Caught staring intently into his bonfire Bandish is caught off guard. Once he manages to react he shift from into a giant spider.

14:40, Today: Bandish the Bug rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Initiative

Assume wild shape... giant wolf spider.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Sat 06 June 2020.

Focusing the power of his divine blood into his crystal, Bhelmyr says a few words and makes a gesture, and rises quickly off the ground, flying towards the top of the hill, between the ghosts and the new interlopers. With a word and a gesture, he conjures a spectral axe halfway between himself and the enemy.

Action: Cast fly
Movement: Fly above the spot directly behind Matrim's current position, no higher than 20 feet above the steps.
Bonus: Cast spiritual weapon 25 feet ahead of Matrim's current position.
17:51, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  initiative.

Sorry for the delay ...

Kvanlanir has told me he has a busy week, but has provided me with some attack rolls to use for him.
I'll try to keep him out of range, shooting arrows.

DM, on behalf of Kvanlanir, rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Initiative
DM rolled 5 using 1d20.  Elora initiative

------------------
Round One
------------------
Initiative

17 Zombies
16 Matrim
15 Myra
13 Kvanlanir
13 ???
11 Bhelmyr
6 Bandish
5 Elora
1 Ghosts
------------------

As the ghosts continue their haunting dance, the billowing smoke continues to come from the east,
slowly expanding in all directions (including up into the air) and encroaching upon the eastern side of the hill.

From the depths of the smoke, Matrim (on the east side of the hill) can see four rotting corpses moving towards the hill.
They move as quickly as their dead legs can carry them, and make it a short distance up the eastern side.

Peering through the billowing smoke, Matrim believes he can see more figures further back in the smoke ... of a similar size to the four rotting corpses he can clearly see in front. (see map)

Matrim settles into a defensive position (dodge) and calls out,
“There are four!“
(Although you can change this to "there are eight", if you like ...)

Myra, on the south side of the hill hears the goliath call out.
(All adventurers hear Matrim call out.)

------------------

As Myra was waiting to see what happens before posting her action for round one,
we'll pause here a moment to let Myra post her round one action.

If anyone after her in initiative (Kvanlanir, Bhelmyr, Bandish) wishes to change their round one actions, they may.

------------------
MAP
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:02, Sat 13 June 2020.

"What afoul manner of beast." Myra will take aim at the nearest zombie and shoot an arrow from her short bow at it. Then she does her best to hide in the shadows from any prying eyes.

Attack with Short bow at z4
20:11, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  Attack roll.
20:12, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 8 using 1d6+4.  Damage roll.
Bonus Action: Hide among the shadows.
20:13, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Stealth Check.

(Thanks, Myra ... )

------------------
Round One, continued ...
------------------

Myra takes a few steps forward to get a clear shot,
takes aim with her short bow and fires from near the top of the hill,
downhill at a zombie (Z4).
The arrow strikes true, piercing through the zombies rotting chest flesh,
and exiting the other side, thudding into the earth behind the zombie.
The zombie staggers a moment as his rotting chest is torn open, but remains standing.

Looking around for a suitable shadowy hiding place,
Myra realizes that the top of the hill is very well lit,
providing almost nowhere to hide in shadows.
(I realize you rolled an excellent stealth check ... but there's just no shadows nearby!
You could move further down the hill and hide amongst some of those large stone blocks [dark grey shapes on the map].
I apologize ... I hate saying 'you can't do that' to players.)

Kvanlanir, also near the top of the hill, moves east to get a clear shot,
and fires an arrow, striking a zombie (Z2) in the chest.
This arrow smashes rib bones and tears some rotting internal organs apart.
The arrow remains amongst the zombies ribs, rattling around.

To everyone's astonishment, Bhelmyr takes to the air,
flying to just behind Matrim, and hovers 20' above the ground.
Bhelmyr then summons a spectral axe, which appears right next to a zombie (Z3) !
(The spectral axe is close enough to Z3 to make an attack right now!)

Bandish, north of the hill near his bonfire, shape-shifts into a giant wolf spider.

Elora, witnessing the defence of the hill, says "Oh my !"

The ghosts continue their haunting dance.

------------------

Bhelmyr is flying ! A flying dwarf !
Bhelmyr's spectral axe can make an attack against Z3 right now ! (before next round)

------------------

The large MAP !
The zoomed-on MAP !
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:42, Sat 13 June 2020.

It's not a problem I understand. Myra will head down the hill a little ways into the shadow towards the where the zombies are coming from.
Do you want me to make another stealth check?

The large MAP !

-----------------

The only shadows nearby are cast by the stone blocks south-west of Myra,
which are approximately 35' away.

Otherwise, there's the stone blocks further away on the northern side of the hill.

Heading towards the zombies will keep you visible to them ... unless you dive into the billowing dark smoky cloud emanating from the east.

The hill itself is well lit.

Myra could use her available movement (25') to move somewhere now, if she wants.
She could continue moving towards a shadowy area as her round 2 movement.
No need to make another stealth roll, we'll use your previous roll.

“I was wrong! There are eight!” Matrim calls out, laughing before the rage begins to take hold of him.

If the zombies come within melee range or attack Matrim, no movement will be taken.
If the zombies do not, Matrim will move to the nearest zombie to attack twice.
EDIT: If moving to the nearest zombie would mean moving into darkness, Matrim will not move, attack, or Rage. Instead he will take another Dodge action.

Matrim will RAGE before he attacks.

Damage:

 To Hit (1st attack): Matrim Rogthor rolled 19 using 1d20+7

               Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 16 using 2d6+8

To Hit (2nd attack): Matrim Rogthor rolled 10 using 1d20+7

               Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 13 using 2d6+8
This message was last edited by the player at 13:46, Sat 13 June 2020.

Spider=form Bandish rushes forward and joins Matrim holding the side of the hill. He tries to sink his fangs into one of the zombies but isn't successful.

---

09:03, Today: Bandish Wildshape rolled 6,6 using 1d20+3,1d6+1.  To hit/ damage.

If its not too late for that spectral axe attack, Bhelmyr will take it:

20:39, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 19,7 using 1d20+6,1d8+3.  Spiritual Weapon Attack, Damage.


On the second round, the axe attacks again:

20:39, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 8,9 using 1d20+6,1d8+3.  Spiritual Weapon Attack, Damage.


He then casts sacred flame (dex save, dc 14) at the nearest injured zombie, or simply the nearest zombie if none are injured at that point. He maintains a 20 foot height advantage, but will fly closer to the enemy if it gets him a better target.

20:43, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 1 using 1d8.  Sacred Flame Damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:49, Sun 14 June 2020.

Will do.

Myra will make her way to the nearest shadow which still has a clear view of the enemies.

Round 2
Myra will take another shot at the closest enemy, then do her best to blend into the shadows.

Attack with Short bow at z4 assuming this is still the closest enemy.
07:44, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  Attack roll.
07:44, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 10 using 1d6+4.  Damage roll.
Bonus Action: Hide among the shadows.
07:46, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Stealth Check.

------------------
at the end of Round One ...
------------------

Myra begins moving towards the stone blocks to the south,
with the intention of hiding amongst them ...

Bhelmyr's spectral axe chops deeply into a zombie (Z3),
The zombie staggers from the attack, but stays standing and focused on climbing the hill ...

------------------
Round Two
------------------
Initiative

DM, on behalf of Raieylan, rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  initiative

17 Zombies
16 Matrim
15 Myra
14 Raieylan
13 Kvanlanir
13 ???
11 Bhelmyr
6 Bandish
5 Elora
1 Ghosts
------------------

Zombies surge out of the billowing dark cloud east of the hill.
They head west, towards, amongst, past and under Matrim and flying Bhelmyr,
stumbling up the side of the hill towards the summit.
The stench of their rotting bodies hits Matrim and Bhelmyr like a slap in the face.
One zombie (Z3) stumbles towards Matrim and swings its undead fist at the goliath.
DM rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  zombie attack
DM rolled 4 using 1d6+1.  zombie damage
The zombie smashes its fist down upon Matrims skull. Ouch !

This infuriates the goliath, who RAGES !
Matrim slashes out with his greatsword !
The first slash chops the zombie completely in half !
As the zombie halves fall towards the ground, Matrim strikes downwards,
creating four zombie chunks which thud! onto the ground and roll a short distance down the eastern side of the hill.
Zombie 3 is annihilated.

Myra scampers down the south side of the hill towards the stone blocks.
Turning and aiming back towards the hill, she shoots her shortbow at a zombie (Z4).
(this zombie is just within regular range)
The arrow strikes true, thudding into the zombies skull.
Undead skull and rotting flesh shatter under the impact.
Most of the undead creatures head is destroyed, yet it still stands.
Myra then hides amongst the stone blocks.

We momentarily focus our attention on :
Raieylan, who has just awoken.
Raieylan realizes he is lying on the ground, in a lightly forested area.
His hands are tied, and two zombies stand guard nearby, 15' away.
Turning his head, Raieylan can see no other creatures, as large trees block his vision for the most part.
Raieylan can see thick smoke through the trees a short distance to the south, and can hear the sounds of combat coming from the south-west.
Raieylan spends this round of combat (round two) coming to his senses and looking around.

Kvanlanir stays back from the oncoming zombies.
He moves a short distance to the north, and fires his longbow at a zombie (Z1).
The arrow thuds! into the zombies chest.

Bhelmyrs spectral axe strikes out at a passing zombie (Z6),
hacking deeply into the zombies side as it passes by.
Bhelmyr, hovering 20' off the ground, summons a sacred flame upon a nearby injured zombie (Z4).
DM rolled 15 using 1d20-2.  zombie dex save
The headless zombie staggers about haphazardly, avoiding the sacred flame.

Bandish, in wolf-spider form, rushes south towards to oncoming zombies.
Attempting to bite a zombie (Z1), Bandish wolf-spider snap-snaps only the air.

Priestess Elora, unused to combat and startled by the sudden onrush of undead, gasps in fear.
She takes a few steps forward, clutching her holy symbol.
She then summons a sacred flame upon a nearby zombie (Z4).
DM rolled 0 using 1d20-2.  zombie dex save
DM rolled 3 using 2d8.  sacred flame damage
The sacred flame engulfs the zombies legs, burning them badly.
The headless zombie (Z4) slumps to the ground, extremely badly wounded.
It is almost destroyed, but even in its mindless undeath,
it continues to grip the earth with its rotting fingers, pulling itself forward.
Elora gasps again !

The ghosts at the hill summit continue their haunting dance.

------------------

The billowing dark cloud of smoke has stopped expanding ... for now.
One zombie has been destroyed (Z3),
while four more are injured (Z1, Z2, Z4, Z6).
Zombie 4 is almost destroyed.

------------------

DM has adjusted adventurers HP in your BIO sections.

Please check out the FULL MAP and the ZOOMED-IN MAP !

------------------

The half elf's eyes opened slowly, knowing only the pain in his head.

The last thing he remembered was the large human and his zombie minions. Though he fought well, he was overwhelmed and knocked out. Now waking up, he realised he was in a forest, leaning up against a tree. He smelt the stench of the zombies before opening his eyes fully to see them, two of them seemingly standing guard over his form.

He could also hear battle....others were here fighting.

This bolstered his courage as he looked around.  With the huge tree between him and seemingly whatever was happening, he had to move and quick.

..but first the zombies.

He noticed his weapons were gone...his dagger, his whip. He couldn't help but smile though at the surprise he had. He was still sitting, but gaining a foothold would be easy enough....it was escaping the zombies that concerned him.

Then he had a thought that made him smile.

With his plan in mind, he slowly got to his feet, and muttering in an unusual language, disappeared in a cloud of mist

30 feet away, the half elf appeared as if stepping through a misty doorway. He turned around, now clear of the tree and saw the clearing, and all fighting there. Holding out a hand, a fine mist appeared, taking shape and solidifying into a scimitar.

Not looking back, the half elf ran for the clearing, the group and the melee

Move action: Stand up
Bonus action - Cast misty step. Move 30 feet south of current location.
Action - Summon Pact weapon (Scimitar)
Rest of move action - Move towards the shrine

[Private to DM: Question.  With my scimitar now out, how hard would it be to cut my own ropes?]

The spider that is Bandish scurries on it's long legs and repositions itself for another strike at the zombie in front of it. This time fangs find flesh, putrid though it is and Poison injects into the rotting corpse.

---

ACTION: Attack Zombie #1 (Hit AC 18 for 7 damage.Save DC 11 or take 5 poison damage.)
MOVE: none.

07:13, Today: Bandish Wildshape rolled 18,7 using 1d20+3,1d6+1.  To-hit/ Damage.
07:14, Today: Bandish Wildshape rolled 5 using 2d6.  Poison Damage.
This message was last updated by the player at 13:19, Tue 16 June 2020.

Matrim will move to the closest zombie he can reach and attack with his first strike.

To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 18 using 1d20+7
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 17 using 2d6+6

IF the zombie is still alive, he will attack again.
IF the zombie dies, he will use the remainder of his movement to get to another one to attack again.

To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 14 using 1d20+7
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 13 using 2d6+6

Bhelmyr will once again cast sacred flame (with the correct damage die this time!)
prioritizing already wounded zombies, and his axe will... twirl uselessly.

Action: Sacred flame, dex save dc 14 or take 6 radiant damage.
Bonus: Spiritual weapon attack nearest foe, "hitting" AC 7 and I'm pretty sure I wasted a max damage roll. Oh, well.
Move as needed, keeping at least 20 feet above the ground.

21:59, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 6 using 2d8.  Sacred Flame Damage.

21:58, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 7,11 using 1d20+6,1d8+3.  Spiritual Weapon Attack, Damage.

BTW, this thread's nearing its post limit.

------------------
Round Three
------------------
Initiative

DM rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  initiative ???

17 Zombies
16 Matrim
15 Myra
14 Raieylan
14 ???
13 Kvanlanir
13 ??? (huge human in black plate mail)
11 Bhelmyr
6 Bandish
5 Elora
1 Ghosts
------------------

Zombie 1 (Z1) slams at Bandish wolf-spider with its undead fists.
DM rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs bandish CRIT !
DM rolled 4 using 2d6+1.  zombie damage :P
Bandish takes the blow to his wolf-spidery body.

Zombie 2 (Z2) moves north a few steps and also slams at Bandish wolf-spider with its undead fists.
DM rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs bandish
Swish! Thud! The zombie slams its fists into the earth.

Zombie 4 (Z4) drags itself up the hill towards Elora.
The zombie attempts to scratch at Elora with its undead fingers.
DM rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs Elora
Swish! The zombie swings and misses.

Zombie 5 (Z5) stumbles up the hill towards Bandish wolf-spider, swinging its undead fists at anthing living (Bandish).
DM rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs bandish
Swish! The zombie swings and misses.

Zombies 6,7 and 8 all stumble up the hill towards Matrim.
Zombies 6 and 7 come close enough to the goliath to attempt to slam the hated living creature with their fists.
DM rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs matrim
Swish! The zombie swings and misses.
DM rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs matrim CRIT !
DM rolled 10 using 2d6+1.  zombie damage
Matrim takes a hard blow to the side of his head, for 5 HP damage.

Matrim retaliates against the undead, viciously slashing zombie 6 (Z6) in half.
DM rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  zombie con save DC 22
The zombie halves fall to the ground and twitch around before becoming still.
Zombie 6 is destroyed.

Matrim continues his assault, slashing at zombie 7.
Matrim stikes a devastating blow against the zombies chest,
hacking away undead flesh and bones.
The zombie staggers a moment ... but remains standing.

Myra takes a shot at the almost-destroyed zombie attacking Elora (Z4).
DM, on behalf of Myra Highbrow, rolled 9 using 1d20+6.  shortbow versus zombie 4
DM, on behalf of Myra Highbrow, rolled 7 using 1d6+4.  shortbow damage
DM rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  zombie con save DC 12
Myras arrow slams through the zombie torso, ripping it apart.
The zombie slumps to the ground, its grasping clawed hands stop attempting to reach Elora.
Elora sighs "phew!"
Zombie 4 is destroyed.
Myra then attempts to hide again amongst the large stone blocks south of the hill.
DM, on behalf of Myra Highbrow, rolled 25 using 1d20+6.  stealth
She slips into the shadows with ease.

Utilizing quick thinking, Misty Step, and his own feet,
Raieylan begins making his way south-west towards the fray.
Raieylan finds himself just within the dark billowing cloud of smoke,
but can still hear the sounds of combat from the south-west.
(note : Raieylan has summoned his scimitar, but his hands remain tied ...)

Myra, hiding amongst the blocks of stone to the south of the hill,
notices some eerie nocturnal shadowy shapes moving at the edge of the forest,
west of the hill. What they are ... she cannot yet tell. (too dark over there)

Standing his ground north of the hill,
Kvanlanir looses an arrow at one of the zombies accosting Bandish wolf-spider (Z5).
The arrow strikes true, penetrating through the zombies body,
tearing flesh from the rotting corpse, before exiting and continuing, thudding into the earth nearby.
The zombie staggers ... and remains standing.

With a mighty battle-cry a new combatant erupts from the black billowing cloud of smoke !
A huge human wearing black plate mail and wielding a vicious greataxe is charging from the cloud towards the hill.

Still hovering 20' off the ground, staying close to Matrim,
Bhelmyr summons a Sacred Flame upon one of the zombies fighting the goliath. (Z7)
DM rolled -1 using 1d20-2.  zombie dex save
The Sacred Flame completely engulfs the zombie, burning the undead flesh, creating a fetid stench.
Bhelmyr (and Matrim) can see this zombie is almost destroyed, but remains fighting !
Bhelmyr moves his Spiritual Weapon to a zombie and has it attack ... the air. swish!

Surrounded by zombies, Bandish wolf-spider chomps down on one zombies torso, (Z2)
injecting spidery poison as he does so.
Bandishs spidery teeth tear into zombie 2's undead flesh, filling his spider mouth with disgusting undead flesh and maggots.
Bandish spits the foul flesh onto the ground, and realizes the zombie, though very badly injured, remains standing ... for now.
(zombie immune to poison)

Elora steps forward and casts a Guiding Bolt towards the uninjured zombie near Matrim (Z8).
DM rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Elora guiding bolt
DM rolled 12 using 4d6.  guiding bolt damage
The Guiding Bolt slams through the zombie, blasting a large hole in its torso,
sending chunks of rotting undead flesh splattering onto the hill.
The zombie staggers and almost falls ... but remains standing.
Elora says to herself "whoa ... should do that more often ..."

The ghosts at the hill summit continue their haunting dance.

------------------

The billowing dark cloud of smoke has stopped expanding ... for now.
There are five zombies remaining near the adventurers (and two not nearby the adventurers).
Zombies 2 and 7 are very badly injured.
A huge human in black plate mail is charging the hill, from the east.
Eerie nocturnal shadowy shapes are at the forest edge, to the west.

------------------

DM has adjusted adventurers HP in your BIO sections.

Please check out the FULL MAP and the ZOOMED-IN MAP !

------------------

Matrim will continue his annihilation on Z7
To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 18 using 1d20+7
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 14 using 2d6+6

IF Z7 survives, then Matrim will attack again.
IF Z7 is killed, Matrim will turn his attention to Z8.

To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 13 using 1d20+7
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 13 using 2d6+6

If Z8 dies, Matrim will roar a challenge to the large human in the fog, and move to meet it halfway.

Almost to 1,000 again! Awesome!!

Myra took her aim at the next nearest enemy and released her arrow. Then before slipping back into the shadows she calls out to the others, "Beware of the edge of the forest to the west of the hill!"

Sneak Attack with Short bow at z8 assuming this is still the closest enemy.
22:59, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Attack roll.
23:02, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 12 using 3d6+4.  Damage roll.
Bonus Action: Hide among the shadows.
23:03, Today: Myra Highbrow rolled 14 using 1d20+6.  Stealth Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Sat 20 June 2020.

Raieylan could yet see nothing that was making the sound, but heard it getting closer. He moved as close as he could. Stopping briefly he knelt, planting his blade in the ground, he put his arms around the blade and cut the rope tying his hand together.

Grasping the hilt of his scimitar, he ran again towards the sounds of battle.

<OOC: move action - Towards the battle (30 feet)
Action - sever the ropes thing his hands>

Bhelmyr will once again have his axe swing at the zombie nearest it, then with an unearthly echo, call sacred flame down upon the two zombies nearest Bandish. He then flies in the direction Myra called out, to see what's going on over there.


Bonus: Attack with spiritual weapon, hitting AC 16 for 4 force damage.
Action: Twinned Sacred Flame (unless there's only one zombie within reach at that point, in which case, cast normally) Dex DC 14 or take 12 radiant damage.
Move: 60ft SW (over the stones to the NW of Myra.) Maintain 20ft elevation relative to the nearest ground.

01:56, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 12 using 2d8.  Sacred Flame Damage.

01:55, Today: Bhelmyr Godstouched rolled 16,4 using 1d20+6,1d8+3.  Spiritual Weapon Attack, Damage.

Bandish one again tries to sink his spider fangs into the nearest Zombie but he hesitates for a moment remembering the putrid taste.

---

ACTION: Attack Zombie #2: miss

09:08, Today: Bandish Wildshape rolled 9,7 using 1d20+3,1d6+1.  to-hit/ damage.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:11, Sun 21 June 2020.

Apologies for the delay ... been a tiring week ...
------------------
Round Four
------------------
Initiative

17 Zombies
16 Matrim
15 Myra
14 Raieylan
14 ??? (eerie nocturnal shadowy shapes)
13 Kvanlanir
13 Huge human in black plate mail
11 Bhelmyr
6 Bandish
5 Elora
4 Nija Necrosis
2 Ogre Zombie
1 Ghosts
------------------

Zombie 1 (Z1) attempts to smash the huge wolf-spider in front of him (Bandish).
DM rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs bandish
The zombie misses, instead smashing his fists into the ground. Thump!

The barely-intact, very injured zombie 2 (Z2), like his undead comrade, also attempts to smash Bandish.
DM rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs bandish
Just like his comrade, he also swings and misses, thumping his fists into the ground.

Succumbing to peer-pressure, zombie 5 (Z5) also attempts to smash the Bandish wolf-spider to smithereens.
DM rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs bandish CRIT !
DM rolled 5 using 2d6+1.  zombie damage crit
This zombie smashes down hard upon Bandish's spidery head,
pummeling Bandish into the soft ground, for 5 HP damage.

The barely-intact, very injured zombie 7 (Z7) attempts to smash Matrim.
DM rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs matrim
DM rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  zombie damage
The zombie smashes Matrim in the face for 3 HP damage.

Zombie 8 (Z8) moves forward, towards Matrim, and swings its undead fists at the goliath.
DM rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  zombie vs matrim
The useless zombie swings and misses. He probably couldn't hit the side of a barn.

Zombies 9 and 10 (in the top-right corner of the map) stand motionless,
not yet comprehending that Raieylan has escaped from them ...

Retaliating against the zombies attacking him,
Matrim swings his mighty greatsword, chopping zombie 7 (Z7) down the middle, vertically.
DM rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  zombie con save DC 19
The zombie halves, each with an arm and a leg, and one with the zombie head,
thud! to the ground, twitching and eternally dying.
Zombie 7 is annihilated.

Continuing the assault, Matrim swings upwards, hacking through zombie 8's (Z8) torso,
spraying rotting zombie entrails up into the air (some entrails land upon Bhelmyr, flying above, nearby).
DM rolled 17 using 1d20+3.  zombie con save DC 19
Zombie 8 staggers back ... then falls to the ground.
Zombie 8 is dead.

Myra pokes her head out from her hiding place, and sees no zombies standing.
(Zombies 1, 2 and 5 are just over the hill, on the north-east side, fighting Bandish.)
Myra fires an arrow at the large human in black plate mail.
The arrow finds a weak spot in the armor, piercing deeply into the human's chest.
Not expecting the attack, the human whirls around, looking for the attacker.
Myra calls out, "Beware of the edge of the forest to the west of the hill!"
Myra slips back down behind the stone blocks, somewhat confidant she's not been spotted ...

Raieylan continues moving towards the sounds of battle.
Exiting the dark billowing cloud (standing just at the edge of it),
Raieylan kneels and severs the rope tying his hands together.

From her hiding spot, Myra can see the eerie nocturnal shadowy shapes begin swiftly drifting south,
along the edge of the dark forest, towards her location.
Myra can see the shapes are vaguely humanoid, and of the blackest blackness she's ever seen.

Standing his ground, Kvanlanir fires an arrow at one of the zombies attacking Bandish wolf-spider (Z5).
Kvanlanir's arrow smashes through the zombies head, destroying the head completely.
The headless zombie staggers a moment ... and remains standing.
A gruesome sight!

The huge human in black plate mail, momentarily distracted by Myra's attack,
continues to charge towards the hill.
Moving swiftly, he makes it all the way up to where Elora stands.

Bhelmyr orders his spiritual weapon to move and attack a zombie attacking Bandish.
The spiritual weapon strikes deeply through zombie 2, hacking the zombie in two.
The zombie pieces fall to the ground.
Zombie 2 is slaughtered.

Bhelmyr then calls sacred flames down upon the two other zombies attacking Bandish (zombies 1 and 5).
DM rolled 0 using 1d20-2. zombie dex save
DM rolled 13 using 1d20-2. zombie dex save
Both zombies are engulfed in the sacred flames,
with zombie 5 succumbing to the radiant power, falling to the ground, burning in the holy light.
Zombie 5 is destroyed.

Bhelmyr then flies south, towards Myra's position amongst the stone blocks.
As the flies, Bhelmyr passes over the top of the huge human in black plate mail.
Bhelmyr can now also see the eerie nocturnal shadowy shapes to the west.

Bandish one again tries to sink his spider fangs into the nearest zombie (Z1),
but he hesitates for a moment remembering the putrid taste.
Bandish wolf-spider snaps! at the air and spits onto the ground.

Elora, confronted by the sudden charge of the huge human in black plate mail,
swings her mace at the huge human. (I did mention she had a mace, didn't I?)
DM rolled 20 using 1d20+2.  Elora attack
DM rolled 6 using 1d6.  Elora mace damage
Elora smashes her mace into the side of the humans face,
smashing teeth and enraging the human.

Elora then quickly summons a spiritual weapon, in the shape of a mace,
which also swings at the huge human.
DM rolled 12 using 1d20+5. elora spiritual weapon attack
The spiritual mace thuds! against the humans black plate armor.
The human laughs in Elora's face "BwaAHAHAHAHA !"

Suddenly from ... somewhere ... a wicked-evil-looking tiefling appears atop the hill summit,
along with her bodyguard, a huge ogre zombie (nearby) !
The tiefling wears black leather armor and a strange shimmering cloak, and carries a twisted evil-looking staff.
She laughs maniacally "Ahahah haha Ahahaha hahah AHAhAHahaha !!!",
then slams the staff down into the soft earth at the summit of the hill, so that it stands vertically on its own.
The tiefling then twists her body this-way-and-that, surveying the scene.
She points a twisted gnarled tiefling finger towards Elora, ordering her ogre zombie to "Kill!"

The ogre zombie stands around scratching its head.
The evil tiefling glares at the ogre zombie, while continuing to point at Elora.
The evil tiefling repears her orders, "Kill, you idiot! Kill! KILL!"

The ghosts at the hill summit continue their haunting dance,
apparently engrossed in their ritual and oblivious to the combat surrounding them ...

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DM rolled 4 using 1d20-1. Nija Necrosis initiative
DM rolled 2 using 1d20-2. ogre zombie initiative
The billowing dark cloud of smoke has stopped expanding ... for now.
Bandish wolf-spider is very hurt.
Three zombies remain, but most adventurers (except Raieylan) only know of zombie 1.
Zombie 1 remains standing (barely).
Zombie 9 and 10 are in the top-right part of the map ...
There are also the eerie nocturnal shadowy shapes,
as well as the sudden appearance of the wicked-evil tiefling,
and her ogre zombie bodyguard.
Please check out the maps (links below) to see where everyone is positioned.
Wow, you guys took down (almost all of) those zombies really quick !

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DM has adjusted adventurers HP in your BIO sections.

Please check out the FULL MAP and the ZOOMED-IN MAP !

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This message was last edited by the GM at 01:20, Sat 27 June 2020.

Raieylan, hearing the laughing and calls, mutters to himself as he stood, his hands now free. "Not good." he muttered to himself.

Grabbing his scimitar, the half elf took off at a run.

...whoever was there may need his help.

Movement action - Move closer to the sounds of battle.
Action - Dash towards the sound of battle.

Matrim, with eyes glazed in rage induced enjoyment at this slightly bigger, sturdier looking enemy, will attack him recklessly.

To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 13 using 1d20+7
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 13 using 2d6+6

To Hit: Matrim Rogthor rolled 25 using 1d20+7
Damage: Matrim Rogthor rolled 12 using 2d6+6

No Movement.

Starting at 2nd Level, you can throw aside all concern for Defense to Attack with fierce desperation. When you make your first Attack on Your Turn, you can decide to Attack recklessly. Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon Attack rolls using Strength during this turn, but Attack rolls against you have advantage until your next turn.

And I still only got a 13 tsk tsk tsk.