With so many people stuck behind others in the narrow passage, it is up to those in front to make their moves first. And make their moves they do.
[sblock=Encounter A9b - Round 1]The blackscale adept's eyes narrow when he sees Brother Donovan standing in front of him within the secret passage. Without missing a beat he swings his greatclub at him, but because the cleric's circular protection ward is still active, it catches the doorway and bounces wild.
(Attack Donovan w/greatclub: *miss*)
Brother
Donovan realizes that being stuck in the passage will only make things difficult for them all, so he raises his shield and rushes forward. The adept takes the open opportunity and is able to graze the cleric with his club as he comes in
(AoO Donovan w/greatclub: *hit* 9 damage), but is unable to stop him from slamming shield into his torso and miraculously push him backwards into the main hall and up against one of the central pillars.
(Donovan STR check: [18] + 2 str = 20 / Adept STR check [6] + 4 str + 4 size = 14)
Jina uses the opportunity to skirt behind Horatio to his right and move up next to the adept. Her thrust with her thinblade is true, and blood begins seeping from the blackscale's wound.
(Attack Adept w/thinblade: *hit* 8 damage)
Aern silently moves up behind the cleric and places his hand on his back, and the Brother Donovan feels the familiar warmth of healing magic wash over him.
(Cast Cure Light Wounds: 11 hit points healed)
With the bard getting stuck behind the cleric, the others waste no time in going out the other way.
Ari quickly stomps on the pressure plate, the door opens, and he, Onyx, and
Rogan all rush out into the altar room and continue around the other direction. As Ari rounds the corner to the northern hallway, he sees the creature that was making the growling and snarling! A dire wolverine!
The wolverine sees the monster hunter come around the corner and immediately goes into a blood frenzy... charging right at Ari and with a huge swing brings one of its paws down across Osten's chest.
(Attack Ari w/claw: *hit* 11 damage) The wolverine's handler chases right after his giant beast and moves in behind it, ready for whatever further attack may come.
Jango and
Khalia then hurry out of the secret passage as well, coming upon the attack scene in front of them.
Initative Order:
17 Blackscale Adept -8
14
Horatio 19/36
13
Jina 35/37
13
Aern 25/25
9
Ari 31*/42
18
Rogan 15/20
8 Blackscale Handler
8 Dire Wolverine
6
Jango 24/24
20
Khalia 22/22
Magic Circle Against Evil (Horatio/Jina/Aern): +2 to AC, saves
[/sblock]
OOC: I didn't realize on the previous map that the wolverine actually takes up a 10 foot square rather than a 5. I've adjusted it's size on the current map.