(lacking response from SINless, moving on)<br/><br/>Esame struggles to piece together what the sudden commotion at the caravan is about, as the melee continues at rapid-fire pace.  The paladin, perhaps testing his comrades, swings high over the scorpion, effectively warding off its pincers which click harmlessly off his blade as Melody pincushions the beast's armor, each strike drawing out a fresh ribbon of ichor into the dry air.<br/><br/>Across the shadow, halberds effectively hold the second remaining scorpion at bay as a few other slash rather effectively at the armor, lopping off claws and mandible to make the beast look almost harmless-- except the retracted and coiled stinger-- which after a step, Atsila renders ineffective with a bashing overhand strike that crushes the beast's abdomen and thorax with a satisfying crunch, turning its tail into a crooked semblance of its former hook.<br/><br/>The group has a moment to gather themselves, and reflexively checks for any additional threats [perception checks welcomed]-- but it's not the scorpions that seem to be the focus anymore.  Dying and dead, the beasts are fair game for scavenging [nature or survival to harvest stingers].  Melody's 'favorite' archer approaches her, his gapped teeth apparent in a broad grin as he reloads his crossbow confidently and wags his eyebrows once for emphasis, stating something bold and, undoubtedly, awkwardly flirtatious in his native tongue.<br/><br/>[XP noted]<br/><br/>The columns stand sentinel now, and the caravan seems to be approaching at a hurried pace, not waiting for the "all-clear" signal.