Its the End of the World (as we know it)

Thistle thinks a moment. “What if we draw them out? I could run out there and be seen, try to get them all to come down? Then you zap ‘em?”

“If they spread out in pursuit, the spell’s less effective, but if we can get them in a tighter cluster, I can get more of them.”

Raddunth doesn't want to disturb the thinking of others, as he knows first hand how hard thinking is, but he asks: "These kobolds. Are we meant to slay them, scatter them, or capture them?"

As lost in thought Zashier had increasingly became during the planning, he still notices Lem's look, and returned returned it with a raised brow of clear confusion. That soon is brushed aside, as he looked to Thistle with a frown. Though just when it looks as if he might say something, Raddunth's unintentional interjection gives him pause. "Eh...Neither, man. We just s'pose to see they return the scales, and any people they might have captured, which would be most fortunate for them." 

"And seeing as they have already proven themselves repeat offenders, the kobolds to be more exacting, non-lethal measures may not be recommend. At least if there is no intent to aid in their reformation." As Zashier saying all that, he had started to do some light arm stretches, and even cracks his neck a little. "That all said, if Lem here would prefer to get into position to take care of the flyers, after of course signalling us he's there invisibly, I can be in position to talk and - or provide a sufficient distraction in the front. Meanwhile, others with the aptitude should swoop around the back, and be ready to deal with either deal with the pair there, assuming they do not elect to run into the front."

Thistle shrugs. She’s more of a strike hard and fast type, but this is a new crew, so she’s not going to rock the boat.

”That works, too, if you want to put yourself out there. I’ll cover you.” She puts her slim sword back and takes her buckler off, unlimbering her shortbow instead. 

Raddunth: "I am not skilled at sneaking about. Maybe I should be the one to talk and distract from the front? "Talking" is my middle name... Except I don't have a last name. Can you have a middle name if you don't have a last name?... Okay, maybe Zashier should do all the talking. But I chose to be one of those approaching from the front, if another task is not better."

so, can someone, in character, sum up the plan? Or are we still debating the next course of action?

"No, no, no. See, the thing is, there more likely to have their guard down if its just me, right. I'm just funny looking fella. But if we both go, they'll be more on guard, right?" Zashier looks from Raddunth to the others to see if there's nods of agreement. "The might even see me as prime worker, and or friendly, as there are no other people like me around as far as I know. Trust me-..." He goes to pat Raddunth on the shoulder. "-my friend. You're a lot more lighter on your feet than you give yourself credit, I'm sure."

With that, unless restrained at this point, Zashier would start making his way to the front with both hands up. "And depending on how they initially react, he will either through in a wave for good measure, or nonchalantly moving forward going, "Hey, hey, little reds. Got a moment?" until told to stop.

Lem grins to himself - he was definitely rusty at this, so instead of getting frustrated at the stutter-step nature of the way this group works together, he found it funny. Instead of snapping to attention and organizing or being organized, he giggles.

But then the big guy started moving and he realized he’d better speak up. Before Zashier left, Lem turns to Thistle and says, “you say you want to draw them out. Want to be invisible?”

If she agrees, he asks Zashier to give them another minute to get in place, and he casts invisibility on Thistle and tells the group he is looking for flying incoming, preparing to cast sleep on them.

If she does not agree, he will cast it on himself and get closer to the manor, looking for a rock or bush or something that would mask him should he become visible after casting sleep on the flying ones as they launch from hiding.

"Well, I could have done that," Yokini says, watching Zashier saunter down the road toward the mansion. She tries to creep forward as close as she can without being seen to be ready to act.

Stealth: 21

Thistle says, “No, save the invisibility for yourself, I’ll be plunking them from a distance, so it’ll blink off right away.” Then she follows Yokini, stealthily.

Stealth: 12

So if there was any confusion, Lem casts invisibility on himself and darts ahead before Zashier starts off. He looks around for a bush or a rock or something in the middle of the open space between the trees and the manor, using the information he got from scouting  with Moon earlier. if he can’t find anything suitable he will get to the manor wall, about 20 feet to the side of the door with the kobolds. Once he finds a place to kneel down he will look through Moon’s eyes to see if there is any movement from the winged ones.

Everyone notices that Lem fades away into nothingness. He has gone invisible, but you know where he plans to be. Since you are invisible, lets say you made your way to the right. there is nothing this way for cover, so you make your way quickly to the edge of the house, about 20 feet from the door, to the right. Please roll stealth with advantage.

Zashier is walking towards the front of the manor. As you make your way closer the manor, step by step, the following is happening:

Yokini, you make your way along the tree line, getting closer the manor, though at an angle. (Its open from the edge of the trees to the house, save for maybe a bush or rock here and there. Lets say you are about 40 feet away, behind the medium sized rock. Half Cover.)

Thistle, you manage to barely stay quiet as you try to step where Yokini is stepping, making your way along the treeline. As she makes her way closer to the house, behind a rock, I assume you stay at the treeline to make ranged attacks? You are 60 feet from the house.

Raddunth, feel free to correct this, but you said you wanted to attack from the front. So, lets say you are right at the edge of the treeline, back at the road. You are 60 feet from the front of the house.

Everyone is ready, everyone is in their place, watching each step that Zashier makes. With baited breath you watch him get closer and closer. When he is 30 feet away, they finally notice him. The two kobolds in the front turn and look. Lem, through Moon, you see the two kobolds in the front rise up into the air, visible at the top of the house, though not moving closer.

One of the kobolds shouts, in a high pitched voice with broken common: Get out of here. Leave at once. If you value your life, turn around and go

Two kobolds at the door, two in the air above the house. Lem see sees the flying ones. Thistle, you notice them as well. 

Zashier, I believe it falls to you....what do you do?

Quote from djsteele888 >>

Raddunth, feel free to correct this, but you said you wanted to attack from the front. So, lets say you are right at the edge of the treeline, back at the road. You are 60 feet from the front of the house.

(Sounds good. He is just waiting for Zashier to  get attacked after negotiations to break down  say it is okay when the kobolds surrender.)

Lem is getting ready to cast sleep when the winged ones seem to dive for an attack or appear ready to loose missiles.

Zashier slows to a stop, but refrained from turning away. "Hey, hey, hey! Take it easy man. It's aight, my scaly friends. Just hope'n to have a word with you is all. Allow me to introduce myself, my name's Zashier Zaltomane. I'm kind of a elephantine man, as you can see, but don't let that intimidate ya. If anything, if you happen to have any mice on hand, it's I should be scared." He chuckles lightly.

"Hope you two aren't to busy to help a brother out with a small bit of business before he's on his way, should take no more than a minute. Figure'n we might establish a trade of sorts, if you can believe it. Though it'd be hard to do so from all the way over heard, I'd think." He says, channeling some of his sister's craftiness in the moment.

(DM: I'm burning my inspiration on this next one.)

Inspired Persuasion: 23.

Sixty feet out is a great spot for Thistle. She holds her bow at the Ready, arrow nocked, watching the roofline. If one of the visible winged kobolds launches itself towards Zashier, she will wait for the other two, the hidden ones, to show themselves, assuming they might not fall within Lem's radius for his spell. If she sees one of those she will shoot at it (that's the trigger).

Yokini is watching the two on the ground for any hostile moves toward Zashier. If so, she'll fire a tiny mote of fire for MAXIMUM DAMAGE!

Zashier, that is an incredibly high roll. However, it is against their nature to do business with folks. They just want to be left alone. Keep that inspiration for anther time...

The flying kobold, who is out of earshot of what you said, seems to tire of watching his kobold bretheren merely stand there threateningly, and he flaps his wings, advancing towards you. 

This puts everyone over the edge.

Initiative time!

 Thistle/Raddunth Rolloff

Yokini/Kobolds Rolloff

 So many ties, and identical modifier!

Initiative Order (this will also be on Discord)

Lem

Winged Kobolds

Zashier

Thistle

Raddunth

Kobolds

Yokini

Lem, you are up first! You are 20 feet from the kobolds, and I will say roughly 30 feet from the winged kobolds - one over top of Zashier, one still at the top of the roof, above the door basically.