Terminax follows up with another attack.

“Another puppy goes to sleep. Better run back to your mommy little doggie.”

Volani’s words carry a heavy resonance as he continues to berate the embattled gnolls. He then looks to Gerbo and speaks reassuringly.

“You got him dialed in this time! Get him right in the snout.”

---

Move - none
Action - cast vicious mockery on gnoll 5. DC 13 wisdom save or take 3 psychic damage and disadvantage on next attack.
Bonus - Gerbo gets bardic inspiration. Add a d6 to a roll in the next 10 minutes.
21:18, Today: Volani O'Tamu rolled 3 using 1d4.  Vicious mockery damage .

It had never been a fair fight.  The Gnolls were two few, and had taken too much damage as they had attempted to draw close.  If their ambush had worked, it might have been another story.  It didn't matter.  For what she guessed would be the final time that night, Rissa drew the inky darkness from within the spinning sphere of shadow and light, hurling it the farther of the two.

---

Gerbo takes a deep breath, letting the power given by Volanis words course through him, and then he shoots yet again at the gnoll fooled by Luciens illusion.

08:02, Today: Gerbo rolled 19,5 using d20+d6+4,d8+2 ((13,2;3)). Attack with crossbow.
Attacking Gnoll 5 (if it's still alive). Hits AC 19, does 5 damage.

The massive half-orc puts one foot on the chest of the gnoll he just downed and yanks out his pick with a squelching sound before looking for a new target. The Gnolls probably didn't anticipate such a strong resistance and their numbers are dwindling fast. Of course, there might be more of them out there.

He remembers seeing Lucien in danger on the flank, but where he stood he can only see a confused-looking gnoll. Hopefully that means the crafty elf got away. Roaring a battle cry, Karon charges the gnoll, his bloody pick raised above his head in anticipation for the kill.

OOC: 07:49, Today: Karon rolled 25 using 1d20+1d4+1d6+5 with rolls of 11,3,6.  Attack with bless and inspiration.
07:49, Today: Karon rolled 5 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 2.  Damage.

The attack hits AC 25 and inflicts 5 piercing damage.

Lathan stays with the group, attacking the closest gnoll, though he struggles to mount an effective offense.

12:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 3 using 1d4.  Bless bonus.
12:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 2 using 1d4.  Bless bonus.
12:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
12:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

Arixos readies his blade for a counter attack on the gnoll but the blow to his armour threw him off guard, his next attack not as effective as his last few.

Hitting on 11 for 5 damage, which doesn't hit.
22:48, Today: Arixos Darmaaren rolled 11,5 using 1d20+4,1d10+2.  Longsword Attack.

Lucien turns and fires another shaft at the confused gnoll that had gone after his illusion. The arrow finds it's Mark, but the wound is less grave than his previous shot. He takes a few additional steps back in case the gnoll manages to continue the fight.

Attack: Hits AC 24 for 4 damage.
Move: Away from the confused gnoll.

Lucien Nailo rolled 24,4 using 1d20+5,1d8+3.  Longbow Attack + Damage.

Rissa's eldritch blast hits the confused gnoll and Volani's vicious mockery assaults its mind. Lucien's arrow hits the gnoll, who begins to retreat from the battle. Karon begins to give chase, but Gerbo shoots the gnoll down before the half-orc can reach him.

Arixos swings his sword at the other gnoll but fails to connect. Lathan, likewise, is unable to hit him. Terminax, however, strikes the gnoll down with a powerful swipe of his longsword.

Everything falls quiet again, with the five gnolls now lying dead, scattered around the campsite.

End combat.

Lathan scans the area, swords still ready, in case there are more gnolls lurking nearby. "Is everyone okay?"

Rissa nods, confirming that she is unharmed.

"That was a foolhardy charge."

She says, moving towards the nearest gnoll and checking it for a pulse.

"Suicidal.  What purpose did it serve?"

"Hey, nobody ever accused gnolls of being smart," the half-orc says, completely ignoring the fact that the intellectual capacity of his own kind isn't exactly renowned. "Perhaps they didn't scout this properly, I spotted them pretty far out. They might have thought we were traveling merchants with a guard or two and thought they could overwhelm us. And they were seemingly just crazy enough to keep going even when they saw what they were up against."

He walks around, kicking each of the gnolls to make sure they are dead, casually using the tunic one of them is wearing to clean the blood off his pick. "Well, I think we had better move our campsite. This could have been an over-eager scouting party for a larger group. I'd rather not find out the hard way."

Lucien moves around the battlefield collecting his arrows and inspecting them for damage. As he nears the rest of the group, he adds his own thoughts to the debate. "They likely rely on stealth. No doubt the technique of getting as close as possible in the dark before charging in has worked on many merchants in the past. As Karon said, I doubt they were able to improvise once their only tactic failed." As the half-orc cleans his pick, Lucien considers his suggestion to move their campsite. "I certainly have no desire to stay in close proximity to dead bodies, but we are as a likely to move towards a larger group as away from one if it exists. I suggest we move far enough to escape the smell and no more."

"A strange tactic indeed, however I can't say I know much about gnoll psychology."

Volani aids in searching the fallen gnolls.

---

Perception check to search enemies? Or we just find what we find?

There do not appear to be any more gnolls in the area.

Apart from their old hide armor, shields, and spears, the gnolls collectively have 73 silver pieces on them.

"I say we take their heads, set them on spikes, and go back to sleep. If we do that as part of our perimeter, it might make the next group leary about facing us... or it could make them attack us immediately rather than waiting for reinforcements. Either way..." Terminax shrugs, "seems like we should make a decision and stick to it."

"I second Seliar.  Not all eyes can see well in this darkness, and stumbling around in the dark is as sure a way as ever to find a larger force.  If we waste half the night moving camp, we don't even know which direction is safety.  Let's settle on the next hill over, and leave it at that."

Lathan nods. "Agreed. Let's get the camp moved quickly then." He resheathes his swords and gathers his things up.

Volani hurriedly starts the process of breaking down his tent and packing his belongings.

“I’m not one for head chopping but whatever floats your boat I suppose. Grung often remove trophies from their victims, perhaps it’s a cold blooded trait.”

Looking twice over the gnolls, he ensures someone grabs the silver coins before they head out.

Terminax will shrug and go to remove the heads. "I don't know about that, but I know I'm less likely to bother a camp in the middle of the night if I see some heads on spikes. Even gnolls should be able to take that hint."

Lucien inclines his head to Rissa in acknowledgement. "In that spirit, I will make sure we don't stumble onto another fight. Give me just a moment." The elf's eyes glaze over as he allows his vision to pass to the owl circling overhead. From above, he looks for a suitable place to move camp.

Karon sighs. These people are soft. Apparently, traveling in the dark frightens them. It's no use pushing them, he thinks. "Fine, we move a little at least. They stink," he says. He gives Terminax a quizzical look as he starts hacking off the heads of the dead gnolls. "I'm not sure this serves any purpose whatsoever," he says with a disgusted tone as he shoulders his pack and sets off to find a new campsite with Lucien.

Lucien is able to locate another suitable spot for the party to make camp not far from their current campsite.

The rest of the night passes without event.

"So... where too?"

Rissa says as she begins lacing into her armor.

"On our times of need, may Lady Mystra guide us, as we put our faith on our knowledge," goes a soft prayer for Guidance from Gerbos lips. He then tries to figure out where one would most likely get lost in an environment like this.

Casting Guidance on self, then doing a Nature check with it's help.
21:56, Today: Gerbo rolled 17 using d20+d4+7 ((9,1)). Nature with Guidance.