When the raven completes its circuit and returns to Celadrim’s shoulder, the elf opens his eyes and takes a deep breath. Then, in a solemn voice, he relays to the group what he has seen at the temple, describing the situation with alarming detail and urgency.

“My dire forebodings ring true. The temple is surrounded with nearly thirty of the enemy, and they are trying to break in, no doubt to kill the terrified villagers inside. We must act quickly if we are to save them, but I fear that if we do not move swiftly and with exacting precision, it will be the end us all.”

”If we are to be tested as a group, then this is the moment of that test, and although I cannot foresee the outcome, I have faith that we will pass, for I have seen the might with you all swing axes and swords. I have seen your resolve, and it fills me with a level of confidence I have seldom experienced, even when dealing with my own kind.”

”I surmise that the best strategy would be to approach by way of the river, and eliminate the group at the back door before the other gang completes their circuit. That at least gives us the best chance to pick off their numbers without having to face the entire group. I could create some sort of illusion to try and distract them as we prepare for a surprise attack, perhaps starting with ranged weapons and then moving in for close combat.”

”I have also just learned a spell that would allow me to send some of them into a magical slumber for a short period of time, certainly long enough for us to gain a solid advantage in our attack.”

”If we are successful, then we can hopefully open the back door and let the trapped villagers escape before the front door is breached. After that... I cannot divine the best option, but I fear it should not involve fighting twenty kobolds and cultists all at once.”

”What say you? Any other ideas on how we should proceed?”

"Could you give us more details other than we already know please. Like numbers, troop movements what's in the back part of this building. If there are any patrols and how many are in the front"

Celdarim explains in more detail what the raven has seen. 

"On the far side of the building, opposite the river, there are two cultists attempting to use a battering ram to smash open the doors of the temple. Six kobolds are standing guard with their attention mainly focused toward the town. There is also a man in front wearing a dragon mask and directing the whole operation. He appears to be some kind of leader."

"Along the wall closest to the river, there is a small back door, where four cultists and four kobolds have gathered together to light a fire. They continue to fan the flames, but at this point, it's mostly a heavy cloud of smoke that occasional drifts away with the breeze. If we were to attack from that direction, we could likely use the smoke to help hide our approach."

"In addition, a mob of ten kobolds, three cultists, and two more of those drake creatures are circling the building, clearly in an attempt to terrorize the inhabitants. They take about eight minutes to complete their circuit, so if we were to successfully eliminate the guards at the back door, we would only have a few minutes to get the door open and let the villagers escape and make a run for it before they come back around."

Gus

The cleric shakes his head. “They bein’ tough odds. How many will ye’re new spell put to sleep?  Bah, he just tell me where ta swing, eh? I’m thinkin’ any noise an we’ll be fighting ‘em all.”

"Do you think, we can catch the patrol and the ones at the back door with your spell."

He decides to ask Frilneiros

"What do you know of ambush drakes?"

“I have not tried this sleeping spell before, but based on my research, my guess is that it could affect anywhere from two to five of them, maybe six, if I recite the incantation properly, as long as they are all within a twenty foot radius of the specific point I designate.”

”The effect lasts for one minute, so while I could not hope to hit all of the guards and the mob, I could, in thoery, cast it more than once. If we were to take out the back door guards, we could wait for the mob and then try the same tactic on them as well. Although their numbers are much greater. Fifteen total for the mob, and spread out in a rather loose rabble.”

”Either way, we will all have to be on our toes if we are to succeed.”

The sound of shouts and revelry grows louder and the torchlight reflects off of the smoke, making it harder to see through, as the screeching mob of kobolds passes you near the back door. The kobolds are lead by a cultist and followed by one as well, the ten kobolds are leaping and whirling and generally doing their best to cause as much fear as they can. The two ambush drakes are agitated and dart back and forth between the kobolds like large aggressive dogs. It takes a couple of minutes for them to round the corner of the building and pass out of sight. 

 "Well" He whispers As they pass out of sight.... "It's time to move on the ones on the back door"

"  Everyone, ranged weapons then your spell Celdarim"

.He readies his bow and shoots Attack: 16 Damage: 10

Gus

Gus hooks his warhammer on his belt and takes out a javelin.  He will ready an attack against the nearest cultist.

I'll assume this is a surprise round, if not, I will edit.

Gus rises and, murmuring a few words to his goddess, fires at the closest cultist.  Attack: 13 Damage: 4 

*if the DM rules that we have advantage the above roll could change. 

Gus’ initiative 7 

Then he takes his warhammer Precious out and charges at the group. 

Frilneiros pulls out a hand axe and readies it, waiting for the signal to throw his weapon at the foe nearest to him. "Be prepared to run to the door as quickly as we can."

Shooting at the cultist 

INITIATIVE 13

Following along as the group makes their way along the riverbank to move into into attack position, Celadrim mentally rehearses the new spell in his minds he's been researching. He thinks about the verbal incantations and the specific hand gestures that will be required if he's to make the magic work properly.

He also sends his mind into a different place. Probing the thin veil of space, time and consciousness and considering the very notions of what is, what will be, and what might be, he explores in his visions the possibilities of seeing beyond that veil, just as the old elven diviner taught him. He didn't believe it at first that such a thing was possible, but in recent weeks, Celadrim has found himself able to peek even more closely to that thin barrier of time as he ever has before as brief glimpses of the future have begun to press upon his consciousness. 

Such knowledge and foresight are powerful tools indeed, but the obvious question that begs to be asked by any diviner is just how will those abilities be used. As he pads through the brush and smoke filled air along the river and gets close to the back of the temple, Celadrim rolls that enormous question over in his mind, but when they get close and he sees the group of kobolds and cultists gathered by the back door trying to fan the flames of their little fire, he instantly snaps back to the task at hand and thinks about the spell he's about to cast. 

Initiative: 16

Stealth: 15

Gus

Stealth - 12 

6 initiative

Stealth 19

He whispers Harbinger get the two on the left

If we still have surprise here are my moves Knowing that timing is every thing (With the stealth roll earlier) Wolfstine moves up to the closest Cultist he sees Attack: 25 Damage: 9 With his Rapier and if that downs the Cultist he moves to the Next without coming in five foot of the others target on the far right of the map (Action surge)

15 Damage: 13 With his Rapier and if that downs the Cultist he finds his movement speed has ran out he stands there trying to look like one of them hoping they didn't see him move

ooc: Kobolt or cultist dont care Can our elf mage center it beyond the door?

With the plan set, Celadrim readies his new sleep spell, bringing the arcane words and intricate hand gestures into clear focus in his mind, as he waits for the others to attack. The idea being that the rest of his team will launch a surprise attack, and quickly retreat, or else use ranged weaponry against the group that's positioned by the back door, and then he'll finish casting his spell and hopefully take down some or all of the remaining cultists and kobolds with his magic.

Of course, the thick smoke is making it extremely hard for him to see, but the elf focuses his senses and waits for his moment... He whispers to the rest of his party,

"Go now, sharp side first, and then get out of there so that you are not affected by my spell!"

Inititiative: 19

Quote from Stormbringer4729 >>

ooc: Kobolt or cultist dont care Can our elf mage center it beyond the door?

 Yes, Celadrim can target beyond the door a little so that it only grabs enemies.