Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"

That was a clear threat! An unwarranted threat in response to a reasonable question. In Melek's mind, that gave them just cause for self-defense. Unsure of how Aldric will respond, but unable now to communicate with him, Melek wants to help his companion present the most intimidating presence possible. From his hiding place, Melek draws on his training from the temple, summoning the divine power to manifest minor wonders...

The flames of the campfire turn a deep blue, shrouding the campsite in an eerie glow.

(Casting Thaumaturgy)

Atta reconsiders one final time. Atta.. ultimately is a healer, and would rather not harm anyone. Since the bandits did not Immediately attack... He reverts to his original plan. He takes a moment to see what direction most of the 'brigands' are facing and where Aldrics back is. Then, aiming at the absolute maximum reach of his spell.. he generates four torch-sized lights that all glow with a fiery-orange. Making them rise and fall in a steady, undulating motion. Very slowly making them move forward, and giving the appearance of potential reinforcements in the distance.

(Not sure how you want to handle that DM! I figure maybe making them do a PER check? And/or potentially giving Aldric advantage on a CHR check or something if they actually believe it to be reinforcements coming. - And I figure since we're not in initiative, it's atleast semi-okay to change my mind!)

((And thanks to Ori's post i realize I should probably do a stealth check. They might HEAR me cast but if they can't find me... Stealth: 6 )

Arkun feels that he needs to move along, and Aldric is providing the perfect distraction.  When the lights of the campfire change into an eerie blue, a little smile forms on his lips.  He sneaks forward through the brush on the pathway to the bear's cage, knowing how to step without making sound from all his days in the forest, mindful of branches and twigs, he places his feet carefully, bending his body when necessary to move quietly and quickly to the back of the bear's cage, within voice range.  

Stealth : (Nat 20!) 24

When close enough, he says to the bear very quietly, "Hello bear, you have a friend here.  My name - Arkun.  They should not keep you caged, I am a friend to bears.  Why do they have you?  I can release you, but don't harm me or my friends, just the ones who trapped you.  Yes?  Why are they here?"

He times this such that any response/noise from the bear will be potentially ignored as the bear reacts to the motions of the 4 at the fire (raising crossbows) and the arrival of someone new (Aldric), and potentially ignored.  

Even after finding a point of discrete approach, Rumble yet hesitated where Arkun simply moved with the legendary grace and light foot attributed to most of the druid's elven kin. In fact, so smooth and swift had been the transition from one position to the next that even the earth genasi had lost sight of his companion during the brief window in which he'd glance back to check on something or other. But, as startled as he found himself after the fact however, they yet had a mission to complete. So, he waited a few heart beats. He waited, trusting the brush nearby covered his position well enough as to allow things to play out a little further, before attempting to proceed closer and hopefully run into Arkun again.

But, if he heard the drawing of steel or battle joined, any thought of a quiet approach is promptly abandoned in favor of doing much the same before racing to join the fray!

(OOC: Sorry for the delayed posting. Thought I had done so already, but it seems I was mistaken!)

(Also, if stealth check is needed, I presume previous roll here would apply when necessary.)

Aldric doesn't reach for his sword. His eyes sweep the four and their weapons. Again, he hopes the cave is empty.

Looking at the woman, he says, "I'm not dropping anything. If you value your lives, I suggest you answer my question. Do any of you know where I can find Grimjaw?"

"Hello bear, you have a friend here.  My name - Arkun.  They should not keep you caged, I am a friend to bears.  Why do they have you?  I can release you, but don't harm me or my friends, just the ones who trapped you.  Yes?  Why are they here?"

The bear goes still for a brief moment, and Arkun sees its nostrils flare as it puffs out a hot, angry breath. "Cage small. Hungry. Long hungry!" it grunts. When Arkun says he is a friend to bears, the bears stops for another brief moment to sniff the air. "You smell forest. Not people." The bear paws at the bars of the cage and pushes his head against it, hard enough for the cage to slightly rock within the wagon. "Caught me. Hit me. I fight but get hit," it grunts. Its demeanor shifts more when Arkun mentions releasing it (Persuasion: 9). The beast throws itself against the door and grunts louder, "Open! I kill!"

This close to the cage, Arkun can see that the lock of the cage has been broken, explaining the iron piton that has been spiked in its place.

"I'm not dropping anything. If you value your lives, I suggest you answer my question. Do any of you know where I can find Grimjaw?"

At that moment, lights appear in the distance (Deception: 21) and the fire turns a deep blue color. The next retort coming out of a bandit's mouth is cut off by the click of the others' crossbows.

Round 1 Order:
Players (16 | 13 | 15.8) <=====
Bear (16 | 13 | 8)
Bandits (12.5)

Placement:
Aldric is within movement range of the four bandits.
Arkun and Rumble are 30 feet away from the bandits and Aldric.
Atta and Melek are 40 feet away from the bandits and Aldric.