((Just to help you guys, you can't ready an action outside of initative. Basically, the game mechanic for that is a surprise round, which occurs if we have surprise at which point those actions will occur. If we can't achieve a surprise round, then you would have to ready once normal initative has started. Otherwise, what is to keep that patrol from constantly being ready to "Shoot with crossbow first enemy I see".))

Since we didn't discuss this before, party formation, at the start of combat, how do you guys want to be set up, I figured before I put up the first encounter map, I'd ask how you want to be set out.

"Fine with me, keep the cleric close."

For now, I will stand in the back, however when we are on the move, I would like to be more in the center.

Removing the warhammer from his back and taking it up in an iron grip, the stocky dwarf mutters, "Whatever killed the dwarf was a simpleton, sneaking up from the back... I'll be smashin' the life from the bastard." He moves up beside the human, crouching low to affirm his position.

((Second to last one, and can you avoid using terms such as Eladrin and Halflings? I thought we were playing a Lusternia theme campaign))

(faelings and Furrikin?)

Glancing at the human, the elf says "Hm... Sounds fine. I'll circle left, you and the dwarf stay near the center in front of the others, and the halfling could head to the right or just head wherever." He moves to stand just to the left of the dwarf and human.

The aliens move forward through the tunnel, unaware of the parties presence. You ready yourself for combat as you prepare to strike these villains down.

You've won the surprise round, everyone gets a free round of action before the combat starts, initiative table has been posted in the first post, as well as an updated map with what you can see, and little markers for each of you. I'll update the map at the end of every round, so you can tell what you can and cant see.

Orti raises his hand, charged with the elemental energies of the water plane and does a High Magic hexagram in the air. Six drops of water begin to form in front of him, absorbing the water around him growing larger and larger until they have the size of a closed fist. The merian is ready to unleash a Water Missile to the first enemy he sees.

I suppose I should have stated, surprise round, you can only do minor and move actions, thus no attacks.

((Surprise rounds are composed of Standard actions, minor actions or move actions, and readying an attack is a standard action. Since you did not provided for the targets, the positions or whatever, we still don't know our targets. We do know that they will come from around a corner and we are expecting them, so readying an action would be possible in this situation.

Usually in cases where the party has gained a surprise round the casters and the archers do some surprise damage to the targets, but since we can't see them yet, readying seemed logical))

((Right my bad, just cant spend action points.))

The pirate looking merian walks off one space to the east, and 4 spaces to the north, as he appears to blend into the shadows.

((what exactly does readying an action do? I was just under the impression that it was a way to let the DM know what is going to happen, so things can move more smoothly))

Readying his sword and shield, the paladin moves 4 spaces to the north and one to the west.

Divine Strength floods into him as he calls out, "For the Light!"

The dwarf moves ten feet north and ten feet east, crouching low and facing the corner. He holds his warhammer diagonally, the blunt end hovering just below his face.

((I still have dire radiance readied for when the first smelly, non recognizable "alien" comes into view)) ((I also previously , I was using Shadow Walk))

((For Eladrin and Halfling, how does changing to Lucidian and Furrikin sounds? I know the dexterity's a bit off, but otherwise the size and what not make sense for Lucidian.))

The fighter moves off ten feet to the northwest, then another ten to the west, keeping his back to the wall.

((Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but as movement is a move action and total defense a standard one, you can't do both in the surprise round. Same with Divine Strength.))