This was what Darilan was afraid of. He knew this was a trap, and was angry that he and the others didn't find a way to neutralize it.

While Simon was speaking to everyone about the battle strategy, Darilan took a half-assed swing at one of the Keese with his staff. It fell way short and could hardly be considered an attack. But this time, he put more effort into it. [Staff on Keese] He waited until the bat-like creature flew his direction, and swung downward, trying to drive it into the ground. Simon was right; they should finish off the Keese before they worried about the Madderpillars.

HP: 23/23
SPL: 16/27

Two wounded; two left.

In the mercenary's head, it all worked out neatly. Injure the other two, then take all four of them with a bomb at once. Of course, that's assuming things went correctly, which they rarely did. Strategy only went so far, especially in sudden battles. The tip of his blade dipped into the liquid on the floor as he searched the room for one of the Keese in full vigor. Spotting one who seemed to be flying in a fairly straight line, Sabertache whipped his blade back up and spun it once or twice as he took the few steps forward, more for momentum than anything. He slashed his blade upwards at [Keese 4] with as much speed as he could hope for, praying to the Goddesses that he would sear off a wingtip.

HP: 33/44
SPL: 4/14
Will: 9/9

While he nearly slashed the little monster in two, he barely missed the base of the creature. It bled profusely as it darted away from him. The Zora decided only to focus on what was close to him. One of the bats, as if trying to avenge his injured friend dove towards him, and another followed behind it. He brought his sword around in a clean arc, and barely missed the creature, after which he batted the other Keese away with his shield. He got into a stance for a good accurate swing, and waited yet again for one of the blood-hungry critters to come at him again.

There!

The closest one was right in the path that his sword would take if he swung it cleanly. With enough force to easily slice through the critter, he swung his sword as accurate as he could with the provided lighting. With any luck, he wouldn't have a repeat of last time, this time taking extra care to kill Keese #3.

OOC: Sorry about earlier, I meant to cast Epic Poem L2, but I'll just stick with one, because that is what it is already calculated as.

IC: Simon pocketed the scroll and dodged the Keese that came after him with easy. Then, he readied his free hand, the one in which his staff was not clutched. He began absorbed magic into it, from his body, soon enough forming a sphere of light energy in his index finger. Again, as though pointing a pistol, he dropped his thumb, and launched the elemental attack at one of the wounded Keese, the one that Darilan was not aiming for [Elemental Burst - Light].

OOC:

Stats (as boosted)
STR: 5
DEF (rating): 21
AGI: 4
INT: 7
SPI: 5
SPL: 44
HP: 35

Talents (Most recent update)
Goron Strength L2 (included in stats)
Deku Agility L1 (included in stats)
Hylian Intelligence L2 (included in stats)
Exceptional Health L1 (included in stats)
Train: 2H Sword L1
Train: Boomerang L2
Elemental Burst L2
Life L1
*Epic Poem L2
Shield L1
The Quill is Mightier than the Sword L1
*Speak: Gerudic L1
*Master of Linguistics L1

DMG (modified to fit stat boosters)
Deku Staff:14
Deku 2H Sword: 19
Deku Boomerang: 10 (+1chance to hit)
Bombs: 9
Magic: 23

CURRENT
HP: 33/35 (stat boosted max)
SPL: 21/47 (stat boosted max)
Will: 9/9
Bottle: Broth/Stew as added to by Saber

As the first of the Keese flits confusedly around the room, it is completely unable to avoid the thick wooden staff homing in on its fragile furry body. With a squeal it falls to the ground and is dead [Keese 1 Defeated].

Even despite the boost to the party’s agility resulting from Simon’s epic poem, Saber’s sword falls short of his targeted Keese and the bat shoots away from its assailant unscathed. This Keese retaliated by arcing back towards the nomad, but Saber was at least fortunate enough to avoid it.

Taint’s sword is, however, able to pierce the flesh of the disturbed third Keese, and in an instant it understands the concept of karma – trying to attack the Zora had only resulted in its own injuries. Well, part of that was untrue. The Keese understood nothing except that it was still hungry, and now in pain [Keese 3 -13 HP.

The second Keese was already blind and forced to get by with sonic resonances, but if it had the visual capabilities of the humanoids below it, it would certainly be worse off. Not that it would matter, as Simon’s burst of light enguls its target, the pathetic Keese, and extinguishes its sorry life for good. When the light clears there is nothing left, save for a single green Rupee to confirm that it had existed to begin with [Keese 3 Defeated; Simon +1 Rupee].

General Richard Valens is not about to be shown up by the adventurers he is supposed to be leading. He stares down the Keese that Taint had successfully attacked and lunges at it with his sword, striking it down and kicking its still remains to one side as he looks to Simon. “Thanks for the boost,” he laughs and doubles back to target his next query [Keese 3 Defeated].

If anyone has forgotten the Madderpillers, they are quickly brought back into realization as the first to hit the ground scurries close to contact with Darilan, but the scribe is able to avoid injury and the Madderpiller slides on.

Madderpiller 1: 40/40 HP
Madderpiller 2: 40/40 HP
Keese 1: Defeated
Keese 2: Defeated
Keese 3: Defeated
Keese 4: 20/20 HP

Richard Valens: 41/41 HP

OoC: Eh... I forget how much SPL an elemental arrow takes up. was it four?

IC: Leth nimbly rolled out of the way of the falling overgrown bugs, and then was on his feet again, with an arrow already set to the string of his bow. Had he been a bit faster in his decision making, he could have gotten in an attack earlier, but he just couldn't decide which one to attack. Finally he let loose his deadly projectile on the last remaining Keese, which would allow the group to focus all their attention to the more dangerous enemies at hand - the madderpillars.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HP:31/31
SPL: ?/17 (I've only used two fire arrows, I think)
Will: 4/9

Simon's idea to deal with the Keese first was a good one. They were able to get those pests out of their way before they had to face the challenge of bringing down the Madderpillers. There was, however, a flaw to the scribes suggestion, one that Darilan didn't realize until now. If they did as he said, they would have two small groups each trying to bring down a very angry Madderpiller. On that though he said, "Everyone, I suggest a revision to Simon's plan: attack the Madderpillers one at a time and in full force." Darilan noticed one last Keese that somehow escaped his awareness and he swung at it with his staff.

HP: 23/23
SPL: 16/27

Well, looks like the Keese are just about taken care of.

He had been a little upset when he missed his target himself, but it hadn't taken long to get over that temper tantrum. There really wasn't much for him to do at the moment. After all, angering a Madderpillar without the group behind him was a terrible idea. His mind began to wander as the battle continued without him, with one thought pushing itself to the front of his mind.

I'm hungry.

Surely, the stuff in the bottle wasn't that great...and his meat shank was pretty expensive. It was more of a last resort. However...those Keese...they were pretty fresh...perhaps...? [Find Sustenance]

HP: 33/44
SPL: 4/14
Will: 9/9

Another successful shot at the rats with wings, and Taint was focused on the last one. He held his sword in the ready position, and waited for it to draw near. He stood waiting for several seconds before realizing that it wasn't going to get close to him after what had happened to its friends.

"Are they gone yet?"

"Nah, not yet. Stay hidden a little longer, there's only one left."

Taint decided that it was time to bring the fight to the Keese, rather than the other way around. He took off towards the bat's relative position, and leaped into the air. When he was within good reach of the little bastard, he swung his sword at it, aiming to kill. He hadn't gotten that perfect strike yet, but he was hopeful.

-----

Strength- 3(base+Goron StrengthLv3[=6])=................................................. 6
Defense- 3(base[3]+human defense Lv2[=5]+L1 Jerkin[=18]+Deku Shield[2])=....... 20
Agility- 2(base+Deku Agility Lv2[=4])=....................................................... 4
Intelligence- 1(base)=........................................................................... 1
Spirit-1(base+Racial bonus[=2]+Zora Spirit Lv3[=3])=..................................... 5
Spell- 10(base+Spirit[5]=...................................................................... 15
Will Power- 9...................................................................................... 9
Health Points- 40(base+Spirit[44]+Exceptional Health Lv2[74])=....................... 74

HP: 41/74 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
SPL:9/15 IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
WILL: 4/9 IIIIIIIII

IC: One Keese left. This annoyed Simon. He could see his companions aiming for the beast, but he was not sure if they would hit it. Rather than start the fight with the Madderpillers, Simon needed to take care of the Keese first. Then again, Darilan's words were wise. "Yes, I agree with Darlian, we ought to take them out one at a time. But first, the Keeses." He took his staff in both of his hands, and swung it at the bat-like beast.

OOC:

Stats (as boosted)
STR: 5
DEF (rating): 21
AGI: 4
INT: 7
SPI: 5
SPL: 44
HP: 35

Talents (Most recent update)
Goron Strength L2 (included in stats)
Deku Agility L1 (included in stats)
Hylian Intelligence L2 (included in stats)
Exceptional Health L1 (included in stats)
Train: 2H Sword L1
Train: Boomerang L2
Elemental Burst L2
Life L1
*Epic Poem L2
Shield L1
The Quill is Mightier than the Sword L1
*Speak: Gerudic L1
*Master of Linguistics L1

DMG (modified to fit stat boosters)
Deku Staff:14
Deku 2H Sword: 19
Deku Boomerang: 10 (+1chance to hit)
Bombs: 9
Magic: 23

CURRENT
HP: 33/35 (stat boosted max)
SPL: 21/47 (stat boosted max)
Will: 9/9
Bottle: Broth/Stew as added to by Saber

Leth’s magical arrow comes within an inch of piercing the final Keese, but his aim is slightly off. A few beads of sweat fall from the bat’s singed, dirty fur and add to the pool at ground level.

Darilan’s staff strikes the Keese right in its fang-hinged jaws, knocking it to the floor with a squeal. It launches itself back into the cavern air and tries to make itself scarce. [Keese 4 -12 HP]

Saber is not going to have to eat any Keese carcasses, for next to one of the fallen bats he finds a rock. Not being a Goron, he obviously cannot eat it, but underneath he finds a small magic jar and his magic power is restored in full.

Things seem to be going more in the party’s favour now, as Taint’s blow makes impact with the Keese and it shudders its last squeak of malcontent, fluttering to the floor in a heap of broken wings. [Keese 4 Defeated] Further aggression towards it is unnecessary, so Simon’s attack does nothing.

The second of the Madderpillers wriggles about the room, trying to hit the distracted nomad in the corner, but it falls short. Lack of exercise, probably.

The effects of Simon’s poem are gone as quickly as they’d arrived to help out the adventurers.

Madderpiller 1: 40/40 HP
Madderpiller 2: 40/40 HP
Keese 1: Defeated
Keese 2: Defeated
Keese 3: Defeated
Keese 4: Defeated

Richard Valens: 41/41 HP

OOC: Yes, Leth, 4 is correct.

Darilan was pleased that Simon supported his strategy. Taking the assumption that everyone was thinking on the same page, Darilan announced, "Here goes nothing" as he took an exaggerated swing at one of the Madderpillers, attempting to throw it into a rage. He only hoped that everyone was ready to dive in and tear this giant bug to pieces. [Staff on Madderpiller 1]

HP: 15/23
SPL: 16/27

It was no surprise that the Madderpillers should fall, but the Keese were an unwelcome addition to the already cramped atmosphere underground. Maverick watched as the others disposed of the furry, winged nuisances and readied his staff to attack the first Madderpiller in sight. If Darilan's staff struck it as intended, things would start to get a bit more frantic. The mage followed the scribe's lead and gave the first beast a smart blow to the head, hoping the others would join in the melee before it could retaliate.

With the winged beast nearly cleaved in half, Lilly fluttered out of the Zora's pocket. She buzzed around his head cheering. "That was awesome! That battle was like, completely flawless!" The Zora sighed, wishing that it had been a flawless battle against a group of Moblins, or something more menacing than a bat. Still, he accepted her praise and smiled warmly to her. "Well, I had to clear the air for you! Just stay airborne and away from danger, you got me?" She nodded, and floated out of reach. "And watch your back too! We can't be sure that those were the only Keese in the room." He turned his attention towards the first Madderpillar. It was time for the real battle.

He faced the beast that was already being attacked by another member of the group. They were doing well so far and it was up to each and every one of them to keep this pace. He held his shield close as he figured out the quickest way to get behind the creature, all the while making a note of the other Madderpillar's position. With both of them wriggling around the room as they were, the Zora was realizing that he had no chance of an easy sneak attack. Well, here goes nothing... He prepared himself for the initial takeoff, and in one quick motion ran towards the Madderpillar, sword held high. He brought it down in a stabbing motion on the creature's midsection. He suddenly realized how bad of a position he was in. All the creature would have to do to trample over him would be to wriggle in the wrong direction. He braced himself for impact as he hoped to feel his sword tearing through bug flesh.

---

HP: 41/74 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
SPL:9/15 IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
WILL: 4/9 IIIIIIIII

What is this?

The nomad had not been expecting to find a piece of masonry in a cavern such as this. It was remarkably well-crafted--wait, just how did this fit under that rock he kicked over moments ago without breaking? It was a miracle...or...magic?

I think I've heard of these...the green color...

Well, what better to do with mysterious green liquids than down them in one swig? And so he did. Sabertache felt something fizzy course through him--that same mysterious tingle he got before he cast a spell. The magical energy he had exhausted minutes ago was back? No quarrels here.

It took every reactionary fiber in Saber's body to fling himself out of the Madderpiller's way as it meandered by. He had to chastise himself as he drew his blade again; getting sidetracked in battle was a terrible idea. Several of the other adventurers in the room were hassling one of the remaining foes, and Saber was quick to join in, taking a few steps forward with his sword held out in a sort of lengthy thrust.

HP: 33/44
SPL: 14/14
Will: 9/9