Mairen stands front and center, moving aside only when Amund's sudden growth in size forces her to accomodate his new bulk. With her sword drawn, she utters a prayer, and suddenly its length incandescences with white fire.
Readying herself for the owlbear's charge, Mairen takes measured, slow breaths, and watches the cave entrance fixedly.
Balthus: 8
Owlbears: 7
With a loud racket, the owlbears spill out of the cave, only to meet the wall of resistance at the tunnel's mouth. Furious, the lead creature snarls at Mairen, attacking savagely, but neither the long, sharp beak nor the daggerlike claws can gain any purchase against Mairen's heavy armor.
Stumbling and quickly righting himself as his form grows. I suppose they were right. Having a mage can be very handy though this feels odd. Moving into position Amund ready's his Guisarme. Taking a breath and centering himself in his now enlarged form. Shifting on his feet to get a better angle to attack.
Hearing the creature and the seeing it Amund is again reminded of why he never wanted to leave the city. Before him is a freakish mixture of creatures that should never be blending into one form. Using his new advantageous height Amund slashes down at the unnatural creature.
dice=Guisarme + power attack 11+7=18
dice=Guisarme + power attack 11+2=13
Slasher growls as the ranger comes out running.
He bites into the large beast as it exits the cavern.
With everything crowded, Balthus pulls out his shortbow and starts peppering the owlbears from a short distance.
_____________
I'm assuming Balthus does NOT have a full round action since he needs to pull out his bow. Please adjust if they have soft cover.
Mairen turns sideways to give Balthus room to slip by and then falls back into her combat crouch, holding her flaming blade before her as the trumpeting and hooting announces the close pursuit of their quarry.
She gazes about their setup one last time and nods, satisfied. The choke point is perfect. Now all that remains is the execution of these beasts.
The first owlbear charges her, and its claws and beak slam and scrape against her armor, nearly buffeting her back. But even though Mairen rocks back onto her heels, she regains her balance and attacks with all her might, calling out, "For Erastil!"
Anthuria issues a startled gasp as the enormous creatures come barreling through the cave's mouth. She remembers that they were ugly, but has forgotten exactly how grotesque they are. In addition, they carry the stink of wet feathers and mold. She is reminded of the campus hatchery.
"Careful now!" she screams, as if her instructions make a difference. "To the left! Yes, excellent Mairen! Watch its claws!"
She realizes she has been clenching the edge of her tunic. Deciding to make better use of her hands, she places them out in front of her and wills her magic to spring forth.
______________
Jetta stabs out from behind Mairen, lunging foward as the paladin takes a step back in preparation for another swing.
Amund: hit for 13, miss
Slasher: miss
Balthus: hit for 11
Mairen: hit for 15, hit for 21
Anthuria: hit for 7
Jetta: hit for 13, hit for 17
Though the first owlbear had emerged in a rush of ferocity, it falls quickly between the combined might of Amund, Balthus, and Mairen. A second follows - and when Anthuria's burst of magic and Jetta's halberd nearly drop that one in mere moments, the rest are less eager, despite the threat. While those further back in the tunnel retreat into the cave, the front-runner lashes out with a bite at Mairen, as if trying to cover their withdrawal. The beak can't cut through Mairen's hard armor, though, and the creature is left alone, growling savagely.
Seeing the creatures move to retreat and the closest swing but stay its ground Amund slashes at the stubborn creature.
Balthus takes a breather while he sees the other owlbears retreat inside.
"Well that was fun while it lasted."
He pets Slasher, "I guess we have to go in now."
He looks around, "Jetta, Meiren, I guess that's where you gals come in..."
"Yes!" Anthuria squeals in excitement as they send the owlbears retreating back into their cave, though she quickly succumbs to worry at Balthus's suggestion to move into its depths.
"Shouldn't we stick together?" she suggests, remembering what happened the last time they entered someone else's home in the Vale. She bends down toward the earth, clenching a fistful of rich, brown soil. She inhales its scent, feels it crumble between her fingers. Suddenly, her dark skin begins to harden and crack, momentarily taking on the appearance of pine bark. "Who knows what's waiting for us down there?"
____________
Staring at Anthuria when her skin shifts and then quick shaking his head to clear his mind and refocus on the fight. Let's finish this Moving to follow those in front. Still not that comfortable taking up as much space as he does.
"Okay," says Jetta. "We're going in. Everyone, stay behind me and Mairen! We'll keep letting them come to us if we can..."
.
Pressing their advantage, everyone pushes into the tunnel mouth; the tunnel has been used extensively by the large beasts, so while Amund has to stoop slightly, he's not terribly inconvenienced by the enclosed space. Rounding the corner, you see that the owlbears have regrouped and gathered together in front of a passage in the back of the chamber, though the fact that they haven't continued further on suggests that the path isn't likely to lead to a way out.
Snarling, the closest beast steps forward, lashing out at Mairen as she steps into place in the tunnel's mouth.
Yet again, though, the beak and claws fail to gain purchase.
Balthus just retreated and let his better armored companions take care of this. he had already done his job.
"Get them gals and guy!"
He stood by, axe in hand in case someone in the front lines needed some help.
Jetta raises her spiked silver mace, swinging down at the owlbear's skull as it lunges for Mairen.
Mairen inches into the cavern, in no rush to throw herself into danger, and fully content to check out the new environs as they gain ground on their prey. When they finally reach the cavern itself, she grits her teeth and takes the blows, the clang of her armor being assaulted echoing within the confines.
Her flaming sword sends shadows dancing across the rough walls as she swings at her opponent.
Slowly moving into the after the majority of the party. Ducking his head to avoid hitting it.
The shouts and cries of victory from her allies blend with the more savage bellows of the owlbears. Anthuria hangs to the back, clutching her crossbow in one hand, the other resting squarely on Slasher's neck. In his eyes, she sees the reflection of Mairen's fire.
"Good boy," she coos to the restless hound, as much to soothe him as herself.
Yellow 43/57
All at Amund - hit for 7, 10, 8 for 25 damage. One grab successful.
As the lead owlbear charges, Jetta's halberd wounds it severely, and Mairen's flaming sword quickly finishes the job. With the first beast dispatched, Amund steps over his allies and into the chamber, swinging at the beast standing in the rear tunnel and slicing deep into its chest. With the new threat suddenly in their midst, the owlbears re-focus their ire, both lashing out at Amund. Both hooked beaks miss, but a few of the claws gain purchase against his armor, and one even manages to hook into his side, gaining a solid hold on him.
Balthus cheers on from behind the main line, "Yeah Mairein. Good one, Jetta. Good shot kid! Oh wait, move away... Watch out for that claw!"
He drops his bow and his axe is in his hands as he steps forth, "Aw, kid. Why did you let yourself get caught like that?"
He slashes at the beast's arms hoping he lets go of Amund.
_______________
"Amund!" Anthuria calls in distress as Ursa whines anxiously "Let him go!" she screams, envisioning Amund's escape. She points with her finger, willing the beast to loosen its grip.
______
Mairen curses under her breath as Amund moves deeper into the cavern, opening himself up to multiple attacks. Sliding against the rough wall, she tries to move up beside him to help.
"No!" shouts the Hellknight. "Dammit, Amund! Don't break the formation!"
Even as she calls out, Jetta advances alongside her companions. She tries to bash the owlbear that has a hold on Amund, knowing it will have a harder time avoiding her blows.
Twisting in his captures grasp and pulling out of the foul creatures arms. Not my best idea ever. That smell isn't going away soon. Dropping his Guisarme and pulling out his long sword.
Yellow hit for 5, hit for 14 - 24/57
Green hit for 15 - 42/57
Hit.
Miss.
Hit, grabbed.
Miss.
Miss.
Miss.
Balthus rushes up to try and force the creature into releasing Amund, but Jetta and Mairen move forward too quickly, forcing past Amund to claim the most advantageous points to swing at the beasts. Jetta's halberd goes wide, but Mairen's sword connects with the owlbear's shoulder, and it howls in pain. Over Jetta's shoulder, a crossbow quarrel suddenly appears, burying itself in the owlbear's arm. Anthuria wills a burst of agility into Amund, and he manages to twist free of the creature's grasp, dropping his guisarme in favor of a longsword and burying it deep into the creature's gut.
Enraged, the creatures continue their assault. The one that had grabbed Amund lashes out at him again, striking him with beak and claw and managing to get a hold again. The other creature, goaded by Mairen's attack, turns its attention to her, but through its ill luck, or Erastil's protection, none of the blows manage to come to bear.
,
"I hate fighting in close quarters. I don't know how the dwarves do it."
He tries again to get close to no avail, "Let's get out of here. We need a new tactic where we can use our numbers more effectively."
_____________
Mairen lashes out, lunging forward in an attempt to impale her foe. She fights in silence, her concentration total, the owlbear's eyes fluorescing a brilliant cadmium yellow each time her flaming blade passes before its face.
Anthuria waits anxiously at the cave's mouth, trying to comfort the dogs while simultaneously struggling to keep her own nerves under control.
What was that? A cracking twig in the forest? Do more enemies approach? Maybe it was just a squirrel. She stands, bringing her crossbow up to point toward the woods, hoping that the others are alright.
Jetta keeps raining blows on the owlbear that is savaging Amund, trying to get its attention.
She barks out, "Amund! Fall back!"
Twisting in the Owlbears grasp and slipping out Amund swings his blade once. Moves back while shrinking back to his normal size. Growling at Balthus, Your turn.
Mairen's concentration absolute, the havoc she wreaks is astounding. With two powerful swings, she accomplishes more than Jetta and Amund have together - her foe is no match, and falls before her. Jetta has worse fortune, and her swings go wide, but Amund's blow connects as he steps backward to receive a touch of healing energy from Perry. The owlbear, intent on its prey, moves forward to follow Amund, and in its single-minded pursuit it leaves an opening for Jetta and Mairen to attack.
Seeing his chance, Balthus steps forward to meet it as well, his axe flashing.
And Jetta and Balthus together finally overcome the creature - it falls as well, and no more foes come forward. The sounds of battle now silent, all you hear is dripping water, the faint rush of the wind outside the tunnel...and a faint rustling and cooing in the back room.
...and a faint rustling and cooing in the back room.
Still breathing heavily from the exertion, Jetta blinks a few times and cocks her head at the others.
"...is that what I think it is?"