The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

If Gnoll 2 appreciates Balassar's humour or even understands him, we will never know.  The slice of the blade cuts into the creature's chest, killing it.

Gnolls 3 turns to look at Gnoll 4, and then darts away, the other gnoll following.  Balassar, you can take an Opportunity Attack on Gnoll 3 if you wish.  Regardless, both gnolls make it sixty feet south of where you are now.

Alton is up next.

Balassar swings down as the Gnoll tries to escape.

OOC:

Attack: 20 Damage: 8

(That hits, but the previously unhurt gnoll keeps running.)

Balassar just grunts as he drops his scimitar and pulls out his crossbow letting a bolt fly at the running Gnoll.

OOC:

Attack: 13 Damage: 4

Alton moves twenty-five towards the fleeing gnolls and yells after them, "Had your fill of the fight already? So much for the tales about the gnoll's never ending hunger." While attempting to cast Vicious Mockery at the one closest to him.

Movement: Move 25 feet closer to the fleeing gnolls
Action: Casts Vicious Mockery at the closest gnoll(G3?), DC14 Wisdom saving throw or take 4 psychic damage

Gnoll WIS save:  1  Alton, you see the gnoll wince as though struck, as the spell takes hold over him.

Balassar, your crossbow bolt flies into a bush.

Wash seems content to let the gnolls go, and does not continue the attack.

Silent is up.

Not interesting in pursuing fleeing adversaries, Silent wipes gnoll blood off his greatsword and turns back to look at the bugbears and goblin on his turn (assuming they are still at the mouth of the cave).  All good? 

The two bugbears look at the battlefield, and then to the goblin who stands with them.  The goblin says something quietly in goblin, and pats the male bugbear on the arm.  The male bugbear approaches Silent to speak in Elvish:

I'm sorry I...  this... I didn't want this to happen.  I'm sorry.  Can we... is it okay if we leave?  We don't want to take the giants' home.  It was a mistake to... I'm sorry, he finishes rather weakly, head down.

Balassar just loads another bolt to fire as he moves with Alton "We need to finish this before they come back. If we don't we may have just made a new problem for the giants." he says letting another bolt fly at the gnoll that isn't under Alton's spell.

OOC:

Movement: 30 ft with Alton

Attack: 14 Damage: 3

Alton stays where he is, "It would take everything I have just to keep up with them. I'm not as fast as you or them." He looks back towards the cave, "Even if we were to finish them. Wouldn't more just be sent out to look for them, and cause even more of a problem; not only for the giants, but the village too?" He looks to Silent, "What do you think Silent?" 

(OOC: Not sure if we are still in initiative order or not.)

At this point Silent has sat down on the ground and is meticulously wiping down his greatsword, brow furrowed. I agree. I say we let 'em get the word out. I dropped some Xhorhasian lingo and you butchered their leader... think they'll be way more interested in hunting us down now than anyone else. Which should be good for the folks livin' here. Either way, I ain't interested in killin' an enemy while they're running.  

He looks to the bugbear who spoke. How many others have you got in that cave? And what's your plan? Empire ain't gonna take kindly to your faces. 

Balassar, your crossbow bolt strikes the gnoll, but it keeps running.

You are not in initiative order now.  If Balassar wants to give chase and hunt these two gnolls down, we'll roll some skill contest rolls for that, rather than taking it as combat.

There are seven of us, the female bugbear replies.  I guess we... find another cave.  One without giants.  It will be harder, further up into the mountains, but we can manage.

The other occupants of the cave slowly come out to join you; it's clear they are packed and ready to run.  You count a total of three bugbears and four goblins, including the ones you've already met.

Balassar, if you are hunting down the gnolls, then give me a Survival check to find the paths to follow them, and an Athletics check to keep pace with them and wear them down.

Gnoll Survival 7
Gnoll Athletics 21

Ballads at just looks at Alton “What if they come back though with more forces and find the village this time looking for us?” He asks just looking at the group “We stop them now and can send a message not to come after us.” Balassar just stays put seeing the group not wanting to pursue.

He just grunts in frustration “For people who didn’t want to be involved you sure are willing to let death knock on a lot of potential conflicts start that would only add to this powder keg.” He says looking out to where the Gnolls ran off putting away his crossbow as he walks back to pick up the scimitar off the ground. He looks to the group “You’re gonna need to walk for a while. We will have to report the incident back when we return. No doubt the empire won’t like a group of potential spies wondering around. Or you could come with us and try to explain your story. Show yourselves to be productive members of society and the village might even take ya in.”

(I assume Silent will translate?)

The goblins and bugbears nod, looking worried.  We cannot enter the Empire - they will eat us, no doubt, says the male bugbear. Or take us as slaves or pets, which is worse, the female bugbear adds.  She looks up into the mountains, and nods.  We can find a home here, away from... she looks at you all... away from this war.  She pats the male reassuringly, and the group seems ready to set off.

(OOC: Yep, Silent will translate wherever necessary) 

Silent stands up at this point and sheathes his greatsword, glancing at the group of goblinoids.  Stick to the shadows and watch each other's backs, then. And live free. That's why we all left the war, right?

He looks at Balassar with an eyebrow raised after he mentions the possibility of them being spies and says, We just got into a pretty bloody scrap to keep these people alive. Seems like a waste of time to sic the Empire's dogs on 'em after all that, ain't it? 

Alton stows the rapier back in its scabbard, collects his hand crossbow, and ties the lute back onto his pack. "I don't know the area that well, but I think there are less towns along these mountains if you go south, I think." He shoulders his pack and gives the bugbears and company a smile, "But good luck wherever you decide to go." 

He turns to face his companions, "Do you think we should warn the giants about staying here? Oh! Maybe we can get these two groups to travel together?"

Balassar looks at Silent and shrugs his shoulder "Unfortunately we were paid to inspect what was going on. We will need to file a full and accurate report and let the empire decide what they want to do. That being said I don't think they'll waste the resources hunting down a dodger who is being hunted by his own country."

He just gives Alton a nod "Definitely should warn them." he says putting away his weapons.

Something like that, the goblin replies.  We are... trying to find peace.  I hope that peace finds you too.

The bugbears and goblins take a final, awkward look at you all, and then head off away from you, on a direction that seems to head up into the higher reaches of the mountain range without entering deep into Empire or Xhorhasian territory.

What would you like to do?

Silent agrees with Alton and Balassar about updating the giants and is ready to set off for their hideout whenever everyone is ready to roll.