Cale stops dead and messages the team via his telepathy:

"OK we have three kobolds feeding a couple of old guard drakes.  There's also a weirs stalactite-creature thing with long tentacles, thinks I can't see it.  There's a nest with three BIG eggs, so I think we have to clear this room.  Maybe draw the kobolds towards us and hope the ropey thing eats them?"

@DM:

Nature check to see what Cale might know about ropers 3  )

Cale is unsure of what the ropers may do or how they would behave in this situation; all he remembers are stories about cave features that seem to come alive with sharp teeth. 

@DM how far away from them are the Kobolds?  

@Jynne, It looks like they are about 50 feet away from the party if you are all staying in the chamber and not down the stairs yet.

The professor sends a message back to Cale, “That seems to be a good idea… What are old guard drakes?”

"Like you, but drakes.  And guards" Cale replies to the Professor.

Then to everyone: "OK, action stations everybody"

Making sure he is not close to the roper, Cale stands up and announces himself to the kobolds and drakes:

"Hey, scaly boys!  What's got two thumbs and eats dragons for breakfast?"

Cale follows this up with an obligatory 'this guy' gesture at himself and then turns to run back out of the passage towards his colleagues.

Initiative?  Kirari's 10  

If she has a chance before battle starts she will cast toll the dead for 8  damage. 

sorry - targeting the closest Kobold. 

The kobolds make a collective "Wha..?" at hearing Cale, and you would hear the roper give a lighthearted chuckle

Before getting ready for combat, the bells fill the ears of the nearest kobold, Kevin Kobold WIS 11 

@party, let's roll initiative!

Escobert 5 

Kevin Kobold 6 

Karen Kobold 3 

Kenny Kobold 8 

Roger Roper 1 

Gerry Guard Drake 10

Geri Guard Drake 8

The bells rattle Kevin Kobold, but they do not seem to injure him.

Escobert draws his axe with a mighty dwarven battle cry, and the monsters respond with snarls. Except for the roper who seems more intrigued than anything.

Thaddeus stands back behind the others and prepares for the kobolds.

Initiative 23

Cale initiative  25  

As the party readies itself, they would find that they are absent one gnome. Perhaps he went chasing after his creation that seems to be keen on getting out of the cave as quickly as possible?

(Travis is up next for initiative) 

Travis Initiative 7 

(Order: Professor, Geri Drake, Escobert, Cale, Karen Kobold, Kiari, Gerry Drake, Roger Roper, Travis, Kevin Kobold, Kenny Kobold)

(The Prof. is up first, and then I'll roll for the drake and Escobert)

----------------|-------------------------------------------|____________________________________
                                                                                Kobold                     Roper         |
  Party                                                                                                                          |
                                                                                            Drake1                   NEST
 <----------------------------       50'     ----------------------------- >      Drake 2                          |
                                                                                 Kobold                                        |
                                                                                                                                      |
----------------|--------------------------------------------|            Kobold                                        \
                                                                       __________________________________

(This is my rough map of where the monsters are; the party is 50 feet away at the top of the stairs)

Professor Thaddeus takes aim at the kobold to the north and let’s a bolt fly. 12 to hit for 7 piercing damage.

He then backs up about 15 feet to be behind Travis and to offer support from range.

Thaddeus' bolt hits the kobold right between the eyes, and they collapse to the floor as the eyes roll back in its head

(Order: Professor, Geri Drake, Escobert, Cale, Karen Kobold, Kiari, Gerry Drake, Roger Roper, Travis, Kevin Kobold, Kenny Kobold)

Geri Drake moves closer to the party and is now only 20 feet away

Escobert closes the remaining distance to the drake and attacks it with his axe. Attack: 23 Damage: 12 

Unfortunately, Escobert's axe swings wide and does not connect with the drake

(Cale is up next followed by Kiari)

Annoyed at his own depth perception and the roper's failure to intervene, Cale summons a pair of psychic blades and hurls them at the attackers.

Attack 1 on Kiari: Attack: 18 Damage: 6  psychic

With his off hand blade he takes a moment to look for a weak spot on Gerry Drake's body (using Inspiration to gain advantage)

Attack 2 on Gerry  Attack: 15 Damage: 6  plus 12   psychic