The arrow whistles past with a violent hiss, splintering against the ancient stone behind him. Eldrin doesn’t flinch. His eyes narrow slightly, not in fear, but calculation.

Eldrin exhales slowly, almost with disappointment. “Charming,” he mutters in response to the Orc's apparent war cry.

His fingers are already in motion, a soft shimmer of arcane light dances across his palm, then coils around his fingers. 

From his extended hand, the spell releases in a silent motion aimed toward the charging orcs. A surge of arcane drowsiness weaves invisibly through the air, curling around their minds like velvet chains.

In his mind, he  simply reflects, "If violence is your approach, then I shall offer you peaceful slumber."

Eldrin’s gaze shifts to another orc closing in fast. His expression hardens slightly, and he lifts his other hand, fingers splayed, his palm outward. He speaks again, this time in a colder, older tongue. Abyssal, perhaps, spoken softly, yet slicing through the dark.

A thread of psionic moves forward, invisible yet merciless. It pierces the orc’s mind, a phantom spike of thought.

He steps slightly to the side, placing the ruined wall between himself and the next volley He glances to Zephyros. “Well. It seems diplomacy is off the table.”

Surprise Action cast Sleep, centered on the orc that dared called Eldrin "scum": 12
Action cast Mind spike DC 13 Int saving throw AND subtract 1d4 from the next saving throw it makes before the end of Eldrin's next turn: 4 (psychic)

Eldrin, that will be your surprise round action since you weren't surprised. You may also post a round one action!

Thank you for pointing that out. I have incorporated everything in the previous post.

Combat continues, Round one initiative

• Eldrin 22  Your magical sleep (sorry about those rolls) is just strong enough to cause the charging Orc to fall asleep. As his momentum carries him towards you, he falls flat on his face. Snoring loudly as he skids to a halt. Your second spell targets the next closest Orc. He stutter steps as he charges forward, clutching his head as he grunts out in pain. 
• Gareth 21
• Orc 3 20 The Orc charges forward towards Zephyros while raising his greataxe for a massive swing, but the armored man ducks the swing just in time (Attack: 8).
• Lyra 15 You wake up to the sounds of Orcs rushing the party. You get up and rush to the wall while calling on Tymora to temporarily duplicate you. She answers and a perfect illusion projects onto the battlefield. 
• Orc 5 15 A second Orc rushes Zephyros with blinding speed, jumping over his sleeping comrade in the process. As the warrior ducks the first attack, the second great sword attack cuts deeply into the mans shoulder, causing major damage (Attack Nat 20, Damage 22). Zephyros is barely able to remain standing as the Orc pulls his axe back.
• Yarina 14 Hearing the sounds of combat ring out, the dragonborn paladin jumps to her feet. She grabs her greatsword, leaving her armor behind and runs to join the battle. She sees Zephyros take a devastating blow. She runs up behind the man and prays to Bahamut that Zephyros be healed. "Bahamut, please help us now! Heal this mans wounds." (Lay on hands, healing 10). 
• Meira 11
• Orc 2 11
• Orc 1 6
• Zephyros 5

Whether it was the sound of battle or Lyra stirring at her side that had awakened her, Meira isn't sure.  She been sleeping restfully and dreaming as well, so she was confused as to why the halfling was moving away so quickly. Without really knowing what was going on, she shifted onto her feet to follow her when suddenly there were two Lyras!  She was just starting to think that maybe her dream was continuing when the sound of battle fully registered in her brain. 

Grabbing her shortbow, she fires a shot at an orc (3) that had attacked Zephyros. 
(Shortbow Attack: 7, Nat. 1 misses) 

After firing, she moves to the north side of the gap in the wall, across from Lyta on the side nearer the temple. She tries to stay hidden there. (Cunning Action - Stealth: 20) 

Combat continues, Round one initiative

• Eldrin 22
• Gareth 21 As a hunter, Gareth is a light sleeper and wakes immediately upon hearing the first Orcs challenge. He moves to an advantageous position and expertly lines up a shot on the same Orc Eldrin cast mind spike on. The arrow strikes the Orc in the forehead as it clutches its head in pain. It falls to the ground, dead (Attack: 23, Damage 10).
• Orc 3 20
• Lyra 15
• Orc 5 15
• Yarina 14
• Meira 11 You are surprised awake by the sounds of combat. Realizing the danger, you quickly knock and arrow and let fly a bit too hastily and fail to aim at anything in particular. Your arrow sails off into the darkness beyond. You move to the wall and have no trouble hiding there.
• Orc 2 11 (Dead)

Two arrows fly at Zephyros from the ridgeline to the west, but both arrows miss their mark, hitting the wall behind him and shattering.

• Orc 6 9 Fires an arrow from the ridgeline to the west (Attack 11, Miss).
• Orc 4 9 Fires an arrow from the ridgeline to the west. (Attack 11, Miss).
• Orc 1 6 (Sleeping)
• Zephyros 5

Updated map:

Zephyros aggressively roars out in pain from the devastating blow to his shoulder. "Death to you and all your kin!" He taunts, trying to shake off the strike that would have killed the lesser man.

When Yarina heals Zephyros, the grizzly man lets out a sigh of relief. "I thought I was done for," He says, visibly much better than before. "Many thanks!"

Ironheart turns back to the orc that attempted to reap the stout veteran's life.

"Your turn, pig face." Zephyros mentions quietly, but venom obvious in his words.

The bear of a man lashes out and strikes his adversary deep in the chest, lifting his foe slightly of the ground just as he slams his trident back down on the rocky floor.

Hit: 26 (critical hit)

Damage: 19

Seeing one foe bleed isn't enough for the experienced soldier. With renewed vigor, Zephyros attempts to stab the orc to his right as well.

Action surge attack: 16

Damage: 10

Zephyros, your trident sinks deep into the chest of Orc 5, lifting him off his feet before you step forward and slam him down onto the ground. You step on the dead Orcs chest to help withdraw your trident. As you pull it out, you swing your trident around to your right and deal a deep gash across the face of your second attacker. He squeals out in pain as he tries to staunch the flow of blood. 

Combat continues, Round two initiative

• Eldrin 22
• Gareth 21
• Orc 3 20
• Lyra 15
• Orc 5 15 (Dead)
• Yarina 14
• Meira 11
• Orc 2 11 (Dead)
• Orc 6 9
• Orc 4 9
• Orc 1 6 (Sleeping)
• Zephyros 5

Eldrin  watched Zephyros with a mix of awe and uneasy admiration. The warrior moved like a force of nature, unyielding, brutal, and terrifyingly efficient. Blood sprayed as the trident punched through orcish flesh, lifting bodies from the ground before slamming them down in grisly punctuation.

 For all his knowledge, all his training, there was a humbling truth in what he saw: some battles are won with calloused hands, not clever minds.

He raises his hand, fingers weaving a precise arc through the air as the weave folds in around him. A glyph ignites above his palm, and a mote of flame sparks into existence. “Let’s see if fire can match fury,” he murmurs.

He snaps his fingers, and the Fire Bolt arcs through the air, trailing a wisp of smoke as it races toward the orc flanking Zephyros’ right side.

And then, the spell strikes a shattered stone outcropping just behind the target, bursting into a harmless spray of sparks and heat.

Eldrin exhales slowly, his expression neutral, but his brow twitches ever so slightly.

“Charming,” he mutters dryly. “Next time, I’ll enchant the rock.”

Action: Cast Fire Bolt, 8 to hit....

Seeing the nasty hits Zephyros has taken, Lyra doesn't dare step out from cover just yet. Instead, she makes good use of her illusion. Her duplicate slips up beside the hulking fighter, extending a hand and becoming a conduit for the cleric's magic, even if she's not entirely there in person.

The healing energy flares, then flickers out with underwhelming power. Probably because it's the first time the halfling's tried casting through her duplicate. Lyra clicks her tongue in annoyance, muttering to herself "Blast it! Guess this needs a little fine-tuning..."

Action: Cure Wounds: 7 HP

Combat continues, Round two initiative

• Eldrin 22 Your fire bolt flies past the intended target and explodes in a shower of sparks amongst the rubble of the ruined settlement beyond.
• Gareth 21 Gareth lines up another arrow, this time he aims for the Orcs on the ridgeline. However, the darkness and his human eyes betray him and he misses the shot (Attack 12).
• Orc 3 20 The Orc raises his greataxe in defiance, releasing the pressure from the wound Zephyros gave him. He swings his weapon again at Zephyros, but the armored man sees the attack and easily deflects the blow with a parry (Attack 7).
• Lyra 15 You duplicate runs up to Zephyros and heals him as if you were standing there in its place, though the feeling of having a twin is new to you and will take some getting used to. 
• Orc 5 15 (Dead)
• Yarina 14 Yarina runs past Zephyros and bellows out a war cry, "Orc scum! You have picked the wrong fight!" She slashes at Orc 3 with devastating efficiency (Attack 21, Damage 7). The sword opens the Orc from shoulder to thigh. It howls in pain before crumpling to the ground.
• Meira 11
• Orc 2 11 (Dead)
• Orc 6 9
• Orc 4 9
• Orc 1 6 (Sleeping)
• Zephyros 5

Meira steps out from hiding to fire at Orc 5.
(Shortbow Attack: 25, Damage: 8 piercing + 2 sneak attack)

She is still a little confused about there being two of Lyra. But she calls out to those ahead of her. "You should get to cover! if you can!"

She then moves back behind the wall where she had been before. (Cunning Action - Stealth: 13)

Gareth is momentarily perplexed by the sight of two Lyra's. He didn't know she was able to cast such a complex illusion. It even had him fooled as to which one was the real thing! He was about to take aim at the remaining orc threatening Zephyros but Yarina took it down with brutal efficiency. That left the sleeping orc and the two on the ridge. It's a long shot, but Gareth steadies his breathing and releases an arrow between breaths at one of the orcs on the ridge (Orc 6). After taking the shot, he will heed Meira's words and try to find cover.

Longbow Attack: 26 to hit for 9 damage

Gareth,

Your arrow finds its mark on the ridgeline beyond! All your eyes see is a silhouette on the ridge against the night sky. You hear an Orc grunt out in pain and disappear from view. You're unsure if the Orc is dead.

 Meira,

Since Orc 5 is already dead, you adjust your aim at a silhouette on the ridgeline. Your arrow hits its target, and you hear a howl of pain before the figure disappears from view. You're unsure if the Orc is dead.

 Combat ended

Everyone,

The last remaining Orc you're aware of is fast asleep, but will regain consciousness soon. Norbus and Dazlyn are still fast asleep as you survey the battlefield. You have all earned enough experience to level up to three. What would you like to do?

Lyra isn't sure if the fleeing orc is dead, but since the fight seems to be over for now, she relaxes, stepping out from behind the wall that had shielded her. "Guys? Are you alright?" she calls out to her friends, before making her way over to Zephyros. "What about you, big man? I'm sorry my healing spell was so weak. I'll do better next time—promise!"

She glances at the sleeping orc nearby and asks, "And what are we going to do with this one? Are we going to question him or something?"

Then, noticing Norbus and Dazlyn sound asleep, the halfling lets out a laugh. "Well, aren't those two deep sleepers!"

Although she tries to stay focused on whatever the group decides about the orc, Lyra can't resist wandering over to where her duplicate still stands. She stares at it in awe, then tries a little mimicry, raising her arms and wiggling her fingers—only to be met with silence and stillness. Her shoulders slump a little. "Aw..." But almost immediately, her bright expression returns. "Well! Maybe with time, I can teach my twin to do more things!"

Zephyros tiredly sighs, "Oh, I'm alright lassie. It's gonna take a bit more than orc blade to rattle these rusty bones, but thanks for asking."

Ironheart calmly fixes his gaze on the sleeping orc.

The bear of a man's booted feet sluggishly clomp towards the downed adversary.

He subtly whispers, "You offered no honor, no peace to my resting allies. You tried to sneak, tried to harm what was unaware and without quarrel. Now justice will reap what you have sown."

Zephyros lifts his trident high with his left arm, and plunges is straight into the heart of the unconscious foe.

As the battle seemed to come to a close, Meira too was uncertain about whether they had actually killed all the orcs. She steps out from where she had been hiding to check on others. When Zephyros steps over to the sleeping orc, she quickly notes the way he heavily placed his boot on it.  With one hand, she gently moves what she thinks is the real Lyra back, as she also takes a step back herself. "That's going to leave a bit of a mess."  She glances sidelong over at the halfling. "It is interesting having two of you about. This a permanent change?" 

After a soft laugh, she adds. "If that orc fled, it's likely to bring more friends back here. I'd hate to get stuck in this ravine. Is to too early to move out of here?"  She looks back at the deep sleeping dwarves. "Though I'm not sure how well those two will manage if a bunch of orcs arrive after we go."  

Lyra's wide eyes are fixed on the scene before her—on Zephyros, on the orc, on the trident buried deep. Her usual energy and grin are suddenly gone. Her lips part slightly, but no sound comes out. Not at first.

Meira's voice cuts gently through the haze, but it takes a heartbeat too long for Lyra to register the words. The halfling blinks, quickly, as if that might hold back the sudden sting in her eyes.

"I—" she starts, her voice cracking faintly. She swallows hard and tries again, not looking at the body. "The, um... the double won't last long, I think."

As if in response, the illusory copy flickers softly beside her, then vanishes in a soft puff of golden shimmer, leaving only the real Lyra standing there. A little smaller, and much more quieter.

Eldrin watched in stillness as Zephyros stepped toward the slumbering orc.

The magic of the Sleep spell still shimmered faintly around the unconscious figure, as if the weave itself had wrapped the orc in an unnatural peace. Eldrin had conjured that rest, not as mercy, but to stop the orcs violence.

He expected Zephyros to bind the creature. Perhaps interrogate. Perhaps leave him to justice later.

Instead, the warrior raised his trident.

Eldrin did not stop him.

But his mind stirred in its thoughts having bared witness.

So this is justice, he thought. No trial. No restraint. No pause for thought. Just the trident, and the weight of conviction behind it.

Eldrin stood with his hands folded behind his back, pale eyes fixed on the aftermath. His features unreadable, save for the faint furrow at his brow.

I rendered that creature harmless. Was that not enough? Or was that the illusion? That a spell can replace consequence… 

His gaze lingered a moment longer on the corpse. Then he turned away.

Perhaps the sword and the spell are not so different after all, he mused. Both decide who wakes, and who doesn’t.