Quote from Mister_Whisker >>

it doesn't take an expert tracker long to figure out that the party is approaching a campsite.

Hewelathan stops as soon as they see signs of a campsite ahead.  He waves his hand, signaling the others to come closer.  He gestures in the direction of the campsite and quietly asks, "Does anyone want to sneak up ahead and see who's already set up camp there?"

- I could cast Invisibility on whoever sneaks up to the camp, and stablish a telepathic link with that person too he or she relays what is happening. Though it would have to be fast: the invisibility will last for an hour, but the telepathic link is just for one minute - Rhaenys offers.

Jodie nods, "I have a ways of getting out of trouble with the harp, so I can go.  Besides, you fellas look rather intimidating.  I'm just a friendly bard.  That invisibility sounds useful."  She gives a wink and a grin.  "Maybe I can make a new friend or lure them away."

Rhaenys nods, and Jodie hears in her mind:

Then puts a hand on her shoulder - with a little effort, given that the bard is way taller than the sorcerer's current shape - mutters the words of the spell and Jodie disappears out of sight.

Thanks.  How strange to communicate without speaking.  I'll keep you updated what I see...

Jodie heads off toward the encampment, trying not to disturb any underbrush.  Stealth 6

Jodie slips on a wet log and nearly falls.  She attempts to catch herself while keeping quiet.  Stealth 18

...okay then.

Jodie makes her way towards the camp... and quickly realizes that it's trouble! From her place in the trees, she can see 10 people... but... two of them are tied to trees at the edge of the camp. Seven of the remaining people look like the type of rough customers you really wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. And the remaining one... is sitting at a table near the prisoners examining a seemingly random assortment of objects. Jodie recognizes the robes that the woman at the table is wearing... they're exactly the same as the ones that the necromancer's cultists were wearing the day before!

As Jodie moves in to get a closer look, she nearly trips, letting out an audible gasp! Several of the bandits look in her direction.

"Don't just stand there, someone go find out what that was!" the woman orders. "And bring whoever it was back alive if you can."

Three of the bandits move to comply with the cultist's orders...

Jodie casts dancing lights 60' away as two torches to her left flank and starts moving them away to lead the bandits from her location.  She sends a message to Rhaenys

Seven bandits, one cultist, and two captives are at the camp.  My presence was detected and three bandits are on the move.  I'll lead them away from the camp after the lights.  Be ready to ambush them.

Dwarven Rhaenys gasps as soon as she receives the message:

- One of Firion's cultists is there! - he tells the rest - Along with seven bandits and two captives. And Jodie's been detected. Let's go try ambush them....

(Stealth: 13)

Korba curses unher his breath and reaches for his shield and sword, keeping it sheathed for the moment, and hopes to follow Rhaenys towards where Jodie is.

stealth 9

Tytus getting nervous, thinking that maybe he should be quicker to offer to go instead. It is too late now.

- Good luck everyone. /He says silently as he goes invisible and tries his best to thread quietly into the fray/

(Stealth check 22 [20+2])
Rolled in GameLog. Let me know if you rather i roll via forum rollers (i personally love the digital dices and rolling on sheet but will comply if you rather have it rolled here)

Initiative:

Raenhys (Hidden)
---
Bandits (x7)
---
Flinn
Korba
---
Death Cultist
---
Hewelathan
Tytus (hidden, and feel free to keep using the game log! Trust me, I know how much the forum roller sucks...)
Jodie

Map will be up shortly

Map (Jodie went ahead... so yeah, it might be a challenge for the rest of you to get to her...)

Dwarven-Rhaenys begins to cast a spell right where he is, and when he finishes doing so a silvery barrier appears surrounding him, that attaches to his body before disappearing. Then he moves following the line of trees, seeking their cover to remain hidden, until she's got a better view of the camp.

Action: Mage Armor.

Movement: one square to the right, and 5 to the north. 

Flinn with TruthSeeker in his hand seems to mutter some lessons "Keep the shield high, cover your comrades, strike true, keep the shield high... " and then he realizes that everything has started and gulps before whispering to himself "courage..."  

The three bandits that the cultist gave orders to spread out a bit to surround whoever made the noise that alerted them. They still don't know exactly where Jodie is, but they can hear her frightened breathing and realize there must be someone there! They don't attack yet though, still unsure of what kind of creature they're up against...

The rest take no action besides ready their weapons in case, say, a party of adventurers come rushing out of the forest.



Flinn and Korba are up!

Korba, knowing only the warning that was given to the group moments before, rushes foward towards the nearest bandit to him. But, seeing that they have held their swords, does the same, for now. Shield held, and sword on his back, but hand on the hilt ready to draw it, he looks towards the cultist that he recognizes, and the clear non-combantants, and says, "Lovely evening for a camp eh? What brings you all out into the woods?"

Rhaenys hears in her head Jodie rehearsing lyrics

I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly

Rhaenys smiles and sings back mentally "I'd fly above the trees / Over the seas in all degrees / To anywhere I please, oh"

To keep things moving, I'll go ahead and take Flinn's turn.

Flinn moves to stand next to Korba, sword in trembling hand but not pointed at the bandits just yet. The Paladin will take the Dodge action this round as the bandits have not attacked yet (even though Truth Seeker is most likely telling him that he should be smiting these ruthless criminals left, right, and center without mercy).

The Death Cultist, on the other hand, seems completely tired of this stand-off.

"Stop standing around! Capture them if you can, kill them if you can't!" she exclaims.

The cultist then casts bane on Flinn and Korba, both of whom must now make a Charisma saving throw...

And now, Hewelathan, Tytus, and Jodie are up, then back to Raenhys at the top of the round!