Sword Coast Rambling

OOC: Just Brots left for the first half of the round.

Chances are I won't be able to put these altogether until later on tonight again I'm afraid - likely 10 GMT.

Beetle:

(I will put this in for later then so when you get a chance you can update all at once)

Beetle seeing javelins fly from the cave moves to the first orc (O6) and stays just to the south west of himso he still has a path to O7 is needed he then uses his bonus action to move his Hex to O6  and strikes with Talon...

Attack: 13 Damage: 12

(OOC: I apologize) Brots is going to put his daggers away and take out his bow. Firing at Orc 6. 

Attack: 26 Damage: 4

OOC: No worries Brots. I'm only back anyway!

As Beetle slays another orc and steps into the cave mouth, Brots breathes a short sigh of relief. Taking cover behind the well armoured paladin, the gnome quickly stows his daggers and draws his bow in a fluid motion. A snarl from inside the cave catches his attention as he aims down into the sloped tunnel. As he pulls back on the bowstring, the wooden limbs creak slightly before a sudden release sends an arrow hurtling into the dark.

Attack: 26 
Damage: 4

The missile sails through the air with deadly accuracy, curving sharply down with the slope of the passage. The arrow bites hard into the orcs shoulder as it sails through, punching a perfect hole through its collarbone. With a screech of pain, the creature grasps at the wound as it pours blood onto the hard stone floor.

Outside the cave, Syna moves back into his original position hoping to see what lies within the cave once more. Still no sign of the large creature he had previously identified but a feeling tells him it can't be far away. Focusing on the orc still blocking the cave mouth, the druid again calls upon an icy power - sending a powerful blast of cold air across the valley.

Orc 5 Constitution Save: 20
Spell Save DC: 13

Damage: 6

The targetted orc suddenly freezes in place. Every patch of exposed skin or hair on its body crispens and glistens an icy pale blue. Trying in vain to protect its lair, the orc struggles to keep itself moving, gradually slowing as its muscles contract. Its greataxe quickly becomes heavier and shockingly cold in its hands.

Bounding down the hillside, Serak regroups with the party at the cave mouth. Standing beside Zyltris, the bard realises how much of an onslaught the elf has taken - his armour damaged, streaks of red drawn down his arm. He calls out to his ally, "Vitala!" hoping that his healing word can strengthen him.

HP Healed: 6

Zyltris swings his morningstar again with vigour, feeling invigorated once more. He can't help but chuckle to himself as the bard calls out again, "Is it just me, or are the enemies we face becoming progressively uglier?"

Action: Vicious Mockery 

Orc 5 Wisdom Save: 2
Spell Save DC: 13

Damage: 3

With a strong grasp of the common tongue, the orc cannot help but take the insult personally. Bugdul was the runt of a large litter, with a face only a mother could love. Stumpy legs, weak arms and always self conscious about his appearance. His thick blistered lip trembles slightly as the bards words sink deeper, distracting him for a mere moment.

Sensing his opportunity, Zyltris lashes out. The misshapen face of the orc before him stares blankly into space as the morningstar approaches.

Zyltris Attack 1: 16 
Damage: 9

The moment of distraction proves decisive. Bugduls last thoughts are filled with the anxiety and despair that have haunted his short life, suddenly ended by the deafening blow of the morningstar. As the elf follows through, the orcs head spins around its broken spine. Fragments of skull rattle against the cave wall as Bugdul falls, finally at peace.

Trapped inside the cave, the remaining two orcs take a stand. The larger of the two orcs, O6, barks an order, "GAROTOSHA! ZUK! PAR SHAN...." In the dim light of the tunnel, both orcs pull a javelin from the quiver on their backs, repositioning and taking aim at the enemies blocking their escape. "Zajar!"

Orc 6 Attack against Zyltris: 11

Orc 7 Attack against Beetle: 14

The advanced warning gives the intended targets plenty of time to prepare. As the first sails past Zyltris, Beetle raises his longsword and charges forward. Sidestepping a javelin of his own, he skips down the steep bank towards the lead orc.

Skidding to a halt between the two orcs, Beetle swings Talon gracefully through the air. A blast of evil fills the tunnel, suddenly surrounding the lead orc, consuming its soul with a powerful curse. As the demon permeates the orc, a flash of bright steel slashes across its chest.

Attack: 13
Damage: 12

Beetle pirouettes delicately as his perfectly balanced strike slashes the orc across its battlescarred chest. The orc growls, and barks out again before simply smiling at the paladin. "GOOOGGGGGG!"

The ground shakes, once, twice in quick succession. Heavy footsteps in the dark of the cave. To his left, Beetle sees the shape of a huge ogre emerge from the darkness, javelin in hand. The giant moves deceptively quickly, launching the spear directly towards Beetle. 

Ogre Attack Roll: 22

Sailing past harmlessly, the wooden shaft screeches loudly against the cave wall. The ogre stomps forwards grunting in the giant tongue, frustrated by the lack of space ahead.

ROUND 5

OOC: That took a while! Any issues let me know - if I've missed anything out I'm happy to fix it as usual.

Ogre has half cover from the boulder at the minute. 1/2 Cover is also given from the bodies standing in the tunnel within line of sight. - Ogre can squeeze to into a 5ft space but will have DAdv on attacks and attacks against it will have Adv when it does so.

Serak: Startled by the gigantic Ogre lumbering toward them, Serak screams the first thing that comes to mind; "Ogre!"

Regaining his senses, the bard shouts, "Akular vi shirak hakon!"

Action: Faerie Fire Target: 20ft Cube - Orc(7), Ogre(1)

Not done being excessively loud, Serak points at the Orge and yells, "Ogre!" to Beetle, as though he hadn't noticed the huge beast barreling toward him.

Bonus Action: Bardic Inspiration - Target: Beetlejuice

Finally, Serak takes a step south, ducking behind the cover of the cave entrance.

Reaction: Cutting Words - Conditions: Anyone hit by 3 or less. Reduce damage of Critical Hits. 

Syna casts Create Bonfire on O7.

OOC: Has the ogre scared everyone off? Lol

OOC: We ain't scared of no ogre! Sundays have been historically slow for us. Almost like a day off, so people can focus on family or just relaxing.

About the Height Advantage question. If enemies also aren't getting Advantage against us, then it is a wash and doesn't matter. It is simplier to just leave it out. An archer ambush could wreck us if they were elevated, while only Brots and I would be benefitting most of the time. Would you be cool with height reducing or eliminating Cover Penalties from allies instead?

OOC: When you say height reducing what do you mean? I’m happy leaving out any effects of terrain height completely for attacks if that suits? Movement up/downhill I’m tempted to keep in to make elevated positions at least partially defensive.

Regarding cover from creatures, Ill remove the damage penalty - but generally, other creatures give +2 AC which doesn’t stack as far as I know.

I’ll let cover slide in situations where you’re standing directly behind an ally, targeting an enemy at distance - you can easily move or target around them then.  But when your line of sight is blocked at distance, it’ll still have to be +2AC as your target area is smaller.

Again though, I’m happy to negotiate if those aren’t suitable. It has to be fun for you as well

OOC: I agree with all that. Leaving out height makes sense for many reasons with these new rules. I guess I mean in niche situations, where an ally is directly between Serak and his target, but Serak is elevated enough that the ally isn't actually blocking the shot. 

OOC: Yeah that’ll be fine. Won’t happen very often but when it does I won’t give cover when attacking from height

Brots is going to point at the Ogre and yell out at it. "I'm taking you down you smelly beast!" casting Hunter's Mark on it. He'll then notch an arrow, aim at the Ogre and release an arrow. Attack: 20 Damage: 8

If the attack hits, an extra 2 damage.

Zyltris will charge in and aid Beetle. He will attack whatever creature is closest at the time of his turn. 

Attack: 7

Damage: 8

OOC: sorry about the edit used a d20 on my damage roll. Wouldn’t that have been nice!

Brots watches as the monstrous ogre steps out of the darkness. It's heavy footsteps rumble through the tunnel walls, shaking the ground where the gnome stands. Pointing at the ogre, his voice echoes loudly into the cave,  "I'm taking you down you smelly beast!" In a single well-rehearsed motion, Brots notches and fires an arrow at his mark.

Attack: 25 
Damage: 10 + 2 Additional

With his arrow catching the ogre in the fat of its bloated gut, Brots smirks to himself triumphantly. Angered, the giant bellows loudly through the cave, smashing a heavy fist against the tunnel wall.

 Without warning, the passage suddenly bursts into flame. As the vines wither away from the cave mouth, a shrill scream smothered by roaring flames, fills the tunnel.

Orc 7 Dexterity Save: 5
Spell Save DC: 13

Damage: 4

Stunned by the sudden explosion, the entrapped orc finds itself momentarily unable to escape. Its hide armour chars and melts away leaving patches of skin exposed to the licking flame. Smoke carried deeper into the tunnel by the fresh outside air, blows into the ogres face, burning its eyes. Outside the cave, Syna lowers his arm and puffs a thin trail of smoke away from his warmed hand.

Serak, caught up in the excitement, is for once lost for words. As the ogre stumbles forwards, the bard calls out the only words he knows that are apt for such a situation. "OGRE!" Quickly casting a spell, he lights up the cave with a bright blue glow as the ogre and firelit orc suddenly gleam with magical colour. 

The bards voice adds to the chaos of noise in the crowding cave, another cry of "OGRE!" rings in Beetles ear. Though the target is hard to miss as this distance, he must admit that Serak is right again. Another challenge, eagerly accepted by the paladin. Turning to thank Serak for his observations, Beetle struggles to spot his friend - bravely taking cover out of sight.

Not wanting to miss out on the action, Zyltris charges forwards into the warm and brightly lit cave. Morningstar in hand, he drive it forwards into the awaiting orc as he bounds down the sloped tunnel.

Attack: 14
Damage: 7

The spiked club cracks into the lead orcs side, winding him as he struggles through the bodies now filling the tunnel. Trying as best he can to block the orcs escape, Zyltris widens his stance, digs himself in and raises his weapon once more.

Taking command on the situation, the lead orc spots his chance. He roars once more to his fellow combatants in the cave, "SHUM SHAUGIT!! KULKNEJ LIWO OLK MAT! KATU!! NAK!!" As the others roar in response to the battle cry, the lead orc takes his chance. Disengaging and ducking through the gap left by Zyltris' charge, he runs into the open air, coming to a halt beside Brots outside the cave entrance. He waves a thickly muscled arm to the others inside, urging them to follow.

Stepping out of the ragin bonfire, the second orc raises its greataxe. Inspired by its leaders words, it charges forwards, carefully dodging the obstacles crowding the busy tunnel. Unable to force his way past the pair of Beetle and Zyltris, the orc has no choice but to fight. Circling around Beetle, he lashes out with his blade, determined to break free. 

Orc 7 Attack Roll: 19 (Adv from warcry)

A shout from outside the cave suddenly halts the orcs swing as Beetle looks on, suddenly bested. Seraks voice is clear, delaying the beasts attack just enough for Beetle to change his footing and dodge the blow.

Serak Cutting Words: 4

OOC: Finally Beetles turn! 

Beetle wanting to get to the Ogre decides it might be best to dispatch first the orc in from of him (O7) so he raises Talon and strikes....

Attack: 26 Damage: 15

This time Beetle also readies his shield as a reaction to anything crazy happens with the ogre.

With the ogre standing menacingly close, Beetle makes a last ditch effort to dispose of the nearby orc. With a furious strike of his blade, he slashes across the raging orc.

Attack: 23 
Damage: 7

Talon draws a deep dark red line across the orcs stomach, splitting hide armour and flesh alike. Reeling backwards the beast shrieks out, unwittingly stretching the skin of its torso, tearing it further. In excruciating pain, the orc struggles to swing its own greataxe in response. Looking on, Beetle raises his shield - half a mind on the ogre behind him as it readies an attack of its own.

Beaten back by the raging flames and surrounded by smoke, the ogre roars once more in frustration. Lashing another fist against the wall, the giant grabs a second javelin from its back and hurls it through the tunnel - this time towards Zyltris.

Ogre Attack Roll: 20 (Adv from Orc Warcry)
Damage: 12

With a sickly thud, the javelin punches a deep hole into the elf. Zyltris staggers, in shock at the sudden blow he has sustained. A deafening roar fills the tunnel, followed by the ogres call of, "ELF MANN! GOG WANT ELF MAN!"

ROUND 6

OOC: Realised I mistyped the damage on O7 in the last round. Supposed to read 7 instead of 4 but it is corrected in this round. Lots of effects going on in this one! I've also marked your characters with [C] if they have concentration spells active. Any issues give me a shout!

OCC:  Going into full on Healing mode.

Action: Seeing the javelin pierce Zyltris, Syna decides that with the Ogre he must keep his companions alive.  Calling up the healing power of nature, he casts Cure Wounds (10) on Zyltris.

Bonus:  Still attuned to nature, he calls forth nature forth in the form of a beautifully, ghostly Elf maiden where Zyltris stands (6)

OCC: Damn, dice....