Lacking ranged capability Hannatti contents herself with defending Aethul who very much has.

Aehul prepares his bow, this will certainly be difficult, as shooting flying things always is...

In reply to Aethul (msg # 23):

the Stirges start flying toward you.

He fires an arrow, whichhe feels is fruitless, so slings the bow over his left shoulder quickly *and draws sword and buckler.

Hannatti stands prepared and ready to strike the first stirge that comes within reach of her or Aethul.

======
OOC: Prepared (or held) action, please

In reply to Hannatti (msg # 26):

Kirpich will gather the followers in as tight a group as possible, back behind the others of the party with the better defended ones, including Gunther, Tommy, Benny and Chunky on the outside. He will direct those with missile weapons to target hostiles well away from any friendly forces.

Balir picks up the pace and charges forward while screaming something in Dwarven, trying to catch the attention of the sprites - at least just for a few seconds.

OOC: In case Balir reaches an enemy, I will make an attack roll. IIRC I get +1 to hit when charging, so I make the roll by 3 - but there will be maluses from strige size, so not sure if I hit. If I do hit I roll 11 cutting damage (silver).

15:49, Today: Balir Ironhide rolled 16 using 3d6.  Charge a stirge (19)
15:50, Today: Balir Ironhide rolled 11 using 2d6+3.  damage.

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 28):

The stirges are SM-1 and are really good at dodging.
On the other hand, they are also not a fan of being rushed by a screaming dwarf.

The nearest one to Balir evades, but their uncontrollable hunger draws them toward Kirpich's followers!
This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:24, Sat 09 Dec 2023.

In reply to Stirge (msg # 29):

with a crackle of green sparks, Marlena releases her spell, and 4 of the strix drop to the ground!

Under his helmet Balir lifts an eyebrow "Good job there Marlena," he says, and tries to clubber a stirge

OOC: Just try to hit the nearest stirge. Hit with a margin of 2 (forgot size modifier in text) for 10 cutting.
13:40, Today: Balir Ironhide rolled 15 using 3d6 ((5,4,6)).
13:41, Today: Balir Ironhide rolled 10 using 2d6+3 ((5,2)).

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 31):

Balir bisects the giant insect!

2 of the remaining ones latch onto the back of a pair of unarmored
cultists, much to their dismay!

He makes a determied attack against one of the stirges attacking a Cultist.

In reply to Aethul (msg # 33):

Kirpich will ask Chunky to start grabbing the things from the backs of the followers, crushing them in his stoney hands, directing others armed to start to kill them as well while he creates a stone missile to attack one airborne, checking to ensure there was no-one behind it when he attacked.

Balir moves on to the next stirge, but yells "Do that again, Marlena."

OOC: Hits stirge (margin of 7) for 10 damage cutting and silver
11:17, Today: Balir Ironhide rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  damge vs stirge. – 10
11:16, Today: Balir Ironhide rolled 10 using 3d6.  hit stirge (17).

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 35):

as Balir cleaves a stirge in half, Marlena  begins to cast her spell again.
Aethel slays one, and Kirpich  smashes another but does not kill it.
his talos ties to grab the flying leech, but it is too entangled with its victim.

OOC: If possible could we get an update on the battlefield, please? How many is left and where are they? How far are we from each other etc?

He repeats his efforts


15:49, Today: Aethul rolled 12 using 3d6.  Shortsword cut -determined.
15:50, Today: Aethul rolled 4 using 1d6+2.  Sword damage

In reply to Aethul (msg # 38):

Kirpich creates another stone missile, more impressive than before...

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 39):

Gunther carefully swings his pick where it will not hit any friends if it misses, but he swings well.

In reply to Gunther Rockerfella (msg # 40):

Benny also lashes out with his mace, careful not to hit any friends with his swing...

In reply to Benny Wormlord (msg # 41):

Tommy tries to use his crossbow, but in his efforts to avoid followers, he misses altogether. He then starts reloading the crossbow...
This message was last edited by the player at 10:14, Fri 15 Dec 2023.

In reply to Tommy Mason (msg # 42):

Chunky is also very careful as he seats at the bugs, though he has no blood for them to consume.

Matching her advance with Aethul's Hannatti continues striking at stirges.

======
OOC: Playing catch up (think I missed 3 rounds):
16:10, Today: Hannatti rolled 8 using 3d6.  Deceptive attack on stirge
16:10, Today: Hannatti rolled 6 using 3d6
16:12, Today: Hannatti rolled 10 using 3d6.  Deceptive attack on stirge round 3
16:19, Today: Hannatti rolled 14 using 4d6-1.  Sword cutting damage v stirge
16:20, Today: Hannatti rolled 10 using 4d6-1.  Sword cutting damage v stirge
16:21, Today: Hannatti rolled 10 using 4d6-1.  Sword cutting damage v stirge

1st attack Successful, MoS 8. Stirge to defend at -2 or take 14 cutting damage
2nd attack Critically Successful, MoS 10. Stirge needs a critically successful defense (at -2) or take 10 cutting damage
3rd attack Successful, MoS 6. Stirge to defend at -2 or take or take 10 cutting damage

Balir looks around for another stirge to cut up.

OOC: Don't know where the enemy is or how many is left. But if I can reach one:
Hit (margin of 4) for 13 damage.
21:32, Today: Balir Ironhide rolled 13 using 2d6+3.  damage.
21:32, Today: Balir Ironhide rolled 13 using 3d6.  hit enemy (17)

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 45):

between Balir and the frantic attacks of Hannatti, the flying pests are destroyed!

of the followed, two are mildly injured.