[Completed] - Rhodri/East - 4 May, 1 VC

[Keehnelf]

Catstrangler nods a few times, tossing the greatsword from one hand to another before settling his grip on it and facing off against the halfling about ten feet away. He grins, and chuckles, "I won't chop you up too bad. Just take that ugly head off so I can eat in peace."

The white goblin and the robed goblin retreat to the circle, while Kennit sees that more and more of the troops from further up the column have begun to congregate, interested in what will transpire.

Actions and initiative!

[KingOfCowards]

Kennit spits on the ground. "Let's get this over with."
Initiative (+1 when alone or w/other halfling): [1d6+1] = 6+1 = 7
Attack with Sword: [1d20+1] = 4+1 = 5 Damage: [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

-2 to AC against size large creatures

[Keehnelf]

Enemy Initiative [1d6] = 2
Catstrangler attack [1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6, damage [1d10+1] = 3+1 = 4

Catstrangler advances, and it's clear to Kennit that the massive thing is still not used to wearing such heavy armor. Though bugbears are quite dexterous and agile, the huge amount of weight added with the mail and pauldron make his attack clumsy. He draws the greatsword back, hoping to level an almost horizontal low slash at the halfling, and while he is in motion Kennit darts forward, his razor-sharp curved sword flashing in the mid-day sun. The thin blade makes a ringing sound as it deflects from Catstrangler's armor, but Kennit is quick enough to follow up the attack with a roll and end behind the furry monster before the greatsword's swing is complete. To Catstrangler's credit, he follows through and pivots in place to keep his face toward the halfling, though his attack was clumsy.

Action and initiative!

[KingOfCowards]

Initiative (+1 when alone or w/other halfling): [1d6+1] = 1+1 = 2
Attack with Sword: [1d20+1] = 14+1 = 15 Damage: [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

[Keehnelf]

Enemy Initiative [1d6] = 6
Catstrangler attack [1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6, damage [1d10+1] = 7+1 = 8

Kennit bides his time again, waiting for the clumsy bugbear to begin his swing--all it took was one exchange for him to pick up on the bugbear's predictable timing, and this time he capitalizes on the attack, feinting toward a repeat of the same thing he had done before, but holding back just long enough to duck under the swing and dart in as the ungainly bugbear pushed himself into a pivot on one foot. Darting in at the monster's back, he finds the gap between his skirts and greaves and drives the blade of the sword up, up until he feels the soft flesh begin to resist and become hard and unyielding bone. The bugbear gasps and grumbles in pain, rapidly stomping away to get some room from the halfling before a follow-up attack can come. Blood streaks down the outside of its armor on the left leg as the two combatants face off once again, almost ten feet apart.

Catstrangler HP: 19

Action and initiative!

[KingOfCowards]

Initiative (+1 when alone or w/other halfling): [1d6+1] = 1+1 = 2
Attack with Sword: [1d20+1] = 9+1 = 10 Damage: [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

[Keehnelf]

Enemy Initiative [1d6] = 5
Catstrangler attack [1d20+1] = 2+1 = 3, damage [1d10+1] = 4+1 = 5

Catstrangler lumbers forward once again, his beady eyes narrow as he considers Kennit. Several yips of excitement arise from the gnolls in the audience: otherwise, the area is almost preternaturally quiet and calm. The bugbear begins to draw back for another swing and, seeing Kennit hesitate once again, turns onto his back foot to convert his forward shoulder into a sudden rush! The ground, however, is churned and muddied from the passage of the army, and he is unable to get the acceleration needed to catch the halfling completely by surprise, which gives Kennit time to dodge to one side, aiming an inopportune attack against the upraised pauldron with his blade, which caroms off. Catstrangler turns once again, panting slightly and favoring his left side slightly. "Come on," he growls. "All I gotta do is connect once and you're meat. Might as well give up struggling now and save yourself some pain."

Action and initiative!

[KingOfCowards]

"Silly bugbear. Saving myself from pain is what I do best. You can't eat what you can't catch."
Initiative (+1 when alone or w/other halfling): [1d6+1] = 2+1 = 3
Attack with Sword: [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14 Damage: [1d6+1] = 1+1 = 2

[Keehnelf]

Enemy Initiative [1d6] = 2
Catstrangler attack [1d20+1] = 19+1 = 20, damage [1d10+1] = 8+1 = 9

Ouch.

Thus having exchanged taunts, Kennit darts in once more, catching the bugbear off-guard with his speed. The thin blade spins upward, under the bugbear's clumsy guard, digging into the front of his stomach under the mail on the right side. The creature's rumbling voice is almost palpable through the blade as it twists, catching the metal in a gap in the armor and wrenching Kennit's arm with it. Taking advantage of his proximity and having him off-balance, the bugbear spins the greatsword easily in its meaty paw and brings the blade down into the halfling's back, through his body and down into the soft ground. Kennit struggles for a moment, hoping to get loose, but he is pinned in place. He slumps to the muddy grass as his vision of the panorama dims and the crowd of goblinoids erupts in a cacaphony of triumphant cheering.

Vaul--stay tuned.

[KingOfCowards]

Now we know why they're short on volunteers.

C'est la vie