...and as quickly as it started, the wolf attack is over! Rand's sword thrust ends the last of the threat, and silence falls again over the vast wilderness. (30 XP each for this random encounter =) Do you want to take a short rest and check your wounds, or press on until you set up camp tonight?)

"A short rest would do nicely" If that happens Salty will play a song of rest that adds one d6 to whatever  hit die you roll while chilling.

Salty's hit die: 8 + 3 +2

Short rest it is the help get everyone back to fighting shape.

Rand enjoys his short rest, tending to the vicious bite from the wolf and listening to the soothing song from Salty. (1HD for Healing: 5). He bandages the bite as best as he can, but it remains a nasty wound.

You gain an additional 1d6 for every hit die you spend. For rand its 1d10 + 1d6

(Poor Rand rolled poorly!)

Bankur kneels down next to Rand as the paladin bandages his own wound. "Let me help with that friend Rand."

With a short, simple prayer to Ilmater, a wave of white healing light flows quickly between Rand and Bankur.

(Casting Channel Divinity: Preserve Life for 15 Hp of healing to Rand. I believe Salty Joe is already at full, but if not some of the 15 can go to him to get him to full.)

Once everyone has been tended to, Bankur settles into his still rolled up bedroll to catch a quick snooze. 

You gain an additional 1d6 for every hit die you spend. For rand its 1d10 + 1d6

-(that was WITH your extra 1d6. I did, indeed, roll poorly!)

"Thank you, Bankur. You are, literally, a life saver. I feel better now... let us continue with our journey."

Penumbra retrieves her arrow then observes Rand's wound. "Yikes. I thought the guard dogs back in Neverwinter were mean, these wolves are monsters compared to them. I will keep a look out while you guys rest up." That said she flies up into a nearby tree where she can get a good view of the surrounding area.

After the short rest, the group pushes on, continuing to head north along the edge of the Neverwinter Wood. As night begins to fall, you realize that you will have to spend another night camped out. The distant howling takes on a more ominous meaning tonight...

Still, wolves are a natural part of the land. Orcs and bugbears, however, are a different thing altogether. And that is why you set watches through the night - because whether by animal or monster, dead is dead! As agreed upon before, Valefor takes the first watch while the rest of the party tries to get some sleep. Things are quiet until the 5 watch (Rand's) - when about 9 silent bloodsuckers invade the camp! Stealth: 7 vs Rand's Passive perception...

Cue suspense music! Have to go to work... sorry!

(Rand had last watch, so that might have given everyone enough time for a long rest?)

Rand takes his watch seriously, but unfortunately, Rand is somewhat near-sighted and has difficulty making things out in the distance, especially in wooded areas and/or in the dark. His human eyes are all too human. Still, he tries... and he sees nothing but a peaceful morning coming. (Rand's passive perception is a whopping 9, just in case anyone thought that Rand might sound an alarm).

DM Screen:

Drawn by the heat of the coals and your sleeping bodies, a swarm of [creature]stirge[/creature]s comes from the Neverwinter Wood, flying above Rand's line of sight and descending upon the unsuspecting group of travelers. These horrid monsters looks like a cross between a bat and an oversized mosquito. Its legs end in sharp pincers, and its long, needle-like proboscis slashes the air as it seeks to feed on your blood.

Four attack the human paladin, obviously drawn by his pure blood, and two manage to find gaps in his armor and attach themselves to his skin, thrusting their proboscis into his flesh and causing some serious pain! Two others attack the bard, but his drow blood must be too bitter - neither creature decides to bite him and he slumbers on (and misses the next round =) Penumbra, however, doesn't have the same success - perhaps these two stirges like spicy hot food! They each sting her in a sensitive area, bringing her fully awake in a most unpleasant manner. Bankur and Valenor each have one bloodsucker attach itself to them. 

There are four stirges flying around, and six attached to various party members. Rand is sitting, the rest of you are prone. You can use your action to detach a stirge, either on you or someone else, or attempt to attack it while it is attached. 

Initiative Order: Bankur (-6) / Penumbra (-11) / Stirges x 10 / Rand (-9) / Salty Joe (-) / Valenor (-7)

(OOC: just to make sure did we complete a full night's rest or no?)

(lol) 

Salty continues to sleep like a drunk baby while his teammates face horrors in the night. For a moment it sounds like he is casting a spell but then you realize he mumbling the song "Semi Charmed Life" in his sleep. 

Bankur wakes up and surveys his surroundings, not having a clue as to what is actually happening. Looking down at the creature attached to him Bankur springs up out of his bedroll and immediately grabs for the thing to try to remove it.

"Ggghhhh... get it off!!"

(I'm attempting to remove the creature and destroy it by whatever means possible - crushing, pounding, etc. Not sure how to handle - should I roll for removal and or attack?)

(As I understand stirges you can use your attack action to either attack it or remove it, but not both. However as always the final call is the DM's)

Screaming in pain and suprise Penumbra leaps to her feet. "Arrrgh! Good Gods!" Drawing her daggers she slices first at one parasite, then the other.

Attack: 17 Damage: 7

Attack: 11 Damage: 4

Valefor's eyes burst open at the stabbing pain in his shoulder and hearing Penumbra scream his magical nature automatically reacts turning his head to the side a silvery mist manifests around him dissolving his form as he grabs the staff to his side leaving the creepy creature behind.(OOC: Cast Misty step ). Then appearing 30ft away quickly surveying the seen he yells out "Were under ATTACK!" as he taps the staff a blue aura surrounds his bed clothes(OOC: Staffs Mage Armor ). 

(OOC: not sure if DM will allow cantrips for action if i cast a spell as a bonus but if you do i would firebolt one off Penumbra if not that was my full turn)

(OOC: honestly the Valefor and I didn’t know if it would stay behind or not since typically you can misty step out of a grapple but he would have done it either way.)

Then Valefor launches a fire bolt toward one of the creatures on Penumbra!

Attack: 18

Damage: 5

(@Mindmadejace - yes, you got a full night's rest before this battle. Yes, you can cast a cantrip in the same turn as a bonus spell (PHB pg. 202) Unfortunately, the stirge would teleport with you - just like your clothes and the staff...do you want to reconsider your action?)

(@SirHerc - Kolbitr is correct. You can remove the stirge, or attack it while it is still attached. There is a potential downside to attacking a creature that is attached to you...namely you might miss the creature and hit yourself! So, are you pulling out or squishing the bloodsucker?)

Penumbra slices one of the stirges, killing it but splashing blood all over herself! This unexpected turn of events is enough to make her second attack miss the other stirge, which remains attached. (Letting Bankur declare his action before I roll for the creatures.)