Hedge: Branches with Blades

Branches with blades whip about as the Aboreans flank the party while the boar snarls within the party’s midst. A perfect world? Certainly not. Though an imperfect world is certainly interesting. The dirt beneath your feet seems to give you energy as the battle presses forward quickly.

Voss recovers from swatting the mighty tree-beast to the earthen floor and turns to see leaves scatter as Remmy thumps into the green. He yells to Alion and Qwyn. "Fall back a bit toward the entrance! Narrow their attack front! Woods on your left, wall on your right! Let me keep between you and the beasts! Let me lay this Remmy-tosser low, then one of you dig him out!" Voss takes a moment to slam both of his weapons past the fallen Aborean’s defenses. The blades cut in deeply around the creature’s face. Bark and wood chips fly (29 to hit roll, 29 hit point damage.)

The Aborean’s limbs make a strange creaking noise and its leaves shake as it rises to its feet. “Al t’cha monroe,” it says. Mostly tree, part man what passes for feet remain firmly in the ground. It shuffles backward into the hedge, melting softly into the growth. As it retreats Voss gets one more free shot at it. His sword fails to find the mark (17 roll) instead slashing through empty air.

From the direction where Remmy was thrown into the hedge you hear a loud scream. Caught amongst prickers, bush parts and other hazards (4 hit points) the dwarf regains his feet to find himself facing the Aborean Voss just smashed which now looms in front of him. The Aborean’s scythe arcs through the branch leaving a trail of slightly trimmed hedges as it slices the dwarf (11 hp). 

The Aborean to the East (near Qwyn and Alion)lumbers forward, leaves dancing as it swings its scythe toward the cleric. Its weapon meets cloth, then armor, doing no damage to the holy man.

Located directly adjacent to the Aborean Qwyn’s eyes widen with surprise. Trapped between the wall, Voss, a charging boar and really having no place to go it keeps him (mostly) quiet.  “Bite me,” he mutters, as he glares at his enemy, his tielfling eyes gleaming with brilliant colors. Not brilliant enough (17 to hit) as the leafy foe is unfazed.

From inside the hedge Remmy gains enough footing as lets loose with a loud, “Sumbitch!” as he returns the favor of the earlier attack. Both hands firmly on his greatsword he cracks his foe directly in its face (23 to hit). It is just enough to get past the creature’s defenses though the dwarf’s arms shake from the vibrations of from the deep impact (27 hit points damage).

The tree creature teeters...though despite the heavy damage from the battle (72 hp)…it does not fall.

The boar closes the final gap of space against Voss bringing itself up to full speed immediately. Its eyes continue to glow – almost greedily – as it brings its tusks forward to gore Voss. With precision timing honed from years of training Voss lets the animal pass him. Voss digs his blade deep into the pig’s body (38 to hit) as it passes, allowing for momentum to do the rest. A large gash opens along the animal’s side with maximum damage (19 hit points) being delivered. 

Rather than stand toe to snout Voss moves past the creature, past the edge of the hedge and onto the rough terrain where Remmy originally entered the hedge (E8.)

The boar snarls while it whips its head back toward where Voss went. At that moment Alion says, "Time for some roast pork.  Or at least a blind boar."  Alion's holy symbol glows as he whispers a prayer. Blinding light strikes the boar directly its face (20 hit roll, 13 damage.)

DM Note:

·         The Aobrean which disappeared took 45 hit points damage (since I am now letting people know what attacks did what damage.)

·         Mark if you wanted to be somewhere different after your run please let me know.

·         Mark I remembered the extra damage

·         Initiative Qwyn, Voss, Remmy, Alion