Raven charges, sword flying, toward the worm-thing attacking Brich. A cascade of weird fluid flies in the blade's wake. The thing itself is nearly severed, but waves in the air, snarls ferociously, spine still intact.
Cray feels the site of his injury go rapidly numb. He turns toward the creature to retaliate, but finds his body stiff, and movements ever harder to accomplish. Within moments he finds himself fully paralyzed.
(BTW, I still need a second Fort save from Cray.)
Koehl, seeing both Cray and Katter in trouble, stabs fiercely at the worm near them, but it sways almost carelessly out of the bath of the sword. Undaunted, Koehl brings the blade back in a hard, swinging motion, further injuring but not defeating the monster. He completes the motion with a quick jump-step, glancing at Federich.
The driver, for his part, seems to read Koehl's meaning, and steps in a wide circle to flank the worm. He brings his sword down into its back with authority, and it falls silently to the ground.
Rattmes, seeing a similar opportunity, charges toward the worm Raven has nearly slain. Lunging sword-first, he finishes the thing off cleanly.
Katter stands immobile.
Brich considers his options, then backpedals until he has a clear shot on the creature that has struck Cylantro. He lets one arrow fly, and it lands dead center in the writhing tube of flesh.
Sturt glances a harsh "stay-put" look at Harrold, then moves to flank with Fendric. It is clear from the way he swings his sword that, save perhaps the young one, he is the least battle-ready here, and though he makes contact he leaves only a small mark on the thing.
Xiao steps sideways toward the worm nearest him, limbs flying. He lands one light blow, and misses with one strong one.
Cylantro tries to step away, but finds her limbs will not obey her. She stands rigid, feeling a numbness overwhelm her.
The worm that has struck Cylantro now lunges, wrapping itself around her.
(Touch 11 to start grapple.) It coils about her once, then squeezes, snarling at those near her.
(8 damage.)
The other worm hisses, snapping toward Koehl but not coming close to making contact.
The ground shakes slightly as several more worms burst out. It takes more than a moment to count them: There are seven.
The first emerges looking ready to lunge at Koehl, but turns swiftly to wrap itself around Katter. Katter's eyes bulge as it squeezes, but his expression remains otherwise unchanged.
Two emerge around Sturt, one biting into his arm, the other around his ankles. His body stiffens in a twisted pose, a look of barely-begun panic frozen on his face.
The next comes up between Oliver and Rattmes, lunging at the Tournean, but missing. Before Oliver can react, another comes up to his side, its human-like jaw snapping toward his face.
(Attack 18, Damage 5, Two Fort saves if hit)
Brich finds himself attacked again, but again proves too nimble for these creatures, as its teeth fly through empty air.
The last comes up beside Hiritus, biting at the young paladin.
(Attack 13, Damage 9, Two Fort saves if hit.)
(Note: Since these are coming from cover before they attack, you should consider yourselves flat-footed to the ones who are emerging. However, since by this point they should be expected, I'll throw out the ad hoc option of being "at ready", taking a -1 to all attacks and skill checks in exchange for retaining your Dex bonus against any more than emerge. You can track whether or not you're using this on your own, though the decision should be made during your round. Obviously, those with uncanny dodge or similar will have no need for this.)
Round 2
20 Cray
19 Tourneans
18 Xiao
16 Cylantro
14 Worms
14 Nurthk
14 Hiritus
12 Oliver
11 Fendric
9 Tatlock
6 Raven
Code:
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
01
02 *
03 +----+ *
04 +----+
05 +
06 == +\
07 == \\ *
08 == \\
09 \+
10 T """ +
11 w"""
12 HF ++
13 b ||
14 wsY * == w||
15 w == ||
16 h= ||
17 ++
18 Ow
19 w r
20 wX $ $
21 K$fN R
22 @ k C$ $
23
24 *
25
Party characters are identified by
the first initial of their
first name, capitalized, except
Cylantro, who's Y.
K=Koehl
f=Federich
r=Rattmes
k=Katter
b=brich
s=Sturt
h=Harrold
w=Worm
$=Dead worm
" or = is a cart
+-+ 's are the tents
@ is the campfire
* are trees
Note: There are additional worms grappling Cylantro and Katter, not indicated on the map.