Stonebound

Randrak nods in response to Fredrock's instructions, before turning his attention to the rest of the group.

"Okay, I'm going to take point. Uldran and Freak, you two protect my flank. Hitticus you cover the rear. Alanis and Mercwri, you two sneak around the village and then we can flank these troglodytes.

Are we ready?"

Alanis blinks.

„I... am not really that good at stealth, but if you wish , I suppose I‘d better take off my armor to make it not even harder on myself. Um, I am no soldier and all that, but... would it make sense to do some reconnaissance first? Numbers, weapons, defenses and all that?“

It seems somewhat hasty to just march in there with absolutely no idea whatsoever what they are getting themselves into, but it is true, she has zero militaristic experience.

"Don't take off your armor. And don't split the party, we already know there's going to be an overwhelming force and stench and we need to be able to support each other to survive this. Randrak, I respect the tactics I really do, but we aren't a squad of soldiers that you can order to their deaths. I say we stick together, keep our eyes peeled and keep the way we came as clear as possible so we can get our of here if things get too hairy." (Yes he says hairy as a dig at the other dwarves)

Randrak turns to Alanis, "That's why you should follow Mercwri's cues. Together you should be able to aid and help each other."

He explains, before turning to Hitticus. "That's why we need to split up. We are but a small unit of people doing our best. I know you're not soldiers and you are not trained in combat like I am. But if there are more troglodytes than us, we will be easily be surrounded. Then we will quickly succumb to their attacks.

Need I remind you that I did not choose this as an option. I wanted to go save the troops. But here we are, us five, preparing to go face who in the Nine Hells knows how many smelly troglodytes. Let's not forget Alanis mentioned their toxic stench which is a risk if we get too close.

If we split the party, then we can split their attention. One lot meets them head-on, whilst the other two sneakily attack from the rear. They won't see it coming."

"I see your point. Let's try it you're way, I defer to your wisdom."

„Well, you are the soldier, you would know best.“

Alanis takes off her armor, assuming it would be too noisy for a stealthy approach. She then unceremoniously just puts it in her bag.

For further preparation, she sorts through the vials and containers on her belt until she finds something that looks like a small candy, planning to chew it right before they start sneaking.

Guidance

You all make your way to the lip of the hill and as you grow closer you hear the noise of combat growing louder. The clank of metal and the snarls of beasts. The path curves around ahead of you before descending into the village and in the distance you can see a single Dwarf fighting in the village square.

Randrak you advance first as planned with Uldran and Freak flanking. Hittucus you take the rear. You are approaching the village from the north west and Mercwri and Alanis creep in to the east to make their way around the buildings as ordered.

Alanis and Mercwri roll for stealth.

As yet the Troglodytes have not seen you.

Alanis does her best to not compromise her comrades‘, and specifically Mercwri‘s efforts. She plans to fight at range if possible anyway, so she tries not to get too close.
She picks up a stone on the way. Should she fail and draw attention she will imbue it via Magical Tinkering to emit a sound akin to a tiny critter scurrying and throw it in hopes to create a diversion.

Stealth 5

Guidance 3

(well the dice clearly don’t like me)

Hitticus arcane focus will glow with eldritch energy. "On your order Randrak."

Uldran touches Freak before the fighting starts and says a small blessing to the Revered Mother, resistance "that should help the first time you come in contact with their stench." 

"Try to get to that dwarf and let's see about finding a building to use as a base to defend."

Randrak studies the battle below as he stands at the brow of the hill just north west of the village. He sees the lone dwarf standing between two troglodytes, currently holding his own. Randrak cannot help by feel respect for a man that would attempt to fight until his last. Though with another troglodyte relatively close, and other troglodytes not too far away. The dwarf will surely fall before too long.

He watches as Alanis and Mercwri attempt to stealthily circumvent the village to the north before approaching to the east. At the minute they will finding themselves fighting three troglodytes on the eastern side. It is possible that they will be outmatched, though he has faith in them. Still it would be easier if their attention was drawn elsewhere.

Nine troglodytes on the battle field, three groups of three.

Six of them of the battle field, plus the unknown dwarf already in the fight. Randrak was right, they would quickly be outnumbered if they stuck together.

Their best course of action would be take down the three closes to the dwarf before the other three, to the south, could get closer. Meanwhile, Alanis and Mercwri can start with the three to east.

All of this Randrak calculates in mere moments.

"We want to draw the troglodytes towards us, starting with three closes to that dwarf. If we pull their attention towards us, we can give him a breather.

Are you ready?"

Without waiting for a response, Randrak runs down the hill towards to village letting out a bellowing roar that sound that sounds almost primal. When he draws closer, he throws a hand axe at the troglodyte on the steps of the building.

(Attack: 5 Damage: 2)

(That's normal movement, and I hope they are surprised as they have not spotted us yet and we can straight move to attack.)

OOC: Uldran and Freak and Hitticus you have an opportunity for a ranged attack before I roll initiative. 

Hitticus will make an eldritch blast at the same one Randrak targeted.

Attack: 10 Damage: 5 And my after that he'll use a bonus action to cast sanctuary on himself.

Freak throws a javelin as he charges a step behind Randrak.

Attack: 24 Damage: 9 (aiming for the other troglodyte near the dwarf)

OCC Holy smokes, it's like the posts vomited out of the ether.

Stealth   17

When Mercwri get to the corner of the building directly north of the dwarf he will launch a slingstone at the closest trog fighting with the dwarf.

Attack: 16 Damage: 6  Sneak Attack  1

He will then use his bonus action to Hide

OOC: I will allow Mercwri the free shot in place of Uldran to keep things moving. We are now in initiative rounds. As usual feel free to state your intent ahead of your round and I will sort things out in the response.

Randrak the beast moves just in time and your axe slams into the side of the fire pit sparking out against the stone. It distracts the Troglodyte enough to open its defences as the strange Dwarf sinks his war pick into the beasts side. Hitticus your eldritch blast takes the creature in the back bringing it to the ground with a thud.

Freak, alerted by the death of its companion the nearest Troglodyte turns and ducks out of the way of your javelin only to be struck in the back of the head by a missile from Mercwri's sling. The battle is now joined as across the village square the creatures all turn to face the onslaught.

Initiative order :

1. Randrak
2. Troglodytes
3. Old Dwarf
4. Hitticus
5. Mercwri
6. Freak
7. Alanis
8. Uldran

Randrak runs up to the troglodyte to the south of the dwarf reading his bagh nakh as he goes. He attacks twice slashing at the creature before him.

(Attack 1: 22 Damage: 2
Attack 2: 4 Damage: 7)

Randrak your claws rake the wounded beast and as it howls in pain the old Dwarf stabs it through the neck with his pick, killing it. 

"Thank ye lad!" The Dwarf says and then cries out, "Behind ye!"

One of the Troglodytes charges in from the nearby building to attack; Bite Attack: 14 Damage: 6 Claw Attack: 19 Damage: 4 Claw Attack: 23 Damage: 4 

All around the village square the Troglodytes begin to charge in.

Hitticus you are up!

Uldran follows Randrak into combat (moving SE to within 15ft or so of Randrak) grabbing his spider fang necklace as he moves and calling out to the Revered Mother for the blessing of the hunter (bonus action) and an image of a spectral wolf spider appears near Randrak. (30ft radius, adv on perception checks, and I can give adv to one attack per round). As the spider appears Randrak, Freak (if he moves within melee), the Old Dwarf, and Uldran all feel your eyesight sharpen and your impulse to hunt your prey intensify. 

((Next round Freak will have adv on his attack, if he has adv for some other reason then Randrak))

Action- frostbite at the trog behind Randrak- 6, con save 13

OOC:  Dialing in for Hitticus who's busy this week and nudging Udran up the order to keep things moving. Remember you are free to post ahead of your turn within the round.

Hitticus fires an Eldritch blast at the nearest Troglodyte Attack: 10 Damage: 1 before dashing behind a nearby building.

Con Save : 4 Uldran the creature shrugs off your frostbite attack.

UP NEXT!

1. Mercwri
2. Freak
3. Alanis