OOC   Nemo 

Berrus will always use protection on the first attack not against him 

Even if the orbs looked hostile at first, she meant no harm to them. It wasn't until they felt threatened by their presence that they attacked during their previous encounter. Shae would begin to hum softly. It worked last time, maybe it'll work again? A different song came to mind this time, and when she'd sing it softly under her breath, she'd have more confidence behind her. She'd continue on their path to the skull with determination.

Here's a map of the surrounding area. I consider the Professor and Berrus to be due south of the island in the lake, and the ladies to be a bit further west in the swamp.

PS: I figured out how to post images on the regular now, so might be doing so more often :)

The Professor:

Depending on the distance scale, it might take more than 100 seconds for the ladies to get in place—thinking they should go to the west, then north so they approach the skull from the west.  Berrus and I should, after the delay, head north towards the circle at the same time the ladies head east to the skull.

Granted professor. But we have no way of knowing when that will be 

The Professor:

”True enough, Berrus, but we approximated the distance using this rough map.  Perhaps the ladies will delay cutting back to the east until they hear us cause a commotion.  Hopefully they will choose wisely,” says the Professor as they continue to move to the north directly to the circle.

”Remember, we should try to stay about 30 feet south of the outer edge of the circle when we get there.  Both the Unseen Servant and my Mold Earth spell can work from that distance, and perhaps some of the hag’s powers have limited range,” he concludes.

 OOC: Soooo.... Did it go according our plan - Shae and Maxine keep away from orbs, try not to attract any attention, and do not move to the skull until Professor and Berrus create some commotion and take all the attention to themselves? Or is it still Maxine and Shae who are discovered and now work as distraction for Berrus and Professor?

"Jus tap me when to stop, an remember stay behind me as much as ye ken"

Berrus and the Professor draw most of the attention, but two wisps still cling to Shae and Maxine, as they make their way through the swamp. Both groups are able to push on beyond the wisps though, with them seemingly returning near the skull. Neither group has encountered the hag yet, though the ladies are within sixty feet of the skull and doing their best to remain hidden, and the gents being roughly ninety feet or so away from the summoning circle for now.

As far as your plan goes, probably a partial success.

The Professor:

"Just a bit closer," says the Professor, continuing his windy defense and walking carefully forward (at a pace of 15' -- that's as fast as the Unseen Servant can go).  In three rounds when we are 45 feet away from the edge of the summoning circle, the Unseen Servant can start 'sweeping up the marks on the ground' as it has been instructed, although it will start at an angle to the northeast (60' spell range) so as to draw attention that way if it is noticed.

Shae would pay attention to the wisps leaving and turn to Maxine, "I think they're her little henchmen... I wonder why they retreated. Do you think they're letting her know we're here? Should we go together?" She couldn't help but blurt out a bunch of her thoughts outloud to Maxine. Normally she'd blabber off in her head to Kam.

"They can be," agreed Maxine, "but judging by the count, they probably left because Professor and Berrus already started their distraction. Shall we run to the skull? Hiding seems pointless here anyway."

If Shae agreed, they dashed last 60ft. If not - they continue to proceed carefully.

Shae would shrug, then nod agreeing with Maxine. "May as well run..." She'd add, "Still approach with caution and stealth if it's possible when we get closer."

Approaching quickly, you see the figure of the hag, rushing out of her lair in a fiery fury, towards the base of the skull, where the Professor's unseen servant is disturbing her summoning circle.

Please give me a stealth roll with advantage, both of you, since the Professor and Berrus are certainly providing a distraction.

----------------------------------

Professor, you and Berrus try to find a spot that provides them with as much cover as possible, before going to work. It only takes moments, before the door to the hag's lair slams open and she rushes out. You see a momentary look of confusion, before she focuses and slowly turns her head towards you, Professor. As she fixes you with a cold, deadly stare, she hisses: "You've meddled in my affairs long enough! Now it's time for you to die!".

Berrus and Professor, please give me an initiative roll with advantage, since you were prepared for the possibility of hostilities. Since I don't know whether the ladies will pass their stealth checks or not, I don't consider you part of the combat yet, so you can feel free to search the lair, or join in the combat later, should you feel it becomes necessary.

Maxine Stealth: 21

Adding second roll imitating advantage in hope for natural 20 :) 6  Nope, 21 stays!

OOC: You have advantage, if you want to use it.

The Professor:

OOC:  The Hag is rushing towards the circle, not the skull, right?  She is coming out of the skull.  Also, I am assuming we are already in range of the south-east side of the circle and our disturbing of the circle is what drew her out of the skull?

Initiative:  8

Initiative:  20

OoC: Yes, the Hag is rushing towards the circle and has left the skull, clearly being drawn by your activity. Once outside and next to the circle, she focuses and seems to sense the magic you use, and threatens you two directly.

Shae stealth: 9