While Derriokoth is battling the bugbears, Nirzeg, Lydia, and Swiper are still waiting for the assault to come. But still, it isn't coming. The giant must be running low on goblins; they keep smashing into the walls with little effect. Well over three dozen goblins have been hucked your way. The commanders of the militia are wisely keeping their defending force hunkered down for the time being.

The frost giant isn't advancing his troops at all, which makes you start to wonder why he's wasting so many of his fighting force on an ineffective siege.

Meanwhile, the tressym Zeek darts across rooftops towards Nirzeg. 

// Players up! //

As the potential promise of extorting pay for service renders feels that it too begins to dwindle with the lackluster actions of the giant, Nirzeg finally stands up properly, and casually dusts off his pants. "This is ridiculous-..." He mutters, only to immediately allowed say, "Captain! The ****ers ******* with you. ******* with all of us! If the other gates are less guarded, I'm willing to bet ya 10 gold at this point he's sent a smaller force around there. I'm going to check it out."

Immediately after, Nirzeg double times it away from the gate, leaping from building to building if need be on the shortest path back to the tavern. He would secure his payday first, and /then/ worry about all these siege nonsense. Because one way or another, the giant and its men were gonna need to be dealt with if they were to get out safely regardless.

Meanwhile, Zeek continues its almost equally hurried pace in the gith's last known direction.

(@DM: Nirzeg is moving 90ft one direction and Zeek is flying 120ft the other, in case that matters)

Nirzeg and Zeek will be within telepathy range next round.

Athletics: 8

(Using Shadow Blade instead of Plain Old Blade adds 23 to the crit and 7 to the other)

 Derrikoth is hauled from his saddle, shouting, “Unhand me you brutes!”, as he attempts to stab one of said brutes in order to get free.

Attack: 8 Damage: 16

Attack: 25 Damage: 8

Derrikoth’s shadow blade decapitates one of the bugbears, leaving only one of the furry creatures engaged with him. Two more bugbears lift the bagged dwarf off the ground and begin to make off with their quarry. The bugbears on lookout wait a beat before joining their compatriots. 

The remaining bugbear strikes at Derrikoth— Attack: 14 Damage: 8 piercing 

// Players up! Nirzeg and Zeek are able to easily find each other again. Do Lydia and Swiper follow Nirzeg, or is there something you wanted to do against the giant and his dwindling goblin army? //

(I'm going to assume Swiper sees Nirzeg bolting it)

The kenku points out their friend booking it to Lydia had she not realized. "Should we follow 'em, cap'n?"

"Yes, let's go." Lydia picks up Swiper and starts running to follow Nirzeg.

(Sorry for the delay, got walloped by a storm and haven't had power or internet for a few days, even my cell phone hasn't been able to get data)

If he can, Derrikoth will hop back onto his horse and chase after the fleeing bugbears. If the other one still has ahold of him, he'll try to finish him off before pursuing the others.

Attack: 19 Damage: 22

Attack: 18 Damage: 23

The bugbear engaged with Derrikoth takes a reactionary swipe as he flees, Attack: 17 Damage: 13 piercing

Once Derrikoth catches up with the fleeing bugbears, he sees that they are running towards the wall behind the stables.

There are the two fleeing bugbears carrying the bagged dwarf, plus three who are currently pursuing Derrikoth from behind. There are also two bugbears up on the wall, holding a rope ladder!

Derrikoth's Attacks: Derrikoth's two quick swipes take down one of the bugbears holding the dwarf-in-a-bag, leaving just one fleeing bugbea.

The bugbear continues to flee towards the wall (opportunity attack for Derrikoth, if he likes to use his reaction). It begins to climb the ladder, hoisting the dwarf up on his shoulder as he does so. The bag squirms as the dwarf attempts to kick himself free.

Derrikoth can reach the fleeing bugbear and attack it this round; however, one pursuing bugbear is hot on Derrikoth's heels, and will get an opportunity attack if he moves away from them without disengaging. 

The other two pursuing bugbears are still a good 30 feet behind you.

Zeek is able to quickly give Nirzeg the gist of what is happening—big furry bag guys are trying to kidnap a dwarf, Derrikoth is fighting them—and lets you know the direction. 

Every time Nirzeg lands on top of a house with a thud, the occupants inside scream in fear. 

// Players up! //

Lydia, Swiper, and Nirzeg are still about three rounds from reaching the stables using normal movement, and there are lots of buildings in the way that block your vision from the ground. 

Lydia and Swiper can't currently see the scene unfolding, unless they were looking from a high-up vantage point.

Nirzeg is using his power of jump to leap from building to building, and he can see three gangly, burly creatures chasing what looks to be Derrikoth on horseback. The closest ones are about 150 feet from your current location.

What do you do?

After weighing the pros and cons of actions over the next few seconds, the Githyanki solemnly nodded to himself. There was but one course of action. And so, at a thought Zeek would continue fly ahead and up high. Just enough to catch up close to Derrikoth, and better see what he pursued on horseback. Then from there, Zeek was to follow that target. As for Nirzeg, distrusting his ability to end even one of the threats to Derrikoth, he would trust the dragonborn to manage on his own for a little while longer, so that the Githyanki could focus purely on further closing the gap.

(Action Summary: Zeek will Dash and fly 120ft closer to Derrikoth, but stay out of reach of ground combatants. Nirzeg will continue to double dash 90ft closer to Derrikoth before shouting a challenge at the bugbears.)

Derrikoth swings at the fleeing bugbear

AoO: 16 Damage: 16

Refusing to let his prize escape, he continues chasing, disregarding the other one behind him.

Attack: 25 Damage: 21

Attack: 23 Damage: 22

Advantage rolls if he can reach the bugbear from his mount, otherwise straight rolls if he has to climb the ladder to reach: 23 17

Being held by Lydia, Swiper tries to grip onto her shoulders to keep his eyes out to where Nirzeg had been heading, directing their cleric on where to go!

Opportunity Attack: 10 Damage: 18 piercing against Derrikoth

Nirzeg sees the bugbears attacking and chasing after Derrikoth, but they completely ignore his shouting, and continue their pursuit with relentless focus.

Derrikoth slays the climbing bugbear, and the sack (with the dwarf in it) drops to the ground. The wriggling dwarf curses protests loudly. 

The bugbears atop the wall pull out throwing weapons, and attempt to kill Derrikoth before he can make away with their prize.

Attack: 8 Damage: 8 piercing 

Attack: 18 Damage: 6 piercing 

Meanwhile, the rest of the the three bug bears reach you (two of them must dash). The closest bugbear tries to get in between you and the bag, and again attacks with his spiked club...

Attack: 19 Damage: 14 piercing

// Players up! Nirzeg can see the bad guys clustered about 120 feet away from him, ganging up on Derrikoth. Lydia and Swiper still can't see any of the enemies, but the stable is now just in view, only 90 feet away from the both of them. //

"Hmph! Gotta admire the professional dedication." Nirzeg remarked, genuinely impressed. This of course didn't stop him from continue to race ever closer to his soon to be victims, launching at the limit of his next burst of movement a shard of excess life force at the one bugbear to dear strike at Derrikoth. Zeek continues to keep pace with the bugbears and raced through the skies for extra measure.

Movement: 30ft closer.

Bonus Action: Rush another 30ft closer to the fray.

Acton: Cast (3rd level)Soul Arrow at Bugbear that attacked Derrikoth.
Attack: 22 Damage: 15 Necrotic Damage. Expending 3 Wizard Hp Die to also inflict 17 Psychic damage regardless of hit or miss.

Derrikoth blocks the bugbear's attacks with a Shield before dropping back into his saddle and swinging aggressively at the nearest of the three bugbears on the ground.

Attack: 10 Damage: 18

Attack: 24 Damage: 18

Swiper will keep out his crossbow, readying a shot, and when Lydia makes it around the corner, he will release the shot if he sees any enemies!

Attack for Ready Trigger (if needed)! Attack: 13 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

Lydia will dash to at least get closer and let Swiper get a shot.

Nirzeg’s spell causes the bugbear to double over in pain, and then Derrikoth’s first strikes ends his life. The next bugbear is wounded when Swiper’s crossbow bolt arrives out of nowhere. 

The two bugbears remaining on the ground seem to know that they’re beaten, and drop their weapons. The other two bugbears on the wall quickly retreat down the other side, disappearing and taking their rope ladder with them. 

// Two of the remaining bugbears have surrendered, and the other two are likely retreating, though you can’t see through to the other side of the wall. What do you do? //

 Nirzeg almost misses a step or two as he carried on barreling closer to the now calming fight. The Githyanki yet pressed on and pushed aside the momentary weakness, having half-expected it knowing the nature of his spell. If it looks as if Derrikoth might be moments away from finishing the surrendered bugbears off before he can get close enough, he'll call out "Alive! Keep them alive for intel!"

In the process of doing so, he catches sight of the dwarf, noting his condition, and at last confirming the truth of nagging suspicion. Zeek is given one final message to follow the retreating bugbears at a safe distance, and slyly if at all able to do some spy work. All without breaking his stride as he iterates something in goblin while storming over to the fallen dwarf, and gives them a stern look in passing.

 As soon as he reaches the dwarf the demeanor of the Githyanki shifts to a slightly more pleasant one as he somewhat forcible helps the dwarf out of the canvas bag, and onto his feet. "Hello Weevil. Funny meeting you here." He states, seeing if he may yet get a rise out of the dwarf. It was more than possible to yet be mistaken, but he yet exuded the confidence of one absolutely certain of the truth. "Before you panic or do something unwise in the next few seconds, understand that I am reasonable fellow to a point. And I rather we-..." He leans in a bit and whispers while still maintaining a hold on the dwarf if able. "-be friends, rather than the alternative. And as someone who had gone great lengths to preserve your life so far, I imagine the former is the preferred outcome; especially if it can be lucrative for you."

The bugbears' eyes dart furtively towards their weapons, but they make no move just yet. They don't respond to Nirzeg, but you can tell that they are considering his words.

The dwarf shimmies out of the bag, but once he realizes that he's been apprehended, he clears his throat and stops acting sneaky. He stands if Nirzeg allows, and seems a little flustered. "Ah...ha ha. Weevil? Not sure who you're talking about, there. My name's Larg, not Weevil. Dunno why you'd call me that. Thanks for the save, though. I thought I was going to be bugbear food."

Once he hears the rest of Nirzeg's words, he grows quiet at the mention of money. He grunts back, "Not admitting anything, but I'm listening."