In the Cold North - Forum RPG

[Arkbrik]

You run for the right tunnel, easily overtaking the slow critters. Somewhere in the darkness behind you you hear a slithering sound, like something slimy moving across stone.

After a short while you emerge into another, smaller cavern. It is full of fat beasts; between 40 and 50 of them, and their awful smell. Behind them, the cavern has another exit to the south.

The beasts are looking at you, curious rather than afraid.

[IVhorseman]

Back up into the tunnel, get behind me. I'll hold em off with my shield but we want to get into that chokepoint.

[Silverdream]

Back up into the tunnel, get behind me. I'll hold em off with my shield but we want to get into that chokepoint.

Do this. Use teamwork.

[Arkbrik]

You back into the tunnel behind Gerald, as the horde of fat beasts in the cavern starts advancing towards you.

A scream of pain from a fat beast echoes down the tunnel from the way you came, but is suddenly cut short.

Saucix rolled Initiative 12+1
Gerald rolled Initiative 14+0
Gregor rolled Initiative 19+1
Nisos rolled Initiative 5-2
Adarim rolled Initiative 4+0

Logan rolled Initiative 7+2

The fat beasts rolled Initiative 13+0

Saucix, Gerald and Gregor have a chance to act before the beast horde charges Gerald.

[Silverdream]

I cast sleep on the creatures.

[Quantumsurfer]

I'll step behind him and ready an action to attack whatever comes nearest.

[IVhorseman]

Can I take any kind of total defense action, or make a defensive stance? I wanna hold my ground and drop behind my shield as much as possible. If I don't get any attacks that's okay, but a quick sword jab in between blocking hits would be nice.

Somebody please, please, please watch our flank. we're about to get pincer'd

[Arkbrik]

Saucix unleashes his elven powers of sleep, and five of the beasts fall down snoring. This impedes the advance of the others, and only one makes it to Gerald for now. Gregor takes a quick stab at it.

Rolled Melee 9-2 vs. AC

The beast wobbles aside from Gregor's sword. Gerald takes a defensive stance (no attacks but +3 AC). The beast attempts to strike him, but is unbalanced from dodging Gregor's attack and misses completely. Gerald uses the opportunity to swing at it with his intricate sword.

Rolled Melee 8+2+1 vs. AC, rolled 6+1+1 damage

The blade finds its target, and the beast is slashed almost in two. But as this happens, its vile smell explodes in strength. Saucix and Nisos manage to maintain their composure, but Gerald, Gregor and Adarim are overwhelmed by disgust and throw up their breakfast. 1 damage

Logan snarls, but nothing more. The smell recedes as fast as it came. The fat beasts move past the sleeping ones and advance on Gerald. You hear the squealing noises of more beasts from behind you in the tunnel.

Situation:

Spoiler: show

Saucix: 8/8 HP, spells and prayers left: Cure Light Wounds

Gerald: 7/8 HP

Gregor: 5/6 HP

Nisos: 1/1 HP, spells left: Magic Missile, Charm Person, Protection from Evil

Adarim: 6/7 HP

Logan: Healthy

Opposition
40 fat beasts, approximately
5 sleeping fat beasts

[Silverdream]

"Nisos, get behind me. Shepherd's formation!"

Shepherd's Formation:

Spoiler: show

I think we should get in a triangle formation like this:

   XOOX
v X  v
v v  v    v

The Xs are me, Adarim and Gerald. We're the shepherds, protecting the weak members of our flock. Gregor and Nisos are the Os, and the vs are the bat beasts.

On the other hand, my character has never mentioned the Shepherd's formation before, and I don't know how familiar Gerald and Adarim are with Pakkaan inspired phalanxes.

[Quantumsurfer]

Shouldn't matter.  Your instruction to Nisos was basic enough and I'm already in position behind Gerald.  Should be simple to close ranks around us.

I really should get a ranged weapon for these kinds of combats.

I will continue making opportunity attacks and I will watch our flank.

[mgb519]

Adarim
Toss an oil jug on 'em. Light em up.

[Arkbrik]

Gerald keeps defending I guess. Nisos?

[IVhorseman]

Yeah, I keep defending. IDK what my partners do, but it'd be cool if I got help.

[Scratch]

Oh man, I forgot this was still going on, sorry. I'm gonna fire my magic missile, and prepare to run if the front rank falls, riding on Logan if need be.

[Arkbrik]

Saucix steps up to form at least his part of the Shepherd's Formation, and attacks one of the beasts past Gerald.

Rolled Melee 14+1 vs. AC, rolled damage 3+1

He slices its throat open, and it falls, releasing another disgusting wave of odour. Saucix and Adarim keep their cool, but Gerald retches, Logan throws up half digested meat, Gregor is overwhelmed and drops to his knees coughing and gasping, Nisos collapses on the floor vomiting then falls unconscious. 1 damage

Gregor's fit passes, but he can't do anything else this turn.

Acting quickly, Adarim pulls out a jug of oil, stuffs a strap of cloth torn from his sleeve into it, and lights it on fire. He then throws the improvised bomb past Gerald into the mass of the creatures.

Rolled Ranged 11+1 vs. AC, rolled damage 4+0

One beast is hit right in the head, burning oil spatters in all directions. It flails in panic for a moment before falling down into the flames. There is no great release of stench this time. Two other beasts are hit by the spatters. One is lit up just as badly and falls, the other is just singed and runs screaming. The tunnel in front of Gerald becomes blocked by a patch of burning oil. The beasts squeal and back away from the fire.

And then, behind you, eleven more beasts emerge from the darkness.

Situation:

Spoiler: show

Saucix: 8/8 HP, spells and prayers left: Cure Light Wounds

Gerald: 6/8 HP

Gregor: 4/6 HP

Nisos: 0/1 HP, spells left: Magic Missile, Charm Person, Protection from Evil, unconscious

Adarim: 6/7 HP

Logan: Mostly healthy

In front of you:
Burning oil
30 fat beasts, approximately
5 sleeping fat beasts

Behind you (the way you came):
11 fat beasts