PREAMBLE: Regrouped and Time to Saddle Up!

[Illeveun]

"Back me up." Jonus says to the others. "I don't want to go in there and get mauled." With that he charges at the eyes of the beast, swinging his golden sword at the monster in the name of Heironeous.

Action

Move 1 S and 1 E, Attack.

[Eanwulf]

As Marak continues to look rather clueless, Brother Jonus quickly steps forward and begins poking and prodding at the rubble next to him with the tip of his sword.

"What the hell are yo..." Marak inquires confusedly.

The dwarf's words are suddenly cut short as Brother Jonus' efforts seems to have riled something up in the rubble that appears to be quite angry!

Suddenly, for just but an instant, the broad, spade-shaped head of something brownish-gray and furry lunges forth from the rubble to snap at Brother Jonus' weapon viciously. The creature's yaulps and snarls are soon accompanied by the piercing sounds of steel upon rock as Brother Jonus desperately tries to defend himself against the fierce beast. Despite his best efforts however, Brother Jonus is sadly unable to stab the creature and (not wishing to dull his blade) soon ceases with his attack.

Action

[Brother Jonus' Melee attack, DC 20*, d20 + 4 = 17, Miss!]

* Flat-footed & includes a +8 Hard-cover bonus

---

From the DM

Next up is Kalen. Sorry you missed, but the lil bugger is in there tight! The creature looks like a badger or possible even a buff raccoon! Either way, you better hope that it's not RABID!

Initiative

Brother Jonus 16, Kalen 12, Arianna 10, Rabid Badger 6

Names in bold have already acted this round

Map

[Trogdor]

Kalen slips to the side, raising his dagger high. Then, taking careful aim, he lets it fly at the angry creature.

Action

Move Action: E E
Standard Action: Toss dagger at the beastie.

[Eanwulf]

'œLooks like you've made it angry,' Kalen jibes playfully. The young rogue then moves past his dwarven companion hurriedly and starts to take aim with his dagger, adding 'œHere, let me give you a hand!' Kalen waits patiently as Brother Jonus continues to stab at the angry beast buried amidst the rubble; his dagger drawn back and ready to fling at a moments' notice. Sure enough, the moment comes and the halfling quickly lets his dagger fly; just as the beast is lunging its head out from beneath the rock to snap once again at Jonus' bothersome blade. Kalen's tiny blade strikes the creature directly in the front of its face and after a moment or two of fiercely intense shrilling and wild thrashing about, the best finally falls down dying to the ground!

Roll

[Kalen's Ranged attack, DC 20*, d20 + 7* = 23, Hit!]

[Kalen's Damage roll, d3 + d6* + 3* =8 points!]

* Includes all appropriate modifiers

OOC

It does indeed appear to be a badger. ALSO...I still need Arianna's action this round as the fight ain't quite over just yet!

Initiatives

Brother Jonus 16, Kalen 12, Arianna 10, Rabid Badger 6

Names in bold have already acted this round

[Anorin]

Arianna drops the piece of wood, despite having left her hand it continues to give off a source of light, "Stay alert, there may be more." Nocking an arrow to her longbow she scans the rubble for a target.

Action

Ready to shoot anything that comes out of the rubble. Also she'll listen for anything trying to come up behind the Party.

[Eanwulf]

OOC

Sadly, Arianna has a BAB 0 and must use a Move action in order to draw her bow. She can, however, Ready a shot as needed - just pray that Brother Jonus doesn't block her line of sight completely and know that there will be a -4 penalty for shooting into melee if a shot is at all possible.

No sooner than Arianna shouts her warning than the dead badger's body begins to shudder and move. Sure enough, another of the creatures is trying to burrow its way out of the rubble and does so with lightning speed! Already waiting for such an action, Arianna readies her bow to fire but ultimately hesitates - the creature's tiny form and difficulty of the shot proving to be too much for even one of caliber such as hers to take.

OOC

AC 15 + 4 Cover bonus = AC 19; -4 penalty for shooting into melee = d20 + 0 to hit = not very good odds at all = DM being nice and not letting you waste the shot

I will even allow you the chance to change ready action to movement if so desired.

Within but scant moments the second badger quickly barrels its way past its dead counterpart and begins to lunge at Brother Jonus. The young cleric then winces in pain and does his best to stifle a rather impish squeal as the tiny savage successfully manages to latch its jaws unto the priest's ankle!

Action

[Badger's Melee attack, DC 17, d20 + 4 = 18, Hit!]

[Badger's Damage roll, d3 - 1 = 2 points!]

Brother Jonus is now considered to be Lightly Wounded [9/11]

---

From the DM

That's it for the Surprise round. New round of combat coming up!

Initiative

Marak 21, Brother Jonus 18, Arianna 10, Kalen 9.4, Badger 9.3

Map

[arkahm]

"AH HA!!, There be anuther one! By Clangeddin, ye'll meet yer maker soon!" Marak yells, thrilled at the chance of a good fight. He steps up to the beast and with a downward chop of his axe, swings to chop the beast in half.

Action

Move: S.
Action: Attack the badger with axe.

[Eanwulf]

Having finally realized just what it is that he is dealing with, Marak promptly springs into action and begins hacking away at the rubble alongside of his fellow guardsman, Brother Jonus. The tiny little beast moves quickly beneath the rubble and dodges several of Marak's blows quite easily. "Blast it you little runt," Marak exclaims angrily as he continues to try and hit the nimble little creature, "HOLD STILL!" Several more attempts are then made by the angry dwarf before he finally manages to land a single, powerful blow!

"HUZZAH!" Marak cheers triumphantly as he cleaves his blade into the side of the rampant badger, "I finally gotcha!" The wounded badger squeals loudly and flails about on the ground violently for several moments before finally collapsing to one side and beginning to breath shallowly. As the last of the creature's cries fade away into nothingness, Arianna cocks her head to one side puzzlingly. Meanwhile, the party gazes on as the creatures slowly slip into nothingness.

Action

[Marak's Melee attack, DC 19*, d20 + 6 = 20, Hit!]

[Marak's Damage roll, d10 + 4 = 8 points!]

Two badgers are now Dying [-3/6; -2/6]

Congratulations, you just killed some badgers defending their burrow! /sigh

Ad-hoc Exp

Two badgers = 300 xp total; 75 each player; totals = [75/1,000]

OOC

Anorin? Check for a PM!

[Anorin]

"Wait," Arianna says picking up her wooden light and rushing towards the burrow, "I heard something," keeping the light so that her elven eyes will be able to see into the burrow, and hopefully keep from frightening whatever is inside she peers inside the hole before any can stop her.

[Eanwulf]

Arianna scurries over to where the two dying badgers lay and quickly moves them out of the way, peering inside of the burrow. Initially, the young elf stoops over and tries to look in, but sadly can not seem to make out anything inside. With a disgusted "Hrmph" she then plops down upon the dirty ground on her hands and knees and then begins to carefully edge her head over towards the hole.

Action

Take 20 on a Spot check = 22
You can't seem to make anything out as the burrow twists and winds for a bit before opening up into something larger. The shadows cast by your light seems to play tricks upon your eyes and you can't clearly make out the area beyond. Simply put and given your enhanced vision, IT'S DARK!

Take 10 on a Listen check = 12
You can still hear the feeble grunts and whines of something coming from somewheres inside of the burrow. What it is and where it is still remains a mystery!