Chapter 3: Judged under Open Skies

[mb.]

Bürd wades in with Gizzy, hacking with a massive overhead swing at the beast!

To hit with greataxe: [1d20+3] = 17+3 = 20, damage: [1d10+2] = 6+2 = 8

[KingOfCowards]

Simon spends the round regaining his feet after falling to the ground. He still holds on to the rope with one hand as he draws his sword with the other.

[DavetheLost]

Des clings tenaciously to the rope and tries to provide an anchor for his companions. Companions who are after all much better equipped for fighting this foe than he is.

[MonkeyWrench]

Marcus spends his round regaining his feet, still keeping hold of his bear cub and the rope.

[Pulpatoon]

`If Gizzy has a shot at the beast, he will attack with Barton's Long Sword:
Barton's Long Sword: To Hit: [1d20] = 18 Damage: [1d8+3] = 1+3 = 4 S/M/L

Bürd wades in with Gizzy, hacking with a massive overhead swing at the beast!
To hit with greataxe: [1d20+3] = 17+3 = 20, damage: [1d10+2] = 6+2 = 8

While the others struggle to their feet, both Gizzy and Bürd score solid hits on the massive bug!

[1d12] = 1

The monster turns its attention on Bürd!

Flesh of Earth attack: [1d20+6] = 5+6 = 11 Damage: [2d6] = 9 A miss!

Everyone has gotten to their feet, and, for the moment, the ground is stable underfoot.

Desmond:

You notice that the jeering from the harpies has quieted somewhat. Looking up, you see that a fair number of them seem distracted by something happening outside the arena. A few fly up into the sky, looking intent and hurried.

[KingOfCowards]

Seeing the bug wounded by his companions, Simon joins in the madness and rushes it with his sword.
Attack with Sword: [1d20] = 7, Damage: [1d8] = 8

[MonkeyWrench]

Marcus, with the ground being level now, drops the bear cub and takes up his spear, jabbing it at the creature.

Spear: [1d20+2] = 20+2 = 22, Damage: [1d6+2] = 1+2 = 3

[mb.]

Bürd, having obviously become the target, and having barely managed to duck beneath the creature's massive mandibles, becomes uncharacteristically wary. He dodges and ducks, taking a swing at one of its legs when the chance presents itself.

In other words, defensive stance, so at 17 AC for now, and -2 applied to this roll...

To hit with greataxe: [1d20+1] = 20+1 = 21, damage: [1d10+2] = 3+2 = 5

Nerd question: is a -2 in this case applied to the roll, (making a natural 20 impossible), or to the modifiers, making Bürd's normal +3 a +1 (which is what I did)?

[PyroArrow]

Tonkioso 'Gizzy' Gizmoebius [Male Clockwork Child Warrior AC 12 : HP 2/ 5]:

Gizzy gets ready to strike the beast again, attacking with Barton's Long Sword:

Barton's Long Sword: To Hit: [1d20] = 5 Damage: [1d8+3] = 4+3 = 7 S/M/L

Oh Well...

[Pulpatoon]

Both Marcus and Bürd deliver decisive blows!
(I'm counting both natural twenties, and doubling the die-roll damage, but not any bonus damage. Bürd's damge: 8. Marcus' damage: 4)
Black blood gushes from the cracked hide of the monster, pouring onto the loose sand of the arena, making a foul-smelling mud.

[1d12] = 9
The creature the harpies call The Flesh of the Earth spins away from the dwarf and his biting axe. As it retreats, it snatches at Selde!

Flesh of Earth attack: [1d20+6] = 20+6 = 26 Damage: [2d6] = 9

Selde's cry of pain ends abruptly with an audible crack. Her body caught firmly in its jaws, the monster begins burrowing back into the dirt.

A sudden change in the light catches your attention. The arena had been drenched in cold, bare mountain sunlight, but suddenly it is dappled with a flurry of shadows. The air is full of harpies attacking other harpies! The audience has almost entirely emptied into the sky to join the battle.

[mb.]

Bürd waggles his axe and a rude gesture at the back of the retreating monstrosity, then grimaces and gulps at Selde's swift demise.

"I dinnae what comes now lads, but I'm reck'nin' we'd best get our backs t'the wall, jes' in case, aye?" He backs towards the wall, keeping an eye on the skies, and specifically looking out for Captain Skolda in the fray...

"What're y'thinkin' we kin do 'bout gettin' one a them gates open, lads?"

[KingOfCowards]

Seeing the monster retreat with the dying Selde in its maw, Simon is overcome with a mixture of grief and rage, he continues to attack.
Attack with Sword: [1d20] = 15, Damage: [1d8] = 6

[DavetheLost]

Des backs to the wall and readies a stone in his sling.

[PyroArrow]

Tonkioso 'Gizzy' Gizmoebius [Male Clockwork Child Warrior AC 12 : HP 2/ 5]:

Gizzy also backs to the wall with sword still in hand.

[MonkeyWrench]

Marcus retreats to the wall, dragging Simon with him, "Save your attack, the creature can come from anywhere now..." He makes sure that the bear cub is by him at all times.

[Pulpatoon]

Simon's blow glances off the monster's hind quarters as it wiggles its way back into the sand. The other gather at the wall.

Jeb the guard digs through the sand and comes up with Selde's dropped knife. "Th' beast is bleeding hard. I think we kin take it, if it comes up again." He looks at the other guards. "I dinnint have a knife. What was yer excuse?"

Redmere spits. "Boss'is dead."

Above, harpy battles harpy. In a shower of sand, two harpies crash on the far end of the arena, sending the giant ants skittering away. The two combatants are none other than the Stormqueens Aelsede and Lilquathe. They are a bloody tangle of talons and feathers.

Above the harpies, dark purple-grey clouds are quickly blotting out what had been a crisp, clear sky.

The male cultist, who has barely moved from his spot since being forced out of the cell, begins to mutter to himself and walk towards the monster's conical hole.

[MonkeyWrench]

Marcus looks at the clouds, then to the cultist, "Just great."

Marcus calls out to everyone in the arena, "Something isn't right here! Kill that cultist before he can do whatever it is he wants to!" He then looks to Simon and Bürd, "Let's stop the harpy leaders from killing each other." and with that stabs his spear into the ground and motions for the bear cub to remain by it before rushing to the harpy's to grab one off of the other.

Marcus Strength Check(STR:10): [1d20] = 4

[DavetheLost]

Sling already prepared Des responds to Marcus' call to action by sending a stone whizzing towards the cult leader.

Sling to hit: [1d20+1] = 12+1 = 13
Sling Damage: [1d4] = 2

[PyroArrow]

Tonkioso 'Gizzy' Gizmoebius [Male Clockwork Child Warrior AC 12 : HP 2/ 5]:

Gizzy charges towards the cult lead with long sword in hand, only to take a wild swing:

To Hit Roll: [1d20] = 10

[mb.]

Bürd stomps over with Marcus, but keeps his axe ready and just watches the harpies fight, "Lad, I've got li'l in'erest in gettin' near them claws, 'specially havin' i'l in'erest in who's winnin'. Let em rip each others t'kibble fer all I'm carin'."