"Oh, I see..." Khessa reflects "A test of heroism... Only, instead of saving a damsel in distress, I must prove myslef by saving... a cow in distress!"

"Well," sighs the blonde arcane warrior, "who am I to decide who should be in distress, after all? Challenge accepted! I'll find Petunia for you, Big Al! It won't be an easy task... you too understand that the poor thing could practically be in anywhere... who knows who took her and what dark intentions they might have... but I won't give in! Petunia will be rescued! I will bring her back to you and win your trust".

After that, the tall adventuress takes leave of Alfonso and heads towards Phandelver...

"So we can see if there are margins to prevent wildland orcs and citizens from canceling each other out, but rather join forces to make this place safer" explains Khessa to Aster and Song. "It's also in the interest of our own refugees... I'm not very satisfied with having freed them from the drow to take them to colonize a territory infested with goblins and a dragon. And on the other hand... being able to start their lives again by inhabiting a village that already exists and that no one will come back to claim is an opportunity not to be missed lightly... If we can make this area safer, it will be an advantage for everyone - both for the current residents and for our refugees".

"I agree, Khessa. It almost feels like fate that we found that abandoned village. It sounds like that Phandelver town sometimes sends adventurers out to deal with the orcs, if we believe what Perg said is true. I don't see a reason to doubt him... but I am a little scared of making contact with the orcs. What if they kidnap whoever sends the signal...?" Song seems cautiously optimistic, but clearly the most recent events have taken their toll on her.

"I rather think we can trust Perg and his kind for at least our common enemies. It sounds like they have no love for the goblins or the dragon. I'd say our biggest issue will come from the people of Phandelver, people like Big Al. If they can't set aside their differences, I wouldn't be shocked if Perg and the orcs backstab us if they read the room and it spells their doom once all our common enemies are taken care of."

"I admit, Song, that I also did not intend to blindly trust Perg and the orcs..." laughs Khessa "I agree with you, Aster, on the fact that we probably can trust them for at least our common enemies. But the orcs do not they are exactly known as a reliable race... Their leader might well be content to kill and rob us and then leave the area. They had already considered leaving, according to what Perg told us..."

"So, although I hope they will become our allies," explains the blonde arcane warrior, "the smoke signal will come from an area that is easily defensible and difficult to reach without being seen from a distance. Just to prevent ideas that are not convenient for everyone".

"And as for the future of the orcs..." the tall adventurer adds "yes, Aster, you're right, it would be important to provide them with a perspective of integration, a hope, a dream or whatever. But an integration with the same humans with whom they fought until recently might not be easy, so they could instead integrate with us. The refugees of Seeby's Den (nice, right, the name of our new village?) could benefit from the physical power of the orcs, in erecting the defense palisade with which I would like to surround the hamlet and even their ferocity in combat, in case of trouble. Orcs, on the other hand, may appreciate life in a hamlet, living in real homes rather than caves or makeshift shelters and being able to rely on the regular influx of food that agriculture and farming can provide, instead to feast just after a successful raid then, maybe, suffer hunger a few days later".

"If the orcs manage to integrate into Seeby's Den," Khessa's blue eyes become dreamy "the inhabitants of Phandelver and other villages will learn to respect and trust them - or at least to trust them enough not to attack them on sight. We can build a better future for everyone".

"Lady Khessa, you have big dreams. In fact, I think I should call you the Great Unifier. Has a great ring to it, I'd say." Aster teases Khessa, but she can tell he does find her ideas fascinating. "Perhaps..." He chances with a light-hearted voice, "If there were to be other drow exiles... Maybe they could find themselves in Seeby's humble graces."

Seeby mewls as she hears her name. Her head pops out of your pack, eyes curious.

"Seeby's Den is an interesting name... I had thought maybe we'd name it after one of those good gods. I could almost feel the presence of one such god while we were on the run. But perhaps that was just me." Song adds sheepishly.

"I had no doubt that you might find me some unlikely new title to bestow upon me, Grand Duke Aster..." Khessa jokes in turn, scratching Seeby behind the ear and on his belly when he comes over "Anyway, coming to your question: of course! Seeby's Den offered refuge in the first place a refugees from the Underdark... why should he deny it to drow exiles? I hate drow slavers... and the drow culture promoted by Lolth... but I recently discovered that drow who shun that culture and who are of broad enough to adapt to a different life, they can be wonderful people" she smiles at Aster. "As far as I'm concerned, any drow exiles will also be welcome".

“I'm glad you felt the influence of some good deity in Seeby's Den!” the blonde arcane warrior declares in all sincerity "I, in that silence and abandonment, felt only the great fear of a new threat... But it is perfectly possible that you are more sensitive than me to divine influences, my friend. If you discover which God is helping us, I will gladly build him a shrine in the center of Seeby's Den!"

[Ignore, but feel free to be a lil scared.]

Khessa, Song: 10 & 18
Aster: 24

vs:

22 & 18

(Taking the average or just eyeballing it.)

(Roll initiative! I can't remember, but you can't be surprised, correct? If so, only Song is surprised poor girl!)

Initiative for mine: 12 & 10

(I will narrate this in a bit, but two bugbears just JUMP OUT at you)

(OOC: Maybe you can't remember, but you are right though! Khessa can't be surprised, thanks to the Alert feat)

Khessa's Initiative: 6

Song: 16

Aster: 18

/---Initiative--/
Bugbear A (AC 16, +2 to Dex)
Khessa
Song (HP 35, AC 14, Morningstar(+4 to hit, 1d8+2), has 2 potions of healing) TURN WILL BE SKIPPED
Aster (HP 26, AC 14, Rapier(+5 to hit, 1d8+3 piercing, has disadvantage due to sunlight sensitivity still) Frost Fingers 3/4 casts left)
Bugbear B (AC 16, +2 to Dex)
-----

As you are traveling along, you and Aster hear the sounds of bushes rustling suspiciously and instantly ready for battle. A pair of bugbears jump out of you shocking almost no one... except Song!

Seeing Song is surprised, the first bugbear runs up and tries to club her over the head with his own morningstar. (Attack: 21 Damage: 6)

(Khessa and Aster may move! Everyone is within moving and striking distance, so no map needed.)

"Song!" Khessa exclaims, seeing her friend as the object of the brutal surprise attack, "Damn you!" she curses, addressing the attacker "Aster, you deal with him together with Song! I'll block the other's path!"

No sooner said than done, the blonde arcane warrior engages the other hobgoblin in melee, trying to prevent him from reaching her tiefling friend. And to better get his attention, she unsheathes Cabbage Patch Avenger and tries a welcome slash on the monster's chest.

Khessa's Welcome Slash: 10 Damage: 7 (slashing)

While Song finishes understanding what happened and who mistook his head for a bell to be struck, Aster positions himself at her side and engulfs the attacker with the freezing cold of his magic.

Aster's freezing cold: 5 cold damage, CON Saving Throw for half.

21

/---Initiative--/
Bugbear A (HP 24/27, AC 16, +2 to Dex, +1 to Con)
Khessa
Song (HP 30/35, AC 14, Morningstar(+4 to hit, 1d8+2), has 2 potions of healing) 
Aster (HP 26/26, AC 14, Rapier(+5 to hit, 1d8+3 piercing, has disadvantage due to sunlight sensitivity still) Frost Fingers 2/4 casts left)
Bugbear B (HP 24/27, AC 16, +2 to Dex, +1 to Con)
-----

(I'm going to throw Bugbear B in for that attack since it didn't land so hard)

The second Bugbear rushes up and sets his sights on Aster. "A MAGE!" And tries to crush him with his club. (Attack: 21 Damage: 12)

The first Bugbear keeps his attention on Song, since she is the closest one and he underestimates her since he hit her once before. (Attack: 23 Damage: 10)

(Everyone's turn!)

/---Initiative--/
Bugbear A (HP 24/27, AC 16, +2 to Dex, +1 to Con)
Khessa
Song (HP 19/35, AC 14, Morningstar(+4 to hit, 1d8+2), has 2 potions of healing) 
Aster (HP 26/26, AC 14, Rapier(+5 to hit, 1d8+3 piercing, has disadvantage due to sunlight sensitivity still) Frost Fingers 2/4 casts left)
Bugbear B (HP 24/27, AC 16, +2 to Dex, +1 to Con)
-----

Khessa can almost feel the second blow hitting her friend in her bones and decides to change her strategy: "Aster! Song! Focus on him!" and she swings her magic greatsword in a sudden slash against the bugbear who is attacking the tiefling.

Attack: 13 Damage: 15 (slashing)

Astare tries to freeze both opponents again... at least his spells aren't affected by that evil sunlight that bothers his eyes so much!