The bandits seem to sense that there's something wrong going on. They slowly move closer to position of the illusion with their scimitars drawn. They don't see any of you yet.

"Who goes there? Show yourselves!" The foremost bandit commands.

As the guards move away from the tree, Nimblefinger sneaks forward and uses his dagger to free the hostages and the animals, urging them to move back deeper in the woods.

Stealth 16

Sleight of Hand 21

Scales follows Nimblefinger for backup. Stealth: 19

Grimm waits near the illusion with crossbow ready to fire at first signal. 

Nimblefinger and Scales: You slowly make your way around the thick tree, successfully freeing the circus folk who happily move into the woods. You are getting closer to the elephant. The large beast is trudging around uneasily, getting more entangled in its many restraints. You will have to approach it with caution if you don't want to alert it. (Animal handling check)

One of the guards says to the other: "I'll investigate. You go tell the others." The other guard starts walking quickly towards the bandit tents. 

(The clearing is around 120 ft in diameter)

"Try to get the guard coming to us, I'll try to take out the other guard," Grimm whispers as he takes aims at the guard moving towards the others and let loose two bolts in rapid succession.

Hand Crossbow Attack: 15 Damage: 4 (.....how.....)

Hand Crossbow Attack: 25 Damage: 5

First attack roll if I have advantage from hidden: 20 

Scales helps Nimblefinger corral the elephant. (Aid another action to give advantage.) 

Before the guard can take his first step his skull is pierced by two crossbow bolts. (I say you do have advantage as you are hidden and the guard isn't actively trying to dodge) The remaining guard charges into the bushes, swinging his scimitar.

Bandit guard initative: 18

Scales initiatvie: 23

Rhenwi initiative: 18

Bethany initiative: 15

(Bethany has advantage on the initiative roll thanks to the blessing, so I'm rolling a second one here:)

Initiative: 14 (If lower than 15, keep the 15.)

Grimm Initiative: 7

Scales attacks the guard. Attack: 23 Damage: 8

Rhenwi Enaid will sling one of his ‘Magic Stones’ at the charging guard.

Attack: 14 Damage: 8

OCC Does he get advantage?

Williwaw initiative: 4

Williwaw will flit over to help defend the circus folk if needed

While the others are fighting the guard, Nimblefinger attempts to corral the elephant quietly, without alerting the remainder of the camp with Scales help. 

Animal Handling(with advantage from Scales) 5

When Scales leaves to attack the Bandit, Nimblefinger continues to try to get the elephant free and moving away from the camp.

The other bandit guard is also taken out.

Rolling Animal handling for Nimble: 20 (Dice roller didn't work?)

The elephant is calmed down and follows its master into the woods. All of the circus people are ready to go, and the bandits at the campfire haven't seen you yet. It seems like Gilan knows the whereabouts of the circus wagons.

Nimblefinger whispers to the freed captives "Which one of you is Stavrick? Do you have everything and everyone?"  Nodding to Gilan "lead the way to the wagons".

To the others in his group, Nimblefinger suggests "We should move quickly before the rest of the bandits know what happened, unless you would rather try to take on the whole camp.  Personally, I think it is better to make our escape and leave them to the Council of Steel”

"I am Stravick." A slim, mustachioed man in a tophat and a rather nice but dirty suit presents himself. "I believe we are ready to go."

Scales moves with Nimblefinger to usher away the circusfolk.

Grimm will trying to move across the distance stealthy and trying to drag the dead back into the forest, gesturing for others to do the same.

Stealth: 9