She tries to think back to what she saw as she was flying over the little island and recall how many of the serpent looking dudes she saw.
Tesia recalls seeing about twenty of them in her flyover.
Getting a somewhat distressed look on her face again she says, "Oh...only about twenty or so...from what I could see." She then quickly adds, "But...but if we attack from different directions and get them to split into smaller groups....we might stand a chance. Especially if we start the attack from above where they might not reach us as easily?" She looks back down at the ground, "I'm sorry I didn't remember about their numbers sooner, all I could think about were those people they were putting into cages and trying to stop them. Maybe we don't have to kill every single one of them...but confuse and disable them enough to free the prisoners and get them off of the island. Then we can strand the serpent men there with no way off? I...I don't know, like I said I'm not a tactician."
"It's okay baby. Their numbers may be greater but surprise and tactics matter a hell of a lot more." Rhadaya says squeezing her wife's hand. While people like Rajni and herself spent their lives fighting and she got the impression that Clara had seen quiet a bit of combat, she had to remember that constant violence wasn't the norm for most people. While she was as fierce as anyone else when there was something to protect Tes' gentle soul was one of the things she loved most about her.
"We throw as much as we can at them before they can get close enough to engage in melee, use every advantage we have. Trust me. We can do this."
"Splitting up would be bad," Clara says. "We just need a safe spot to land and work our way inland."
"I'm just the support here," Ashram says. "I'll do my best to keep you alive no matter what course we choose."
"Agreed. You should fly in high Tes'. There's no way to avoid them eventually seeing you, but if I fly in low, like just above the surface of the water and stop just before the shore, I can start the chaos and give you time to land." Rhadaya strategizes.
She nods, "Okay...so no splitting up here. We could start from the beach side and work our way in? Maybe lure them out a few at a time? If things get bad, you have that invisibility thingy Rhy and we have a few curative potions as well. We can do this...we will do this. Now if only I can think of the best place to start at..." She tries to picture the aerial view of the island from her fly over earlier to decide on the best place to start. Looking at Ashram she says, "You and Alethiro are both gonna be a big part of our support, but you'll have to try and stay back out of direct combat. Thank you for being with us and being our backup."
She laughs a little nervously as they seem to talk at almost the same time, "Sorry...just trying to think of ways to minimize the collective damage to both us and the people in those cages. I'll get it together here in a moment."
Looking at Rhy she says, "It won't take me long to land, I just have to have enough room to do so. It's why I was thinking of the beach as well. If I see an opportunity to get a shot off while in the air though, I'll take it."
"Actually, now that you mention it, I can cast the spell on you once everyone's on your back. You'll all be invisible and should be able to lasnd safely while I keep them busy. It only ends for everybody when you attack, but each person affected will become visible once they attack." Rhadaya says adjusting the approach slightly in her head.
The plan set, the group flies toward the island. Five serpentfolk, muscular and mean-looking, stand on the beach. Thankfully, they seem to have no ranged weapons.
Initiative:
Surprise Round: Clara, Ashram, Serpentfolk, Rhadaya, Rajni, Tesia, Alethiro
Clara blesses her allies, granting them courage and greater competency in combat.
Ashram activates his aura, increasing the spellcasting ability of those on Tesia's back.
As she's sitting on Tesia's back she steadies herself with her legs as she aims at the muscle head in the middle of the group and fires off two arrows at him in rapid succession.
Knowing that they're gonna be seen before she can even change back she silently conjures a terrible snow and ice storm to pelt the enemy with hail and slow them down a bit.
Raising his Holy Symbol in the air, Alethiro called out, "Pharasma, guide the hand of thy servant!" A shimmering field of white energy surrounded him momentarily.
The serpentfolk are caught unawares by Tesia's spell and Rajni's arrow.
S3 hp: 23
Round 1: Clara, Ashram, Serpentfolk, Rhadaya, Rajni, Tesia, Alethiro
Clara hops off Tesia's back and draws her sword.
Ashram does the same, drawing his mace.
The serpentfolk move out of the area of Tesia's spell but are too far and hampered to reach anyone.
Round 1: Clara, Ashram, Serpentfolk, Rhadaya, Rajni, Tesia, Alethiro
Rajni gets off of Tesia, moves to stand next to Clara and fires off another shot at the meat head in the middle of the pack.
As she flies ahead of the others, eyes alert for dangers the sorceress feels the almost comfortable chaos of battle settle upon the beach.
Glancing over her shoulder to see the others disembarking as the enemy fans out in formation, Rhadaya flies past them just above grounds level, twisting around so send a scintillating bolt of lightning at three of the snakemen, determine to give them time to prepare for close quarters combat.
Rhadaya's lightning bolt drops two of the serpentfolk, while Rajni's arrow injures the remaining one further.
Round 1: Clara, Ashram, Serpentfolk, Rhadaya, Rajni, Tesia, Alethiro
S4 hp: 27
S5 hp: 27
She calls forth multiple bolts of lightning to hit the less damaged serpentfolk.
Tesia's targets are likewise zapped, but do not fall.
Round 1: Clara, Ashram, Serpentfolk, Rhadaya, Rajni, Tesia, Alethiro
S4 hp: 15
S5 hp: 15
Getting down from the Druid's back, Alethiro moved up next to Ashram, drawing his weapon as well.
Clara rushes the lone, heavily wounded serpentfolk.
;
Ashram approaches the closest serpentfolk and swings his mace in an arc.
;
One serpentfolk falls to Clara's blade, while another takes a hit from Ashram. One rushes out at Clara while the other retaliates against Ashram.
;
; ; ;
The one who rushed at Clara manages to stab her and the other sinks its fangs into Ashram's shoulder.
Round 1: Clara, Ashram, Serpentfolk, Rhadaya, Rajni, Tesia, Alethiro
S5 hp: 10
Ashram fails to resist the poison coursing through his veins.
Seeing the serpentfolk sink his fangs into Ashram, Rhadaya focuses on the wind around her, drawing upon her magic, her casting ending in a shrill whistle, inaudible to all but her target, a powerful stream of ear pounding his head, the pressure excruciating.
Rajni concentrates on sending both of her shots into the serpentfolk engaged with Clara.
Once again she only manages to hit him once. I'm really gonna have to work on that. She thinks to herself, looking a bit discouraged.
Tesia calls down more lightning on their foes.
Between Rhadaya and Tesia, they manage to put down the serpentfolk who had attacked Ashram. The one in front of Clara remains.
Round 1: Clara, Ashram, Serpentfolk, Rhadaya, Rajni, Tesia, Alethiro
Moving up next to Ashram, Alethiro placed a hand on him and said, "By Pharasma's grace, let thy wounds be healed." Pale blue energy flowed from the Elf's hand and into the human.
Clara attacks her new opponent.
She swing wide, missing the serpentfolk.
;
As the poison weakens him further, Ashram rushes out to aid Clara.
The cleric accomplishes nothing but leaving himself open for an attack.
;
The serpentfolk wheels around to stab Ashram with its dagger.
Round 2: Clara, Ashram, Serpentfolk, Rhadaya, Rajni, Tesia, Alethiro
Rajni growls in frustration, "Leave him alone you damn bastard!" As she fires off two more shots at horribly lucky serpentfolk.
Rajni drops the last serpentfolk.
;
;
The poison finishes running its course, but not before taking a toll on Ashram. The cleric drops his mace and collapses on the sand under the weight of his armor. "A little help, please."
Changing back into her own form she goes to Ashram and kneels next to him in the sand, "We're gonna have to find a way to keep those over muscled jerks away from you."
She says as she places her hands on him.
"I suppose clerics shouldn't rush out and fight," Ashram laughs, getting up. "Thank you, Tesia."
"Here...let me help you with some of your wounds as well." Keeping her hand on his shoulder she closes her eyes and focuses her energies on closing his wounds.