Cold hands swipe across you Cath, as a quarter dozen shambling, slow-moving and groaning undead creatures enter your reach.

Creature initiative: 6

You have the initiative, Cath Redaxe. 

"Traever stay behind me!" Norvalor raises his hand and cast a spells at the zombies while yelling at Cath "We need to get everyone out of here but i dont have my gear!"

initiative roll: 20

Eldritch Blast roll to hit:10

Damage: 13

Cath recoils a bit at the touch of the cold dead hands.  He then swings his great axe in a mighty arc and tries to split the closest undead in half

Attack: 14 Damage: 10

"We were ambushed by fanatics and cut most of them down. I believe there is some sort of cultish activity trying to gain the boots your masters make."

So, is this step Kelten has taken more along the lines of him backing me up, or is it him getting into a better position to attack me?

No Insight check is necessary Gramdal. Kelten is flanking you, as would a Rogue... preparing for melee attack range... should he or you need to benefit from advantage on an attack roll. You know, just in case...

Gramdal looks around to each of the members of this cabal. His brow furrows beneath is bandanna. Gramdal plants his hands firmly on his hips by his dagger and rapier, hoping his position will be noted more as stubbornness than preparing to draw a weapon...should the need arise that is. "Agh come on then. I dunna think any of us came all this way for game of chicken. This may be a group of backstabbin', two-timin', dirty dealin' ne'er-do-wells, but that dunna mean we can't be cordial? Now how about we set aside the ol' cloak-n-dagger and get back ta business, aye?"

Traever trusts you implicitly, Norvalor. He knows he cannot see daylight again without you. He won't see the disappointment on his mother's face again should he ignore his survival instincts, or his sister. He would weave his hands to cast a spell but against the undead moving toward you his globe of darkness is useless.

You do have one advantage. Darkvision. From the corner of your eye you see Traever dart over to the bone pile and grab a femur. It's no short sword but the makeshift weapon is still better than his bare hands. And at the very least he can deliver vengeful blows against the undead that ate the elf to whom this leg bone once belonged.

The first undead creature takes a hit. Your damage is significant. it slows, almost as if to reconsider its plan, but its charge is strong. The command it is under is powerful. It continues its march toward you in an effort to take you down. 

There are four zombies between you, Cath and your ally, Norvalor and the boy, Traever.

Your weapon cuts deeply into the creature's rotting flesh. A hefty chunk falls away with a sickening sound. The damage is cause enough to distract it from its original target. It now turns toward you and moves into melee range.

"AMBUSHED?" The look of shock on the sailor's face is all the concern you need to act, Arutha.

A look of concern crosses the sailor's face. His eyes open wider as concern turns into real worry. He turns and runs toward the cargo hold.

Seeing him run Vanyel breaks into a sprint, up the gangplank towards the hold, Warrior clearing the scabbard before he even reaches the deck. 

Cath sets his feet and swings the greataxe again and really puts some effort into it

Attack: 24 Damage: 12 + 12 damage (Improved Critical)

Norvalor seeing a familiar face past the crowd of zombies he steels himself and summons a blade of pure shadow that has a glimmer of light in it (casting shadow blade as bonus action). "Traever steel yourself you are young, so i must apologies for the violence you are about to see." After saying that he jumps forward and attacks with this summoned blade.

Attack roll:16

Damg: 7 psychic 

Your great axe hits true, Cath. Ever trusting is your faith in the fine steel of your weapon. The undead creature has no hope against it, and you are rewarded by your weapon's craftsmanship as the blade cuts through the rotting flesh of the zombie in front of you, slicing effortlessly through loose flesh, brittle bones, and soft organs. The creature is still moving as it reaches for you. It falls apart beside you. Worthless as the magic that created it.

One down. Three to go.

Traever stays close to you, Norvalor, in case he needs to swat away an unwanted zombie with the makeshift bone club he wields.

Whatever you were expecting to happen from your spell-blade doesn't. The creature sweeps its clawed hands through the air in an attempt to grab you.

Make a Perception or Insight check, please.

You are across the deck and rushing down the stairs into the cargo hold, Arutha, when you hear two things.

First, you hear a loud shriek from below from the sailor who ran ahead of you.

Second, Warrior shouts into your mind, "Watch out!" Roll a Dexterity save.

In your mind, Gramdal, you hear a female voice congratulate you with these words, "You are well on your way to becoming a useful asset of the Red Cowl, if you play your cards right." There's a pause. "Pick your ally carefully. Not everyone pays the same. And not everyone cares about a longterm contract."

Her telepathic message is broken when Jhaval bursts suddenly with thunderous laughter. He clutches his fat middle as he rolls on his backside. "You keep strange company Kelten." He rolls to one side too far and nearly loses his balance. A quick gasp and he rights himself. 

The tension in the room softens, but all eyes still linger on you Gramdal. You are a new face. Who's side are you on? And how can the members of the Red Cowl profit from you? Many questions ahead.

Jhaval motions for a servant. "Drinks."

The person perhaps that you should concern yourself with most hasn't said another word since her arrival. She slipped away, out of the light, into the shadows. Her deep, loathsome eyes have been capturing everything said and unsaid. Vekka the Twisted One, the female orc emissary sent by the Orc Lord Gravva, has been observing you. 

Cath grunts with satisfaction as his axe cleaved through the zombie.

"I'm coming boy!" He yells as he shifts his attention to the next zombie and swings his axe again.

Attack: 6 Damage: 6

feeling the axe bite he surges (action surge) and attacks again and attacks the same goblin to finish it off.  If it is dead he attacks the 3rd zombie.

Attack: 16 Damage: 15 

perception: 15