Quote from jr_el_leon >>

As Marav and Aya fly, Ink rushes to the edge of the cave and looks down, then to the others. He says, "We miscalculated. There's no way we can walk down there in time. Let's get this airship going and join them."

 Crownsguard is on a standby, “I am happy to help with whatever I can, Ink. Please tell me where you’d like me!”

Dex check rudder 24

Checks for shenanigans... 

Concentration DC 10... 12, on levitate 

Dexterity Check, with advantage 19 

"All right... Here's the plan." 

"Crownsguard, I'm covering you in an icy mantle... It'll protect you from all physical damage for one shot... So try not to hit anything before the jump." 

"Matrix - you get on the rudder and I'll take the furnace. While Marav and Aya are raining mayhem onto the regiment, we're going to rush down with a controlled fall in the airship. Hopefully, we can drop it down to anchor height quickly before they can figure out we're there. I'll cast levitate on the balloon - maybe it'll help control our fall."

"Crownsguard, whenever you feel comfortable, free fall off the side of the ship. The icy mantle will protect you for a one-time impact... Maybe you can land on that fire giant." 

Ink says that last bit with a mischievous smile. 

"Once we're under fifty feet, we'll drop anchor. Matrix start shooting. I'll cast a sleet storm and hopefully split their forces and give us cover. We focus our attacks on that fire giant and then the hell hounds. If we're lucky and can take out the giant, maybe the rest will lose the will to fight."

Ink takes a breath.

"Okay. Let's get this ship in the air!" 

You launch the ship out of the cave, then kill the output from the furnace. The gondola immediately begins to descend...slowly at first, but quickly picking up speed as the air in the balloon cools. The descent feels graceful, but you know if you fail to kick things in at the right moment, the results could be fatal. 

Meanwhile, Crowsguard jumps! (Strength [Athletics] result 17)

From a little ways away, Marav and Aya glide through the night towards the torchlit band of goblinoids led by the fire giant (Marav, you would start about 300 feet from them—do you want to use your movement every round to fly higher so that you're further away?)

As the ship descends, you feel the frigid air rush past your ears, picking up into a roar that cuts out all other sound. But Ink is able to maintain his concentrations, and casts his spell at the last possible moment, giving lift to the dragonhide balloon as he simultaneously throws the furnace wide open. Hot air roars into the balloon, and you feel the pull as your descent slows. 

Down below you, there are shouts from the bugbears and hobgoblins as Crownsguard cannonballs into the crowd! The icy mantle around him shatters with the impact.... (just need a target from CG)

Matrix and Ink work together to keep the ship from crashing, regaining control just before the gondola hits the ground. isn't perfect, though, and you feel the ship lurch as the bottom makes a controlled impacts, and bounces off, the valley floor. Ink and Matrix please make a DC 15 DEX Saving Throw or be knocked prone on the deck of the ship.

// Initiative time! Anyone who rolls higher than 14 can act immediately. //

Initiative: 13

Quote from Awaypturwpn >>

...... Ink and Matrix please make a DC 15 DEX Saving Throw or be knocked prone on the deck of the ship.

// Initiative time! Anyone who rolls higher than 14 can act immediately. //

 // DEX Save! 18, Initiative 21 

Dex save 21

initiative 15

I am aiming for the giant leading them!

Initiative: 12

Crownsguard is going to slam his sword into the giant’s head, Attack: 18 Damage: 6 magic slashing + 4 giant damage, and must make a DC 15 Strength save or go prone!

He then swings again! Attack: 8 Damage: 9 magic slashing + 9 giant damage, and must make a DC 15 Strength save or go prone!

Then Crownsguard is gonna move as quick as possible away from what is about to be ground zero for a dozen spells!

(I don't recall whether I've rolled Init! Initiative: 17)

Aya quickly turns her bow to the bugbears drawing the carts. Once again she draws upon the storm rune, her opponents' intended movements becoming all the clearer.

Sharpshooter (advantage on prophetic state): 23 Damage: 21 + 5

Second shot: 20 Damage: 10 + 5

Matrix runs as far out on the boat and fires at the southern hobgoblin!

pew 25 for 9

pew 11 for 12

feat-bonus action pew! 20 for 9

Ink, seeing the oncoming force, touches the Shard of the Ise Rune under his armor. A small bead of snow appears just behind the fire giant, suddenly it expands into a SLEET STORM eighty feet in diameter and forty feet high, enveloping the fire giant, the hell hounds, and many bugbears and hobgoblins!

Ink nods at Quill and she flies to the edge of the sleet storm ready to fly down and distract targets while hopefully finding cover near the storm.  Ink draws a scimitar and moves to the edge of the ship, seeking cover behind the ships raised hull. He then starts humming to himself and enacts his bladesong.

// Big blue circle on the map denotes the location of the sleet storm.

As Marav and Ayaci swoop down on the war band, initially surprising their foes, the hobgoblins rally quickly and send volleys of arrows towards the flyers (before the airship comes crashing down upon them).

Marav and Ayaci each take 10 piercing damage, as the arrows rip through the darkness around them. 

The fire giant bellows an order to his cohort, telling the bugbears to "take cover," and the hobgoblins to "kill the dragon!"

// This is the point where the airship comes plummeting towards the ground. //

The giant, forewarned but not expecting a hurtling ice-covered construct to come flying out of the sky, is struck by the falling Crownsguard. The force of the blow 12 knocks the giant onto his armored arse, and he takes the brunt of Crownsguard's blows on his drawn sword. He looks panicked even has he bellows for support from the bugbears around him.

Then, as Crownsguard retreats (taking opportunity attacks from the giant and his hounds), the entire area is covered in a sudden flurry of ice and sleet! The battlefield is plunged into darkness as all the torches are put out. Those of you who can see in the dark are able to make out the silhouettes of a few hobgoblins and bugbears crawling out of the sleet storm, but the giant is nowhere to be seen yet. However, you can certainly hear his giantish bellows! 

Opportunity Attack vs Crownsguard: 21 Damage: 30 slashing
And an Opportunity Bite: 17 Damage: 9 piercing and 6 fire 

The hobgoblins that managed to get out from under the oppressive sleet (and who are still on their feet) aim their bows at Marav, and also at Matrix who is standing on the prow of the airship. The others, including a handful of bugbears, must spend their time simply standing up.

Against Marav:

Attack: 5 Damage: 5 piercing
Attack: 21 Damage: 7 piercing
Attack: 7 Damage: 9 piercing

Against Matrix: 

Attack: 4 Damage: 9 piercing
Attack: 23 Damage: 3 piercing
Attack: 16 Damage: 7 piercing

// Players up! //

The arrows bounce off of Marav's thick hide, one gets in between scales but doesn't do much damage. He roars in outrage, keeping Aya at combat distance while dodging. 

"This isn't your fight giant, you can still leave before the rest of our army drops on you, that was just a warning!"

Deception: 6

Ink pulls his bow an arrow and takes aim at the hobgoblin closest to Crownsguard and unleashes a couple of arrows at it.

Quill then dives at the same hobgoblin (if alive, if not, the next closest) and distracts it before pulling back up into relative safety.  // HELP action //

// Longbow Attack 1: 13 Damage: 12

// Longbow Attack 2: 22 Damage: 7

Aya, grateful for her nightvision (and as always, the storm rune), aims for a pair of grayscale hobgoblins. 

Sharpshooter (advantage on prophetic state): 19 Damage: 17 + 4

Second shot: 20 Damage: 12 + 6

(That's weird. Lemme try again:)

Sharpshooter (advantage on prophetic state): 16 Damage: 19 + 4

Second shot: 12 Damage: 9 + 6

Crownsguard is going to take on the bugbears!

He charges forward, reading to kick one in the chest and slash it! Attack: 15 Damage: 11 magic slashing! If that doesn’t it, he uses the momentum to bring it crashing down toward them! Attack: 25 Damage: 11 magic slashing!