Mateja also slows down her pace as she crests the hill. She is wary of the potential ambush, and does not wish to find her and her companions surrounded. Greenskins naturally fit in with this environment, so it would take a sharp eye to pick them out, and they were known to be fearsome warriors in their own right.

Mechanics:

((Yes, Farkas should be positioned at K22.))

Uri's second shot narrowly misses; he can hear the arrow as it tears through the lower branches of a tree. Avelin is the first to reach the high ground, but he sees only one enemy--the one everyone has been chasing. Moments later, Mateja crests the hill; as she does so, her eyes catch a bit of movement in the trees directly to the east, where at least three other orcs can be seen. 

With a grunt Farkas charges on, his power closing the distance until he is within touching distance of the orc, he allows the building rage to come, welling to the surface as he steals himself to take an attack from the creature.

Move and Action to Dash into contact with the orc. Bonus to rage!

With a look of dismay upon its face, the fleeing orc turns to face Farkas. Realizing that his feet can no longer carry him from the fight, the orc raises his greataxe and swings wildly at the speedy barbarian...

• Greataxe attack: 22 | Slashing damage, if successful: 6

The full scope of the ensuing battle now comes into view as the barbarians reach the hilltop. Farkas is engaged with the first of five orcs. Additionally, a lumbering half-ogre--nearly 8' tall and weighing approximately 400 pounds--is part of the group. All of them, with javelins ready, charge westward.

Updated map: 

Seeing the new situation Uri shifts his aim to a new target, aiming to disrupt any attack from the flanks. 

Attack on Orc 5: 10  Damage: 9

Mateja calls out to the others, warning them of the danger coming from the east. It would be a long charge, and she could see the javelins readied in their hands, so she decided she'd rather sit out until she could meet them out in the open, perhaps even landing the first blow. She has a javelin at hand, too, but her range was rather poor and she'd be throwing uphill. Maybe later.

With a quick jog she moves forward, placing some trees and a bush in between her and the enemy, sliding to a halt in a place she hopes will provide enough cover to stay hidden for a few moments.

Mechanics:

Avelin gets alerted by Mateja of a new crowd of orcs, and a small giant or ogre man? He shudders. For the moment, Avelin can only retreat backwards slightly behind the Tree line for some cover. Searching his memory he tries to recall if there is any particular weakness about these half ogre abominations

Farkas shakes off the effects of his first wound in this melee as he responds in like kind, swinging his battleaxe at his bitter tribal foe...

• Battleaxe attack: 8 | Slashing damage, if successful: 7

The orc is ready for the barbarian's attack, however, and easily eludes the axe blade.

Teya, with javelin in hand, continues her race up the hillside and toward the enemy.

The four javelin-wielding orcs to the east remain in a full sprint toward the barbarians. So, too, does the half-ogre, making eerie growl noises as it does so. Farkas's opponent levels another swing...

• Greataxe attack: 10 | Slashing damage: 10

 Updated map: 

With a quick glance over her shoulder, Mateja decides it is still too soon to rush out and surprise the Orcs. For just a second she closes her eyes, steadying her breath and steeling herself for the battle to come.

Mechanics:

Uri can feel the rage bubbling inside him as his second arrow misses the target. He clamps down on it, knowing it won't help him shoot. He takes a deep breath and fires again. 

Mechanics:

Avelin stays in spot, but looks over to his left to notice Farkas locked in mortal one on one combat with an Orc. Trusting Farkas, based on Farkas's notorious reputation, to handle the lone orc. Avelin decides to wait a little longer to act, to determine if the pair of orcs with the half ogre will continue charging due west, and see if the southern pair of orcs will form-up into the other group or continue separately swinging south. Avelin has limited options and can't act too soon whether it's defensive or offensive.

 Mateja cautiously creeps deeper into the undergrowth, confident that she's nearly completely hidden by the branches, leaves and nearby tree trunk. Likewise, Avelin keeps himself hidden from enemy eyes. Teya, standing boldly in the open, grips her javelin and prepares to strike. 

To the north, Farkas and the first orc continue their struggle...

• Farkas's battleaxe attack: 8 | Slashing damage: 13

...and with one well-placed slash, Farkas nearly cleaves the orc in two. 

The southernmost pair of orcs see Teya and, beyond her, Urijeon. With the speed and aggression for which they are feared, they charge forward and, nearly simultaneously, let their javelins fly...

• Javelin attack (orc 4): 6 | Piercing damage: 6
• Javelin attack (orc 5): 7 | Piercing damage: 9

Farkas draws the attention of two more orcs; they charge and fire javelins as well...

• Javelin attack (orc 2): 20 | Piercing damage: 6
• Javelin attack (orc 3): 6 | Piercing damage: 6

Lastly, the half-ogre takes a few steps forward, seemingly uncertain about its next course of action. 

 Updated map: 

(OOC: Assuming Uri's last arrow hit.)

Uri fires again at Orc 5.

Attack: 13  Damage: 6

Uri's second shot finds its target, and the orc staggers forward a few steps before collapsing face downward. (Orc 5 slain)

Seeing Farkas being quickly run down by two orcs on the northern half of the hill, Avelin wastes no time with a preamble or showy shamanistic grandstanding. He punches the air with his right fist toward a spot between Farkas and the pair of ugly, soulless brutes. Seemed to work well against the cats just minutes earlier, he mised briefly, so Avelin casts another hazardous Spike Growth.

With luck, Avelin hopes, it'll hurt or kill these orcs, and buy Farkas some time to escape back to the group to form up a tighter unit. "Fall back, Farkas! Regroup! Run like the fox of the woods!"

(Approximate location of where the orc's thrown javelin's landed? Just in case I'm nearby and can scoop one up to throw if needed?)

Mateja peeks out from between the branches, eyes growing wide as she realizes the speed at which the Orcs are closing in. It would only be a few seconds before they would reach Teja and crash into her with the full force of their charge. "Bloody-" she curses under her breath, then casts a quick glance at Farkas' situation. His Orc is down, bloodily battered to the ground, and it seems Avelin is coming in for support on that side.

"Alright, here goes." she says to herself, gritting her teeth. It was a long charge, but at least it would intercept the Orcs barreling for Teja.

The bark on the tree trunk cracks as she pushes off from it, the branches snapping with the movement and the leaves rustling behind her as she takes off at full speed. A furious cry builds from deep within her, and the air crackles with power as she closes in on the two Orcs coming in for the southern flank. All of a sudden, a brilliant light lances outward from her chest, streaking into her opponents.

Mechanics:

The two orcs bent on avenging their fallen mate find themselves stumbling through the snarled, cruel terrain created by Avelin. Orcish profanity erupts from both their mouths as they slow their sprint and suffer multiple piercing wounds. (6 piercing damage).

A moment later a dazzling flash of light grabs everyone's attention as Mateja bursts onto the battle scene. The orc is able to withstand the barbarian's blinding attack; the half-ogre, however, is caught wholly unaware and is immediately rendered blind. It falters momentarily from the sheer radiance of the attacking light. (8 radiant damage)

Teya takes advantage of the half-ogre's blindness and hurls her javelin at the giant...

• Javelin attack: 25 | Piercing damage: 7

And Farkas, keeping the spike growth strategically between the orcs and himself, moves a bit closer to the rest of the group.

-------

The two orcs to the north immediately halt their rush toward Farkas, and each takes the shortest route to escape the thorny trap. In doing so, they suffer more damage (3 piercing damage for each). Mateja finds herself face-to-face with an orc. Grinning at its success in overcoming the blast of light, it chuckles before leveling a swing at her...

• Greataxe attack: 17 | Slashing damage: 14

The half-ogre stumbles backward while frantically rubbing its eyes.

 Updated map: 

 Mateja grunts as the Orcish blade pierces through her armor, but in her fury she barely feels the blow, nor is she fully aware of what had just happened. The beam of light is still pulsating purple in her vision, but with a target right in front of her she doesn't rely on sight as much as she does on instinct. With a matching snarl she ducks down low, aiming her blows at the Orc's midriff.

Mechanics:

Avelin will question Mateja under better circumstances whatever in the name of Uthgar is that bright shining purple light she crushed into these foul beastmen.

On the run. Aveln scoops up one of the felled javelins and hurls with all his might at the orc near his comrades to the southeast.