Jak sidesteps around the hyena and delivers a crushing blow to its side despite the armor. The beast bounces off the wall and rib fragments funnel out of the holes in its barding. A snarl and jaw snap at the scoundrel prove the undead monstrosity isn't down yet.
Jak watches the ribs hit the dark floor, "That's not right..."
Though Beula's craftsmanship cannot be denied, there is something to be said for the feel of a familiar weapon. The lumberjack's axe slides into Marcus' grip with a practiced motion, spinning once before he smashes the blunt end into the skeleton's leering face.
Marcus spins his axe and slams the blunt end into the skeleton's chest. The rusted links of chain armor explode and fall away but serve to protect the creature one last time.
"Just hold on... A little longer..."
Aerik drops his empty sling and reaches into a flap of his backpack (hopefully fending off the skelly's attack with his shield), drawing out a rolled up "scroll" made of leather hide with sylvan symbols written on it. As he chants the words in almost a whisper, the symbols disappear in a flash of light as his hand begins to glow. Dropping the spent scroll, he reaches out and touches Marcus's badly bleeding leg.
Round 4
Seeing the spot everyone was in, Ezekiel pulls out another vial, a thick red liquid with black streaks running through it. As he consumes the contents, he feels a surge of strength run through him. He lets his crossbow fall once again as he isntead readies his quarter staff.
Aerik grunts in the middle of his spell, 5" of rusty scimitar sticking into his belly. He kicks the skeleton back and finishes his spell before clamping the now blank scroll over the bleeding gash in his side.
Ezekiel, downs his potions and manages to step back as the croc-jawed hyena snaps for his throat. The teeth whisper past the alchemist's neck.
9|14
10|10
7|10
7|15
10|14
Splashing...
Grunts of exertion...
Gasps of pain...
And the ring of steel on steel...
These are all that is heard throughout the barrow. The skeletons surge and are forced back as is the hyena. In the end, none of our heroes has fallen and Lyrica alone drips more blood, forming her own puddle. Two foes press her and they are more than enough.
ORDER:
MAP: Eat or be Eaten
9|14
10|10
7|10
4|15
10|14
Ez - STR Mutagen
Bad Guys
none
"Remember why we're fighting! Remember the Drear!" Jak isn't sure why those are the right words, but in this dark place at this dark time, they just seemed fitting. He steps into a flanking position, hoping he can distract the pup long enough for Zeke to get a shot in with his quarterstaff.
Jak flanks the hellhound and rallies his allies.
Round 5
Lyrica, who is desperately fighting for her life, continues to try and put an end to the skeletons with another shattering smash with her club (at V43).
"Dear Sarenrae, protect me and guide me to slay this evil!"
Lyrica's club is deflected by a strong parry for the skeleton.
Round 5
Ezekiel feeling more powerful, more primal from his mixture, he takes his staff and brings it to bear against the hyena with a powerful grunt of exertion. "RAAWWWRRR!!!"
The sudden flow of additional strength into his limbs is disorienting for the alchemist, sending his blow wide of the snapping hyena.
Marcus renews his efforts, swinging again at the skeleton next to him.
Marcus strikes true, shattering the skeleton's ribs with the blunt end of the axe. Fragments rain down and joints split... but the necromantic energy animating the corpse keeps it from falling apart entirely.
Aerik slams his shield into the shaky skeleton. Only a jumble of bones hits the far wall.
A yell echoes down the twisting corridors of the barrow; A cry of pain tore from the throat of the alchemist caught in the jaws of a monstrous hyena. Ezekiel pries his ravaged arm from the mouth of the beast as the two forces part after yet another clash. The undead press close around the weakening heroes - not a one of them without wounds.
ORDER:
MAP: Eat or be Eaten
9|14
4|10
7|10
4|15
10|14
Ez - STR Mutagen
All - Inspire Courage +1
Bad Guys
none
Round 6
"Nice attack, Aerik. That is one of them down!"
Lyrica, whose wounds are starting to take their toll on her, fights on. She swings her club at the skeleton at V43.
"Zeke! SMASH!"
Jak puts actions to his words, bringing his morningstar down a second time onto the skeletal canine. Ignore me, will ya?
Lyrica's multiple wounds and the slick rocks she's standing upon conspire to rob her blow of accuracy and strength. The club glances off the skeleton's skull.
The struggle between Zeke and the hyena gives Jak the opening he needs. His morningstar falls, powered by a two-handed blow, gravity, and all the muscle Jak can put into it. There is a very loud snap as Jak breaks the foul beast's back and drives it into the floor.
Round 6
Eekiel gives Jak a grin, "Well done." He then turns to see what he can do about the skeletons, the concoction flowing through him dulling the pain from the Hyena's bite.
Jak grins, though it melts into sincere curiosity as he looks across the destroyed skeleton dog. Despite the combat around him, he asks, "You been working out?"
Marcus nods in approval at his companions' well-struck blows, then steps up to face the remaining two skeletons, swinging his axe as hard as he can.
The Ranger whips the axe horizontally and smashes the side of the blade into and through the skeleton's ribs. The undead explodes from the blow. Bone fragments bounce off the walls and splash down into the pool all the way to the far end of the corridor.
Aerik steps up, feeling a bit of bloodlust after smashing the last skelly with his shield.
Aerik slides past the Ranger, hoping to make short work of the final skeleton. The undead creature swipes at the Druid's belly forcing his shield blow to become a hasty block. Wood chips from the edge of the shield as it intersects the scimitar's slash.
Ezekiel raises his staff and moves around the skeleton, hoping to distract the creature.
Ezekiel pushes through the choked passageway and splashes through the deepening pool to cut off any possible escape for the skeleton. He swats away its blade as he moves past.
With too many targets to choose from the skeleton slashes its blade in all directions - stirring only the dank air.
ORDER:
MAP: Eat or be Eaten
9|14
4|10
7|10
4|15
10|14
Ez - STR Mutagen
All - Inspire Courage +1
Bad Guys
none
Jak's encouragements hang in the air as the team continues to fight in the dark. Seeing no better angles of approach, Jak takes a moment to stow his morningstar and reclaim his whip from the watery ground as he watches for any additional threats.
Round 7
Lyrica continues to fight on in this intense battle for their lives. She bashes her club into the skeleton at U44 with a great swing!
"It is die for you to die again!"
Over the din of battle, Jak hears no further jangle of skeletal bones creeping up, nor anything else threatening.
Lyrica finds her footing at last and delivers a staggering blow to her opponent - blasting its jaw and upper teeth clear off its head. The hit sets the skull spinning until it stops, facing over its own shoulder.
Aerik, finish him, or give me a shot at 'em!
Marcus steps up and aims for the spun-around head, trying to finish what Lyrica started.
Aerik drives the edge of his shield into the skeleton's face, shattering the skull and dropping the final undead abomination. Only the drip of water, blood, and the heroes' panting can be heard.
Marcus steps in and hammers the remains of the undead into a pile, just to be sure.
When making a melee attack, you get a +2 flanking bonus if your opponent is threatened by another enemy character or creature on its opposite border or opposite corner.
When in doubt about whether two characters flank an opponent in the middle, trace an imaginary line between the two attackers' centers. If the line passes through opposite borders of the opponent's space (including corners of those borders), then the opponent is flanked.
Lyrica drops to her knees in exhaustion and pain from her wounds. She drops her head into her hands for a moment as her heavy breathing subsides. Finally she brings her hands together and quietly whispers a prayer of thanks to the Dawnflower.
"Sarenrae, Oh Sarenrae! O my ever guiding Dawnflower, please hear my prayer. I first thank you for delivering us from death by these villainous foes. The skeletons, the shrieking fungus, and the hiddeous canine are all vanquished thanks to your guiding hand. We are all badly wounded, but I thank you for seeing us through this ordeal! As we venture forth, protect us from further attacks and help us to heal so that we may ever serve you and put an end to the evil that plagues our land. Oh dear Dawnflower, and if you could see to it, please guide Jak so that his company is not so difficult to endure. I ask this kindly and with hope. Amen."
When she finishes her prayer, Lyrica returns to her feet and goes over to check on her companions. She checks over their wounds and applies whatever first aid she is able. "Let's step out of this stream and see what injuries you have."
"You all look like you've been in a battle." She smiles to her companions, glad to see everyone alive.
"It's good we survived that, but what else might await us deeper inside. Here, Lyrica, let me help you." Ezekiel helps Lyrica look everyone over, careful of his increased strength, before setting to work mixing a couple mixtures.