Oriace adjusts the strap of his gear as the group sets off, his brow furrowed with concern. "We’ve got about an hour of daylight left," he says, glancing toward the horizon. "I’ll be honest—if we don’t find this thing before sunset, we might be in for a rough time." He taps his torch for emphasis. "These will be useful, but not just for fire. Once it’s dark, they’ll make it harder for us to stay hidden, and we’ll lose any advantage of surprise. And while my eyes are sharp enough in daylight, they’re nothing special in the dark. If the scarecrow sees us coming, it might turn the tables." Oriace looks at Mana, whose survival instincts seem finely tuned. "You’ve been spot-on so far, Mana. Let’s hope we can find it before the light fades completely. Otherwise, we’ll have to tread carefully—and quickly."

It takes about an hour to find the scarecrow. It is now dim light. (You have Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks to see something in a Lightly Obscured space)

Assuming you have not lit torches, you have not yet been spotted by the scarecrow, and are 50ft away when you spot it. (if you have got lit torches, you have been spotted and they might be going first, depending on initiative which has not yet been rolled)

"Let's finish this quickly.  It's getting dark.  Same plan as before.  I'll light up Dancing Lights so it can't run away and we move in and torch it."

With that said, Toser will act when the others reply that they are ready.  He will again create dancing lights around the scarecrow to force it our direction, or at least try and prevent it from running away. 

Tose also grants Oriace Bardic Inspiration

Initiative when needed 8

Mana nods at Toser and bestows upon him his last Bardic Inspiration.

Mana also casts Dancing Lights to augment and extend the torch-like barrier on the far side of their quarry.

As a free action he extends his unlit torch towards Sterling (and possibly a grouping of unlit torches to be lit by his special magics all at once).

Sterling once again waits until everyone is ready, then as the others move and Mana extends his torch, he lights the implements and then races towards the animate scarecrow.

(( Using Prestidigitation to light his and Mana's torches. ))

Oh, and with his movement, Mana will advance with those that charge into the fray.

Initiative: 19

(( Yeah, might as well roll initiative: 11 ))

Oriace grips his torch tightly and nods at the group, a focused determination on his face. "Let's end this now before it gets any darker. Stay sharp, everyone." He quickly surveys the group, noting who still hasn’t received a boost of inspiration, and murmurs a few encouraging words to Wagner. "We’ve handled two already. This one doesn’t stand a chance against us." (Bardic Inspiration to Wagner.)

As the group closes in on the scarecrow, Oriace advances carefully, keeping to the shadows just enough to avoid notice but staying close to support his allies. The moment Sterling or Wagner engages in melee, Oriace raises his voice, projecting magical venom into his words. "You call this a fight? You’re nothing more than a pile of rags and regret!" (Casts Vicious Mockery on the scarecrow (DC 14 Wis save or 2 +6 (from Bardic Inspiration) psychic damage).)

He glances at his allies, ready to step in further if needed. "Let’s finish it clean and quick!"

The party get the upper hand!

Round 1:

Toser, Dancing lights and bardic inspiration

Mana, same plus moves

Sterling, lighting torches and moves

Oriace, VM (but I assume as a readied action, triggered when the Scarecrow moves into melee with Mana, Sterling and probably Wagner as they can't reach the scarecrow on their first turn)

Wagner, Still to act

Wagner will run forward with the others. And provides Mana with bardic inspiration.

The scarecrow runs up, just passing the wisdom save (15) from Oriace. It then takes two swings, one at Sterling and one at Mana.

19 on Sterling and 15 on Mana so both hit. 6 slashing damage to Sterling and 5 slashing to Mana, and you both need a DC 11 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of the scarecrow’s next turn.

Everyone is up

Oriace watches as the scarecrow lunges at Sterling and Mana, his grip tightening on his torch. Seeing his allies take hits, he grits his teeth and raises his voice once more, weaving magic into his words. "You shamble towards your doom like a sack of rotting weeds!" (Casts Vicious Mockery on the scarecrow.)

As his words lash into the creature's mind, Oriace keeps a close eye on Sterling and Mana. His voice softens, his healing magic ready. (If someone would like to get healed, roll 2d4+4 and get a healing word from Oriace, 2 slots left)

He steps lightly, keeping himself positioned to react as needed while staying out of direct melee. The sooner they finish this, the better.

Mana fumbled with the stopper capping the held flask of oil as the scarecrow approached. His nerves were getting to him. He took his eye off the approaching construct for just an instant and his free hand uncorked the bottle. Yelping in pain, the raking scythe-like claws dug in deep parallel gashes from belly to chest from the scarecrow’s viscous uppercut.

Wis save: 23

Resolve through the pain brings heightened focus to the little Verdan. He will not be frightened and let down his friends. He vigorously splatters the contents of the flask at and on the hideous creature.

DC 13 Dex save or covered in oil

Concentration check to maintain Dancing Lights: 10

If maintained, he will draw the four faux torches in up to 60’, tightening the dragnet and persuading the scarecrow not to flee.

(( WIS Save result from character sheet: 7 ))

Sterling grit his teeth as the scarecrow slashed into him, then felt the magical tugging on his mind. He cursed to himself as he realized that his feet were on the verge of running from the enemy almost on their own.

Steadying his nerves as best as he could, the would-be jeweler drew his blade and attempted to pierce the straw, defiantly yelling, "Stand strong, Mana, we have him!"

BONUS: Bardic Inspiration to Mana (1d6)
ACTION: Attack the scarecrow with his rapier
* Rapier Thrust - Attack: 11, Damage: 7 mundane piercing

One Bardic Inspiration die left to hand out

End of turn!

Toser moves the Dancing Lights to keep the scarecrows hemmed in as he himself also moves closer to the scarecrow.  As he does so he launches a Starry Wisp at the scarecrow, the mote of light streaking towards it.

Attack 19 damage 1 radiant from game log

Oriace: I rolled a 2 on the wis save so fails this one (you can roll damage along with your next rounds post)

Mana: I rolled another 2 for the dex save (for a total of 3)

Sterling just makes contact with the scarecrow, and I can't remember if I correctly applied resistance previously, but the rapier is less effective than you would hope due to the gaps in the straw.

Toser hits

Wagner (who we appear to have lost) tries to attacks but it goes wild (Nat 1).

The scarecrow does not like the oil, and so will attack Mana twice. One hits (22 to hit, 9 damage) while the other misses (10 to hit). One DC 11 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of the scarecrow’s next turn.

Everyone is up again.

(Previous round damage roll: 5. Since the scarecrow didn't resist the spell, it also had disadvantage on the first attack roll, in case that was missed.)

Oriace watches as the scarecrow relentlessly slashes at Mana, his eyes narrowing as the little bard takes another vicious hit. His voice rings out, dripping with biting scorn and woven with magic. "You flailing sack of rot, your only purpose in life is to burn, and you're failing even at that! Pathetic!" (Casts Vicious Mockery on the scarecrow, dealing 1 psychic damage and imposing disadvantage on its next attack unless it succeeds in a WIS save DC 14.)

Even as he lashes out with his words, he focuses his magic into something gentler, flicking a hand toward Mana. "Stay with us, Mana. We’re almost done with this thing!" (Casts Healing Word, restoring 8 HP to Mana.)

Oriace keeps his stance light on his feet, watching for openings and preparing to move if needed. If they kept up the pressure, this cursed creation would soon be nothing but embers in the wind.

“Ooof”

Mana exhales explosively with a showering of blood. His eyes blur and his knees nearly buckle. His hands weaken and the empty oil flask falls into the dirt and chaff mixture on the ground. He barely hangs onto the torch in his other hand. The clawed hand drove deep into his belly and is currently holding him on his feet. If it weren’t for the leather armor and the unique organ arrangement inside the tiny Verdan, surely this would have been a death blow. Mana doesn’t even try to maintain concentration on Dancing Lights any longer. 

The scarecrow lifts Mana slightly off the ground, its claws making purchase under the rib cage. Its inhuman head turns down and focuses its frightful gaze at the barely conscious rag doll it has skewered.

”Bring me closer.” He weakly taunts the horror. All thoughts and remaining energy are spent on touching this nightmare with flame.

Wisdom save or frightened: 23

A surge of healing from Oriace clears Mana’s vision and emboldens him. With renewed strength, he reaches out with his torch to set this abomination alight.

Attack: 8 Damage: 7

Bardic Inspiration added to the to hit: 5