[sblock=yzard]Don't worry about out-of-combat healing. I'll just heal everybody back up to full after every battle. With regards to armor, you can change it freely before this round of combat happens.[/sblock]
As you proceed carefully up the stairs, the clamor of battle seems to be punctuated by a pair of metallic roars. You hear a human voice cry for help, then a scream of pain.
As you emerge from the grand stairwell, you come into a room that looks like it was once used as a banquet hall. A few large tables are arranged around the room, and numerous ornate tapestries decorate the wall.
The other squad of guards has almost been wiped out. Two brave soldiers stand against a superior force. Two mechanical beasts, shaped like dogs and howling wildly, bite at the guards' arms. They're overseen by a massively built Warforged bedecked in a heavy black cape and a burgundy tunic: the traditional garb of The Cloak.
Both of the castle guards, suffering grievous wounds, strike out at the mechanical beasts around them. The first guard's strike falls short, but the second guard's target strikes true and dents the monster's shoulder-plating.
The dogs then retaliate against the guards. The first dog sinks its teeth into the guard's sword-hand as his swing misses. The second beast chomps on the hilt of the second guard's sword, and he swats the monster away with a hefty kick.
The Warforged, standing in front of the first guard, smashes a sturdy longsword into the guard's chest, impaling him. The guard spits blood, but does not yet fall dead.
Although the Warforged and his beasts are preoccupied with eliminating the castle guards, this force will surely pose a challenge to you.
[sblock=Round 1 begins]
Castle Guard 1 attacks Mechanical Beast 1 with MBA and misses.
Castle Guard 2 attacks Mechanical Beast 2 with MBA and hits.
Mechanical Beast 1 attacks Guard 1 with MBA and hits.
Mechanical Beast 2 attacks Guard 2 with MBA and misses.
Warforged Officer attacks Guard 1 with MBA and hits.
[/sblock]