Sword Coast Rambling

Beetle will cast green-flame blade and strike R3

Attack: 22 Damage: 4

On a hit beetle will divine smite for 10 additional damage on R3

the green flame will jump to R2 on a hit for 3damage

 when finished with his attacks beetle prepares his shield spell as a reaction to any attacks landing on him 

Quote from BrownBeard >>

OOC: Syna, you have a choice of squares you can end your turn in. South of Beetle puts you in least danger so I will end it there if that’s ok?

Other options are beside the North cell door - open to attacks from R1 and R2

or the rooms centre square - open to attacks from R1, R2, R3, R4

You could make it to the top right square as well, but then have two opportunity attacks to face to get there

 South square is fine...

OOC: This fight is about to be brutal for Beetle. The reason Beetle leads door breaches is so he can block the door. By positioning him in the room instead, he's just opened himself up to 8 attacks and none of us can help him. 

OOC: I didn’t enter the room any further I stayed put just inside and attacked. I should be ok for at least a round or 2 with my shield spell it gives me ac of 24 if I get hit.  if you guys can take some down in 1st 2 rounds will be great

also attacking the skeletons right now is a very bad idea they aren’t hostile until attacked so far

if you guys are going to enter also then I would move 1 more square in but either way I should be ok with 2 shield spells, at least for 2 rounds

OOC: I mean BrownBeard positioned you in the room, instead of outside with us. Opens you up to attacks from 5 squares around you, instead of only 3 if you were on our side of the door.

I think you'll be ok, but I thought it should be said for future reference. I forgot you had Shield, so if you're good with it, then I'm good with it.

Oh ok I see, I guess it kind of depends on when we saw the red brands if we saw them as soon as door opened I would have stayed put, if they weren’t visible until stepping in then I would have

the best thing about shield is I only have to cast it if I get hit so with I lucky round I can even stretch it out to 3-4 rounds I would be ok plus I think I have 27 hp now so that will help

OOC: Yeah, I guess Beetle wasn't paying attention. lol If Zyltris can somehow squeeze in there past everyone too, I think you'll be ok. 

Oh, and don't worry about the skeletons. Serak has a plan for dealing with them later. lol

OOC: It's difficult finding out where to place you guys in situations like this.

Standing outside the room, Beetle would only see the R2 and R4 - at best R3 as well.
If Beetle and Zyltris are both to hold the room the only way to give them both space too attack and defend together is to place Beetle inside and allow space for Zyltris to move into on his turn. Otherwise it's the same situation but with Zyltris at the front or standing 2nd in line with nowhere to go.
I get what you're saying Almarath about Beetle now taking attacks from 5 sides, instead of 1. But the alternative then would be to have an immediate stalemate where Beetle holds the door and the Redbrands can only line up behind each other. 

Always happy to change the first round layout any time you're not happy with where I've put you. Just trying to keep the positions logical depending on what you've all said as we lead up to these points.

Syna is looking for at least line of sight, so, if we end up defending the doorway, if I move N-1, I should still be able to cast before or after the move and have some line of sight.

Of course, another line of thought, would be to retreat to the room past the skeletons and if the Reds follow, take a plink at the skeletons as we go by and get them into the fight.

OOC: Think everyone has moves in. But I'll not go ahead with them unless you're all happy to go. Haven't taken the Redbrand turn yet but it'll likely end up with:

Beetle as is, Syna to his south, Zyltris in the room as well.

Serak and Brots still in the crypt, with skeletons engaged.

It’s fine with me unless brots is going to attack a red brand instead of a skele so the stay out of it for now

also my posts maybe be a little slower than usual for a bit they are having internet problems here at work and it keeps going out

OOC: I think Brots must have thought the skeletons we're hostile. I did too at first. Saw Initiative and thought "we're doomed." lol

I thought about what to do and hours later when I went to post, I saw the note about them not being hostile.

OOC: Thought so! I've put them in because they would still affect movement in that area if you moved that way. Also if Beetle has in his mind that they need to be dealt with then they might come into play at some point. But for now they're happy to just stand and stare at the wall. 

Think Brots might be concerned about Beetle giving the Reds cover and being hit if he tried a range attack. He's also listed undead as his favoured enemies - so why not take a pop shot? lol

OOC: Welp, arrow went flying xD My bad, Brots has a tendency to act before thinking haha. I'm sorry.

OOC: I think it is safe to assume Brots would shoot a Redbrand instead and move on. I seriously created this whole elaborate plan for dealing with the skeletons on my turn. I'll modify it for after the fight. Should be fun. lol 

Edit: So Serak can't enact his plan, since he doesn't know on his action that he's about to be killed by three skeletons

OOC: And here I was worried that this was going to be simple lol

Actually, the first round Serak will be fine as the skeletons move (or don't move) before Brots turn. Round 2 Serak will move before them so you should be grand

OOC: Are they only hostile to Brots? Are all hostile or just the one he shot? Serak can't move past them without being slaughtered by AoO's if they're hostile to him.

Also, my plan was to get their attention by running past and removing Serak's cloak, leading them all into the pit trap, after concealing it from them with an illusion. Not gonna work now. Serak is seriously about to flee out the northern door on his turn. He has no weapons or spells effective against skeletons. lol 

Edit: So I guess piercing and slashing weapons do normal damage to skeletons somehow now? If that is the case, then I think we'll be okay. Well, let's see how this plays out.

OOC: The skeletons were not hostile towards the redbrands - they let you pass with your disguises. They don't distinguish between individuals so they will become hostile to a group that attacks them. They will be hostile towards you as part of the group, although you'll be safe until their turn on round 2. That gives you a round of movement, provided you dont approach them.

Unless I'm reading it wrong, theres nothing in the stat block that prevents any of your attacks. They're only immune to poisons. Their immunity to piercing and slashing has been taken away in this edition now to make them more suitable for lower level encounters

As Beetle kicks in the door and steps into the next room, Serak repositions himself to get a better view. Catching a glimpse of red coloured fabric he immediately knows what awaits them. The bard cups a hand beside his mouth, calling out to the redbrand inside, "So... are you dumb enough to believe we're new recruits, come to relieve you of guard duty?"

Cast: Vicious Mockery 
Redbrand Wisdom Save: 15 (OOC: Officially our worst roll! lol)
Target DC: 13
Damage: 3 +D/A on next weapon attack

The dim witted redbrand stands gormlessly looking about him for the source of the shout. His head aches. The wizard had struggled to find a good place for the idiot, but he had always enjoyed rummaging through the clothes of the prisoners. Now... where was he?

Standing guard over the crypt, the skeletons don't react to the sudden commotion that has broken out. A lonely, rotting withered eye turns slowly in the socket of bony figure, but otherwise they remain still and silent.

Syna charges forward, edging past Beetle to support the attack. A blade suddenly swipes at him from his left as he skids into the room.

Redbrand 1 Opportunity Attack: 14
Damage Dealt: 3

The blad slices deep into the druids back as he turns to face the redbrand beside the jail door. A shimmering heat spreads down Synas arms suddenly erupting into a fierce Bonfire encircling the red cloaked figure before him.

Redbrand 3 Dexterity Save: 14
Save DC: 13
Damage Dealt: 8

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, the redbrand ignites with a high pitched scream. Arms flail within the raging blaze as he struggles to escape.

With the excitement of the raging battle before him, Brots starts feeling uneasy about the skeleton staring at him from across the room. Past experience has taught him to be wary of such foes and he doesn't intend on being made a victim this time. Subconsciously he notches an arrow, turns and, to the dismay of the bard behind him, fires an arrow directly into the chest of the nearest skeleton.

Attack: 24 
Damage: 11

The arrow sails quickly through the crypt, smashing into the skeletal mesh of bones. Ribs break and weaken. A deathly rasp roars from within the withered bony face, searching for a voice that faded long ago. In a single motion, the skeletons all turn to face the red cloaked allies, drawing their weapons.

Unaware of the developments in the next room Beetle continues to hold the door. His blade flickers with a bright green flame as he strikes out at the redbrand already burning to his right.

Attack: 17
Damage: 5

Green flame merges with orange as the blade slices into the redbrands torso. Uplifted by the grace of Tyr once more, Beetle casts divine smite, channelling his gods power.

Divine Smite Damage: 8 

The redbrand screams in agony at the burning he has endured. Green flames spurt out from the raging inferno, catching on the cloak of a redbrand nearby, burning at his flesh.

Green flame Blade Collateral Damage: 3

Pleased with his work, Beetle grips his shield, prepared for a counterattack.

In disarray the redbrands try to gather themselves. Having already taken a swipe at Syna as he entered the room, the first redbrand (R1) swings his sword again, this time towards the dominant figure of Beetle blocking their escape.

Redbrand 1 Attack 1: 14

As the redbrands sword swings downwards, Beetle raises his shield defiantly. Covered by an invisible wave of energy, he deflects the shortsword simply away. Frustrated, but not discouraged, the redbrand tries again. Swinging harder this time to break through the paladins defenses.

Redbrand 1 Attack 2: 23

The attack is weak, the shield too strong. Backhanded combat was clearly never this redbrands forte. 

The dimwitted redbrand eventually realising what is going on, throws down the rags in his hands and draws his own sword. Seeing his ally engage the chain clad knight in the doorway, he finds a target of his own, swinging his sword at the druid beside him.

Redbrand 2 Attack 1: 7

He misses his first swing. Perhaps the wizard was right after all. The redbrand laughs quietly to himself as makes another attempt, this time concentrating much harder on his technique.

Redbrand 2 Attack 2: 22

Another missed opportunity. He glances down at his sword confused. Maybe he should try holding the blade in his other hand? 
(OOC: Realised as well that he has disadvantage. But it hasn't mattered)

The bonfire continues to rage on. The cloak on the man within, slowly blackening and burning away revealing red blistered skin underneath. Encircled and desperate, the redbrand takes the only course of action he really can. The burning man draws out a key from his pocket, unlocks the door and steps inside. Sensing an opportunity Beetle and Syna both lash out at the guard, hoping to stop him before it's too late.

Beetle Opportunity Attack: 15
Syna Opportunity Attack: 17

Beetle Damage Dealt: 12 Crit
Injury Roll: 4
Syna Damage Dealt: 6

In mid step the redbrand takes a set of devastating bladed attacks. He falls dead onto his face. His skin charring slowly in the intense flames.

Seeing his comrades plan fail, the final redbrand has a deadly gauntlet to run if he is to do the same. Having always been a gambling man, he leaps into the bonfire.

Redbrand 4 Dexterity Save: 8
Spell Save DC: 13

He dodges the flame effortlessly, clamber over the burning corpse of his ally and makes it into the jail cell. Heading into the far corner of the cell, he reaches out to grab a prisoner.

Redbrand Strength check: 17
Prisoner Dexterity Check: 8

Pulling the women towards him sharply as a shield, he calls out to his attackers holding his blade to her throat, "Alright now! Drop your weapons and get out! Or these folk are done!"

Suddenly bursting into the room, Zyltris barges through and finds space at the door of the northern cell. He swings his morningstar at the redbrand to his left (R1) as he charges past.  

Attack 23
Damage 12

The morningstar rings out as it connects with the redbrands stomach, winding its victim. Turning to to face the others in the room, Zyltris finds himself with redbrands on either side of him.

ROUND 2

OOC: Round 2 then. Skeletons are engaged now so will attack this turn. R4 has 1/2 cover from the prisoner and jail bars.