(yes concentration. All checks to keep it have passed and that is the main reason he didn't cast anything else)

Quote from Swiftgale >>

(yes concentration. All checks to keep it have passed and that is the main reason he didn't cast anything else)

 (Lucky bastard... Let's see how they fare this turn with another 4 hits, or more. Or, perhaps, we were the lucky ones that the spell blocked another concentration spell.)

“DAMN, this bird is fast, but I am faster!!!” And Doli will continue to spend his turn hurling punches at this creature.

(I’m not gonna roll the attacks since OOC we know it ain’t real and I won’t hit it, but if for some reason you would like me to roll these attacks I can, just lmk.)

From his (not so well) concealed spot, Delimbiyra furrows his brow as he watches Doli throwing punches at empty air. “What in the world is he on about now? And who’s he even fighting?” he mutters under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief as he keeps his crossbow trained on the true target.

Still waiting for Gym 

(( sorry, let me get caught up ))

((Ok, caught up but confused, can I see the bad guy?))

Gym hones in on the fleeing foe, casting guiding bolt 13 to hit for 14 damage

As the bolt heads towards the foe, it narrowly catches them, and they fall down. And Doli sees the bird vanish from sight. (they are important enough that they are unconscious and doing death saves and not outright dead. So we are vaguely in initiative until they are either stabilised or dead. I have rolled enough death saves to know at what point that happens so don't treat it as initiative, but I am taking a rough initiative into account with any plans you may have)

Doli walks over to the elf(or half elf i cant fully remember), not in a hurry as he is still just realizing that the bird was an illusion, and is quite disappointed in the man, but will nonetheless do a medicine check to try and stabilize them.

Medicine: 18

Delimbiyra quickly steps out from his concealed position and hurries over to the fallen half-elf. “If he’s behind all this madness, we need to know why,” he says, kneeling beside the unconscious figure as Doli attempts to stabilize him.

Without hesitation, Delimbiyra begins to rummage through the half-elf’s belongings, his movements precise but unceremonious as he searches for clues—a journal, a letter, anything that might shed light on who this person is and their role in the chaos. His focus on the search inadvertently jostles Doli, disrupting his efforts.

“Sorry, Doli,” Delimbiyra mutters absentmindedly, “but we need answers. This whole forest has been one trap after another, and this fellow already had his chance to help and cooperate."

Investigation: 25

"Dont worry about it, I dont think i could do much for this fella without a medicine kit..." Doli sighs as he stands up, allowing Delimbiyra to rummage.

Delimbiyra searches through and there is not much on the person. You find 8gp, 15sp and 32cp in his pockets, as well as a signet ring that does not look familiar. You also find a short letter that seems like gibberish.

You all also notice that the previously frozen individual has, in the course of this fight, regained full mobility and spent the fight cowering. 

Delimbiyra quickly counts the coins he finds, setting aside two single copper pieces and placing it gently beside the fallen half-elf. “For the ferryman,” he mutters under his breath, a quiet nod to the traditions of those who believed in such things. He divides the rest of the coins, handing 2 gold, 4 silver, and 5 copper each to Gym, Zeph and Doli. “Your share,” he says simply, slipping his own portion into his pouch. He then hands Doli the ring and parchment, asking, "Does that make any sense to you?"

As he stands, his hazel eyes catch movement—the once-frozen man now fully mobile and visibly shaken. His instincts kick in, and Delimbiyra approaches cautiously, his crossbow slung but his posture tense. Without meaning to, the lingering edge of the fight gives his demeanor an unintended intimidation. “You’re… awake,” Delimbiyra says, his voice measured but not unkind. “Do you know what happened to you? Or who this man is?” He gestures back toward the unconscious(?) half-elf, his sharp gaze studying the man’s reaction carefully, looking for any sign of recognition—or deception.

Doli will quickly glance at the letter. The only other language Doli Speaks is celestial so he doubts he will understand the words on the letter and begins to pass it around to the rest of the group as he steps away from the body. "Hopefully this fella (subtly pointing at the recently unfrozen man) will be more open to reason." Doli whispers to Zeph and Gym. 

Not particularly wanting to take part in the questioning that will inevitably take place, Doli begins to look around the forest. He is scouting for more enemies, especially anymore of those pesky birds, but is also examining the surroundings themselves. Now that they know Half-elf was working against them, he is trying to figure out if the magical terrain is still up since the party killed the half-elf.

(Perception: 11)

The words are in common. But they seem random and the sentences don't have any real meaning to them. 

"This man sought passage with the caravan but once we reached the mists, he kidnapped us all. He used magic to mess with our minds and do his bidding. He only seemed able to control one person at a time, but when he gets the strongest to tie the others up, it limits us. He managed to convince me to stand there still for you. I could see you when you found me but I couldn't talk to you or make my body move. I was helpless"

(Sorry, I was sick and so was the family and I couldn't make time. Trying to catch up...)

Delimbiyra takes the letter from Doli, scanning it with a deepening frown before tucking it away. “Nonsense writing… could be coded, or could just be part of his trickery,” he mutters before shifting his focus to the newly freed man. His sharp hazel eyes study the man as he speaks, his body still tense from the battle. “You say he took control of you—forced you to stand there. But you and he were both part of the caravan, correct?” His tone is even, but there’s a weight behind his words, testing for inconsistencies.

He glances at the man’s unbound hands, then back to his face. “If he could only control one at a time, then I take it you were the one strong enough to restrain the others?” There’s no outright accusation in his voice, but the inquisitive doubt lingers. “What’s your name? And who was he?” Delimbiyra watches carefully for hesitation, any flicker of deception (Insight 5). “And the others? Where’s the rest of the caravan?” His fingers twitch slightly, resisting the urge to tighten around his crossbow. The fight may be over, but the real answers were only just beginning.

"He was not a true member of the caravan. He asked if he could travel the road alongside us so that our guards could also protect him if bandits attacked. And not at all for me being strong. I am but a merchant. I am Oren Varthis, and I trade spices. We were all kept in a cave, and I suspect the others are there now. All tied up still. I can take you there if you would like. I don't really know who he was. But I am glad he is no more."

Delimbiyra's brows knit together as he listens, his unease lingering. The half-elf’s cryptic letter gnaws at the back of his mind—random words, nonsense on the surface, but he knows better than to dismiss it outright. Messages can be hidden in chaos. Perhaps the words need to be rearranged, or maybe they form an acrostic, with only certain letters carrying meaning. (Investigation: 9) Still turning over the puzzle in his mind, he asks absently, “Did you ever hear him mention this letter? Or see where he got it from?” His sharp eyes flick to Oren Varthis, studying his expression. “Anything you might have overheard that could explain what he was after? If he went through all this trouble, I doubt this ends with him.”

The thought unsettles him. If the half-elf was only a piece in a larger game, they could be walking straight into something worse. But there’s no choice. People were still tied up in that cave. He refocuses and nods. “Yes. Lead the way. Let’s get the rest of your people out of there.”

Delimbiyra can't make sense of the letter. Maybe it is gibberish from a madman. Or maybe its true meaning is hidden.  "I don't know anything about a letter. He spent a lot of time talking with a dwarf named Tormund. He might know more."

He will start leading the way back how he thinks the path is, but the fog makes it a bit difficult. While walking, you do notice that the sounds of the woods are returning to normal. Birds have returned and it is a bit less creepy now. The fog does seem natural. After a bit you make it back to the abandoned caravans where you first encountered them. "Oh dear. I must have taken a wrong turn. I wasn't expecting to end up here. But that is fine, the cave is near here anyway, and I know my way much better from here." and he starts to head off in a direction you have not yet taken. You all notice that the large gouge marks are not there anymore. There is no signs of damage to any cart or the floor.