"Dash for it.  I've got spells left if we need me to divert them while you escape."

With that she drops what she's carrying & runs

"That's... just great," Beshlog whispers to the others, hefting his axe and backing away slowly. "Does someone maybe know how to conjure a small army of animals to keep these freaks busy while we beat a hasty retreat with our tails between our legs?"

Just to be clear, its less of a retreat and more of a mad dash to the town, which is the only safe place.

"THEY'RE 90 YARDS AWAY, DROP YOUR GEAR AND RUN!"

Ember says as she runs.

If needed, she shrugs off her backpack to be unencumbered

OOC: very well. let the fun begin. :)

Initiative:

Since Ember initiated she can go first, but after that its

Demetrius > Pack > Ember > Guards > Pack Leader > Beshlog > Emilia > Artun

Init. 18

(Is it perception or passive perception to use peripheral vision & hearing to keep track of where the party & monsters are without having to stop & look?)

Quote from Arthuropodd >>

Init. 18

(Is it perception or passive perception to use peripheral vision & hearing to keep track of where the party & monsters are without having to stop & look?)

 I see we cross posted, I'll use that instead, gimme a min to edit the initiative.)

It would be a perception check to look around.

Ember, GO!

The important part is to keep running. 

Perception  25

Quote from Arthuropodd >>

The important part is to keep running. 

Perception  25

 Are you taking a dash action? or a disengage action? Just a reminder: there are packs members in front of you, but you could get through them, though unless you disengaged you would take 2 opportunity attacks

I think its dumb it takes your WHOLE action to look around and note where people are, its more like your BA

Quote from Raccoon_Master >>

Quote from Arthuropodd >>

The important part is to keep running. 

Perception  25

 Are you taking a dash action? or a disengage action? Just a reminder: there are packs members in front of you, but you could get through them, though unless you disengaged you would take 2 opportunity attacks

I think its dumb it takes your WHOLE action to look around and note where people are, its more like your BA

 (OOC I can barely read my phone, so it looks like I've got to delay response from now on until I'm at my computer, where I can read clearly.  Like now.  I had missed the "had you surrounded" and thought they were still at the edge of the woods 90 yards away while we were 10 yards from the gate.  In that situation dashing would have been reasonable.  

But not one response I've given is appropriate for "surrounded".  Disregard everything I've said.

Her ultimate goal is to manuver into a position to catch as many as possible in a lightning bolt.  Would disengage or dodge be more appropriate for that?  And I suspect it might not go off this round)

Well, the thing is, they are surrounding you in a circle, so not much of a straight line. But if you want to maneuver into a position conducive to casting lightning bolt, then dodge would probably be best, considering you would have to stand within their "Danger bubble" (aka within the reach of their natural weapons), so its is your call. 

Demetrius whispers to you, seeing your body tense up "Don't run. They'll catch you. We need to find another way"

Ember, its still your turn, so just tell me your plan of action and we will see whether you survive this.

Casting "Mass Healing Word" & burning a sorcery pt if the roll is 1-2

Everyone wounded gets 5 pts healing

You chant the incantation, the power of the divine swelling inside of you, pouring forth in the form of restorative glowing energy. Wounds magically knit as your companions stand a bit taller, some of their power restored.

Demetrius's Turn!

"Now...Now listen here" his voice shakes "We have done nothing to you. why do you hunt us?" 

"I have been commanded by my master, may we ever envy him, to kill you. The heroes, the land's last hope" The leader snarls "Here's the thing with hope: it eventually flickers out. We're just helping the process along, Demetrius. Yes, I know your name, my masters informants are far and wide, hidden among the unassuming. Now, let us hear from your companions. Speak heroes! Beg. For. Mercy!" the leader howls, its twitching nose smelling your fear, its cold eyes shining with a sadistic glee.

Demetrius steps back as the other beasts howl in agreement, tightening the circle, hedging you in. With a twitch of his hand and a whisper of a prayer to some unknown god, he stares deep into the pack leaders eyes, his stare equally as cold and piercing.

Leader wisdom save: 6

The leader stops its advance as the other beasts look at it confusedly. Then, a sound rises in the throat of the leader, growing and growing until it bursts forth as a...laugh? Demetrius has casted hideous laughter on the leader, and it worked quite well. The leader falls to the ground, its unnatural cackle of a laugh unnerving to all who fear. Up on the wall, the guards lower their crossbows confusedly. The other beasts also look around, unsure of what to do. Then, one by one, they turn, their hackles raising, poised to strike. 

Intimidation: 21

The laughing of their leader undercuts the threat, making the whole situation almost comical. The guards stand, crossbows once again raised, watching the scene, taking the ready to fire once the beasts try to strike.

The pack leader rolls on the ground, trying to break free from its state.

Wisdom save: 21

The leader stands, shaking off the effect. "oh s..." Demetrius is cut off by the leaders snarl 
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now, you impudent bug! The only reason you're not dead is because I enjoy...what do you humans" it spits the name like a slur "call it? Ah yes, playing with your food."

Intimidation: 19

It advances until its right in your faces, its pustuled features even more disgusting up close.

Beshlog, GO!

Beshlog sighs... hopefully if he makes a run for it that will break the "surround and slaughter" formation...

Beshlog casts misty step to disappear from the middle of the circle and reappear on the other side of said circle. Then he proceeds to move another 30 feet with his movement and cast ray of frost at the leader to piss it off enough that hopefully it will follow him rather than keep trying to murder his new companions.

"Well then, go ahead and try to stop me from getting to the city!" he says with a laugh that he hopes sounds more confident than he actually feels.

Attack: 13... not even bothering to roll the damage.

OOC: bold move. bold move. I'm impressed you went for it.

Beshlog disappears in a puff of smoke, reappearing far out of the reach of the beasts, who startle and turn. He runs for the gate, and this makes him not aim straight, as a bolt of ice hits the ground (hmm, who knows, the dm might be secretly helping you by POSSIBLY having a beast trip on the ice as it runs after you. Then again, maybe not *shrug*).

Emilia, GO!

OOC: I come back right in time for an encounter, hooray!

With an irritated grunt, Emilia claps her hands together. "We can't ever get a break, now can we? Always some kind of circus freak." She grimaces. Using her action, she begins a rhythmic chant and clasps her hands together in prayer. A cold, gusty outward force expels itself from her hands as she recites the scripture. "He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow." And, with that, the spell is sealed. She swirls the gust in her hand before tossing it up right into the sky for a sleet storm, centered on her and the area outstretching from it, trying her best to cover the beasts. 

"Now, move along before the brutes slip!" With the rest of her turn, she moves 15 feet before using her mirthful leaps to make a long jump. 13 + 7 feet.