... Alright, I'll knock something up for my next update.
Don't feel pressured to make maps if it doesn't seem necessary! If I know distances, I can make decisions, too.
(I might make a wagon article. I was actually thinking about it a while ago.)
Goblins #1 and #2 delayed, just to break up the batch a bit. At this point, as Ilrien is up after Juniper, I'll allow her to act as well, before my next update.
Okay, sunstroke (I assume from Sandstorm) seems to be a rather strong spell. In fact, Spell Compendium replaced it with heatstroke, nigh-identical but a 3rd-level Druid spell. I'll allow it this time, but Juniper may want to look for a new spell later on. :) Though the spell doesn't do half damage on a save (the "partial" refers to its mixed effects), I'll run with that now to balance it out.
