Lion's Way

The fight grows bloodier.

Smarter bandits might have turned and run, but this lot seems unable to believe that a group of such young adventurers could possibly defeat them. And so they press the fight.

Sheemish’s chain drags one of the bandits off of Runeson with enough strength to lift the bandit from his feet, and Dieter whirls mid-fight to bury his pike in the unfortunate man as he flies by, killing him. The bandit leader leaps forward to take advantage of Dieter’s open flank and clubs him hard in the side. Dieter falls, but as the bandit leader comes in for the kill he manages to orient his pike and take the charging ruffian in the throat. Strength spent, Dieter succumbs to his wounds (Dieter takes 8 damage and is dying).

Aiwe drops soon after, as the burly thug stands and delivers a two-handed wallop to the back of her head (Aiwe takes 7 dmg). That might have signaled the beginning of the end for the adventurers, but Stella’s healing magic puts Runeson back on his feet, ready to continue the fight. His warhammer immediately goes to work, almost slaying a bandit with one blow. The remaining crossbowman tries to put a bolt into Stella, but she safely ducks behind her tree and the bolt skips off of a branch. Wirrow and Stella’s returning shots both catch the crossbowman, and he stumbles backwards.

Meanwhile, a couple bandits at once jump Sheemish, blades slashing for his flesh. He manages to deflect one sword with his gauntlet, but is forced to grunt as the other cuts him deeply (Sheemish takes 6 dmg). Still, the half-dwarf blacksmith is made of stern stuff, and he keeps his feet as the bandits regroup. They circle about him, ready to strike, when suddenly one jerks as a blade slices along his side. Aiwe, blood streaming down her face, has found the strength to rise!

Now the bandits are truly bloodied. Their leader is slain, and for the first time they’re outnumbered. With no leadership, the cowards try to make a run for it!

Round 3 Player Phase!!!

With the bandits focused on his whip, they failed to realize gauntlets comes in pairs. Sheemish grabs one of the fleeing men from behind, metal fingers grasping him around the neck. The smell of burning flesh fills the air as an electric jolt rips through the bandits spine and his charred corpse falls to the earth.

"I faced down a dragon at the age of five you filth," he spits on corpse, "You think I fear a miserable thief like you?!"

for the record, Sheemish is a tradesman and has a very very strong distain for bandits and thieves.

I swing my Warhammer at the thug trying to flee from the battle and yell, [b]"You can't escape justice!"[b]
Justice would be a really good name for my Warhammer."
The Warhammer catches the fleeing thug in the side at just the right angle and he drops to the ground dead.

HP: 3/12
AC: 16

Fleeing Thug loses 12 hp

The battle ends with all the bandits either dead or unconscious. The companions, though battered, are all on their feet.

With just a few minutes' work, Sheemish gets the properly fitted onto the cart, and then the mules are easily hitched. There are perhaps several of hours until nightfall, which should be just enough time to make it back to Candlekeep.

The two unconscious bandits begin to groan.