Ghosts of Saltmarsh by Dylanthalas

Wake quickly surveys his allies for their conditions. Assessing that they are probably better off than he is himself, will drop Sacred Flame on the gnoll 1.

Movement: none.

Action: Sacred Flame DC 13 or 5 radiant damage.

Twilight Sanctuary: 5

Wake - Gnoll 1 DEX save: 17

Ruby, angry at herself for not being able to hit anything for a while, will move a little closer and try one last time.

Movement: 2 south 

Attack on the gnoll hunter

Crossbow:20 damage: 11

Ruby - The bolt slams into the Gnoll's gut and it howls in pain. It stumbles and drops its longbow as it tries not to fall off the roof, arms pin wheeling through the air. The Gnoll looses its balance and falls off the roof, landing in the street below with a CRUNCH. It is very hurt but still alive.

DC 12 DEX Save: 18

Fall damage: 4

The Gnoll Hunter will then stand and try to bite Ariana. She easily knocks it aside.

Attack: 20 Damage: 4

Elwyn is up!

Both the Gnoll and Gnoll Hunter are on the ground.

Elwyn wills the spectral tentacle to keep thrashing at the closest Gnoll still standing. He then moves into position to get a clear shot at any standing gnoll blasting it with a beam of blue crackling eldritch force before ducking into cover again.

Bonus action: Tentacle: 18 Cold: 4
Action: Attack closest Gnoll. Eldritch blast: 24 Force: 10

Elwyn - The tentacle wraps around the Gnoll's neck, squeezing tighter and tighter as the Gnoll's eyes bulge. With a SNAP the tentacle breaks the neck and the Gnoll falls lifeless to the ground. The eldritch blast slams into the remaining Gnoll Hunter, caving in its chest.

Gnoll 1 and Gnoll Hunter 1 are DEAD. Combat has ended.

All - The man and woman in town watch uniforms catch their breath before turning to you all and thanking you for your help.

"We're only glad to help." Elwyn says, quickly while catching his breath. "We should go on to the town jail though." He adds and points to the bridge, still swarmed by gnolls.
Azure meanwhile flies high above over to the jail to assess the situation there and report back. Perception: 15 

Wake knows the temporary hit points will only last for a very short time yet. He will look back in the direction they came to see if they’re caught in a vice between the eight enemy on the bridge and the innumerable unknowns coming from the glade of trees.

Perception: 16 plus Guidance 1

Wake - The figures in the trees do not appear to be Gnolls, but townsfolk attempting to hide.

“The figures in the trees behind us are friendly!  Non-combatants should retreat to the trees for now. We need to lure the enemy, one or two at a time, away from the bridge. Unless someone has a better idea.” Wake shouts to the group.

Wake considers his health and his remaining ability to cast spells. Silver Lady, please sustain me while I try to sustain my friends is his silent prayer.

"Sounds good to me." Says Ruby after listening to Wake´s idea. "We should probably be a bit sneaky about this if we don´t want the attetion of the whole pack." She says and looks to the bridge, trying to see if there are any possible hiding places near it. 

Perception: 0

"Perhaps some of us comfortable with diving could approach the bridge with stealth. I have still the use of some storm magic to sweep them off that bridge." Elwyn suggests, his spectral tentacle staying by his side like a loyal pet. "Either way, we should hurry."

Ruby - You can see that there are various places to hide along the way to the bridge that would allow someone to approach it without being seen as long as they are moderately stealthy (DC 10 Stealth check).

All - The two Town Watchmen volunteer to create a distraction to try and lure the Gnolls away from the bridge. The family from earlier also joins you all once the Gnolls were defeated.

“So there are 8 gnolls on the bridge now that we must face, is that right?  How should we do this? I can use the power of wind to try and blow them off, of surround them in fog so they cannot see us.”  He looks to the party to rapidly discuss but also to the town guards as family as well. “Options Kowalski?  Didn’t you say your name was Kowalski?”

"It would be hard to fight them in the fog, we wouldn't be able to see them either." Says Ruby, more or less thinking aloud.

"I think we should try to blow them of the bridge, I have no idea how deep the river is but at least it'll slow them down."

"Our stealthy members could approach on either side of the road and wait while our less stealthy members," she glances without thought at Wake, "lure them into the trap."

Ariana says this without conviction, as just an idea, and it's clear she's willing to do whatever the group decides.

“Absolutely I am up for drawing them away from the bridge. We just need to figure out a way to draw them one or two at a time. We could be in trouble if all eight come at us at once. I don’t have much more divine energy to draw upon.” Wake says.

Kulogall - The man turns to you and says, "Aye, that's me. Corporal Taggert and I were just discussin' a potential distraction maneuver to allow you all to cross the bridge. Any of you got any illusory magic about you?" 

"Certainly.." Elwyn steps forward and makes a quick salute. "...any suggestions on what may make them abandon their post." He asks, eager to be of help.

Elwyn - The male Town Watchmen says, "Well, I was thinking maybe a plump little rabbit. Y'know, a real juicy lookin' fella with an injured paw, just kinda limpin' around waitin' for something to come along and put it out of its misery. Then when the Gnolls run after it, it darts off into the smoke and they follow it!" The female, Corporal Taggert just stares at him with her hands on her hips and her mouth slightly open, "Yer an idiot Kowalski." She says as she shakes her head. Kowalski looks genuinely hurt and says, "What? Why? Oh, duh. A whole herd of injured rabbits then! One little guy might not tempt them away from the bridge, but if they could eat rabbit by the fistful they might just abandon post and give chase."