Luthok pulls his hood as far down as possible and spends most of their travel mumbling dwarven curse words. (Perception: 17)

Muireach has been thoroughly impressed by Dyoken leading them on the right trail without even using the map. He is still watching the surroundings, especially the skies: 11

Despite the weather conditions, DK is able to lead everyone along a path that isn't as slippery as the rest of the landscape, though the thought of Luthok falling on his ass may bring a smile to a few of you. You travel for a while, braving the storm, when DK suddenly spots tracks. 

They look like a women's size 8 shoe - boots. They lead away from DK's idea of a clear-cut path toward the village.

Muireach observes the prints, clearly non-magical, “What do you think, group? Is this our missing girl?”

 "Are we really following a teenaged girl into the woods again?" Dyoken asks. "Come on, let's go keep Grimer from getting his hooks in another one." Dyoken follows the tracks.

Merrick trots along happily, following the tracks.

Hoping to protect yet another young girl from falling into Grimer's filthy clutches - after all, he seems to go around kidnapping young ladies all the time - you veer off the path to Rubblecreek Village ruins. DK leads you all effortlessly. These tracks show what looks to be the signs of a chase after awhile. The other tracks look like big paws with sharp toenails. 

Within minutes of tracking these footprints into the nearby woods, you hear snarling and snapping. In the distance, a deep voice cracks like thunder as you hear someone bark, "Little girl! Stop hiding! We will find you soon. Maybe we won't eat you if you come out now!" This phrase is then followed by howls of laughter.

Merrick blends into the forest. All of a sudden, it's like he was never there!

1d20 (9) + 8 = 17

Muireach will continue walking alongside the footsteps, mentioning to the rest of the group, “You know, it might just be the fact that we took down a massive sunflower of death, but I’m feeling pretty confident today. What do you say we give them something to really laugh about?”

Dyoken follows Merrick's lead and does his best to 'sneak'.  "Little dogs! I'm not hiding! Come and find me!" (Intimidation: 7) He shouts holding the lantern up as he stands well away from Merrick (and anyone else who wants to get the drop on them.)

Muireach glances at the “show,” “Well, cool, steal my thunder why don’t you...” He summons Calibolg in her original, true form and will continue walking toward the noises.

Luhtok ruffles his beard as a big puff of spores erupt from it and clings to his body (Symbiotic Entity)  "So it's one of those days."

Dyoken shouts and it does garner the attention of these dogs. Mostly because his voice suddenly pitched too high and he did almost sound like a girl. They cackle as you hear them start running in your direction.

"Little girl, we will show you what sort of little dogs we are!"

(Fight time is now, we are in combat! You have a whole turn to set-up your attack, however, you'd like to do it. There are trees around as well as some brush in case anyone would like to try hiding (I will need rolls for it). No map, because I don't think it will be very necessary. You won't see sight of the enemy until the end of my summary post. Feel free to ready some actions!)

Muireach will hold a Green-Flame Blade for the first gnoll that gets into his range, “A mangy dog indeed!”

Attack: 23 Damage: 14 magic slashing and 5 fire damage to one next to it.

Oops adv. 13

Dyoken draws his sword and stands beside Muireach Ready to knock the very same first enemy in range on its rear with a shove, nodding to Muireach with a sly grin.

Shove:

Luthok conjures a magical Thorn whip at the end of his staff, getting ready to yoink a gnoll close enough for him to puff some spores. Attack: 27 DMG: 4. If it gets pulled within range Luthok will deal 4 necrotic dmg to it (10 ft range, DC 13 con save)

(I'm going to assume that Merrick does his usual super sneak attack special, apologies if he had other ideas, Thordain!)

You all see a pack of gnolls, five to be exact, rush in. Before any of them get a chance to react, they've fallen right into your trap!

DK not only knocks over the first gnoll but also the second. His sudden shove on the first dog to appear startled the other enough to cause it to suddenly try to stop, but instead, it skidded across the muddy ground for a couple of feet before landing flat on its belly. Muireach stabs at the first gnoll and managed to find the weak point in its leather armor. Blood begins to pool from the wound as it yelps in pain. Green flames burst from his sword and fly toward the other gnoll literally lighting a fire on its ass.

Vivi, who decided to stand near Muireach, imitates him perfectly - and then some! Her scythe comes down and decapitates the first gnoll when it becomes apparent to everyone that it hasn't died from Muireach's overwhelming attack. Vivi nods at Muireach, "Kill secure."

Luthok is not quite able to hit any of the gnolls with his whip, but Fungustus pops out of his beard and offers the old dwarf some encouragement, "No problem at 'tal, mate! Just a warm-up, innit?"

Finally, Merrick strikes from the shadows! He steadies his shortbow and lodges an arrow right between the eyes of the third gnoll to appear.

So, to recap, there are two dead gnolls, a gnoll on fire, and two gnolls that are perfectly healthy. Your real turn begins now!

Dyoken ignores the burning gnoll leaving the easy mark to the others. He steps forward and Recklessly punches the next (fourth) gnoll and tries to grab a hold of it by the scruff, hitting 14 for 6 bludgeoning, and grappling it (if hit, Athletics: 14).

Luthok lashes out with his Thorn Whip Hit [14 DMG: 1once more and tries to puff some spores into his orifices 3 (DC 13 con). "Shut it, Fungustus. I'd like to see you do any better."

(That was exactly what I would have done Ru!)

Merrick dashes out of the woods, rapier in hand, and runs to the gnoll being wrestled by Dyoken. He deftly stabs the thing in the kidneys before hiding behind the big man.