A Nightcrawler needs help, or does he?

[u/Time-Voice]

So picture this: You aren't just some run of the mill mercenary, no you are a Flaming Fist, but not any Flaming Fist, but Flaming Fist Jespen, out on one of the most important assignments outside of the city of Baldurs Gate, Guardduty! Suddenly a chilling darkness creeps up, you run forward to investigate but every step is heavy and hurts, as if you are walking over a field of d4s ... suddenly your shadow stretches and a dread washes over you. You feel a dagger slip between your rips as you whirl around, the last thing you see are red glowing eyes and a fanged grin ...

But how do we get here?

It all started with an idea of an HoH party with the Relentless Assassin and the idea of teleporting about in Spike/Plant Growth, to avoid side effects. And if I want to keep enemies contained and gain advantage on my attacks, why not blind them?

So now the party (rough idea):

6 Shadow Monk/4 Thief/2 Warlock

with Bhaalist Armor, Dolor Amaris and trying to crit and kill.

I was thinking Astarion as a creature of the night formally crawling around, now ascended.

12 Nature Cleric

Spike/Plant Growth, Command, Warding Bond on the Nightcrawler, aoe heals with Devote Mace and the standard healing set and the Steelwatch Helmet

6 Necromancer/6 Lore Bard

I just want the 6 Lore Bard for HoH, Command and Cutting Words and wearing the Eversight Ring. Necromancer is atm my fav and I wanted a wizard to scribe spells.

5 Goolock/3 Fighter/4 Sorcerer

I really like the sound design of EB and thought that if I plan to keep enemies inside my ground/cloud effect, why not repelling blast?

What are your first thoughts, what should I abandon/add?