DMKriv lights the way for the party as they uncover the tunnel that young Carp had pointed them to. It turns into a rough-hewn passage that continues for about a hundred feet. One might imagine this tunnel being used to smuggle things in and out of the manor.
The group reaches the end of the passage and when they do, they see that they've entered a large cavern. A cold breeze fills the large natural cavern, carrying with it the fain scent of decaying flesh. A crevasse, which is 5-10 feet wide and 20 feet deep, divides the cavern and is flanked by two rough stone columns that support the twenty-foot-high ceiling. Two arched wooden bridges span the chasm.
Kriv
The Dragonborn's nostrils flared, and he glowered upwind.
"Something rotten here, best be on our guard even more."
His hands gripped his maul firmly, and he eyed the bridges with suspicion.
Jaliera & Davroar
Jaliera carries her bow, an arrow ready to be slotted. She moves along with the group, noting cover and shadows that she can slip into if they come across any opposition.
The young druid follows the girl, his nostrils flaring at the faint stench.
"Perhaps there is a burial ground or tombs nearby.. or undead."
[Is that two archways on the left?]
[ooc: There are 4 exits. 2 on the left. 1 immediately to the right and another one all the way at the top.]
[ooc: Still waiting on some actions from the party]
Karok
"Well either someone scouts a bit or we keep going forward. I'd do it, but stealth isn't in my family. It seems either way we'll have to cross the bridge. All go together or split up on each side?"
Karok needs to give me a d20 Charisma roll. For him that means 1d20+1
Chandan
"They say 'should cross the bridge when you come to it'. Bridge right there. Let's cross it." He suggests.
Kriv
"Short and to the point. So be it. Let's see if it is sufficiently sturdy or untrustworthy."
Karok
Charisma Roll
Nivek rolled d20+1 and got 17
DM roll Neptune rolled 1d20+4 and got 18.
Nivek, See the PM
[ooc: That can't be good]
Karok
He looked thoughtful for a moment, then suddenly Karok began to run towards the deep crevice, taking one last step before jumping into the depth of it.
Not great, of course. Please give me an athletics check DC 15 (since it's a jump, not a fall). If you make it, you take no damage. Otherwise, take:
DM Damage to Karok if he fails Athletics
Neptune rolled 2d6 and got 8
Everyone else gets a single action or reaction to the event. Move, use a skill, etc. Talking is free.
DM
Karok suddenly jumps in the steep-sided fissure. for no reason that is apparent to anyone else.
While Kriv is holding a lit torch, everyone realizes that the torch was only needed as you marched through the tunnel. There are torches in sconces around the walls of this cavern. People must come through here regularly.
At the bottom of the crevasse, Karok gets a chill. It feels unnaturally cold here. He landed prone in a jumble of rubble that is mostly well gnawed bones.
Karok
Karok Stupidly jumping chasm
Nivek rolled d20+2 and got 21
With arms flailing Karok jumps seemingly for no reason, sailing down into the fissure, perhaps some combination of vision, athletic ability or possibly just dumb luck, he lands, rolls, ending up on his back, seemingly unhurt.
With shield and warhammer in hand, he gets to his feet, taking stock of what kind of mess he has gotten himself into.
*Something had to chew on these bones. Best to find it before it finds me.* he thinks.
DM
Karok stands but the footing is tenuous (difficult terrain). He looks around and sees all the bones and off to one side he sees a body, half eaten, of a human man.
ooc: next round you'll give me a perception check but I want to give the others a chance to do something now.
Kriv
With the cavern well-lit and an associate committing apparent suicide, he let the torch fall, reaching back for the rope secured to his pack. Either Karok would need a way out or the rest of them would need a way down.
Kallista
She stay where she is for now, and looks and listens. Something is not right that Karok jumped into a crevasse like that with no explanation.
Kallista Perception
Zeim rolled d20+3 and got 17
Chandan
He turned to look at the Dragonborn.
"Strange way to test a bridge."
The monk rushes to the edge and peers down, straining to see in the gloom.
[ooc: We'll wait for Gypsy a bit. She's on "holiday" and traveling).
Jaliera & Davroar
Jaliera lets out a small yelp as Karok seemingly throws himself into the ravine, whilst Davroar moves to assist Kriv with the rope.
Jaliera kneels near to the edge of the ravine and calls out softly.
"Karok, are you there? Are you hurt?"
Kriv Charisma
AJ rolled d20 and got 9
DM Insight
Neptune rolled 1d20+4 and got 11
See PM.
DMKarok is at the bottom of the crevasse, apparently unharmed. It is not apparent why he jumped. Most of the rest of the party is trying to figure that out. Kriv dropped the torch and took out his rope in anticipation of having to reel the dwarf up. Davroar is to his left and Jaliera to his right. Chandan is near the bridge and Kallista is hanging back looking around.
Full disclosure:
DM Stealth
Neptune rolled 1d20+4 and got 17.
Note, when opposing skills are used (stealth vs perception) it's called a contest. When there's a tie, the condition remains the same.
Chandan and Karok, provide me please with a perception roll.
We'll call this the start of the "next round". And while we're at it, please provide initiative rolls - just so I can handle your actions in the proper order 
[[Chandan rolls Perception. 17+3=20.
Initiative. 8+3=11.
Hah! As always, rolling great on the trivial rolls, terrible on the combat rolls!]]
Kallista
She continues to look around the room. Her vision unaffected by the shadows.
Kallista Perception, Initiative
Zeim rolled d20+3,d20+2 and got 21, 15
DM
for this round....
DM Initiative
Neptune rolled 1d20 and got 17
Kriv
Out of nowhere, Kriv starts rambling apparent gibberish.
"A puerile and facile attempt. As if my clan or I would not heed our obligation and pay our debt, as if that one had any relation to that matter in the first claw, as if my home, my home has anything to fear from a soft-skinned lesser race! I am an asset to be deployed as my Lord Father wishes, not the be all and end all of our defences, and I would be rightly slain for dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming if I fled my appointed mission. No. You know my name, you know my home and you know his name, but the rest is nonsensical. Show yourself."
Kriv Initiative
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 20
Karok
Karok Perception
Nivek rolled d20+3 and got 19
Karok Initiative
Nivek rolled d20-1 and got 0
[ooc: Back to back initiative rolls of 0. Okay who put the rocks in his pack? Not funny!]
Jaliera and Davroar
Initiative: Jaliera 18, Davroar 2
She is concerned that there is no response from Karok but her gaze is now directed at Kriv. She and Davroar share a worried look. There seems to be something affecting their minds and she wonders how the Red Brands come and go from this place. Still on her knees she tries to look for Karok. Davroar takes hold of Kriv's rope and asks...
"Are you OK Kriv?"
It's Kriv and Jaliera turn and they can take an "action".
Note 1: In 5e, "ready an action" is an action. You declare a trigger and if the trigger occurs, you can take a reaction, after the trigger occurs. This is not an interrupt (something that badly broke 4e). Your place in initiative does not change either because your action was the "ready an action". "No action" is also a valid action, effectively giving up your turn. Talking is a free action.
Note 2: Jaliera is prone, on her knees. She has disadvantage on attacks. Adjacent enemies have advantage. Range enemies have disadvantage.
Kriv
Answering Davroar,
"A voice from somewhere, couldn't place it, trying to turn me against Karok. It seemed distressingly knowledgeable about my background, although it lacked context with which to better its aim. I take it you didn't hear it? Best be on your guard, then."
He advanced to the edge of the precipice, and with Davroar and himself anchoring it, he spooled the remainder of the rope into the depths.
"Karok! Up here! We're lowering a rope!"
JALIERA and DAVROAR
She is relieved to hear Kriv making sense even though she is concerned about what he says. She moves away from the edge, putting her back to stone where she has a good view of the area and approaches. She draws her bow to provide cover for her friends.
Davroar nods to Kriv and moves with him to help secure the rope.
"Didn't hear a thing. Something is playing with our minds."
DMWith most of the group peering down the crevasse, they are generally unprepared for the monstrosity as it appears. The creature is a strange looking bipedal thing with a large florescent eye. It comes charging at the party from around a large natural pillar and it's objective is clearly to push Kriv into the crevasse and, at the same time, it swats Davroar with it's clawed appendage.
Nothic Shoves Kriv
Neptune rolled 1d20+2 and got 3
Nothic attack Davroar
Neptune rolled 1d20+4 and got 5
Rolled two 1s and misses twice! Everyone up top can react now, starting with Jaliera who has readied her bow.
Chandan
He can hardly believe his eyes. He can harldy believe its eye!
Fearing for the lives of his companions, he charges at the creature, rapidly jabbing at its eyeball with his spear.
[Roll to hit. 4+5=9, 17+5=22
1 hit? 2+3=5]
Kriv
A moment to check that Davroar had successfully secured the rope to the bridge stanchion, then dropping the rope and spinning around, maul in hand, using the inertia of the rapid turn to fuel a double-handed smash just over their new foe.
Kriv Attacking Nothic
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 9
JALIERA and DAVROAR
She sees a creature rush to attack her friends but despite her concern for them, especially the young druid, she sights her arrow and lets fly.
Davroar, having secured the rope, he steps away from the edge and attacks with his staff.
Jaliera with arrow to hit 24 damage 6
Davroar with staff to hit 10 damage 8
Kallista
Targeting the disgusting looking abomination, she points a finger and speaks a word. Three blue bolts fire from her fingertip and strike the beast.
Kallista MM
Zeim rolled 3d4+3 and got 12
[ooc: How does Davroar secure the rope?]
[LOL. Not specific enough of an answer, I would say
]
[Would a double hitch interweaving across and through the bridge stanchion and railings suffice? We did, after all, have a couple of people spending a couple of turns focusing on the rope and readying it for the rescue.]
[Ooc Sounds good to me, unless Davroar has spikes...? ]
(OOC - Except the bridge has no stanchion or railings.)
[ooc:Slats and crossbeams, then. Unless the bridge is entirely ethereal, there should be things we can use.]
DMChandan's second blow hits the the nothic, (for that is what this creature is called) as does Jaliera's arrow and three of Kallista's magic missiles.
Excellent. So I need a DC 15 intelligence (investigation) check from Davroar and Kriv, who would have had to be doing the tying. I'm assuming that you were looking at the bridge with some care if you intended to tie the rope to it.
Davroar and Kriv both would miss. We'll just say that their excuse was that their focus was on the rope
The rope thing needs resolution before we move forward. I assume that Karok is waiting to climb up.
Kriv
Kriv figuring out how best to secure a rope
AJ rolled 1d20+2 and got 18
"Come on up, Karok, we've got company!"
DM
As Kriv looks for a place to secure the rope to the bridge he realizes that something is wrong! The bridge is rigged to collapse - a trap! If anyone would have tried to cross it, they would have plummetted into the crevasse.
Tying the rope to it to let Karok up, would likely collapse the entire structure onto him.
There is no place to tie a rope. Someone would need to hold it or Karok can attempt to climb.
[ooc: I'm going to wait on Gypsy. She's traveling today so be patient folks.]
Chandan
Stumbling sideways to draw its attention away from the druid, Davroar, Chandan jabs his spear at the nothic again.
[Roll to hit. 13+5=18, 1+5=6
1 hit? 6+3=9]
[ooc: I'll save your roll Neil, I'm waiting for Gypsy to post (tomorrow) and then the bad guy goes. Then the rest of you.]
Davroar
Not sure how to communicate a reply, he nevertheless has to try. As a druid he respects all life. So he both thinks and speaks the same response.
"Back away a few feet and stop attacking us. No more mind tricks."
Still with his eyes on the creature, he holds up a hand.
"The creature is surrendering, do not attack. Kriv, see if you can pull up Karok."
He is ready with his staff in case the creature does not respond.
Jaliera
She may not trust the creature but she trusts Davroar. She lowers her arrow but keeps it ready just in case.
DM
With those words from Davroar, instead of attacking, the creature does back up. It disengages.
Kriv
He braced himself, trusting Davroar to pick up the slack if needed, as he peered down to look for Karok. He called over his shoulder,
"I suspect another trick. A token of good faith, if you please: How many minds are in range of your ability to..."
He searched for a suitable word,
"...mind-speak?"
Nothic
The creature telegraphs the knowledge to everyone at once t "Nothic speaks to all of you."
Davroar
Not sure if his friends can hear his 'thoughts', he both thinks and speaks.
"Nothic, you said you were just hungry. We might be able to help. What do you eat? And do many like us come through here?"
Jaliera
She watches the creature but also listens and watches the passages in case there are other arrivals.
Nothic
Hungry yes ... I eat food ... feed me now....other food comes and goes ... food brings food ...
Jaliera & Davroar
More of her attention is focused on the other passages as the Nothic threat seems to be lessening.
"Davroar, find out which paths the Redbrands use" she suggests.
The young druid thinks and says.
"I'll see if I can find you some food. There are others that pass through here, which passages to they use?"
Meanwhile he looks through his pack to find food for the Nothic. Obviously the Redbrands have been feeding it but not as regularly as it would like. He needs to consider the long term situation. If they deal with the Redbrands then an ever hungry Nothic may well pose a threat to the village.
Kriv
food brings food...
Well, that made things fairly clear. The Dragonborn, Ill-disposed to begging at the best of times, hardened his expression.
"What exactly do you want to eat?"
Nothic
Food. I eat food. Food brings food.
It seems to be indicating that it's been eating the corpse in the crevasse. Like other creatures, even humans, it doesn't draw a distinction between food and people. That seems to address the "food brings food" statement. It does seem quite intelligent.
Davroar
He takes some food out of his pack and moves forward to place it on the floor.
"I'm bringing you some food."
He hopes this is classed as food otherwise they have a bigger problem.
Nothic
The creature moves the food around before trying it. It seems to be satisfied. Are you doing anything else? It does not seem belligerent at the moment.
Good food it communicates back.
Davroar
Still trying to gain some information, he again asks a question of the Nothic.
"When food brings food, where does it come from?"
He points to the passageways.
Nothic
It indicates that food was brought from the northern opening.
Chandan
Eager to find out more about this aborrent, hypnotic man-eater, the old monk sidles off to the northern west passage to have a nose around.
He's very suspcicious of any creature whose first reaction to visitors is control their mind and slaughter them. If it were a starving animal, Chandan could understand -- it would know no better -- but a sentient being would have a blackened soul indeed to do such a thing.
Best to make sure there are no more lurking in the shadows!
Karok
There seemed to be no threat down here and from the sounds of it, whatever they faced was fighting up top or had been at least. He headed under the Northern bridge to look at something.
He pulled at the object in the notch and pulled out the chest. For now, he decided not to try opening it as it could be trapped and if it was locked, it was better to not break it open until after hauling it up.
Jaliera & Davroar
She shifts position so that she has good cover of the area but also so that she can watch Chandan.
The young druid still has concerns about the Nothic but thinks/says
"Thank you. We will try to return and bring more food."
Then he turns to Kriv.
"Let's get Karok back up, we should be able to hold the rope between us. Then we can explore the northern passage. It might be worth returning this way and checking out the rest after we finish our other business."
DM
The chest does not explode or emit noxious gas when it's moved, nor does it animate and attack. It's a simple wooden chest that is closed.
The Nothic seems pleased about the offer of more food.
Kallista
She has been frowning the whole time. Stopping fighting this thing just when they had the upper hand was not smart, in her opinion, unless it was to interrogate it. And all this talk and worry about feeding the damn thing, with the implication they are going to leave it alive to ambush them on the way back out when they might be hurt and vulnerable is foolhardy to her.
She moves up and presses a finger to it's head. "Tell me who is here, how many, and what kind? Tell me about the layout of this place. What will we find through each of those exits? Who runs this place? Who is in charge? Why are you here?"
She presses gently with her finger. "Answer me truthfully. If I do not believe you I will send a bolt of fire through your brain."
For added effect her eyes glow a deep red and her voice rumbles ominously.
Sounds like intimidation to me. Good cop, bad cop? Please provide me with an intimidate roll please.
(OOC - Oh, goodie. That one of her best Skills.....
Kallista Intimidate
Zeim rolled d20+5 and got 24 )
Nothic
The monster seems intimidated by the powerful tiefling and starts to answer questions.
"There is one that tells others what to do. It is called Glassstaff and it goes there"
It indicates to the west.
"All food looks the same. Some are bigger and fuzzier. Groups are the same size as you when they bring me food."
"I am here because that is where I am. I stay here so this is the place I know."
It doesn't know the layout of this place.
Kallista
She turns and relays that information to the group. Glancing back at the Nothic she shrugs. "I believe it is telling the truth, as far as that goes. I think it knows more, though."
She says to the Nothic. "Where do the bigger, fuzzier ones go to?"
She doesn't really push it on why it's here. Best guess would be it sticks around because it gets fed, and the ones here feed it so it stays here as a sort of guard dog.
Kriv
The Dragonborn, never one to go easy on enemies at the best of times, turned towards the crevice and put his back into doing something useful.
Davroar & Jaliera
Jaliera continues to keep watch, bow at the ready.
Davroar calls out to Karok.
"Karok, can you hear us? Rope coming down for you to climb up."
NothicThe creature indicates that the "big fuzzy ones" come from the passageway to the west.
Karok
"Send it down. I have a surprise with me." he said.
When the rope came, he attached the chest to the end of it, then he'd climb up and pull up the treasure.
DM
Getting Karok out of the crevasse is done easily and he brings with him a closed wooden chest.
[Chandan was scouting the passage above the big fuzzy one's. He just wants to get LOS down it. Is it pitch black, are there any lights, etc.]
DMChandan moves through the shadows north in the cavern without crossing any bridges. As he starts to move north he glances to his left and sees the first passage to the west which the Nothic indicates the "furry ones" come from. It leads to a set of steps down.
The cavern narrows at the north so that it is only five feet wide between wall and crevasse at the north bridge and there is where Chandan is able to peek around the corner where he sees a passage to the west that turns north and then west again. He sees a second set of steps leading down over there.
From that same vantage he can see the room to the north of the cavern. A 10-foot wide opening let Chandan see the area which has been finished with dressed stone block walls and a flagstone floor. Several barrels are stored against the walls here, along with a number of crates.
There are oil lamps burning in sconces on the walls everywhere. There seems to be no need for supplemental light to see.
Davroar & Jaliera
As Chandan moves to the north and Jaliera repositions to cover him, Davroar wants to be sure everyone knows about the bridge.
"This bridge is rigged to collapse. Don't know if the other one is but probably not. Welcome back Karok. Glad you are OK. What's in the chest?"
[ooc: to be clear, the south bridge was checked and is rigged to collapse. The one in the north was not checked.]
Chandan
He looks across to Jaliera and points down the passageway.
"Human occupation." He says in a low voice.
After all, what other races need torches in sconces? Not so many, as it happens. Certainly not orcs or goblins.
"Areas off from here are well frequented. Yes, more danger is at hand."
If an area wasn't well frequented, no-one would bother maintaining torches in sconces either. So the wizened old monk feels another encounter will be forthcoming.
Jaliera& Davroar
She nods, acknowledging & agreeing with Chandan's assessment. He does seem to have moments of complete lucidity.
Meanwhile the young druid waits on an answer from Karok.
Karok
He shrugged.
"No idea lass. I figured if I broke it open, I'd have a harder time getting it up. Hadn't even checked if it was locked or trapped. Might be worthless."
"And what is that thing?" he said taking his battlehammer into his hands.
Jaliera & Davroar
"Maybe Jaliewra can check it out? This creature is Nothic. He has agreed not to attack us."
He waves her over. Jaliera sees Davroar but then looks at Chandan.
"Lets regroup and decide which way to go. Coming?"
She heads for the others. Davroar indicates the chest. Jaliera kneels on the ground, placing her bow n easy reach.
"Best back off a couple of steps just in case."
She checks out the box, looking for anything odd or out of place. If satisfied, she will see if it is locked.
Kallista
She moves around behind the Nothic, so she doesn't have to look at it's weird eye, and says to the group, "You do realize we can't just leave him here when we go, right? He will warn the others about us as soon as we're out of sight. And we can't send him out of the tunnel to terrorize the town. So what do you propose we do with him? At least tie him up for now. We can come back and free him on our way out, if that's still what you want to do."
Since it seems this Nothic thing can read minds, she doesn't bother trying to not let it hear.
She readies an action of a Firebolt Cantrip if the Nothic makes a threatening move.
Chandan
Leaning on the spear and holding the small of his back, he ambles back towards the Nothic.
"Hmm. It's starving, miserable, and has shown its prepensity for evil.
"You think it would mind if we put it out of its misery?"
Kriv
Scowling, the Dragonborn spake,
"I'm half inclined to let it consider betraying our trust. It can read minds, it knows exactly what I will do if and when it does."
I need a constitution check for Chandan
[8+2=10 for Chandan's Con roll]
NothicThe creature starts to sense that his guests will not feed him like they said they would. He realizes that they just want to kill him. It decides quickly that if it was going to die, it would go down fighting.
It looks at Chandan with it's giant eye and suddenly the monk feels a burning pain, like a festering wound, creep all over his body as the creature's rotting gaze washes over him live a dip into a bath of acid.
It then moves quickly down the hall to the west where it said the big fuzzy ones supposedly were and in your minds you hear the Nothic scream "Intruders!" and you know the message was not for you but about you.
Nothic rotting gaze
Neptune rolled 3d6 and got 12
Kallista gets her reaction. I'll give Chandan and Kriv opportunity attacks. Everyone, initiative!
Kriv
The sudden but inevitable betrayal did not come as a surprise to the Dragonborn. Had it adhered to the surrender, then reluctantly the heir to Norixius Keep would have had to stay his hand. Violating its own cessation of hostilities, on the other hand, that gave Kriv all the reason he needed to strike at the vile thing.
Kriv Initiative
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 17
Kriv Opportunity attack on the Nothic
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 9
ooc: Unless I missed something, I have the Nothic having taken 18 points of damage so far. 12 from Kalista's magic missile and 6 from Jaliera's arrow. And an FYI, because it helps you write your posts if you can figure out if you hit or miss, it's AC=15.
Nothic Initiative
Neptune rolled 1d20+3 and got 4
Davroar
"No!"
He calls out to his companions to stop but they are already attacking.. and now they have lost all possible surprise against the Redbrands. He is not happy and does not join in the initial attack.
**Sorry**
He thinks to the Nothic.
Jaliera
She grabs her bow and looses an arrow n the creature's direction but turns back in the direction of the passageway as the creatures shout is likely to bring others.
Initative 23, missed the target
Kallista
As the monster gazes at Chandan the cantrip she prepared flares from her hand into the creatures skull.
Kallista Firebolt
Zeim rolled d20+5,d10 and got 16, 5
Kallista Initiative
Zeim rolled d20+3 and got 16
Karok Battlehammer
Seeing as he wasn't all that pleased with the creature, it came as no surprise that it had attacked them. Unfortunately, he was too far away to do anything about it. For now he'd wait for the trouble that it would bring their way.
Karok Initiative: d20-1 = 19
(OOC - OK, seems like Jaliera and Karok have already gone in this round, beyond the OAs? Which I presume means Karok is standing on the stairs next to the Nothic?)
Kallista
"Keep the stairs blocked. If those big furry ones come from that way we can make them fight us single file! We know the bridge behind us can't be crossed, so someone else should block the narrow part of the cave in case some try to come down from there (near where the #8 is on the map), she calls out."
Reaching down she flips open the chest. Maybe there's something in there to help, besides money. Worth taking a second to look.
(OOC - Nep, I presume opening the chest and looking inside is her action. If she can also get a Cantrip off at the Nothic let me know and I'll roll.)
ooc: It's OK if people roll for initiative and roll to attack. Only two characters had opportunity attacks and one had a reaction prior to this round. With the Nothic's poor initiative roll, it just moves things along...
Here's the initiative and we'll keep these numbers as we progress in the battle. I need a roll from Davroar.
Jaliera 23
Chandan 19
Karok 19
Kriv 17
Kallista 16
Davroar 16
Karok is too far get an attack on the creature with the warhammer (his move is only 25. See the map. Remember that going down each step is a double move. I need to know if he does move. Nivek You can restate your action but keep the roll if you attack. It matters for what comes next.
Chandan and Kriv can state their actions too.
DM
As soon as the Nothic had attacked Chandan and fled down the hall, Kallista's cantrip came off and the bolts of fire strikes it in the back. Kriv tries to halt it in it's tracks but his blade misses the monster but Chandan's spear does not and it too strikes the creature in the back. Now badly wounded, it turns to face the group head on. It hopes to harm the invaders before it perishes. It knows it is about to perish.
Jaliera lets an arrow fly down the hall but it misses. The nothic is now down a staircase and gains the benefit of cover because of the angles. Karok finds the creature has moved away from his reach and he won't be able to catch up to it for a melee attack.
While the others in the party attack the Nothic, Davroar stands down while Kallista bravely opens the chest, without checking for traps. She is lucky that it wasn't trapped and feels even luckier when she looks inside. It contains hundreds of gold and silver coins, five gems, two flasks of liquid and a sword which is sheathed in a silver-chased scabbard.
Jaliera 23 - missed
Chandan 19 - can go
Karok 19 - is delaying
Kriv 17 - can go
Kallista 16 - looks in chest
Davroar 16 - can go
Nothic 4 - If it survives, it goes last
Remember that it has moved down the steps and is currently not in melee range. It has cover from any attack not from at the top of the steps.
Chandan
He's quite certain that the Nothic must die, and has no qualms about pursuing it. Right behind it, he lunges with the spear once more.
[Roll to hit. 3+5=8, 10+5=15
1 hit. 5+3=8 damage]
DM
Chandan chases down the nothic and with one angry thrust, terminates it's existence. There is a scant moment of calm, but the heroes would not be surprised if more foes appeared.
AJ, I need you to tell me what Kriv is doing.
Kriv
Contemptuously, he turned his back on the creature, trusting his colleagues with ranged weaponry would end it, recognizing the folly in charging headlong after it. It was going to die, there was nothing it could do about that, and it wasn't even going to be allowed the fleeting satisfaction of drawing the group towards its allies.
He looked over at their haul in the chest Instead. When the bandits answered the alarum call, he would resume killing them accordingly.
Jaliera and Davroar
They may well be expecting others now so both the young druid and the girl take up positions where they can use the cover at the end of the corridor where the Nothic died, both waiting for any trouble. Jaliera has her bow drawn ready, Davroar stands ready to step in with his staff. For now they wait to see what will happen.
Kallista
Reaching into the chest, after a quick glance at her companions to verify what kinds of weapons each one carries, she tosses the sheathed long sword to Kriv. "Here you go. Looks like it might be something special."
She takes out the two flasks but leaves all the money for now.
She looks where Davroar and Jaliera are headed and calls out, "Don't go too far that way. That's where the Nothic said his friends are. But we do need to block those stairs."
DMNot moments after the nothic dies, a door, around the corner from Chandan burst open. Several men come pouring out into the narrow hallway, swords in hand. The ruffian in the front assaults Chandan with both his swords and also with his breath, which smells like the floor behind a bar in a seedy tavern.
Although big and angry, the oaf swings wildly twice. Perhaps if he wasn't so drunk, he would have hit the monk. Instead, he'll need to surive the retaliation to get a second chance.
Ruffian-1 attacks Chandan att,dis,att,dis
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d20+4,1d20+4 and got 13, 22, 11, 6 
Jaliera & Davroar
Assume you want initiative?
J = 17, D = 1
Kriv
He gave the long sword a brief visual appraisal, but let it fall to the ground once he had done so.
"Could be, but bear in mind weapons are there to be used and this one isn't by the chest's owner. Might be ceremonial, or even trapped. No time to verify one way or the other."
Hefting his maul instead, he strode up to block the choke point.
Move to 8, 5
ooc: No need for initiative. It is the next wave in the same encounter. The order is:
Jaliera
Chandan
Karok
Kriv
Kallista
Davroar
Ruffians
I'll take actions from everyone and handle them in order.
Also, Kriv and Kallista, please provide a History roll
Kallista History Roll
Zeim rolled d20 and got 17
Kriv history roll
AJ rolled 1d20+4 and got 16
Jaliera & DavroarJaliera, positioned at the end of the corridor, she fires her bow at the emerging group, aiming at the front runner.
To hit 9, damage 4Davroar, keeping away from the side that Jaliera is firing down, he moves forwardto help Chandan, staff at the ready.
To hit 1, damage 8Both missed!
DM
As Kriv and Kallista look at the sword which is sheathed in a silver-chased scabbard. They immediately recogninze the design on the hilt. It is worked in the shape of a bird of prey with outstretched wings. Once they seee it, they know it to be a magical sword of lore that belonged to a great knight named Aldith Tresendar, known as the Black Hawk.
Both Jaliera and Davroar miss.
Kriv
He paused, and glanced back, the light of scholarly interest in his eyes.
"That said, the winged sigil is very familiar. If I'm not mistaken, this could well be the Black Hawk's blade!"
He then turned back to the task at hand, standing ready to strike at any ruffian that tried to escape from the corridor, or to allow any colleagues to fire past him should the enemy hold back.
Kallista
She looks at Kriv a bit incredulously as he mentions the sword is a famous magical weapon, but one he chooses to leave on the floor and not use in this combat.
Having taken the two flasks, she stays back, but moving to a position where she has a good line of sight (say 5,9 or 5,10) she quickly casts a bolt of fire at the front-most enemy.
Kallista Bolt of Fire
Zeim rolled d20+5,d10 and got 16, 5
(OOC - lots of people moving around. Could use an updated map.)
Chandan
He was trying to dislodge his spear from the corpse of the Nothic when the ruffians attacked and now he staggers back under their onrush, which at least pulls his spear free.
Fighting drunk. Chandan knows exactly how the man feels!
Hearing the heavy footfalls of the Dragonborn closing from behind, he concentrates on discouraging this rabble.
[Hit roll 16+5=21, 10+5=15
If 1 hit, 2+3=5 damage
If 2 hit, 5+3=8 damage]
DMKallista moves closer to the action but her angle of attack is not ideal. The bolt of fire just
misses grazes the ruffian that is battling Chandan down the steps. Chandan, however, does not miss and as a result of the old man's attack, the ruffian is
barely able to stay on his feet felled.
Kriv stands guard. Jaliera and Davroar both missed.
ooc: I think this is where everyone is. I'm waiting for Karok to go before retaliation begins
ooc2: Zeim corrected my math and yes, Kallista hit. I adjusted everything (including the map). 
Karok
He would have preferred that they'd let the fight come to them where they might have more room, so for now he'll watch their backs.
Karok moves to 7,9
DM
[ooc: I think this is where everyone is. I'm waiting for Karok to go before retaliation begins]
[OOC: I was going for x=8, y=5, one square to the east, so we could get the most benefit out of the choke point.]
[ooc: I'll swap Kriv and Davroar then. Note: Anyone not in the corridor proper (Kriv, Kallista and Karok) will have -2 to hit due to partial cover provided by the steps and the angle.]
Jaliera stayed at the end of the corridor 8,6, Davroar moved down to assist Chandan.
DMThe next drunken ruffian steps over the body of his pal to assault Chandan but the alcohol inhibits it's ability and he misses twice with his short sword.
Ruffian attacks Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 5, 21, 3, 14, 7, 7
I've adjusted the map in accordance to everyone's wishes. Please feel free to attack!
[[Chandan is going to need a bloody stiff drink after this!!]]
Chandan
With the first ruffian quivering on the floor and gouting blood, Chandan draws his spear back like a scorpion, wide grip, wielding the tip like a short sword.
Then he seems to trip on his yellow scarf and stagger, causing the second attacker's blade to miss him entirely, before lunging forward and across to open the man up.
[[Hit roll 14+5=19, 16+5=21
2+3=5 damage
4+3=7 damage]]
[ooc: there may be some booze left over in that room they're coming out of. Lets see if he needs that or one of the potions Karok just found
]
[[Does anyone in the party have cocktail making skills?]]
Davroar & Jaliera
Jaliera fires again, this time hoping to hit one of the ruffians whilst avoiding her own group.
To hit 9, Damage 9
Davroar makes use of the reach with his staff and the ducking motion of Chandan to attack.
To hit 11, Damage 3
ooc: Gypsy, the quarterstaff does not have extended reach. Davroar can only hit adjacent opponents with it. He does have a sling for ranged attacks. It doesn't quite matter, both Jaliera and Davroar miss. Your target AC=14 and for those behind Jaliera it's at -2 for cover, so that effective AC=16.
Bloody Mary's coming up for Chandan 
[OOC Fair enough
]
[ooc: BTW, if you have the PHB, see the weapons table on page 147. If the weapon has the "reach" property, that's when you can do that. Pike, glaive, lance and whip are the only ones listed there with that property (future books are sure to have more)]
[OOC I do.. and thanks!
]
Kallista
She takes a step back, so she can see across the cavern to the north and not have her line of sight blocked by the pillar (10,5), and she fires another Firebolt at the frontmost foe, but it misses the mark.
Kallista Attack, Dam
Zeim rolled d20+5,d10 and got 9, 4
Kriv
As entertaining as it was to have their itinerant jester engage the bandits one by one in a display of drunken brawling, Kriv was not known for his humor, nor was it the most effective method of wiping out these human vermin.
"They're too strong for us! Fall back!"
A blatant lie, but hopefully one that would pander to drunken egos. He could but hope his compatriots understood the fairly unsubtle subtext, as Kriv stood ready at the top of the stairs, maul in hands.
Karok is standing guard and if we do back up in the room with more space to fight, he'll join in. For now he's more than happy to make sure they aren't jumped from behind.
Chandan
He's not overly enamored of his current impression of a Dwarven Defender; he has neither axe or shield, nor a dwarf's fondness for tunnels.
With his companions making more space behind him, he waves his spear in a seemingly haphazard fashion, making a fighting withdrawal.
DMSo the drunken Redbrand Ruffian attacks Chandan but in his stupor he misses both swings with his short sword. Then Chandan starts to back up.
Ruffian Attacks Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 5, 21, 8, 10, 7, 3
Where is Chandan going? X,Y coords please. I assume that's the disengage action, to avoid the opportunity attack. That will be a full action. Everyone else goes.
[[Pulling back to 8,5, I guess, to allow others to join the fray.]]
DAVROAR & JALIERA
As soon as they realise that Chandon is backing up, both move out of his way.
ooc: One of the "tactical" challenges of PBP games are what takes 30 seconds in a FTF could take days here. I don't know where A5 is on the map since both the X and Y coordinates are numbers but I get the idea that you all want Kriv in front and you want to let the ruffians come at you in a less constricted area. So, to help things out, we'll take Chandan's move as a "disengage" action and the rest of you shuffled about into a good formation. I'm proposing this and I'll give everyone a chance to adjust.
As for the actions the rest of you take, I assume that you're readying a reaction (and I'll let you declare). What will you do if __blank__ happens? You cannot interupt another action but you can take the declared action right after. You might say "I let my arrow fly as soon as I see someone emerge from the corridor".
So, briefly,
1) Is your position on the map OK?
2) What is your reaction? (except for Chandan who used his action).
Looks good to me. Karok will wait for someone stupid enough to come close to him.
If we can attack a foe standing in 5,7, at the top of the stairs, then it would seem pretty good to have pcs in 4,8. 5,8. and 6,8 so we can fight three on one. Just sayin.
Kallista's position is fine. She will use her cantrip again.
[[Yes, sorry, I meant move to
8,5, which is where A was standing. Thus creating a Reverse Bugbear Manoeuvre, where we're the ones bopping them on the heads.
Edited above post.]]
DAVROAR & JALIERA
Davroar will ready his staff and hit the first person to emerge. Jaliera will swap places with K and ready an arrow for the second brigade, expecting the first to fall.
Kriv
The Dragonborn stood ready and in position to assault any of the ruffians that crested the stairwell, maul in hand.
DM"C'mon back ole man! Yer gonna die!" the ruffian says as Chandan retreats up the steps. The ruffian follows and swings his sword again, missing twice
Ruffian Attacks Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 5, 10, 6, 16, 7, 6
I did the best I could with the moves but I'm not sure I got it right. I think AJ wanted Kriv at 8,5 but Chandan's there. AJ, if you want to use your reaction from 8,6, I'll move you there and then you can take it. Davroar gets his. Then, everyone (including Kriv and Davroar) get their normal attacks. 
I'll take 8,6
Kriv
The Dragonborn could be patient, and he had all the time in the world as the lead Ruffian lumbered up the steps towards them. He stepped deftly to one side to give Chandan room, then aimed his maul swing to catch the Ruffian whilst his attention was on the vagrant.
Kriv reaction attack on the ruffian
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 25(!)
Kriv Critical hit damage, GWF rerolls 1s or 2s
AJ rolled d6,d6,d6,d6 and got 4, 1, 1, 5
Kriv GWF rerolls
AJ rolled d6,d6 and got 1, 2
4+1+2+5+3= 15 damage.
He assessed his foe after that first impact, ready to hit him again if he needed it or to wait for the next one to fall for the same move.
Kriv Regular attack
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 10
Kallista
Taking stock, she waits her turn and then fires her standby cantrip at the foremost enemy.
(OOC - Nep - Put this in whenever she goes. She'll target the enemy who is closest to the front.)
Kallista Firebolt
Zeim rolled d20+5,d10 and got 22, 2
Karok
The situation was much better now. They'd take fewer injuries and if these ruffians were as dense as they seemed, this would be over quickly.
With Kriv now in front of him, he couldn't step up to attack, so he took a moment to assess the health of everyone.
Davroar
With Chandan having backed off he now has an opportunity to hit the lead ruffian, walloping him with his staff. Except he missed.. again. Somehow he needs to get his focus together.
To hit 9, damage 3
Jaliera
She expects to target the second man as it is likely the first will be taken out.
To hit 12, damage 6
Chandan
With a look of terror, Chandan jumps backwards in apparent fright, but brings his spear chopping down in an executioner.
[[Hit roll 3+5=8, 12+5=17 (P***, I knew I shouldn't have moved, I was in the zone! Now I'm back to normal
Damage 3+3=6]]
DMChandan heeds Kriv's hint, understanding the tactical advantage it would provide, and moves back into the cavern, but does not allow for movement beyond. Now others in the party can help put the ruffians away.
Jalieara holds fire, waiting for her companions to take out the first ruffian and will target the second one with her arrow when he steps forward. So she waits and it pays off.
The ruffian is practically falling over himself drunk when Chandan attacks. The monk's first blow misses but a second kick in the face snaps the ruffian's neck. Two down.
So now the next ruffian steps up and as soon as he appears, an arrow, from Jaliera's bow, whizzes by his head.
Karok is looking to see if any of his companions are in need of healing but they seem to be holding up alright for now.
Kriv tries to plant the point of his maul in the ruffian's head but the hammer head misses.
Kallista fires an arcane bolt of fire at the ruffian which hits but does not do a lot of damage.
Davroar tries to strike the ruffian with his staff, but he whiffs on the attack, leaving the ruffian alive to get his attacks in.
The ruffian goes right after the old monk, almost tripping on himself but maybe he's less drunk than his pals because he manages to rip open a wound in the monk's torso with his short sword.
Chandan takes 3 pts damage - luckily he's drunk and attacking with disadvantage. It negated the crit!
Ruffian attacks Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 24, 12, 3, 19, 22, 3
OK, back to the top. Here's the order:
Jaliera
Chandan
Karok
Kriv
Kallista
Davroar
Ruffians
OOC: This might be the last post for a bit. I'm heading out for my Eurotrip today and returning May 10. I should have Internet but I won't have lots of time to post. That doesn't mean I won't, but it means you should expect extreme slow-down for the next two weeks.
Kriv
Having gotten his eye in, he swung vehemently and a good deal more accurately as the opportunity presented itself.
Kriv attack
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 15
Kriv Damage, gwf rerolls 1 or 2
AJ rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 3, 6
3+6+3=12 damage
Kallista
She fires another bolt, hoping for a more powerful one this time, grinning when the bolt of fire roars from her hand.
Kallista attacks
Zeim rolled d20+5,d10 and got 18, 10
Chandan
He yelps when the tip of the sword cuts across his wizened torso. There isn't any spare fat on him to absorb such a blow, and his skin is already blotchy and inflamed from the Nothic's burning gaze.
The monk's fighting style is in complete shambles, swaying from side to side like a drunkard himself. He spins up the tip of his spear with the flex in the haft and lunges.
[[Hit roll 14+5=19, 13+5=17
Damage 5+3=8, 3+3=6]]
Jaliera & Davroar
She quickly draws again, squinting to get her eye in and lets her arrow fly.
To hit 14 and damage 6
The young druid raises his staff again looking for an opening to bash the ruffian.
To hit 6 and damage 6
[ooc: Just an FYI, I'm back and will be posting tonight if I don't nod off early again. I'm still Jet-lagged from my EuroTrip. Also, you probably saw this elsewhere, but Nivek is bowing out. Online D&D just isn't his cuppa tea. Also, Dugan is back from his extended hiatus. Thanks Gypsy for dragging Davroar around
]
[Welcome back!
]
[ooc: Thanks!]
Karok - ghosted
The cleric moves to a spot where he can call upon the power of his god to help the group and as he does so, flame-like radiance descends on the ruffian in the rear.
Move to 10,4
Karok Sacred flame damage to ruffian (dex save needed)
Neptune rolled 1d8 and got 2
DM
This turn led to the demise of the ruffians. Between Kriv's maul, Kallista's fire bolt, Jaliera's arrow, Chandan's fist and even Karok's sacred flame, the ruffians are all slain.
ruffian dex check with disadvantage vs Karok's sacred flame
Neptune rolled 1d20,1d20 and got 18, 1
The dwarf looks to his friends and says, "I have had a vision from my god, a calling if you will. There is trouble within my clan and I must leave you now. Your task is an important one and so I wish you all the best. Let me heal your wounds and then I must leave."
OK, not a very graceful way of doing it, but it's the best way to move on. Who needs healing?
[Welcome back, Neptune. Can I have Karok's fully charged Wand of Cure All Wounds please?
And good luck, Nivek, always a pleasure gaming with you.]
Davroar
Two fights with two different enemies without being wounded is a win in his books, even though it seems he couldn't hit a barn door with his staff.
His young face shows a sad frown at hearing Karok's sudden change of plans to leave, but understands how a 'calling' can have a profound affect on some people. He shakes his head no to Karok's offer for healing, and says, "Safe journey, Karok."
[OOC: If only there was such a wand here <sigh>. There is a legendary magical sword lying, discarded on the floor, if anyone cares
]
Jaliera
Impulsively she hugs the dwarf.
"We will miss you Karok. Travel safely. Maybe will will meet up again in the future."
She keeps her concerns to herself but effectively their group is down a fighter and a healer, quite a blow just as they are about to start the main assault.
Maybe they need a change of tactics here?
Out of deference to Karok she keeps that thought to herself for now.
Kriv
He eyed Karok without emotion, his expression neutral. It would be impossible to gainsay the Gods to a priest, but he wasn't happy to see their collective duty curtailed. Turning back to the matter at hand, he stowed his maul and went over to take a look at the magical sword more thoroughly, now that they were less likely to be interrupted.
Kallista
She says goodbye to Karok and hands the sword over to Kriv to examine again. "Change your mind?" She says with a grin.
DM
Kriv draws the long sword from a silver-chased scabbard. As he looks at it he sees the name "Talon" inscribed on the blade and it's hilt is worked in the shape of a bird of prey with outspread wings. Others have already surmised that it once belonged to Aldith Tresendar, who was also known as the Black Hawk. ooc: It's a +1 Long Sword
Kriv
He replied to Kallista,
"I was right, it is the Black Hawk's blade. Truly a storied weapon. It is wonderful to be able to see it for itself, a real privilege for a scholar. I feel humbled to be in its presence."
He resheathed the blade, carefully dusted the scabbard, and handed it back.
DM
Now what? There are bodies of the dead drunks in the hall and behind them the corpse of the Nothic.
Kallista
She shakes her head incredulously, but takes the sword back and slips it's strap across her back. She then turns to search the bodies to see if they have anything either valuable or informational.
Chandan
He touches foreheads with the dwarf and bids him fairwell in his native togue.
"I have also had a calling from the gods." Says Chandan to the others, "That I must explore the room beyond in search of the drink that made these ruffians drunk."
[OOC: Did anyone need/want any healing before Karok leaves?]
I don't think Kallista is hurt, so I should be good.
[Iirc, Chandan needs some healing, yes.]
[Kriv could do with some.]
[OOC Don't think Jaliera is hurt]
Jaliera
She moves to help Kallista search the bodies.
"Perhaps we should move the bodies and dump them is the chasm? It would be useful to have a clear route in.. and back out if the need should arise."
She continues to search, offering another thought.
"How many more do you think there are? The village isn't large enough to support a huge gang and we have already dealt with a number of them."
Karok heals Kriv and then Chandan. Then he gathers his stuff and departs through the tunnel from which they entered.
Karok cure wounds for both Kriv then Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d8+3,1d8+3 and got 10, 4
Kallista
Rifling through pockets she glances at the chasm behind them, then looks slyly at Jaliera. "I have a better idea. Why hide them when we can use them to send a warning message? But first we should search the room they came from to make sure no more are waiting to jump us."
She considers the latter question Jaliera asks. "Well, they are big enough to cow the town, including the Mayor, so it can't be just a handful. Though you're right, there can't be a hundred of them. The town couldn't support them all. So, we've taken care of about 10 now? I think there'd be more than a dozen but probably not much more than two dozen. Just a guess of course."
Davroar
"I could change into a bear."
Davroar remembers as a kid growing up in his tribe how a large grizzly would ransack several of their food caches, especially during early spring.
"They smell very well. I could probably determine individual scents of everyone that has walked through here. I'll loose the ability to talk, but can probably scratch messages in any loose ground."
The other benefit would be an intimidation factor if any more of the gang members are still half drunk.
Chandan
Of the bodies lying dead or dying on the floor, he isn't entirely sure which are his handiwork, but he knows it had been thirsty work and he needs a drink. Even more so now that the dwarf has healed his injuries and the pain of burning pain under his skin has subsided.
"Come come! Yes, we follow their fateful trail." He says, gingerly stepping over the dead and shuffling down the corridor to peer around the corner.
Jaliera
She nods to Kallista.
"That sounds reasonable."
When Davroar offers a tactic, she looks up at him.
"A bear? I didn't know you could do that." She thinks for a moment and then makes a suggestion. "Perhaps we could work out some signals to help us to communicate. Can you change into anything else?"
[
ooc: So place yourselves on the map. I took a guess. Anywhere (reasonable) on this map works. I would like a perception roll from Chandan to see what he sees when he peers. ]
[OOC Works for me
]
Kriv
He held position, ready to support Chandan as needed.
Davroar
"Any animal I've seen, Jaliera. With some exceptions and conditions still, I think. I hope to get better."
Given his travels so far, he has seen a fair bit of the fauna between his homeland in Narfell to the Sword Coast.
[ooc: current position ok ]
(OOC - Current position OK, but I would still prefer if we used the pc names for the bubble labels rather than the player names. So I know G=Gypsy and A=AJ, but it takes me more brain cells to put together that AJ is playing a Dragonborn fighter named Kriv. If the bubble on the map said "Kr" for Kriv, then I know it's the Dragonborn fighter. Who is playing the Dragonborn fighter is less important. At least to me.)
[ooc: OK, with Karok gone, it's a little less confusing to use first initials. I changed the map]
[OOC Thanks Neptune, character names are much better!
]
JaileraShe is still helping to search but chatting to Davroar at the same time.
"That sounds quite exciting. I presume you are still you? But you must get an insight into what it might be like to be that animal?"
Davroar
He replies to Jaliera, "Yes, my mind remains. How I sense and move about the world changes with the animal I pick, and the smells are the most profound, as the first form I took last night was a wolf. It is an incredible experience, and kind of hard to describe. I would like to do it more often and try different ones. As you say, I will gain more insight into each animal and will know which one would be best for a given situation."
He pokes one end of his staff into the chest still full of gold and silver coins.
"With the fighting we may have caused too much noise, we should just hide this for now and split it up later."
[ooc: before anyone goes too far forward, I am waiting for Chandan's perception roll. PC to PC chat is OK, but the "action" will pick up from the post with the tactical map.]
[I do believe that's an 11 in total]
DMChandan makes his way down the steps and as he maneuvers around the carcass of the nothic, he is surprised by a bugbear that must have sneaked out of the room opposite the door that the drunken guards were in. The bugbear was hiding behind the body of the nothic and as he stands he swings his morningstar and smacks Chandan hard with it.
Bugbear stealth Neptune rolled 1d20+6 and got 23
Bugbear attacks Chandan with surprise Neptune rolled 1d20+4 and got 20
Bugbear Base damage with morningstar Neptune rolled 2d8+2 and got 6
Bugbear Bonus surprise damage with morningstar Neptune rolled 2d6 and got 6
Total 12 pts damage to Chandan
Bugbears initiative Neptune rolled 1d20+2 and got 4
I need initiative rolls. Surprise means you don't act in the first round, but the bugbear rolled poorly for that.
Kallista
Kallista Initiative
Zeim rolled d20+3 and got 9
(OOC - Well since there is no Surprise round anymore, Bugbear already went for round 1 and we all missed our actions, so everyone should up now for round 2 now in whatever the initiative order is, correct?)
That is correctish. This is, effectively, the start of round #2.
Kriv initiative
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 8
Davroar
The sounds of a start of another fight brings his attention back down the stairs to see Chandan being attacked and hit rather badly. Davroar figures it is better at this point to remain as himself to cast healing spells.
Davroar Initiative
Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 18
Jaliera
She is nodding when sounds of combat redirect her attention down the corridor. She grabs her bow and gets ready to fire.
Jaliera Initiative
Gypsy rolled 1d20+3 and got 13
Chandan
The impact is so great it lobs him against the wall and onto the floor, and gives the old man very little chance to comprehend what's just happened.
The feeling isn't dissimilar to having drunk an entire flagon of rice wine on an empty stomach, and perhaps it's this tenuous training that drags the monk unsteadily back to his feet with a belligerent grunt.
Without pause he launches himself at the bugbear in what may be an attack, or maybe he is just launching himself at the bugbear.
[[Initiative roll 5+3=8
To hit, 1st attack 13+5=18. Damage 4+3=7
To hit, 2nd attack 18+5=230. Damage 6+3=9]]
order is:
Davroar 18
Jaliera 13
Kalista 9
Chandan 8
Kriv 8
Bugbear 4
I just "decided" between Kriv and Chandan here.
Davroar goes. The rest of you can act too. Remember that the bugbear is down the steps and will have some benefit of cover from those upstairs.
Kriv
It made sense: Weak-willed, corruptible vermin directed by a Bugbear. Their enemies were demonstrating a consistent modus operandi, and the brains of the operation might have more of a sense of self-preservation.
"You could probably kill him, maybe one or two of the rest of us, but the remainder would end your life. You have two choices: Fight to your death, or yield and give us the true location of Cragmaw Castle. If it matches the information we have, your life retains some value. Choose quickly, because you have until we end your life to decide..."
He advanced down the stairs to support the injured vagrant, or cover his retreat if needed, aiming a swing at the bugbear if he could get a good angle.
Kriv Attack if possible
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 11
Kriv damage
AJ rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 5, 3
11 damage
Kallista
She hurls another Bolt of Fire at the new target.
(OOC - Rolled with disadvantage for the stairs)
Kallista Firebolt
Zeim rolled d20+5,d20+5 and got 16, 21
Kallista Firebolt Damage
Zeim rolled d10 and got 5
Since a maul does not have "reach" Kriv cannot attack with a melee weapon.
Davroar
He figures that Chandan might not survive another vicious hit like that, he will quickly make his way down to touch him with a spell to cure his wounds.
Davroar Cure wounds on Chandan
Dugan rolled 1d8+2 and got 5
Jaliera
She follows Davroar but stops at the top of the stairs off to one side to get a better view of her target.. and fires.. and misses.
Jaliera Arrow
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d6+3 and got 7, 4
DMDavroar goes first, makes it down the steps and gets down the steps and heals the monk.
5 pts for Chandan Jaliera tries to pluck the bugbear with an arrow but her shot goes wide, missing the target. Kalista uses arcane arrows and that has more success, even at a disadvantage as her bolt of fire scorches the monster guard.
A quick OOC update.
Gypsy, you needed to roll with disadvantage but your "7" missed so I'm not going to nag you to roll an insignificant roll
Chandan goes now, followed by Kriv. Kriv can only attack with a ranged weapon, delay or do something else. AJ, you may adjust your post or I'll assume he's behind Davroar. Then the bugbear goes.
[Done my rolling in my prev post. To summarise, as long as I'm in this corridor, I'm rolling like Chuck Norris, so I'm staying in this corridor for the rest of the adventure and all monsters can come to me.]
ah yes, Chuck...err...Chandan hit twice for 16 damage. Total 21. But that's not enough to scrag the bugger.
AJ, for the sake of expediting things I'll assume that Kriv used his long bow but and use your to-hit, which was a miss. Until Chuck Norris finds a way to let people help him out, he's going to absorb the damage up front. Let's see how long that strategy lasts DMThe bugbear swings his morningstar again at the monk but misses. He steps away from the monk towards the room where the drunken guards were stationed. As he does so, another bugbear emerges from the opposite room and attacks the monk. The second bugbear is able to connect and lands another massive blow which is enough to knock the monk unconscious.
Bugbear#1 attacks Chandan with his morningstar, damage
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,2d8+2 and got 7, 9
Bugbear#2 attacks Chandan with his morningstar, damage
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,2d8+2 and got 18, 13
If my math's correct, Chandan is at -3 aka 0.
Back to the top now in this order: Davroar, Jaliera, Kallista, Chandan, Kriv, bugbears
Kriv
Maul in hand, as far down the steps as possible, Kriv stood firm in a fully defensive posture, to give Davroar a chance to evacuate the foolish and foolhardy vagrant if he so wished.
Kallista
She waits as long as she possibly can, giving the others time to get a blow in before she casts a spell.
(Nep - Kallista will delay until right before the Bugbear's go and then cast Sleep.)
Kallista Sleep
Zeim rolled 5d8 and got 29
Note: If you rule that the only place I can center a Sleep spell will hit the party, then instead she will do another Firebolt:
Kallista Firebolt
Zeim rolled d20+5,d20+5 and got 8, 19 ..... It would miss.
OOC: Zeim, I hadn't read the spell wording until you pointed out the problem. Yeah, it'll be a Firebolt.
Tactical explanation. Currently the space that Chandan is lying in (4,5) is open. So Kriv can move through Davror into that square and attack. Of course, that assumes that Davroar, who goes before Kriv, doesn't jump into that spot first. If Chandan is healed, he'll "awaken" in the nearest available square.
Davroar
Suddenly finding himself in the fore against two bugbears when Chandan collapses, he will make a run for it, hugging the right side of the stairs to let anyone above have a clear line of sight to attack.
Kriv
Seeing Davroar abandon their fallen comrade and run past, the Dragonborn alters his strategy, holding position at the top of the stairs, maul at the ready to strike if the Bugbears advance. The vagrant had chosen his own fate, and Kriv for one wasn't going to give up a tactical advantage for his sake.
Ready an action to hit the first Bugbear not already killed by someone else to come into range with the maul.
Kriv Readied attack if needed
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 11
Jaliera
She fires again at the first bugbear hoping to distract him from attacking Chandan again.
Jaliera Arrow
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d6+3 and got 18, 4
[OOC Not sure what the disadvantage is, please adjust rolls]
[ooc: Advantage/disadvantage is the newest rule and it works very well. When I say you have either, you roll two d20 instead of one. If you have advantage, we take the higher of the two rolls. If you have disadvantage, we take the lower of the two rolls.
Earlier in the thread I posted this:
Chandan takes 3 pts damage - luckily he's (the attacker) drunk and attacking with disadvantage. It negated the crit!
Ruffian attacks Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 24, 12, 3, 19, 22, 3
So the 24 would have been a crit (20+4) but he had disadvantage and his other d20 roll was (8+4=)12 which was a miss.
You only do this with d20 rolls. It can be to hit or use a skill or things like that. For instance, if you want to climb a wall you would make a d20 Dex check. If it was oily, I might say you had disadvantage. If it had handholds I might say you had advantage. It's completely up to the DM.
The other thing I would ask is "How are you targeting the bugbear from where you are? You have to have line of sight. The simplest maneuver, and one that I assume is that Jaliera moves to a spot to take her shot and moves away. Unlike 4e, in 5e you can break up your move. So she can move to 7,5 and then step right back to 9,4. I'll make that assumption but we've got a lot of player movement going on. I think I need a choreographer!]
[Did Chandan Norris get in
his attack before the bugbears?]
[Yes, he did as the first line of
this post says.
[Ah cool. Thanks. Let's hope this isn't Bugbear Lee to my Chandan Norris!
]
[OOC: OK got that now. Rolled again, missed this time however on movement & disadvantage I did post on 20 May that she moved to the top of the stairs to get a better view
]
DMDavroar quickly moves up the steps and passes Jaliera on the way. While the mad dash takes place, Jaliera stands at the top of the steps, takes aim and she too strikes the bugbear who probably wishes he had stayed hidden.
Kalista aims to take out the new bugbear because the wounded one has now stepped out of her line of sight. The firebolt finds the target and scorches the bugbear that just entered the fray.
[ooc: I missed that movement and Jaliera has first dibs on the spot because of her initiative. And from there, I will take away the disadvantage so she hits.]
Kalista Firebolt disadvantage
Neptune rolled 1d20+5,1d20+5 and got 23, 24
Kalista Firebolt damage
Neptune rolled 1d10 and got 8
Since Zeim is driving to the Catskills, Gypsy is shuffling the cards to play bridge and Neil is getting ready for a 20th level FTF thingy, we'll take it slow.
Before Kriv goes (his action was to stand guard?), Chandan has to make a death save. That's a plain 1d20 roll. Roll high please. You need 3 successes before 3 failures now.
(Essentially. Basically get between the ranged fighters and the bugbears so that we can continue to shoot them with impunity, with a readied action to attack should they try to charge uphill to our advantageous position.)
[ooc: Shall I move Kriv down to 5,5? You don't seem to want to confront them head on yet, it seems. Jaliera and Kalista are using range attacks.]
(Works for me. Kriv favours the disciplined approach and making the most of terrain.)
(OOC - Leaving tomorrow, so still around for a day. Thanks for the good rolls Nep
If everyone would back up a few feet Kallista would have room for her sleep spell. She needs a 20' radius so if she targets the end of the hallway (3,5) and everyone backed up so no one was beyond 8,5 it would work. It would also allow us to have people in 8,6 and 8,4 so we could attack the Bugbear 3 on 1 if it climbed the stairs. Nep, if that happens, Kallista will cast her Sleep next round.)
[ooc: OK, I updated the map to put Kriv at 5,5. Zeim, the tactical is going to change so you can verbalize your move after the bugbears go. I'll let Neil roll his own death save and I'll act for the bugbears now.]
DMThe uninjured bugbear climbs over Chandan's body and swings his morningstar at Kriv, trying to fell yet another intruder. Kriv sucks in his belly and the spiked weapon miss him. The other bugbear has moved away, out of sight, into the room that the drunken guards were in. Where he has gone is not apparent.
Kriv gets his attack, a "reaction" that was triggered by the bugbear coming within his attack radius. After that, we're back to the top with Davroar. 
Kriv
Kriv reaction attack
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 7
The Dragonborn swung menacingly at the Bugbear, as much trying to force his footing as to hit him.
[ooc: Can Davroar occupy the same spot as Kalista to use his sling? ]
[ooc: No but he can move through her square to reach the spot between her and Jaliera, fire and continue to move to return to where he is. In 5e you may break up your move. So, you can move 2, attack and move another 2. So yes, he can attack. ]
Davroar
Leaving his staff leaning against the wall he pulls out his sling. Stepping around the corner he quickly finds a spot between the two women and poorly slings a stone towards the bugbear. Muttering a curse for missing, he retreats back to his original position.
Davroar Sling Attack
Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 5
Jaliera
These things seem quite nasty. Calming herself she sights her target, draws back and releases her arrow.
Jaliera Arrow
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d6+3 and got 12, 9
[waiting on Kalista, Chandan (needs to make 2 death saves) and Kriv.]
Kallista
She looks around, not liking that the other Bugbear has moved out of view, so she keeps careful watch. In the meantime, she fires another bolt of fire at the one fighting Kriv.
Kallista Firebolt
Zeim rolled w/disadvantage d20+5,d20+5 and got 24, 22
Kallista Firebolt Damage
Zeim rolled d10 and got 6
[ooc: Zeim, that works for now but instead of using disadvantage going forward, use the -2 penalty for partial cover. After rethinking it, I think it's more appropriate.
Kriv can offer some smack-down now. If Neil's around, we're at Chandans 2nd death save.]
Kriv
He needed little persuasion, and zeroed in on the Bugbear before him, putting his weight into the swing.
Kriv Mauling
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 22
Damage
AJ rolled 1d6,1d6 and got 5, 6
14 damage
DM
Kriv finishes off the second bugbear with a solid strike with his maul and the hairy creature falls just to the side of the dying monk.
Kriv has a move action left, if he wants it and perhaps a free action, depending on what you try to do.
(If I can use a move action to haul Chandan clear, then I'll do so. Otherwise, hold position.)
DM
Kriv moves Chandan to the top of the steps. If the bugbears did anything, they are now out of view.
Back to the top of the order: Davroar, Jaliera, Kalista, Chandan, Kriv, bugbears
Davroar
Seeing that one is down, he will quickly move back down to Chandan's side to cast another healing to hopefully revive him.
Davroar Cure wounds on Chandan
Dugan rolled 1d8+2 and got 10
DM
There's silence for the moment. One injured bugbear has run off. The body of another bugbear lies next to the body of the nothic at the bottom of the steps. Everyone is at the top of the steps.
Davroar applies the healing to the monk and his eyes open. The druid realizes that it's the second time he's needed to heal the monk and his ability to heal is running out.
Davroar
He will lend a hand to help Chandan up, and keeping his voice down he says, "Old man, I can't keep up with you with my healing. How about trying to stay on two feet for awhile, please?"
JALIERA
She thinks the best thing she can do is to keep an arrow ready and watch the corridor and doorway for the remaining bugbear or any new arrivals whilst the others get themselves sorted.
Kriv
He looked down at the corpse of the Nothic, and at the blood spilt by their foolhardy companion when the ambush struck home. What were the odds that they were waiting for another ambush, hiding around a corner ready to strike?
High enough, he reckoned. He took a deep breath...
Stand at 5, 5. Breathe fire down the stairs, 15ft cone, looking to go through both doors and hopefully discourage anyone waiting in ambush.
Kriv Firebreathing, dc11 half
AJ rolled 2d6 and got 3
DM
Kriv stands at the bottom of the steps and breathes fire. The door to the left is closed so the flames shoot out to the right into the room that the Redbrand ruffians had been in. He hears no screams of agony from anywhere - just the sound of sizzling flesh coming from the now charred corpses laying at his feet.
Kriv
The way tested, he strode down to the base of the stairs for a better view of the situation.
[ooc: AJ Active perception roll please]
Kriv expecting trouble
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 12
DMKriv hears a noise from the closed door to the left. It sounds like furniture moving. As he looks right he sees the door to the right is ten feet away and opens into a room. Kriv sees a table with several chairs around. Several coins and other trinkets are stacked in the middle of the table. There's a door at the far end of the room and it's slightly ajar.
Davroar
He will keep a lookout to the north just in case anyone tries to come at them from behind while Kriv moves forward to investigate.
JALIERA
She covers Kriv whilst he investigates ahead. All seems to be quite now. She waits to see if he signals anything.
Kriv
He does indeed, pointing to one of his earholes then at the closed door. He also makes a beckoning gesture, and stands ready, maul in hand, eye on the closed door.
JALIERA
He must be able to hear something in the room. Probably that injured bugbear. She nods and moves quietly along the corridor, positioning herself so that she can fire through the doorway to back up Kriv but also not expose herself to the unexplored area to her right. Aiming, she nods that she is ready.
[ooc: At this point I am waiting for someone to do something other than wait around for things to just happen. I'll give this another day before I tick the clock forward and say that time (another round) has passed.]
Kallista
Kallista moves down the stairs, past the Dragonborn, and peers into the room where the wounded Bugbear disappeared. If she sees no one there, she will enter and moving quietly she will close the far door (the one slightly ajar), wedging a chair against it to keep it from opening, then take a spot where she would be able to see past Kriv into the room beyond if he opens the hallway door in front of him.
(OOC - No coordinates on the map, but say she'd end up in the spot 5 squares directly north of Kriv, right in front of the table.)
Davroar
With both Kallista and Jailera moving downstairs, he will go down a couple of steps to find Kriv and Jaliera intently focused on the left door.
Tightening his grip on his staff, he whispers "Hear something there?"
Kriv
Without saying a word, the Dragonborn turns his head, fixes his eyes on Davroar and cants his head to the side slightly, then turns back to the door with a shrug. With everyone not prone to getting half-killed or captured alert and in place, He opted to proceed, and expecting it to have been barricaded, attempted to slam the door open.
[ooc: FYI, I'm discussing Kalista's action with Zeim off-line. I need some clarification and he may adjust her action based on that discussion.]
Chandan
He had been speaking with the Man-Bear, the Metoh-Kangmi, who walked the mountain tops and played riddles with the cloud giants.
It was a bright day, and the mists shrouded the valleys below. Metoh-Kangmi was showing him a hidden pass, that snaked up to a jade palace.
It takes the old man a while to shake the befuddlement from his brain, and he blinks his eyes. It's gloomy, damp, they're still underground in the bowels beneath Tresendar Manor.
He glances over at Davroar the Druid, winks good-naturedly in thanks and limps after Kriv.
"No pains, no gains. Pfffah!" He grumbles to himself.
DMWith his allies now at his side, the dragonborn tries to kick in the door. It is not locked and it flies open revealing the room and the threat inside. This barracks contains four roughly built wooden bunks, with heaped-up blankets and dirty dishes scattered all about. A strong smell of unwashed bodies and rotten meat fills the air. A tall, furry bugbear is here and it's been ready and waiting for you. It reacts
readied actionto the door opening by swinging it's morningstar at the person on the other side of the door when it opens. The weapon strikes true and the spikes pierce Kriv's chain armor.
Huddled in the far far corner on a bed is a sad little goblin that is cowering in fear. When it sees you it falls over, fainting.
Bugbear reaction attack
Neptune rolled 1d20+5,2d8+2 and got 18, 6
That's 6pts damage
We're staying in this order:
Davroar - Jaliera - Kalista - Chandan - Kriv - Bugbear
Also, I am thinking other DM's might handle this differently so I'm querying the WOTC forums to see. I may change the action once I hear arguments. This is part of my learning curve
Davroar
Hearing the other bugbear is still around, and anxious to get this one down as quick as possible, he will quickly make his way into the room and shape change into a large brown bear. If he can get the bugbear's attention to step into the open doorway, hopefully Kriv and Kallista can attack it from behind.
Move to 2,2 ooc: not sure if he can still attack after the shape change in this round, or will he have to wait for next round?
Starting at 2nd level, you can use your action to magically assume the shape of a beast that you have seen before.
So that's your action for the round.
Also, the response I received in the forums supports the way I handled the entry. The answer depends on whether the melee ended or not and I did not end it. The bugbear expected you and reacted. Chandan
He attacks the nothic with remarkable belligerence, stabbing it repeatedly with his spear.
Then he remembers it's already dead.
[ooc: LOL. I suppose that means you are waiting for Kriv to deal with this bugbear. By the way, remember that you can pass through your allies squares but the bugbear went LAST round, so his "reaction" has reset which means he can get an opportunity attack if given the opportunity. Jaliera, Kalista and Kriv haven't gone yet this round.]
Kriv
Keeping within the Bugbear's reach so as to deny it any opportunity to attack, he moved up behind it to try and take its attention from the door. He barely spared a glower for the cowering goblin, but neither did he give it the chance to get involved.
Movement: South one square, southeast one square, northeast one square, all within the Bugbear's reach, without getting into the Goblin's reach.
Kriv attack
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 8
Kalliata
She saw the very large morningstar swing into view as it hit Kriv and then the Dragonborn enter the room to engage something behind the door and out of her sightline.
Not being a frontline fighter she has no intention of rushing ahead into the reach of that morningstar. And the way things are positioned it doesn't appear she can get into the room without offering herself as a target.
So she waits for more allies to engage, perhaps the new bear friend the Druid changed into, or for the enemy to show itself, before she will enter that room.
In the meantime, now that she has secured the door above her, she looks around the room she is in.
[[Yes, Chandan will hold off and let his companions deal with the threat, keeping an eye on their rear.]]
Davroar
With a deep huff from his now large form as a brown bear, he will lash out at the bug bear with his claws.
Davroar Attack bugbear
Dugan rolled 1d20+5,2d6+4 and got 25 (to hit), 15 (damage)
[OOC Cool Dugan
Jaliera will be impressed]
JalieraAs she had readied an arrow herself, she fires as the bugbear attacked Kriv.
Jaliera Arrow
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d6+3 and got 10, 6
[[ OOC: Dugan, now I think you shortchanged Davroar. First of all, the bear gets two attacks(multi-attack feature). Claws (which you rolled) and bite (which you didn't roll, but should. It's +5 to hit, 1d8+4 dam). Also, that 25 you rolled was a crit. So you get to roll an extra 2d6 damage. Note that it's not an additional 2d6+4 because the +4 comes from the 19 strength that the bear has. Only the base dice are doubled. ]]
[ooc: I purposely withheld the bite attack thinking that it would be quite a departure from a human's way of thinking during a fight to bite an opponent. This is his first time in bear form and just wanted to lash out with his claws at first.
Thank you, I did forget to add the critical damage...
Davroar Critical damage on bugbear
Dugan rolled 2d6 and got 8 + 15 from initial damage = 23 total damage
DM
Davroar changes into a bear and rushes the bugbear who doesn't have the chance to even think about what he's facing. The massive claws strike the bugbear in the head and the group hears an audible crack and it's neck snaps and it plummets to the ground, dead from a single, massive bear blow.
The goblin under the bed is unconscious.
Kriv
The Dragonborn nods appreciatively: A powerful and effective technique which proved to be highly efficient.
"Davroar, can you help me interrogate this goblin? Basically, stay as you are and look hungry and angry."
He reached down to try and backhand the vermin awake, staring hatred and contempt directly at it, maul poised to crush a limb if it tried anything.
Jaliera
It is one thing Davroar talking about shape-changing and another to see his bear charge in so effectively. She hopes that it is still the young druid in charge and glad he is on their side.
She decides to hold her position for now as she can cover both rooms to some extent, or retreat back to the area with the chasm if needed.
Kallista
Seeing the bear that is Davroar charging into the room beyond, and hearing the melee suddenly seem to end, she lets out a sigh of relief. She double-checks the door to the north is securely blocked so no new surprises can come in that way and then proceeds to search the room she is in to see if she can find anything of use.
DM
Kriv smacks the goblin and it awakes with a startle only to faint again but with some perseverance the dragonborn eventually wakens it.
"Droop no fight. Droop wants live," it says in halting common. There are clear marks of abuse on the goblin. It appears to have been a plaything for the wicked bugbears.
In the other room, Kalista checks the north door, which is ajar. She closes it but to bar it she needs to move furniture around.
[ooc: This is a good point in the game to level everyone up. You all get to raise yourselves to 3rd level! It's a big jump and we'll need to get those character sheets updated. If you don't have access to a player's handbook, let me know and I'll see what I can do to help you out.]
Davroar
Unable to talk in his current form, he simply complies with Kriv's idea. Turning towards the goblin he rests his massive head at the foot of the bed and runs his long tongue across his snout all the while looking like a very hungry bear.
Kriv
There was no mercy or pity in those reptilian eyes, but there was a definite willingness to exploit the abused goblin's vulnerability.
"If you want to live, you will tell us everything you know, everything we ask. How many bugbears are left, not counting the two we killed? How many humans? How many others? Where exactly is Cragmaw Keep? Who is in charge here? Who is their boss? Answer!"
Chandan
He keeps watch from the doorway, but noting the goblin's abused appearance, he calls in.
"Ah, I was a goblin like you too, only yesterday! Beaten, degraded, ah, fun times!"
DM
The rapid-fire questioning by the dragonborn, coupled with the horrible and powerful bear that kills bugbears, sends the poor goblin into near panic and it takes him a moment to calm down enough to speak.
"There were this many bugbears," he holds up 3 fingers.
"Big bugbear Mosk one-eye," he spits on the floor after he says the name. From the bruises and gashes on his face you gather that this goblin suffered much at the hands of the bugbears.
You killed two and wounded one. You recall that the first bugbear that attacked you wore a jeweled eye patch. It's also obvious that counting is not the goblin's strength.
"Many many Redbrand! " he offers but clearly the work many is subjective and anything more than a handful might mean that.
"Cragmaw. Yes! North. Go to big log. Then around out cave under hill. Then with find big rock go there and up with no rope but have large wood. Me help find for you. Human run this place big. No like. Hide he does. Secrets are doors. Droop know secrets. Droop help new friends. Yes? No kill Droop please."
Davroar
With the goblin suitably cowed, he will turn his attention to the other three beds, ripping the sheets off them to check if there is anymore small goblins hiding around, or perhaps there might be something of value either monetary or informative.
Kriv
A guide to Cragmaw Keep, particularly one as broken and submissive as this sniveling wretch of a vermin, was a prize worth claiming.
"Very well. You have earned the right to prove yourself useful to us. When we are done here you will guide us to Cragmaw Keep."
Jaliera
She smiles as she hears the goblin talk and Kriv accept him as a guide. It will be good to have advance information, especially as there are less of them now.
With a glance down the corridor to Kallista, who seems to be fine. She lowers her bow, still holding it in hand and heads down towards Kallista thinking that it might be helpful to provide cover for her.
Chandan
He remains watching the eastern approach until his companions are ready to move out. He still feels a little heady from his brush with death.
[[ OOC: just a reminder to level up and update your sheets ]]
DMThere are several worn tables and chairs scattered around this larger room. Wooden benches are drawn up against walls decorated with draperies of brown and red, and seveal ale kegs are propped up and tapped. On one table in the center of the room Kalista finds stacks of coins and a set of knucklebones. It's apparent that the dead men wearing scarlet cloaks that the party slaughtered on the steps were drinking and gambling.
treasure: 75 cp, 55 sp, 22 ep, 15 gp, adn a gold earing set with a tiny ruby worth 30 gp. At the top of the steps, Chandan is keeping watch. Still somewhat dizzy from his brush with death, the monk stares across the crevasse from which the nothic had risen. There is an opening at the far north, on the other side of the spit cavern.
OOC: Once Chandan levels up, please give me a perception roll. No minuses Jaliera finds herself at the foot of the steps, and once she turns her back to the west wall she's able to look up towards Chandan, to her left to see what Kalista is doing and to her right to see Kriv and a large bear towering over a pathetic little goblin.
"Oh merciful one. Droop thanks you for sparing the life. Droop yes help new masters. Save you Droop from nasty bugs-bears. Are dead they all? Droop to help. No see Mosk one-eye."
[OOC Post 11/6 moves Jaliera to just inside Kallista room
]
[Chandan Perception roll is 16+3=19 total.]
[ooc: Gypsy, thanks. I corrected the tactical view. Now Chandan is all alone ... again.]
DM
The monk stands guard at the top of the steps and then he hears something from the far north end of the cavern and he also sees some movement but he cannot make out who or what it was. There's an opening into some storage chambers there. It may be where the sounds came from.
Davroar
With limited usage of his shape-changing ability, he will remain in his bear form for now. Kriv looks to have the small goblin under control, so Davroar will wander over to the next room after finding nothing of value here.
Kriv
"Stay with me, and you will see Mosk One-Eye die firsthand."
Browbeaten as he was, it wouldn't hurt to tap into his hatred and frustration to cement his loyalty. Kriv headed out after the others, pausing in the corridor to see if Chandan was sufficiently alert.
Chandan
Fate (or circumstance for the less poetically-minded) might suggest the old vagabond monk is something of a lone wolf, but Chandan honestly considers himself more of a lone goat.
And so upon seeing the movement across the cavern, he quickly decides to warn the other goats of the nearby danger.
He turns and scrunches up his face, squeezing his fist tight and then punching out with his fingers in a symbolic gesture.
The torch on the west end of the corridor throws up a shower of sizzling sparks.
[Elemental Attunement]
DM
As Davroar starts to leave the bugbear barracks, the torch on the wall to his left starts to flare and shoot firework-like sparks against the wall. It's nothing harmful, but there's no doubt it is a sign of some sort. With a quick glance over his other shoulder he sees that Chandan was the cause of this elemental manifestation; the sparks seem to dance at his behest.
The women in the guardroom notice the flames immediately but Kriv realizes something is amiss by the frightened look on Droop's face.
Davroar
Noticing Chandan's signal he will head up the stairs as quietly as his bear form will allow, waiting to hear what Chandan has to say.
Jaliera
Noticing not only the torch but the change of direction of their companions, she whispers to Kallista.
"That door secure? I think we have trouble behind."
She turns ready to run back to the others, bow and arrow in hand, but waits for Kallista's response.
Kriv
Fear on the face of a near-worthless vermin was expected rather than an indication of something out of the ordinary: The only merit this one had was knowing the location of Cragmaw Keep. He was, however, keeping an eye on Chandan.
Kallista
"As best as it can be, without piling all of this furniture and barrels on it." She looks at the far door where she had wedged one of the chairs in the room against the latch as hard as she could.
"At least that chair will topple and warn us if anyone tries to come in that way. Lets go see what's up."
She follows Jaliera back out to the corridor and looks up the stairs.
Chandan
"Trouble, far side of cavern." He hisses to his companions.
Kriv
He moved up the stairs to be in a position to support the vagrant, peeking over the lip of the stairwell to try and sight the trouble.
DM
As you stare off into the distance, for a brief moment you see what appears to be a bugbear crossing the room north of the cavern from right to left.
Jaliera
Approaching the stairs, she looks into the room the others just vacated and sees the goblin. She motions with her arrow that he should move ahead of her up the stairs. She does not like creatures behind her.
Davroar
Keeping out of sight in the stairwell for now, he will stand up on his hind legs while poking his nose towards the ceiling to catch any scent of the enemy. There may be more than what is being seen, and if any are trying to sneak up, he hopes his excellent sense of smell might reveal more.
DroopThe goblin slinks away from the arrow that points in it's direction and speaks to Jaliera. "Droop help good humans. Droop be friend. No fighter. No kill Droop. No kill Mosk. Mosk one-eye know Castle find!"
The goblin might not realize that it had just revealed the fact that it did not know exactly where the Castle was, but it was a goblin and not too smart.
It moved up the steps quickly, as the woman's had told him to.
DMThose in the cavern can see the bugbear appear and move up to the foot of the far footbridge.
Initiative please...and if you roll higher than an 8, take your actions. Some of you need to come into the field of play to attack. 
Davroar
He will move up and wait behind Chandan to his right hoping that the others with ranged attacks can get in a few attempts to hit it before engaging in melee.
Davroar Initiative
Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 18
Kriv
He snarled, and advanced out of the stairwell. The miserable scrap of battered goblinflesh had lied to save itself, and that did not enamour it to the Dragonborn.
"Only the Bugbear needs be alive," he called out, as he sized up their remaining foe. Hmm. Bugbear fur looked rather flammable, all things considered...
Kriv Initiative
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 18
Move NE one square, N one square
Kriv Fire Bolt cantrip attack, damage
AJ rolled 1d20+4 1d10 and got 13, 9
Chandan
He isn't entirely sure how best to catch a bugbear alive, but encircling it had to be a start.
He shambled forwards and hid behind the rocky pillar. If the bugbear charges the stairs, he could flank it. If it tries to flank him, it will have the chasm at its back. But being a bugbear, Chandan thought it most likely the creature would flee and there wasn't much he could do about that, other than pursue.
[Initiative rolled 1+3=4]
Jaliera
Well the others had heard the goblin, so no point in her saying more. At this point she has no idea how many there are. Her ears suggest not too many as there is not that much noise.
She needs to get out of the corridor so she can see what to shoot at. Kallista is bringing up the rear and should be able to keep an eye on the goblin.
She moves forward looking for a vantage point behind her groups front line.
Jaliera Initiative
Gypsy rolled 1d20+3 and got 17
She sees the bugbear, targets him but does not fire. Is this their source of information?
Kallista
Hearing the noise of a new enemy, she begins to move towards the stairs.
Kallista Initiative
Zeim rolled d20+3 and got 5, so will wait for my action until later.
DMKriv attacks the bugbear, trying to cast a firebolt at it, but he missed
AC 16. Davroar does not attack the bugbear but waits for others to take range attacks. Just as Jaliera comes into the action a short, dark-bearded human male in robes that wears a princely mantle of ermine and carries a beautiful glass staff starts running from the northern entrance into the cavern on the other side of the crevass. He makes it all the way out of the cavern and into a hallway in the south east and is about to turn right and go south, out of view.
You all discussed the fact that the bridge to the south is rigged to collapse under any weight. The bugbear now blocks the only other way across.
ooc: Dugan and Gypsy, when you move during your turn, you are taking it completely. So I am taking this to mean that you are not attacking this round. You could add a reaction like "I attack if he approaches" or "I chase him if he flees" that become reactions that are this-round actions. That kinda looks like what you're doing Gypsy "if he charges, Jaliera will fire".
I'm trying to move things forward in a non-tabletop setting but it's tough. The "wizard" that appears does so AFTER Kriv and Davroar went but at the same time as Jaliera. I'll allow Gypsy to revise her action somewhat. Kalista and Chandan have yet to go so you can adjust your actions.
I also recommend that you review the "News, Quests and Rumors" thread before acting
Kallista
Moving up the stairs (put her in any open spot south of the pillar, or right next to Chandan if the stairs are difficult terrain), she takes in the situation and brings a spell to mind, casting it quickly.
(OOC - Casting Sleep using a 2nd level Spell Slot. Targeting the Wizard. Should be able to easily put it where it gets him but not us. Kallista Casting Sleep (2nd level slot)
Zeim rolled 7d8 and got 38)
Jaliera
She had been watching the bugbear, not wanting to attack if they need information from it. However movement on the far side catches her eye and she sees a mage running. She changes target, ready to fire at the first opportunity.
DMKallista shows up just in time to send the fleeing mage into a deep slumber. He falls unconscious. The bugbear, unaware that the mage is asleep, but having noticed him running and now having been attacked again, turns and runs over the bridge and turns to follow him. It figures it can outrun you. When it turns the corner and sees the the mage on the ground, it just runs over the mage to flee.
OOC: Jaliera's reaction can kick in now. 
Jaliera
She had been targeting the mage until he simply falls over. The bugbear now charges past the fallen figure and startled she changes target and looses an arrow. It misses. She curses softly under her breath.
Jaliera Arrow
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d6+3 and got 6, 5
[[OOC: Just waiting for Chandan now and then Kriv and Davroar can act.]]
Chandan
So far today he's been burned from the inside out, stabbed by ruffians and clubbed half to death by bugbears.
Seeing that villain's back disappearing down the southeast corridor brings out Chandan's unbridled bad temper.
Without much thought, he dashes forwards and leaps over the chasm, hurling his spear at the bugbear and then giving chase.
[Chandan hit roll, 10+5=15
If hit, damage roll 6+3=9]
Kriv
Every so often, the vagrant displayed a flash of insight which reaffirmed his usefulness. This was one of those times: Kriv followed suit, powerfully leaping across the chasm and landing at speed, calling on deeper reserves to head off the Bugbear, block his escape and swing the maul at him.
Leap across chasm. Use Action Surge to move past Bugbear to block the southern corridor if possible, stand over the downed W if not.
2015-06-25 19:48:42
Kriv attack
AJ rolled 1d20+5 and got 6
Davroar
Putting his trust more in the speed of a large bear than its jumping ability, he will take the safer, yet longer route of crossing the same bridge the bug bear did. Running it down, he will attempt to strike from behind using his claws to possibly hamstring the bug bear to stop it from getting away.
However, if Kriv does get there first or will be in the way of his charge, Davroar will hold up to avoid colliding with Kriv in the narrow confines of the corridor.
Brown bear speed 40
Davroar Attack 2nd bugbear (purposely ignoring bite attack again)
Dugan rolled 1d20+5,2d6+4 and got 18 to hit, 11 damage
[ooc: Davroar cannot make it to the bugbear this round taking the route he took. In fact, it'll take him 3 rounds moving 8 squares at a time.]
DM
The bugbear expected that anyone who would run over the bridge would fall into the crevasse but when Chandan and Kriv leaped towards him and he saw the wizard fall asleep on the ground, it knew that it's only hope of survival was to give up.
It didn't matter that both the monk and the dragonborn missed. The party had magic at it's disposal and competent archers. It stopped, threw the morningstar to the ground and raised it's hands to surrender.
Kriv
He placed a foot on the dropped morningstar's haft, holding his own maul ready to strike but choosing not to do so. He spake,
"Mosk One-Eye. If you want to live, you will lead us to Cragmaw Keep. If you betray us, you will wish we would let you die."
Jaliera
Covering her companions as they all leap into action she is relieved to see that the bugbear seems to have surrendered. Her tension eases a little but she keeps the bow at readiness just in case.
Chandan
Seeing the bugbear's armed raised in surrender, the old monk has an almost irrestiable urge to kick the creature solidly in the gonads and teach it a lesson.
It's the latter aspect that deters him though, as he's unsure what exactly that lesson would be. Next time keep running? Chandan didn't want goblinoids learning that lesson.
So instead, he grumbles in his native tongue, something about 'needing a drink' and after recovering his spear, he inspects the sleeping wizard with the tip of it.
Kallista
Finding the narrowest spot in the chasm, she takes a running start and leaps across. She moves quickly over to the sleeping figure and takes up the staff it carried to keep it out of it's reach when it awakens.
I should have asked earlier but was preoccupied with RL issues. Kriv, please give me an intimidate roll..
Kriv
Pitiless draconic eyes looked deep into those of the Bugbear, devoid of compassion, mercy or warmth. Nothing more needed to be said.
Kriv intimidate
AJ rolled 1d20+2 and got 22
DMMosk cowers now under the gaze of the icy glare of the dragonborn. A snarl might set him to tears. It falls to it's knees and covers it's head with it's arms, both a sign of fear and one of total submission. It knows that it's life is now in the hands of someone scarier than the Black Spider.
ooc: props for the nat-20 
"I only do what the Black Spider made me do! We were just following orders and those who don't follow orders always die!"
A pitiful sight this is now. The big bugbear with the jewel encrusted eyepatch weeps openly.
"Spare your poor servant. I beg you."
It does not need prodding. After it gasps air between sobs it continues.
"I will take you to Cragmaw Keep!"
Meanwhile, Kallista picks up the glass staff of the sleeping wizard and looks it over. It's a slender, hollow staff but she can tell that it's as hard as oak. She will have to
study it more to learn about it and how to use it. Chandan now stands over the wizard ready to poke and prod him awake. First he takes a closer look. The man fit the description of the person that they were sent to find by Sildar.
On the other side of the chasm Davroar is makes his way across the northern bridge. Jaliera nocks and covers arrow into her bow to cover those who are leaping across. Now that the battle has ended, she relaxes again and then glances back and realizes that Droop is not to be found. In one brief moment that Jaliera had focused her attention on the battle across the chasm, Droop must have slipped into the shadows.
Droop stealth
Neptune rolled 1d20+6 and got 18
vs Jaliera passive perception of 14 Davroar
He stops running just as he crosses the north bridge when it is evident that the bug bear has surrendered to Kriv and the others.
Instead since he is at the far end of the basement, he will turn north to check out the area that the bug bear appeared from. He will be cautious nonetheless, using his keen sense of smell to warn him of any further attackers.
Jaliera
"The goblin has run. Should we search?
In some ways she hopes not. They have potentially two prisoners to deal with, a third would really curtail their opportunities. Her only concern is that he might unblock the door down and to the right behind her and raise the alarm.
She decides for the moment to stay where she is but positions herself to watch the corridor and the steps behind her as well as covering her companions.
Kriv
He raised his voice to be heard, but kept his tone flat, letting his words echo through the space.
"If Droop comes forth where we can see him, we will let him live. If Droop forces us to search this place for him... He knows what Mosk One Eye did to him. He knows how much worse I could be than Mosk One Eye if he gave me cause. Does Droop want to try my patience, and gamble his life?"
The Dragonborn flared his nostrils and inhaled, as if he could track the goblin by scent alone.
Davroar
After hearing Kriv announce that Droop has run away, he will try to see if he can catch the goblin's scent in the unlikely event the goblin fled this way. More than likely though is that it went to warn any remaining thugs that they have intruders. Davroar will continue to carefully explore, but will stay within line of sight of his friends.
Please provide me with an active perception roll for Davroar using the senses of the bearDMDavroar first peeks around the corner and then north into the opening. The corridor to his left leads to a staircase down. At the end of the staircase there's another corridor that ends with a door to the south that likely leads into the room where the Redbrand Ruffians were drinking and gambling. There's a door opposite it to the north that is closed.
The area is the north end of the natural cavern with the crevasse, but it has been finished with dressed stone block walls and a flagstone floor. Several barrels are stored against the walls here, along with a number of empty crates, straw for packing, hammers, prybars, and nails.
Davroar Active perception check with advantage using bear's sense of smell
Dugan rolled 1d20+3,1d20+3 and got 20, 23
DM
Sniffing around, the bear realizes, with all certainty, that this particular goblin has left the building. His scent has disappeared. The most likely scenario is that he left through the secret tunnel that the young halfling Carp, Qelline's son, had led you to.
You could track him or let him go.
Davroar
No matter how small or unassuming Droop appeared to be, he is not about to let the goblin get away to cause trouble elsewhere.
Following the goblins scent, he stops briefly to indicate with his nose to the others the direction Droop went. Davroar will then take off at a good pace only to slow down only if he looses the scent.
Jaliera
"Davroar, let it go. He's obviously heading out the way we came in. We need to go further into this place to solve the problem for the villagers."
She is concerned that the group could split up or be diverted from their main task, giving the brigands more opportunity to regroup or hurt the prisoners they are holding.
Kriv
He nodded his assent.
"Jaleira's right. In the worst case it finds the halfling child that led us here or their playmates. Acceptable losses. It's unlikely to attack bigger villagers on its own, no matter how bitter and vengeful it feels."
The child was a halfing. I'll let the party resolve the fleeing goblin situation before turning back to the wizard and bugbear.
Davroar
He stops in his tracks when Jaliera and Kriv tell him to let the goblin go. Letting out a bear-sized harumph sound, he bows to the groups decision and saunters back to where the bug bear and sleeping wizard are to get a better look at both.
DM
Jaliera's now the only one on the other side of the crevasse. She needs to decide whether to stay there or to do something else.
Meanwhile, Kriv, Davroar, Kallista and Chandan have a sleeping mage and Mosk One-Eye to deal with.
The bugbear that has submitted to Kriv's wrath and has started to talk about the "Black Spider".
There's an immediate need to deal with the prisoners. The mage is waking up.
Jaliera
She is not sure just yet which way they are going, so she stays where she is giving her a clear line of sight all around.
"See if you can get some idea of this place and who else is here and where they are."
She calls across to her companions. If they can eliminate the threat, they can explore at leisure.
Kriv
Reaching back into his pack for some rope, he indicates to the bugbear to take up a position to have its hands tied behind it and to be hobbled. He offered some to Chandan in order to secure the sleeping wizard as well. Turning back to the Bugbear,
"You will tell us everything you know of the remaining disposition of forces in this place, and describe the layout. You will tell us everything you know of the Black Spider and the forces under his command. You will tell us everything you know of Cragmaw Keep and the forces presently there."
Chandan
He nudges the wizard with a toe.
"Hey, best not to move, someone left a spear standing on your back." He says, tapping tip of the spear between the man's shoulder blades.
"Ah thank you!" He says to Kriv, accepting the rope and getting to work on tying his captive.
Mosk
"We were the bugbears. Humans here - the Redbrands. We sent were here to sure know do their job. Keep humans controlled. Black spider dangerous elf. King Grol rules Cragmaw. Goblins and hobgoblins and pets there."
This seems to be an honest assessment from the bugbear, as best he understands it.
Mage
He hears the bugbear speak and spits at it.
"You will taste the Black Spider's poison!"
He responds to Chandan's instructions by saying, "Who do you think you are? Move that spear!"
Chandan
He smiles apologetically at the wizard.
"I am insignficant nobody; don't even outrank spear, so can't move it, very sorry."
Kallista
She taps the mage on the head with the new staff. "Be more respectful. You are in no position to be demanding anything."
Mage
You can see he's seething and scheming but he just gnashes his teeth as he contemplates ways to get freed. Bound as he is, it'll be extremely difficult for him to escape.
Davroar
Knowing that a fair bit of magic requires deft hands he 'accidentally' steps on the Mages right right with almost all of his 200 kg weight. A broken hand should keep the mages mind away from trying anything stupid.
Kriv
He had considered threatening to remove the mage's fingers as an intimidation tactic, but in this case an object lesson had the added value in making duplicity harder. He nodded in approval to the bear.
"The Black Spider is not here. I am. If you continue to be uncooperative, you will lose things which I assure you you will miss until you see the value in submitting. If this is insufficient, you will be left in a state where you will beg for the most agonizing of the Black Spider's toxins, for that at least will grant you the eventual respite of death, thus ending your suffering."
Jaliera
She can hear the conversations taking place and is not altogether comfortable with them. However, she is a realist and knows that the villagers must come first and then they need to rescue their dwarven employer. Sometimes life can be tough. She is just glad she doesn't have to do it herself. Instead she stands guard over them all.
DM
The mage screams in absolute agony as the bones in his hand crack under the pressure of the bear claw.
Dugan: Davroar needs to provide me with a damage roll. Use the damage of one claw attack.
AJ: Kriv needs to provide me with another intimidate roll. Roll it with advantage because of the pain he's feeling
Kriv
Kriv intimidate with advantage
AJ rolled 1d20+2,1d20+2 and got 17, 5
Davroar
Using his claws regular attack damage is 2d6+4 so I figured just roll one die and half the bonus as his intent was to injure not kill.
Davroar Single claw attack on mage
Dugan rolled 1d6+2 and got 7
DM
The wizard backed down from the angry dragonborn. He was ready now to surrender and with his hands tied behind his back, he had little choice. Kriv has not asked him any questions yet, so he sat in silence. The bugbear has already spilled his guts, telling you what he knows.
Gypsy, please give me an active perception roll. If it's lower than your passive perception, we'll use that as the "floor" for your roll.
Kriv
He looked down at the humbled mage, keeping his maul at the ready.
"Identify yourself. Clarify the full extent of your magical abilities. State your purpose here and within the Black Spider's ranks. Give a full description of the Black Spider and an assessment of his abilities. Any information which contradicts established facts you will need a very good explanation for. Detail the purpose of the operation here and all that you know of the overarching plan."
Jaliera
Perception roll:
Jaliera Perception
Gypsy rolled 1d20+4 and got 15
IarnoObviously the wizard is afraid of the much larger dragon-like swordsman. But even as he cowers, he is defiant in the face of superior numbers and strength.
"My name? Well, sir, it's Iarno and this is my place. Yes, I am a wizard. I cast spells. I am not a burgler, a common thief like you must be! If you would ask nicely, I would be glad to tell you all about the Black Spider! He is a businessman I have dealings with. I will be happy to tell you more, but first, tell me why you invaded my domicile, killed my hired security staff, my guests and my pet? Did they do anything to you?"
Jaliera is keeping an eye out and off in the north of the cavern some distance away, the young Calishite sees movement. Something small scurries from her left to right.
Sorry about my last couple of days. A sudden surge of busy attacked. Kriv
He glanced at Chandan, recalling the extent of his injuries when he had tried to take on a Bugbear by himself, and answered the most recent question.
"Do not forget your present circumstances, and do not try to play for time. I will have no qualms about reminding you of this if you make it necessary. Nonetheless, as a courtesy, given that we are all civilized here..."
He turned his gaze to Mosk long enough to be noticed before returning,
"I will answer your most recent question. Yes, they did. Your turn."
He sized up the wizard, then lined up the maul with his right knee, ready to swing if the next words out of his mouth were not satisfactory.
[OOC: Small as in a stone, a big spider, a dog, a child? Was there any sound?]
DMBefore the Iarno can answer, Mosk one-eye answers. "The nothic sounded the alarm. Intruders. Your guards answered the call. The nothic was killed and then your guards slaughtered. When we came out to see what was going on, we were attacked!"
Iarno simply asks, "Is this not true?"
[ooc: Gypsy, quiet as a mouse
]
Kriv
"You seem to overvalue my forbearance, Iarno. Technically, I only require you to possess ears to hear my questions and a tongue to provide us with answers. The rest of you, your hands, feet, limbs, genitive organs, eyes, skin, and so on, you continue to have solely at my pleasure, and I find your current level of cooperation most displeasing.
Now, you can resume answering my questions, and as a courtesy I will permit you to name from that list of your body parts an item which I will remove, destroy or render useless the next time I find you to be uncooperative. Should you continue to vacillate, fail to answer, attempt to stall or presume you are in a position to request answers, I will make that choice for you. You will not like my choice."
Davroar
Remaining in bear form, he can not add anything to the conversation around him. It is a little concerning to him though with the wizards manner. Perhaps he is stalling for time. Taking a few steps towards the trapped bridge, he looks towards Jaliera to make sure she is alright guarding their backs.
Iarno
"Do you just threaten and kill? What do you want to know? I shall tell you. I have done nothing that merits such threats but I suspect you could snap me like a twig. I have nothing to hide!
So, what did you ask that I did not answer? I gave you my name. I told you I am a wizard and that I cast spells. My purpose here is that this is my place. I am not in the ranks of the Black Spider but I do have business arrangements with him. He wanted the bugbears here and for that he is to provide me with information about certain spells that I would like to learn. What I know is that the Black Spider is a dark elf, a drow. He is looking for a place called the Forge of Spells in the Wave Echo cave."
"Now, will you leave us alone and leave?"
Kriv
He looked down at the human with contempt, but was willing to concede it had not yet earned further injury.
"I also maim and cause grevious injury, am a student of history and like yourself one who practices the Art. Let's look in greater detail at your association with these bandits, those guilty of a great number of crimes against the local municipality, and yet those whom you claim as guards..."
Jaliera
"Thought I saw something over there."
She is aware that Davroar is looking over the area. It might also be a decoy so she covers any area that the 'thing' could have come from. She also calls across to Kriv.
"Kriv, find out where the woodcutter and his family are?"
[ooc: Jaliera earned an inspiration point for that last post
]
Kriv
"...Who stand accused of the murder of the woodcutter Thel Drendar and the abduction of his wife and child, present whereabouts unknown. Any light you are able to shed on this matter will keep you whole for the moment.",
He concluded, seamlessly.
Iarno
Kriv has learned to tell when a human is worried. Beads of sweat form on their foreheads and they flash a fake smile. He sees that in the wizard when the query is asked but his answer is "I do not know what you are talking about."
At this point there is no proof that the wizard has done anything wrong and it seems that finding such proof will be the next objective.
Looking at the bugbear provides no answers. It seems apathetic about the well-being of the mage and could care less about a dead woodcutter and his missing family.
Chandan
His eyes flick to Kriv, to Davroar, to the wizard, to Kriv, to Jaliera, to Kriv... He is starting to feel dizzy but he feels they're getting somewhere.
Kriv
Proof is one option, certainly. However, it certainly seems like the Wizard is not being forthright, and the Dragonborn had no qualms whatsoever about using methods some might consider distasteful.
"I don't think you're being entirely honest with me. Let's see how many fingers it takes before you do know."
He drew back his lips from his carnivorous fangs and incisors, ran his tongue up and down each razor sharp peak, and then took a firm grip of the wizard's uninjured hand...
Jaliera
Content now that the wizard is being asked the right questions, she maintains her vigil, especially around the are where she saw movement.
Iarno
The wizard closes his eyes and grits his teeth, yielding to the appetite of the dragonborn.
Chandan
"STOP!" Yelps the old monk, shooting his hand out to halt the Dragonborn.
He regards Kriv with dark eyes in the gloom. He rumages in his tunic and pulls of a small clay pot. He offers it to Kriv.
"Spicy sauce." Chandan explains.
He leans down to speak to the wizard.
"He is really crazy, he don't even know where your hand's been! Maybe you talk and we can save your feet?"
Kallista
She chuckles, without moving to intervene, but she does interject. "Hey, didn't Sildar offer us a reward for this guy? Or at least information about him? They were supposedly working together I think. Not sure how that works as they seem pretty different to me, but he might want him in one piece."
(OOC - And a nice how-do-you-do. The L/E Tiefling arguing not to abuse the prisoner too much <g>.)
Kriv
He paused, turning towards the Tiefling.
"Fortunately, that is not the case. Our exact instructions were "Find him or what's left of him." It would be entirely truthful and honest to say when we were able to take him out of close proximity to the Gnoll leader, he was missing all his fingers, both eyes and his tongue, if that was what was missing by the time he finally spoke the truth. Enough to forever deny him any trace of the Art, certainly. If all that's left of him is no longer alive, this too is implicitly acceptable. If he refuses to cooperate, eventually he will die, and we will claim the reward with his corpse. I'd much rather he gave up trying to defend those who would all too gladly stab him in the back, but who am I to decide what losing any ability to interact with civilized society is worth? Who am I to deny him a chance to die for the sake of a petty criminal if that is his choice?"
Davroar
Having embraced his wild shape, biting one's kin or prisoner to force subjugation does not seem as strange as it once did to him as a young druid. The world is becoming less black and white and his inaction for the moment will give Kriv the time to do what he wants.
Jaliera
She is hoping that these are idle threats and that the wizard will give in very soon. She is not comfortable with Kriv's ideas but they might be a bluff. A smile touches her lips as Chandan offers sauce.
Still she keeps the woodcutter's family firmly in her mind for now as she keeps watch.
Kallista
She shrugs. "One should always be careful not to become the same as what one despises. I'd prefer not to be known to the folks of the town as a torturer and mutilator. If we get that label they may feel they'd prefer the Redbrands."
It is not that Kallista really cares about what happens to Iarno. However a bad reputation could have negative impact on her gaining allies and power. She doubts the Cleric of the Goddess of Luck, for example, would want to associate with them if she finds out they are torturing prisoners and that would mean losing out on the reward she offered.
ChandanHe is
thirsty. He wants to rescue the woodcutter's wife and child, but in his mind there's nothing to stop them doing that.
Kriv can mete out justice if that's how it's done. Chopping off hands for theft isn't an uncommon punishment where Chandan comes from. Nor is branding, flogging, slave labour, and a wide range of executions. The most elaborate seem to be saved for nobles and government officials.
A terrible crime often excites a terrible punishment, whether arbitered by mere mortals or by the gods.
Chandan could have that conversation, but he wants to have a drink.
So instead he taps the butt of his spear on the cold floor to get Iarno's attention.
"Hey, we think you are a bad man, and the Dragonborn is giving you the chance to show you're not so bad. You're not helping!
"We already know where the woman and child are.
"Locals saw the Redbrands kill the woodcarver, taking his body and family captive. Villagers are not blind, they know their own village and they know these ruins are your den.
"The village is maybe five hundred feet north to south. Not very big. Here is the only place you could keep the family hidden.
"Keeping them alive must be important, otherwise you would have killed them when you killed the father.
"Fortunately you told us where they are.
"We came here looking for the Redbrands and their leader, called Glasstaff."
Chandan shakes his head sadly.
"But you say
you are the leader and this is your home, the Redbrands are your guards?
"But you are also Iarno. You were sent here by the Lord's Alliance to bring order to troubled lands. Hmm. I think maybe you misunderstood the last part.
"So you are a man who would betray his lords and his friends. Who would keep a monster as a pet, feeding people to it. All to further his own 'business', so you say.
"Then I think you are a man who, upon hearing his misdeeds have finally caught up with him, would drop everything and flee for his life...
"That way." Chandan says, pointing down the eastwards passage.
"Which means your stronghold and the captives, are back the way you came." He finishes, pointing to the north-eastern passage.
Chandan shakes his wine gourd. It's still empty.
"We give you to Sildar anyway. He probably hang you, though he might need a very short rope if Kriv eats half of you. Maybe he could crap in a bag afterwards, and we hang that next to you?
"Or maybe you try undoing some of your bad. Tell us about your business, this Black Spider. What you up to?"
[
http://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=765102#Post765102 {{Mother, daughter and son mentioned here. Or is it just mother and daughter?}}
http://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=777212#Post777212http://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=767966#Post767966http://www.dreamlyrics.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=790465#Post790465]
Kriv
He looks at the vagrant for a few moments, then shrugs. Can't hurt to let him try. Taking the spicy sauce, he slowly, delicately begins glazing the wizard's currently uninjured fingers, starting with the pinky and working inwards.
Iarno
He responds directly to Chandan, who he seem to hope will help him out.
"I suppose my nickname is Glasstaff because of that," he says while looking at the glass staff that he had been carrying. "Who told you those lies and false accusations? That monster as you call it, was a creature that did nothing that any animal might do. Yes, it was a carnivore, but do you not eat meat? What about this one who is eager to chomp on my hand? Is he any different? You say that this woman and child must be here, so show me them!"
Indeed there's a challenge. If the woman and child would be found then there would be proof of his wrong-doing.
Chandan
Chandan shrugs and twizzles his long matted grey hair.
"OK OK, you are Glasstaff and the whole village is wrong and you are really a wonderful man.
"We will show you the woman and child if you can tell me who is dead man in the pit."
Kriv
"He's getting uppity again. I recommend we just make his long existence one filled with pain and regret, because right now I don't see him being useful except as a barely-alive husk to throw before Sildar."
DM
Mosk jumps into the conversation. The captured bugbear lets out a serries of barks and grunts that you determine is bugbear laughter. "Woodcarver fed to one-eyed monster in big hole. Mosk think I be only one-eye here but ugly nothic one-eye also!"
Inaro, who you have pieced together as being one and the same as the leader of the Redbrands called Glasstaff starts shouting. "SHUT UP! LIAR!.....".
The worry lines on his forehead were conduits for the sweat that now beaded it. His eyes darted from here to there in a desperate attempt to find a way out of the mess he was in.
The bugbear laughed again and replied to Inaro.
"Why? Stupid wizard means nothing to Mosk. Mosk here to be sure no trouble here. You trouble."
Then it looks at Kriv.
"Mosk know to find what look you for. Wizard kill you can. Hidden doors one Mosk thinks knows where. Promise you do no kill Mosk. Show all to you. Small price, no?"
Kriv
He stood back, and gestured for Mosk to rise.
"Let's take a walk, all of us. Mosk, I vow that your life will be spared if you show this to us provided it is what we're looking for, though I reserve the right to make the remainder of your life worse than the abyss should you betray or mislead us subsequently.
Iarno, you're going to tell us what we're going to find, because if we find it first, I'm going to have to fine you for attempting to mislead and pervert the course of justice. This fine will consist of your hands, eyes and tongue, that you may not perform duplicitous acts, speak lies or bear false witness for the remainder of your natural life. You have until we find it for the sentence to be carried out, and can avert this fine with honesty up to that point."
To his companions,
"Carry the wizard."
Davroar
He will take it upon himself to carry Inaro by padding over to him and taking a bite around the mans belt. Lifting him up by the small of his back, Davroar finds he can carry and half-drag the wizard around without too much trouble.
At least this way it will not encumber Kalista or Chandan, nor cause Jaliera to move from her covering position.
Jaliera
Well between Chandan and the bugbear they seem to have averted the worst of Kriv's threats at least for now.. and they are on the move again to find the woodcutter's family which suits her.
She maintains her position for the moment thinking that whilst they have prisoners who will likely go first, she can take rear guard.
Chandan
He smiles politely to Iarno as he hangs from the bear's mouth, then backs up Kriv, trying not to make too much noise as he ambles behind the imposing Dragonborn.
DMThe bugbear leads the dragonborn, the bear (with the wizard), the old man and the tiefling towards the opening in the north of the cavern. Beyond it is a room that has been finished with dressed stone block walls and a flagstone floor. Several barrels are stored against the walls here, along with a number of empty crates, straw for packing, hammers, prybars, and nails.
Mosk says, "Redbrands go in room and don't come out of room. Me think they have sneaky doors!"
I think it's a safe assumption that you are searching. Please provide me with two separate perception rolls. 
Kriv perception
AJ rolled 1d20+1,1d20+1 and got 18, 19
OK, AJ made both rolls so I'll just fast forward. Gypsy, do you want Jaliera to continue to stand alone where she is?DMA detailed survey of the walls in the room reveals not one, but two secret doors. Iarno stays quiet. The bugbear says "Mosk you told it! Mosk you told it! Mosk no lie to new friends."
Jaliera
As the others start to move forward she crosses the chasm by the safe bridge and positions herself outside the room keeping guard whilst they search. (12,12) She can see the first section of the pathway they have not yet explored and has a good view of the chasm room.
Kriv
"Well, Iarno? We have these two doors identified. There are two ways this can go: We open them, we find what you know is behind them, and you lose your hands, eyes and tongue. Or you confess, we open them, and you keep your hands, eyes and tongue. Are you willing to gamble your ability to function as a wizard and indeed as a sentient being on us being completely blind and oblivious to what you know is there? Or do you want to still be able to see, talk and use the Art? How far are you willing to stay silent? What price do you place on me opening these doors?"
He went up to the northeastern secret door and began to open it...
Inaro
"This door leads to the prisoners. If you promise not to harm me, I'll give you the secret password to pass freely. The other door leads to my lab and private chambers."
Kriv
He smiled at the wizard with too many teeth, his tone patronising.
"There, that wasn't so hard, was it? The record will show that you have perjured your initial denial of awareness of the victims, but later confessed. I promise that, provided we come to no harm whatsoever beyond either of these doors, I personally will not inflict further physical harm upon you this day."
Inaro
"The password is 'Illefarn'" he says. That should provide you safe passage.
Chandan
He hadn't commented when the bugbear revealed that Thel Drendar was the dead man in the chasm.
It was his suspicion anyway, which was why he asked the question.
He felt then, as he does now, that there's little else to be said on the matter. Chandan is not a law-giver. After such a deed as foul as murder has been done, there's no undoing it. Vengeance, punishment, they're of no real good. There are only two questions: Will the murderer do it again? And if their accusers think 'yes', how can it be prevented?
Has Iarno shown any signs of remorse? No, but he has shown many signs of intending to continue his orgy of evil, whether wilfully or through self-delusion.
The old monk simply ponders aloud, "It is said that the first step on the path to Enlightment is purging the lies that we tell ourselves."
His next step is up to the door leading to the prisoners. He looks to his companions and nods.
Kriv history
AJ rolled 1d20+4 and got 12
Jaliera
She listens to what is said and, adjusts her angle so she can easily swing around a little in case there is anything hostile in the room they are about to open. She does't trust the wizard.
She still keeps a good look out in the chasm room though as something did move earlier.
[[Hey, anyone know if wizards in D&D 5E have familiars? (They do in 13th Age.)]]
(OOC - You can ask in character. You have a Sorceror with you.)
OOC: nemarsde - yes they do. I wonder if there's one flying around invisibly right now DMKriv recognizes the secret word as the name of an elven nation which once spread across much of the Sword Coast.
Kriv
He nodded appeciatively at the password, then got back to work opening the door.
"Ah, a student of history yourself, I see. Any particular significance to choosing that long lost nation as your safeguard?"
Inaro"It was not a phrase of my choosing," the bound wizard says as Kriv pushes against the stone wall.
As he does, the wall pushes inward and then moves out towards you. Kriv finds the hand-hold and opens it all the way revealing a 15 foot long corridor. There's a door, which is closed, opposite the secret door. There's a second door at the end or the corridor.
"You'll need the password in that room," Inaro says. "Do you mind if I walk by myself? I've been forthcoming. Must you make me suffer the indignity of being carried in a beast's mouth? No offense," he adds glancing upwards to the bear.
Davroar
He ignores the wizard's comment, but instead just watches him with emotionless dark eyes, while not caring at all about his dignity for someone that apparently is keeping others as prisoners.
He is tempted to free the wizards legs at least to let him to lead the way to clear the way if indeed there are magical wards or traps. For the moment though he does not, waiting to see if the others will agree to the wizards demand.
Kriv
"Forthcoming?"
The gravelly, bitter sound the Dragonborn is making appears to be some form of laughter.
"You forfeited your right to any trust or agency when you lied to our faces, wizard."
All humour was gone from the Dragonborn's voice, his maul in hand, looming over the prisoner.
"Be grateful, very, very grateful, that you did not forfeit more. Yes, you are in the jaws of the bear. It behooves you to be mindful of that fact, and why you are there."
Jaliera
Well no nasty surprises so far. Her full vigilance moves back to the chasm room. She is sure she had seen something before and she looks around for any other telltale signs.
Chandan
He taps Iarno with the butt of his spear.
"Hey, wizard, we have to wait here for your familiar to catch up? Or we OK to move on?"
]Inaro
"Yes. You can move about. My little friend is scurrying about and safe from the invading hoards for the time being. I do worry about my furry pal so thank you for asking."
Jaliera
So that was what she had seen? Probably...
Davroar
It seems no one is convinced to let Inaro be free to walk, so Davroar will once again be ready to pick up the wizard once they proceed through the now open secret door.
Chandan
He wonders what kind of familiar Iarno might have. Something that can chew through rope restraints perhaps?
This is clearly why the wizard hadn't told them about his familiar. He's still plotting to escape and inflict further villainy on the world.
Iarno is consistent at least.
Chandan doesn't entertain letting the wizard go, and assumes none of his companions do either. He nods to Kriv.
"Say the word. Other lives than this villain's depend on us."
Kriv
He shrugged, and headed over to the indicated door, ready to use the password as he opened it.
"If the familiar surrenders, it can live. Otherwise..."
Jaliera
Knowing there is a familiar about and knowing how sneaky they can be, she maintains her vigilance, focused on a small creature that might be flying, walking.. who knows.
"What kind of creature is it?"
She calls back to the others.
DM
"There's Wilbur there," Inaro says. "Do what you will with me, but let him live."
A little rat peaks out from behind a hole in the wall. It backs up into the tiny hole as a reaction if anyone approaches. Still, it keeps in sight otherwise, following at a distance.
"I know you would kill me and Wilbur if we try anything."
I need some kind of action. What are you doing? Kriv is at the north end of a 15 foot long corridor heading south and ending at a door.
Was opening the door not clear?
Sorry. The brain is still at GenCon. I should have asked "which door". There's one to the south of the 15 long corridor and one right opposite the door you would enter on the east wall.
The door indicated as the one for which we needed the password, if either of the doors meet that criterion. If not, then the one opposite first.
DMThree large stone sarcophagi stand within this dusty crypt, and propped up against each sarcaphagus is a human skeleton clad in bits of rusty mail. False columns along the walls are carved in the image of spreading oak trees. The double doors in the southeast corner are sheathed in tarnished copper plate.
The three skeletons start to animate.
Please place yourselves behind Kriv and also your captives. I guess I could use initiative rolls too 
Kriv
He spake a single word as he saw the cadavers arise.
"Illefarn."
Kriv initiative
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 19
DM
As Kriv spoke, the skeletons froze in place and took their bony hands off of the hilts of the swords they had moved to. It seems the word did what Inaro promised it would do.
Chandan
His mouth hangs open as the decrepid skeletons freeze like preternatural and maccabre marionettes.
Onlookers might think the word also worked on Chandan. But then he squints and looks around the room, from behind the protective wall of Kriv's upper body. [15,15]
"Good place to put a gaol. No need for gaoler!" He says.
The captives are probably behind one of the two doors in the room, by the old monk's thinking. Which one? Only one way to find out.
Once everyone else is in tow, he ambles over to the nearest door, the single door, and wraps it with the butt of his spear.
"Hello? Someone called for a healer!?"
Jaliera
As the group move forward, she slowly moves with them but faces back towards the cavern most of the time. She will stay in the rear and move towards the door that leads into the corridor that leads to Kriv and the sarcophogi but she won't move into that corridor yet as she wants to maintain a long rear view.
I'll place ...
Jaliera at (14,16), just outside the door.
Chandan at (18,13), next to the single door on the east wall up top
Kriv is at (15,14), just outside the room.
Waiting on Kalista and Davroar.
15,13. Just inside the door.
Davroar
Once again he will grab the wizard by the back of his belt and will unceremoniously dump him just behind Kriv, stopping when he catches sight of the skeletons standing up, and ready to charge in just in case the password didn't work.
Will stop at (15,15)
DM
"It would seem that the password worked," Inaro says as he lies on the floor of the crypt. He rolls over onto his back and looks up at the pillars shaped in the form of trees. "These are the ancient ancestors of Tresendar. They liked trees it seems. Are you ready to spare me some of these indignities? Surely we can come to some sort of arrangement? Is it gold you seek?"
Nobody answers Chandan's calls. It might be because there's nobody there to hear or perhaps those who hear choose not to answer. Either way, there's no response.
Chandan
He looks dumbfounded, then shrugs and opens the door, grouching, "You want a healer or not!!?"
Since Chandan made a second move (first into the room and then over to the door to open it), everyone else gets to move and declare an action. I'll proceed after that. See the current tactical map. Also, who is guarding the bugbear and where is he? I just dumped him on the map but you have two prisoners now. 
Davroar
Since this is the wizards home, he will take a good sniff from him and see which door could possibly be the one he uses the most. That might indicate which direction Inaro keeps the prisoners, if he does check in on them occasionally.
Jaliera
She will stay in position as rear guard. She will not be looking after the bugbear as this would be a distraction in her current role.
Kallista
She chooses to stay near the exit to keep an eye on the skeletons.
(OOC - keep her where she is for now)
Kriv
A cowed prisoner could be more useful than a defiant one, so he called for the Bugbear to come forward.
"Mosk, come here. Are you familiar with this room and the ones beyond? Give us an overview."
DMThe only person to move into the room is Chandan and he opens the north door on east wall to see what's inside.
While he is doing so, Inaro who is far away in the hall speaks in a calm and measured tone to the bear (Davroar) that is sniffing him up and down, "The old man really should be careful. There are guards that do not know that we have surrendered to you. I'm sure that there are some beyond this room and they will defend this place from strangers."
As Inaro is talking to the bear, the bugbear starts to squeeze through the hall and the bear and approaches the Dragonborn. He makes it to the front when Chandan opens the door. (OOC: The only place the Bugbear can make it to is 16,13, to the right of Kalista so that's where I'll put him).
The door is unlocked and when the monk opens it he sees a long room that is partitioned into three areas, with iron bars walling off the north and the south. Filthy straw lines the floors of those cells, the hinged doors of which are secured by chains and padlocks. A pair of disheveled human women are held in the cell to the south, while a human boy is confined to the north. All are dressed in plain gray tunics and have iron collars fitted around their necks.
A heap of discarded clothing is piled carelessly against the far wall. Chandan then notices someone hiding in the room to his left. The man has pressed his back against the wall and as the door opens, he moves to attack. What Chandan did not notice is the man to his right that is flanking him. That man was able to hide from him and surprises the monk with his attack. The Redbrand Ruffian's short sword is driven deep into the old man's side, and he twists it there trying to do more damage.
R1,R2 Stealth
Neptune rolled 1d20+2,1d20+2 and got 10, 20
R2 Surprise attack on Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d6+2 and got 24, 8, 3, 5
R2 Crit
Neptune rolled 1d6 and got 2
Chandan takes 10 points of damage. I need initiative rolls for everyone now.
Kriv
Kriv initiative
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 14
Loudly, in a level tone, the Dragonborn shouted,
"Inaro, I strongly suggest you order your men to stand down and surrender, lest we choose to mirror every wound they inflict on our people upon your sorry hide. An eye for an eye, a blow for a blow."
Davroar
Hearing what sounds to be a fight happening past the room and then Kriv demanding Inaro to order his men to stop, Davroar will try to quickly push Inaro into the room for whoever is fighting to see that their leader is a prisoner himself.
Davroar Initiative
Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 10
Jaliera
Hearing a commotion up ahead, she will take a good look in the group's rear and then check the corridor to see if there is not room to move up into the next room. Until there is she will watch alternatively in both directions but not in a pattern that could be detected.
Initiative:
Jaliera Initiative
Gypsy rolled 1d20+3 and got 4
Kallista
She watches as Chandan opens the door, while at the same time keeping a wary eye on the skeletons.
Kallista Initiative
Zeim rolled d20+2 and got 12
Chandan
He gasps and staggers through the doorway, as the Redbrands try cravenly to do him in.
Seeing the pens, the old monk has the final proof that this gang are monsters of the worst kind.
Having sized up the room, its occupants and the overall situation as he careens around, he sets about upsetting the Redbrands.
[Chandan Initiative. 2+3=5]
DM
Before ANYTHING else happens (including Kriv's command) the ruffians both attack Chandan again. This time the monk is able to duck under one sword and twist away from the other. They had stepped forward to attack and now move behind the wall to avoid any ranged attacks.
Redbrands Initiative
Neptune rolled 1d20+2 and got 14
R1, R2 attack Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d6+2 and got 15, 9, 7, 3
Based on the current tactical, the ruffians can only be attacked by Chandan but others can move in. They cannot see them since they are hiding on either side of the door. Note that since "Adventurers League" does not use the optional flanking rules, I won't. The order of moves is as follows:
Ruffians 14 (+2)
Kriv 14 (+1)
Kallista 12
Davroar 10
Chandan 5
Jaliera 4
So Kriv is up. I've got the "free" speaking thing. It happens now. Also, since the wizard and bugbear are secured and intimidated, I will treat them as non-enemies. In other words, you can move freely through their squares (not stopping in them).
Kriv
Hefting his maul, he indicated the Bugbear to go first.
"Mosk, lead the way. Claim their surrender in my name. I doubt they would be so foolish as to strike you: Should they try, I will execute them accordingly."
He followed behind the Bugbear, provided the Bugbear obeyed, ready to strike any that attacked him.
[ooc: Just a reminder. Mosk is bound and hobbled:
See this post You may adjust your post or he will move (slowed) and do as told. ]
[I am aware. It's three squares, even hobbled that should be in his usual move. Kriv is not above sending in a bound, hobbled prisoner.]
The bugbear will go after Davroar. It sounds like Kriv is not taking physical action this round, so Kalista and Davroar go.
Kallista
She saw Chandan get hit by two foes who are hiding behind the doorway and out of her view. She knows better than to charge ahead, and taking a quick look into the area she sees it isn't shaped well for most of her spells, but perhaps one could work. They'll have to cut their way in after, but it could incapacitate the enemy.
So she touches her spell focus, speaks a short phrase, and points her finger into the room, aiming for the back wall. A 20 foot cube is instantly filled with thick, sticky, webs.
(OOC - Nep - Should fill the area between the bars. May spill out into the cells a little bit and might also hit Chandan, but we should be able to cut him free.)
DM
Kalista points her finger at the back wall of the room beyond the door and fills the chamber with sticky webs.
The web makes the room difficult terrain and lightly obscures the area. I'm placing all the webs in the room just to make it easy and keep Chandan free. I rolled the dex save in advance of the Redbrands going just so it's recorded. They are not restrained:
R1,R2 Save vs Web (DC 13)
Neptune rolled 1d20+2,1d20+2 and got 13, 15
Davroar goes...Then the bugbear
(OOC - Oh well. Anyway, as long as they stay in the room they have to save every round.)
Kriv
"Belay that, hold position. We can ignite the webbing and smoke them out. Or burn them alive."
Kallista
"There are prisoners in there, according to this one", she tosses a finger back at Iarno. "Maybe we just let the guards get tangled and cut our way in, if they won't come out or surrender? Killing prisoners isn't going to help us."
[ooc: Nudging things forward a bit....]
DM
Webs fill the chamber where several villagers are kept prisoner. Moments later the bugbear shuffles up to the door and obediently tells them to drop their weapons and his words are supported by Inaro who calls out "You've done your job. Stand down."
Even though the ruffians who were standing guard are able to avoid being restrained, they heed the words of Inaro (moreso than Mosk) and they toss their swords on the floor outside the room and they both walk out and surrender.
(..... at which point Kallista will drop the webs.)
Davroar
Finished with dragging Inaro into the room, he will remain close to the wizard in case he tries to turn the tables on them. He is getting worried now with the bugbear, three skeletons, two Red Brand thugs, and Chandran injured.
Jaliera
Her glances down the corridor in the direction of her companions and the conversation she hears tells her that things are under control at least for now. So she stays where she is watching for any other bandits or the familiar to show themselves.
At this point I need to know what you're doing with the Redbrand Ruffians and the prisoners
Kriv
"Up against the far wall."
He strode in, claiming the surrendered weapons, bringing his maul up to the ready position.
"Without law, there is no justice. Let us apply one of the most fundamental of laws here. An eye for an eye, restitution through retribution. Prisoners, awake! Your incarceration is unjust and without merit. You are freed, and will be slipped of your bonds in short order. Bear witness to your guards, your jailers. Did they mistreat you? Abuse you? Cause harm to you or your loved ones? Speak now, and speak truly."
DM
The dragonborn marches into the jail room and sees three individuals, two women and a boy. The women are locked in a cell to the south and the boy alone in a cell to the north. The two women are huddling together in fear but the boy stands and answers, "They killed my daddy."
Kallista
She follows Kriv into the room and sighs at the answer the boy gives, but follows with a question of her own. "Which ones?"
Chandan
Hobbling and cursing vitriolically in his native tongue, he hears the boy's accusation. Scowling, he swings his spear in a decapitating blow at the ruffian who stabbed him.
[Chandan hit roll w/ Flurry of Blows. 19+5=24, 18+5=23, 12+5=17
Damage rolls. 5+3=8,1+3=4,4+3=7]
Davroar
He lets out a low grumble of frustration when Chandan goes off again, attacking the guard that they just five seconds ago had managed to convince to lay down their weapons. Nevertheless, he hopes Iarno who is lying within a claw strike will regard his growl as a warning not to try anything stupid.
Jaliera
She does not want to let her companions out of her sight and so she moves down the corridor to take a stance just inside the door to the sarcophagi room. (13.15)
As well as keeping an eye on what is happening in the prison room, he main attention is still focused back up the corridor.
DM
Without warning, the monk strikes out against the man that had surrendered. With a flurry of blows he snaps the man's neck and he drops dead to the ground.
The younger of the two women in the southern cages cries out in horror when she witnesses the slaying of the Redbrand Ruffian. At the same time the other ruffian cries out "MURDERER!!!" and charges Chandan. Since he has discarded his weapon, he punches the monk who gets smacked right in the face by the man's fist.
Ruffian Attacks Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4 and got 23,6
Chandan takes 1 point of damage.
Mirna, Nars, Nilsa Reaction (wisdom) to Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20,1d20,1d20 and got 11, 11, 9
As a result of the killing of the surrendered Redbrand Ruffian, the party, from this point forward, will have disadvantage in the town on any persuasion skill checks. Future actions could alter this.
Kriv
"Humans. So little discipline, so very fragile. I'll not tolerate a violated surrender. Here: I will not intervene. Let this be a trial by combat: You who both live by violence, let the Gods decide your guilt or innocence."
So saying, he slid one of the surrendered blades to the Ruffian.
Davroar
Silently he wishes that Karok did not have to leave so suddenly. His presence could have calmed the situation down with no further violence.
Seeing Kriv give the guard his sword back, Davroar takes a hesitant step forward, but quickly goes back to watching the wizard. He was tempted to return to his human form to voice his own opinion, but figures it would be a waste of time trying to talk them out of fighting. Chandan is much older than him and would probably ignore any words of common sense from a sixteen year-old.
ooc: Remaining in position to watch over Iarno, with no other action planned ]
Jaliera
Still keeping watch she is confounded by the events in the room.
"Haven't we more important things to do?"
Far too much masculine pride in this group. She glances at Kallista hoping for some reason. They are already a man down with a huge quest ahead. At this rate they will need to recruit.
DM
The ruffian claimed the sword and prepared for Chandan's attack. If there's any hesitation, he'll look for an opening to strike.
[ooc: it's Chandan's turn]
Kallista
"Idiots." She grunts roughly, then moves into the room, avoiding the combat and moves to the prisoners looking for keys to open the cells. If no keys are readily handy she will gesture Jaliera over.
"I am not with them", she says to the prisoners. "Oh, I am traveling with them, mostly for protection, but they are too chaotic and undisciplined for me. Once I free you I will make sure to keep them away from you."
Chandan
The monk lunges with the spear, even as the first ruffian's body is falling to the floor. This time it is the second of the Redbrands that will suffer.
Murderer indeed. He will show them that throwing down your murder weapon does not suddenly absolve you of murder.
[Chandan. Hit roll vs Redbrand ruffian with Flurry of Blows. 12+5=17,5+5=10,1+5=6
Damage roll 6+3=9.
DM
The monk gets in his first blow but misses with the next two. The ruffian drives his sword into Chandan, pulls it out and pokes him again. Both blows cut into him.
Ruffian double attack
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4 and got 17, 23
Ruffian damage
Neptune rolled 1d6+2,1d6+2 and got 6, 3
To the pain! For next round:
Chandan. Hit roll vs Redbrand ruffian with Flurry of Blows. 18+5=23,9+5=14,7+5=12
Damage roll 4+3=7,2+3=5.]ChandanWith the day he's having, one more stinging cut quickly mingles into the rest of the pain in his wizened frame.
But the spear doesn't drop yet.
DM
Chandan's second round of attacks dispatches the second ruffian who crumbles to the ground at the monks feet.
I'll let the rest of you act now.
Kallista enters the room just at about the same time that the monk kills the second ruffian. The prisoners move back in the cells, away from the demonic looking tiefling. They do not know what to think.
Kallista, please provide a persuasion skill check - at disadvantage, of course.
Inaro
He looks up to the bear, "Is this the fairness I am to expect? I've been forthcoming and I asked my men to back down. You are worse than ... "
Chandan
The old man plants the butt of his spear on the ground and lets out a long breath, whilst reaching for his gourd. Unfortunately he'd already drained and disposed of it earlier.
"Your mistake is to think that surrendering to punishment atones for the crime you commit.
"Will your oily words bring back their father you murdered?" He says to the self-serving wizard, pointing to the cells.
Chandan feels no need to mention however many women and children, enslaved and tormented by Inaro's gang. He turns his head and bows his head to the captives.
"You are safe now, and no more families will be destroyed by these men. The rule of the Redbrands is over."
Kallista
She smiles softly at the prisoners as she works to free them, speaking gently.
Kallista Persuasion
Zeim rolled d20+3,d20+3 and got 16, 20
Kriv
"An old man with a pointed stick has bested a young man in his prime with a sword. So be it. Though the wounds of transgression are plain on the one, it is clear what the Gods think of the murder of your father by these men. This trial by combat is concluded."
DMKriv stands near Chandan over the broken bodies at their feet and declares the monk victor in fair combat against the ruffian.
Inaro's answer the monk something and gives him something to think about. "Are you
sure of your verdicts and conclusions or are you simply a murderer?" He doesn't try anything with the bear standing over him.
Mosk seems to have no reaction to humans killing humans. It seems reasonable to the bugbear.
Kalista moves over to the southern cages and examines the lock on it.
"I don't know who has the key," the elder woman says. "I am Mirna and this here is my daughter Nilsa and that's my son Nars in the other cage." Apparently the woman feels alright about Kallista.
Meanwhile Jaliera stands guard nearby.
Kriv
"I could not murder you, Inaro. I could only avenge those whose lives you have taken, extract the price of your sins and administer punishment for your transgressions. Kidnapping, false imprisonment, murder, consorting with outlaws and with enemies of the state: Do you really consider yourself in a position to moralize? Your entire species is weak, flawed and capricious. Enough. Where is the cell key?"
Kallista
"Jaliera, can you come here and see if you can open this?, she calls as Kriv asks Iarno for the key.
She simply frowns as Kriv performs the exact same moralization he accuses Iarno of. Killing unarmed prisoners is murder. There is no other word for it. There are laws that account for the handling of accused criminals, and slaughtering them, unarmed, without trial or proof is not among them. At least in every civilized society she's experienced.
Davroar
With the combat over and with their numerical superiority (not counting the skeletons as they seem docile enough), he feels more confident and will shift back to his human form. Bending down he will untie Iarno's bound feet and help the man up to stand. Davroar will remain slightly behind Iarno keeping a firm grip just above the mans right elbow, and will not offer an apology to him but simply states in a quiet voice, "I like to think I am fair, but I'm more cautious than fair when dealing with people I don't know."
Chandan
"Hmm. Where I come from, it normal for criminals to be unarmed when they face punishment." He says to Iarno with a shrug.
"I see many terrible thing done here. I don't care about etiquette, I just make sure you don't do it again."
And indeed, to the monk of Khazari 'justice' is more an elemental force of nature, revolutions of the Great Wheel, than a system of laws and courts.
He helps free the captives and sees that they're well. Cleaning their faces and any sores with water, he also carries herbs to make a poltice if need be.
[Chandan Medicine skill check. 7+5=12]
OOC:
The cages are locked
When anyone approaches the cages to help the prisoners, please provide me with a persuasion skill check - at disadvantage, of course
Note: DC 15 for the prisoners. Kallista succeeded with a 16.
Chandan
Without further ado, he rifles the dead slavers' pockets for the keys and will toss them to Kallista, should he find them.
[Chandan Persuasion check w/ disadv. 11,14=11]
DM
As Chandan approaches the cages, the prisonners shy away in a panic. The mother yells at him "YOU STAY AWAY FROM US!" They obviously want nothing to do with him. The ruffians have nothing in their pockets.
Outside the room with the cells, Inaro says quietly to Davroar, "I've been honest with you and haven't given you any troubles. I can get you the key to the cells."
Jaliera
"If the wizard doesn't have the key, I'm happy to come and try the locks but I'd like to swap with Kriv so that Davroar is not alone in guarding the prisoners."
She maintains her watch whilst the others sort themselves out.
Chandan
He bows his head respectfully to the mother. What horrors her family had endured... But it troubled Chandan more wondering how many others had shared a similar fate and not been rescued.
The monk knows it will take the mother and child sometime to recover a semblance of normality, if they ever do.
Either way, he will back away peacibly and leave Kallista to aid them.
He ambles over to replace Jaliera, shaking his head in disgust at Iarno as he passes.
Kallista
"Brutish men", she says consolingly to the woman as Chandan moves off. "Don't worry. You can stay near me. I will have Jaliera", she points and beckons, "that nice young girl there, come over and see if she can get you out of here."
Jaliera
"Just remember to watch for the familiar."
She cautions Davroar and Chandan as she lowers her bow, her arms glad of the respite as she heads into the room of cells.
Slinging her bow, she tucks the arrow in her belt as she extracts a small leather folder and selects a tool, once she has looked at the lock.
"Soon have you out of there."
She smiles at the woman and girl before bending to work on the lock.
Jaliera Pick lock
Gypsy rolled 1d20+7 and got 10
(OOC - If needed, Kallista will "assist".)
Davroar
He nods in acknowledgement to Jaliera about watching out for Iarno's familiar, and will wait to see if she has any success with opening the cages on her own, before asking Iarno where he has the keys. Davroar has a good suspicion that the wizard will want something in return for giving up the keys.
DM
Jaliera struggles with the lock for a few minutes but eventually she hears an audible click and the cage door to the south cracks open, freeing Mirna and her daughter Nilsa. She'll need to pick the northern lock to free the boy.
After Jaliera moves into the other room, Inaro says, "You know that neither of those dead men are the ones that kill that man. It was another hired hand and he is no longer with us." From the tone the druid gathers that the man is dead.
Please provide an "insight" roll for Davroar
ChandanWhile the locks are picked and captives tended to, Chandan shuffles around the room. Perhaps there are manacles? Perhaps there are more clues about this skullduggery of Inaro's?
DM edit: Chandan does not hear the conversation between Inaro and Davroar. They are in the other room.[Ah OK, groovy, edited. Thanks Nep!
-nemarsde]
Kriv
"I let a man be murdered. An unarmed man. A man who had given his word to take no further violent action in exchange for reasonable treatment. Perhaps he had a wife. Perhaps he had children. Tell me, Chandan. What should I do with that murderer, lest I be condemned by association for tolerating his continued life?"
Chandan
He raises an eyebrow at the Dragonborn's question. It's not a bad one and it has been a long time since he's had anyone to talk philosophy with.
"All killing is sorrowful, sometimes it is wrong, sometimes it is right, sometimes it is both and neither."
Chandan gestures to the bodies with his spear.
"Did they have families? Hmm, perhaps so. But matters less than they not ever able to do such evil again."
The old man decides to use some of the poltice on himself, since they have a moment.
"You feel bad because the man gave his word? What if he gave you money? Same thing. He buys your mercy with something precious to you."
Kriv
"Feel bad? What a nonsensical way of putting it. There are two sides to a surrender, after all, the victor and the vanquished. It is not a mercy, it is a preservation of resources: Those men could have been indentured to work off their blood debt or match it should they perish in honest toil. He gave his word that he would not attempt to commit further harm in exchange for not being physically harmed. In corollary, I gave my word that he would not be unjustly physically harmed in exchange for renouncing the means of physical harm.
Then you had to go and impale him like some mad savage, cutting down a defenseless man out of pettiness over your own minor injuries. Your conduct disgusts me, and worse than that, you broke the word that I had given. You despoiled that which matters more to me than your life. Should I not revenge upon that injury as you did upon yours?"
Kallista
"Why don't you see if you can open the other lock and free the boy?" She says to Jaliera. "I'll stay here and make sure these women are alright."
As the conversation between Chandan and Kriv wafts into the room she simply grunts.
She looks at the two females. "I am Kallista. I will make sure you get back to your homes. Are you from Phandalin?"
OOC:
A word from our sponsor...
I'm fine with all the roleplaying and banter; it spices things up and can be good for the game ... or not. The little devil on one of my shoulders keeps poking me, urging me to fan the fire , but the angel 
on my other shoulder is giving me that look.
Let's just not let the scene get out of hand. The challenge is to reach terms which allow for a way forward. That is on all of us. Davroar
He shakes his head and quietly replies to Iarno, "Doesn't surprised me. The old mans actions were rash."
Davroar holds his tongue, not wanting to say anything truly bad about the man, but it seems to him that Chandan has some craziness in him.
Davroar Insight roll
Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 3 - not sure if I have any bonus that can be applied, but I doubt for such a low roll that it matters.
Chandan
The grey beard is twizzled in thought.
"Unless you psionic, you did not say what you think you said.
"You said it was time for eye for an eye, 'restitution through retribution'."
Chandan has a close look at the edge of his spear. The Dragonborn has a point. It isn't terribly sharp or well made.
"You asked what these monsters had done, that little boy there said they killed his father.
"Good enough for me. So far we have proven that the Redbrands invaded the Drendar's home, murdered the father and kidnapped his family.
"They fed the father's corpse to the nothic and enslaved the family here. Don't know what they did or planned to do, but as you see, this dungeon is well used. What they done to the Drendars, they done before."
Finally he decides that he definitely does a better spear.
Kriv
"Ask the bereaved family what they think of your take on justice, vagrant. If they will allow you close enough to begin speaking without shying away from you in horror from what they saw you do. They didn't even react to their captors in such a manner. Why do you think that is?"
Chandan
He shakes his head. Such is the way of things. The family will likely be scarred for life by their ordeal.
"I don't know much about justice. I only make sure evil-doers don't keep doing."
He searches through the piles of clothes. They might give some idea of the number of captives the Redbrands have processed, clues to where they were from and perhaps who they were.
DM
While Kriv and Chandan finish discussing the recent events, Jaliera opens the other cage door, reuniting the boy with his mother and sister.
Chandan saunters over to the large pile of clothes and sifts through it. Whatever valuables had been in these pockets, they are now gone. It appears to be the clothing of about a dozen people.
Davroar listens to Inaro and is beginning to believe the man. He has been forthcoming about matters. The nothic was just hungry and had acted in accordance with it's nature. Even after it surrendered, it was killed. Now these two guards, whose guilt was never confirmed, were slain. Chandan's actions weren't just rash, they were consistent. And what proof was there that Inaro and his men committed grievous crimes? What was true?
The family, now reunited, thank Jaliera and Kallista for rescuing them. "I don't know what they were planning to do with us," the mother says to the two female rescuers. They keep their distance from the disheveled old man.
Kriv
"Your actions in doing so were themselves morally repugnant. Your conduct has been unacceptable. You will answer for it in accordance with the law, just as Inaro will. I should be grateful you haven't decided to murder him on a whim as well, for all that his crimes and leadership require it more. Come, let us leave this chamber. You're scaring the liberated ones. Mosk, come as well."
He headed out to join Davroar and the more dangerous of the prisoners.
Davroar
When the others begin returning from the cells, he asks Inaro, "Before we leave, what's behind those double doors?"
Since they are here, he figures it's best that they make sure they are not leaving anyone behind.
Chandan
He shrugs as the Dragonborn leaves. After all, it was Kriv that intended to eat the wizard's hands and feet, so it seems to Chandan to be a labyrinthine moral code that Kriv adheres to.
The monk might be able to help Kriv with that, but not with the law. Chandan has barely any knowledge of the laws of his own land, let alone these.
Either way, the surviving Drendars are rescued, but at least twelve others were not so lucky. So Chandan hopes Sildar Hallwinter will put the wizard to the death once he's done with him.
Chandan and his companions have another of Sildar's friends to find, Gundren Rockcutter, but before they do, there must be some record of the Redbrands business, the missing twelve.
There are no records in this room, so the old monks wanders back out, thinking over their route through Tresendar Manor so far.
There must be a journal or log, Inaro must have an office or at least a bedchamber. Would he sleep in the same room as his minions? Not likely!
The double doors in the crypt are probably how the sarcophegi were brought into the crypt in the first place, so should lead to an exit.
Why didn't Inaro flee through the crypt to the exit, instead of through the cavern to an exit (possibly the same exit)?
Chandan can't answer that, but since the wizard first emerged from the northern storeroom with the barrels and crates, it does seem most likely that the wizard came from either the door in the corridor north of the crypt, or from the secret door on the west wall of the storeroom.
"Hmm. We should retrace our steps, check unchecked doors." He says to his companions, hobbling off to the north.
Kallista
Once Chandan and Kriv have left the room and it is only Jaliera and herself with the Drendars she does her best to calm them down.
"We", she indicates Jaliera and herself, "will escort you to the outside of this place. The exit is near to the Halfling farmer's lands, Mistress Alderleaf? I am sure you know her? Tell her we freed you and asked her to keep you safe until we return to town. I am sure she will help you."
"You should know that a Knight arrived with us, one Sildar Hallwinter. He has established himself in the Townmaster's Hall and is set to bring proper justice to Phandalin. We will be bringing the Wizard to him to decide his fate. We were tasked with eliminating the Redbrand threat, although the old man went too far."
She takes a step closer to the door and calls to Kriv, Davroar, and Chandan. "We cannot take the Drendars along with us. It is too dangerous. Jaliera and I will escort them out the tunnel we came in so they can seek refuge with Mistress Alderleaf. We've cleared those areas so it should be safe. It will only take us a few minutes to return."
Kriv
He nodded, curtly, to the Tiefling.
"Understood. Their safety is your responsibility. Safe travels."
Chandan
He halts at the crypt's north door to listen to Kallista. She has a point; they either keep the Drendars guarded where they are, until they're all ready to leave, or they escort them to the surface.
Chandan can't leave yet though.
"Ah, good idea!" He nods to the tiefling, "From the pile of clothes in there, could be another twelve or so captives come through here. We try to find where they are now."
Jaliera
"Find out what you can from the wizard but wait for us to return before you explore any new areas."
She speaks to the others as she heads out with Kallista and the family, agreeing that this is the best way forward. She is however worried about leaving Davroar with the other two having a large difference of opinion and also in splitting the party.
"We should move as quickly as the family are able."
She smiles encouragingly at the villagers.
DMThe two women have decided to to escort the villagers out. The men are going to stay behind with the prisoners. What route are the women taking and what are the men doing here?
[ooc:
There is an obvious path that everyone knows of to exit this place. That would be to go out the way you came in. I've highlighted that path on the map. There are other choices, of course. If Chandan, Kriv and Davroar are just going to stay put, that's one thing, but maybe they don't? There are 4 unexplored areas you know about. Where are they going?
]
(OOC - Well, if the men stood in Room 7 (the middle room on the northern wall), they could watch as Jaliera and Kallista take the villagers to the tunnel exit. It should be a matter of 10 rounds (5 out and 5 back, without running) to do it so it's not like they'll be gone even as long as a Short Rest)
OOC: Well, OK. If you are ready, I would like to hear what everyone's plans are for that 10 rounds. Where are you and what are you doing?
I've republishing the map with a key to rooms (numbers) and areas left to explore (letters)
[Chandan wants to check door B. In theory in leads into a 15x15' room. Unlikely to be Iarno's bedchamber at that size, but will clear this NE quadrant. Chandan's money (if he had any) is currently on the bedchamber being somewhere in that NW blackspot.]
Jaliera
She keeps her bow to hand, still watching for the wizard's familiar as well as any other trouble. Smiling occasionally at the villagers, she leads the way back through the chasm cavern, heading for the route out, the one they came in by.
Kriv
For now, he was content to keep an eye on the three reprobates.
DM
As Jaliera and Kallista march the three freed prisoners to the tunnel entrance, Kriv watches over the prisoners and Chandan while Davroar keeps watch. Chandan makes his way over to the door that had not been checked and tests to see if it is open or locked and realizes that the latter is true. Either they get a key or let Jaliera pick it when she returns from her mini mission.
Out in the great cavern the group crosses the safe bridge and head to the tunnel entrance. As they pass the spot where the nothic's carcass lies sprawled in a pool of it's ichor, the mother turns her head away from the crevasse, covers her mouth with her hand and starts to weep.
"Children, keep moving and don't look down she says," but of course they have to take a peek. Down in the bottom of the crevasse there's a half eaten body and a quick look at her ashen face indicates that the body is that of her husband. The children have to look, of course. They too start to cry.
Jaliera and Kallista usher them towards the tunnel. They stop there because Jaliera hears something in the tunnel just as they get there. People a coming from there and she hears voices. Those voices stop abruptly, an indication that whoever is coming heard something they didn't expect to hear.
[ooc: Jaliera and Kallista need to roll initiative. The prisoners are non-combatants.]
Kallista
She stops as soon as she hears the noise coming from ahead. Ushering the woman and her children behind her for protection she readies for whatever might be coming. Her expectation is more Redbrands, as who else would be using the tunnel. But she doesn't discount other possibilities.
Kallista Initiative
Zeim rolled d20+2 and got 12
Jaliera
She backs away quietly gaining some distance to give herself a chance to use it, ideally to discourage those approaching from coming further. Her bow is ready but she waits to see who it might be before firing.
Jaliera Initiative
Gypsy rolled 1d20+3 and got 8
Chandan
With a crack of his knees, the old man bends and eyes the lock, clucking to himself.
"Hmm. Locked. Not the wizard's chamber then." He ponders aloud.
"Alarm was raised, he left in a hurry, came from room over there, fled to south-east passage. Would not stop to lock up after him."
Chandan closes his eyes and visualises their exploration of the manor. The north-west now seems most likely to be where they'll find the Redbrands' books if there are any.
Still, something important must be kept behind a locked down, even if it is a bit out of the way. It could be an archive.
So he wanders back in to Kriv, Davroar and the prisoners.
"What is behind the locked door?" He asks.
DMThe sounds of people coming comes too late to hide but not too late to be ready. Jaliera and Kallista come face-to-face with a trio of Redbrand Ruffians. They know this from the distinct red garb they wear. When the ruffians see the freed prisoners, the tiefling and the young rouge they unsheath their weapons and it doesn't look like they are willing to parlay.
Meanwhile, Chandan is ponders out loud about where the wizard's chamber might be before meandering back to Kriv, the prisoners and the currently inanimate skeletons. He must have forgotten that Davroar was keeping a distant eye on Jaliera, Kallista and the three villagers. When he asks his question, neither the wizard nor the bugbear answer.
Ruffians initiative
Neptune rolled 1d20 and got 9
OOC: Note that when you were wandering around the town and encountered Redbrands there, you killed the ones you encountered. Your characters would realize that word has gotten out. I placed Davroar in a spot where he can keep an eye on the villagers and their escorts...just in case there's trouble.
Jaliera can get an attack. I left room in the map so that range weapons are still in play without disadvantage.
Kallista
As the enemy come into view, she doesn't waste any time. Bringing her hands up she extremely quickly slaps her cupped palms together and points with an outstretched finger. The loud clap that should have come from her hands is displaced, and amplified to tremendous levels and a loud ringing noise, painfully intense, comes from a point in the midst of the foes. Without pause she launches into another magical phrase and points her finger at those who survived the thunderous noise.
Kallista Shatter Spell (Quickened to Bonus Action)
Zeim rolled 3d8 and got 18 Thunder Damage. Con Save for all the Redbrands versus DC 13 for 1/2 dam. Then cast a Magic Missile at whichever of the Redbrand made their Con Saves.
Kallista Magic Missile (if needed)
Zeim rolled 3d4+3 and got 10
DMAs the ruffians emerge from the tunnel and take their first aggressive step forward, they are stopped in their tracks by Jaliera's evocation of arcane thunder. They red robed men feel their bones shake and crumble and the second man in line actually explodes into a pile of blood and bones. Before the man in the lead can test out his legs, Kallista's bolt of magic burns a hole through his chest and he crumbles to the ground. This leaves one of the ruffians and he quickly decides that his best course of action is to kill the horned devil that killed his two pals.
The first thrust of his short sword finds a hole in her defenses and digs deep into her torso. The other stab misses.
It's Jaliera's turn
...See the OOC thread for an explanation..
R1,R2,R3 Con Saves
Neptune rolled 1d20+1,1d20+1,1d20+1 and got 13, 11, 21
R3 attacks Kallista
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d6+2 and got 20, 9, 8, 4StatusChandan 24/10
Kallista 25/8
Davroar 20/0
Jaliera 18/0
Kriv 21/4
R1 16/Dead
R2 16/Dead
R3 16/9
Davroar
Watching Kallista take out two of the three Redbrand brigands, he will quickly move back to shout down the corridor to Chandan and Kriv still in the room, "Three more Redbrands by the way we came in! Kallista killed two ..."
Davroar will not wait to see whether they will all come to see, as he will want to move back to his original spot to see what happens next.
He is being loud enough to be heard to those in the room, but trying not to be too loud to cause more attention.
Kriv
"I cannot in good conscience ask for that one's surrender."
He glowered at Chandan.
"But it seems they have the matter well in hand."
Chandan
His ears twitched, and he disregarded the locked room. Davroar and Kriv had the prisoners under control, but the fray in the cavern put the rescued family in jeopardy and so Chandan had to act.
Wincing, cursing, hopping and shuffling, he hurried south as fast as he could, leaving bloody footprints in his wake. The old monk wanted to ensure the wife and children had close protection.
[Double move as before]
Jaliera
Impressed with Kallista's actions, she targets the one still standing... and misses
aliera Arrow
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d6+3 and got 9, 6
(OOC - Since the ruffians went already, and Chandan moved, I presume it's Kallista's turn again?)
Kallista
She grunts as the sword enters her side and spits a curse in Infernal at the Redbrand. Bringing her hands up she summons a Bolt of Fire and hurls it at the enemy.
Kallista Firebolt
Zeim rolled d20+5 and got 22
Kallista Firebolt - Damage
Zeim rolled d10 and got 7
DM
Kalista's firebold harms the ruffian badly but he does not drop. Since the horned devil woman was obviously the most dangerous, he concentrates on killing her. He stabs her with her sword with his first attack but she is able to sidestep his second thrust.
Chandan is now halfway down the cavern with the crevasse. While Davroar watches and Kriv stand guard over the wizard and the bugbear with the eyepatch.
K3 attacks Kallista
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d6+2 and got 19, 9, 4, 3
Kallista takes 4 points of damage.
ooc: technically the Redbrand is adjacent to Jaliera so her bow shots will be at disadvantage but she missed, so we move on.
Jaliera and Kallista, let's see if you can take out the ruffian.
Chandan
Limp hop shuffle, limp hop shuffle, Chandan shakes his head as he dashes as quickly as his wizened and abused body will allow.
"I am getting tooo old for this dashiong la se la ch'won tian!"
Jaliera
Having dropped her bow and drawn her rapier, she moves in to close with the injured Redbrand, very concerned that Kallista has been hurt.
Jaliera Rapier
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d8+3 and got 15, 5
DM
The final ruffian is killed just at about the same time that Chandan arrives to assist.
Davroar
Seeing that everything is ok now, he will return to Kriv reporting what has happened.
Kriv
He nodded to Davroar's report with grim satisfaction.
"I thought they had it well in hand. Good, we proceed as intended and await their return."
Chandan
He limps up to Kallista and Jaliera, noting the freshly slain. He wheezes and shrugs, then gets his bag of herbs out.
"Are you always this popular with the men?" He asks, whilst seeing who needs tending.
[Can he use Medicine skill for healing?]
[ooc: Medicine is used to 1) Stabilize a dying PC 2) Diagnose an illness. So the answer is no. However, during a short rest PCs can use hit dice to heal. You get 1 per level.]
DM
With the ruffians dispatched, the three freed prisoners get ready to leave. The woman turns to Jaliera and Kallista and says. "Thank you for freeing us. "I wish that I could reward you somehow." She hugs both women and then, at just about the time Chandan gets there, she looks up and then bites her lower lip as she remembers something.
""When I was a young girl, I lived in a town called Thundertree. But undead overran the place. My parents owned an herb and alchemy shop there and when we fled, we forgot to take a case that was hidden beneath a section of storage shelves. We never dared return to retrieve it, but mother said there was a beautiful emerald necklace. You seem like the fearsome sort that might venture to go to a place like that. It's a family heirloom, but it's yours if you find it. The shop was in the southeast part of Thundertree."
She simply nodded at the monk, showing obvious fear of Chandan who she regarded as either evil or crazy. She gathered her children and proceeded down the tunnel that led out to the woods. The boy turned once to wave before they disappeared into the darkness.
Chandan
He bows his head respectfully to the mother and returns the boy's wave with a genial smile.
Once the family were safely on their way, Chandan feels happier but still not happy that they've done enough...
"We must find the Redbrands' records." He says to Kallista and Jaliera, "There were discarded clothes for at least twelve other captives in the dungeon. Records may tell us where they are, and what their purpose is."
He applies salve if either volunteer their scrapes. It doesn't do much but smells pleasant.
Jaliera
"Thank you."
She is very genuine and already considering returning it if they should ever come across it. The woman will struggle with no husband.
"And good luck!"
She calls after the trio as they head out. Then she turns to Chandan.
"Yes I agree, we should finish searching here before taking the prisoners to the new mayor."
Collecting her bow and any arrows, she starts to head back the way they came to join up with the others.
DM
Chandan, Kallista and Jaliera make it back to rejoin Davroar, Kriv and their two prisoners without incident.
Chandan
He's glad to have everyone back together, and let's Davroar and Kriv know that the family escaped to safety.
"...but the ladies ran into more Redbrands. Dead now, but with so many men, this operation must be more than just exhorting villagers."
Standing in the storeroom, jabs his spear at the eastern door.
"Through there, locked door, probably small room. Could be archive."
Then he jabs his spear at western door.
"Through there, probably the evil wizard's quarters." He says, looking at the faces of his companions.
"What you think; search quarters, maybe find key for locked door?"
Davroar
He does not want to go to exploring quite just yet until the three skeletal abominations to nature are dealt with.
"Before we go any further, I'd like to destroy these skeletons for good."
He does not know if attacking one would cause the other two to join in or not, but perhaps they can at least separate them into the prisoners cages first.
Kriv
"As you wish."
He waved a dismissive backhand towards the druid, signalling permission if he wished to take on the skeletons, then indicated to the prisoners to leave the room they were in and head towards the next door.
"Now, I presume you knew those three were out there, yet did not inform us, leading to your own men getting slaughtered. Again. Would you care to let us know if there are any more out there at present? If there are and you do not, their deaths will be added to your crimes."
Davroar
Gathering up the old iron swords that the three skeletons abandoned when the proper password was spoken, he will hide the swords in a barrel or box in the previous room they just came from. Then with the skeletons disarmed he will gently prod one with his quarterstaff to see if it will move towards to one of the cages where the human prisoners were held.
[ooc: Would his druidcraft give him any idea on how to put these skeletons at rest permanently? ]
[ooc: No, but he's proficient in Religion. I won't even make you roll. It seems obvious that hacking them to bits is the best way.]
Jaliera
She stays and watches Davroar thinking he may need help to dispatch these skeletons and she is ready to do that, rapier is still in her hand at the moment. She stands close to a skeleton, ready to fight it if it moves.
Chandan
He stumbles over to the corner of the storeroom and lifts up his robe.
With a heavy, torpid spray like a horse, he lets loose, emptying his bladder as if it were full of a coiled yellow rope. Too much wine.
"Sorry!" He calls over his shoulder.
Still, it gives him a view from the storeroom.
Davroar
Standing slightly behind and to the side to one of the skeletons, he slides his quarterstaff through the skeletons pelvic girdle and across the left femur. Then using his staff as leverage he will attempt tp snap the skeletons leg off. Provided that works the skeleton should be relatively harmless having lost a leg, and he will proceed to methodically take it apart with his staff, scattering the bits into the prisoner area to prevent it from every re-joining itself again.
[ooc: For Davroar. OK, I'll take that as an attack. Please roll to hit, with advantage. You've just awakened the Lich! (Just kidding about the Lich). Everyone, roll for initiative.]
(OOC - Not sure if Kallista and Jaliera are close enough but here's Kallista's roll just in case:
Kallista Initiative
Zeim rolled d20+2 and got 19)
Kriv
He stood by impassively: This was Davroar's choice, thus upon Davroar the consequences needed to fall. He watched and waited, only willing to intervene if the mindless security system turned against him, in which case that element of it would be due destruction. Failing that, the Druid had brought this upon himself.
Kriv initative
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 4
[Chandan rolled 15+3=18
What's happening? Can Chandan hear/see?]
Davroar Initiative
Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 4
Davroar Attack with advantage on skeleton
Dugan rolled 1d20,1d20 and got 7, 13
Davroar Damage (if 13 hits)
Dugan rolled 1d6 and got 2
Jaliera
Ready and waiting for Davroar, as soon as she sees him start to attack, she hits the skeleton next to her with her blade.
Jaliera Initiative
Gypsy rolled 1d20+3 and got 23
Jaliera Rapier
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d20+5,1d8+3 and got 17, 19, 4
[OOC not sure with her great initiative she would have advantage also, if not ignore the second roll)
DMWhen Davroar decides to destroy the skeletons, that act breaks whatever hold was keeping them from animating and they attack. Fortunately, Jaliera was ready for trouble and thrusts her rapier at the skeleton that was attacking her before it could complete the swing of it's own blade. She sees that she broke a bone in it's shoulder before it attacks.
OOC: OK, I see the post where Davroar wants to try and remove the blades from the skeletons. That would be the triggering action, even though I did not answer so right away. There is only room for two melee fighters so Jaliera and Davroar are the ones up front. I've noted the damage that Davroar did, but technically, he doesn't go yet. The status below includes the initiative order so Kallista and Chandan can go. Then the skeletons, then Davroar and Kriv.
Note that you may climb onto the crypts but climbing up or down costs 1 square of movement each. Jumping from one to another requires a Dex check or you fall, take damage and are prone. Davroar is the only one with advantage on the attack but Jaliera hit either way They are AC 13.Status
Jaliera 18/0
Kallista 25/8
Chandan 24/10
S1 13/4
S2 13/2
S3 13/0
Davroar 20/0
Kriv 21/4
Kriv
He pays little heed to the ongoing battle, aside from basic tactical awareness. He lets those eager to throw themselves into the teeth of the disarmed trap do so, it wasn't as if his opinion of humans could get much lower.
Pass.
Kallista
Staying behind the others, she fires a bolt of fire at the nearest skeleton.
Kallista Firebolt
Zeim rolled d20+5 and got 15
Kallista Firebolt damage
Zeim rolled d10 and got 10
Chandan
The clamour of arms jolts Chandan from his urination.
Shrieking, he spins and leaps to defend the druid from the undead, though it has to be noted that his bladder has not finished, so there is some spray.
[Chandan attacks skeleton for 9+5=14, 11+5=16
Chandan damage (if applicable), 2+3=5, 3+3=6]
[ooc: Is Chandan climbing onto one of the crypts? Otherwise he cannot get in an attack. He has no foes adjacent to him. Oh, and no need to adjust the rolls. He doesn't have any advantage, as stated earlier]
[Does the spear give him an angle?]
[ooc: No. Spear has the properties "Thrown (range 20/60), versatile (ld8)" which are beneficial. It would need "reach" to allow you to do that. Halberd and lance are examples of weapons that have reach]
[Groovy. He'll scramble up onto one of the sarcophagi and do battle then.]
DMJaliera thursts her blade into the skeleton in front of her and it strikes the pelvic bone straight on and it cracks off a major piece of it and the animated guardian falters but does not fall. From behind her, the tiefling warlock unleashes a bolt of fire at it and that combination shatters it.
Chandan drops what is in his hands and scampers onto the crypt, rolls on top of it and then off behind the one that is moving forward to fill the space where the destroyed skeleton once stood. He finishes with a bludgeoning kick. While he did not have an advantage on the skeleton, the undead creature displays it's vulnerability to such attacks as the monk's foot drives through it's rib cage. The blow nearly kills it but it hangs onto it's unlife long enough to deliver a thrust that finds a soft spot in the druid's midsection. The druid manages to complete his task, and finishes off the severely damaged skeleton.
Jaliera manages to parry the thrust of the last remaining skeleton, the one that moved up from the back. It slashes at her but the blow is diverted by her sword. The dragonborn watches the exchange with a degree of contempt.
Skel-2,Skel-3 Att,Dam on Jaliera and Davrorar
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d6+2,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 24, 5, 7, 6
Skel-2 Crit damage
Neptune rolled 1d6 and got 6
Davroar takes 11 points of damage. We're back at the top with Jaliera, Kallista and Chandan.
Jaliera 18/0
Kallista 25/8
Chandan 24/10
S1 Dead
S2 Dead
S3 13/0
Davroar 20/11
Kriv 21/4
Chandan
Coughing on a cloud of tomb dust, he pole vaults into the remaining skeleton with a flying kick.
He has no idea who the bones originally belonged to, but he hopes they're understanding!
[Chandan hit rolls. 12+5=17,6+5=11
Damage 2+3=5]
Kallista
Seeing two of the skeletons drop, she focuses on the remaining one.
Kallista Firebolt
Zeim rolled d20+5,d10 and got 17, 4
Jaliera
She is relieved to see two of the skeletons disposed of but a third still remains, even to kill any one of them. She attacks it with her sword.
Jaliera Rapier
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d8+3 and got 19, 6
DM
Between Jaliera, Kallista and Chandan, the skeleton did not stand a chance. Chandan quickly learned that his fists and feet were doubly effective against the skeletons. They are vulnerable to bludgeoning damage. BTW, this is different from prior editions where they took half damage from piercing/slashing damage. This works better, I think.
As Chandan climbed over the sarcophagus, he couldn't help but notice that there was a carving on the lid. Upon further inspection, it was that of person. The other two lids have similar
carvings. Two carvings depict a man and the third a woman.
Kriv
He looked at the badly injured Druid without the faintest hint of sympathy or pity.
"Do continue to let us know if there are any other inanimate objects you wish to battle to the death. Now, let's see what's behind this door..."
OOC: In case you missed this post in the OOC thread, it explains how multiple attempts at skill checks works. Chandan
Covered in tomb dust, the old man almost looks undead himself. Although the dust is starting to congeal to his pee stain, which isn't something the undead are known for.
Chandan climbs off of the sarcophegus, and gawps at the graven figures on the lids.
"My apologies." He says to the carving, respectfully.
The old man turns to the others, pointing out the carvings. "Looks like they lost weight!
"You recognise them, Kriv?" Chandan asks, since the dragonborn knows something about the tombs, even if it's only the meaning of the password.
The first job is to escort Jaliera while she picks the lock on the door [B], then either search the room beyond or head off to the western door [A] and make a search of -- what Chandan suspects will be -- Iarno's chambers.
Kriv
As much as he was unlikely to forgive the murderer of the surrendered, he did have a valid inquiry. Pragmatically, the Dragonborn headed over for a closer look at the sarcophagi bas-reliefs.
Chandan
He leans in to check on Davroar the Druid. The young man had been caught in the midst of the fracas.
Chandan winks to Davroar, "It's OK. Those objects were very animated and already dead. You did good, young blood."
DM
The etchings on the sarcophagi are fine and detailed. They depict what appear to be persons of noble bearing. The lids are closed.
Kriv
"A great deal of work went into these. not seeing much indication as to any historical significance yet. Hmm..."
He endeavoured to appraise whom these figures most likely were in the historical context.
Kriv would likely assume that these are the remains of those who once ruled over this town, local lords. You are beneath Tresendar Manor - an ancient castle that has been abandoned for as long as folks can remember. The Redbrands must have converted it into their stronghold.
Jaliera
She shoots Kriv a look, not so happy with the attitude he has displayed towards his companions recently. The only way they will succeed is if they work together and support each other.
"Are you OK Davroar?"
She is concerned about bringing more trouble whilst they are not at full strength.. as well as being concerned about the attractive young druid.
She is wondering whether it might be better if she, Davroar and Kallista recruited some others and carried on alone. She is not sure how much of an asset the other two are? She will watch and see.
I honestly can say that I haven't DMed a game with such personality conflicts since the days of yore when I was just a wee tot. We had one PC that the other PCs put on trial and had executed because he was just insane. Anyhow, I'm going to let it play out but we might want to ease up on the acrimony just a tad. Yeah, we're role playing and you're all playing your roles, but this is a "team" game and to be playable, you all need to inch away from the extremes.
[I think Kriv and Chandan need to both become Davroar's mentors.
So much fun could be had with that!]
ChandanThe monk is still dusting himself down, but he listens to Kriv while doing so.
"Could be deeper, darker secrets here than Redbrands, you think? Hmm. Well first thing that door."
Chandan shuffles over to Jaliera and Kallista.
"Come come, this way." He leads them to the locked door.
Kriv
His eyes held little but contempt for the murderous vagrant, but he maintained the pragmatic facade for the time being, at least until they could return to civilization, such as it was in these parts.
"Doubtful. These are merely the tombs of those who once lived in the manor above."
He stood by the door and readied his maul in case something hostile chose to make itself apparent.
Davroar
That didn't go as he hoped, thinking the skeletons would be non-combative with the password already given. He takes Kriv's remark at face value, simply saying, "I will, Kriv." Davroar finds Kriv is unreadable in most respects, being not too sure of what the Dragonborn thinks of his actions. Davroar does not hold any resentment towards Kriv for not helping. This was his fight to pick, and if Kriv thought he could handle it, then he should be man enough to do so. He figures this is just part of growing up, and hopes his father and mentor would have done the same.
For Chandan, he returns an appreciative nod for his help and understanding, in what he believes was a valid threat still to the townsfolk here.
He winces with pain as he sits down on one end of the nearest sarcophagi to rest for a bit and replies, "Think I'll be okay, Jaliera. I'll rest for a moment while you unlock the door..."
He feels that he has one more shape change in him, and if they run into more fighting, Davroar will plan to go back to his bear form.
[ooc: Is Jaliera checking the door/trying to open it?]
Jaliera
She looks with sympathy on Davroar, for the moment ignoring Chandan.
"I think you should rest for a moment and recover your strength. If that doesn't work I have a potion that might help."
She smiles before turning to the others.
"Might be time to take a breath. We don't know what lies ahead and there are only 5 of us now. We need to work together and be more supportive of each other."
She looks particularly at Kriv and Chandan.
Kallista
"Yes", she nods agreement with Jaliera, glancing at Kriv. "We are a team, or at least we are supposed to be. And we are risking our lives every day. I need to know I can count on everyone to have my back in a fight, regardless of whether they agree with the reason for it. I can't pause every time we get into a tussle to see if everyone has decided to join in."
She then looks at Chandan. "We also need to be seen as a better choice than those we fight. We should not be killing innocents or foes who surrender. Beyond the fact that those are the actions of murderers and thugs, the townspeople will not trust us, and we need their help."
Kriv
He looked between the soft-fleshed humanoids impassively, his expression inscrutable.
"There are risks, yes. We take them, with our eyes open to the consequences. This, though? This was an utterly unnecessary risk with no benefit. Putting your life, and the lives of those with you, at risk because you dislike the contents of a deactivated trap is folly. Diving back into the trap to reactivate it is idiocy. Far better to send in a priest to sanctify the graves once we are done here, instead of imperiling everyone in an ill-thought desire for expediency. Today has not been humanity's finest hour, though I hope it is not the most exemplary. I reiterate: This act was detrimental to our efforts, harmful to ourselves and those who depend upon us, and entirely unnecessary."
He turned to look Jaliera in the eye, and continued,
"Working together implies cooperation, looking out for your colleagues, not putting them in danger through some deluded self righteousness. It also requires awareness, of yourself, of your companions..."
He brought the haft of maul down sharply on the corner of the nearest sarcophagus lid, not with anywhere near enough force to damage it, but enough for the sound of impact to resound throughout the room.
"...And of your surroundings. If we are required to gang up on helpless and immobile targets, then make use of that helplessness and immobility to get everyone in position, rather than making the only way to reach them be desecrating a tomb. I will not support foolishness, but if necessary I will give counsel to avoid it. We have a job to do, a duty, and getting distracted means we are in worse shape, take more time, and put our patron at ever greater risk in what is a time critical circumstance."
He glanced over at Kallista,
"Now that is more clear sighted. We do indeed need to appease the townsfolk. Justice must be seen to be done, with no-one above the law. If we do not move quickly to make it clear we share their values and find such heinous conduct unacceptable, we will all be tarred with the same brush. I trust I can count upon everyone's cooperation and teamwork in that regard?"
Chandan
He ponders the tiefling's words, stroking his beard.
"These are cutthroats, kidnappers and slavers. They killed a man and dragged his family into bondage, fed his body to a monster. To many they have done the same.
"Maybe they alive still? Maybe better that they are dead. If they are sold on, what new horrors await these women and children."
Chandan holds up a gnarled finger.
"A slaver who surrenders is not suddenly innocent. He has merely bought more time before he meets the headman's axe or the end of a rope. More time to plan, to escape. More time to carry on his wickedness."
He looks at the tip of his spear.
"I was wrong in what I did. Very rude. Should have thanked them for surrending first, then killed them.
"Evil, like these Redbrands, I cannot let loose on the world. But I will fight beside you, as I have done these past days...
"...and whether you need it or not, I will always watch your back and keep you safe from harm if I can."
Kallista
She shakes her head in response to Kriv. "You can discuss and argue the whys and wherefores at your leisure, after the fight is done if you dislike why it started or how it was fought and wish to adjust for the future. But in the heat of battle none of that matters. Once the fight starts, you support your comrade, period. That is the contract of all parties such as ours. Else all is chaos."
To Chandan she adds, "No one made you judge and jury. How do you know the man you killed was not an innocent who joined these ruffians today and had done nothing wrong? You take the word of a 10 year old boy to decide a man's life? But more than that he was unarmed and had surrendered. What you did is called murder and you could be executed for it."
Chandan
He smiles. It seems they all disagree yet still get on amiably. It could almost be a gathering of monks.
"We have killed plenty today. Probably kill some more yet. Maybe those ruffians you killed in the tunnel mistook you for burglars? Maybe the Nothic mistook us for food? Maybe maybe maybe.
"No, Kallista, you must accept they had it coming, or you will never sleep again."
He waits for Jaliera and Davroar to have their moment of succour, but is eager to get the locked door seen to.
"Those surrenderers I killed? They tormented a woman and child, attacked a stranger offering them healing. They followed Iarno's orders without hesitation, and hmm as you say, the boy fingered them as the killers of his father.
"You decide for yourself if they were guilty or not. But to decide not to decide is to absolve yourself of responsibility. That is a luxury we should not have."
Jaliera
Not intimidated by the Dragonborn who is so much larger than her, she replies to what he says by a simple statement.
"And once we have cleared this place.. and children like the boy who showed us this way in.. come and explore and poke the strange still skeleton...?"
With a last glance at Davroar to make sure he is OK, she heads across to the door to check it out for traps and to try to open it, but before she starts work, she looks around at the others.
"Why not get the wizard to unlock it and lead the way in?"
Kallista
"Decision and action are different things. Your not being able to act as executioner is a luxury required by civilized society. Authority is established in specific persons and it is illegal for you to act on your decisions in that manner."
She realizes that she is getting nowhere with Chandan, and turns to Jaliera, nodding agreement at her suggestion. She simply hopes Sildar will not decide to execute the monk for his heinous crimes.
Kriv
He answered, a faint hint of weariness and disappointment creeping into his tone,
"Covered by the whole 'Send in a priest to sanctify once we're done' aspect. I would appreciate it, if you would try to trip me up with self-righteous arguments, that you would have the courtesy to listen, and to refute what was said rather than build up false 'think of the children' homilies. I would appreciate it still further if you avoided such needless attempts at philosophical point scoring in the first place, but the standards your species have set this day do not incline me to raise my hopes in that regard. Having the prisoner unlock the door, however, is a sound and useful idea, and one I am glad to hear you raise. Perhaps there may yet be hope for humanity."
He walked over to their captive.
"You heard her. Any reason for your inaction?"
Chandan
"Hmm, talking of children, I have often wondered, do dragonborn children play with toy knights and dragons? And do the dragons slay the knights and rescue the maidens?" He asks Kriv as they walk.
Kriv
He stood silent in the face of the murderer's inanity.
Inaro
"Inaction? To open that door? You must be kidding."
His eyes looked up in amazement as he shook his head.
"Let's see. I'm bound. You murdered my friends. I am just your prisoner, but I'll help. It'll take a few moments."
Then a few moments later you hear the sound of something metallic fall to the floor just beyond your view, in the adjacent, but empty storage room.
As soon as you look into the room you see a key lying on the floor.
"That should open this door," the wizard says.
Davroar
He listens to each persons point of view, but remains quiet as he is too tired and sore at the moment. Davroar still feels he did the right thing in destroying the skeletons, but just did it poorly.
Davroar gives a thankful smile to Jaliera for her supportive words and the offer of the healing potion. Before she leaves to work on the door he will take the potion offered, thinking that he should keep his remaining spells for healing later, if needed.
Sitting with his back to the wall while letting the potion work its magic on his injuries, he will stir only when Inaro makes the key appear in the next room.
Turning to the wizard, he asks, "Was that your familiar helping?"
[Davroar Healing potion
Dugan rolled 2d4+2 and got 8 HP back]
Inaro
"Yes. That is my familiar. He's staying out of trouble. It's enought that you will murder me. There's no need for him to be murdered."
Potion of healing: 2d4+2. Go ahead and roll for yourself.
Jaliera
"I have no intention of killing you or your familiar, assuming that you give me no cause."
She goes to collect the key, intending to hand it to the wizard, as good a way to test for traps as any other she can think of.
Inaro
He looks at Jaliera and raises an eyebrow.
"I believe you," he says. "It's the crazy old man. He has the eyes of a cold-hearted killer. And please don't ask me to trust him. He just killed two innocent men and he feels absolutely no remorse. I'll unlock the door if you untie me. Or you can do it yourself. It's not trapped."
He pauses a moment and adds, "And I know that if it is trapped and I lied, that you'll slit my throat and kill me in cold blood."
Kriv
"I would not ask you to trust or see value in one who has acted abominably. Rest assured that I will not stop at seeking justice only for your own crimes, and that punitive measures taken against you for attempting to pervert the cause of justice in this case will not be lethal should they prove necessary. Jaliera, use the key, better that this wizard remains bound."
Chandan
There is some negotiation and bartering of faiths, but while that's seen to, Chandan stays on patrol, shuffling between the northern storeroom and the south-east double door of the crypt.
Passing the locked door, he does stoop to have a peak through the keyhole, in case there's any light on the other side, but otherwise he keeps moving.
It's dark in the keyhole.
Davroar
Feeling better now, he will stand up and make himself useful by keeping watch on their two prisoners while Jaliera opens the door.
Jaliera
Satisfied that the wizard will not be harmed at least for the moment, she nods her acceptance at what he says. She also nods to Kriv.
"Agreed."
She doesn't like the idea of the wizard with his hands free to cast.
Taking the key to the door, she unlocks it and then stands back drawing her bow. Better a fighter enters first, just in case.
Kriv
He gestured with his maul to Chandan, indicating to the murderous vagrant for him to take point and open the door. He took a position which would be behind Chandan should the expendable monk cooperate.
DM
Jaliera tries the key and it unlocks the door and then opens it. Racks of weapons line the walls of this chamber, including spears, swords, crossbows, and bolts. A dozen dirty red cloaks hang from hooks near the door.
Chandan
He's at Jaliera's side and then through, to contend with whatever there is to contend with.
Chandan sneezes messily; it must be the dust. But he turns to the girl and shrugs.
"Store cupboard."
[Next stop, north west quadrant?]
ooc: Sounds good to me. Decide if you are going to lock up the bugbear and the wizard or drag them along and just head on out there.
Jaliera
"Anyone want anything? I was thinking the cloaks might be useful but there can't be many of them left now, unless you feel they might be useful later?"
She would have taken arrows had there been any of suitable quality.
Kriv
He considered her words and offered his assessment.
"Disguise as bandits? Doubtful it would be effective. They answered to our prisoner, going over his head seems suspicious conduct from them given what we've seen so far. Good thought, but unlikely to be viable as a strategy."
Davroar
Going by what he overhears, if it is just storage they might as well just lock it up and continue on.
[ooc: prior to the fight with the skeletons, the map shows Inaro and the bugbear in the north prisoner cage. But is the wizard currently out and talking with the rest of us? I'm a bit confused where the two are right now. I suggest leaving the bugbear temporary lock up , and just take the wizard. ]
ooc:The familiar. Locking either of them up isn't an option. Especially when it gave us such a nice demonstration of going to fetch a key.
Jaliera
"Makes sense."
She locks the door again and pockets the key.
"Maybe we can hand the key to Sildar? He might want to start a militia for the town for its future protection."
She smiles, then turns to the wizard.
"What is through the other door?"
Dugan, you're right. I confused myself. We'll just say he was let out temporarily. Based on AJ's post, I'll move things along with bugbear and wizard in tow.
Gypsy, I'm going to assume you mean the door to the south.
Inaro
"Those doors lead to a hallway that takes you out. Didn't you come in that way? That's the front entrance. That's where I was trying to go when you caught me."
ChandanThe Redbrands had established a red brand for themselves, and the cloaks were major part of their identity. So before locking the store cupboard, Chandan ties the cloaks up into a bundle.
This he can hand over to Sildar to destroy. Phandelvin will probably acquire a new bylaw about the wearing of red cloaks.
As always, the wizard's words have to taken with a pinch of salt.
Chandan guessed that the entrance was in the south-east of the hideout, but Inaro was definitely not heading for the south door of the crypt when he was captured. So Chandan huffs and shakes his head.
"You were fleeing from the store room in the north, south along the chasm, to the south-east passage.
"If the south door of the crpyt leads to the exit, you could have fled through it, gaining protection from the skeletons and completely unnoticed by us.
"No wizard, whatever is through the crypt's south door, is not the way out."
He smiles genially to his companions.
"Come. Let us try this second secret door! Secret doors always exciting!"
[Neptune, see the map below from earlier. I think we want to go through the secret door on the west wall of the store room.
]
[OOC What Neil said
]
DM
"Actually, it is. The two passages meet up," the wizard says.
"That other door is a way into to my private chambers and beyond that into my lab."
The group moves towards the door. After studying the door carefully, Jaliera cannot find a trap. She ushers everyone back in case the door is trapped. Then she conjures her mage hand and opens the door remotely by pushing it in. With one push the door unlatches and opens. She needs to pull the block slab inwards to the storage room but the group can now move in.
The walls of this room are covered with drapes of scarlet cloth. The furnishings include a small writing desk with a matching chair, a comfortable looking bed, and a wooden chest at the foot of the bed.
ooc: Gypsy, I know you're kind a new to this PC and Jaliera is very similar to Lingo, my PC in Zeim's game. The standard "door" tactic for him is to use is (1) roll perception to "find traps" if there are any (2) Conjure an invisible hand (mage hand legerdemain cantrip) and use it to open the door from a distance. I'll go ahead and move things forward but keep that in your back pocket. If you do an internet search on mage hand legerdemain you'll find lots of DMs complaining about how awesome and powerful that spell is.
[OOC Thanks!
]
[You know if you use a mage hand to whack off, is it still masturbation? Or could you technically be cheating on your spouse? "I never had sexual relations with that arcane force!"]
Chandan
Shuffling along with the others, he grumbles and shakes his head at the wizard.
"Then why you not take that route, instead of running passed us, wizard?
"Ah, here we are!"
Chandan will be first into the room if allowed, scanning around with a scowl and pointed spear.
"Hmm. We should turn the place over. Look for documents."
DMIarno simply responds, "Less doors. Closer to the exit. I almost made it."
Chandan starts to look around and since his objective was to look for papers, he looks at the desk. There are various papers and notes stacked neatly there. After leafing through them, he comes upon one letter that is interesting.
Chandan
His bushy eyebrows twitch as he reads, then he reads it again aloud, for his companions to hear.
It's purely a statement of the obvious, but does reveal something of Iarno's business partner. One of them at least.
Chandan lets the others quiz the vile wizard about where and to whom he was supposed to deliver the map, and what their wicked plans are. The grizzled old monk is more interested in finding accounts of the captives the Redbrands have taken.
Jaliera
She is still unsure as the whether there are ant Redbrands left plus that familiar is still around somewhere, she she draws her bow and takes up a rear guard position outside the room.
"Shout if you need me to look at anything?"
Kriv
He nodded, coldly, as the murderer found something useful, then turned to Iarno.
"Damning evidence, that. Knew we were coming. From the sound of it, your superior is going to be most unhappy with what you have been unable to prevent taking place here, and their wording suggests an inability to take 'I can explain' for an answer. So, your bridges there are so thoroughly burned as to offer you no hope of going back to them. However, if you aid us against them through true information, not only could you keep your own head, we may be able to prevent them taking yours. It's the best chance you're likely to get. Will you take it?"
DM"Have I not been forthright and forthcoming? Is this not proof that I have had little choice in what goes on here? Why do you think this bugbear came with the other bugbears? They are not here at my request!" Iarno says.
Although he is bound, Mosk, the bugbear with the jeweled eyepatch starts to fume and then tries to charge the wizard.
I'll take initiative rolls if you like otherwise the two will butt heads, literally. There may be more information to gain.
Gypsy, you may want to read the room description more carefully link
Kriv Initiative
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 12
Kriv
"Enough."
Should he get the opportunity, it was his intent to put his armored bulk between the two prisoners, his tone of voice brooking no argument.
"The Wizard's words suggest he wants the easy way out. You will not give it to him, no matter how easily he may manipulate you. Stand down lest I remove your capability to stand."
Mosk, Iarno Initiative
Neptune rolled 1d20+2,1d20+2 and got 12, 19
I'll let everyone else chime in but Kriv does will not be able to block Mosk in time.
Iarno will dodge.
[Chandan rolls initiative, gets 15+3=18]
Chandan
Still searching, tutting and frowning, he turns grumpily when the bugbear rushes Iarno. He sticks out the butt of his spear to trip the bugbear.
As far as Chandan is concerned, Iarno certainly has a date with a chopping block. But it is important that Sildar speak to the villain himself and learn how far his friend has fallen into evil. (Then maybe Sildar will chop Iarno's head off?)
In the meantime, the old monk does what he can to prevent the wizard's head from being smashed in.
Davroar
He is not prepared to get in-between the charging bugbear and the wizard. Stepping aside, he will wait to see if either speaks up against the other in perhaps more will be revealed as to the 'business relationship' Iarno claims to have.
Kallista
She sees the Bugbear charging Iarno, but it moves before she can react.
Kallista Initiative
Zeim rolled d20+4 and got 12
DM
Mosk drops his head and charges like a bull. It was a futile act, but not one that should surprise anyone. Mosk was a bugbear and they were not known for either their intelligence or their calm demeanor. The wizard puts all his efforts into sidestepping the raging humanoid. That dodge is made easier because their captors try to intervene and the bugbear misses the tackle and Iarno takes cover behind Kriv as Mosk roars in frustration, spittle splashing from his mouth. He tries to steady himself for for another attack.
Mosk Attacks Iarno (disadvantage)
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d3+2 and got 13, 7, 3
Kallista
She whispers a quiet word and steps between Mosk and Iarno. Her shadow grows longer, her eyes begin to glow with an angry red glare and her voice takes on an unearthly echo. At the same time the doors to the room bang open and closed.
"Stop this now or be cursed to unending agony!"
(OOC - Thaumaturgy)
Chandan
Muttering an expletive in his native tongue, he backs away from Kallista.
"Unending agony, with no end!? You should do what she says." He suggests to Mosk and Iarno.
Kriv
He brought up his maul crosswise to prevent the Bugbear getting past, and stared down the bound captive, smoke curling up from his nostrils.
"Stand. Down. Now. I won't kill you. I will selectively break bones to cripple you but leave you alive, and char the flesh from your extremities to leave you with cauterized stumps, unless you obey. And that's before the Tiefling has her way with you."
As an aside, he added,
"Someone keep a very close eye on Iarno, this would be a perfect distraction if we weren't paying attention."
Jaliera
She is already watching behind them for much the same reason and doesn't want to divert her attention elsewhere.
"Davroar can you watch the wizard please?"
Hopefully the other three can deal with the bugbear.
Mosk
"You are DEAD wizard. DEAD!!!"
With the party aware of the hostility and his hands tied behind his back, it will be most difficult for Mosk to get another shot at Iarno. That does not change his attitude and anger. The bugbear is clearly upset and apparently loyal to someone other than the wizard. Why he's so upset and who he's loyal to is still a mystery.
Kriv
"Probably. You do realise he hasn't actually betrayed you or your master yet, don't you? Naturally, your attack will push him further away, since we at least want him alive for now. So tell me: Why this? Why now? On what grounds, Mosk One-Eye?"
Davroar
"Sure, Jaliera."
He will move back to the wizards side and makes sure his hands are still tied up. Noticing the swelling from Iarno's broken hand is getting worse, Davroar will not waste a healing spell on him unless absolutely necessary.
Chandan
He listens but keeps searching the chamber, with a growing sense of frustration. There must be records of the Redbrands' other captives. And Chandan has to find them or he will have failed them.
ooc: There is a chest at the foot of the bed
[That's getting a full cavity search.]
DM
Chandan, throwing caution to the wind, not bothering to check for traps, throws open the lid to the chest and looks inside. There he finds lots of coins (180 sp, 130 gp), a silk pouch with five opaque reddish gems (carnelians worth 10 gp each), two clear lime-green gems (peridots worth 15 gp each), and a white opaque gem (pearl worth 100 gp). There are also two scrolls.
OOC: Also, don't forget that Kalista is holding onto the wizard's staff.
Chandan
Ignoring the treasure, he unfurls the scrolls. They seem a little light for a business record, but perhaps the wizard has very small handwriting?
What is written on the scrolls? That is the question.
Chandan genuinely has no interest in the riches. The gems could be real, they could be glass paste, his only interest is in aiding the Redbrands' victims and ending these nefarious activities.
Nep - Actually Kallista has the wizard's staff since we first encountered him. It's already on her sheet.
Zeim - I got my ladies mixed up and fixed the post
The scrolls have long and complex magic symbols written on them. (magic spells: Charm person, Fireball)
Chandan
Disappointed, he hands the scrolls to Kallista.
"Offensive magics. We cannot leave them here. Hmm. Nor the treasure. We can return it to the townspeople."
Chandan bags up the coins and jewels and hands them to Kriv. Then the old monk snoops around the periphery, stopping to examine the other door.
Kriv
Keeping his eye on Mosk, and waiting for an answer from the Bugbear, he accepts the confiscated items and tucks the bags securely away one-handed.
Jaliera
She glances around occasionally to check on the others though most of her attention is vested in protecting their backs.
"Chandan, don't forget to check behind the drapes. They often hide things."
Kallista
She takes the scrolls from Chandan and turns towards Jaliera and Kriv. "I've noticed you both beginning to dabble in the magical arts. Are these spells anything you can use? If not, I can certainly use them."
Chandan
"Wise woman stabs drapes in passing." He mumbles in reply to Jaliera, nodding to himself and taking the young lady's advice.
Mosk
"Glasstaff wants to save his own neck, stupid lizard. He blame Mosk. I would snap him like a twig if stupid lizard not save him. Stupid lizard blame Mosk too. Evil lizard will murder Mosk. Mosk know this."
Bugbears are not the smartest humanoids and they are fearful brutes. Their scariness is derived from the sensitive trigger which could set them off in an instant. And for them, everything is resolved physically. They run hot or hotter. He has gotten the moment off of his chest and seems to have talked in a calmer tone. Bugbears seem prone to sudden mood changes too.
Davroar
He lets out a breath of relief when Mosk cools down. After hearing what Mosk says, it seems that the bugbear's anger is a mix of loyalty and self-preservation. Just how much of each he will probably never know. Still, it makes Davroar wonder why Mosk got so angry when Iarno mentioned that he did not need the bugbears help.
"Iarno, what would be different if Mosk wasn't here?"
Davroar remembers Sildar saying that Iarno was sent to Phandalin to regain order. It is unclear to him whether Iarno is truly the leader of these Redbrands now, or if at some point the bugbears and this mysterious master co-opted what Iarno had set out to do.
Jaliera
Still maintaining her rear guard, happy that Chandan is checking the drapes, she glances at the scrolls Kallista holds out to her, squinting as she translates the symbols. Her reply is quite enthusiastic.
"Yes.. yes I would be most interested in these spells. Is there any way we could share them?"
Kallista
She shakes her head. "Other than by splitting them up, I don't think so. I have Iarno's Staff, so why don't you and Kriv can each take one?"
Kriv
Replying first to the Bugbear,
"The wizard's life is no longer his to save, nor yours to take, but entirely on our sufferance, as is yours. You gave your word you would show the way to Cragmaw Keep, and that remains your safeguard. I gave you mine that if you betrayed us I would make you wish you were dead, but as yet, despite your outburst towards the wizard, you have not quite crossed that threshold. See to it that you do not."
In the conversation with Jaliera and Kallista,
"I would be interested in studying them, but in the heat of battle I would be of more use using what I have to hand. Let Jaliera be their custodian, at least until a time more suited to learning."
(OOC - OK, so in fact the new v5 rules allow anyone who can read a written language to cast a spell from a scroll, regardless of your class or level. This means those two spell scrolls could be used by anyone in the group, unless they can't read.
Kriv has bowed out. Jaliera is interested. Kallista is interested, but has taken something already so can pass. That leaves Chandan and Davroar to chime in.)
[Chandan needs no scrolls!! Just more wine!]
[ooc: Coming from a barbarian/wilds background I envisioned Davroar being illiterate in all languages other than Druidic, so he will not bother asking for the scrolls. ]
Kallista
After giving inquiring glances to the rest of the group and getting negative shakes of the head, she turns back to Jaliera and hands her both scrolls. "Here. It seems no one else is interested, and as I said, I have this Staff. Why don't you take them?"
A thought occurs to her as she hands the scrolls to Jaliera, and she turns back to Iarno. "Where is your spellbook, mage? It must be hidden somewhere. Give it up."
Iarno
"So you are thieves! I should have come to that conclusion earlier. What do you need me to give you to let me go?"
Kriv
"Ah, humans. Grasping everything and thinking that of everyone else."
He glossed over the distinction of purebred stock and planetouched for the time being.
"Fortunately, I am not human. You can rest assured I will not pay the slightest heed to bribes, coercions, inducements or hush money. However, you know your chances. Is there a next of kin to whom you would bequeath the book should the worst happen?"
Iarno
"Just contact the Lord's Alliance. I am here on a mission for them and they'll know what to do. They might even offer a reward for my rescue if I am returned alive."
Jaliera
She takes the scrolls a look of wonder on her face.
"Thanks."
She tucks them away safely, being very careful in how she handles them. Then she resumes her rear guard.
[Just out of curiosity, Nep, you said of the desk, "There are various papers and notes stacked neatly there. After leafing through them, he comes upon one letter that is interesting."
Without needing to detail what's on the papers, I'm assuming they aren't the business accounts that Chandan's looking for?]
Chandan
With this room explored, it is time to push boldly onto the next. Chandan examines the door in the west wall, with an admittedly unpracticed eye. Then he shrugs and opens it.
Kallista
"Well, giving us everything we ask for, regardless, would be in your best interest. And be assured, if you cooperate we will let you go. So, where is the spellbook?"
DM
The notes that were found in Iarno's chambers were mostly written orders to apothecaries and alchemists in nearby settlements for materials for his workshop and notes back from them. You are easily able to deduce that he's been conducting magical experiments and no, there's little evidence that would implicate him in any wrong-doing except for the one note provided. So far there is little evidence to contradict him. You've killed every other person that might be a witness to testify against him.
Iarno
"More thievery. I suppose that I should resign myself to losing all of my worldly possessions to you. If you promise to hand me over to less brutal authorities, I will hand it over. Otherwise you would have to rip this place apart to find it and even then it is not a guarantee. I have another copy back in Neverwinter."
Mosk
He is being guarded closely by Kriv and whispers to him, "Do not trust the wizard. He lies. I will take you to Cragmaw. He cannot. I also have more secrets. He has none."
ooc: sorry guys, I'm on vacation and haven't had much time to post.
Kriv
He listened impassively to Mosk, and heard Iarno's dissembling. Looking directly at the wizard, he raised his voice to be heard by both, and gauging his reaction, spake,
"You raise some interesting points, Mosk. Iarno is certainly being uncooperative in his demeanour. Tell me: What exactly would the Black Spider do to him?"
Mosk
"He has already earned death."
The statement was direct but obviously clouded by brutal bugbear mentality.
"I do not understand why you let it live. Mosk will show you what you need. Wizard should die."
Kriv
Cold, reptilian eyes bored into Iarno as the words of the Bugbear echoed. He said nothing further at this point, just letting the wizard feel the weight of the fate which currently only the goodwill of the party kept from him.
Goodwill his attempts at bargaining were eroding by the moment...
[Chandan is opening the west door, as per above, amigos. Prepare for savage bloodletting! And healing, thanks.]
DMIarno glares hopelessly as Chandan pulls the iron handle to open the wooden door and sees what appears to be a wizard's workshop. A large worktable is set up with alembics, retorts, distillation coils and other alchemical devices, all of it stewing and bubbling away. Bookshelves are crowded with sheaves of parchment and strange-looking tomes.
"My spellbook is not in there," Iarno says.
Chandan is looking into the room labeled as 11 
Kallista
The alchemical equipment peaks her interest and once she sees no immediate threat she enters the room to look around.
Chandan
His faces screws up as he takes in the room. A villain's secret laboratory. Chandan can only pray that this isn't where the captives ended their days.
"Free to carry out your experiments away from prying eyes." He says to Iarno, not waiting for an answer.
No, the wizard is for the Lord's Alliance to deal with. Sildar might understand his former friend's motives more, Chandan can't begin to guess at them.
Chandan stays close to Kallista. Firstly because she actually might know what she's doing, and second, if she does, then she might need someone to watch her back while she does whatever needs doing.
The old monk will be most interested in the papers. Any information on the Redbrands' operation.
Jaliera
In her usual position just outside the room, watching for trouble and the wizard's familiar, she calls back to the others.
"Thought this area lies below a manor house but not seen any stairs up?"
OOC: Might be in the unexplored areas Davroar
He will continue to keep an eye on Iarno, but does take a quick look into the wizards lab, only to say, "I'd be careful in there..."
DMChandan and Kallista start searching the lab and what they find are notes and books are scattered all around this room. They are texts on alchemy.
Someone trained in Arcana may give me a roll for more details.
Among the books is one that seems of interest, particularly because the group is searching for Gundren. It's written in Dwarvish. Chandan can read that languange and can tell right away that it's the journal of an adventurer named Urmon and it describes the history of the Lost Mine of Phandelver and something called the "Forge of Spells".
See attachment In addition, Urmon records that a magic mace named
Lightbringer was commissioned by priests of Lathandar, the god of dawn, from the mages working with the gnomes and dwarves of the Phandelver's Pact. The mace was lost when the Wave Echo Cave and it's mine disappeared from history.
Most of the materials in this room have little or now value but there are three small bottles that contain unusual material that might fetch some gold from an apothecary or alchemist.
I'll take another Arcana roll for those. Iarno simply watches while the group search. At times he cautions you to be careful. He's not worried about you getting hurt. He's concerned about the state of his lab.
Kallista
She wanders about the room, examining the bubbling beakers and the vials of ingredients she comes across. Looking at the books and tomes with interest she is focused on the magical aspect of their contents and leaves any mundane materials for Chandan to look over.
Kallista Arcana Rolls
Zeim rolled d20+2,d20+2 and got 18, 20
DM
Kallista readily determines that the wizard has been working on invisibility potions. There are traces of materials and components that she has heard are used in the crafting of such. It does not appear that Iarno has had much success as of yet.
The materials in the three glass bottles are a silvery liquid (mercury), a light and opaque liquid (dragon bile) and a dark powder (nightshade). She determines that each bottle could fetch 25 gp from an apothecary or alchemist.
There is no sign of Iarno's spell book in this room. If he hid it here, it's not to be found.
Chandan
He sighs and chews his lip. Nothing!
At least they have a more background on the Lost Mine of Phandelver, and Gundren's fate. But of the Redbrands' captives, their apparent slave ring, nothing.
They are the Disappeared.
Chandan is frustrated and sober. In fact, he's frustratingly sober. It's amazing to think that the wizard could dedicate so much time to bottles and brews and not distill a single decent thing to drink.
Either way, the old monk turns to Iarno and shakes his head disapprovingly.
"It is for Sildar to question you now." He says, before speaking to his companions.
"We have done what we can for the victims. We should return this villain to Sildar for questioning. A shame we can't wait for the answers.
"But we must use this bugbear while we can. Wave Echo Cave and Gundren, our next goal, yes?"
Jaliera
"Are we not going to check upstairs before we leave? Assuming we can find the stairs of course."
She calls back into the room.
Kriv
He interjects,
"We have more of the complex to inspect, south of the prison."
Kallista
"Turning Iarno over to Sildar, yes", he replies to Chandan. "But Mosk only said he could lead us to Cragmaw, not Wave Echo. We'll need to find that ourselves. As for Gundren", she shrugs, "we can hope he is at Cragmaw as we've heard."
She turns to Kriv and nods at his comment, then looks at the worktable and finds a piece of parchment and a drawing stick. Quickly sketching the sections of the complex they've explored, she looks at Iarno then points at a large blank area in the lower right. "What is here?"
DM
As Kallista discusses the contents of what is in Urmon's Journal, Davroar notices that Mosk's ears perk up when the Wave Echo cave is mentioned. He doesn't speak up on the topic. Davroar senses that Mosk is holding information back.
Iarno simply replies, "That leads to the main entrance to this cellar. It's a way out, the way I was headed when you so rudely stopped me."
Chandan
He huffs and nods.
"Then we go that way!" The greybeard says, and ensuring his companions are ready, he sets out and follow in the steps of the wizard Iarno.
...To the south east passage.
Jaliera
Satisfied that the group are going to continue the exploration, she maintains her rear guard. Her concern is not so much with treasure, some with information but mostly she wants to be sure that there are no more prisoners and that the Redbrands are no more.
Kallista
She takes the three alchemical components and hands them to Jaliera. "Here. Why don't you take these and see what you can get for them the next time we find an alchemists shop? You are probably better at haggling than I am."
Davroar
Maybe it was being in his bear form that he manages to read the body language of the bugbear, so before they move on he points the end of his staff towards him and asks, "Mosk, you've something to add? Seems we got you're attention with Wave Echo."
He looks at Kriv and the others and says, "Mosk here, all of a sudden got kind of antsy hearing that."
Kriv
Reptilian eyes looked sharply at the Bugbear, pupils narrowing.
"Did he now? Very interesting. Given we know that you know, it would be better for you if you got it off your chest, and shared what you knew..."
Jaliera
She smiles at Kallista.
"Yes of course."
Taking the bottles carefully, checking their tops are on securely, she packs them away using her spare clothing to cushion them and keep them safe.
Mosk
He seemed to struggle for a bit. It almost seemed as if he was sweating. Fear of Kriv was almost offset by fear of something else.
"Yes. Mosk knows where is Wave Echo."
Chandan
Looking left and right, he keeps his companions guarded as they question Mosk on the move to the south-east passage.
His priority now is to deliver Iarno to Sildar and continue with their quest to rescue Gundren. A damsel in distress might expect a knight in shining armour, but despite his fine locks (and beard), Gundren is no fair maiden, so he'll have to make do with a smelly vagabond, a street urchin, a grubby savage, a demonette and a man-eating, two-legged lizard.
Davroar
"That's good to know, Mosk. See, you're improving your chances getting out of this by telling us what we need."
Davroar thinks to himself that is big news, knowing that the location of Wave Echo cave is no longer a mystery.
"Tell us about your boss then. Do you know what he wants to do within the cave?"
DM
The bugbear says, "Black Spider looks for something. Mosk no know what. Now Black Spider want kill Mosk. Mosk with you. You like blood!"
He said it in a matter of fact manner. It does sound reasonable that chaotic is likely that he has shifted allegiance. When he talked about blood, his eyes bulged and he smiled at Chandan. It seems that the bugbear admires the way he works.
Jaliera
She smothers a smile. Seems that Chandan has a fan.
Chandan
He shrugs at the bugbear.
"All bleeders like blood. Good for your health."
The old monk was leading the party with spear in hand, across the underground hideout to the south-east passage. The one the wizard, Iarno, had tried to escape to when he was apprehended.
Jaliera
As Chandan heads out in the direction of the only area they have yet to search, she holds her place to slip in behind the others, taking her usual place as rear guard, still aware that the wizard's familiar is still around, even though they seem to have cleared the area behind them.
DMThe group moves towards the unexplored area of the complex and reaches a dead end. When they get there, the wizard says, "There's a secret door at the end of the hall. It is not locked or trapped, we use it too much. It swings open if you just push it."
[ooc: I guessed at a marching order but you need to tell me if you want it changed. Otherwise we'll proceed.]
(Happy with marching order.)
Kriv
A weather eye on the prisoners, he stayed alert to any ambushers attacking the trucebreaker.
Kallista
She follows along, keeping an eye on their prisoners.
(OOC - marching order is fine. I presume Mosk's and Iarno's hands are still both bound with rope?)
[ooc: Yes, Mosk and Iarno's hands are bound by rope.]
Davroar
He is not too thrilled to be walking between Iarno and Mosk given that the bugbear has a short temper with the wizard.
For the time being though, he will keep his eyes on Iarno while also taking a quick look over his shoulder a couple of times to make sure Mosk does get too close to him.
[OOC Happy with the order
]
DMWhen Chandan pushes open the door, he sees a large cellar, with stone steps at the far end of the room leading up to landing 15 feet above the cellar. There's a door on the opposite side of of the room at the landing level. A Redbrand Ruffian is up there pointing a an arrow at the secret door you just opened. A large cistern occupies the western part of the room, just north of where you enter. There's another door north of the cistern. The room is lit by oil lamps. Kriv looks about and notices movement at the top of the first set of steps up on either side (5 feet up). He suspects there are thugs hiding there.
See the 2 yellow stars on the map.Redbrands Initiative
Neptune rolled 1d20+2 and got 21
Initiative needed for the rest of you.
Kallista
As soon as she is aware Chandan is about to open the door at the end of the hallway she readies herself.
Kallista Initiative
Zeim rolled d20+2 and got 4
Kriv
The moment he senses motion, he speaks,
"Ambush, I suspect two hiding behind the corners up there. Don't be caught by surprise."
Kriv initiative
AJ rolled 1d20+1 and got 5
Chandan
Pushing open the door with his spear, he sees the Redbrand and shrieks. In a flurry of rags and dreadlocks, he dives straight through, lobbing his spear at the archer almost as an after-thought.
[Chandan initiave. Rolled 15+3=18]
Davroar
"For the love of gods..." he groans under his breath. Hoping it is not too late he yells, "Chandan! We got Iarno, remember!"
Pushing Iarno forward with the butt of his staff he says to the wizard, "Speak fast and get them to lay down their weapons."
Davroar Initiative
Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 10
Jaliera
One of the disadvantages of rear guard is that you cannot always see ahead and cannot get a view of what is happening. From the noise and Kriv's shout she can guess though not numbers, strength or opponents.
"Iarno, command them to cease their attack."
She calls out in the hope that not only will the wizard help but also that the assailants might respond to his name.
Jaliera Initiative
Gypsy rolled 1d20+3 and got 20
[Chandan's not at the top of the initiative order anyway. So if he's not attacked, he'll have no need to return fire. My posts always assume the bad guys attack.
Grognard Rules Football.]
Kallista
Grabbing the Bugbear by the rope tying his wrists together behind his back, she shoves him forward. "Get in there with the Wizard and get them to lay down their weapons", she says.
DM
With their initiative, the only Redbrand that does anything is the one at the door at the top of the steps. He pushes the door open and runs through, hollering "INTRUDERS!!!"
Iarno, feeling the push from Davroar, and the bugbear, reacting to Kallista's prodding, stumble, hands tied behind their backs into the room along with Chandan. The monk, was going to throw his spear, but is able to hold back as the man disappeared through the door.
OOC: No time to map it up but the Bugbear and Iarno are both in the room with Chandan. I'll allow anyone else who has done nothing but speak, to act before we move onto the next round of action. That means Jaliera and Kriv. Remember that you can move through the space of allies (as they give way) and for this, both the wizard and bugbear are able to get into the cellar that way. There will be space in the hallway for others to move up.
Iarno, Bugbear initiatives
Neptune rolled 1d20+2,1d20+2 and got 19, 17.
Kriv
With a wary eye on the untrustworthy monk, he advanced cautiously into the room, maul at the ready, trying to get an angle to the northern corner to see what was hidden there.
(Between the southern barrels and the southeastern corner of the cistern.)
Jaliera
Still not able to see and weighing up the danger she decides that moving forward to get sight and maybe her bow into play is probably a good idea. She still keeps a watch behind them though looking for that familiar.
She hears the shout calling for reinforcements, knowing from what had been said that there are already several in the room.. and wonders how a town this size could maintain so many brigands. There must be some sort of external funding. If so then the town may suffer with them gone but better surely than having lives at risk?
DMooc: This starts at the end of the first round and continues to the start of the second round....Having moved into the cellar, the room behind the secret door, Mosk and Iarno join Chandan and Kriv there. The wizard was given very specific orders by Davroar, to call off his men.
As he stumbles into the chamber, arms tied behind his back, the wizard addresses the men there.
"KILL THE ONE-EYED BUGBEAR! KILL MOSK! HE BETRAYED US!!!"
This is where round 2 starts...And with that, some of the Ruffians expose themselves and take aim. The door just north of the secret door opens and two ruffians emerge from there. Two others, at the top of the stairs, peek out from behind the cover they had taken. Mosk is their target and they all focus fire on him. With his hands tied behind his back, Mosk is at a disadvantage. He cannot use his otherwise ample dexterity to its full effect and becomes a very vulnerable target. And there were more ruffians than were first seen. There were the two ruffians that were hiding on the landings of the left and right steps. There was the one ruffian that had run through the door at the opposite end of the room. All three of these foes have cover behind walls or the door. Two other men came rushing out of the door to the north of the secret door. All five archers hit their targets and with five arrows jutting from him, he falls to the ground with a big thump, dead from the wounds.
I am treating both Iarno and Mosk as being under the "restrained" condition with the caveat that they both can move. The 5th Redbrand is behind the door opposite the party and is not visible in the tactical map.
ruffian 1 Fire shortbow, advantage
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 20, 5, 6
ruffian 2 Fire shortbow, advantage
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 21, 11, 5
ruffian 3 Fire shortbow, advantage
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 22, 7, 7
ruffian 4 Fire shortbow, advantage
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 18, 21, 7
ruffian 5` Fire shortbow, advantage
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 16, 22, 7
Iarno had been cornered and captured. When he realized that it would be futile trying to win them over, trying to save his own life. He knew that once he was turned over to officials, his days were numbered. The world was a brutal place and he had nothing else to lose. The bugbear was his enemy and if he survived this battle he needed the Black Spider to know he was loyal.
Only Jaliera goes now. Iarno gets his turn immediately after her.
Initiative order:
Redbrands 21
Jaliera 20 <----- She goes and nobody else
Iarno 19
Bugbear 17 DEAD
Chandan 15
Davroar 10
Kriv 5
Kallista 4 
JalieraAs far as she is concerned the wizard has just placed himself on the target list but a lower priority than those more active in the room. As he has condemned himself, she expects he will try to use any means to get free, be that Redbrand or familiar. Either will make a good target for her arrows but she needs to be in a position to use them. She will try to move forward and fire. Target order: Redbrand, familiar, wizard last unless he does anything to promote himself to the top.
[OOC In case she can see a target, here is her attack]
Jaliera Arrow
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d6+3 and got 7, 5Looks like she couldn't see anyone!
Chandan
It's always easier when evil-doers undo themselves. Chandan doesn't doubt that Mosk earned his death just as much as any of the slaving, murdering, thieving scum in this hideout. And it's safer for the good folk of Phandelver if the Redbrands are annihilated.
So he gets busy doing just that. Chandan dashes along the edge of the cistern, then jumping up onto the lip he uses its height for a flying spear-thrust at the nearest ruffian [21,5].
[Chandan attacks ruffian with spear and kick.
Rolled 22 and 9. Hit and miss. Damage rolled 7]
Iarno
The wizard dives, headfirst into the cistern. It is deep, but he can be seen swimming to the other side. When he gets there he bobbs his head out and asks the Redbrand on the other side "Help me out of here if you want me to help you beat these intruders."
OOC: This occurs before Chandan goes.
Kriv gets an opportunity attack with advantage on the wizard as he makes his escape. Advantage because his hands are tied behind his back.
Kriv
With a 'tsk', he tries to cripple the wizard, looking at the very least to shatter a knee and if possible pin him or a large part of him to solid ground with the maul.
Kriv Opportunity attack with advantage
AJ rolled 1d20+5 1d20+5 and got 15, 22
Kriv Damage, reroll 1 or 2
AJ rolled 1d6 1d6 and got 5, 2
Kriv Damage reroll
AJ rolled 1d6 and got 3
11 damage.
If lethal, do not kill.
DMJaliera's arrow misses the mark and the Redbrand has gone through the door. As the wizard dives into the cistern, Kriv reacts by swinging his maul at the wizard. The weapon hits the wizard but is unable to stop him as he is already in mid-dive as Kriv's maul strikes him. Iarno arches his back in pain but does get to the other side. Chandan races around the cistern and flails at the ruffian there.
Davroar, Kriv and Kallista can go.
Initiative order:
Redbrands 21
Jaliera 20
Iarno 19
Bugbear 17 DEAD
Chandan 15
Davroar 10
Kriv 5
Kallista 4 
Davroar
Knowing that he was charged to keeping a close watch on Iarno, Davroar anger rises as he does not want him to get away.
With the alarm given again, and not knowing just how many Redbrands might be coming to help, he shape changes back into his brown bear form to pursue Iarno.
Entering the room he sees the wizard in the water and leaps in after him. Davroar does not care whether or not landing on top of Iarno forces him under the water or merely knocks him off to the side. Davroar is intent on not letting him escape and will climb out and lash out at the ruffian that was about to help Iarno out of the water.
Davroar Claw attack on R4
Dugan rolled 1d20+5 and got 19
Davroar Claw attack damage on R4
Dugan rolled 2d6+4 and got 11
As per discussion, Davroar will attack the Redbrand
Kriv
He advanced to the edge of the pool, muttering words of power in his native tongue before unleashing a cone of flame across the cistern. There was a possibility Davroar would be caught in it, but the druid was tough enough, and taking out their enemies before the wizard could escape mattered more.
Move diagonally one square to the northeast, from 20:1 to 21:2. Burning hands, angle the 15ft cone back so that R5, R4 and the hopefully flammable door are in the area of effect, whilst Chandan is not. Looking to cover 21:3, 21:4, 21:5, 20:4, 20:5 and 19:5 under the cone.
If lethal, do not kill the wizard. If possible, set the door on fire.
Kriv Burning hands
AJ rolled 3d6 and got 10
(OOC - Not sure what "if lethal do not kill the wizard" means? You cannot do non-lethal magical or ranged damage. Only hand-to-hand melee weapons can do non-lethal damage.)
(Fair enough. You're on your own, Iarno.)
Kallista
Moving up into the room (move to 20,2), she casts a Fire Bolt at one of the Redbrands across the pool from her (either one is fine, working form left to right). After missing badly (Natural 1!), she steps back into the hallway to gain some cover (19,1).
Kallista Fire Bolt
Zeim rolled d20+5,d10 and got 6, 7
[Nep, I think your last GM post got truncated, it ends mid-sentence? (Of course, just as you were about to describe how Chandan pummels his way through every bad guy in the room and accidentally unearths a treasure trove at the same time.
)]
[ooc: Sorry about disappearing for a couple of days. It 's been stupid busy. Anyhow, I fixed my last post to complete the sentence.
Dugan, there's a problem with Davroar's declaration so I need you to make a decision. He can bite and claw at the same time with his multi-attack but you declared a claw and a grapple and on different targets. Davroar can either try to grapple Iarno (which is what leaping on top of him means). The second attack is to lash out at the ruffian that is helping him. You need to choose one or the other.]
DMDavroar the bear leaps after the wizard and makes a big splash in the cistern. Water goes spraying all over the place as he belly-flops in. He sees the ruffian on the other side reach out to help Iarno and as soon as the bear sees that, it swats Redbrand with it's giant claw and rakes him across the face.
See below. TentativeKriv focuses his attention on the disobedient wizard. He holds his hand forth and a cone of flames shoot out at the wizard. The flames spread, engulfing the wizard and both Ruffians on the other side. Iarno, the main target, is roasted to within a thread of his life while the two ruffians are able to do dodge it somewhat. That keeps one of them alive, but the one that was hit by Davroar's claw, drops.
The warlock points her fingers at the same ruffian that got smacked by Davroar but the fiery bolt of magic that flows from her fingers misses the mark.
R4,R5,Iarno Dex Save vs Burning Hands (DC 12)
Neptune rolled 1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2 and got 19, 19, 10
ooc: I struggled with this attack because Davroar the bear ran into the line of fire. In a table-top face-to-face game we would resolve or prevent this but alas, this format presents tactical challenges. Kriv's burning hands is going to get Davroar. Since Davroar goes first, his move is resolved before Kriv.
So AJ, your choice. 1) Abandon your action 2) Complete your action and get the foolhardy druid in the area affect of your spell.
If you decide on option 2, Davroar would normallyget a save with advantage for half damage (based on my way of doing AOE spells in 5e). In this case I'm making the save automatic so Davroar would take 5 damage.
Status MaxHP/CurHP
Chandan 24/14
Kallista 25/13
Davroar 20/15
Jaliera 18/0
Kriv 21/17
Iarno 22/1
Ruffian1 16/16
Ruffian2 16/16
Ruffian3 16/16
Ruffian4 16/Dead
Ruffian5 16/4
(WWAEPDD? (What would an evil, pragmatic Dragonborn do? Action stands. The net benefit in terms of enemy removal outweighs the unfortunate minor injury. Any melee attack which specifies not killing Iarno should take the biggest threat out of the equation and ensure we can still take him back alive.))
[What would Brian Boitano do?]
(Use the magical firebreath and save the maidens fair.)
DMThe Redbrands see their compatriot fall and attack with fury. The two archers drop their bows and pull out their swords and rush into the fray. One attacks Chandan but the monk performs one of his drunken dodges and he makes it seem like an accident that both swings miss. The other one runs down the steps and charges Kriv with his sword. His first swing slices into the Dragonborn but the second swing hits armor instead.
The Redbrand at the top of the steps on the far side of the room emerges to fire an arrow at Davroar but it falls just short of the bear. But that is not the only ruffian that is focusing in on him. The one on the other side of the cistern just saw his buddy die from a combination of a bear claw and a fire. The bear is too close to comfort so after he drops his bow, he swings twice and connects both times.
Finally, a new combatant emerges from underneath the staircase to the north. It's plain to see that there's a passageway underneath there. He emerges with his bow out and fires an arrow at Kallista but it misses.
Just on the other side of the secret door, Jaliera has been surveying the ambush and is preparing to act but she is also vigilant and off in the distance she sees the mouse running out of the same underpass that the new archer emerged from. The rat scurries across the floor and out of sight.
R1 Attacks Davroar with arrow
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 10, 8 Misses
R2 Attacks Chandan - multiattack 2 swords
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d6+2 and got 13, 9, 7, 8 Misses
R3 Attacks Kriv - multiattack 2 swords
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d6+2 and got 17, 15, 3, 8 One hit, 3 pts damage
R5 Attacks Davroar - multiattack 2 swords
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d6+2 and got 16, 21, 3, 4 Two hits, 7 pts damage
R6 Attacks Kalista with arrow
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 7, 3 Misses
Iarno 22/1
Ruffian1 16/16
Ruffian2 16/16
Ruffian3 16/16
Ruffian4 16/Dead
Ruffian5 16/4
Ruffian6 16/16
Chandan 24/14
Kallista 25/13
Davroar 20/8
Jaliera 18/0
Kriv 21/14
Jaliera now goes. Then Iarno.
Jaliera
Concerned about the numbers they face, her mind working nineteen to the dozen, she decides that this might be the time to try the magic she had studied before leaving. She needs a vantage point though and clambers onto the barrels just ahead of her.
Holding out her hand with her fingers splayed, she utters the arcane words she had committed to memory and casts a colour spray at 3 of the attackers. She holds her breath, hoping it works.
DMBands of every color of the spectum shoot forth from Jaliera's hands and they start to swirl rapidly and brightly. The Redbrand closest to her stares out to the scene in front of him like a blind man, looking here and there but seeing nothing he can discern and it looks like panic that he cannot see might overwhelm him.
The wizard climbs out of the cistern and now stands next to one of the ruffians flanking Chandan. "Cut these damned ropes!" he screams to the man.
Iarno 22/1
Ruffian1 16/16
Ruffian2 16/16
Ruffian3 16/16 Blinded
Ruffian4 16/Dead
Ruffian5 16/4
Ruffian6 16/16
Jaliera 18/18
Iarno 22/1
Chandan 24/14
Davroar 20/20 (19/7 black bear form)
Kriv 21/14
Kallista 25/13
Next up, in order are: Chandan, Davroar, Kriv and Kallista before the ruffians go. 
[ooc: Neptune, I'm kind of bemused with Iarno's actions. How can Iarno, hands tied behind his back, with one of his hands still broken by Davroar, manage to climb out of a deep cistern unassisted when he moments ago was asking for one of the ruffians to help him climb out? I thought I killed the Redbrand before he could help Iarno out.]
Chandan
His eyes flicking left and right, the vagabond sees that Fate has handed him an excellent opportunity to occupy two of the vile Redbrands. Two less to occupy and endanger his companions at least.
The mastermind, Iarno seeks to turn the tables on them but that won't be so easy with a sodden and angry bear crashing through the water at his heels. Yes, it's clear to Chandan that he must deal with these two as best he can.
[Chandan attacks R5 with Spear, R2 with Kick. (Sweet, check those hit rolls out guys!! Chuck is back!)
Rolled 23, 23. Hit, Hit. Damage spear 7, kick 6]
OOC:
Dugan. On appeal to the DM, the "PC" description of the cistern:
"A large cistern occupies the western part of the room, just north of where you enter."
However, once re-reading the more detailed DM text:
"This rectangular resevoir is clean and filled with cold, fresh water. It is 10 feet deep with a rim 2 feet higher than the surrounding floor (so that the bottom of the cistern is 8 feet below the floor)."
I agree with you 100%. In fact, because he is bound and is shorter than 8 foot tall, he's got to stay afloat so I'm making him do a strength check...
Iarno Strength check to stay afloat
Neptune rolled 1d20-1 and got 4
and he fails! I should have rolled at disadvantage too since his hands are bound, but no need. Revised text follows:DMThe wizard, kicking without use of his hands takes a last gasp before his head slips under the surface of the water.
ooc: Waiting on Davroar, Kriv and Kalista. You all might as well ignore R5, as Chuck Norris gets rid of him easy. R2 is also hurting from a kick to the groin.
Kriv
To the Druid, he instructed,
"Fish him out. Break his other hand, do not kill him. I've got you covered."
With Chandan demonstrating his usefulness as a killer when killing was necessary, Kriv turned his attention to the same three Jaliera had used her magics on, extending his hands as the guttural words of his native tongue called out the element for which his kind was most feared.
Burning hands, trying to angle to catch R2, R3, R6, reflex half
Kriv Burning hands
AJ rolled 3d6 and got 11
ooc: I don't see you getting all of them with this spell. Please refer to this post about AOE spells and let me know. If you leave the blind R3 alone, you can get the other two.
[The blind one is lowest priority, go for the other two.]
Davroar
As much as he wants to retaliate at the guard in front of him, he follows Kriv's shouted command. Briefly he will duck under water and with one large arm sweep will attempt to pull the sinking Iarno back to the other side of the cistern behind the barrels if possible for some cover from the Redbrands arrows. (20,1)
DMChandan plunges his spear into the Redbrand in front of him and them inserts the heel of his foot into the nostrils of the one behind him hurting him hard.
Davroar, heeding the orders from Kriv, plunges down into the cistern and grabs the drowning wizard who is kicking helplessly. Once his head is out of the water, Iarno takes a desperate breath. Davroar then climbs out of the water with ease, taking the prisoner with him.
Kriv then extends his hands and flames shoot out. The flames engulf the Redbrand next to Chandan who was already reeling from Chandan's kick. The other one is scorched badly but turns towards the dragonborn with anger.
R2, R6 Dex save
Neptune rolled 1d20+2,1d20+2 and got 16, 10
Iarno 22/1
Ruffian1 16/16
Ruffian2 16/Dead
Ruffian3 16/16 Blinded
Ruffian4 16/Dead
Ruffian5 16/Dead
Ruffian6 16/5
Jaliera 18/18
Iarno 22/1
Chandan 24/14
Davroar 20/20 (19/7 black bear form)
Kriv 21/14
Kallista 25/13
Kalista goes, then the remaining ruffians.
Kallista
Knowing the spell Jaliera used on the Redbrand is only temporary, she focuses on the one nearest, attempting to damage him before he recovers his vision.
Kallista Fire Bolt (W/Advantage)
Zeim rolled d20+5,d20+5,d10 and got 14, 24, 7
DMKalista's fire bolt explodes in the blind mans chest. He swings his sword wildly in return but his blade only cuts the air. The ruffian behind him charges Chandan, thinking he'll take out frail looking scruffy old man. Both swings hit their mark and Chandan takes two deep wounds from his blades. The archer at the top of the steps focuses fire on Chandan and lets loose an arrow. His arrow also finds its mark and as it plunges into the monk's chest he falls to his knees, and is dying.
R3 2 attacks at disadvantage on Kriv
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2,1d20+4,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 14, 12, 5, 17, 10, 3
R6 2 attacks on Chandan
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d6+2,1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 23, 3, 22, 8
R1 attacks Chandan with an arrow
Neptune rolled 1d20+4,1d6+2 and got 21, 8
Iarno 22/1
Ruffian1 16/16
Ruffian2 16/Dead
Ruffian3 16/9 Blinded
Ruffian4 16/Dead
Ruffian5 16/Dead
Ruffian6 16/5
Jaliera 18/18
Iarno 22/1
Chandan 24/0 Dying
Davroar 20/20 (19/7 black bear form)
Kriv 21/14
Kallista 25/13
Jaliera goes, Iarno, but on his turn, Iarno will not act, so then Chandan makes a death save (1d20) followed by Davroar, Kriv and Kallista,
Jaliera
She sees Chandan fall but is not in a position to help him directly. However she can try to take out his opponent, or at least distract him, in the hope that Davroar can help the monk.
She fires at Ruffian 6.
Jaliera Arrow
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d6+3 and got 19, 9
{OOC Neptune, Ruffian 3, hit by Kallista? is showing full HPs? ]
Chandan
Haunted... by memories.
He had already cut the man's throat and opened up his torso, so his arms were red with blood up to the elbows.
The monk was painted in white ash, and he left a smear on his brow when he wiped the sweat from it. Straightening up, he looked around. The sky was clear, pristine blue behind the snow-capped peaks. Still no birds, Chandan noted, shaking his head and going back to work.
He stretched out the greying corpse and tied it to the stakes, then gathered up the sack of offal and carried it over to a crude stone shrine. The incense had burned down and the stiff mounatin breeze had carried away its fine smell. A small bag of curly hair sat to one side, shaven from the head of the deceased, a cattleman called Jibraan who had pickled his liver with rakshi.
Chandan made a sign to ward of the evil eye. He never touched the inebriating drink so popular with the villagers, and he wondered if the vultures had somehow heard of the dead man's habits and decided to find their next meal elsewhere.
Sky burials needed clear skies and vultures, and though the monk had prayed for both, so far he'd seen only one. Jibraan's family had returned to the village, and the devotional ox had been set loose, free to roam. The cost of the sky burial had been paid, and if in two days they came to gather Jibraan's relics and found him still lying out sunbathing, they would take it as an ill omen.
It probably was an ill omen, but not directed at Jibraan's family. The family could be spared such worry in their time of mourning. Chandan knew a giant who was always happy to pummel a corpse into mush and feed it to his eagles.
But the whereabouts of the vultures had to ascertained.
The old monk stood on one leg, resting his other foot tucked into his inner thigh. The tree pose. He put his hands together and meditated. Time passed, and it was echoes of the future that disturbed him.
He opened first one eye, then the other. Vultures. Downhill. They weren't circling Jubal or the charnal ground, they were circling the village.
The old monk glanced around nervously. There was a stone hut nearby. His home over long years. He hadn't ventured down to the tree-line for decades, living alone at the charnal ground, with only the elements and mountain giants for company. Villagers employed his services, and curious travellers would sometimes visit him en route to distant lands, but Chandan did not travel.
He read an ill omen in those circling vultures though. Something was wrong in the village and Jibraan's cast-offs weren't getting eaten today. Chandan wrapped his saffron scarf around his neck and set out.
Davroar
Seeing Chandan dropped with a fatal wound, he will attack. Davroar misses at his attempt at biting the ruffian's arm off, yet manages to sink his claws into the mans belly.
Davroar Bite attack on ruffian R6
Dugan rolled 1d20+5 and got 11 (I believe that's a miss)
Davroar claw attack on ruffian R6
Dugan rolled 1d20+5 and got 22
Davroar claw attack damage
Dugan rolled 2d6+4 and got 14
Kriv
He assesses his options. Davroar seems to be making an impenetrable wall of claws and teeth between Iarno and his minions, and with one broken hand and both tied behind his back, the Wizard getting up and going through the door seemed unlikely, but worth keeping an eye on. He watched the bear's claws go through the last man standing over there with no small degree of satisfaction. The sniper at the far end of the room had yet to be hit, but getting to him meant removing the blinded obstacle. Fine by him.
Putting both hands on his maul, he swung it full force at the blinded man's face, then proceeded past his corpse without a second glance, headed for the southern stairs and platform leading to the healthy Ruffian.
"Eyes on Iarno. Secure the area."
Kriv attack with advantage
AJ rolled 1d20+5,1d20+5 and got 10, 24
Kriv damage, gwf
AJ rolled d6,d6 and got 4, 4
11 damage
Move towards R1 taking the southern raised platform.
Kallista
Seeing the two closest Ruffians drop to her companions attacks, she aims her next Firebolt at the distant archer. After casting her spell, she will move behind the barrels in the corner for cover (move to 1,22).
Kallista Firebolt
Zeim rolled d20+5,d10 and got 23, 5
Chandan still gets to roll 1d20 (no modifiers) to make his 1st death save. If you roll double-digits you succeed (10+ or 55%). If you roll 1-9 you fail. You keep making the death saves until you get 3 fails or saves. You only die if you fail 3 times before you save or are healed.
Gypsy> Correct. Color spray causes no damage but really cripples opponents with blindness. The blindness lasts 1 round so he'll see soon.
[Chandan rolled 17 on death save. A bit excessive.
I have an old fondness for Colour Spray, dating back to Bioware's Neverwinter Nights. That spell got me out of so many tight spots!]
(OOC - Actually he's dead, to Kriv's attack, so he isn't likely to be seeing.....
)
DM
Kriv kills the blind man. The bear kills the ruffian that was standing over the fallen monk and Kallista fires a bolt of flame that burns the ruffian at the top of the steps. That's enough for that man to turn and flee. He steps out the door and slams it shut.
Chandan is lying in a pool of blood and if he's not tended to soon, he will die. Iarno gasps for air and is in rough shape.
Melee is over. Sorry it took so long to resolve. What are you doing?
And no, Kriv does not get close enough to R1 to stop him.
Kriv
He advanced on the door and tried to force it open, not intending to give the last man a chance to get far. He trusted his colleagues to ensure Iarno was suppressed, and didn't give the Vagrant a second glance.
(If that gets me eyes on him, I'll action surge to get up in his grill. If not, no worries.)
Davroar
As much as he wants to stay in his bear form in case more Redbrands come to fight, he see's that Chandan is in rough shape. Returning to his human form, he bends down to cast a cure wounds spell.
Davroar Cast cure wounds on Chandan
Dugan rolled 1d8+3 and got 7
Jaliera
She sees that Davroar is looking after Chandan and that Kriv is going after the last ruffian. Maybe she can help there?
Slinging her bow, she jumps down from the barrels and heads for the door, waiting to see if Kriv gets through in which case she'll back him up. If it is locked though, she'll offer to try and open it. No point in giving the ruffian time to provide a reception for them.
Kallista
As the last ruffian flees she can see Davroar moving to help Chandan and Jaliera and Kriv chasing after the one who fled.
Leaving Iarno gasping and bleeding on the ground at the edge of the pool.
She moves across the room glancing in the pool as she passes around it, interested in the engineering of how the water is flowing into it.
Reaching Iarno she kneels down, taking out a dagger.
"Well, well. Not completely unexpected. I suppose I'd have taken the chance to escape were I in your shoes too. Too bad it failed. I'd kill you now for the trouble you've caused, but you're worth money to me. Well us. You've got a date with Sildar. Now, how about you tell me what's behind these doors", she gestures at the three doors in the room.
DM
Kriv starts to give chase but getting up the stairs is a slower than desired process and by the time he reaches the closed door, the ruffian is nowhere to be found. The door leads to the ruins of the manor above the basement. There is no sign of the ruffian and he's gone, likely for good.
Inside the cellar, Kallista starts to interrogate the wizard who is in bad shape now. In his condition, he speaks freely. "That's just a storage room" he says about the room beyond the door just to the east of where he stands. "There's a passage under the steps over there that leads back to the crypt and cells. There's a pit trap in the corridor over there but nothing else to be found there. Your dragonborn friend is realizing that the upstairs manor is in complete disrepair, which is why I set up my office down here."
Kriv
Unfortunate, but couldn't be helped. He headed back down, noting with satisfaction the dagger in Kallista's hand in proximity to the wizard, and with ambivalence at Chandan no longer bleeding out.
Chandan
"Jeremy!?" He says, coming to.
The old monk sees Davroar and smiles, "Oh it's you!"
Picking up his spear, he struggles to his feet and looks around, impressed with the calmness in the room.
He pats the young druid on the shoulder.
"Thank you! You are a life-giver. Good karma!!"
Jaliera
She decides to stay by the open door with her bow at the ready. The ruffian.. or another.. may return this way. She calls back to the others.
"Are the wizard's hands still bound? That familiar is still around somewhere."
DM
Time passes and soon enough the quintet realize that their prisoner spoke the truth and that there is no living soul in the complex that hasn't been dealt with except for the elusive rat that Iarno claims he has released from duty.
The group has time to do a lot of things while this time has transpired. What are those activities? Please be specific.
Kallista
"Yes", she replies to Jaliera. "Be careful", she adds. "He says there is a pit trap through the northern door."
Chandan
He pats himself down, but doesn't find what he's looking for.
"I need a drink!" He exclaims.
It's been a far longer day than he'd expected, and he'd been beaten, burned, cut and stabbed. He'd fallen in battle twice, only to be brought back from the brink twice.
It isn't the worse day he's ever had, but it's definitely in his top five.
A thorough search of the dead is in order. The slavers victims are still in the forefront of his mind, and he can't give up finding evidence of their whereabouts.
Otherwise, the first job is to return Iarno to Sildar, and resume their mission to rescue Gundren.
ooc: You were sooooo close to saying the right thing. I think you added a few extra words that limited what you were doing.
DM
Chandan, now healed, starts to search the bodies of the dead ruffians. Aside from a few coppers and their swords, there is little of interest on them. But that is consistent with what they have found before. These ruffians took what they wanted and didn't pay for it.
Kriv
A thorough search is in order.
Kallista
Once the others have returned she opens the door Iarno claimed to lead to a storeroom to verify his claim. As they take some time she takes the opportunity to spend a few minutes taking a drink of water and catching her breath.
Kallista Use healing die
Zeim rolled d8+2 and got 6
DM
After failing to find anything on the bodies of the dead ruffians, the dragonborn initiates a more thorough search of the chamber. They look everywhere and then they spot it. It was a satchel hidden inside the cistern, hanging from a rope on the south wall.
When they pull it out and look inside the waterproof bag, there are 50 gold pieces, a full set of clothing and two stoppered flasks.
Davroar
He is impressed with how Chandan, as old as he looks, manages to bounce right back up from near death before Davroar can respond to him for the thanks given.
Instead he will cast his last spell for the day to help Iarno when it seems that they are safe from any more attacks while the rest of them search the rooms. He does not want to appear completely inconsiderate when they return him to Sildar.
After that is done, he will join Kallista in getting some fresh water from the cistern to drink and clean up a bit.
Davroar Cast cure wounds on Iarno
Dugan rolled 1d8+3 and got 9
Chandan
The old monk gathers whatever riches are lying around. They are the procedes of an evil endeavour, that's preyed on the surrounding area. He intends to give it to Sildar to dispense, likewise Iarno's just deserts.
Seeing Davroar and Kallista having a quiet moment, he joins them.
"I was fortunate to have you as allies today. You have wondrous gifts, yes, but how you use those gifts is what we can be truly grateful for." He said, slurping a handful of water.
Davroar
"Glad I can help, Chandan, but may I ask why it seems you rush so quickly into a fight?"
He did not want to say careless, but at times it seems that way to him. Davroar has in his young life witnessed a few of his barbarian tribesmen go into a battle frenzy, but usually that only occurs when they are already in the thick of a fight.
Chandan
He ponders Davroar's question but shrugs. He's never thought himself quick to fight, rather the opposite.
"I do not like fighting. So try to get it over with as quick as possible." Offers the monk.
Looking around the room at the puddles of blood, he sighs.
"Such violence in the world. Most of my life I ignored it, devoted myself to oneness of mind, body and the Four-Form Jade.
"But finally, one day I realised that to do good, one must abhor violence but one cannot ignore it, because evil thrives on it."
Kriv
The Dragonborn intercedes,
"If that is true, why did you rush in to inflict violence upon one who had renounced it through surrender?"
Jaliera
She had not seen anything moving outside and was intending to rejoin her companions.. but hearing the arguments starting up again she thinks better of it and remains at her post.
You've pretty much finished up here. This conversation can take place later, in town. So let's move this forward a bit...Continue here:
3.0 Where next?