“Not much to tell,” the dwarf grumbles. “Stole a runic item from Mirabar, this stone with a rune in it, for the frost giants. They are looking for some bloke called Artus Cimber. Seems like the stone didn’t work like they expected; reports are they attacked Bryn Shander but only found a distant relative of Cimber’s. So now they aren’t happy with my work, you see.”

From the helm of the airship, Delsephine calls out, “Griffon rock up ahead. We’re here.”

Lydia casts Aid on herself, Swiper, and Nirzeg.

 The Githyanki grimaced. "Seems we're bout out of time, my friend. Hope you're ready to put those axes of yours to good work." He gives a wolfish grin as he got up to check on the approaching scenery. When Lydia comes by with her blessing, the Gith is momentarily surprised by it. Then a wiry smile blooms into being. "My thanks, Sparkz. Though don't take this the wrong way when I say I hope it proves to be an unnecessary precaution." He said to her before calling over to Derrikoth. "What'chu think? Gonna be able to convince your mount to jump this time, or feel'n otherwise?"

Regardless of the answer, Nirzeg bothers/asks one of Delesphines crew for a spyglass if one is available and tries to scope out the potential meeting site. As he did,and already figuring the ship couldn't be used in a scrap, he would try to come to some later arrangement for the group's pick up before their inevitable descent to the ground.

(@Away: So, how's the battlefied looking like it might gonna be, or do there be occupants there already?)

The airship makes good time in delivering you to the rendezvous point. It would have been extremely unlikely for the giant Kaltivar to have beaten you here, especially if he was still traveling with any of the ogres or goblinoids that were with him at the assault on the town.

The hills here rise out of the murky fog, so that the ground at the lower level is partially obscured (though a giant would likely be able to see out and over the fog). The hills and cliffs here are surrounded by thick, lush greenery.

The rendezvous point is but a half mile south of a hilltop village, encircled by a wooden palisade. 

// The map has been updated on roll20! Kaltivar originally withdrew with his ogres and hobgoblins to the south, so the south is his most likely approach. Now is the time to enact your plan, before the giant arrives. //

Lydia will wait until it looks like Kaltivar is a minute away, however we can measure that. When that time comes, she'll dip her finger in some water and poke Swiper's forehead with it. He feels a bit cold as an icy mantle of protection wraps around him. "It is cold and I am sorry about that, but the next time something hits you, the mantle will make sure that you do not get hurt at all."

// Cool, since you're planning an ambush, I'll allow everyone a single action that takes place right before you roll initiative. 

Before you perform the action, you may places yourselves anywhere you like on the map. Once you're placed yourself where you want to be, let me know whatever action you're taking prior to rolling initiative, and then roll a Dexterity (Stealth) check.

Lydia will cast Call Lightning.

Stealth: 16

Swiper blinks up to Lydia after she had casted the spell on him, tilting his head to the side prior to him chipping happily to the cleric. "That's okay! Thanks, mama!" He will happily waddle himself to a more advantageous position for himself, trying to blend in with the scenery. 

Stealth: 28

He will hold his position in the bushes, cross bow at the ready when things began!

If there's time, there are three things Nirzeg would like to do in order to set up the playing field more int he group's favor:

• Find out if the southern passage is collapsible in anyway, and rig them in such a way that a well placed acid arrow might do so temporarily.
• Have Zeek set a device that, upon the feline's later activation, would simulate the sound of many a something rustling in the bushes.
• And finally climb up the cliff, but stay low, risking the giant spying the Githzerai beneath a gilli

So many ideas and more come to mind. But as it sink in that time was of the essence, he settled for forging the device -- a ramshackle cube made of stone, wood fibers, some string, and a bit of thin bronze wiring --  and left Zeek to securing it further ahead in the shadows of the hill while he scaled the cliff and just staying low.

Stealth: 6. (Nirzeg)

Stealth: 19. (Zeek)

Derrikoth will move into the fog, readying an attack for whenever the giant gets close enough. Josephus readies to move towards the giant as soon as it appears.

Quote from Orileo >>

If there's time, there are three things Nirzeg would like to do in order to set up the playing field more int he group's favor:

• Find out if the southern passage is collapsible in anyway, and rig them in such a way that a well placed acid arrow might do so temporarily.
• Have Zeek set a device that, upon the feline's later activation, would simulate the sound of many a something rustling in the bushes.
• And finally climb up the cliff, but stay low, risking the giant spying the Githzerai beneath a gilli

So many ideas and more come to mind. But as it sink in that time was of the essence, he settled for forging the device -- a ramshackle cube made of stone, wood fibers, some string, and a bit of thin bronze wiring --  and left Zeek to securing it further ahead in the shadows of the hill while he scaled the cliff and just staying low.

 

 These hills are ancient, and the cliff faces well worn. Nirzeg surmises that it would take quite a powerful explosion to have a chance to do anything against the rocks. A targeted shatter or thunderwave spell at just the right places might do the trick, but it's difficult to be sure. 

As for making the device, Nirzeg is easily able to use his action to form the object with his tinkering abilities, and is also able to telepathically inform Zeek how to operate it.

As you lie in wait, you hear the thudding footsteps of a giant coming closer, through the foggy pass.

But the first figures that appear through the fog are an armored hobgoblin vanguard, five strong, approaching confidently through the pass. That is, until they see Derrikoth waiting there, seemingly all alone. The three in front go for their swords, and the two in the back reach for their bows. 

"Looks like we've got a lost traveler, mates..." one of the hobgoblins sneers.

Please roll initiative! Anyone rolling higher than 19 gets to take a turn immediately. Swiper, Lydia, and Nirzeg start unseen, thanks to the fog obscuring their positions.

You cannot see the giant yet; he may be just around the bend judging by the thudding footfalls. For now, you only see these five hobgoblins. 

Nirzeg Initiative: 5.

Sneaky Swiper Init: 13

Lydia:10

Derrikoth: 7

The rear two hobgoblins fire two arrows at Derrikoth, and the three in the front advance carefully (they are taking the dodge action). They are seeking to close in on Derrikoth, probably looking to flank him or cut off his escape.

Arrow Attack: 11 Damage: 16 piercing 

Arrow Attack: 17 Damage: 8 piercing 

// Players up! Remember the rest of you are currently unseen. //

Though tempted to join the fray, Nirzeg would hold his ground and continue to lie in wait. Thus, Zeek would do much the same for now. Both in anticipation of the giant's arrival, figuring it may not not join if the battle seemed already lost. Unfortunately, he dared not call this out to the others, so instead would trust they wouldn't dispatch the hobgoblin contingent too swiftly.

(@Away: No action from Nirz or Zeek other than continuing to hide for now)

Derrikoth protests loudly as the hobs attack him, "I'm not lost, you mongrels! I know exactly where I'm going!"

Josephus disengages before Derrikoth leads him around the hobgoblins in front of him, charging at the archers. He'll give each one a poke with his lance.

Attack: 19 Damage: 12

Attack: 10 Damage: 12

Swiper squints his eyes as he watches the dragonborn fight back, having anticipated one of the others to have attacked in defense of him, but sees nothing. "We holdin' 'em?" He mutters under his breath, holding his shot.

Readying his shot until he sees Lydia or Nirzeg/Zeek attack.

(I'll roll the attack just in case it's triggered - Attack: 11 Damage: 8 + Sneak if applicable - 13)