The Setup
You are all at the tables, at the bar, or in the kitchen, depending on who you are. Because of tables everywhere, there really isn't a clear lane for charging in any direction. Getting onto a table or the bar is a Climb DC 10 or Acrobatics DC 16, both are sturdy enough to support you standing/fighting from atop them (unless they are disturbed by another combatant). Feel free to take liberties with the surroundings, but if something seems wonky or exploitive, i may call you on it.
LET'S GET IT ON!
"Damn it, how many fights can this place have in one night!? Pythia, get down here! You'll have a meal yet!"
Ok make her init 13
I think the question you raise about artistic control is a good one. I was thinking that Mors is operating under the premise that anyone who creates a 'situation' is essentially the final arbiter of it, provided Mors' basic rules are enforced (no killing)... sort of co-op DMing. But that may not be his vision - and that would be good to know.
The room explodes into motion, shouts of surprise turning to war-cries as the warriors square off.
Thom, blood still riled from the combination of the earlier tension and Lureene's dancing, is quick to respond to the threat. He jumps from his seat, drawing his long blade and whispering a prayer to Gorum for aid.
"Gorum, make me fast and deadly."
”Hee, shoor stoof!”
Keane yells, and levels his bow at the short hyena.
The unintelligible dwarf's first arrow flies wide, embedding itself in the bar, the second one grazing the short gnoll's arm, who hisses in pain.
Rath looks at the shuriken in his hand, cocked to throw at the board... seems like a good place to start, he moves towards the gnolls hoping to take advantage of Keane's tactic.
Olivier watches the actions of his compatriots with interest.
"It seems to me that this particular skirmish might endure for somewhat longer than I'd hoped. Perhaps a modicum of defensive strategy would be in order..."
As the second errant projectile zings past the short defender, a high-pitched laughter sound erupts from it's throat. A mouth that was never intended for the Common Tongue splits into a grin and barks out, "wwwweakling.. yip yip yip.. humans!"
With a wave of his hand, Havelock coats the ground beneath the gnolls' feet with fetid grease.
Shorty's paws slide uncontrollably, and he collapses in a heap, the greasy substance splashing with a sickening SPLOOSH. One Eye, in a show of surprising athleticism, deftly sidesteps the ooze, but is unable to safely step away from it completely. Growling in frustration, he hurls his flask wildly past the defenders, and wild alchemist's fire explodes at the back of the room. The flames immediately leap up and begin to spread across the back wall.
Lureene cries out, "You bastard! You are gonna pay for this!"
Bloodjaw levels his flame-tipped arrow at Havelock, seeking to end arcane trickery, and looses. ;
Once the arrow is loosed, he drops the bow and steps around in front of Shorty, skirting the slick area. As he moves, he draws a wicked half-moon battleaxe from his harness and a long dagger, both of which have the caste of Cold Iron to them.
Fire explodes around Havelock, flames lashing onto everything around him.
Then Shorty tries to stand up, and goes after the nearest aggressor... which is Rav.
;
But the attack goes wide.
Thom, seeing the monk being double-teamed, rushes up to help him out.
Rath turns to greet Bloodjaw, and () launches into the 3rd step of the kata known as 'Sculpting the Buddha' delivering vicious blade-handed strikes to both sides of the gnoll's ribs.
Keane drops his bow and draws forth his mighty blade
Teem tah eet soord, ye doog feeced deemuns!
One of Rav's blows lands home, eliciting a hiss from Bloodjaw's crooked maw. The fiery dwarf explodes through Shorty's defenses, his great blade removing one arm and half his face in one nasty diagonal slice.
;
"Oh my, well this is indeed an unacceptable set of circumstances..." And with that, the old man points a finger at the archer and mutters under his breath.
Havelock flees from the flames.
Seeing the weak humans begin to break, Bloodjaw barks out an order is his yipping tongue and points at Lureenee. One Eye slips his way out of the slick goo and skirts the combatants, making his way towards the wing'd barmaid. On his way, he draws a net from behind his back.
Lureene hisses at him, "That was a mistake!", as she steps towards him and reaches her hand, now glowing with a sickly dark aura, and touches One-Eye.
Bloodjaw lashes out with two blows, targeting both of his opponents, but his foot slips in the grease behind him, throwing his attacks wildly off the mark.
With the removal of Shorty, Thom realizes the opportunity to gang up on Bloodjaw.
He takes a quick step to his right and gives a cursory swing at Bloodjaw, hoping to give Rav or Keane the opportunity to step into a flanking position.
Your two character To Hit rolls are bizarrely consistent. It appears the dice Gods have forsaken you.