Quote from VanderLegion >>

Could I do an arcana check or something to see if I recognize anything similar to what's being described about topsy and turvy?

Not that my arcana is very good apparently...

 You can attempt an Arcana check.

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Quote from Jack_Joke >>

 Eldeth then returns to her original location, allowing others access to the door. Jimjar, with war pick in hand, dashes as far as he can across the bridge (K9?).

 (Even though we want Jimjar in the front line, he should be last across the bridge due to his slow speed.

Since we had time to organize, I'd say that we had the two normal move guys Dash across first: Ront -> N9, Tozer -> N10. Then Beegred -> M10. Then Jimjar -> K9. Everyone else was either doing ranged attacks from the tower, or chilling out in safety.)

I can't proceed with this unless Tozer OK's it.  He wrote before your post that Tozer doesn't want to be in front because he's already hurt, and instead wanted to hang back and throw javelins.

Quote from Kerrec>>

Oh, I was thinking of something a bit different, my mistake. And I thought javelins had a shorter range than hand crossbows, for some reason.

I thought he was talking about not being in the front row while outside of the cell. In this case, Ront would be in front of him on that platform.

If he meant staying in the guard tower, then you are absolutely right, Tozer would not run across the bridge. (Having Ront->Beegred->Jimjar do the Dashing this turn, with Tozer in the tower, sounds reasonable to me.)

Arcana: 18

By going first, Jimjar does indeed cause all others to wait one round before they cross the bridge. I believe that's for the best for a few reasons:

1. It will allow for some additional ranged attacks on the quaggoths (which will hopefully reduce our enemies' hit point total) before we begin melee
2. It will allow us to see whether the drow to the south do, or do not, have an angle by which they can fire on us (if they do, it's best that Jimjar is their target because he has the most hit points in the group and their attacks will be done at disadvantage because he's under the effects of the blur spell)
3. It increases the chance that the first melee attack on our party will be done against Jimjar (repeat comment about his hp and blur spell)

Sooooooo, round 1 would look like this:

• Eldeth fires two shots (already posted)
• Jimjar partially crosses bridge (already posted)
• Narstin spell attack
• Xilyrah spell attack or light crossbow attack
• Any other player or NPC who can attack w/o disadvantage from range

Then, round 2:

• Eldeth fires two shots 
• Jimjar crosses bridge
• Narstin spell attack
• Xilyrah spell attack or light crossbow attack
• Any other player or NPC who can attack w/o disadvantage from ranged
• Ront crosses
• Beegred crosses
• Valthana crosses

Xilyrah will attempt an Arcana check, as well.

Arcana:4

Quote from Jack_Joke >>

By going first, Jimjar does indeed cause all others to wait one round before they cross the bridge...

 Last argument from me. If you still feel strongly about it, I will yield.

1. I think we all want Ront to die... but in a useful way. He should be first across the bridge, and at the edge of the stairs ready for melee combat. All the reasons to make Jimjar a target applies even more for Ront. :-)
2. I want Beegred to have DM Inspiration. As Kerrec mentioned (and I agree), that really should be charging to help Topsy & Turvy as soon as possible.
3. Beegred will be doing ranged attacks, but from the tower is 40-50' at disadvantage. Getting to the ledge outside the cells keeps it at normal range.

I'm not passionate about defending my approach. I will happily yield as well. Jimjar's action can come after all of those who will cross the bridge before him. 

Time's up. Let's do this!

Quote from boldaslove1970 >>

Xilyrah will attempt an Arcana check, as well.

Arcana:19

 

 Xilyrah, you are fairly certain that there is no arcane effects surrounding Topsy or Turvy.

Quote from Jack_Joke >>

I'm not passionate about defending my approach. I will happily yield as well. Jimjar's action can come after all of those who will cross the bridge before him. 

Time's up. Let's do this!

 LEEROY JENKINS!!!!

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Quote from Jack_Joke >>

By going first, Jimjar does indeed cause all others to wait one round before they cross the bridge...

 Last argument from me. If you still feel strongly about it, I will yield.

1. I think we all want Ront to die... but in a useful way. He should be first across the bridge, and at the edge of the stairs ready for melee combat. All the reasons to make Jimjar a target applies even more for Ront. :-)
2. I want Beegred to have DM Inspiration. As Kerrec mentioned (and I agree), that really should be charging to help Topsy & Turvy as soon as possible.
3. Beegred will be doing ranged attacks, but from the tower is 40-50' at disadvantage. Getting to the ledge outside the cells keeps it at normal range.

Sorry to put a wrench in your planning, but Ront is a coward.  He will not lead a charge unless someone rolls a DC 20 persuasion/intimidation/deception.

Quote from Quasimodal>>

Quote from Jack_Joke>>

By going first, Jimjar does indeed cause all others to wait one round before they cross the bridge...

 Last argument from me. If you still feel strongly about it, I will yield.

1. I think we all want Ront to die... but in a useful way. He should be first across the bridge, and at the edge of the stairs ready for melee combat. All the reasons to make Jimjar a target applies even more for Ront. :-)

Narstin doesn't :P. He wants everyone to get out!

Quote from Kerrec >>

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Quote from Jack_Joke >>

By going first, Jimjar does indeed cause all others to wait one round before they cross the bridge...

 Last argument from me. If you still feel strongly about it, I will yield.

1. I think we all want Ront to die... but in a useful way. He should be first across the bridge, and at the edge of the stairs ready for melee combat. All the reasons to make Jimjar a target applies even more for Ront. :-)
2. I want Beegred to have DM Inspiration. As Kerrec mentioned (and I agree), that really should be charging to help Topsy & Turvy as soon as possible.
3. Beegred will be doing ranged attacks, but from the tower is 40-50' at disadvantage. Getting to the ledge outside the cells keeps it at normal range.

 

Sorry to put a wrench in your planning, but Ront is a coward.  He will not lead a charge unless someone rolls a DC 20 persuasion/intimidation/deception.

Xilyrah gets +5 on persuasion so if everyone decides they want Ront to go first, I can roll for it.

Sounds like Ront is sitting on his ass this round in the safety of the guard tower, and that Xilyrah will have to yell at him next round to help in the fighting.

I missed @Kerrec's post about the rounds, so I might've jumped the gun a little with Ront and Buppido.

Quote from boldaslove1970 >>

I missed @Kerrec's post about the rounds, so I might've jumped the gun a little with Ront and Buppido.

 I'm just glad that you had Xilyrah yell at that useless lout Ront. :-)

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Sounds like Ront is sitting on his ass this round in the safety of the guard tower, and that Xilyrah will have to yell at him next round to help in the fighting.

 No, he just won't lead the charge. He'll engage the quaggoth if the quaggoth are engaged with other "allies".

Edit: I guess yes, this round he's cowering. 

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Quote from boldaslove1970 >>

I missed @Kerrec's post about the rounds, so I might've jumped the gun a little with Ront and Buppido.

 I'm just glad that you had Xilyrah yell at that useless lout Ront. :-)

 It's been a stressful work week. I have to find healthy outlets for my aggression.

I'm travelling tomorrow, so I will be turning in early tonight.  I do not expect to be posting until Sunday.  See you then, if you're around.  If not, happy holidays.

Safe travels!