I spend all that time watching and nothing happens but as soon as I look away they decide to change things up. It's true what Charlie said, the gods have a sense of humour and they're right bastards. Well if I want to rescue those people we're going to have to go through them; might as well let the Goblins lead the way.

Note: Continues forward at previous pace.

Having reached a decision on what to do, admittedly a little forced by the blood thirsty goblin, the southern troop pushed the pace within the magic circle and they soon could all hear the grunts of the slower undead, left behind by the uncaring skraugs further ahead. A little further and the grey shapes started to be visible to everyone, the freshly raised monsters totally oblivious to the threat behind them. With Nax not slowing down, they followed and were now within 30 feet of the six undead. Luster could see that the skraug were 60 feet from the group (so 30 feet from the zombies they left behind), and was starting to lose sight of the furthest grobbles, that unruly group more dispersed.

******************

Kali's strike cut deep in the flank of the undead, and it saddened her that this woman had been alive just a few days ago. With Highness reaction to it, she deduced that the woman was either the previous rider of the beast or someone close to it. Risking a glance behind her as the sword struck her shield again, the warrior saw that the aegorix had come closer, just as an arrow glanced on her scales. This seemed to trigger the alien beast and it lunged forward, roaring, pursuing the northern skraug.

Luster gave everyone the update, then positioned himself to have a clear sight for blasting, "Undead just ahead, skraug thirty feet behind them, and the grobbles are now further off in the distance at the edge of my sight and beyond. If you want me to bring the thunder, I'll need to know whether to hit the zombies or to push toward the skraug."

Glad to see Highness was now in the fight, Kali struck again at the female zombie. Let's finish this quickly and catch up to the rest of the group.

---

OOC: 19:28, Today: Kali rolled 16 using 1d20+8.  Longsword attack.
19:28, Today: Kali rolled 13 using 1d8+8.  Longsword damage.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:09, Mon 13 Sept 2021.

Thalia, sneaking behind Nax was silently cursing the goblin in her mind as she snuck up. When the goblin had almost reached the zombie, she whispered to Styx. “Do me a favour and kill those zombies before she gets herself in trouble.” She turned him and spoke softly in his ear. “Be the hero I can see within.” She winked as she let him go, then took aim with her bow and fired at one of the zombies away from the goblin.

…she didn’t want to steal another kill from her.

---

OOC: Thalia rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Iniative .

Action - attack with shortbow

Thalia rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Attack - Shortbow.
Thalia rolled 7 using 1d6+3. Damage - Shortbow

Bonus action - Bardic inspiration for Styx (1d6)

With the plan kaput and not knowing if he was coming or going, Styx was a little thrown off by the spontaneous goblin, but couldn't fault her in the least.  While trying to stay within the stealth circle and determining the best course of action, Styx did his best to adapt, but faltered a bit at first.

Pulling himself together, when he was in position, he predictably did what he does best.  Moved in close enough to stab the zombie with the grace and poise of a master swordsman which seemed hard to do with such long arms and while using a dagger, but still pulled it off, then moved back out of harms reach after dropping the undead meatbag like a sack of squishy potatoes.


Move within 10 feet of zombie.
Attack:  15 to hit with a dagger to the face.  23 if I have advantage.
Damage:  26 (1d4+5 dagger +2d6 sneak attack +2d6 bugbear awesomesauce)
Dash a total of 40 feet away.  (an additional 30 feet)

Luster moved in on the enemy forces, hoping to catch as many of them clustered up as possible. The element of surprise was theirs for now, but it soon would not be. He rushed toward the gathered forces, reaching out with his senses to feel the pressures of earth and air around him, ready to take hold of them and bend them to his will through arcane manipulation.

The others were closing in quickly as well, causing him to calculate whether he could safely leave the enemies thunderstruck or not. Either way, he needed to take down as many targets as he could, as quickly as he could.

Move: 30 ft

Scenario A: if I have a clear shot at getting 4+ enemies and no allies inside a Thunderwave effect
Action A: cast Thunderwave, Con 15 vs 14 Thunder Damage (save for 7) and Push 10 ft
Bonus A: none

Scenario B: if I don't have a clear shot on the first group, but I do on the second
Action B: Dash to move another 30 ft toward the second group
Bonus B: Quicken Spell (Thunderwave), Con 15 vs 14 Thunder Damage (save for 7) and Push 10 ft

Scenario C: do clear AoE shots on either group
Action C: cast Eldritch Blast, Twin Spell, on 2 targets in the further group
-Blast 1: hits AC 19 for 3 Force damage
-Blast 2: hits AC 20 for 3 Force damage

22:04, Today: Luster rolled 20,3 using d20+7,d10.  Eldritch Blast (force).
22:04, Today: Luster rolled 19,3 using d20+7,d10.  Eldritch Blast (force).
22:02, Today: Luster rolled 14 using 2d8.  Thunderwave (thunder), Con 15 vs Push 10 ft.

Moving forward so that the zombies were all clearly in view and swinging around to the right so that the Goblins and Wind did not block his view of the targets. Admittedly this angle would make tracking moving targets harder but the other zombies they'd faced hadn't moved particularly fast. Selecting his target, he whispered the words and pointed, watching as a spectral Esa launched herself at it, raking its face with her claws as he twisted his shield aside and sent a bolt streaking towards it.


Finished cutting the last of the ropes, I press the dagger hilt into the hands of the most capable looking prisoner near the enclosure entrance. It's unlikely they'll accomplish much but if the worst happens they may buy the rest time to overwhelm whomever comes through the door.

A sharp crack echoes outside the enclosure followed by a brief yowl of pain. Effortlessly, I leap up and perch on the enclosure wall in time to watch a procession of the Dirty Mouths, being driven forward by a pair of the Large Vermin while a pack of Already Dead stumbled along behind them. Combined with the four Large Vermin already guarding this place, this task just got much harder; maybe too hard. But Little One asked me to do this and he has done much for me these last few days; the influx of power has allowed me to access more abilities though my memories remain indistinct. A calloused thumb running gently back and forth along my surface and a shock of a strange not-cold so deep I feared my band would crack are my clearest memories from the time before the ice and the slow death. However, the sight of the Already Dead stirs something deep within and I'm certain I have fought them many times before.

Regardless, Little One is stilltoo far away to communicate with and I'll check with him before I leave these to their fate. Wrapping my tail around me paws I sit atop the wall and wait to see what will happen next.

Turn 01 Summary
Ersin
Move: Circle up to 30 30 ft to the side to get a clear line of sight to the zombies while ensuring they are all within sight (I assume the Skraug are still out of sight unless they have moved forward).
Bonus Action: Cast Hex. target an already wounded Zombie if possible else target a fresh zombie. Will impost disadvantage on STR checks.
Action: Cast Eldritch Blast, target the zombie affected by Hex (21 to-hit for 12 Force and 6 Necrotic damage).
Reaction: Nil.
Concentration: 13, 11, 23, 16, and 11.

Esa
Currently sitting above the gate to the enclosure.
Action: Ready a Dash action to fly down and attempt to stealthily, "unlock," the enclosure if the Skraug guard are distracted by the combat.
Move: Nil.
Bonus Action: Nil.
Reaction: Nil.

Notes
Hex
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range/Area: 90ft.
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability.

If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to curse a new creature.

A remove curse cast on the target ends this spell early.

Esa did not know it yet, but her role was going to be crucial soon... for now, she maintained her invisible vigil on the skraug guards and was starting to hear the first grobbles arriving.

Nax simply trotted up to the first zombie while her hands and fingers grew into vicious looking claws, and she almost tore the undead in two with a pair of quick swipes, the torso literally hanging by a thread to the legs. (dead)

Two zombies decided that goblin flesh would be on the menu tonight and tried to attack the small female, but ended up impeding each other, not efficient at all.

Luster decided to push forward and caught 4 zombies in a tremendous explosion that shook the ground, projecting his victims around... and announcing their presence to everyone around.


Not wanting his goblinoid cousin have all the glory, Styx creep quickly toward the stupefied zombie that hadn't been caught in the ther explosion and promptly carved it unbeating heart out of its chest (dead)

One of skraugs yelled something in a high pitched voice then ran towards the adventurers, striking Luster in the middle of his zombie ring with his whip (3 slashing on Luster)

Wind ran towards the offending skraug and promptly disemboweled him with a vicious claw swipe, finishing him off by crushing its head in a vicious bite (dead)

A firebolt came from the rear ranks as Asuni targeted one of the zombies damaged by Luster and burning it to a crisp (dead)

The other skraug, looked on at the massacre and started singing, doing mystical gestures.


Thalia and Ersin attacked with spell and bow, killing two other zombies, leaving only one still on its feet, that swiped and missed Wind.

Part of the grobble troop turned back running and yelping, but are still too far to act this turn.

**********************

Kali finished off the female zombie and smiled grimly as she heard the screams of fear of the skraug being chased by Highness. Easily sidestepping the arrow shot at her, she started running towards the southern skraug
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Thu 16 Sept 2021.

Styx saw the Skraug trying to cast a spell and it immediately reminded him of the Shade possession, that happened...or maybe didn't happen to him.  He was still unsure.  Shaking off the thought, he needed to make sure the others knew.

"Guys be careful! The Skraug is possessed by a Shade!  Get ready to unleash hell!" Styx yelled and growled out to his friends, his anger getting the best of him knowing that the Shade was in there.

Without hesitation, Styx became speed, closing the distance quickly to the Skraug and slamming his magic dagger down into the Skraug's chest.  He twisted the dagger as he ripped it out, causing the wound to gush blood; as the blood from the Skraug's chest spurted over Styx's paw, it was surprisingly cold, confirming his suspicions that the Shade was hiding in there.

Styx decided to stay close to the Shade, to harry his quarry as much as possible.  It would NOT escape this time.

---

Move: Dash 30 feet, then move 5 feet to be within 10 feet of Skraug.
Attack:  22  07:28, Today: Styx rolled 22 using 1d20+7 ((15)).
Damage:  20  07:36, Today: Styx rolled 20 using 1d4+5+2d6 ((4,5,6)).
Move 2:  Move to better position himself within 10 feet of the Skraug, readying himself for an opportunity attack or for the Shade to emerge.

Kali grinned wickedly seeing Highness bounding after the fleeing Skraug, finally broken out of the trance it was previously under. "Get him, Highness!"

Running up to the other Skraug that Highness wasn't chasing, Kali shouted at the rat-man before she completely closed the distance between them. "Wanna dance, rat-man?" Kali didn't cease her running until she was within striking distance of the creature and slammed her blade into the creature's ribs, mentally marking the Skraug.

---

OOC:18:53, Today: Kali rolled 16 using 1d20+8.  Longsword attack.
18:54, Today: Kali rolled 11 using 1d8+8.  Longsword damage.

08:10, Today: Luster rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Concentration: Pass w/o Trace.

Luster reached up toward the sky as if to grab something, then swung his hand down as if he were wielding an invisible hammer. As the downward motion began, divine flames formed in an oddly shaped hammer or axe head, toward a zombie. (Anyone paying particular attention would notice the shape was that of balancing scales.)

He wanted to move into the further group and use more of the thunder magic, but there was always a chance the first boom could be mistaken as an actual storm or some similarly unremarkable event. If he did it again, and again, he was certain he would draw the unwanted attention that they hoped to avoid for as long as possible.

---

Move: about 15-20 feet toward the further group
Action: cast Sacred Flame, Dex 15 vs 8 Radiant
Targets: any of the 3 that survived the first round, or any target in the further group if these are dead by my turn

10:48, Today: Luster rolled 8 using 1d8.  Sacred Flame (radiant), Dex 15.

Thalia, seeing Styx attack the Skraug and Luster the zombie, Thalia changed her tactics towards the Grobbles. Looking at them, she lowered her bow, and began singing. The sound from her voice seemed to amplify, carrying on the wind towards the grobbles. The sound sounded almost hypnotic as it carried on the wind, her green eyes took on a luminescent glow as the spell enacted

---

OOC: Movement - to within 70 feet of the grbbles

Action: Cast Sleep centered on the largest group of grobbles within the 20 foot radius

Thalia rolled 30 using 5d8.  sleep.

Bonus Action: None

This will get out of hand quickly. We need to draw them in so they don't go for help but not so much that we get overwhelmed. Luster's spell devastated the zombies but it was very loud and he can't do many more of those.

Esa, I need to know what's going on at the enclosure. We're getting close but I still can't reach her. Let's see if I can't work my way around the edges of this skirmish.


What was that noise? Most of the new visitors have turned back to the North East, it seems Little One and the others are making their move. The guards are holding firm, the Large Vermin have more discipline than I like. I must be ready, soon I must choose to either act or flee and that moment is sure to be fleeting.

Turn 02 Summary
Ersin
Move: Continue to circle the main melee staying about 40' back, continue working my way towards the enclosure.
Reaction: Nil (no weapon in hand so no opportunity attack).

Option 01: If Styx is surrounded by Grobbles, (no way out).
Bonus Action: Transfer Hex to Grobble around Styx, preferably one already damaged.
Action: Cast Eldritch Blast target Hexed Grobble (25 to-hit for 11 force and 4 necrotic damage).

Option 02: The Skraug is still standing and the Shade has not appeared.
Bonus Action: Transfer Hex to Skraug.
Action: Cast Eldritch Blast target Hexed Skraug(25 to-hit for 11 force and 4 necrotic damage).

Option 03: The shade has not possessed Styx.
Bonus Action: Transfer Hex to Shade.
Action: Cast Eldritch Blast target Hexed Shade (25 to-hit for 11 force and 4 necrotic damage).

Option 04: The shade has possessed Styx.
Bonus Action: Transfer Hex to Styx.
Action: Cast Eldritch Blast target Styx (25 to-hit for 11 force and 4 necrotic damage).

Esa
Currently sitting above the gate to the enclosure.
Action: Ready a Dash action to fly down and attempt to stealthily, "unlock," the enclosure if the Skraug guard are distracted by the combat.
Move: Nil.
Bonus Action: Nil.
Reaction: Nil.
This message was last updated by the player at 21:29, Tue 21 Sept 2021.

Esa finally got her chance when one of the skraug left to investigate what was happening out there and what had caused the thunder strike, without an accompanying lightning strike, the other one looking outward, taking a few steps away from the enclosure too.

Nax ran toward the charging grobbles, catching the first one on the scene with a vicious claw strike, but fanning on it's second attack

Luster saw a single zombie still up and decided to smash it with a spell, the bright light visible all around, but it's still standing.

Styx took advantage of his long reach and speed and stayed close to the fleeing skraug, striking it with all his strength, desperate to eliminate the treat quickly. (skraug dead)

Almost immediately, black smoke started to come out of the skraug as the corpse slid from the blade, and started to move away. (opportunity attack for Styx)

The first wave of grobbles started circling Styx and Nax, only one managing to touch the bigger goblonoid (4 poison damage on Styx, Con save passed)

The brown bear came in charging and bowled over some grobbles surrounding the goblin and bugbear, killing one with claws and catching one in it maw, crushing it. (2 dead grobbles)

Asuni gave a gasp when she saw the Shade coming out of the skraug and threw a firebolt at it, but missed

The second wave of grobbles charged up on the front line, each of Styx, Nax and Wind getting hit (5 poison damage on styx, 5 poison on Nax, 7 poison damage on Wind)

Thalia, seeing the second wave clawing her friend, decided to hit big and casted, 3 grobbles falling to the ground, sound asleep.

Ersin, seeing the dreaded four armed shade, sent a fragment of Esa to hex the shade and casted, the monster howling in agony.


***************

Meanwhile, Kali sword strike profoundly hurt the archer and he disengaged from the fight, running towards the south east, as Highness pounced and bowled her archer over, bloody maw and claw doing quite a mess. (Dead)

Kali's strike was not enough to fell the Skraug, but Highness completely destroyed the one they had run down. Knowing the odds were not in his favor, the Skraug, rather than fighting back, disengaged and ran away. Oh, it's on! Chasing down the fleeing rat man was not difficult, and upon catching him, Kali ran him through with her longsword. Pulling the rat man off her longsword, she wiped the blade clean of its blood on the clothes the Skraug wore before sheathing her weapon.

A moment earlier, a loud thunderous boom echoed through the trees in the direction her companions had run. Approaching Highness, Kali held out her hand as though she wished to thank the aegorix by petting it. Remembering how Highness reacted last time though, Kali opted to wait and see if it would allow her to first.

"Highness, you were marvelous! I think my friends might be in trouble. Will you help me?"

---

OOC: 08:25, Today: Kali rolled 26 using 1d20+8.  Longsword attack.
08:26, Today: Kali rolled 9 using 1d8+8.  Longsword damage-wrong dice the first time. (The damage was pitiful after I rerolled for the d8 rather than a d20 XD)
16:19, Today: Kali rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Animal Handling.

Luster swung the invisible hammer once more, this time with and upward swing as he brought it back up, sending more divine flames at the unnatural creature. The light was a beacon, but surely divine flames would be more useful in facing undead. ~Wouldn't it?~

He didn't have time to overthink it too much, right now. They needed to get this patrol neutralized and get to their target as quickly as possible, in order to make a half-decent escape with the least amount of resistance.

Action: cast Sacred Flame on the zombie again
Result: Dex 15 vs 5 Radiant
Move: only to put distance between me and enemies so they can't easily engage in melee

19:43, Today: Luster rolled 5 using 1d8.  Sacred Flame (radiant), Dex 15.

thalia smiled at the fact her spell had some effect on the beasts, and looked around for the shadow wraith. She thought she saw movement, but even now she was undure. She decided to focus on what she could see, and drawing an arrow, took aim at a grobble, and let fire.

---

<OOC: Action - Attack Grobble with shortbow
Thalia rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  attack - shortbow.
Thalia rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  damage - shortbow.

Bonus Action - none>

Stuff happens (will edit when I get more info).

00:11, Today: Ersin rolled 24,11,1 using d20+7,d10+5,d6 with rolls of 17,6,1.  Ersin - Eldritch Blast with Hex.

Highness tentatively approched Kali's hand and sniffed it, then started to lick the blood on its paws, before cleaning its maw. Kali waited for a moment but grew worried about her friend. Her appeal to Highness, while getting the aegorix to look at her, left her unsure how the beast would react if she left for the south.

As Styx anticipated, the Shade emerged from the Grobble just as it fell lifeless to the ground, and he was ready for it, immediately plunging the dagger into the shade.

The creature tried to get away, but Styx would have none of it.  He sprinted after it, and slammed his dagger into the creature again.

You're not going anywhere this time, soul-sucker! Styx growled with a smile.  You're MINE.

---

Opportunity attack: (With magic dagger)

To hit:  19  05:42, Today: Styx rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  Opp attack on Shade.
Damage:  9  05:44, Today: Styx rolled 9 using 1d4+5 ((4)).

Move:  Dash and move up to 60 feet, staying within my 10' reach of the creature.

Regular attack for the round: (with magic dagger)

To hit:  20  05:46, Today: Styx rolled 20 using 1d20+7 ((13)).
Damage:  14  05:48, Today: Styx rolled 14 using 1d4+5+2d6 ((2,5,2)).

Total Damage on Shade: 23

Still without instructions, Esa looked at the lone guard left and, bored, decided to take the initiative and flew down to check the lock of the enclosure, scuffing at it's simplicity... she would have that opened in seconds! (next round the door is unlocked)

Nax jumped over a sleeping grobble, having seen this tactic before fighting with Thalia, and impaled a still moving critter, her clawed hand penetrating the scaly torso up to it's heart, killing it instantly (crit, 1 dead grobble)

Luster let its flaming balance strike the zombie again, illuminating the scene for a fraction of a second. The undead grunted but stayed on it's feet.

Styx, recognizing a similar creature that had hurt him so badly previously, almost entered a rage worthy of a barbarian, as he struck the four armed shadow not once but twice, pursuing it at it tried to flee. The bugbear's mind ringning with Selune song for vengeance. Unfortunately, the monster was still active and disengaged from the fight and flew sway.

Wind seemed to take pleasure at killing grobbles, as he targeted the two remaining grobbles that weren't asleep and killing them.

Asuni came forward to still see the Shade and missed with her firebolt.

Seeing no moving and living targets, Thalia took an shot at the remaining zombie, the arrow passing trough the monster, ripping apart it's internal organs.

Ersin also had experience with the shade and let loose with his eldritch energy, the sickly yellow green light seemingly devouring the creature. (dead)

OOC, only the zombie and 3 sleeping Grobbles are still alive near you, but the count that you had made before is short, there are still missing grobbles out there. 

Seeing the blast of energy from Ersin taking away his kill, led Styx to some misplaced rage, which had been building up the moment he realized that a shade was lurking.

However, it quickly subsided when he caught a glimpse of another creature within his grasp.  Using that rage to close the distance, Styx quickly ran up to engage the lone Skraug.  The creature, knowing that Styx was headed right for him, was more elusive than he thought, but in the end, he was able to land a decent blow in the creature's shoulder.

---

Dash and move to within 50 feet of the Skraug.

Attack/To Hit:  13  07:39, Today: Styx rolled 13 using 1d20+7.  Attack on Grobble with magic dagger
Damage:  11  07:45, Today: Styx rolled 11 using 1d4+5+2d6.  Dagger damage plus Sneak Attack.

Move back 10 feet, so that I am now 20 feet away from the Skraug.

Where was it running too? It wasn't going towards the main camp but back towards the enclosure. Fuck! We mightn't have caught all the infiltrators. I need to speak with Esa.

Turn 04 Summary
Ersin
Move: Continue to move 30', circling towards the enclosure.
Bonus Action: Move Hex to new target of opportunity, preferably one already wounded.
Action: Cast Eldritch Blast, target Hexed target (17 to-hit for 10 force and 4 necrotic damage).
Reaction: Nil.

Esa
Move: Nil.
Action: Search (12 Perception with disadvantage for dim light), primarily looking for remaining three Skraug if within 120'.
Bonus Action: Nil.
Reaction: Nil.

Thalia moved up, dagger in hand and finished the three sleeping grobbles quickly. She felt a little uneasy doing this - she was not a killer by choice, but she knew for the greater safety, they needed to be quick and quiet. Wiping the blood off her blade, she sheathed it again, and took another arrow out, looking around. “This feels too easy…..I don’t like this.” She whispered as she looked around.

---

<OOC: Action - finish off grobbles if still alive. If none, guard the group.

Thalia rolled 18 using 1d20+4 - perception check

Bonus action - none>