Above & Below

Correct. I put a little "W" on the bottom but I guess it's hard to see or know what the heck it means, haha. The trios are moving toward your location. The larger group is stationary right now.

Kurama signals to Brask & Burik that there are 3 more approaching from the North as well.  If he's able to secretly signal to Effort, he was tell her the same.

(Until further notice, I'm going to assume Effort doesn't see anyone coming from the North).

Effort recalls Cadmael back into her pocket dimension, then immediately resummons him to her arm.  Handing him a pouch of caltrops, and blessing him with a spell, she instructs him:
 
Scatter these to the south to slow them down.  Don't wait around to see what happens, return to me immediately!

Cadmael Stealth: 15 + 1
Cadmael Action: scatter caltrops in a way to obstruct the group of 3 approaching from the south

Seeing the owl off, she then touches her own forehead to cast guidance on herself.  Then she crouches down and positions herself to fire on one of the bugbears of the group waiting to the north.

(Effort's guidance is to hopefully be applied when we roll for initative, but we'll see XD.  Anyone in the group to the west wearing metal armor?)

General perception for that group: 2

As the two smaller groups approach, the trio from the south stumble right into the caltrops laid out quietly by Cadmael. They attempt to stumble through as they try to spot them on the dark street...

Dex checks (failed save takes 1 piercing damage):     12  20  18

 "Argh!" One calls out. "Alert!"

The bigger group from the north begin to quickly move. They march down the main street and then split off, heading behind the buildings as they get closer to the warehouses. 

The southern group's movement is slowed - they won't be able to reach the warehouses as quickly as the other two groups. The northern group is closing in on the northernmost warehouse. Probably 60 feet away now...the bigger group is maybe 120 feet away but has now split and moving in fast. Effort - roll a perception check (as Effort).

"Did you hear that? "  Kurama whispered to Brask and Burik.  "It sounds like they might be on to us.  Which group should we strike first?"  he continues as he sees the northern group picking up the pace.  Gathering that their fight was upon them, he performed a couple quick stretches to limber himself up before quickly trying to see again if he could get Effort's attention about the Northern group and the archer's plan.

Effort (not Cadmael), roll a DC12 perception check to see if you notice Kurama. 

Perception 9 + guidance (oh well ;) ) 1

Haha, oh no!

Effort is too focused. She had been checking in with the others, but it slips her mind as the enemy approaches. The bigger group is now hidden behind the smaller buildings - split into two groups and, you assume, approaching your position. The tieflings lay down their planks and cross over to the northernmost building, where the closest trio is approaching. They start to notch their arrows but remain patient...

Just a heads up, I'll be away from Wed-Sat and may not have much internet. Let's try to get to the point of initiative and then we'll start the real fight when I'm back.

Brask is waiting until the group is close enough to make a charge attack, and then he will begin the fighting unless there's a signal or message from someone to the contrary.

Giving up on contacting Effort, Kurama will follow Brask's lead and assist with whichever group he goes for first.

Effort readies her attack (and would recast guidance on herself if she had the time, no worries if she didn't though.  She's not moving, if the group is splitting in two she's planning to support the team on the ground from up here.)

A few tieflings head south as well, to eventually clash with the half-orcs that were slowed by Effort's caltrops. Freedom is to the north, and peers over the side of the building, then quickly retreats back. You can see her mouth the words "Three...two...one..." and then a loud "NOW!" to the other tieflings. You see them stand and fire their arrows down at the half-orcs, which are obscured from your view. 

Suddenly, from across the street, you see two groups moving quickly toward the middle building. One includes two half-orcs and a bugbear, heading across the south side of the street. The other is led by a burly half-orc...Effort, you would certainly recognize him. Namar, the leader of the gang. With him are another half-orc and a second bugbear. The element of surprise is somewhat out the window, and they come with weapons drawn. 

Everyone, roll initiative. Effort, you could have cast guidance on yourself again. Let's all roll and we'll kick this off when I'm back from vacation. 

Burik: 15

Pip: 13

Half-orcs: 3

Bugbears: 9

Namar: 3

Tieflings: 19

Kurama Initiative: 4

(Looks like the ground team got distracted with the initiatives Burik and I got lol)

Effort 17 + 3

Cadmael 16

Brask's initiative:  12

Round 1: Tieflings > Brask > Half-orcs > Cadmael > Pip > Bugbears > Effort > Namar > Kurama > Burik

You hear Freedom barking orders at the tieflings at the far end of the northern building. Effort and Pip might see them from the corner of their eye, drawing and notching more arrows, firing down on the group approaching from that direction. 

The real fight is about to begin - on the street, in hand-to-hand combat. Brask smiles at the thought.

Brask, you're up. You have two groups of three (two half-orcs and a bugbear, and Namar, a half-orc, and a bugbear) that are heading toward you and separating slightly as they approach. You can choose which to engage with. 

Also I'm not going to do the full fight here - you'll only "see" what's happening at the north and south end if you head over there.

Brask charges at the half-orc with Namar, roaring and with his maul held high.  He also gets a good look at Namar before he strikes the half-orc at his side:

Attack: 11 Damage: 9

(Great Weapon Master = re-roll both those dice:  4, for a total of 10 damage)

The maul connects with the gang member's side, and Brask hears the pleasant sound of ribs snapping. As he glances over at the leader, he sees a tall, broad half-orc. Almost the size and musculature of a full orc. He looks confident - cocky, even - and has a bloodlust in his eyes. His skin is a dark green, with just a hint of gray. Pale eyes watch the action approvingly as he slowly feels the weight of his huge greataxe in his hand. Red tattoos run over all his arms and under his chain mail - gang symbols, probably. His long black hair lies in a braid down his back.

The half-orc hunches over and grunts in pain. He has enough energy to swing his axe, though, and aims it right at Brask.

Attack: 10 Damage: 13

The other half-orcs, now fully alerted to the fight at hand, dash toward the action. You don't see the half-orcs to the north or south, but you assume they're not standing by idly as arrows are fired down on them.

Pip is finally finished carefully pulling an arrow out and notching it. He aims carefully toward the half-orc Brask is tangled up with...

Attack: 11 Damage: 4

The bugbear nearest Brask snorts angrily and swings his morningstar around. 

Attack: 16 Damage: 13

The bugbear in the second group runs over to join the fray. Now all six are out in front of the middle building, surrounding Brask. 

Wow, I guess everyone misses! Cadmael & Effort are up.

Cadmael swoops down with purpose, buzzing by Namar without even needing a discreet command as he feels Effort's burning rage building within her.

Her voice vibrates with power as she points at Namar - "Blood for blood," she whispers in Abyssal.  "You will pay with yours for Cheer's death."  Her hex wraps around Namar like pulsing black tentacles, writing and pulling around him (to give him disadvantage on his STR checks).

Narrowing her eyes, she fires an eldritch blast at the half-orc.

Attack: 17
Damage: 12 force + 4 necrotic

Oh boy a crit!  Have another 5 of force and 6 of necrotic!

Effort, your anger is joined by a sense of joy as you connect with an arcane blast that knocks Namar back. The faint smell of burning hair and flesh fills the air as he sneers upward toward you. He seems to vaguely recognize you... History check 9

"Another tiefling with a vendetta against me, huh?" His sneer turns to an ugly half-grin. "Didn't I kill you lot last time we clashed? No matter, I'll finish you and your friends now." He swings down with his great axe toward Brask, then lifts it and swings again.

Attack: 11 Damage: 11

Attack: 15 Damage: 14

After chipping away at the minotaur, he looks up again at the roof. Head cocked, he surveys the fray around him and runs toward the building, near where Burik and Kurama are waiting to make their move. (OOC: No opportunity, he has a special trait)

Seriously, two 1s? My bad guys have really been sucking in combat lately. Kurama, you're up.