Arkon goes ahead and switches to his greatsword as they prepare to head into battle against the skull-headed enemy. Other than that he doesn't have anything to prepare.

"Don't worry, Val. If we kill him real fast, healing shouldn't be a problem. You and Mara just stay clear and blast him all you can." He gives a stony smile and nod, ready to head in whenever the other front-liners are.

Sarris too swaps out weapons since this larger area has room to swing and move about in.  He will sheath his dagger and hang his handaxe on his belt and prepare his bow and quiver.  Having a chance to land a few well targeted shafts might give Vaaz pause.

Once properly equipted, he will look at the bodies laid out around the rock mound.      Perception Check: 22       Investigation Check:  14

"Please, come on, we can do that later, let's take out Vaaz, now!" Valeria hisses to Sarris, brimming with impatience and worrying Vaaz will be able to complete the ritual now.

(Holiday rush is in effect so replies will be delayed.)

(Never really got the answer if you all wanted Mortlock to follow or not, so will tie him up.)

There are two ways to enter the chamber where Vaaz is, the stairway or the side passage. (Door got lost in the layers.)

"Let's split up to not be to close to eachother. Frontliners take the stairs and the others take the side passage?" Gorin suggests

Marasatra leans close so her words don’t carry. “Those bodies on the floor aren’t just grisly décor—Vaaz can probably raise them the moment he feels cornered. If we charge, someone must watch our backs for fresh undead.”

Agreeing with Gorin, she sketches the layout in the air: “Two ways in. One heavy hitter—Zim or Arkon—takes the stairway and draws any traps or warding spells. The rest of us slip through the side passage or follow the stairway half a heartbeat later and fan out wide. No bunching: a single blast or mind-grip can ruin us if we’re clumped.”

She taps her shield. “I’ll enter the main entrance and drop Bane on Vaaz the instant I see him. Keep steel and spells on the priest until he’s down; anything he summons loses direction once he’s gone. If corpses start to stir, call it.”

A final glance around the group. “Spread out, stay on Vaaz, and don’t let the dead stand behind us. On your mark, we move.”

(Edited to add reference to Gorin's suggestion. I drafted the post when they posted.)

Quote from Oberon99 >>

"Well if you are saying that with heavier salves you mean more powerful healing magic I think you are the only one who really possesses that." The red-haired patriar says quietly. "Might I suggest speaking more plainly if your intention is to get a message across, you might find it to be more efficient. I can only assume you know far more than me about giving clear orders but using words like frugal, just for instance, while giving your language a certain flair, well I would have thought using a plain and simple one was to be preferred when the need for clarity was critical."

 

(I missed that. Let me address it now.)

Marasatra pauses, meeting Val’s eye over the rim of her shield. A faint, rueful curve touches one corner of her mouth. “Point taken—habit of the lecture hall.” She clears her throat and offers the trimmed-down version: “I’ll save big magic for big wounds. Hit Vaaz hard, spread out, watch the corpses. Straight enough?”

Quote from cyreon >>

Agreeing with Gorin, she sketches the layout in the air: “Two ways in. One heavy hitter—Zim or Arkon—takes the stairway and draws any traps or warding spells. The rest of us slip through the side passage or follow the stairway half a heartbeat later and fan out wide. No bunching: a single blast or mind-grip can ruin us if we’re clumped.”

 

Zim takes the stairway.

Zim Init 21

Mara lines up just behind Zim.

Initiative: 3

Gorin takes the sidepassage
Init: 9

Arkon takes the stairs behind Marasatra.

Init: 17

The young red-haired patriar simply nods, then sneaking closer, hoping they would still be able to take Vaaz by surprise, ready to peek into the chamber as the others have charged in.

Initiative
Val: 13
Mal: 15

Sarris slides in with Gorin for the side passage, hoping he will emerge and have a better bow angle than trying to shoot around the backs of his friends.

Init:  21

Boss Fight

"You know, it's a bit rude to peek on someone in their morning bath." The man says as he kneels down scoops up the blood. He lifts it high as he pours it onto his head, some of it sticking to the skull while rest of it flows down onto his bare chest. "But I can forgive you if you take that other invader and bring them before me. This one didn't have much fear, bit his tongue before I could ask him anything...or was that after cutting off his nose? Either way, do you submit or shall you resist, and please, do resist."

Vaaz's Initiative - 18

Initiative Order -

 Vaaz gets up from the ground and walks towards the statues. He turns his back to them and leans back against them. "C'mon, lets be uncivil about it. Let's hear your response."

He looks toward the entrances of the chamber, ready to dodge.

Sarris whispers to Gorin, "I am going to try to mark Vaaz before taking a shot.   When I give the signal, count to 3.  I will move up and attempt a shot and then continue north to the other blind spot.  Try to see how Vaaz reacts."    

He makes certain his bow and quiver is set and he nocks an arrow so he can attempt a moving shot.  Taking a calming breath, Sarris peeks just enough to see his target.

Hunter's Mark  (bonus action)

"Now!" he hissed as he pulled back on the bow string and had it drawn to maximum pull before stepping sideways northward for a "straight shot' to Vaaz.

Longbow - To Hit:  15           Dmg: 11 piercing (bow) + 5 force (HM) == 16 pts.

Still sidestepping, Sarris' shoulder slams up hard against the northern wall.  He knew he only had moments to reset whether Vaaz charges or not.

Ekko (Mara's bat) latches onto Zim's backside, ready to be carried inside and prepares to sweep around Vaaz once in melee range helping Zim by distracting Vaaz. Ekko returns to Zim's back after his distraction.

(Effectively a ready action that triggers the help action once Zim is in melee range. The twist is that Ekko executes it from and finishes on Zim's back to stay out of sight.)

Arkon charges into the room and up to Vaaz.

Action: Dash (I think this will be necessary to reach him in 1 turn; if not let me know)

The tiny invisible imp flutters over to the far corner of the chamber, ready to strike at the opportune moment.
(Move to a1)

Realizing that Vaaz had been aware of their presence, the young red-haired patriar quickly move to a better position and peeks into the chamber, swiftly placing a hellish curse on the cultist before unleashing a red beam of crackling force towards him.

(Move to k2, cast Hex)
Eldritch Blast: 18 Another attack roll if disadvantage due to dodge. Force: 14 Hex: 1

Initiative Order -

Sarris' shot lands straight onto his mark's chest. "Good shot! Nearly got my heart!", Vaaz says as he pulls the arrow out. He look up to see Arkon standing before him. "Oooh, a big fella too, say, did you happen to come across anybody as big as you? We got some history and I still need to put my knife in him, for both business and pleasure." he asks as he cranes his neck to look up to Arkon, casually dodging Valeria's bolt.

Damage Done:

• 16/?? to Vaaz

Gorin and Zim are next with Mara ending the round.