Quote from Rhanloi >>

From inside the apartment, you hear a voice that sounds like Sgt Vilroy calling weakly, "Help me..."

 Pernach breaks out their lock picks. Barbarian lock pick is an oversized boot. Strength check?

Pepper draws her longswords, ready to follow Pernach in.

OOC > Oh! Can Pepper Help Pernach with the (likely) Athletics roll? Like she puts a boot on it, too, or gives him a shove, or something?

If you are proficient in Athletics, you may Aid Pernach, giving Advantage on their roll =)

Oh, and Pernach has Inspiration for the Barbarian lockpick comment =D

Pepper does, in fact, have proficiency with Athletics, and does indeed offer Pernach Help.

Barbarian lockpicking: 16

The pair gives the door a kick - but the strong locks hold! (Try again with advantage - need a DC17 Athletics!)

I guess surprise is out now. ;)

”Again!” Pepper tells Pernach.

26

 The door held from the first blow, but the follow-up knocks it clear out of the frame, exposing the interior of the room.

Pepper glances quickly around the doorframe, and if it is clear, or dangerous but not disastrous, she'll rush through.

Cabinets hang on the north wall of this large room, which is hazy with the smell of tobacco. Near the east wall stands an overstuffed couch. A rectangular table turned on its side blocks a closed door on the south wall. There is smoke coming from under this door...

Without hesitating, Pepper will try to crash through that door (with the smoke).

Athletics: 8 

“Ow!” she bounces off (I assume?) and gets out of Pernach’s way.

(Map of the apartment...) With the party inside the apartment and trying to get into the back room, 6 kenku cutpurses hiding behind the overturned furniture surprise you with an attack! While they are behind the furniture, they have 1/2 cover. (for rolls below, 1=Ashe; 2=Caelyn; 3=Cyril; 4=Kira; 5=Pepper; 6=Pernach)

• Kenku #1 vs 2; Attack: 17 Damage: 9
• Kenku #2 vs 6; Attack: 15 Damage: 7
• Kenku #3 vs 5; Attack: 8 Damage: 9
• Kenku #4 vs 3; Attack: 19 Damage: 7
• Kenku #5 vs 4; Attack: 20 Damage: 7
• Kenku #6 vs 3; Attack: 17 Damage: 7

Roll initiative!
Kenkus: 20

Pepper's Initiative: 16 

Cyril's Initiative: 23

Initiative: 16

If your roll is higher than the kenkus', go ahead and post your action. There are two groups of three on either side of the room.

Pepper charges the kenkus by the couch!

Move: to the kenkus
Action: attack with longsword: 18 to hit, for 10 slashing
Bonus Action: offhand attack with longsword: 12 to hit, for 9 slashing 

Reaction reserved for possible parry 

Pernach retaliates at the kenku that wounded him. Attack: 14 Damage: 15