"I'll ch-check it out." Taran says, gesturing to the statue, "I-I d-d-doubt that there w-will be an-any s-sort of s-sanctum, b-but w-w-walls and d-d-doors w-would be s-safest. O-Otherwise, w-w-we m-might b-be b-b-best u-up in the tr-trees."

Taran loops slightly, approaching the statue at an angle, keeping crouched and his crossbow ready in case anything else had claimed this place as a nest or haven.

Vishal nods as he studies the statues from a distance, trying to figure out what it is a statue of and its significance. 

(Taran, Perception. Vishal, Religion)

Religion: 27

Perception: 19

Vishal: You're fairly sure you remember winged snakes being talked about by your friend who lives (or trades, I can't remember and can't quickly track it down) in Khorvaire. She'd talked about a Church of the Silver Flame that viewed winged snakes, called couatl, as mentors and guardians of good. You've heard stories of a serpent people in Syrkarn who have a similar view of couatl as well, and the two are likely connected. You also spot Celestial inscriptions along the base of the statue.

Taran: The statue seems uninhabited. You do not see any buildings, which makes sense, as actual buildings would be pushing the limits of what the manifest zone would allow. In fact, you do see some tumbled stones at the edge of the clearing, likely the remains of whatever structures once stood here. The statue itself is very old, maybe even older than Riedra. Along its base, you see inscriptions in Celestial.

"I-It s-seems s-s-safe," Taran calls out, "I th-think we c-can c-camp under th-this p-part. At th-the v-very l-least it w-w-will help s-shelter us and st-stop us fr-from being tr-trampled."

Taran will go ahead and begin clambering up the statue, seeing if it gives him a good visual on anything else in the clearing, or any sign of pursuit through the Verge.

“This is a statue of a couatl. Some people in Khorvair view these creatures as guardians on the gods. There’s also serpent people who live in Syrkarn who have a similar view as well. I believe they’re generally considered good and not threatening as long as you’re not doing something evil. There’s some text at the bottom of the statue but I can’t read it.” Vishal informs the group, telling all he knows about the statue. 

Doing a thing: 7

And another thing: 9, 12

Taran:

You see a shadow move in the forest just outside the clearing. It stalks like some enormous cat, slinking over and under tree roots, though it must be the size of a swordtooth titan. As it peers into the light, you see a vulpine face and deep eyes that glow like embers. Every surface of the creature is formed of bark and root. Flanking it are two massive saber tooth tigers, who are both a strange, dark green color. It regards you thoughtfully for a moment then lets loose a piercing scream, all the while baring its thorn-like teeth.

Akuma, Kaori, Shiaali, and Vishal are surprised by the creatures and will not act in the first round.

Initiative:
Akuma: 17
Kaori: 8
Vishal: 3
Taran: 8
Caelius: 18
Shiaali: 13

Saber-tooths: 12
Wild Incarnate: 11

Initiative Order:
Akuma 19, Saber-tooths 13, Wild Incarnate 12, Taran 6, Caelius 5, Kaori 5, Vishal 3, Shiaali 3

The saber-tooths go for Kaori and Akuma.

Kaori: 23 Damage: 10
Akuma: 18 Damage: 8
Both of you please roll me DC 14 Str STs to not get knocked prone--fail and they get a BA bite attack against you.
Okay, not Akuma lol

The Wild Incarnate goes for Vishal! It's body shimmers and becomes stony and solid as it slams its tail twice at the cleric.
Attack: 26 Damage: 7
Attack: 22 Damage: 18

Taran and Caelius are up.

Strength ST: 19

Taran silently berates himself as his hands fly to his pouch, he should have been checking the perimeter more closely instead of being distracted by the statue. He pulls out the last of his old flash pellets, sending it hurtling down to hopefully blind one of the vicious cats. The one on Kaori, he decides with a twist of his wrist.

Then he pivots, firing down from the head of the statue at the cat swiping at Akuma, hoping his shot can hit it in the spine and end the threat of the creature quickly.

Light Crossbow vs Sabertooth on Akuma: 11   damage with sneak attack (because Akuma is in 5ft) 25

Then I need a Dex save, DC 12, for the Sabertooth on Kaori to avoid being blinded for the next round. Disadvantage if it is vulnerable to bright light (don't think it is, but worth mentioning)


Then Taran kneels down to present a smaller target from on top of the serpent's head.

(Kaori saves)

Dex ST: 21

Not a blinded kitty cat, sorry.

Caelius is up.

Caelius looks to Taran, noting his negative self talk. Caelius mixes Mabaran energy with his growing concerns about fighting these extraplanar creatures. His shadow peels off of him and glides over in between the two sabertooth tigers, growing more gaunt and hunched. The shadow attacks the sabertooth attacking Kaori, slashing at it with long finger like claws.

Caelius casts Summon Shadowspawn (Despair). Any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the spirit has its speed reduced by 20 feet until the start of that creature’s next turn.

Attack: 18 Damage: 18

Caelius's shadowspawn hits!

Akuma 19, Saber-tooths 13, Wild Incarnate 12, Taran 6, Caelius 5, Kaori 5, Vishal 3, Shiaali 3

Akuma is up.

Akuma frowns in annoyance at the sabertooth,  adjusting her footing before unleasing a flurry of attacks on it swiftly, shadows starting to flow around her hands, making them dark mists that billow on impact. 

Bip: Attack: 26 Damage: 8

Bap: Attack: 17 Damage: 6

Flurry of blows on it if it is still alive. Otherwise moving to the Incarnate. 

Smick: Attack: 16 Damage: 8

Smack: Attack: 9 Damage: 8

(It is most definitely still alive. But you've got it down to half!)

Akuma 19, Saber-tooths 13, Wild Incarnate 12, Taran 6, Caelius 5, Kaori 5, Vishal 3, Shiaali 3

The saber-tooths snarl and attack their respective targets.

Akuma: 12 Damage: 7
Kaori: 19 Damage: 10

An explosion of water vapor erupts from the Wild Incarnate, sinking into Taran, Vishal, and Caelius's skin as it freezes. Please make a DC 15 Con ST or take 7 cold damage and be restrained. If you fail, may attempt to free yourself as an action. You are also freed if you take fire damage.

1 small hovering pieces of rock appear around the WI.

Akuma 19, Saber-tooths 13, Wild Incarnate 12, Taran 6, Caelius 5, Kaori 5, Vishal 3, Shiaali 3, Nature Motes 0

Taran, Caelius, Vishal, and Kaori are up.

Con ST: 2

Vishal pants a little as he’s covered in Ice but explodes in a shine of bright light burning all the enemies as a spiritual chakram appears and tries to strike the WI. 

Spiritual Weapon: Attack: 16 Damage: 9

Channel Divinity: DC 14 Con ST 22

Taran watches the battle with a growing sense of dread. Vishal seemed to be handling themselves alright, but Kaori was still being mauled by one of the tigers. As always, there were simply too many targets, they needed to take one of them out.

From their kneeling position, they took a deep breath, released, aimed down the sights, breathed... fired. The bolt flying towards the tiger that Akuma had been fighting.

Bonus Action: Aim for Advantage

Light Crossbow Attack With Sneak (I hope) : 21 Damage: 24

Akuma swiftly dodges out of the way of the sabertooth's attack, giving her owl growl as her shadows flare and she unleashes another flurry of attacks in an attempt to strike its weak points. 

Whip: Attack: 12 Damage: 4

Whap: Attack: 20 Damage: 9

Wonk: Attack: 9 Damage: 4

Woosh: Attack: 13 Damage: 5