Round 5:
Poor damage rolls on the Monster side, and excellent ones on the Town side have made a big difference. There are still 3 Townsfolk vs 2 Stretched on the right, and 2 guards vs 2 Stretched on the left, 2 guardsmen and Chipper/Ghost only face 1 opponent in the back line. The Bugbear Stretched are engaged with fresh spearmen in the centre. 7/14 Stretched Ones are down (or distracted) with a few injuries dished out, including to the bosses. “Medics” are waiting to drag victims to safety.
Morale: All Guards/Townies are at 9/17. No checks.
More Guards arriving? Unlikely = No
Medicine or potions arriving? Unlikely = No, and not in this fight.
Duke Rolf gets involved? Unlikely = No, and not in this fight.
Initiative:
T = 6
S = 6
H = 6
B = 4
Gh = 3 (needs Save, can only take minimal actions)
Ch (+2) = 3
M = (choose to go last)
Mo (-1) = 10% chance to die, d100=26, doesn’t die.
Je = 20% chance to die, d100=15, dead!
Up and down the line there are shouts and clashes of metal on metal. The Townsmen on the right flank repeatedly stab at a grasping Stretched One (T2/T3 hit S1, -5HP, on 0HP) but are unable to defend and 2 of their number perish in return (S1/S2 hit T2/T3 repeatedly, dead). In the centre, the 2 fresh guards stab at the Stretched Bugbears, further wounding one (H13/H14 hit B1, -4HP, on 6HP). The wounded abomination hits back to cause a shallow cut (B1 hit H13, -2HP, on 2HP) but the other tears a guardsman open (B2 hit H14, -6HP, on -2HP, dead). On the right flank, the guards remember their training and have great success (H10 hit S10, -2HP, on 3HP. H12 hit S12, -6HP, on -1HP, dead). One hapless guard is bludgeoned horribly by swinging chains (S10 hit H10, -8HP, on -6HP, dead) but his comrade leaps out of the way unscathed (S12 miss H12). In the back line, the Stretched One has to gather up his tangled chains (S6 miss Ch) but snarls so viciously at the guards that they cannot steady their spears (H1/H2 miss). Even Chipper cannot muster an effective attack (Ch miss) however Ghost is finally able to open her pack and retrieve lantern oil and flint. The “Medics” have finally got their chance and drag poor Jeddak (too late) and Morgan (d100=80, does not die from dragging) away from the front lines.
Round 6:
Deadly round before. There is only 1 Townsfolk vs 1 Stretched on the right, and 1 guard vs 1 Stretched on the left, 2 guardsmen and Chipper/Ghost face 1 opponent in the back line. The Bugbear Stretched are both engaged with only 1 spearman in the centre, who is probably doomed. 9/14 Stretched Ones are down (or distracted) with a few injuries dished out, including to the bosses. “Medics” have pulled back and will bind wounds next to save Morgan. From now I will lump all Town/Human Guard/Medic into 1 initiative score.
Morale: All Guards/Townies are at 5/17. Morale 6, 2d6=9. They (flee/retreat?=) flee.
More Guards arriving? Likely = Yes, and d4+1=4 Elite troops (L1 Fighters, equipped as PCs)
Do the “Medics” try to pull Ghost/Morgan out? 50-50 = No, but stay close ready to help.
Does Chipper stay to defend Ghost? Likely (they are PCs) = Yes, and at great risk.
Initiative:
Gh = 6 (needs Save, can only take minimal actions)
T/H/M = 5
Ch (+2) = 4
S = 4
E = 2
B = 1
Mo (-1) = 10% chance to die, d100=95, doesn’t die.
Ghost, sweating and panting, pulls a flint and steel, and sets sparks to a strip of her shirt. Wedging it in the oil flask, she looks up and meets the eyes of Chipper, who can see the guardsmen nearby starting to panic. As they break and run, Chipper smirks, and tightens his grip on his sword. “You always were an arsehole, Ghost.”
Opportunity attacks to an opponent’s back are 1 attack per creature, at +2. T1 survives on the right, as do H1 and H2 in the back line, as their foe has a chain caught in some nearby rubble, and it snaps. H13 turns his back on the 2 stretched Bugbears and by some miracle is only knocked unconscious. H12 also survives. The “Medics” back away, passing the Elite troops on the way in.
Chipper stabs at the stretched one who is flailing with a broken chain. His strike penetrates poorly but as fortune has it, he is tripped by the chain and falls onto his sword’s hilt, pushing the blade into the monster’s heart (Ch hit S6, -5HP, on 0HP). But the creatures looping arm slashes down his back, making him cry out in agony (S6 hit Ch, -4HP, on 2HP). However, the ‘back line’ is now clear of enemies. The monster chasing the remaining Townsman on the right flank slips in the mud (S4 fumble T1) while the remaining guard on the left is slashed across the neck painfully (S10 hit H12, -2HP, on 2HP).
Then the Elite guards come charging in. Vasily and Rina Oakhill reinforce the right, clad in chainmail and bellowing their family name - but none of the few remaining combatants return the call (was T3, now dead). Vasily wields a huge sword which severs two grasping fingers, while Rina swings a smaller blade but fails to draw blood (Va/Ri hit S4, -1HP, on 3HP). The other Elite troops rush the sole monster on the left and hack it to pieces (E1/E2 hit S10, -6HP, on -1HP, dead). The Stretched Bugbears, no thought of surrender, look around for new victims (1-2=Right Flank, 3-4=Back Line, 5-6 = Left Flank) and bound towards Chipper and Ghost. The lead abomination attempts to pull Chipper to the ground with his chain hooks (B1 hit Ch twice, Chipper saved twice!) and the trailing creature lashes out wildly in rage, attempting to swing his chains past the Human foe and into the half-orc, but Chipper’s defence and Ghost’s protective charm combine to keep her safe (B2 miss Gh due to Protection spell and being in “back line”, i.e. Chipper stood in front of her).
Round 7:
There are only 4 Stretched Ones left, one is distracted by stretching his victim. One Bugbear is uninjured, the other 2 have moderate wounds. “Medics” will retrieve Morgan if possible.
Morale: Do the Guards/Townies keep running? Morale 6, 2d6=7. They are gone.
Does one Elite guard intervene with the distracted monster? 50-50 Yes and to the death.
Initiative:
Gh = 6 (needs Save, can only take minimal actions)
Ch (+2) = 5
S = 5
Va/Ri/E = 5
B = 2
M = (choose to go last)
Mo (-1) = 10% chance to die, d100=46, doesn’t die.
Ghost cannot lift her arm to throw the oil (failed save) and can only watch as Chipper furiously defends against the Stretched Bugbears’ hooks (Ch miss). On the right, Rina suffers a claw to the hip, spoiling her attack - and Vasily forgets to strike, such is his concern with his sister (S4 hit Ri, -4HP, on 2HP. Va/Ri miss). On the left, one Elite runs at the distracted torturer, impaling it on his sword blade (E1 hit S7, -6HP on -1HP, dead), while the other runs towards the Bugbear/Chipper/Ghost melee and hacks the arm off the wounded Bugbear, which collapses, thick blood pumping everywhere (E2 hit B1, -6HP on 0HP). The last Bugbear swings his chains in thrashing arcs at the killer of his comrade, but the stout yeoman’s shield is impenetrable (B2 miss E2).
On the far left flank, a young woman holding a satchel full of bandages sees Morgan is finally clear of foes, and bravely runs in to bind his wounds (Morgan is now stabilised at -1HP. If he is not moved he is in no danger, although he needs bed rest or healing).
Round 8:
There are only 2 Stretched Ones left, One uninjured Bugbear with hooks and chain, and a wounded creature with no weapon. Does the Elite troop attack the Bugbear? Likely = No, and is stunned by the brutality and cannot act!
Initiative:
Ch (+2) = 7
B = 6
S = 4
Va/Ri/E = 4
Gh = 3 (needs Save, can only take minimal actions)
Chipper opens the account on the remaining Bugbear with a clumsy hit with the flat of his blade (Ch hit B2, -1HP, on 14HP). The Bugbear strikes out at his standing foes, cracking the ribs of the Elite guard (B2 hit E2, -5HP, on 1HP) while the sole remaining member of the Stretched One regular mob claws vainly at the shields of the Oakhill siblings (S4 miss). The guard who slew the torturer stands and stares blankly at the horror around him, oblivious to the ongoing battle (E1 miss turn as per Oracle result). Vasily and Rina circle around their remaining foe, and Rina takes advantage by slashing the vile thing’s throat (Va miss, Ri hit S4, -7HP, on -4HP, dead). The Elite trooper cuts some tufts of hair from the Stretched Bugbear’s head (E2 miss)
Ghost, lying in the mud, sees her chance (save, nat 20) and using her remaining strength throws the oil flask at the Bugbear. Unfortunately it splashes into a puddle and does not ignite. She closes her eyes and collapses (KO, GM fiat).
Round 9-11:
Only the Stretched Bugbear remains.
The final creature knows no fear, only to spread the Tide. Imbued with demonic fervour, it smashes through the defenses of those around it, and screams can be heard from the terrified onlookers (B2 hit E2, -3HP, on -2HP, dead). Chipper again causes a minor cut (Ch hit B2, -1HP, on 13HP) but a swinging chain curls around his neck, throttling him into unconsciousness (B2 hit Ch, -3HP, on -1HP. d100=73, alive). Vasily and Rina dash over, brandishing swords, but Vasily walks into a haymaker (B2 hit Va, -4HP, on 2HP) while the monster continues to strangle Chipper (d100=65, alive). Shaking his head, Vasily thinks he sees a line of men forming up nearby, but cannot be sure, for he immediately goes on the counter attack (Va hit B2, -8HP, on 5HP). He breathes a sigh of relief as the stunned Elite troop returns to his senses, runs up and slashes mightily at the Bugbear (E1 hit B2, -3HP, on 2HP). He looks with a grin at his sister - only to see her throat torn out by a whirling hook. (B2 hit Ri, -3HP, on -1HP. d100=01, dead!). Vasily sinks to his knees in despair, not seeing the Bugbear breaking the thigh bone of his last remaining brother in arms (B2 hit E1, -4HP, on 2HP) nor the chain go taut and break the neck of Chipper (d100=07, dead!).
Round 12:
“Get down!” bellows Duke Rolf from nearby, where he has been rallying troops. But both remaining fighters are already on their knees. There is the sound of crossbows firing, and the whizzing of a dozen quarrels fills the air, and the remaining Stretched Bugbear is pincushioned (4 arrows hit, -21HP, on -18HP, super dead).
(“Do the bowmen return and open fire?” Yes, and … a squad of crossbowmen).
Casualties:
Many Stretched Ones on 0HP - executed, all 14 enemies slain.
Jeddak (PC) dead.
Chipper (PC) dead.
Rina Oakhill (L0 Elite/Retainer) dead.
2 Townspeople, including another Oakhill (L0 NPCs) dead.
10 Human guards (L0 NPCs) dead.
1 Elite troop (L1 Fighter) dead.
Survivors:
Ghost (PC) 0HP, recovered.
Morgan (PC) -1HP, recovered.
Vasily Oakhill (L0 Elite/Retainer) survived.
1 Elite troop (L1 Fighter) survived.
2 “Medics” survived.
1 Human guard, 0HP, recovered.
1 Townsperson, fled, survived.
3 Human guards fled, survived.
Treasure:
Bugbears have:
50% chance 1 gem (no)
55% chance 1d4 gems (no)
45% chance 1-3 jewellery (yes, 1, gem-encrusted belt buckle, value 2d8x100 = 1500gp!)
XP:
12 Stretched Ones - dead (37xp x12 = 444)
2 Stretched Bugbears - dead (175xp x 2 = 350)
1500 in treasure.
Total = 2294 / 8 (4xPCs + 2xRetainers = 5, +3 [Guards, Townsfolk, Elite]) = 287 each.
XP from exploration: 51 (treasure) + 440 (clearing hexes, fights) = 123 + 287 = 410 each.
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