Pelaios: (I'll give you this one, but remember exhaustion causes disadvantage on ability checks) From the way the ground is torn up in spots, it looks as if there was a fight, and the horse lost. You see claw marks along the ground as well as blood and drag marks made by the horse.

Forbi: You can easily associate the cuts with the small thin blade of a dagger.

Dorbi: You look around scanning the woods, but nothing stands out to you.

Pelaios’ stomach gurgles again, and he is reminded just how exhausted he is.

“Something attacked the horse and dragged it away. Do you think it’s just a coincidence or perhaps part of an ambush?”

Admora sips on water. While there was much improvement, she wasn't too keen on running anywhere anytime soon...

As she sees a creature scurry off into the foliage, she suggests, "I can... go and check ahead, if it would help."

Her slightly bubbling stomach reminding her of the waning condition. 

Hercule hears his stomach growl and sits against a tree, staring into the distance. "I can scout ahead as well, but I don't want to be running."

Dorbi stands with her bow still drawn “I say we all move into the woods. There is no reason to split up. The sooner we find whatever did this the better” 

Forbi pulls out both axes once more “I agree with my sister. We’re stronger together” he looks over at Thammita “Are we going to change this bet? Whoever kills whatever we’re after now gets 10 gold?”

Rose nodded. "I agree that we should not split the group."

Dorbi looks at the position of the sun to try and work out roughly what time it is "We were due back in Waterdeep around noon today. If we're not there to meet Griskel with this package then he'll be onto us quicker than an ankheg in heat!" With that, Forbi and Dorbi both move towards the front of the group, caring less for their surroundings and how quiet they are as they speed up from a normal pace to a fast pace. They look back momentarily to see what the rest of the group do, preparing to slow down if nobody else follows. 

You move further into the forest alongside the drag marks and after a couple of minutes, you see the animal on the ground ahead of you. Standing over the dead horse is a large bear shaped creature with the head of an owl. It looks up at you, it's blood smeared beak having just torn a chunk of meat from the thigh area of the dead animal in front of it. It growls, but continues to eat for a moment.

The Owlbear is one thing, you had heard of these beasts before, but what you find seriously odd is the small figure wrapped in bear hide sitting on it's back. As it looks up, it's hood falls back a bit to reveal the greenish face of a feral looking goblin whose eyes widen when it spots you. It's mouth turns into a wide grin of yellowed teeth as it reaches down and strokes the beasts head and speaks a soft word you can't make out. The owlbear's eye's take on a reddish glow and it growls, it's legs tensing as it begins to spring into action. The sound is all too audible when the goblin screams out a single word, "Kharek-Nor!"

Forbi and Dorbi

Initiative: 23

Hercule is going to follow Forbi and Dorbi and sees the goblin and owlbear.

Initiative20 -

Pelaios 

initiative 18

Rose saw what was before them and swore "Rotten roses and broken mirrors!" before drawing sword and shield.

Initiative: 4

Forest Battle 1

“We’ve got company!” Forbi shouts out as you see Dorbi lick her finger and determine where the wind is coming from. She knocks an arrow, pulls back the bow string and releases. (Trying to hit the goblin)

Longbow Attack: 15 Damage: 10

After firing the arrow, the two gnomes run to E19

Admora curses, "Of all times and places..." She brandishes her weapon, hoping neither beast nor man have to resort to death to end this...

Initiative: 12

Pelaios prepares to cast Acid Splash at them as soon as the owl beast enters range (60 ft)

DC 13 Dex save 1 acid damage on a fail

He runs forward 20 feet (I think it’s M,22)

 Forbi/Dorbi: Your arrow flits through the air and thuds into the goblin's left shoulder, almost knocking it off the owlbear. 

Admora: Readies her weapon and stands her ground.

Hercule: Follows Forbi/Dorbi and sees the owlbear riding goblin, is shocked and does nothing.

Owlbear: Howls in rage when it's rider is hit and runs forward 40 ft.

Goblin: Points a hand towards Forbi/Dorbi but loses them behind a tree, seeing Pelaios move forward the goblin points at him and a cloud of mites, fleas, and other parasites springs into being, but with a wave of his hand Pelaios brushes the cloud away and it dissipates as quickly as it began.

Pelaios: You throw a bubble of acid that materializes and floats above your palm at the goblin and owlbear, but they just barely manage to dodge out of the way at the last second.

Forest Battle 2

Hercule is going to move to G19 and use my shortbow to attack the owlbear.

Attack: 18 Damage: 8

He'll then use Cunning Action to hide in the tree.

Stealth - 8

In a shimmer of pale moonlight, Admora transforms to a large white wolf (her equipment absorbed) then bounds over in front of her allies (M,21) and readies an a bite attack if the owlbear comes within range...