Artifex seems obsessed, for some strange reason, with the lizard that has been chewing on them; and on avoiding the one behind them should it take it into its head to do the same.  They keep track of the two beasts in a dance of focus that only ends after they have nimbly evaded the snapping jaws of the first in a whirlwind spin that gives extra momentum to the stony orb they hurl against the second.  Their focus is so absolute that they catch only the tail end of what sounds like some creature or creatures sneaking away towards and then down the little watercourse.  Erolith, on the other hand, believes he hears quiet movement in the nearer part of the clearing south of here just as he lets his arrow fly.  It does not detract from his aim though; the feathered arrow flies true and buries itself in the frilled nostril of one attacker.  It lets out a hissing squeal of pain and confusion, and like its predecessor loses all interest in the battle, rubbing at its nose to rid itself of the torment as it backs frantically towards the farthest pen from the party it can get to.

It is hard to tell sounds partly because the still-tethered lizards, maddened by the smell of blood and the hisses of their comrades as they strive to add your solid flesh to that potent wine and make an entire meal of you, are plunging and rearing furiously; and their crude leather harness has already emitted some rather alarming creaks and groans.  The sounds mingle with the solid blow of The Black Rose's staff on his adversary; and the swish of his fist blow missing as it flinches back but does not fall; and the squishing, muffled hiss-thump of Tarton's missed arrow in the wet ground.   Oddly, though, all the commotion only seems to help focus Gwrgi.  She raps out a single word, and the blood flowing from Artifex' veins grows less (healing word; 4 points healing, rolled in log).  

The remaining lizards both seem confused by the commotion: one misses altogether; the other tries to lunge at Artifex but overshoots and winds up smashing into Erolith! (9 points, bludgeoning damage instead of piercing)

Erolith picks himself up from being bludgeoned by the great beast. Sore and badly battered from the blow he reaches into his pack and uncorks the Potion of Healing and consumes it receiving 7 points of healing.

As the liquid vitality reaches throughout Erolith’s elven frame he glances towards the noises he heard in the clearing right before the lizard attack.

The Black Rose kept his focus on the lizard, even though blood continued to drip down his side. He heard Erolith consume a potion and thought about doing the same for a second, then he gritted his teeth, yelling, "I'm gonna save my serum for if someone goes down! We need to keep the heat on them!" Then he thought to himself, "I just hope I don't go down myself." Then he followed up his words with a swing of his quarterstaff at the same giant lizard as before and a punch at whatever lizard is still standing within his reach.

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Quarterstaff: to hit 16 and deal 5 damage if it hits.

Punch: to hit 13and deal 7 damage if it hits.

I hope it is not to early to post my actions :) 

"Okay I was kidding before but seriously, ouch! I have *other* body parts you can bite you know, my arm isn't the only one." Artifex continues launching their magically empowered pebbles. "That settles it, I don't even care if it tastes good. I'm gonna eat that damn reptiles arm."

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Magic Stone: 21 to hit, 5 damage

If the lizard next to Erolith is still alive, Tarton will shoot it. If not and the one next to The Black Rose is still alive he will shoot that one. If neither are still alive he will hold his bow attack action for the next enemy that attacks anyone in the party.

Attack (if a lizard is still alive): Nat 20; 27
Damage: 12, sneak attack if adjacent to ally: 4; Total 16

The draught Erolith consumes swiftly does its job, closing his wounds and restoring some of the morning's vigour to his frame.  The sounds of his companions' success raises his spirits too, as Artifex' stone cast weaves through The Black Rose's dance of swirling staff and fist and combines with his blows to batter the lizard he was battling into a drooling stupor.  Tarton's arrow not only pierces the remaining lizard's snout but sends it into a panicked flight that sends it crashing headlong into the remaining pen from the outside.  The increasing frenzy of the lizards inside it had already started the logs groaning at their joints as well as stretching and rubbing their harness against the splintering wood.  This final assault is too much, and pen and harness both give way.  The assaulting lizard screeches -- a sound you'd never before known they could make -- and scrambles out of the ruins to bolt away in terror, followed by the rest you were fighting and had cowed.  The two in the pen seem more inclined to fly into a fury and pick up where their companions left off.  But because they lack the momentum of the first, they will spend the first round freeing themselves from the ruins of the pen.  I'll treat that as a fresh combat in terms of the mechanics: please roll for initiative again; and also go ahead and restore d4 - 1 hit points to represent the psychological boost of this first victory.

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Gwrgi's initiative 8

Lizards' initiative 19

Tarton's initiative: 15

Erolith’s initiative = 12

The Black Rose's triumphant cheer echoed through the air as the giant lizards hastily retreated, a surge of hope coursing through his veins and revitalizing his spirits. Yet, as the pen crumbled and the reality of the situation sank in, his elation turned to a desperate whisper, "No..."

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Initiative: 15

Psychological health boost: 4-1 = 3

Init: 6

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Btw Artifex is gonna do their best to keep track of which direction the lizard that kept biting it's arm went. Should I roll anything?

Tarton walks along the top of the large pen to the corner closest to the two lizards as they escape their bonds. "Looks like these two would rather learn the hard way rather than follow the others." Tarton comments and shoots down at one of them.

Attack: 15
Damage: 8

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I didn't know if everyone was waiting for me, so I went ahead and posted Tarton's actions. If something happens before Tarton does I can remove/edit this.

I have an aasimar blood hunter with a full backstory background and two allies 

ability scores are as follows:    13 12 14 11 11 6

Quote from DragonHunters >>

Init: 6

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Btw Artifex is gonna do their best to keep track of which direction the lizard that kept biting it's arm went. Should I roll anything?

 (Oh, I'd think they've shown enough motivation that shouldn't be too difficult LOL.  Maybe just a simple DC9 Perception roll to keep track of which beaten path through the reeds their nemesis made; and then later they can try a regular tracking scene if they want to hunt it down and avenge themselves)

Quote from mxx9jkxtm4 >>

I have an aasimar blood hunter with a full backstory background and two allies 

ability scores are as follows:    13 12 14 11 11 6

(Great!  Go ahead and send me the details, but at first glance that does sound like a character that would work well with this story)

 

I hope it is not to early to post my actions :) 

 

 (nope.  So long as you've beaten the opponents' initiative I'm not too fussy about who posts when.  Main thing I ask is that the ones who DIDN'T beat their initiative wait until I describe what they do, which I see as simple common sense

(not sure if I'll have time to get back to the battle tonight, but tomorrow is totally free except a family responsibility for a couple hours in the afternoon so I'll plan to get to it then if not sooner)

(...aaand the family responsibility blew up, calmed down, have time left online tonight let you know yr not forgotten.  Prob next day, if not day after)

The lizards still in the pen appear confused for the moment, and one cringes back as the sound of Tarton's arrow striking its companion is immediately followed by The Black Rose's forceful voice and the feel of is blow (will allow one Intimidation roll to cow that lizard for a time ... hard to tell the DC in the confusion of combat, or how long it would last).  Artifex and Erolith may also take their free licks.  In the comparative lull after that, just before the lizards charge, you all notice that the wind's sound as it hisses through the reeds to the south and east sounds far too sibilant and modulated to be just the wind.  Opposed Investigation roll to learn more, at the cost of 1 bonus action for a -3 "quick listen"; or one full action for a normal chance; or all possible actions in the upcoming round for +2; again, insufficient data to tell the DC.

ORDER OF COMBAT

INITIATIVE      NAME                                          HEALTH

15                     Tarton                                     Undamaged

                          The Black Rose                  2 points damage

12                      Erolith                                     Undamaged          

11                       Gwrgi                                     6 points damage

9                           Lizard #1                           Undamaged    8 points damage          

                              Lizard #2                          Undamaged    4 points damage        

6                             Artifex                           2 points damage          

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EDIT: and your distracted DM takes full responsibilty for the error.  Of course the lizards aren't undamaged when Tarton and The Black Rose just hit them LOL.

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Intimidation roll:

Critical fail XD 

so 1-1=0 XD

Using my action for a flat investigation check: 20

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Artifex, finally undistracted, tilted their head to the side, listening to the wind

Gwrgi's Investigation (normal chances, one action): 6

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(OOC: I'll either post or DM the Investigation results once everyone who wants to listen has had a chance.  If you know for sure your character DOESN'T want to worry at the moment about figuring this sound out, please do let me know explicitly we don't need to wait for you ... if I haven't heard one way or other by Monday or Tuesday I'll assume you aren't specifically listening and default you to what can be learned with your passive PER)