All - The noise in the tavern suddenly fades considerably then silences altogether. You look around and see everyone is staring at something near the door. Standing in line is a tall humanoid figure dressed in clothes that appear to be a cut above the dusty traveling clothes that most everyone else wears. The clothes aren't what is causing the reaction though, it's the figure wearing them. Murmurs and gasps fill the tap room soon followed by curses and insults. All is directed at the bugbear standing patiently in line for the recruitment officer. Those that were ahead of him in line have stepped back out of the way, eyeing him with suspicion and fear. The recruitment officer still hasn't looked up from her paperwork to notice the bugbear and impatiently hollers, "I said, next!" The bugbear looks at those ahead of him and shrugs, then steps up to the bar. You see him fill out his paperwork and watch as the officer reaches into the bag to withdraw a stone, "Black. You're with... Aggghhh! Gods!" She startles and almost falls out of her seat when she finally looks up to hand him the stone. She drops it onto the bar top and jumps off of her stool, backing away from the bugbear. The bugbear picks up the stone and looks at it, then looks around the room, "Excuse me, can anyone please tell me where I can find black squad?" No body answers for a few seconds, then you hear Sgt. Gribz give a hearty chuckle, "Over here!" He waves the bugbear over and says, "This'll be interesting." The bugbear walks over to the table, either oblivious to or deftly ignoring the stares, jeers, curses, and insults along the way. He shakes Sgt. Gribz's hand and pleasantly says, "Well met all, I am Reginald. I'm pleased to be a part of the team."

"It's Summer, correct? Pretty name.  Yes, I do and I can change into you if you'd like.  Helps keep my kind hidden from others as well." Ankita starts enjoying the conversation she is having with her new found teammates. "Baldwin, that would be wonderful. And yes, if I had flight such as you, I'm sure I would do the same thing."

When the bar suddenly becomes quiet, she turns around to see the well dressed bugbear at the bar.  Ankita isn't sure what to feel as he makes his way to their team.  She has never been so close to one before and she has been warned about them from her tribe.  She knows to keep an open mind as she sits in the company of so many different races, but this one is a bit difficult with the stories she has heard. "Welcome to our group, Reginald, looks like you'll be quite the compliment to round out our team.  My name is Ankita"

Zindarik studies the members of black squad and muses aloud, "An aarakocra...a bugbear...an elf...a firbolg...a half-orc...and a dragonborn. Fascinating. May there be unity in our variety!"

All - Sgt. Gribz clears his throat and looks to you all in turn before saying, "Welcome to black squad. We will be the mailed fist that shatters the snout of these foul beasts so that our brothers and sisters in arms can close in and finish the job. We are one of two squads in the vanguard, the other is blue. Our mission is to hit the beasts hard and fast in whatever hole they've been crawling out of. We will scout the depths of the Misty Forest, find their nest, and stomp it to pieces. I will be in contact with the Sergeant from blue squad and the Captain in command of the operation via sending stone. This is an extremely dangerous but also extremely important task. The Misty Forest is their domain. If we tried to send a full company of men and women at once they'd notice straight away and go to ground while picking us off one by one. Our only hope is a pair of small kill-teams that can slip in without attracting too much attention and lead the way for the larger assault force. Once we're inside and the enemy is engaged, the assault force will move in and join the fight. It is highly likely that some, if not all of us will not make it. If you have any second thoughts or reservations about laying down your life to protect innocents, this squad is not for you." He gives Alvor a pointed look before continuing, "Those that live will be paid very well, two hundred gold pieces. If you die your pay will be sent to the person indicated on your contract. Any questions?"

Hofaen leans forwards in his seat “Well said Zindarik. Tyr knows my own countenance has caused me enough strife in my own life - perhaps a band of us can prove our worth to those who would naysay our existence?” he turns to Reginald with the beginnings of smile playing upon his lips - “well met sir, I am Hofaen may Tyr’s blessing be upon you”

"One question, Sergeant," replies Zindarik. "If there's any truth to the stories surrounding these creatures, our weapons may be less than effective. There's talk of silvered weapons being needed in such situations..."

After pausing and looking at the others, he continues, "...but whatever the case may be, we are committed to black squad."

Zindarik - Sgt. Gribz turns to you and says, "Aye, we've learned firsthand how ineffective un-silvered weapons are against beasts of this nature. Unfortunately, the bulk of our silvered weaponry was lost when we sent our initial ill-fated assault. What little that remains has been issued to the squads in the assault group. There isn't a silver tankard nor even a spoon to be found in all of Daggerford that hasn't been melted down and worked into arms for this final strike. What we do have are these," He reaches down below the table and lifts a sack of scrolls for all to see, "Spell scrolls. The Good Lady Morwen Daggerford had the foresight to send for as many scrolls and scribes as she could find in such short notice. I have some magic about me and I can use these scrolls to cast Magic Weapon on our arms as needed. I only have enough to allow each of us about three hours worth of enchantment. Hopefully that is enough."

"Only question I have, is when do we start?" Ankita looks at the sergeant impatiently ready to leave the tavern.

Ankita - Sgt. Gribz smiles and says, "That's the spirit. I just hope you keep it when the wolves are at the d..."

All - Sgt. Gribz and the rest of the tavern noise are eclipsed by a mournful howl that seems to go on for half a minute or more. Everyone in the tavern freezes and looks to one another with wide eyes. The howl fades to silence... And after a few moments, Alvor lets out a nervous laugh, "Heh, a bit jumpy aren't..." Another howl, and another, soon there is a chorus of howls echoing all around the tavern. Then the screaming begins. A man bursts through the door to the tavern, shoving people aside, "They're here! By gods, they're attacking!" All erupts into chaos as everyone in the tavern jumps up from their seat and begins shouting at once. A bell tolls frantically somewhere outside along with more shouts and screams. Something large and black bursts through a window and tackles a woman in scale mail as she screams. Another form crashes into the man who had announced the attack, pinning him to the ground. A large wolf snarls atop him, biting and tearing away whatever it can grasp in its frantically snapping jaws. People begin shoving and barreling through any exit they can find as more wolves come loping into the tavern. Sgt. Gribz draws his longsword and shouts, "Black squad! To arms!"

Let's roll for initiative!

Gribz initiative: 19

Wolf 1 initiative: 7

Wolf 2 initiative: 22

Wolf 3 initiative: 10

Wolf 4 initiative: 20

Alvor initiative: 2

Sweet.  Ankita's initiative: 14

Even before Gribz’s exhortation to arms begins to fade Hofaen calmly slides the thin gauze from his eyes and onto his head, stands, assumes a fighting stance and pulls his shield and warhammer from his back. 

Initiative: 18

With one deft motion Zindarik slides his blade Rahzzur* from its sheath...

(Initiative: 2)

*Draconic for "fang"

Baldwin lets out a loud screech and unfurls his wings

Initiative: 9

The initiative order is as follows:

Wolf 2

Baldwin

Wolf 4

Gribz

Hofaen

Zindarik

Ankita

Summer

Wolf 3

Wolf 1

Alvor

Wolf 2 puts an end to its victim's screams as it rips something away and gobbles it down. Its maw drips gore as its golden yellow eyes look over to the party. It growls and the hackles on its neck and back bristle as it crouches low. With a snarl, it lunges forth toward Alvor. Alvor screams in a very emasculating fashion and raises his arms in fear. The wolf latches on to his arm and shakes its head violently, jerking Alvor around. Alvor manages to free his arm, but it is bloody and torn.

Attack: 14 Damage: 7

Alvor STR Saving Throw: 20

Baldwin is up! Followed by Wolf 4, then Gribz.

Baldwin slides around Ankita (2 squares west) and lines up a shot with his dart. He has wolf 4 firmly in his sights, aims and fires!

Attack: 14 Damage: 4

Baldwin - The dart buries itself in the Wolf's flank. It stumbles a bit with a yelp and looks up from the woman it was mauling to growl at you.

Wolf 4 scrambles over the table between it and Baldwin and snaps at him with its jaws. It lands awkwardly due to the Dart in its side and can't quite grab ahold of him.

Attack: 14 Damage: 5 

Gribz will shout to Hofaen, "Your warhammer!" as he unrolls a spell scroll. He will place his free hand on the weapon and cast magic weapon. The scroll alights in glowing blue flame and quickly crumbles to ash as the spell is cast. Hofaen's warhammer now glows the same soft blue, granting it +1 to attack and damage rolls.

Hofaen is up! Followed by Zindarik, then Ankita.

Hofaen’ eyes widen at the sudden radiance around his warhammer, offering a silent nod of thanks to Gribz. He begins to move, shouldering past Zindarik (2 spaces west) who may just catch a muttered “for Tyr, for justice…” as he passes. He swings the hammer in a wide backwards arc bringing the head of the hammer within inches of the floor and then up into wolf 2’s maw. 

Attack: 21 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

(not sure what I’d did to the damage roll? Rolled separately below)

Damage: 11

Hofaen - The hammer impacts the wolf's jaw with a CRUNCH and the wolf crumples to the ground. The legs kick reflexively a few times then stop, and a pool of blood begins to grow beneath the animal's crushed skull.

Wolf 2 is DEAD.

Zindarik is up! Followed by Ankita, then Summer.