Faith invisibly creeps up towards the sound of the voices, seeing Zeb nearby and well hidden in the nook of a tree. Still, no figures are visible despite the occasional rustle of movement or clearing of a throat.

---

Judging from the noise, it would seem like several creatures are there, but not an enormous number. The figures are speaking in Dwarvish, in a clumsy (and unsuccessful) attempt to be hushed. They are not visible to anyone, and it's certainly possible they are magically invisible.

Recognizing their accent, Morg shouts "Invisible Duergar!" and runs towards their voices. "Show yourselves ye sleekit bastards!"

"That's not good." Ehrendil mutters as he nocks an arrow. "All of you, get down flat," he instructs the prisoners even as he moves into the trees.

---

Move:   Move up to 40 ft, as needed, to get into the trees/foliage.
Action: Hide - Mask of the Wild allows wood elves to hide when only lightly
               obscured by foliage.
Bonus:  Cast Hunter's Mark on the first visible foe in range (90 ft).
I know we are not in combat, but these are pre-combat/non-combat actions.

Initially quite content to let the stealthy folks do their thing, or even let the dwarves fiddle around with whatever it is they do underground Gorm is quick to react to the yelling and like any other bear very dangerous over short distances.

Joining Morg's charge the bear does an admiral job of not bowling anyone over or banging into any walls while keeping pace with the normally slower short legged dwarf.

The flicker of hope Zeb felt, upon hearing dwarven voices, that this might be the delegation they sought was extinguished by Morg's panicked shouting. Following the lead of his friend, he hunched deeper into the cover of the tall grass, drew his bow, and summoned his spectral hand.

Zeb rolled 27 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 17.  stealth (hide) In case you need a new roll.

Also casting Mage Hand to have that ready.

Makari had NOT been prepared for Morg's yelled announcement and what it meant. He blinked rapidly a few times in startlement or confusion or both. A frown creased his face as he began to move, albeit more slowly, towards where the others were heading. He cast a familiar spell on his quarterstaff, just in case, as he walked. "Shillelagh!"

The invisible form of faith would have been a sight if anyone saw her, the baleful glare she leveled at him - but as it was, no one saw her. But she suspected even the deurgar didn't know about her, she creeping to the side and keeping an eye on her new friends, she waited.

As much of the rest of the group approaches the apparent sounds of hidden intruders, the former prisoners look around alarmed, suddenly aware that most of their protectors had left.

After the flurry of movement, silence descends on the trees once more, with no sign of anyone other than the prisoners and their liberators.

Morg tries to listen for movement, and picks up a hand of sand and throws it where he thinks he heard the Dwarvish come from.

---

15:21, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 8.  Perception check to listen for duergar.

While still keeping pace with Morg's shorter legs fairly easily Gorm turns to the north east, or a little bit east of that.

Zeb frowned, his large nose twitching in annoyance. He was used to making up for his diminutive stature with the element of surprise. An enemy he could not see - if indeed these were enemies, as seemed increasingly likely - was an especially dangerous enemy. He did his best to remain motionless as he awaited the results of Morg's sand experiment.

Then it dawned on him that he could conduct a similar experiment with his hand. It faded into invisibility as it darted across the open plain, aiming to feel around a different area than that where the dwarf's sand had landed.

---

Sending the hand out to feel around for duergar. I often describe it as visible for flavor purposes, but an Arcane Trickster can actually make his mage hand invisible, and Zeb will do that now.

Zeb rolled 21 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 15.  perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Thu 24 Aug 2023.

Makari hung back a bit. If there were invisible dwarves - duergar, he corrected himself mentally - then he didn't know where they were. Or were they were creeping towards. He glanced back towards the prisoners and fretted about leaving them alone. They had gone through all the trouble of rescuing them, after all.

He chewed his lip for a moment, frowning. But then he shook his head and stepped back. If no danger presented itself near the prisoners and his allies needed help, he could always make his way there quickly. For now, he stood vigil.

Morg changes course, running north. Laughing and shouting "Our wizards ken where ye are, ye wallaper feckin' shitebags!", he kicks sand into the air where Gorm described.

"Moradin's [Language unknown: Eiparo astlarartcom]!"

Faith remined invisible, rapier in hand and stood still, her gaze close to the former prisoners - even though she looked t be gone, there was someone watching them

The area remains still and tense as the group faces off with no visible foes.

---

Let's move to initiative now - everyone can take a turn in Round 1.

Who	Init	Status
Ehrendil	22
Morg	20
Makari	18
Zeb	10
Faith	10
Moonclaw	10
Gorm	10

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:27, Sat 26 Aug 2023.

Ehrendil stays hidden in the foliage, concentrating on locating the invisible foes.

[If he spots an enemy:] Confident that he has located an invisible duergar, Ehrendil sends two arrow toward the spot, in quick succession.

[If he cannot spot an enemy] Ehrendil stays hidden and continues to scan for any unexpected movement or sound that indicates a potential enemy.

---

Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 21 for Perception (WIS).
Action: Attack twice with longbow, ADV due to being hidden
        If opponent is hit, mark it with Favoured Foe (1d6 damage, concentration)

        Att 1   Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 13, for 10 damage.
        Att 2   Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 27, for 7 damage.

        Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 2 for Favoured Foe damage.

Move:   Move to a position between the prisoners and the duergar.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:23, Sun 27 Aug 2023.

Makari still hadn't seen anything resembling danger or an enemy. So he waited, hanging back near the freed prisoners. He held his staff and crouched down low, readying to send an eldritch blast at any enemy that appeared.

Zeb silently nocked an arrow then relaxed into stillness and silence. If an enemy showed themselves, he would make short work of them. Only his detached hand moved, continuing to feel around invisibly for the source of the voices they'd heard.

---

Ready an action to attack if a hostile target appears.
Cunning: Hide
Bonus: Move Mage Hand to continue searching (even if some foes appear).

With advantage from hiding, that's a crit with sneak attack for 26 damage. Without advantage, it's a miss. Fingers crossed!

Zeb rolled 12 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 2.  stealth.
Zeb rolled 27 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 2,20.  attack.
Zeb rolled 26 using 7d6+4, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 4,2,4,5,1,5,2.  Damage.

Morg keeps running towards where Gorm described.

---

He dashes if he doesn't run into anyone; otherwise I'll post his attack in another post.

Faith, still invisible drew her rapier silently and stood tehre, her ears and eyes waiting for an opening.

---

<OOC: Action (Hold action until seen an enemy) - Attack with Rapier

Faith rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17.  Attack - Rapier.
Faith rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.  Damage - Rapier.

Bonus Action - Bardic Inspiration for Ehrendil (1d8)>

Abruptly several javelins appear in midair, swiftly finding their targets. Almost concurrently six massive dwarves become visible, all standing head and shoulders above Morg or any others of his kind. They each have startingly white skin. One appears right beside Morg, catching him in the side with a wicked war pick. Quick counterattacks from the group fell two in quick succession.

---

Map updated!

Everyone is up now.

Round 1 Summary:

Zeb (attempting to hide) readies an action.

Ehrendil (attempting to hide) readies an action.

Makari readies an action.

Gorm hangs out.

Faith (invisible) readies an action. She gives Ehrendil Bardic Inspiration.

Morg moves north.

Duergar (embiggened)
D1 steps forward and chucks a javelin at Zeb - CRIT for 16 piercing . Zeb's action is triggered - CRIT for 27 piercing. D1 is dead.

D2 chucks a javelin at Morg - MISS. Ehrendil's action is triggered - HIT D2 for 7 piercing. Makari's action is triggered - HIT twice for 20 force. D2 is dead.

D3 attacks Morg with war pick - HIT for 9 piercing. Faith is too far away to use her readied action.

D4 moves and chucks a javelin at Gorm - CRIT for 19 piercing.

D5 moves and chucks a javelin at Morg - CRIT for 16 piercing .

D6 moves and chucks a javelin at Gorm - HIT for 6 piercing .



Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Ehrendil	22	Bardic Inspiration (d8)
Morg	20
Makari	18
Zeb	10
Faith	10	Conc: Invisibility
Moonclaw	10
Gorm	10
Duergar	10

Makari shouldn't have been surprised when indeed the Duergar that Morg had called out appeared, but he was...startled since he hadn't known exactly where they were. Nevertheless, he blasted one, almost purely on instinct.

Then he glanced around and saw one that was a bit around to the side and might be coming for the escaped prisoners. He didn't like that at all. So he glared at the dwarf and cast the same spell once more, whipping his staff around and making a gesture as he cast, "Eldritch Blast!" Unfortunately his blasts seemed to not be very well-aimed this time around.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:34, Sat 02 Sept 2023.

Ehrendil scrambles to the top of the large boulder and aims for the over-sized duergar closest to Gorm.

---

Move:   5 ft diagonal to southeast, then use up to 35 ft (climb speed) to get
        to the top of the boulder.
Bonus:  Planar Warrior on Duergar 6.
Action: Attack Duergar 6
        Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 16+7=23, for 17+8=25 force damage for Longbow Sharpshot.
        - Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 7 using 1d8 for Bardic Inspiration on attack.
        - Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 8 for Planar Warrior force damage.

        Extra attack: Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 13, for 7 piercing damage for Longbow.

        If D6 dies from first attack, target D3.

Morg smiles, then shouts "Braw pick, ye hill giant wannabe!" and raises his maul to smash away at the nearest duergars.

---

Bonus action: 2nd wind - heals 7 HP.

Move: if ever there aren't any duergar within 5' melee range, then run to the closest one with 25' speed.

Action: attack D3 (or nearest alive duergar) with maul - hits AC 27 for 21 bludgeoning damage and if D3 is alive after Morg's 4 attacks then it must make a WIS save vs DC 16 or be frightened (disadv. on ability checks and attack rolls while in his line of sight, and can't willingly move closer to him) until end of Morg's next turn.
Extra attack D3 (or nearest alive duergar) with maul - hits AC 18 for 13 bludgeoning damage.

Action surge attack D3 (or nearest alive duergar) with maul - hits AC 11 for 12 bludgeoning damage.
Action surge extra attack D3 (or nearest alive duergar) with maul - hits AC 19 for 7 bludgeoning damage.

12:52, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 7 using 1d10+5 with rolls of 2.  HP recovered from second wind.

12:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 27 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 19.  Attack D3 with maul.
12:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 13 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 5,3.  Bludgeoning damage to D3 from maul.
12:57, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 8 using 1d8 with rolls of 8.  Maneuver: menacing attack on D3 (WIS save vs DC 16) or be frightened until end of M's next turn.
12:58, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 18 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 10.  Extra attack D3 or D4 with maul.
12:58, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 13 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 2,6.  Bludgeoning damage to D3 or D4 from maul.

12:59, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 11 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 3.  Action surge attack D with maul.
12:59, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 2,5.  Bludgeoning damage to D from maul.
13:00, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 4.  Action surge extra attack D with maul.
13:00, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 7 using 1d8 with rolls of 7.  Maneuver: precision AS extra attack on D added to hit roll.
13:01, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 7 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 1,1.  Bludgeoning damage to D from maul.

Edit: grammar.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:15, Wed 30 Aug 2023.

Playing the enraged bear Gorm charges one of the oddly big dwarves that launched a Javelin at her, ripping it up with her claws and chomping on whatever is left just to make the point.