VILLAINS Glitterdust - (5/7) - -2 AC ; Lose DEX bonus to AC ; -4 on most STR and DEX checks w/ opposed Perception ; 50% Miss
1 Blind & Paralyzed Mouse:
Will Save vs DC:17 (new save on its turn) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Paralyzed
Will Save vs DC:19 (Clear Blindness) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 (new save @ end of turn)
The turning tide of the fight seems to have the few remaining were-rats considering their options. Calculating glances shoot towards the stairs as well as the windows. They squeak briefly back and forth. The nearest were-rats assess the mistakes of their leaders and don't even attempt to dodge the experienced fighters in a bid for an easy escape. Instead, the prone one slashes desperately at Jofram's legs, while his companion jumps the ranger from up high. Jofram kicks aside the feeble low strikes but feels the were-rat's foul muzzle press against his shoulder as the teeth tear the flesh from his upper arm.
The furthest were-rat makes it to the stairs and runs down them at surprising speed, closely followed by the last of the dire rats. The blind and glittering were-rat still can't get the dust from his eyes but he staggers in the direction of the stairs as well, caroming off a table in the process.
Round: 5
ORDER: Straehan, Big Squeaks, Ushari, Jayse, Jofram, Lil Squeaks
The shaken were-rat, safely out of Jayse's strike range, flees towards the stairs while the dust-blinded one continues to claw at its eyes. In a coordinated effort, the others beasts shift positions cautiously, slipping between their flanking enemies, establishing their own flanking positions, and striking at the monk, ranger, and sorcerer with tooth and claw.
Jayse fends off the raking attacks of one were-rat only to feel the teeth of another bite in his shoulder. The beast nearly tears his arm off but its claws can't penetrate the thickened sinews of his enlarged arm. That was nearly 3 hits with Precision damage.
Jofram dodges his opponent but catches a brutal claw across his face, a blow that nearly claims an eye.
This time Straehan's magic holds and a bite/claw combination bounces off his mystical shielding.
Round: 4
ORDER: Straehan, Big Squeaks, Ushari, Jayse, Jofram, Lil Squeaks
It's clear the were-rats are adept at hunting intelligent game. They work as a coordinated unit, moving carefully, and then striking simultaneously with tooth and claw or blade.
Jayse sidesteps the necrotic claws of one beast only to walk into a lurker that appeared more interested in Strae - a clever feint. He barely sees the blur of its motion as it leaps at the tall monk, sinking long teeth into his neck and shaking its head. It works its teeth deeper into the wound, grazing an artery in the monk's neck. Blood pours from the ragged wound as Jayse elbows the creature away.
Jofram fends off a trio of dire rats only to be bowled over by the doorguard slinking up behind him. It tumbles on top of him. Bloody fangs, still bearing strips of Jayse's flesh, drive towards his face. More by reflex than thought, Jofram blocks with his gauntlet - catching in the creature's mouth. Its jaws clamp down like a vice, but the gauntlet cannot be bent or broken by mortal effort. Shaking its head loose, it satisfies itself by burying its claws in Jofram's belly. It's an excruciating wound delivered by razor-sharp claws. The valiant half-elf punches the beast in the snout and, with the gap provided, pulls a leg up and launches the foul creature away. Jofram rolls to his feet, favoring his torn abdomen. He sees two other were-rats eyeing him. The one laying on the floor, smashed down by Jayse's previous kick and stinking of fear, crawls away slowly - its lost its stomach for this fight. withdraw The other beast doesn't test the angry glare of the wounded ranger, keeping its distance.
Ushari can only watch as the remaining were-rat turns on Straehan. Mystical armor and shield only blunt the worst of the damage as the beast sinks both fangs and claws into the gnome's shoulders - taking away meat and cloth in its crimson-stained mouth.
In the background, outside of the immediate battle, Ushari sees a glittered were-rat stumble against a table, unable to clear the dust from its eyes. Beyond that, she spies the forgotten barmaid rising shakily to her feet, bleeding from multiple small cuts. She stares in wide-eyed horror at the battle happening mere feet away.
Gold squares = dusted.
Gold triangles = blinded.
Blue circle = prone.
Green square = Spirit Ally
Red dot = Shaken
Round: 3
ORDER: Straehan, Big Squeaks, Ushari, Jayse, Jofram, Lil Squeaks
The were-rats close in but halt short of striking range - looking to muster their forces for a single rush and not attack piecemeal. Even the blinded ones stumble forward a bit while rubbing at their faces. Feral eyes regard their prey. Greasy gambles on his dexterity to dodge Ushari's phantom ally, the small gnome, and the extended reach of Jayse - all to open a flank for the doorguard and vice versa.
With a lash of his tail and a quick flip, Greasy slips past the force creature and sprints towards the gnome then twists sideways to pass him as well... but the enlarged monk's hand sweeps his knee out before he gets another step, sending the were-rat cartwheeling. The spin is cut short by a brutal foot slamming him into the floor. The wood creaks under the assault. Down but not out, the hardy were-rat, lays on the floor shaking his head to clear it.
Distracted by Greasy, Jayse is unprepared for the events at his rear. The doorguard slides next to Jofram, feinting an attack on the half-elf before striking at the massive monk. Teeth and claws dig into the monk's back as the were-rat rends his flesh.
One of the blinded rats extends a long, raspy tongue and manages to lick the glitter from its black eyes.
Greasy is the only AoO. The doorguard took a 5' step. Jayse - you can keep that other AoO on the books for the rest of the round. It is almost certain that the Dire Rats will swarm you.
Gold squares = dusted.
Gold triangles = blinded.
Blue circle = prone.
Green square = Spirit Ally
Round: 2
ORDER: Straehan, Big Squeaks, Ushari, Jayse, Jofram, Lil Squeaks
Will Save (Clear Blindness) vs DC:19 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 (new save @ end of turn)
Will Save (Clear Blindness) vs DC:19 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 (new save @ end of turn)
'Greasy' negligently backhands the woman off the bar as he turns on the gnome. She slams against the liquor cabinet and hits the floor in a rain of glass and cracked bottles. He flashes a broken, yellow-toothed smile as he pushes away from the bar. "I'm gonna enjoy this."
Even as he stalks towards the gnome, he begins to change. His yellow teeth elongate and angle inward as his nose sharpens and pushes outward. Skin stretches and bones crack painfully as his arms and legs elongate and sprout patchy, matted fur. His dirty nails grow into crusty, hooked claws that flex menacingly. Within a few steps, his thin frame fills out and gains height as his face takes on a distinctly weaselish look. Straehan finds himself facing a vicious creature that is 50% man, 50% rat... and 100% unpleasant.
Unfortunately, were-rats are communal creatures... and Greasy brought his pack. A half dozen were-rats sprint nearly silently from the stairwells. Some bear fine shortswords, others just their claws and teeth. They vault the tables or knock the chairs aside in their haste to get at you. There is only the muted sounds of their movement, the ring of their blades, and the scrape and crash of chairs being knocked aside.
Jofram feels a tell-tale whisper of wind on the back of his neck, a trace undetected by the rest of his friends. He casts an eye slowly over his shoulder and sees that the doorguard has snuck in like an errant breeze, sliding through the narrow door gap, slick as grease - blade, claw, and saliva-dripping fangs ready to strike. He now stands six and a half feet tall - another foul-breathed were-rat.
OK, time for FUN! The 'rats spent all their actions transforming and moving or double-moving so none get to attack. :(
On a brighter note, only Jofram knows about the Were-rat behind you (U17) and can't shout out notice until his turn, so Jayse and Ushari should act as they would without that bit of information. :)
Round: 1
ORDER: Straehan, Bad #1, Ushari, Jayse, Jofram, Bad #2
