D&D 5E [IC] Creamsteak's Princes of Elemental Evil

Tolan watches as the others go back and forth, deciding the order of their investigations. But Damien's statement brings to light the most salient point.

"Yes, the boat. Whatever we decide, all our next choices are on the west side of the Dessarin. Let's finish any business here as quickly as possible, in case our 'friend' decides to return. Then we make our way to the boat. We can discuss what comes next on the way, or when we get there if we still haven't reached a decision."

After discovering the wreckage of the caravan and defeating the Feathergale Knight's initiates that attacked you, the party rests briefly and surveys all of the wreckage and gathers as much information as possible on the attack. Once back on the road, you make good time towards the hiding spot of your boat, but it's not exactly as you left it.

Eight men in all are around your docked boat. It looks like they have just arrived, and only just now found the actual site of the watercraft. One of the men looks like a priest, though you don't recognize his trappings or holy symbol. Two more men look like experienced soldiers, they wear strange saw-toothed swords and shields made from the carapace of an underwater monster. The other five look like bandits or pirates, quite possibly from Rivergard Keep. As the party was approaching from a different direction, and they were somewhat careful (and lucky), you have not been noticed at all.

The group you see also has a pair of small rowboats on the shore. It looks like one of the bandits is guarding the rowboats. The other four bandits are pulling brush off of The Rivermaid. The priest and his two guards seem to be passively overseeing the operation.

Thaliss: You recognize the bandits as having been mercenaries signed on at Rivergard. None of them were particularly talented, and they tended more towards drunken buffoonery than skilled combat.

The party is roughly 60 feet away from the group at this point, with a surprise round.

"Well, that's not good at all..." Damien whispered under his breath. Opening himself up to his pact, the warlock summoned his pact weapon, a glossy black obsidian-like rapier. As the others moved forward, he slipped in behind the front ranks, angling to take down the bandit closest to the boats. Forewarned was forearmed and he preferred to fight unarmed foes.

You can start anywhere highlighted in red, then move from there during your surprise action. Feel free to roll up initiatives.

Dark Green is just difficult terrain.

Thaliss telepathically says to the group the thugs without saw-toothed swords are drunks. It's the other three we need to worry about

Thaliss mumbles a few incomprehensible words, then gesticulates, and a leafy bush matching the surrounding vegetation appears where he stood.

Tolan picks out the man guarding the boat with his eyes, and decides that he should die first to hinder any attempts to escape or warn others.

He springs forward lightly, firing a single shot at the thug, and quickly putting the bow away.

Steve Gorak said:

"I agree with this plan. I also want to ensure Grimjaw won't be a threat anymore to our brothers in arms".

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Yeahauwroit, says Carradoc, his accent slipping as he mumbles an answer.

Forged Fury said:

"Well, that's not good at all..." Damien whispered under his breath.

Click to expand...

"Friends of yours?"

When the brigands are pointed out, Carradoc wants to keep his distance, and make his way closer to the river. The sudden appearance of a bush where he was about to stand leads him to believe that an illusion has been cast*, and he stands behind it, using it for cover, poking out only to fire a cantrip at the priestly figure.

He points his finger, and says "Pew".