“It’s a pleasure to meet you all! I certainly understand not having to look down! I was the tallest in the monastery, i grew faster than the humans and half elves that dominated the populace of my temple. I also loved listening to the music of the temple, but it is much different from that of what you just played Kent! So how did you all hear about this job? “

Mav looks Valathar up and down in amazement, as there weren’t any Dragonborn in his monastery and this is the first he has come across in his short adventure away thus far. 

"I often play at the tavern that he frequents. We became friends even though his kind like to live in places without a view of the sky. We often had lively debates." Kent says, pausing from his song momentarily.

Your urging the horses works, and you make good time for about ten minutes before the horses start going wild.

Two large animal like shapes seem to be laying down in the distance, their backs towards you. They are about 60 feet out, and the shrubby thicket, and trees start to get more numerous and really start pressing the narrow trail about thirty feet ahead of you.

Edit: Sorry for breaking role play, I started the message thirty minutes ago, and my browser didn't refresh. More role playing and exploring afterwards, consider this an abrupt break in your pleasant conversations

There will be more time for talk later. Seems like we may have more pressing issues.”

Mav ready his quarter staff at the sound of the horses freaking out. 

"Well that does not look good... What do you suppose it is?" Kent says, moving his hand through his hair which immediately rises up again.

Valathar reigns the horses in to slow them down to a light trot, but lets the cart continue forward, cautiously. He strains his eyes (5 Perception) to try and make out more about the dark shapes that lay in the road before them. 

As the party approaches the shapes, what they are becomes frighteningly clear. Two dead horses, search with multiple arrows sticking out of their sides lay on the ground. You all specifically recognize them as the horses your employer, Gundren, and his body guard Sildar left on. 

Just a random roll that tottaly isn’t important: 26

The bodies of the horses look somewhat old, and picked over as if they have been laying on the road for days. You see no obvious signs of danger, and notice a large back pack laying on the ground besides the horses. 

“Well... that certainly cannot be good.... We have to find them!”

"By the winds of Akadi!" Kent says in shock. 12 Perception check to see if I can see Gundren. If I see any humanoid body, I will run over, otherwise I will... 13 (11+ run over to the dead horses to inspect, or 1-10 hide behind the cart for fear of ambush.)

Kent jumps down off the cart and runs directly for the horses. "Gundren? Gundren my friend! Are you alive? Are you well?"

Valathar hops pulls the reigns back, stopping the horses and the cart. Quickly tying the reigns to the cart, he drops to the ground and heads over to the horses. Valathar bends low over the animals, inspecting the wounds covering the dead horses (18 Nature).

"You’re right Mav, we need to find them. These horses have been dead for some time, but without them, they can’t have gotten far.”

The distinct sounds of arrows being pulled back ring in your ears once you start investigating the horses. It seems a group of ambushers have been lying in wait for you for days! That type of commitment to the ambush is only possible because of the abnormally high stealth roll they had.

Four arrows, directed towards Mav, Valathar, Kent, and Berrus fly at the party!

Mav Hit: 11

Valathar Hit: 21

Kent Hit: 20

Berrus Hit: 9

Damage Rolls going in the same order as above:  7 8 8 4

Combat has begun! That was a surprise round due to the stealth nat 20, I will need you guys to roll initiative, which is a D20 plus whatever it says on your character sheet.

Valathar recoils as the arrow pierces his scaly arm. Shocked, adrenaline spiking with the pain, he throws himself back toward the cart, drawing the only real weapon he owns, a rusty old scimitar hanging from his side. "Archers in the woods! Watch yourself!" Valathar shouts as he scuttles behind the cart to find cover, he peers into the woods to find the source of the arrow fletching him. (3 Perception)

6 Initiative

Mav quickly maneuvers to dodge the arrow with speed unfathomable for a man of his size and stature. Mav jumps out of the south side of the cart hoping to use it as cover for potentially half of the ambushing party.

3PERCEPTION

"How many are out there? We will have to dispatch them quickly! Who knows how long Gundren has been missing!"

 "Cursed be your eyes, you cursed spawn of an outhouse!"Kent shouts out in Primordial towards the goblin that hit him. 3 (DC 12 WIS save or take psychic damage and have disadvantage on the next attack.

Kent takes cover behind the wagon as his bonus action and tries to stem the bleeding from the arrow shot.

6 Initiative

2 Perception in case I need it

Berrus opens one eye..."an if you loud ones would keep it down" ....he trails off and begins watching the terrain

The dwarf mutters "hopefully i can find some leads here"

(ooc...sorry on phone. Will post better later)

Initiative:  4

I will make a battle map, and roll the enemies inti when I get the chance, about to have a meeting.

Also, I’m not sure so someone please fact check, are you allowed to move characters after a surprise round, or do you have to wait until your turn in the initiative order to move your character?

Might be relevant for cover mechanics and such, in case the enemies roll better initiative then you guys and get the chance to fire again before you duck for cover