Meep's perception (straight roll since it's not bright light): 9

Sybil with your 9, you notice the children nod to your words. You think they've heard similar words from warriors and others who've visited their aunt and parents - so they might be just going along with the motions. However, you notice the way Juls' eyes light up as you talk, as if that makes them both eager to listen. You also notice she's closer to you than Jax. Maybe it's the fact that you're an adult and you're taking interest in their safety, or because of the mysterious magic surrounding you.

Lussa with your 22 you notice a group of mourners standing at a grave - six of them - and they all seem to be watching the children. For a moment you think they might be paying honor to a lost friend, but you can't help but feel they have an interest in the kids.

Meep with your 9, you notice a plump rat scurrying on the ground. Before you can get it, a hawk flies down and captures it, whisking it away for dinner.

Delmalis perception: 12

Lussa slides over to Sybil and points out the group of mourners, "something is off about them.  They keep looking at the children."  She then moves to be between the children and mourners, and unshoulders her bow, but only holds it ready, not drawing an arrow...yet.

Meep's stomach growls as he stares with futility at the hawk. 

"Try to keep yourself or one of more beefer members between them and the kids. Noble kids must be good ransoms," Sybil whispers as she takles out hewr dark amulet shard and roll it across her fingers like a coin. 

Twitch scurries across and puts themselves between the mourners and the kids with a stern expression.

"What are you looking at?" one of the mourners says to Twitch before going back to their prayers.

As the group reaches the small, clear area both Juls and Jax begin installing their birdhouses. Everything seems quiet for another hour until four figures emerge from the shadows - the mourners from before. 

Three of them appear wearing leathers and wielding daggers while another is in purple robes. Everyone notices the eye symbol and can place them as Xanathar's men.

The man in robes turns to Lussa and Sybil. "Give me the kids or die."

I need everyone to roll Initiative if you get higher than  20 go ahead with your first round.

Sybil Initiative: 20

"Counter offer," Sybil state as she present her open palm with the shard in it, "By the way kids, do look away," Sybil cast Eldritch blast on speaker.

Attack: 18 Damage: 11

Twitch Initiative: 22

Twitch......twitches.....and bares their teeth; charging at the man in the robes with an axe in both hands.

(

Bonus Action - Rage.

Attack: 18 Damage: 6 )

Rotthran comes around the corner and suddenly ducks back around.

Rotthran Initiative: 11

Meep's initiative: 16

His first action will be to cast Mage Armor on himself. 

Delmalis: 17

Lussa initiative:  18

Initiative

• Twitch - 22
• Sybil - 20
• Xanathar thugs Initiative - 20
• Lussa - 18
• Demalis - 17
• Meep - 16
• Rothran - 11

Just as the Speaker is directing his men to kill the group, he sees this blur of gnomish fury coming at him. He can barely form words as Twitch’s axe goes right through his gut. He hears Sybil’s words, but before he can respond, an Eldritch Blast that moves just past Twitch’s head nails him right between the eyes and he falls to the ground.

Two of the Xanathar thugs stay right in front of Twitch and attacks them.

Bandit 1 - Attack: 10 Damage: 4

Bandit 2 - Attack: 7 Damage: 3

One more thug runs past Twitch. Twitch can use their reaction to make an opportunity attack. 

The bandit runs up to Sybil and says “You don’t make the orders here,” and strikes with his scimitar. 

Attack: 14 Damage: 2

Everyone else may take their Round 1 actions. Twitch and Sybil can take their Round 2 actions.

"It was merely an offer, not an order you blockhead," Sybil states directly into the mind of the bandit striking Sybil with Awakened Mind, she takes a moment to cast Hex on them, selecting Dexterity for Hex, "But I ask myself why do I waste my time. I believe I like speaking to dead men, " She cast Eldritch blast on him at blank range.

Attack: 8 Damage: 5 (well then....)

Hex Damage: 5

Twitch dodged around the clumsy attacks, swinging a handaxe out to try and take out the one running past....regardless of whether it hits or not both axes are aimed at the nearest groin with a wicked grin and glittering eyes..

Reaction AOO: Attack: 16 Damage: 8

Action:Attack: 21 Damage: 5

Bonus Action:Attack: 10 Damage: 1

As mentioned earlier, Meep casts Mage Armor on himself, and then goes to shield the children.