[D&D-5e] War of the Field = PvP

[Chengduguy]

Are we going to be operating with incomplete information (e.g. split into one thread for each side, and we only know the positions on the battlefield of the enemies you tell us about), or will we have complete knowledge of things on the battlefield, with only overall strategy and maybe trap locations being hidden?

[Xalnaga]

Once we begin the battlefield will be revealed. Which means you'll see everything above ground. Hense the ability to dig underground . There is always Fog cloud to provide cover.

[Chengduguy]

Do we get to control/give orders to the NPC's we buy, or will they be under direct control of the Lord, or will it be his/her choice?

EDIT: And is there some sort of stealth system so that if I play a rogue, for example, and put expertise in stealth, if I make a stealth roll and roll high enough (e.g. 20+), would that be enough to take me off the map for the next round (so each round I make a stealth check, and if I pass the check then I am hidden the next round, and also have to move at half speed in order to stay hidden).

EDIT 2: Can siege weapons (catapult and heavy crossbow) knock down structures (walls, watchtowers, and keeps), and if so about how many shots(ish) would they be able to take (to put it another way, could a single well-placed ballista shot take down a keep, or would it take hundreds to thousands of shots to actually have a significant affect).

EDIT 3: What is the general layout of the keep? How many floors does, it have, what entry/exit points does it have (doors and windows, both on first floor and higher floors), and about how big is each keep?

Sorry for bombarding you with questions, I keep thinking of questions that will have a pretty significant affect on what strategy and tactics will be effective, and therefore what sort of builds will be useful.

[Gulielmos]

Would it be possible as a Goliath with their powerful build feature to fire the large crossbow by themselves?

[Tydorei]

The large cross bow is a balista... even if they could fire it themselves, I doubt they could move correctly due to heavy load and likely hood it needs to be set up before being shot.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Gulielmos

Would it be possible as a Goliath with their powerful build feature to fire the large crossbow by themselves?

Seige weapons are typically limited by a number of actions, not by strength. So a single character could fire one himself, it would just take him three turns to do it: load the ammunition on turn 1, crank back the pulley on turn two, adjust the aim and fire on turn three. Being large, or being counted as large, doesn't effect this.

[Phil]

Chengduguy, welcome to the team!

[Xalnaga]

Thanks to helping each other with the crossbow question.

As to the Keeps, they are just outside of the battle field and won't come into play.

[Ed Starwind]

One more question I can't quite find a good answer. What is the size of said crossbow?

[Gulielmos]

So X could we create our own troop type like Heavy mounted troops or mounted siege weapons?

[AlphaP]

Greetings all. I would like to apply for this game, but it seems that teams are already balanced. Am I still able to join or would I be a substitute?

[Xalnaga]

AlphaP I'm not turning anyone away at this stage we are still a week and a half out from the start of the game. If it comes to starting day and the teams are balanced then some, willing person will be able to play two PCs at once. but because the teams are balanced, AlphaP, which team would you like to play for?

@Gulielmos
At this stage I don't want things getting too out of hand with custom NPCs. For this first game we'll keep it basic but after this and I've worked out the kinks I'll work out a system for custom made NPCs. We might even play with a few rounds of intelligence gathering in with the prep, and more players. If this works out well then a larger map and more players would be fantastic

@Ed
The large crossbow takes up a 5ft square and launches something similar to a spear.

[Gulielmos]

Okay X but could we buy our soldiers gear? I was thinking of picking up 5 heavy soldiers but if our character was an artificer he could actually make the base gun for everyone. That's more of an aside I was thinking of using smithing tools to say this group was my personal company and had their stuff built by themselves or me.

On that note let me actually put out my character. Do you consider the Critical role rule book to be an acceptable source?

Name: Fargal Kurzani Shi Kaze Hitori the 40th of his name but given the tribe name Death who stalks.

Race: Tabaxi
Class: Monk 7

Spending points on 5 heavy soldiers but the soldiers are Tabaxi as well.

[Xalnaga]

Mr Matthew Mercer is a clever dude, he's done the balancing work. I count his work as published and usable in all my games.
I hope that clarifies it for you

[Gulielmos]

Good I was thinking of using one of his barbarian paths is why. Now I just need to find the vestiges to use?