Round 1

The Crustacean Monster manages to duck low enough to limit the damage of the lightning, but is hit squarely by Rash's freezing ray. This horror, however, seems hard to take down and, as if nothing had happened, extends first one monstrous pincer, then another, disappointing the expectations of Aidwyn and Darvin, who were hoping to induce it to come closer.

Both pincers try to tighten around Aidwyn's neck...

Left Pincer Attack: 10 Damage: 13 (bludgeoning) or half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Right Pincer Attack: 23 Damage: 11 (bludgeoning) or half (5)

If either attack hits, the Crustacean Monster brings Aidwyn close and its tentacles force her to roll a DC 13 Constitution saving throw: 9

Round 1

But the experienced heroine is not surprised by the unexpected evolution of the fight and the magical shield, Amazon's Guardian, deflects every attack without problems.

Now, all our heroes are up again for Round 2! Any order!

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):

Rash is going to go ahead and push past Roxana and Aidwyn

"Sorry, ladies," he grunts. "But... I'm in the mood for crab legs..." (Also... Armor of Agathys still up, presumably. Rash figures it's best if this thing hits him rather than someone else)

Rash swings his staff with a muttered incantation.

Staff vs. Crustacean
Attack: 15 Damage: 8 (magical bludgeoning, from magic weapon)

If the monster tries to escape, it takes 4 additional thunder damage.

"No problem," Roxana says to Rash as he passes by.  She shifts for a moment to try and let him past more easily before turning her attention on the creature.  Taking careful aim (BA: Steady Aim) she then fires her bow. 
(Shortbow Attack: 16, Damage: 10 piercing + 6 sneak attack) 

Round 2

Aidwyn seems worried, when Rash passes her to go and stand directly in front of the crab-like abomination: "No, wait, then you'll be alone..."

But the action wizard has already achieved his intent and brings down his quarterstaff charged with magical energy against the large target. Unfortunately, the target is not only large, but also hard, so the blow, although it makes a plate of the thick carapace creak, is deflected.

The monster moves the tentacles near its mouth delightedly, as if anticipating a meal of half-orc, when Roxana's arrow passes near the Wrestling Wizard's shoulder and, catching the Cristacean Horror unprepared, cuts off one of the said tentacles.

Gaer in the meantime has also taken aim and shoots an arrow with his Longbow.

Gaer's Longbow Attack: 14 Damage: 9 (piercing)

Round 2

But this time the monster is ready and does not offer an easy target; the steel tip scratches a plate, but is deflected.

Anita, in the meantime not knowing how to contribute, limits herself to sighing: "Let's hope that this time too Rash's 'physical' approach to magic will work..."

Spira, Aidwyn, Khellbluen, Mival, Dawnborn and Darvin are up!

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):

Round 2

Aidwyn and Dawnborn, exchanging a quick and meaningful look, switch places, so that the tiefling can, if necessary, try to help Rash.

Khellbluen in the meantime, finds that he can no longer throw lightning without risking roasting friends along with enemies and, silent as usual, but with a slightly frustrated expression in his eyes crackling with electricity, for now he limits himself to waiting.

Even Mival, rather than crowding together with the others, prefers to leave the few free places to those who attack from a distance better than him.

Spira and Darvin are up!

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):

===***===

Sehanine's searing moonlight vs. CH 16; damage if hits 19 radiant

Round 2

Spira maneuvers into position and tries to 'bring light' into the fight, but the crowd near the monster is such that she is forced to aim too high - the mystical light hits the ceiling, near the monster's head.

Darvin follows the fight, ready to intervene.

The Crustacean Horror then decides to try to eat the impudent half-orc that has come so close to him! The large pincers lunge for their prey...

Left Pincer Attack: 13 Damage: 13 (bludgeoning)
Right Pincer Attack: 17 Damage: 11 (bludgeoning)

If either attack hits, the Crustacean Monster brings Rash close and its tentacles force him to roll a DC 13 Constitution saving throw.

Round 2

[[ OOC: Since the attack that hit was a Critical, I think Rash has no reactions to avoid it... If he does, I'll correct the narration. ]]

One of the two pincers grabs the Wrestling Wizard by the neck with mocking confidence, while the other, who was aiming for an arm, narrowly misses.

The chill of the Armor of Agathys burns the pincer that hit - and both the spell and the Arcane Ward manage to prevent the half-orc's head from being severed from his body [[ OOC: 10 damage absorbed by the Armor and 5 by the Ward, I think... so 'only' 9 damage for Rash ]], but it's clear that the treatment was brutal. Especially since the tentacle brought Rash close to the mouth and the tentacles began to whip him... [[ Rash will therefore have to roll his DC 13 Constitution saving throw. Plus he is grappled (escape DC 14) ]]

The party is up again, for round 3!

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):

Roxana again stays put (Steady Aim), trying to thread an arrow past her companions to hit this creature. 
(Shortbow Attack: 18, Damage: 6 + 5 sneak attack) 

Round 3

Roxana continues to find gaps in the monster's body armor with ruthless efficiency. Each of her arrows lodges in some vulnerable spot as if it had a will of its own.

Gaer, in awe of his beloved's performance in battle, fires an arrow of his own with his Longbow, hoping to take down the large opponent before it can eat Rash...

Meanwhile, Dawnborn reaches out to touch Rash, mumbling a prayer to the Morninglord, and the half-orc feels a pleasant internal warmth as his body heals.

Anita and Aidwyn, frustrated and distressed, want to intervene, but they don't see how.

Khelbluen, meanwhile, his hands and arms crackling with pent-up magical energy, seems ready to unleash a bolt of lightning at any moment, but he's waiting to do so without frying the Wrestling Wizard along with the enemy!

Gaer's Longbow Attack: 10 Damage: 9 (piercing)

Dawnborn's Cure Wounds heals Rash for 9 HP

Round 3

The tiefling's arrow is much more inaccurate than the Shadow Archer's, though. "Damn! If we survive this, you'll have to tutor me in archery, dear."

Fortunately, however, the water around the monster is turning red with its blood... the various superficial wounds suffered up to now have gradually taken their toll and it is evident that Crustacean Horror is weakening.

Spira, Rash, Unseen Warrior, Darvin and Mival are up!

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):

(Actually, 15 damage is absorbed between the ward and the spell. He still had all 10 temp HP from AoA)

Rash Con save: 23

Quote from Mister_Whisker >>

(Actually, 15 damage is absorbed between the ward and the spell. He still had all 10 temp HP from AoA)

Rash Con save: 23

Looks like Rash is safe from the after-effect.

The half-orc wizard laughs in the crustaceans face... and then casts Armor of Agathys again, at 2nd-level. Using up his final 2nd-level spell slot, but simultaneously getting back his defense and refilling 4 points to his Arcane Ward.

(Also... the monster should have taken 10 damage from AoA, not 5, as it was upcast to 2nd level)

Quote from Mister_Whisker >>

(Actually, 15 damage is absorbed between the ward and the spell. He still had all 10 temp HP from AoA)

Rash Con save: 23

[[ OOC: Oh, my bad, I did not remember Rash had upcast it. I'll update previous posts to correct. ]]

Round 3

The tenacious half-orc caster, completely healed by Dawnborn's healing magic, renews his defensive armor, as if challenging Crustacean Horror to do its worst.

Mival and Unseen Warrior find no way to intervene; and ditto Khelbluen, who, with Rash still firmly held in the monster's pincer, finds no room to unleash a lightning bolt.

Spira and Darvin are up!

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):