"Bloody kobolds!! They're wily beasts who rely on pack instincts and mob rule to accomplish anything." Kyros announced as the chittering creatures formed up against them. He saw Talien overextend his own strike as the nearest beast dodged beneath it in a spinning slash. His attention was suddenly brought to the more immediate threat of a beast slashing towards him, though the knife scaped ineffectually across his chainmail. The creature screeched aggressively at its own impotence as Kyros retaliated with his greatsword.

Attack: 19 Damage: 13

Fighting Style - Great Weapon Fighting: Reroll 1s or 2s on damage dice.

Damage: 10

Lias wheezed as she took further damage. She stepped back and plucked the drum from the top of her pack. "Brace yourselves, comrades." She took a deep breath, and then struck the drum firmly with the hilt of her rapier. A surprisingly deep note sounded, thrumming its vibration though everyone in a 5-foot circle around her.

(OOC: Constitution save on Thunderclap is a 12.)

Damage: 4

One of the kobolds is bisected by Kyros' greatsword and falls in two pieces in front of the Dragonborn. The next three, astonished at the might of the fighter take 4 damage a piece from Lias' thunderclap, the warrior manages to rock in place, but takes no damage from the sound wave.

She then steadies herself and lashes out once more with her lance at kobold #3! Striking it in the chest the small creature gasps, then collapses dead where it stood.

The last two kobolds look to be on death's door and draw ragged breaths while quickly glancing from one attacker to the next.

The speed at which the kobolds were falling put a spring in Archibald's step, and he seemed to briefly forget about the chaos going on around him. He looked at the two remaining kobolds and, without attempting to hide this time, lunged at the closer.

Attack: 7

Damage: 5 

As the beast removed its dagger from his side, Talien winced and immediately retaliated. Bringing his staff across in front of him, he swung at the remaining kobold as Archibald attacked the other. 

Attack: 13

Damage: 6

As the last two kobolds fall, the woman relaxes her stance and turns to you, addressing the party as a whole. "Thank you. I am Linan Swift, a militia member of Greenest. My husband, Cuth, and the children are safe thanks to your efforts, but not for long. Cuth is badly injured and the children still need protection. We're on our way to the keep in the center of town. It's the last stronghold right now and we hope to make it before the raiders set up a cordon. You're welcome to join us and I'm sure Governor Nighthill will be happy to have help."

She turns and motions to her husband and children, walking slowly, cautiously, toward the keep. "Will you join us or make your own way?" she pauses for an answer.

"Well met, Linan. I am glad we were able to handle those beasts." Talien looks at the family as they approach, "You're all very strong and very brave. What do you think friends, shall we join these kind folks on their way to the keep? We should head there regardless; and no matter our decision, I can lend you some help with your wounds."

Talien walks to Cuth, reaches out a hand, and as the charm around his neck and his eyes begin to glow a deep green, casts cure wounds on Cuth, to heal him. ( 10 points)

"That should help a little," Talien tells the man with a smile. Looking to the rest of the group, Talien breathes out a sigh of relief, "Though I don't believe our battle is yet won, I suggest we accompany Linan and her family to the keep. It seems no coincidence that our paths crossed, and I do not feel right separating now."

"Noble Talien speaks true!" Kyros agreed, sizing up the warrior before them. "It would not do to abandon citizens, no matter how capable at arms they may be. We are honored by your strength, Jennu Kornari! You may call me Kyros!" he bowed low toward Linan.

His eyes scanned the sky once more as he lifted his head. "The keep also seems a likely target for our overgrown aggressor, and this Governor Nighthill might have plans for a counter-attack in place! We should make haste to get these younglings to safety. Please Linan, lead us onward, and we shall ensure no further harm, be they beast or brigand, befalls you or your family."

Linan simply nods, a ghost of a smile on the corners of her mouth. She gathers the children and Cuth, who looks remarkably better than he had thanks to Talien. "The going will likely be slow with us, and you seem like seasoned warriors, more so than I," Linan states. "Shall we go right up the Main Street or try to slip past more of these marauders? I'd rather not put my children in danger, but I'll trust you by necessity. The keep is about 300 yards to the East, more or less."

If you would like to use stealth I will need rolls from each of you. If you have another idea we can work with that too!

Kyros considered the request for a moment. On his own, or with seasoned warriors or comrades, a more direct route would be preferable. However, with citizens and children to protect, moving recklessly through the beleaguered streets could be disastrous.

"Stealth is not my strong suit," he declared honestly, "Though I am loathe to risk the safety of you or your family any more than necessary. I will therefore take my cue from my comrades, with the knowledge that I will be nearby, ready to fight, should we meet any further trouble."

"My wounds aren't many, but I am not sure how many more of these infernal beasts I am ready to handle head-on. I can certainly hide myself well enough should the need arise, and I've noticed Archibald is particularly skilled at becoming one with the shadows of the world. Lias, do you have any thoughts or preferences on the matter? I'd hate to see  any more harm befall Linan and her family."

Talien looks down the street and glances down the nearby alleyways to see if there seems to be a good way to get to the Central Keep. Keeping an eye out for more monsters, and hooded figures, he takes a closer look at their options. Perception: 14

(OOC: not necessarily looking for a 'best route' but something that would more clearly describe our options so we can have a little bit more a thought-out plan. I also have darkvision if that matters).

Talien:

"As my larger companion states, I am also not well suited to stealth, but am happy to make the attempt to conceal your family." Lias nodded at Kryrios, and winced as the severity of her injuries made themselves known. "Perhaps our sneakier friend can scout a safer path for us?"

"I concur with Lias. It would seem to make sense to see if the proverbial coast was clear." Archibald said assuredly. "It would also give you folks a chance to tend to any wounds that are lingering; Lias particularly seems to be in need of healing." 

OOC: If someone objects to me scouting ahead, say so. But presuming there are no objections, I'll go ahead and roll.

Stealth: 6

Investigation: 13

As Archibald and Talien began their review of the surroundings, Lias took another deep breath, winced again, and cast Cure Wounds upon her injuries. "Who knows when we will have a moment of rest again," she murmured.

Heal: 9

"Archibald, down by the river looks to be free of the monsters." Talien points southward with his staff, Judging by the top of the keep we can see over the buildings, we should be able to get there on the outskirts of town if we stay close to the hedging. If you'd like, I can come with you and we can try and assure our allies a safe passage. I am very adept with directions and have a wonderful memory for terrain. I spent over a century in service to my Grove as one of its guardians and through my service, gained many valuable skills. If we can scout ahead, potentially clear any immediate threats, and find an acceptable route to the Keep, I am very confident in my ability to lead our friends there after we've seen the way. I'm not saying it will be foolproof, but I believe it's our best bet at the time. 

Talien looks around the immediate area, noticing some men and monsters lurking in the distance. "Kyros, Lias, are you able to find a place to hunker down with Linan and the others? I know waiting doesn't seem to be the best option at the moment, but I believe Kyros is able to handle himself for a few more bouts! Archibald, we must still move switfly. What say you all?"

Stealth: 4

Kyros listened intently as the Druid elaborated on his plan, but he couldn't keep his face from falling into a frown. "No, Talien, I do not like this plan." he said as the Elf began to shroud himself in mottled brown shadows. Archibald had disappeared a few steps into the alleyway already, moving to check the next street over. "While I doubt neither your skills nor Archibald's, this plan carries too much risk for you two to head out on your own. We still do not know the full depth of our enemies resources or plans, but you can be sure, what we've seen so far is the least of their minions. The cultists tipped their own hand by underestimating us, and Kobolds will fall in droves easily enough. But they will strike in droves first, and you may soon find yourself no better off than Linan before we joined her. I acknowledge full well that I am unlearned in any of the arcane arts, but I can take the measure of a man or woman well enough, and we are all of us feeling worn from our encounters thus far. Lias spoke truly that we have no way of knowing when we shall rest again, and it is a risk too great that you two should work alone without the aid we might provide, while Lias and I remain stationary." He paused, considering how best to proceed. 

"Instead Talien, I will agree thus: you and Archibald may range ahead striking from the shadows to clear the way as you are able. Lias, Linan, her family, and I will proceed with extra caution some distance back. We will not proceed without your all clear, but I will not have you ranging out of our sight. Lias may be able to support you with magic from range if need be, and you can be sure that I will be beside you should the situation demand. Now we should go, before other patrols happen upon us."

Stealth : 17

Okay, if you're all going in stealth I need rolls from everyone. I will take what we have, but since you're all using the riverbed and hedges at the edge of town you have advantage on the stealth rolls. Since it's about 200 ft to the river, then another 400 to the top of the river bend that reaches the Keep please make 4 stealth (DEX) checks each, with advantage. I will be rolling for Linan, Cuth, and the Swift children since they're with you. Good use of tactics and party roles!

I will also say this: I'm happy and impressed with the strategy and use of your characters, so Talien I'm going to reward you an Inspiration! (it's in the rules, but basically you can save it and gain advantage on a d20 roll or pass it on to someone in the party if they do something you think is really cool!) There's a spot on your Character Sheet for it too, so you don't forget.

Kyros brings up the rear guard, making sure no marauders catch them unawares from behind, but ushering the family to always keep about 50' rear of Talien and Archibald's shadowy forms.

Stealth : 10

Stealth : 21

Stealth : 8

Stealth : 8

Talien shakes his head as he realizes he doesn't have time to argue with the Dragonborn. "Kyros, I understand the risk, and I suppose my time as a Forest Guardian has made me accustom to working alone and not as a group. Very well, Archibald and I will scout ahead, but try and stay within range of you and the others, letting you know when the coast is clear. Should any of us require assistance, we should be close enough to help. Archibald, do you have a bow? It may be best to keep it on hand if so. I still think it best to head south toward the river, there looks to be the least amount of resistance that way."

Talien begins heading toward the river to hug the hedge-line that runs parallel to it.

Stealth 2: 18

Stealth 3: 9

Stealth 4: 22