"Do we know if they are enemies?" Darak whispers to the Detective. "They might be guardians of wherever we are and mean us no harm."

Detective Krimpledimple whispers back to Darak as he gives his opinion on the matter.

"Whether they mean us harm or not, we're at disadvantage if a fight breaks out.

Let's trust Tadriel's judgement and hope this won't lead to a brawl."

Tadriel will poke the first figure on the left while holding a blade ready to strike.

     Tadriel prowls forward to the left side of the foyer as Krimple casts a spell in preparation for any incoming battle. The droning murmurs from down the hall echo along the walls. After Tadriel reaches forward and pokes one of the cloaked figures, it's murmuring stops as it slowly raises it's head forward. The figure remains in the same position as if frozen in place, and then just a moment later, returns to it's duty bowing it's head once more.

Tadriel turns to the others and shrugs, unsure of how to proceed.

"They are no threat it seems, at least for now. Shall we pause here a moment or push on?"

Darak observes the behaviour of the figures and tries to gain a sense of what is happening. 

     Darak can see that while the first cloaked figure on the left was the only one disturbed, the others remained in their entranced state. Additionally, as Tadriel disturbed him, he only gave a look over the immediate area in front of him.

"They don't seem to know we are here, I have no idea what they are doing, I think we should move around them and carry on." 

"Let me take a peek at this covered window in front of us for a bit before we head to the balcony upstairs."

Detective Krimpledimple removes the large sheets of cloth at the humongous window to take a good look.

     As you creak the door open just enough and take through it's threshold, there is a slight shuffling among the 4 figures ahead. Very similar to how one acts when on the brink of being woken up from their slumber.

     Krimple creepily steps out of the door and proceeds into the foyer, his foot catching the brim of his clothing sends him in a free fall destined to slam into the ground. Time feels as it slows to a stop as Darak makes his move.

Darak lunges for the deep gnome, trying to stop him hitting the floor.

     Krimple is mid fall as Darak lunges forward, his armor making it difficult to properly maneuver around. You hear Krimple hit the granite floor with a loud meaty thud followed immediately by an even louder metallic clang as Darak misses the grab and fumbles to his knee. The murmuring stops as suddenly, the 4 cloaked figures slowly turn their gaze in Krimple and Darak's direction, their eyes glowing the same familiar crimson color as the sky before.

 Darak looks at the fallen form of the Detective, the four sets of red eyes and reaches for his warhammer with a small sigh. 

"Those eye are not very friendly looking."

Detective Krimpledimple stands up as he readies himself for the incoming battle.

Initiative:

• Krimple (19)
• Tall figure (19)
• Large figure (12)
• Tailed figure(9)
• Tadriel (8)
• Darak (5)
• Short figure (3)

The detective starts his habit of monologuing.

"As soon as the battle started, those piercing red eyes and that short figure next to Tadriel immediately reminded me of rabbits. Rabid rabbits. Knowing what fury they could unleash to the unsuspecting person, I released a frigid blue light with the same cold demeanor of a cruel tyrant without mercy at the same figure."

    As the cloaked figures covert their gaze towards Krimple and Darak, Tadriel makes use of the opportunity. Reaching forward in a flash of light, he swings his weapon, tearing bits of cloth and flesh alike from the shortest of the group. An almost mortal blow, but enough to gain his attention. The figure quickly spins around, dodging the second swing while brandishing his dagger and raising it to Tadriel's throat. Just then, a blue light streaks from the entrance of the foyer from the finger of Krimple, plunging straight into the figure's arm, sending his weapon across the hall in a metallic screech as it glides across the granite floor. It wasn't his strongest display of magic yet, but it was just barely enough to send his foe to the floor. As he tumbles, his hood falls back, revealing a small Halfling man. The crimson light fades from his eyes.

     The tall figure draws his weapon as well, and heads straight for Darak, swinging madly...

Attack: 16 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

     While it appears this one has no formal training in weapon-based combat, he gets a lucky strike as his scimitar slashes against Darak's armor, finding a weak spot.

      The Large figure, after spotting Tadriel and Krimple quickly make due of his ally, lunges forward after drawing his sword and attempts to strike Tadriel...

Attack: 23 Damage: 9

     As nimble as he is, Tadriel barely dodges the attack, feeling the gust of wind from the blade as it passes by.

     The Tailed figure almost unwillingly draws a quarterstaff from his side and casually strides through the battlefield over to Krimple. He raises it high in the air, his scaled face visibly expressionless from the dim crimson light from his eyes, and brings it down on him...

Attack: 12 Damage: 5

     The crack from the wooden staff echoes through the foyer as it slams the ground next to Krimple, missing him completely.