Lucky would like to sneak back out and use silly hand gestures to indicate what he saw inside, and when the rest of the group inevitably can’t understand what he’s trying to indicate, he’ll softly whisper it instead.

Also whispering, "Could these be enemies of the Zhents? Should we talk or fight? The window for surprise will soon close."

Mialee will follow whatever course of action is decided upon with Lucky's scouting report.

The kenku still don't appear to have noticed Lucky or the rest of the group - for now. If you're trying to catch them by surprise, whether in an ambush or to corner them and get them to talk, now is the time to act.

" At the moment we have the element of surprise. Is there any way to immobilise them? My only real option would be to make it rain on them, which might slow them down slightly, but mostly it will just make them wet." She looks around the group, "can any of you put them to sleep, or confuse them or something? Even if it only takes out two of them it will be helpful."

"Otherwise we'll have to try and get all of us in without being noticed and attack from a distance."

Lucky shakes his head, “I used up all my sneaky spells at the tavern. These guys look like trouble. I say we take ‘em out first and ask questions later.”

He readies his bow.

"I say we strike now from a distance by ambush." Whispers Mialee, "And then rush them, I can channel Eilistraee's power to create a Twilight Sanctuary to aid us right after the ambush."

"Just remember, we need some alive to question."

Mercy shakes her head in response to Dierdre's question of if she'd ever been inside this warehouse. At the news of the massacre inside, the tiefling winces. Even though she's not overly fond of the Zhents' goals, she still calls many of them her friends. After all, they had been the only ones to really offer her steady work and a way out of the slums. The thought of many of them lying dead inside makes her wonder how many of them she knows, and it makes her feel sick to her stomach.

"I can distract them with an illusion," Mercy whispers now. "I'll send in the illusion and then we can take them by surprise."

Mercy creeps up to the door next to Lucky so that she can peer inside to cast her spell. She removes a bit of fleece from her component pouch and makes an arcane sigil with her hands. Suddenly a large black tomcat appears on the stairs and heads straight for the kenku, teeth bared aggressively.

Lucky will take up his bow and from the doorway he will shoot the nearest kenku. 18 to hit, 7 damage.

He will then use his cunning action to hide in the tight alleyway.

Stealth 14

Elagor will sneak to what cover he can find (25 Stealth roll) then shoot at the Kenku a little to his left ahead of him. (11 to hit, if hit 5 damage).

Dierdre will take cover behind one of the carts and cast Guiding Bolt at the kenku on the right (against the wall).

Stealth 13

Initiative 12

Guiding bolt: to hit 8 damage 17

Mialee will try to quietly join Dierdre behind the cart and cast Toll the Dead on the nearest Kenku on the left.

Stealth: 7 

Initiative: 21 

DC 14 WIS save or take 4 necrotic damage, or if it is missing any of it's hp then it takes 1 necrotic damage, as a woeful bell can be heard echoing throughout the room.

You all catch the Kenku completely by surprise. Mercy's illusion distracts them enough that you all slip in, then let loose your assault.

Elagor sneaks up, the Kenku unaware of his presence. Lucky and Elagor's arrows and Mialee's spell put the nearest Kenku out of commission. Dierdre's spell unfortunately goes wide. The remaining kenku scramble to grab their weapons and mount a defense, all saying in unison in a deep, gravelly voice: "The Xanathar sends its regards!" 

(And with that surprise round done, combat begins. Rolling initiative for those who have not yet rolled!)

Mialee > Kenku > Mercy > Dierdre > Lucky > Elagor > Ilmrae

It's Mialee's turn!

Seeing the Kenku fall goes some way to counter the sinking feeling Elagor experiences at hearing the words of their opponents. We have blundered right into a war, he reflects.  Still, that is a worry for another time.  Right now, all that matters is the three enemies before us.  They are confident, but we have the numbers, he thinks.  Also, they have no idea what they are up against.  He smiles grimly as he readies himself for another shot.

Mialee will now switch her attention to the next closest Kenku and cast Toll the Dead again.

DC 14 WIS save or take 6 necrotic damage, or if it is missing any of it's hp then it takes 8 necrotic damage, as once again the woeful sound of a bell can be heard ringing someone's doom.

"Remember, we should capture at least one for questioning!"

When Dierdre's turn come around she will cast Bane on the three remaining Kenku. If she can hinder them they may be easier to keep alive.

Save CHA 12

The kenku fails to resist Mialee's spell, grabbing at its head in pain, but still standing.

It is the Kenku's turn!

The kenku begin to mount a resistance. Two draw bows and move forward to get an angle on those of you behind cover - one gets a clear shot at Elagor and the other a half-decent shot at Mialee. The third draws a shortsword and moves to attack Elagor.

Kenku B's shortbow attack vs Mialee (1/2 cover): 24 to hit, 4 piercing damage.
Kenku C's shortbow attack vs Elagor: 20 to hit, 7 piercing damage.
Kenku D's shortsword attack vs Elagor: 9 to hit, miss!

It is Mercy, Dierdre, Lucky, Elagor, and Ilmrae's turns! 

Dierdre casts Bane on the three remaining Kenku. If she can hinder them they may be easier to keep alive.

Save CHA 12

[OOC Lucky isn't immediately near my Kenku and I'm off to bed so have posted now to save time. All rolls in Log]  Finding himself now engaged at close quarters, Elagor will drop his bow and strike back at his immediate foe with his two swords, cursing underneath his breath and hoping fervently that his companions prevent any further arrows from injuring him. (to hit 12, damage 8 & to hit 20, damage 4).

(oops, somehow I lost the owlbear rodeo map again)

On his turn, Lucky will come to the doorway, take aim with his bow, and shoot any Kenku that may be harrying Elagor. If none are next to Elagor, he'll shoot any that he can. Then he'll duck out of sight again and hide.

(really low rolls lol)

12 to hit

4 damage

1 sneak attack damage if applicable (kenku in Elagor's vicinity)

cunning action: hide, 13 on stealth

Dierdre's debilitating spell takes hold on all three of the kenku!

Elagor's first strike misses, but leaves the perfect opening to hit on the second! His sword opens a gash on the Kenku's arm. It squawks in pain. "Stupid little blighter!" It croaks in a raspy voice.

Lucky's arrow shot just barely misses the kenku!

Still waiting on Mercy and Ilmrae, will NPC them if they don't post soon.