"I'd rather not die in anyone's service, if it can be helped."  Tom muses, "Might there be a way of luring the Kobolds out - towards us.  Perhaps we may even be able to set a trap.  The sounds of battle are bound to alert whatever master they serve."

"I am all for not dying. Hm...... we could use one of us as bait and set a trap for them. If that is a dragon in there though this just got a lot more complicated and my price may have just increased when we return." Ava says, her usually cheerful face getting dead serious 

"I could possibly cause an affect that would make a noise that could draw them out? Something that would make some leaves rustle as if someone hiding there - but obviously I would make them rustle where we actually aren't"

"That might work...  The only issue would be if they alerted others to what they had heard."  Tom looks perplexed, "There is no way you could lure them with something shiny... something that might catch their attention, appeal to their greed."

"Well, I can only make a gust of wind that would rustle the leaves, or possibly mimic the sound of a small animal. I could also possibly instantly light and snuff out a torch - that would make the shine. that could attract them. I agree that it could raise their awareness though - but it's a shot to try and draw them out." 

"I also can make most any noise we require. Up to a scream in volume. Together we should be able to come up with something."

Duradin thinks for a moment. 

"The kobolds will want to prove themselves to their master, if ancient lore holds true. If they think they have advantage in numbers, they will come out to do battle. We need not risk much. If you lightly amplify a shouted 'Haloo' from me, and they spy me standing there in the clearing, in the open, methinks they will seek to take me prisoner. Perhaps I can get them talking - you mentioned that they seemed to speak something like common, last time we ran into them. Then, when the time is right, you all strike from cover, and we cull the herd before delving, removing the scouts of whatever evil now lies in that tomb."

(Ok, what plan are you going with?)

"I can make a loud Hello shout sound. Amplification isn't in my abilities I'm afraid." Ava moves off to the side and readies her spell to shout for Duradin. 

"Duradin, here hold this." Tegid give Duradin an unlit torch, then moves next to Ava, and prepares the following:

1 - cast Druidcraft (Cantrip) when Ava casts her shout, to light the torch instantaneously

2 - after Ava shouts, cast Gust (Cantrip) to make the leaves and branches around Duradin  to make a noise, then

3 - cast Druidcraft (Cantrip) to snuff the torch out after a brief moment

Tegid explains the above to Ava "You ready to do this, lets see if this works!"

Vor will ready his crossbow for a surprise attack out of the dark, should the need arise.

Morisul readies his longbow for same.

Expecting battle to commence shortly, Tom casts Bless on himself, Vor and Morisul.  "Shoot true brothers." he mutters as he casts the spell, "Make every shot count."

Duradin walks out into the open, and echoes another shout of greeting aimed towards the cave. He has his shield, but his sword is currently sheathed.

Ok, here's how things go:

1. Ava creates the shout. The kobolds spin, in time to see

2. The "coin glint" and rustling leaves. 

3. Four approach the area, leaving four at the cave. Duradin walks out, and they yelp and scramble back.

Roll initiative. The kobolds are all surprised.

Kobolds: 

K1:13

K2:14

K3:18

K4:16

K5:20

K6:7

K7:21

K8:17

Initiative 6 

11 Init

Initiative 15

Ini: 14

Initiative: 16