Prologue: The Jolly Wanderer

With the battle starting again since the frogs seem to show no intention of backing off, Melianne covers behind the tree and lifts her horn again, a triumphant battle march starting to echo over the clearing. It's not so much a coherent melody as it is an energetic beats, created from pure inspiration to get the combatants' spirits up and intimidate their opponents. It sounds vaguely like a song one can hear playing in a tavern, incoherent in structure but making one want to dance their worries away... Or launch themselves into a merry brawl.

As she plays, Melianne tries to ignore the battle itself - she doesn't need to see all the gruesome details, thank you, and she flinches when Rhys' crossbow bolt whizzes in alarming proximity of her. But as the hunter leaves her side to move into a better position to rain devastation upon the amphibians, Firebird actually gathers her courage to peek from behind the tree and pause her song. She surveys the field and an idea pops into her head; it won't be the first time she used this spell to help someone land a shot...

Murmuring words of a spell in a sing-song manner while carefully moving closer by circling her saving tree, Melianne directs her magic to envelop the opponents - and ignite. For a moment all of the frogs start to glow like oversized green fireflies - though it remains to be seen if it sticks. She just hopes it would help her allies, and doesn't attract attention to herself... For now, back to making this fight a musical epic.

Rhys' shot flies true and a bolt hits the frog-monster at the shoulder.
The monster looks at the bolt with even wider eyes than before. It has no time to make any action though as Annika suddenly jumps forward and pierces the heart of the creature with her rapier. The sickly green glow that surrounds the creature intensifies one last time before the creature breaks down.
Encouraged by Melianne's song Raskell leaps forward and slashes the yellow frog-monster across the chest. It tumbles back and looks at the large gash that reaches across its torso. It's still standing but is suddenly engulfed by a green light and heavily wounded.
The monster behind it is also engulfed in green light. This makes it easier to target both of them.

Just as the frog-creatures are about to attack again Korrin paddles his barrel to the shore, with a piece of floatsam carrying a dwarf in tow.
Looks like reinforcements arrived.

Korrin drags the flotsam to shore as he climbs out of his barrel he drives his shovel into the mud to secure it from drifting away.
Then draws a shortsword and a Handaxe as he prepares to let it fly when he has a clear shot.Korrin | HP 11/11 | AC 15 | Axe 2/2 | Dagger 2/2 | Arrows 20/20

Solra continues to cling to the floatsam with all her being while continuing to mumble, "Thank you, thank you, ..." over and over.Solra | HP 11/11 | AC 0 | Bolts 20/20[/ooc]

The leader of the frog-creatures lets out a sound that sounds like the combination of a screech and a croak and thrusts its spear at Raskell. At the same time it tries to bite Raskell into his shoulder.
The frog-creatue that stood behind the other green frog-monster steps over its killed companion and attacks Annika with its spear as well as biting at her hand.

---

Raskell skillfully blocks the spear attack by his opponent. The enemy also tries to bite his shoulder but the only things it accomplishes is a blow to the head by his weapon

Annika in turn isn't that lucky. The spear of her opponent hits her shoulder. Just as she is about to stabilize herself again the monster bites her arm and Annika goes down.

Annika, please roll a death saving throw.

Magic, music, and mayhem -- everything was happening so fast! The throes of battle upon them, Raskell's nervousness and clumsy swings found themselves invigorated by the uplifting tempo of the anonymous-but-strangely-familiar performer while the others lead the offensive. In a somewhat literal way, the half-orc adventurer found himself with a song in his heart, his confidence and his success bolstered as he found purchase with his trusty blade against the malignant foe before him, deflecting its vicious counter-strikes in turn.

As the battle ebbed momentarily and the frogs' attention waned, Raskell caught sight of what had drawn their attention: a heavily armed halfling and none other than Solra! Though she was looking worse for wear and more than a little down, he was glad to see she'd made it out of the shipwreck in one piece.

His relief was short-lived, however, when he saw Annika take the brunt of spear and fang, the chef's eyes going wide with shock.

"Annika!" he blurted out reflexively, worry dripping in his tone. There wasn't much he could do at the moment; Raskell had his own problems in front of him. "Solra! Stranger! Help!" he cried out to the reinforcements. Though it could have gone without saying, tactless desperation and hot-blooded adrenaline had won the day.

Returning his focus back to the yellow-skinned creature looking to skewer him, too, Raskell redoubled his efforts, lashing out with another heavy cross-swing from his longsword. The lovely bard had painted the monsters in a mighty helpful skein of magic he didn't quite understand, save that he could see them for what they were -- murderous foes that had to be defeated before anyone else got hurt!

Annika is used to scuffles and brawls in the city, where people are hesitant to use violence against her for fear of the consequences of attacking someone of noble birth. She's totally unprepared for the unfettered savagery of the frog's attack.

Korrin takes aim with his Handaxe and debates whether or not to throw his axe or swing at the yellow skinned frog man or is it a man frog?

This is something he never expected he would ever see, let alone face in battle, but he sees that the half orc has drawn all of the creatures attention as he steps up and swings, catching the yellow skinned frog completely unaware he connects with both blows.

Then continues moving past the yellow frog in an attempt to aid the woman, seeing as the half orc has called for help.

"Hey there big guy, stranger here to help, if you don't mind I will assist the lady before it is too late!"Korrin | HP 11/11 | AC 15 | Axe 2/2 | Dagger 2/2 | Arrows 20/20

A jagged smile slashes across his face; it's an oddly discomforting sensation, and yet it's also a welcome one as his blood runs hot - his weariness slips away for a brief moment, a moment of clarity granted to the outlander. He rushes to load up another bolt, seeking revenge on the green frog-like creature for felling Annika. Rhys | HP 12/12 | AC 15 | Bolts 17/20 | Bardic Inspiration 1/1

Melianne is startled by Raskell's cry for Annika and quickly looks over at the battlefield to see what's wrong. The melody she plays hitches in pitch and fades out on a distorted note as she sees the human woman drop down from a spear piercing her shoulder and a vicious bite, the swampy ground now splattered with a terrifying amount of blood. Trying to ignore the queasiness it makes her feel, the dancer almost instinctively steps back, before pulling herself together. Battles might not be her forte, but Firebird will be damned if she runs from one; especially when there is danger to one of her companions! She might not know them well, but shared circumstance still make them closer.

Trying to use these thoughts as a reassurance to ward off her fear, the dancer waits for a moment when the frogs are distracted. It comes in a form of a joined attack of Raskell, Rhys... and some halfling that is now on the battlefield? When did he arrive? And is that Solra the pipe smoking dwarf somewhere behind? Firebird stares for a moment, but then bolts from the cover of the trees, intending to get closer to her allies while still keeping out of reach of the enemies. She does have a weapon if things go dicey, a gift from one of her many acquaintances... but there is another one that is sharper and needs no steady hand.

"Hey, you pathetic, lacking in manners, bloodspilling amphibians!" The dancer calls out as she skids to a stop a few dozen feet or so away from where Raskell and the halfling are fighting the frogs. "I've toured all of the four cities, but it's the first time I see folk so consumed by mindless violence that they would attack their guests with no concern for civilty or hospitality, with barely a warning!" Firebird raises her hand to flick her hair over her shoulder in a dramatic fashion. "You are less than the ground you walk upon. Even mud of the swamps has more tact!"

Her piece said - though likely not understood, but the tone should be enough to translate the idea behind it, - Melianne hurries to back off behind her allies. Her gaze catches on Solra again, and after a brief hesitation, she moves to approach her. At the same time, she tries to remember the exact specifications of that one healing spell she knows... Annika's wound is not a minor burn, but if it can help in any way, she has to try.

Raskell stabs the frog-monster leader into the shoulder. A croaking scream escapes its mouth and it raises its spear to retaliate.
But before it can stab at Raskell the halfling with a weapon in each hand cuts down the leader and continues to the last monster standing.

The last monster turns to Korrin when it's suddenly struck by a crossbow bolt in the shoulder. A second bolt flies high over its head

Melianne's insults don't seem to bother the monster and it turns to her. But suddenly Rada runs at the monster with a horrifying battle cry.
She runs her sword through the back of the monster so that it sticks out the chest on the other side.
With a last faint, surprised Croak!? it breaks down and falls to the ground.

That's what ya get for screwin' with us, you basterds! she cries out. She breathes heavily and looks at you, muddy water dripping down her forehead and over her eyepatch.
She points at Annika *Erm*... I think your friend needs help