Cloaked in the shadowy half-light of the temple's main room,  the prey turned hunters are ready to meet the mercenaries. Small touches convey the confidence they feel of a favourable outcome, and in some cases impart a magical boon to further shore up the odds in their favour, and the thanks for such gifts. Bets are even made, on who will perform best.<br/><br/>At the front of the group, the battle-scarred half orc approaches the doorway, the darkness no hindrance to his eyes, and he sees the bandits at the base of the stairs, out in the open, to draw his gaze away from the elf and her pet hiding to the side. It seems to work, as he bangs his axe against his shield, “There they are! Spread out, and keep your shield ready!” and then leads  his men forwards. Albron's foresight to load the area in front of the door with sand and stone slows their advance, allowing the group to get at least one good round of shots off at them before  the half-orc closes the gap.<br/><br/>Several of the mercenaries carry torches, for the benefit of the humans and elves, most of them toss this down to the floor, drawing weapons, but the mage keeps hold of his. Above the mercenaries, unseen, Kizabum hovers invisible, waiting for the mage to try and cast a spell.<br/><br/>OOC: Mercenaries are using the group initiative rule with a result of a 19, the precise breakdown of their order (they add their own initative modifier seperatly)<br/><br/>Cricket - 23, uninjured<br/>Half-elf archer - 22, uninjured<br/>Kizabum - 21.5 (readied action), uninjured, invisible<br/>Human mage - 21, uninjured<br/>Denhala - 20.75, uninjured<br/>Cardinal pride - 20.5, slightly injured<br/>Warrior with spear - 20, uninjured<br/>Warriors with axes - 20, uninjured/uninjured/uninjured<br/>Half-orc veteran - 19, uninjured<br/>Human cleric - 19, uninjured<br/>Albron - 15, slightly injured<br/>Mahsati - 14, slightly injured<br/>Khait - 9, uninjured<br/>Fizza - 4, uninjured<br/><br/>Combat map - https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1fXduPEsLdUetGJqqxwde24FquWnEH1EtAhXuJpwMn-8/edit