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Defying Danger with dextrous deeds of derring do!
[2d6] = 5
Dorpity dorpity dorp.

The branch bursts into bright magical flames, and Oelle jumps in the way of the oncoming owlbear cubs, waving the flaming branch! As hoped, their sensitive little owlbear eyes blink and squint, but they're unable to stop and the lead cub slams into Oelle, knocking him to the ground. As the other two pile on, the flaming branch flies off into the underbrush.

Oelle: roll 1d4+2 damage, and don't forget to mark XP (already updated in my sig).

[1d4] = 3+2=5

"GRAUFFF!" wheezes Oelle as the air in his lungs is forcefully expelled.

Did he manage to hang onto the branch? If so, he's doing his best to comb the cubs eyelashes with it.

mb. wrote:As the other two pile on, the flaming branch flies off into the underbrush.

Sorry, that was a complete fail, so the branch is of a ways off in the bushes. On the bright side, it's covered in magical flames, so easy to find again, in fact you can see it clearly from where you're lying under the owlbear cub pile. Unfortunately you can't quite reach it.

So Oelle's under the cubs, Bedwyr was about to run for a tree and Boggs was coming up behind the charging cubs. What next?

Boggs grows impatient dealing with the young owlbears. He stabs at one of the cubs on top of Oelle.
Backstab: [2d6+2] = 12+2 = 14

Backstab Damage: [1d8] = 4 + [1d6] = 3 = 7

One of the cubs squeaks loudly, and rolls off of Oelle as Boggs draws his blade cleanly out from between its ribs. It is still and squeaks no more.

Bah, forget running, let's finish this.

Bedwyr wavers, thinking about taking cover, but Oelle's brave-cum-foolhardy maneuver changes his mind. Can't let him get eaten by baby owlbears...that would be a humiliating way to die.

Seeing Boggs dispatch one with a quick thrust, Bedwyr moves to do likewise.

Hack & Slash, precise [2d6+2] = 5+2 = 7
ACK!
[1d10+1] = 2+1 = 3 sword damage
DOUBLE ACK!
Wasn't quite sure what to roll for baby owlbear damage...I hope it's not as high as mama owlbear.

Oelle scrambles to the branch, snatches it up and looks around for the third owlbear cub. He will try to keep it at bay while the others dispatch their cubs.

Bedwyr stabs at one of the cubs, but his sword skims along its back, doing little damage but very effectively grabbing the cub's attention. With a squeal-roar it springs from Oelle's chest and slams Bedwyr's arm into a tree trunk, sending his sword spinning off into the bushes! No damage, but you're unarmed...

Freed from the weight of an owlbear cub on his chest, Oelle scrambles away and snatches up his magically flaming branch and spins to brandish it in the face of the single cub following him! It blinks and squints, and backs off slightly, either out of fear or as prepartion for a jump... Roll Defy Danger + DEX to hold it's attention without getting attacked.

Cursing and snarling, Bedwyr snatched at the dagger in one boot, slashing at the immature owlbear trying to maul him.

Hack & Slash [2d6+1] = 7+1 = 8 dagger attack
[1d10] = 2 dagger damage

With Oelle backing his owlbear away with a brand, Boggs moves in to attack.
Hack and Slash: [2d6] = 7 +1 = 8 (forgot STR bonus)
Shortsword Damage: [1d8] = 6

And as suddenly as it started, it's over. Bedwyr slashes his cub, which quickly bleeds out, staring blindly into the trees. Oelle's branch is snatched away by a squinting cub, which is quickly dispatched by Boggs. It collapses and huffs out one last long breath. Nothing moves anywhere nearby but you.

Slowly you become aware of the normal sounds of the forest again - birdsong, insects and the breeze - and it could almost be a pleasant early afternoon, were you not standing in puddles of owlbear blood.

The elf's sword, arm and duffle lie nearby, and Bedwyr's sword is easily found in the bushes. Neff is also easily found lying at the base of a thick tree, neck broken and eyes glassy.

Brushing dirt and leaves from his clothes, Bedwyr affects an attitude of nonchalance, pretending that a baby owlbear wasn't moments from dining on his liver. "Damn nuisance," he says lightly. "But at least we'll get that pelt. These young ones might have even softer fur." He cleans his dagger, tucking it back into his boot, and retrieves his beloved sword.

When he sees Neff's body, he shakes his head. "Worse luck for you, fellow. I'll miss your tracking skills, if not your cheerful conversation." Without standing on ceremony, he checks Neff for any money or valuables.

Lots to do, in my mind. First, search Neff. Second, bury him. Third, skin out these owlbears; might take a claw or two for trophies, as well. Fourth, back on the trail.

Questions:
1.) what time of day is it?
2.) How long will it take to do the things I described?

Searching Neff takes only minutes, and in a pouch tucked under his jacket you find 10 coin, a silver chain with a pendant symbol you don't recognise, and a miniature painting of a young lady framed in metal, about as high as your thumb is long.

Burying Neff without any tools for digging will take many hours, but piling rocks on him might only take two. Skinning four owlbears, again without proper skinning knives, will also take quite a few hours.

Oelle: "These owlbears represent a tidy source of profit. Beyond the pelts, several of their organs are purported to have medicinal benefit. But I don't think we have time for harvest, and I expect they'll be quite spoiled should we make our way back after the present rescue.

"Here, let me see to everyone's scrapes, make a quick survey of the elf's possessions, and be off."

Boggs will search the elf's bag where he dropped it, then check the body for any other valuables. Piling stones on Neff can wait until after we collect our spoils.

After stripping the elf of anything of apparent value, emptying her duffel on the ground and prying her hand off of her sword, the following items are spread on the grass:

• Knee-length suit of chainmail, missing an arm and torn on one side.
• Finely made hand-and-a-half sword.
• Broad, ornately tooled leather belt with a shiny buckle.
• Fine piece of parchment, rolled tightly with a broken wax seal.
• Warm grey cloak with a hood and extra shoulder cloak.
• Thick silver ring with a blue stone.
• Small pouch with 22 coin in it.
• Dungeon rations (3)
• Bandages (3)

Which items would who like to take, and/or look more closely at?

Oelle: you have 3 healing potions, and now 3 packs of bandages if you take those from the elf. Potions heal 10 HP each, and one pack of bandages heals 4 HP. Which would you like to use on who?

Boggs will closely inspect the ring, followed by the coin-filled belt pouch.