Ixsas makes an incredulous scoff.  He isn't familiar with the customs and laws in this land to say anything, but this looks less like a "toll" and more like a robbery. 

Based on what Ixsas saw of the hidden figures and the surrounding buildings, he tries to estimate the size of the bandits' force.

Investigation 20

(OOC: The earlier image seemed to show that the road ran along the edge of the river with buildings on just one side.  Is that how we're situated?  Or does the road run through the town here with buildings on both sides?  Ixsas is trying to figure out whether the wagons will provide cover from the bandits' crossbows if a fight breaks out.

Also, how far is it from the wagon train to the buildings?  Does the road pass right in front of the buildings where the bandits are hiding?  Or are they a good 30+ feet back from the road?)

Yes, just like the image. If you move to the side facing the river you will have cover. The road pass right by the buildings. 

Ixsas believes that the caravan is outnumbered. There seems to be 10 more people waiting for a signal. 

The tall building in the image is the shrine

Depending on whose nearby, Ixsas tries to communicate his estimate of about a dozen bandits.  (For example, if Serge is still close and not too close to the man with the hook blade, he whispers, "I count a dozen bandits in the buildings."  If he can turn with his back to the buildings to face Krackle, he flashes a hand signals: 5, 5, 2 and then gestures with his thumb at the buildings behind him.  He no longer sees where Zeds went Perception 8 (in game log).)

Concentration: guidance on Serge round 2 of 10.

     Zeds has heard enough and is convinced this isn't being resolved without a fight.  If these bandits can get the fee up front all the better for them but they still have no reason to want to let anyone survive the encounter and reveal their position to other caravans... Or authorities who may be will to ride out and roust them.  As such, from his hidden position, Zeds draws his short bow and attempts to plunk an arrow into the hook wielding spokesman of these scum.

Shortbow Attack:  23 to hit, 11 damage plus 11 more Sneak Attack damage

(Attacked with advantage due to having hid last post.  If need be though he would use his Bonus Action for Steady Aim in order to get advantage.  But if he doesn't need to use his Bonus Action for that then he will change position a bit and use the BA to hide again via Cunning Action.)

Initiative:  17 
Not sure if he can get a surprise attack off or not, so *shrug*

Yep, Zeds can surprise attack as no one saw where he went. 

The arrow strikes true finding a gap in the elven man's armor. He lets out a grunt of pain. 

From a nearby home, you hear the voice of a young girl yell "Papa!" 

The elven man makes a hand gesture to keep the little girl from running out and he says "Elaria stay back I will handle this. Get them. Keep the merchants alive" 

Initiative 

Enemy 

14

Party

17

Round 1

The party goes first. Most of the enemy stays in the ruined homes and are using it as cover. 

Post when able

Serge thinks a moment before responding to the threat, wondering if Farsiel perhaps has a contingency fund for this sort of thing, and if they should consult with him or try a negotiation.

He responds quietly to Ixsas, "If it comes to violence, anyone who can't shelter inside a wagon should make for the riverside and cover behind rocks or boulders.  Meanwhile, if it pleases your lord...".

Meanwhile, it seems diplomacy finds its natural end and he is interrupted when Zeds begins the festivities.

Initiative:  8

Initiative: 8

((OOC: I think we're just doing "side" initiative here. The party goes first.))

     Zeds takes another shot from hiding, perhaps putting down Papa fast will dissuade any other bandits.  He doubts it but even if not, it's one less they will have to worry about.

Short Bow vs Papa:  22 to hit for 8 piercing damage plus 7 Sneak Attack damage

     Zeds then scrambles to a different location and uses his Bonus Action to hide again (stealth: 21)  

Quote from Bartjeebus >>

He responds quietly to Ixsas, "If it comes to violence, anyone who can't shelter inside a wagon should make for the riverside and cover behind rocks or boulders.  Meanwhile, if it pleases your lord...".

Meanwhile, it seems diplomacy finds its natural end and he is interrupted when Zeds begins the festivities.

Ixsas is startled when their negotiations are cut short, but he springs into action.  He has had to spend a lot of time adjusting to life outside the temple since he came north from Calimshan and to the sensibilities of people in this foreign land.  He expects that they can squash these bandits unless there's some hidden power here, but he's not sure what Faelsin and the other caravanners would think if he burned these bandits alive and turned the remaining buildings to ash.  He makes a last attempt at using the only leverage they have.  

Option A: if the elven man is still alive,

Ixsas points to the man and suggests to Serge, "Hostage!"  Then he tries to move back to get behind the wagons to get at least 1/2 cover from most of the archers in the houses.  He conjures a Flaming Sphere, which appears as a roiling ball of fire, blocking the doorway of the building where he thinks he heard Elaria's voice.  He shouts at the elf, "We will burn all of these houses to the ground and turn your people to ash -- Elaria too! -- unless you tell your bandits surrender!  Now!"

Movement: Up to 30' to find 1/2 cover from the houses behind the wagons
Action: Action: Cast spell (LVL 2 slot) Flaming Sphere
  A 5-foot-diameter sphere of fire appears in an unoccupied space of your choice within range and lasts for the duration.
  He doesn't try to harm anyone with the sphere this round, but if anyone is foolish enough to end their turn within 5' of it, they will take damage 6 (fire) (or half that if they pass a DC 15 DEX saving throw).
Free Action: Speaking

Concentration: Flaming Sphere round 1 of 10

Concentration on Guidance

Option B: if Zeds's second arrow seems to have killed the elf,

Ixsas instead moves to the elf, casting Thaumaturgy as he moves.  He squats down and sits the body up in front of him as a sort of human shield and calls out with his voice amplified by the spell, "I can try to heal Elaria's father if you come out now and drop your weapons.  Else, he will certainly die here today."   He hopes the man's daughter or spouse has some sway over the bandits.

Movement: Move up to 30' to the fallen elf and squat down.
Action: Cast spell Thaumaturgy to amplify his voice so that everyone can hear him clearly.
Free Action: "Object" interaction - propping the elf up

Concentration: Guidance round 3 of 10

If propping up the elf counts as his action, then he'll skip Thaumaturgy and just shout as loud as he can.

Quote from Ben_Evolent >>

Option A: if the elven man is still alive,

....

Concentration: Flaming Sphere round 1 of 10

Concentration on Guidance 

Of course, in option A, I meant that his concentration on Guidance ends when he casts Flaming Sphere.

The elven man still lives

Ixsas please roll Intimidation with advantage. 

Quote from Weathervision >>

The elven man still lives

Ixsas please roll Intimidation with advantage. 

Intimidation 16 (in game log)

Serge was about to say something along the lines of "... perhaps you can set a few of these buildings ablaze to take the spunk out of these brigands."  

Those words die in his throat as battle commences and he hears that the enemy has children among them.  Then, seeing that Ixsas heard the same thing, with apparently the exact opposite reaction, he tries his best to move fast.  

Serge charges the hook wielding spokesman.   "Tell your people to stand down!  He means what he says!  He won't hesitate to burn them all!"  He hopes he is just pouring on the bluff, but fears he may be speaking the truth.  

[How far is Serge from the elf when he starts his turn?  How he uses his action will depend on the distance...].

The elf is standing in front of the caravan, so Serge is well withing 30 ft of the man.

The elven man hesitates for a moment then he calls out to his people "Everyone stand down." he sheathes his hook blade "Can you control your man with the arrows" He is breathing heavily and snaps the 2 arrows stuck in him. There is a fire in his eyes, but he would never risk his own daughter. 

The crossbows are lowered but still in hand should violence break out again. 

End of Combat for now

     Zeds remains hidden and tries to adjust position a bit to try to get a better look inside of where the voice came from.  He would like to be able to plunk an arrow into the door frame besides Elaria if the need arises.

Quote from Weathervision >>

The elven man hesitates for a moment then he calls out to his people "Everyone stand down." he sheathes his hook blade "Can you control your man with the arrows" He is breathing heavily and snaps the 2 arrows stuck in him. There is a fire in his eyes, but he would never risk his own daughter. 

The crossbows are lowered but still in hand should violence break out again. 

Satisfied but wary, Ixsas moves the ball of fire 30' away from that house but does not dismiss the spell.  (He basically moves the flame farther down the line toward the back of the caravan, at least 5' away from the wagons, not touching any of the houses, and not blocking the exit of any house.  He walks up toward the front of the line of wagons, still on the opposite side from the houses and the bandits, so that he can listen to Serge's conversation with the elf while still maintaining cover.  He calls out to Serge: "Serge, find out who these bandits are and why they threaten innocent merchants on the road."

Movement: Up to 30' toward where Serge is, but maintaining cover behind the wagons.
Action: Focusing on the elf and any of the other bandits he can see to try to tell whether they are answering Serge truthfully.  Insight 27
Bonus Action: Moving the Flaming Sphere 30'.
Free Action: Speaking

Concentration: Flaming Sphere round 2 of 10.

((OOC: I'd normally seek to involve Krackle, but since @Wreckzors is out for a bit, I'll assume Krackle is busy with Krackle Jr. ))

When the elf calls out for a cease fire, Serge slows his charge and stays his weapon, though he continues to walk toward the man in a less aggressive posture.  "Hold your fire!" he calls out to those behind him in and around the caravan.

Then he levels his eyes on the elf.  "Have no doubt, you made the right call.  This wagon train is better defended than most, and that priest isn't the only one among us with powerful magics."

After Ixsas' shout, he asks, "He wants to know your story.  Are you down on your luck freedom fighters?  Starving peasants just looking to feed their families?" 

"Truth be told, your history isn't what I am interested in.  There was another caravan, perhaps a day or two ahead of us.  Did you encounter them?"  He looks down at the broken arrows embedded in the elf.  "Tell me everything you saw or heard from them, and I'll see that you have those wounds healed.  It's a fair offer, I think.  What do you think?"

Persuasion:  17