Here are the relevant rules that I use to allow 5 foot steps and swift actions during surprise rounds (assuming you can act in them). Bolded for emphasis.
The Surprise Round: If some but not all of the combatants are aware of their opponents, a surprise round happens before regular rounds begin. In initiative order (highest to lowest), combatants who started the battle aware of their opponents each take a standard or move action during the surprise round. You can also take free actions during the surprise round. If no one or everyone is surprised, no surprise round occurs.
Swift Actions
A swift action consumes a very small amount of time, but represents a larger expenditure of effort than a free action. You can perform one swift action per turn without affecting your ability to perform other actions. In that regard, a swift action is like a free action. You can, however, perform only one single swift action per turn, regardless of what other actions you take. You can take a swift action anytime you would normally be allowed to take a free action. Swift actions usually involve spellcasting, activating a feat, or the activation of magic items.
Take 5-Foot Step
You can move 5 feet in any round when you don't perform any other kind of movement. Taking this 5-foot step never provokes an attack of opportunity. You can't take more than one 5-foot step in a round, and you can't take a 5-foot step in the same round that you move any distance.
That being said, if you wish to sing instead, be my guest.
Doublechecked the range increment on the crossbow, the first shot would have missed you Nerisiel. You are only hit by the second one. So only 5 damage total.
Bluff/sense motive +9 perception +7/8 1 L1 0/3 bard perform roundsi 0/8 hp 28 AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +4 Dex) hp 28 (4d8+4) Fort +2, Ref +11, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +3, Knowledge (engineering) +3, Knowledge (geography) +3, Knowledge (history) +7, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge (nature) +8, Knowledge (nobility) +7, Knowledge (planes) +8, Knowledge (religion) +7,
"Zarina I think it's time for our duet. Here's my staring note OWowowow" she looks at the one bolt and is thankfull it is not two like her brief double vision suggested
The dwarven bandit-woman screams "Hurry, you dolts, I can't do this all by myself!" and drives her dagger into a soft spot in the still startled Nerisiel.
"Shelyn, melme ar Ainulindalë!" Miriel calls the power of her goddess as she closes on the dwarf. "Your tale ends now!" she shouts at the dwarf, slicing down with all her might.
Volar says a few words of magic as he reaches over to touch Smiler's shoulder. A brief glow of verdant green energy flows up and around the ape's jaw, then quickly fades to a less noticeable earthy brown. Magic Fang on bite attack.
Once his spell is complete Volar gives a whistle for Smiler to attack and points towards the woman.
Volar stays back for now and waits to move forward until he's needed.
Volar, yes you give the orders and I'll move him. Feel free to continue to roll his regular attacks.
Nerisiel steps back and with a flick of her wrist sends the dwarf's dagger flying. Others move forward to fight (or send others forward).
Miriel engages the dwarf with a powerful call to Shelyn, who most definitely is listening in on this windy pass. With a righteous fury Miriel splits hard into the dwarf's shoulder, and she follows the arc of the sword to the ground, unconcious, just before Smiler arrives.
Smiler grunts and continues his assault toward the other bandits, galloping on thick arms and legs.
Another bolt flies from the stone dwarf's visage.
bolt vs Nerisiel:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 101d8 ⇒ 8
DC 12 perception:
You hear the conversation of the archers in the dwarf-face.
"Aye, don't shoot at that one. Shoot at the one that dropped Fowrah with one blow." "No, you heard her, kill them one at a time."
The two other bandits hesitantly circle the ape and then attack viciously. 12 damage to Smiler
Seeing no immediate threat to himself, Maranax cocks, loads and fires his light crossbow, aiming for one of the enemy figures on the bridge but aiming too high and sending the bolt flying off into the ravine.
Bluff/sense motive +9 perception +7/8 1 L1 0/3 bard perform roundsi 0/8 hp 28 AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +4 Dex) hp 28 (4d8+4) Fort +2, Ref +11, Will +4; +2 vs. enchantments, +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic Knowledge (arcana) +8, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +3, Knowledge (engineering) +3, Knowledge (geography) +3, Knowledge (history) +7, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge (nature) +8, Knowledge (nobility) +7, Knowledge (planes) +8, Knowledge (religion) +7,
Nerisiel moves up trying to find some cover behind Miriel and casts hideous laughter on one of the ape killers (will save dc13)
"Hail the mighty monkey maulers"
The bandit braces his mind as Nerisiel casts her spell. He is not as successful as Miriel's attack finds his weak spot. He takes a step back pulls a potion and drinks it.
Stephen
Maranax
Zarina
Dwarf - out of combat
Human NE
Volar
Nerisiel - 14 damage
Miriel - 11 damage
Smiler - 12 damage, out of combat
Human NW - In Dwarf-Face
Human N - 8 damage
Human S
Stephen casts his spell as he approaches, the bandit braces himself and holds his balance. Zarina takes advantage of his concentration and hits him with her arrow square in the chest. Another bolt flies from the mountain face and strikes Volar weakly. 1 point of damage to Volar
reflex for grease:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
bolt at Volar:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d8 ⇒ 1
self-stabilize for Smiler DC 13:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16success
Initiative Order
Maranax
Volar - 1 damage
Nerisiel - 14 damage
Miriel - 11 damage
Smiler - 12 damage, out of combat
Human (orange)
Human (green) - 8 damage
Human (blue) - 3 damage
Stephen
Zarina
Dwarf - out of combat
Human (yellow)
The bandit squeals as Maranax pelts him with an arcane missile. Volar carefully slides over to his ape through the grease, avoiding the bandit's wild swing, and heals him. Nerisiel's whip misses its mark completely but Miriel strikes true once again. As his companion falls and Miriel advances on him, the other bandit (green) drops his weapon with a clatter on stone and raises his arms.
"No more, please, this wasn't my idea." He says with squinted eyes.
There is a brief pause before another bolt rips the air from the eye-socket, barely missing Miriel, or perhaps the bandit. "You coward!" calls from within the dwarf-face.
acrobatics for Volar to move into grease.:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17 AOO on Volar:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 bolt vs Miriel:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d8 ⇒ 3
Initiative Order
Smiler - 3 damage, prone
Stephen
Zarina
Dwarf - out of combat
Human (yellow)
Maranax
Volar - 1 damage
Nerisiel - 14 damage
Miriel - 8 damage
Human (orange)
Human (green) - 8 damage, surrendered
Human (blue) - 20 damage, out of combat
Smiler can take action again. Stephen and Zarina are also up!
Inspire Courage only affects weapon damage, not spells (except, rays and others per this FAQ).
Zarina and Stephen maneuver into position to help. The bolts keep on flying (and missing), Miriel the target still.
bolt:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d8 ⇒ 3
Initiative Order
Smiler - 3 damage, prone
Maranax
Volar - 1 damage
Nerisiel - 14 damage
Miriel - 8 damage
Human (orange)
Human (green) - 8 damage, surrendered
Human (blue) - 20 damage, out of combat
Stephen
Zarina
Dwarf - out of combat
Human (yellow)
Smiler, Maranax, Volar, Nerisiel, and Miriel are up! Note that the only two left fighting you are the bandits firing bolts from the mountainside.
Miriel raises her blade at the bandit, but stops when she hears the surrender. "Beautiful", she snarls through gritted teeth, and snaps her attention toward the hidden enemies. She rushes toward the stone dwarf face, cursing at the bandits: "I'll rip you out of that face, and paint it with your blood!" She finishes with another call to her goddess: "Varyavanië!", and her wounds again close under her touch.
Lay on hands:1d6 ⇒ 2
What does Miriel actually see? The enemies are behind stone, is it possible to attack them from outside, with melee or reach? Is there a way around clearly visible?
Are they higher than ground level? Is it possible to charge on the nose and hit them from there?
Edit: Do you mean they are 15ft from the ground so have to climb? I first read the '15 feet' as 'you are still 15ft away' but then on second reading maybe understood correctly.
Volar points at the man firing at them all and whistles to attack him. He then grabs his healing wand and says to the group "If anyone is hurt please let me know."
Smiler shakes his head and regains his footing, and awaits Volar's command. Maranax blasts one of the remaining holdouts with his force missile, while Miriel heals again and approaches with a fearsome curse, dodging another bolt aimed at her from above.
With a sharp whistle Volar sends Smiler to the cliff-face and turns his eyes to the party. Nerisiel quickly searches the dwarf woman and finds not one but two vials. One contains a oily metallic substance and the other a thin bluish liquid.
Stephen
Zarina
Dwarf - 20 damage, out of combat
Human (yellow)
Maranax
Volar - 1 damage
Smiler - 3 damage
Nerisiel - 14 damage
Miriel - 6 damage
Human (orange)
Human (green) - 8 damage, surrendered
Human (blue) - 20 damage, out of combat
"You worthless critic, calling someone coward while hiding!" Miriel shouts, spitting out the 'critic' as if it was a vulgar word. She tries to get up to the eyes with the momentum from her dash.
