Dormark pushes forward with Baern, when he sees Sandu run past them watching the man's legs pumping quicker than he ever seen the timid man move before.

The swarms of rats dash forward towards the party.  However, the wall of Alder, Ismark and Valerie holds fast.  As the readied attacks come raining down on the swarm they lay waste to the rats - their little bodies carpeting the cobblestones.  Around a third of the overall swarm has been cut down at this point.

Funeral March - Round #8

Baern and Dormark follow Sandu and dash towards the church with the coffin.  It is not much further now and the sounds of fighting behind them seem to get quieter as they press on.  As they approach the gates of the church Father Donavich comes out to greet them.

Meanwhile Alder, Ioben and Valerie join both Ireena and Ismark back in the street, furiously attempting to hold back the tide of rats.  "Fall back!  Fall back!", Ireena yells as she dashes off towards the church.

Initiative Order

1. Baern (Church)
2. Ireena (15)
3. Ioben (14)
4. Sandu (Church)
5. Valerie (14)
6. Ismark (9)
7. Alder (6)
8. Dormark (Church)
9. Swarm of Rats #1-4

Funeral March - Round #8 - Ioben's Turn

Ioben - you watch as the coffin and Ireena both make it safely away from the battle to the sanctity of the church.  In front of you Alder, Ismark and Valerie seem to be cutting swathes out of the swarm, though you are unsure as to how many of Strahd's forces still remain.  It is your turn.

((From a gameplay perspective - you can all individually choose whether to stand and fight or flee the battle.  All remaining players are able to disengage and make it to the church within their turn should they wish.  Those out of combat and at the church can speak with Father Donavich / act outside of initiative.))

With a good deal of urgency Baern greets the Father with an awkward "oh, ah, hello, sorry, need to get this one inside in a hurry... hope that's ok!"  He looks to Dormark and suggests putting the coffin down once inside the church.  He then moves to the doors and gets ready to slam them shut once the last member of the party is safely inside.

“Sandu this way,” yells Dormark directing him towards the church. Coming up to the Father he says, “ Follow us to the church we are being pursued!” He begins running with Baern into the church.

Ioben watches as the swarm strikes the newly formed battle lines. Torn between running to save his own skin and staying to help the others, he decides to stay just a little longer. Again he lets an arrow fly but prepares to run if the rest of the  group do so. 

Shortbow: Attack: 12 Damage: 5

Ready movement. If all 3 disengage and move to the church he will fall back also. 

Sandu did not consider himself a religious person. Sure, the gods were palpable and there is the entire issue of clerics but he never put much stock in divine powers. Nor did he spend much thought on organised religion. It was fine for what it was, for the most part, but there always was something that irked him in an odd way. Like how people would put their entire lives and destiny in the hands of something that, by all accounts, would not care.

He therefore found it surprising how relieved he was to see a church and to sprint directly at and into it. He would laugh were he not so preoccupied with fear. Skidding to a halt, he nearly crashed into a pew. Gripping it for stability, Sandu turned around and took a blind shot at one of the rats as he tried to get his heart to stop from nearly beating out of his chest.

OOC:
Eldritch Blast has a range of 120 feet. Is that enough to get a shot at a rat swarm?
If so, the target will be whichever swarm the others are focusing damage on.
Bless 1 + Attack: 25 Damage: 8

Quote from Hexblade37 >>

With a good deal of urgency Baern greets the Father with an awkward "oh, ah, hello, sorry, need to get this one inside in a hurry... hope that's ok!"  He looks to Dormark and suggests putting the coffin down once inside the church.  He then moves to the doors and gets ready to slam them shut once the last member of the party is safely inside.

"Eh, what's that young man?"  Father Donavich looks at the coffin in Baern and Dormarks hands, "Oh yes, I see, right..." he absentmindedly scratches his head.  "You'd best follow me, right this way.  Are Ismark and Ireena with you?" his voice sound tired and strained as he walks to the front of the church.  "You'll be safe here, don't you worry."

Baern and Dormark can I please get Perception checks.

Ioben - Your arrow flies true, striking the swarm of rats.  You swear you can hear a high-pitched squeak as the arrow impacts the swarm, but it could just be your mind playing tricks on you!  

Sandu - ((You can indeed get a shot off at that range)) The purple beam shoots through into the swarm killing a number of the rats, reducing its overall size a little.

Valerie - Though the swarm seems to have reduced substantially in size, you can tell that there are still a great number of rats baring down on you.  The rest of the party seems to be pulling back.  Do you fight on or move to the safety of the church?  It is your turn.

Baern Perception: 5

Dormark: 19

Valerie sighs in relief as everyone is heading into the church. She wants to stay and make a final stand with the swarm, but she knows that she might not make it out alive and she remembers what her mentor told her. "It's not a shame to retreat when necessary. Dying in a needless fight that's a shame." 

Then she pushes away the rats around her feet with the shield and falls back with the others. 

Ismark yells, "Agreed!", at Valerie before preparing to disengage and drop back.  "Come Alder, it is folly to fight!  We must retreat back to the safety of the Church!"

 Baern & Dormark Perception checks;

Alder - To your left both Valerie and Ismark start their retreat back from the swarm before you are over-run.  Ismark stands alongside you waiting for you to make your move.  Valerie makes her way to the church's wrought iron gate and stands next to it, shield held in a defensive position.  It is your turn.

((Ioben - Should Alder also disengage your readied action will activate and you'll additionally move to the safety of the church))

Alder snarls at the encroaching vermin and kicks them away from his feet, joining the others. (Disengage as well)

As Alder runs past him, Ioben turns and makes his way as quickly as he can toward the gates of the church yard. Any type of barrier to slow these creatures down would be welcome. 

As the remaining party members dash into the church grounds Valerie heaves the heavy gates shut.  The remaining rats surge towards the church before the swarm bisects and scatters in multiple directions.  It would appear that all is quiet, at least for now.

Can Alder, Ioben, Sandu and Valerie please make Perception checks.

Baern, Dormark and Father Donavich stand at the entrance to the church.  Father Donavich beckons at the other party members, "This way, this way... In to the safety of the church!", the old man seems to have found an inner fighting spirit in the urgency of the situation.

"Ismark!  Ireena!  It is good to see you have made it in one piece." their is the sparkle of tears in Father Donavich's eyes as he welcomes everyone into the church.

((Reminder of Father Donavich's Portrait))

Perception 18