First necessity is to identify ally and enemy. We stand out in this crowd; there is no room for subterfuge, even if there wasn't someone in particular whose eyes just crossed the entrance.

Second observation, this is an open hall. We will have bodies hastily leaving, bodies trying to get in our way, and bodies standing aside, perhaps even infighting going on, depending on their affiliation and motivations. Though we should be cautious about being surrounded, caution may over slow our advance, and give them time to adapt and counter.

In any case, Aranwen knows what she must do...

With the amount of times I try to applaud everyone for every single one of their posts, it's probably a good idea to limit that function

Allies: Aranwen, Cedric, Gib, Kithran. Check.

Enemies: EVERYONE ELSE! Check.

Murder mittens at the ready! Kill-switch engaged!

Kitten murder mittens is just . . . imagine Ch'dau with . . . so cuuuuuuute

Like:

But with soooo many more knives

Now let's see how the dice fall...

EDIT: insert media didn't work so have a link instead

That callback . . . consider this gut, punched.

I am literally HURTING for Aranwen.

Let's get messy!

Another question for our illustrious DM: How high and/or far can a Kazari jump? Might just play into tactics.

I've got a couple of questions.

1. What's the distance to Davena? Garn?
2. What are the approximate dimensions of the hall? Any chance we can get a map?
3. How many healing spells did Gib have to use? I need to know how many spell slots he has left.

Now for everyone else...

Gib has his crossbow. He could open with a shot at Davena. He's also going to be asking for Therassor's favor and casting a couple of spells on the party to give much needed bonuses going into battle. Alternatively, he could cast Hold Person on Garn and Davena to start things off and hope the die are in our favor. Seeing how we have time to prepare, let's discuss.

I'd vote to put the magic towards buffing the party beforehand. We don't have a grasp of the numbers we face, just the upper bound. It's true that if it was successful Hold would certainly buy us time to make it to the dais, but how easily we'll make it there regardless is a considerable unknown.

I'll try to get a map up tonight.

Do what you like.  Do note that divine attacks against a high priestess in her actual temple are not going to work at peak efficiency.

Distance to Davena and Garn was part of the reason I asked about the jumping, actually. Considering that there might be an actual "scream and leap" moment in the coming battle.

I love the idea of Gib taking a shot with the crossbow as an opening salvo, too. (I don't know why but I awlays forget he carries that thing.) Hold Person is also a good thought... would that keep Davena from casting, at all, or would it simply keep her still? If we can forestall her magic at the get go, that would be ideal! So, if hold person would do that trick, I vote for the spell. If not, fire off those bolts and aim for the slitch's mouth!

Ch'dau, of course, upon seeing Kith and the state she's in, is going to be inclined to carve the widest and bloodiest path he can towards the dais. As Ara said, the objective, here, is to kill Davena as quickly as possible, so I'm thinking that taking off arms (especially where the ghouls are concerned), legs, and heads is going to be the "go to" for ol' fuzz face. Disarm, disable, and let 'em flop behind him as he presses forward. Sound reasonable to the rest or does anyone recommend a different tactic?

You know how partial I am to murdering with wild abandon!

GO KITTEN MURDER MITTENS!

Also, is Kith tied to the creepy gyno-table or is she being held there simply as a result of whatever horrors she's been subjected to? Ch'dau does have her dagger, after all, and if he could manage to get it to her... *shrugs*... who knows?

Post in the works.

There are no visible ropes or restraints, but cleric magic provides plenty of opportunities to keep someone immobile.