11 Marpenoth (October)
Location: Caer Dineval

Upon their triumphant return to Caer Dineval, the celebration at the Uphill Climb in that lakeside village raged on well into the small hours of the morning. Even Speaker Siever, normally bellicose and curt, was in high spirits, bouyed by the return of the Howling Fiend.

Though all present were aware of the fact Derrick the Drownder and his men were still out there, the loss of their finest ship, black ice ram or not, would be a telling blow and might just be the decisive edge the village needed to prevail against the pirates. In any event, the mood was joyous (and perhaps amorous for some!) and an evening not soon to be forgotten by any present.

But, all parties must come to an end, and the next day most paid dearly for their participation. Symbolic of everyone's physical state, the next morning broke cold and snowy, perfect weather for one to remain hunkered down in bed beneath a mountain of wool and fur. Much of the village is paralyzed that next morning, though those few souls who wisely decided to call it an early evening have enough wits about them to carry on with their days. Perhaps not so for our adventurers, who spirit or not, needed the downtime after several action packed days.

The adventurers spent much of that next day resting and recuperating from their exertions, celebratory or otherwise. Outside, snow flew in sideways sheets, the biting wind seeking any crack or crevice, struggling against the warmth of roaring fires and glowing coals.

The following morning, the snow has let up some, though flurries still descend from ashen clouds onto the village. That morning, the village is abuzz with new tidings: cultists of Auril swept through the village late last night, breaking into homes to round up residents for a sacrifice to the Frostmaiden. One such victim, Addisun, a young girl managed to break free and escape, arriving in the village frostbitten and nearly dead on her feet.

Addisun relays the gruesome tale between bouts of deathly shivering. A large number of villagers were rounded up, marched up the slopes of Kelvin's Cairn, stripped of their clothes and made to lie down on a rocky precipice overlooking the lake. There, the Auril Cultists formed a circle around the villagers, chanting over the villagers cries for mercy.

Addisun manages to slip away unseen. She traveled through the dark of morning and arrived just after dawn. She says she saw perhaps a dozen cultists, though she can't really remember.

As this sad tale is relayed, understandably, the villagers begin to eye the adventurers once again. "You will help us again, will you not?" one distraught woman asks.

Thane seemed very much the worse for wear come morning.  He definitely had had a LOT more to drink the previous than he was used to, and even his hardy Luskan constitution had taken a beating.  He was a bleary eyed presence the morning after at the common room, where he hogged a space in front of the fire wrapped in a thick blanket and drinking herbal teas by the potful.

He wasn't very talkative, whether having been suffering from a poor temper or maybe even slightly embarrassed about something.  Either way, he only mumbled short responses to queries and obviously preferred to be alone with his thoughts.

The second day, however, he was feeling much better.  Upon hearing of the trouble with the Frostmaiden's Cultists and the kidnapped (and most likely dead) villagers, the telltale flush of anger bespoke his immediate opinion.

"I'm inclined to do somethin' about this!" he declared.  He poked Hengar in the ribs.  "Sure as hell seems folk up here like freezin' other folk to death.  I'm kinda tired of it, meself."

---

OOC: Rumor has it that Thane had intended to take a bath after the big party, but sadly passed dead out in the bath room before he could even get his boots off, and woke up come morning half frozen to death!

Kira had spent a lot of time with Dal, expounding all the virtues of their manly cohorts.  She'd forgotten her telling herself she wasn't going to drink more and by the time she'd found her way to the bathing chamber, she was far too giggly and walking somewhat sideways.  Seeing Thane passed out, she sighed and tried to cover him with a towel in lieu of any blankets then made her way to a room where she somehow managed to find her way under the piles of blankets sans boots but not socks.

The next day she'd spent bundled up close to the fire but would also spend lengths of time looking out the window, blinking sleepily as the snowflakes fluttered about.  She was a bit like a cat, part of her wanting to go out and play but feeling far too warm and lethargic to actually do so.  It felt too good to do nothing for a change, to be warm and have a full belly.  It was a comfort she hadn't known much of in her life and she was smart enough to bask in it for as long as possible.  She was no queen after all but she could dream!

She knew the peace couldn't last though and during those waking moments she'd thought of the scream they'd heard in the wind that had nearly sent them into the frozen waters.  The axe fell the second day as she descended for breakfast, looking sleepy yet rested at the same time.  Hearing the tale of the kidnappings, Kira sighed heavily as she accepted a mug of warm cider.  "Had a feeling they'd rear their ugly heads sooner rather than later," she grumbled.  "Need to cut the head off the snake, stop this crap once and for all."

"I'm in," Arnan agreed with a tight-lipped nod after Thane and Dal had given voice to their intent to aid the locals by moving against the cultists.

The scout had been relatively quiet, and kept his own counsel during the short period of festivities after the party's triumphant return to Caer Dineval. He had drunk just enough ale so as not to insult any of the villagers who had seemed intent on keeping the adventurers' tankards full, but oft-times left half-full tankards on the table. He responded when addressed directly, but volunteered little.

Leaving the rest of his companions to question the young woman who had escaped from the cultists, Arnan went outside to study the weather.

OOC: Shane, let me know if a Survival roll is needed. :)

Arnan studies the weather for some time before coming to the conclusion light flurries should subside toward the evening hours and then be followed by a couple days of howling winds, but little snow save for that which is carried aloft by the winds. The recent snowfall should make tracking quite easy.

"Aye," Morgrim replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest and setting his jaw. "Enough is enough. Its time to put an end to this idiocy once and for all."

In reply to DM Shard (msg # 5):

After spending a short while outside, Arnan came back inside and reported his conclusions concerning the weather to his companions.

Hengar tends to agree with Arnan's weather assessment and suggests the adventurers investigate Addisun's tale. It's easy enough to travel to the rocky precipice overlooking the lake as it's only about a mile or so distant from the village. Presumably, the party gathers their things and sets out some time in the morning.

Arriving at the rocky precipice, the adventurers come upon a sad sight: a half dozen or so villagers stripped of all clothing, chained together with manacles, sprawled out in the snow and ice, their bodies severely frostburnt in grim shades of blue and black.

Morgrim advances on the macabre sight, presuming to find no survivors but determined to check all the same. More than likely all that could be offered now was funerary rites.

All of the villagers are well beyond the gift of life. It would take powerful magic to bring any of these unfortunates back from Kelemvor's Gate.

"This is tickin' me off!" Thane groused after examining the frozen dead.  "Hengar, what's this Frost Maiden really up to, anyway?  I ain't so smart when it comes to religion in these parts,so I can't see what she hopes to gain by freezing people to death."

For his part, Hengar assesses each victim individually, perhaps clinging to a shred of false hope that any might have managed to endure sub-freezing temperatures in such a state. His mind of course can't help but think this could have been him, had his new companions not intervened on his behalf.

Pulled from these somber thoughts, he responds to Thane, "It is not uncommon for folk in these parts to make sacrifices to Auril in hopes of appeasing her, but this...is beyond the pale."

He continues, "When I first came to Ten-Towns looking for aid I encountered a few vocal devotees of Auril, but dismissed these as the ramblings of mad folk. I see now their numbers may be more widespread than I had first thought..."

Hengar explains that nearly everyone in Icewindale pays homage to Auril, the Frostmaiden, but there are very few who actively serve her alone, as her interests are not compatible with those wanting to live a fruitful life. He further explains the Shaman's daughter was one such soul, and perhaps a significant part of the reason she was banished from his tribe.

In reply to Hengar Aensvaard (msg # 12):

Dal sighed as she looked on at the carnage.  She carefully went to the bodies and said a prayer over them.   She didn't need to know who they prayed to for guidance and safety.


"Remember, dearest Sharlindar, those who have died and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, especially those for whom I now pray.  May these and all who sleep under Your watchful eye find in Your presence light, happiness and peace.*  May their families find comfort in the days ahead and may You guide us to right this wrong.  In Your most magnificent name I pray.  Amen."

_{ooc:  *paraphrased primarily from the Prayer for the Deceased, little prayers 1.}

When she was done, she went back to the group and was silent, not really knowing what else to say.

"Justice would be to throw the Aurilites into the Lac in chains," Morgrim growled. "Let them see who takes them first, Auril or Umberlee."

This was not the first time that Arnan had happened upon a group of people lying dead and stiff in the snow. Every now and then, he would find a site where an Orcish raiding party had ventured down out of the mountains and massacred some unfortunates whom they had caught unawares. But this was somehow much worse -- this was not the handiwork of Orcs who had given themselves over to battle-fury and bloodlust, but rather of killers who had ignored the cries and pleadings of their own -- fellow-villagers -- and snuffed out their lives with a cold-eyed -- and cold-hearted -- efficiency.

As his companions tended to the dead, Arnan began the task of searching for tracks leading away from the site of the massacre. He doubted that the cultists would have made much an effort to hide their spoor, and anticipated finding their trail easily enough . . .

OOC: Shane let me know if a Survival check is needed -- thanks!

Kira didn't go too close to the bodies, knowing they were all gone and there was nothing she could do for them.  The cruelty of it all burned in her gut, though, and she looked around with a baleful expression.  She wanted to hurt and even kill those who did this and yet she knew it made her just as bad as those who had done all this.  All her life she fought against those who would hurt her and she had started trying to help others, but too often she was too late to do any good.  Former warm and fuzzy feelings had vanished as she started checking the ground too, trying to find any evidence of the direction the murderers had taken.


OOC:  Let me know if I need to make any Survival or Perception rolls to help Arnan please!

In reply to Hengar Aensvaard (msg # 12):

"Well, I certainly don't pay homage to the Frostmaiden, and wouldn't mind bashin' to bits whatever scum did this to these poor folk!" he replied venomously to Hengar's explanation.  "Let the goddess stop us, if she's really real anyhow.  Never could figure out the why's behind the deities needing folk to do their bidding, seein' how everyone says they're all powerful and such."

Arnan and Kira easily find evidence of the perpetrators' retreat, several sets of humanoid footprints in the snow leading up a trail, away from Caer Dineval. Judging by the number of distinct tracks, the Frostmaider Cultists that perpetrated this ritual sacrifice likely numbered a half dozen or so. The tracks clearly march up a prominent southern spur leading up to the boulder-strewn slopes of the snow-capped peak of Kaelvin's Cairn.

Hengar comes alongside his companions as they are scrutizing the trakcs. He places a friendly hand on either's shoulder as he turns his attention to the icy peak rising out of the desolate tundra, the highest point in Icewind Dale.

"The mountain is sacred to my people," he says. "It is said, the cairn was formed when Tempus, Lord of Battle, fought Kelvin, a great hero of the frost giants, and slew him on the plains of Icewind Dale."

Pausing to imagine the scene in his mind's eye, he continues, "Then, Tempus rent the ground with his great axe and took stones from the earth to heap upon his foe's corpse. This serves as a reminder to all of the consequences of incurring Tempus' Wrath"

He then turns his attention to the frozen villagers. "It is not too different, sights such as these, unfortunate as they may be. It is the way of things, here in Icewind Dale." He says this in a neutral tone, as one might comment on the day's weather.

"Well its not the way in Sundabar," Morgrim grumbled, rolling up his sleeves. "Come on."

Without waiting on the rest, Morgrim began his ascent of the rocky crag.

Thane's heated words elicited a soft nod from Kira, though she didn't speak openly against the gods.  The atrocity bothered her but she was more like Hengar in a way, a little too used to seeing death.  "Wasn't the way in Luskan either, but there were folks did worse than this every day and it wasn't a god's bidding.  Some people just enjoy being sick in the head," she said quietly and after hitching her pack on her shoulders set out after Grim.

The adventurers follow the tracks along a rocky trail that switchbacks up the south face of Kelvin's Cairn. Fortunately, most of this ascent is sheltered from the wind and save for the ordeal of climbing an icy, snow-packed mountain along a little-used trail, the adventurers are (mostly) spared the assault of the unrelenting chill winds that go straight to the bone.

Arnan knows this ascent well, at least the story of it. Nearly everyone across Icewind Dale knows about the southern ascent, more specifically, the story of a band of verbeegs in the service of a necromancer named Akar Kessell are rumored to have had a lair somewhere up Kelvin 's Cairn's southern approach.

After several hours of following the now steep trail, the adventurers perhaps hazard a glimpse westward, where they see Daledrop, the lower extent of the switchback they are now traversing, the lower section leading to the Dwarven Valley. But the tracks don't lead toward Dwarven Valley...they continue up the switchback, through shabby shocks of snow-covered dry brush, toward the mountain's craggy peak.

Ice and snow crunches underfoot, the heavy beat of one's heart punctuating the effort of taking in such rarified air. Each member steels themselves to the task, for the tracks continue ever upward. Maybe up there, the perpetrators of the horrific scene outside Caer Dineval can be brought to justice? These and other other thoughts stream through the adventurer's minds when, suddenly, something more immediate and pressing breaks the moment...

A volley of arrows rains down on the adventurers as they ascend the switchback trail...

Hengar is struck twice, but all other party members are either missed entirely, or saved by their armor doing what armor is meant to do!

Were it not for the victorious cries above, the adventurers might have to spend time trying to locate their assailants, but it takes little effort to notice a group of goblins about 300 feet up the trail, standing behind a screen of dry brush and rock piles, raining down missile fire on the party.

The goblins immediately take cover behind rocks, while presumbaly, they get another round of arrows ready for another volley.


OOC: Hengar took 7 points of damage from 2 hits.

The goblins are 300 feet away and presently have total cover (can't be targeted directly by a spell or attack). It is difficult terrain (half movement) all the way up to the goblins.

Goblins, 9
AC 15
HP: 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   23/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   31/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13


PCs are UP!

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:02, Tue 03 Apr 2018.

"Hengar!  To me!  We'll advance together!" Thane called out to the defense-challenged barbarian.  I oughtta talk to 'im about gettin' better gear, he reflected briefly, before raising up his shield and advancing at best speed up the switchback trail.

Thane was serious about moving alongside Hengar, for he was sharp-eyed and highly skilled in advanced shield techniques, and the Luskan soldier realized that any advantage he could afford the tribesman would be useful.

"We can't loiter, up and at 'em as fast as you can, now!" he called out in an attempt to rally his companions...

---

OOC: Advance at best speed (given the conditions) up the trail, all the while using his Protector ability to benefit Hengar (attacks against Hengar that Thane can see will be at Disadvantage so long as Hengar is 'adjacent' to Thane).

Dalgura saw that she couldn't target their attackers since they were hiding so she started to look at the surrounding areas for possibilities.  If they wouldn't come out, perhaps there was the possibility of creating a roof for them...the hard way.  If not that perhaps she could see about destroying their cover.  Stone and rocks...of such things Dwarves are brought up on.

"Oh for Marthammor's sake," Morgrim growled. Stalking forward with a disgruntled look, the druid rolled up his sleeves and then cast his arms out calling a bank of fog down to blanket out the higher tiers of the switchback and conceal their approach.

"Try'n hit me now you sodding todgers!" he shouted up the slope. "Not so bloody easy anymore, is it?!?"

Moving forward at speed.
Casting Fog cloud at maximum range (120') to conceal their approach.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:29, Fri 06 Apr 2018.

Arnan was thinking of readying his bow and shooting some arrows at the Goblins -- given the range and the fact that their foes had a measure of cover, his shots would not be easy. But he hoped that he could at least influence some of the Goblins to keep their heads down instead of shooting more arrows at the adventurers.

However, Morgim took care of the problem much more effectively by casting a spell that created fog a goodly way up the trail. Assuming that at least some of the Goblins might trust to blind luck and fire arrows into the fog, Arnan readied his shield and picked up the pace, trying to move upwards over the difficult terrain of the switchback trail as quickly as he could.

OOC:

Free Action: Ready shield (AC 16).

Move: Standard movement (15 feet due to difficult terrain).

Action: Dash. This will add another 15 feet (for a total of 30 feet of movement) for Arnan this turn (see p. 192 of the PHB for an explanation of how the Dash action works when the character's movement is reduced).

Hengar grimaces from the pain of taking two of the nasty goblin's arrows. Still, he advances alongside Thane and attempts to dart behind whatever cover he is able. Unfortunately, the trail is pretty exposed, perhaps deliberately so, and there is not much to work with.

"Little bastards will pay for this treachery," he grunts between exertions.

Kira takes advantage of the fog cloud now obscuring the adventurers ascent up the exposed trail and files in behind Arnan and Hengar, using both men to shield her own advance.

OOC: DM post to keep game moving.

Morgrim's conjured fog cloud enables the party to advance up the trail and cover the entire distance to the obscuration before a gust of wind comes along and dissipates the dense fog. The wind has picked up considerably now, nearly buffeting the party of the narrow, rocky trail.

As if on cue, the goblins pop-up from behind the rockwall and launch another volley of arrows. Most whizz harmlessly past the adventurers, carried well astray of their marks by a combination of strong wind and range; however one strikes Arnan shield. In any event, none of the party is injured by this latest volley, much to the goblins' consternation.

They grouse, grumble and disappear behind their fortifications, ready to pop back up for another volley when the time arises.



OOC: Assumed the passage of 4 rounds of movement to cover 120 feet of distance to the fog cloud, which has now been dissipated by the wind.

The goblins are 150 feet away and presently have total cover (can't be targeted directly by a spell or attack). It is difficult terrain (half movement) all the way up to the goblins.

Goblins, 9
AC 15
HP: 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   23/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   31/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13


PCs are UP!

"Yea, thanks be to Morgrim!" Thane shouted out as the billowy vapors of the fog cloud sprang into existence and provided some respite from the dodgy little gobbos with the small-bows.  He advanced as before, but more quickly while the vapors lasted.  But when they vanished, he again called out to his companions.

"Onwards and upwards, press the attack right into their teeth!"

And that said, Thane bulled on whilst covering Hengar with his adept shield play.

---

OOC: Thane again advances at best speed up the switchback trail while using his Protector Style to benefit Hengar.

"Right beside youu-rrrrrrwww." Morgrim's words trailed into a deep-throated growl as he pitched forward onto all fours and bounded upwards across the treacherous switch-back as a ball of fur and fury.

Bonus action wildshape: Direwolf.
Movement speed changed to 50'. Morgrim advances 25' through difficult terrain.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 31):

Dal couldn't do anything as dramatic as Morgrim so she trudged her way along the path to get closer.  She had a battle plan in mind but unfortunately she had to get closer to implement it.

Hengar continues his advance up the icy and rocky trail, generally keeping abreast of Thane, his axe and shield held at the ready. Meanwhile, arrows whistle through the air...

"By Tempos! We need to get to those bastards...and quick!" he curses.

OOC: Move and Dash up the trail

"Aye, well-done, Morgrim!" Arnan echoed Thane's appeciation of the Dwarf's quick thinking. Clearly, the concealment that the fog had provided had sheltered the adventurers from the Goblins' arrows as they labored up the steep trail.

But now the wind gusts had whisked away the fog, and it was time to fight. Arnan was now close enough to the Goblins to feel reasonably confident in his ability to hit their foes, and he hoped that seeing one of their number skewered -- or realizing that they were now at risk, even if his arrow missed -- might cause some of the Goblins to think twice about raising up to shoot more arrows.

Arnan edged closer, readying his bow and nocking an arrow as he moved. He waited until the Goblins began popping up from behind the wall that provided cover for them, then picked a target and loosed his arrow. The shaft flew true, and dropped one of the Goblins.

OOC:

Free Actions: Speak, stow shield, ready bow.

Move: Move 15 feet closer to the Goblins (one-half movement due to difficult terrain).

Action: (Readied Action). 18:40, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 24 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 17.  Ranged Attack v, AC 17 (One-Half Cover). Hit!

18:41, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 9 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 6.  Damage (Longbow).

Notes: Normally Arnan's readying his bow should be a free action, but I'm not sure how many free actions you are inclined to allow in a round, Shane. If you think that what Arnan is attempting to accomplish this round (as free actions) is a little too much, please have him use his Move Action to ready his bow. Thanks.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:56, Fri 13 Apr 2018.

Following Arnan's lead, Kira takes up position next to him and draws her short bow and an arrow. She then waits for any goblin to peek up over the wall.

OOC: DM Post to keep game moving. Move 15 ft, Readied action, at Disadvantage due to range.

20:21, Today: DM Shard, on behalf of Kira, rolled 6 using 2d20+5, keeping the lowest dice only ((1,5)).

Again, the goblins emerge from behind cover with their short bows at the ready, one of which is struck through the skull by one of Arnan's well placed shots. The goblin is slain where he stands and, needless to say, it doesn't get an opportunity to take another pot shot.

The other goblins do however. A volley of arrows flies toward both Arnan and Hengar and Morgrim, a bit further down the trail.

Despite Thane's attempts to shield his ally, Hengar is struck twice and Thane also is stung by an arrow.

After releasing another salvo, the goblins duck down behind the rock wall...



OOC: Hengar too 14 points of damage. Thane took 6.

Thane and Hengar are 90 feet from goblins. Morgrim and Dalgura are 95 feet distant from goblins. Arnan and Kira are 105 feet from goblins.

The goblins continue to pop up and take pot shots as the adventurers advance up the rocky trail and have total cover (can't be targeted directly by a spell or attack). It is difficult terrain (half movement) all the way up to the goblins.

Goblins, 8
AC 15
HP: 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   09/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   25/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13


PCs are UP!

This message was last edited by the GM at 00:38, Sat 14 Apr 2018.

Dal sees the arrows from the goblins are taking an affect on Henger but he is too far ahead of her.  "Hengar, stop for a moment and let me heal you.  Just slow down enough for me to catch up and touch you."

That was the problem with long legged people.  They walked faster than her short legs could and her healing spells were done through touch.

ooc:  If Hengar slows down so Dal can touch him, he regains 9 HPs.
13:41, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 9 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 6.  to heal hengar .
This message was last edited by the player at 18:42, Sat 14 Apr 2018.

Arnan could not help but stare as Morgrim shape-shifted again and went bounding up the trail as a Dire Wolf. He had seen the druid do such things before, but it was still somewhat disconcerting.

He grinned as he thought to himself I wonder if, in the heat of the moment, any of the Goblins will mistake him for a Worg and try to ride him. That would be . . . interesting.

But then it was back to the task at hand. Arnan laboriously moved forward a bit more, then nocked another arrow and waited for the Goblins to start popping up from behind their wall. When they did so he picked another target and shot his arrow, but then time the gusty winds played havoc with the shaft and it went soaring away, missing both wall and Goblin.

OOC:

Move: Move forward 15 feet.

Action: 14:59, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 13 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 6.  Ranged Attack v. AC 17 (One-Half Cover). Miss

Morgrim revelled in the feeling of the chill wind whipping through his mane as he bounded on up the slope, racing past Thane and Hengar as they took shelter in the lee of the next turn.

Move and Dash: 100' total, 50' after deduction for difficult terrain.

"Hengar, we have to stop!  You're takin' too many arrows - let me heal you!" Thane urged the barbarian.

Seeing a good pile of snow covered rocks that would provide cover, Thane ducked aside to it and pulled Hengar to the side with him.

"Hold still," Thane advised Hengar while withdrawing a small wrapped object from one of his belt pouches.  "This is gonna hurt, but it's necessary," he warned, then pulled out the lone goblin arrow that was still stuck in.  Thane squeezed on the lumpy thing he had pulled out of his belt pouch, and applied the gooey, oily looking substance to the bleeding wound, even pressing the stuff into the wound itself.  Then, near quick as lightning, Thane wrapped some stretchy fabric around Hengar's body to hold a small amount of clean white cloth and wadding in place against the rapidly sealing wound.

"Let's see if that'll keep you in fighting trim to make it to the top!"

---

Thane applies one use of his Healing Kit to Hengar to heal him.  Because Thane has the Healer feat, he can do so as an Action, and will heal 1d6+4 plus Hengar's number of hit dice in hit points.  I assume Hengar is 3rd level like us.

21:46, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 9 using 1d6+7 with rolls of 2.  Heal Hengar.

Kira inches up the trail while keeping her short bow trained on the rock wall above, ready for an opportunity to shoot at any goblin that pops its head up for an attack. Sadly, the range and wind act against her wishes...

OOC: DM post to keep game moving.

Dalgura and Thane seek shelter along the trail and administer first aid and divine healing to Hengar, while Arnan and Kira continue their slow ascent up the trail, pausing every now and again to shoot at the goblins. Meanwhile, Morgrim, in dire wolf form, sprints up the trail, racing ever closer to the entrenced goblins, confident in their superior defensive position.

Some of that confidence fades as they see the dire wolf draw closer. They hastily shout orders to one another, seemingly to concentrate fire on the approaching wolf. And that's just what they do. They pop up over the wall in near unison, releasing a volley of arrows as Arnan and Kira's arrows fly well wide of their mark.

The goblins are much more accurate with their missile fire. The dire wolf is struck four times as a volley of arrows whistle through the air, all aimed at the approaching beast.

The goblins seem to be ignoring their usual tactics now and do not immediately duck behind cover. Rather, two of them seem to be reaching for melee weapons, perhaps certain of the wolf's imminent arrival, while the other six ready another arrow.



OOC: Morgrim took 24 points of damage.

Arnan, Dalgura, Kira, Thane and Hengar are 90 feet from goblins. Morgrim is now 45 feet distant from the goblins.

The goblins have half cover (+2 AC), as they are standing behind a low rock wall. It is difficult terrain (half movement) all the way up to the goblins.

Goblins, 8
AC 15 (AC 17 with half cover)
HP: 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   25/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13       Dire Wolf AC:14, HP: 13/37


PCs are UP!

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:44, Tue 17 Apr 2018.

Dal sighed.  She wasn't impatient ALL the time, but it was certainly aggravating when the goblins kept ducking down.  Of course she still couldn't do anything this far away but it was still aggravating.  So Dal just trudged on, sighing again seeing her brother take damage, and formulated who would take damage from HER when she got close enough and Yes she included her brother on that list.

Kira wasn't going to waste any arrows, knowing she was too far and the wind was making things difficult.  She would continue to creep along, trying to avoid arrows.


OOC:  Figure next round she'll be close enough to try to shoot without disadvantage.

This is really going to hurt... Morgrim winced as he continued to barrel ahead, making some effort to try to avoid the worst of the arrow fire. He'd managed to keep the archers occupied as the rest of the company advanced and that was all he had hoped for. Now he just had to stay alive long enough for them to catch up....

Move: Advance 25' through difficult terrain
Action: Dodge. Attacks against Morgrim have disadvantage this turn.

Arnan grimaced as he saw the full volley of Goblins' arrows aimed at Morgrim-the-Wolf, with a goodly number of the missiles hitting the big wolf.

A seasoned archer himself, Arnan saw no benefit in his closing the range with the Goblins. His longbow had significantly better range than their foes' short-bows, and he knew that his moving closer to the Goblins would not benefit his own shots, but might well prove helpful to their attackers.

Accordingly, Arnan stood his ground and shot another arrow at one of the Goblins before it had time to duck down behind the wall again. He judged the gusting winds properly this time, and the shaft skewered the Goblin and dropped the creature where it stood.

OOC:

Move: None.

Action: 19:10, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 18 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 11.  Ranged Attack v. AC 17 (One-Half Cover). Hit!

19:11, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 9 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 6.  Damage (Longbow).

Reinvigorated, Hengar charges up the trail, eager to smash some dumb goblin's skull in with his axe.

OOC: Move 30 feet up the trail

Thane chuffed Hengar on the shoulder as the barbarian set off up the trail.  "Let's get 'em before they tear up Grim-Wolf!" he exhorted, then followed the man at speed.  This was the final stretch and thus Thane was more interested in gaining ground quickly than protecting Hengar with his advanced shield-play.  Morgrim was likely going to be the main target now, anyway, and Thane did not want the shapeshifted Druid to have to fight alone for very long...

---

OOC: Advance 30' up the trail...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:55, Fri 20 Apr 2018.

Arnan takes out one of the goblins with a well-placed arrow to its neck. The remaining goblins concentrate their attacks on the approaching dire wolf, deeming this to be the nearest and most immediate threat. Morgrim takes 3 arrows as he advances, nearly but not quite enough to cause him to lose form.

The lone goblin with armed with a short sword begins yelling at its companions, apparently unhappy with the prospect to being responsible for engaging the large wolf in melee combat. He berates the other goblins and grimaces as the bloody wolf draws near.

The now slightly panicked goblins draw another round of arrows and nervously put them to their bow strings...



OOC: Morgrim took 12 points of damage.

Arnan is 90 feet distant and Dalgura, Kira, Thane and Hengar are 60 feet from goblins. Morgrim is now 20 feet distant from the goblins.

The goblins have half cover (+2 AC), as they are standing behind a low rock wall. It is difficult terrain (half movement) all the way up to the goblins.

Goblins, 8
AC 15 (AC 17 with half cover)
HP: 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 0/7


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   25/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13       Dire Wolf AC:14, HP: 1/37


PCs are UP!

Dalgura had been judging the distance and almost let out a whoop of joy when she got within 60 feet.  It was wonderful, in her opinion. that the goblins weren't trying to be as sneaky now and you could actually see them.  That was what she needed for her spell.

Dal held out her hand and prayed to her Goddess.  "Sharindlar please guide your sacred flames."  Dal wasn't sure yet if she had hit with the flames or not but she wasn't done yet.  She quickly added another prayer to Sharindlar for help.  "Oh Mighty Sharindlar, cast your might and duplicate my weapon to teach those pesky goblins a lesson.  Share your might to help protect those in need and aid us in this and all endeavors.  Besides I don't think Grim is paying attention to things like ducking.  Help me protect him please."

Dal pointed her mace in the directions of the goblins, not that Sharindlar needed any guidance to figure out which were goblins or dwarves, and picked a spot within 5 feet of the goblins for her spiritual mace to appear. She aimed for the same area that the goblin had been in and hoped for good results since she didn't need to "see" the goblins with her spiritual mace.


ooc:

sacred Flame - cantrip - target must succeed on a dex saving throw or take d8 radiant damage.  target gains no benefit from cover for saving throw.  damage is 1d8.  Dal's DC Spell Save 13.  If fails the saving throw, Goblin will take 5 damage.

Spiritual Weapon - creature  a floating spectral weapon within range (60') that lasts for the duration (1 minute) or until you cast this spell again.  When you cast the spell, you make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feel of the weapon.  On a hit the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 + spellcasting ability modifier.  As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the weapon up to 20 feet and repeat the attack against a creature within 5 feet of it.  The weapon can take whatever form you choose.


20:16, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 25 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 20.  Dal's melee spell attack on goblin 1.  (Hot damn!  Natural 20.  Thank you Sharindlar!!!!!)

20:18, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 5 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 2 plus
20:41, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 4 using 1d8 with rolls of 4.  crit hit damage on first goblin. for a total of 9 points on Goblin.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Sun 22 Apr 2018.

Hengar continues sprinting up the mountain trail, eager to get up close and personal with the goblins.

Kira paused long enough to fire off an arrow, cursing quite unladylike as it missed badly, then scampered up a little closer while hoping to not get skewered herself.

---

09:18, Today: Kira rolled 10 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 5.  Shortbow.
Missed so no damage rolled.  :(
Continue half-movement.

As Arnan looked on, his companions continued to advance through the rough terrain and to close with the Goblins. He couldn't see any benefit in getting any closer himself -- he was easily within the range of his longbow, and getting any closer might even make it easier for their foes to hit him with arrows.

Dal attacked the Goblins with her magicks, and Kira had apparently closed to within range for her shortbow to be effective. Getting back to work again, Arnan nocked and shot another arrow. He thought that the shaft was going to miss its target, but at the last moment a gust of wind altered its flight-line and cause it to strike the Goblin, nearly ripping off an ear. Although the creature was obviously in pain, 'twas not a killing hit.

OOC:

Move: None.

Action: 12:49, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 16 using 1d10+7 with rolls of 9.  Ranged Attack v. AC 17 (One-Half Cover).

12:51, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 1 using 1d8 with rolls of 1.  Precision Attack Die-Roll.

Total Attack Roll: 17 Hit! (By the hair on my chinny-chin-chin).

12:51, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 4 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 1.  Damage (Longbow).

Notes: Arnan has expended one of his four Superiority Dice from the Battle Master Martial Archetype (see p. 73 of the PHB). It will refresh after a short or long rest.

Morgrim sped ahead with gritted teeth, his form wavering and filling out as he reached the goblin front line. Where before a savage wolf had barrelled down upon them now loomed a menacing grizzly bear.

Move: Engage
Bonus action: Wildshape Brown Bear
Action: Attack misses

New AC 11
New HP total 34

Thane kept his shield up and pressed on, his legs driving up and down relentlessly.  In his mind, it was imperative to reach Morgrim now that the Druid was nearly upon the foe...

Dalgura strikes down two goblins with the divine might of Sharindlar, while Arnan relies on his prowess at archery to take out a third. With half their patrol now lying on the ground, dead, the goblins execute a hasty retreat, nimbly escaping from even Morgrim, who now looms over a few of them in bear form.

The four goblins scramble back toward a large boulder several yards beyond the rock wall and a brace of frostbramble. The goblins slip out of view, behind the boulder, and moments later, Morgrim hears what sounds like a heavy door slamming.



OOC:

Arnan is 90 feet distant and Dalgura is 60 feet distant from the wall. Kira, Thane and Hengar are 30 feet from the wall. Morgrim is at the wall and about 10 feet from the boulder the goblins fled behind.

[Private to GM: Goblins, 8
AC 15 (AC 17 with half cover)
HP: 7, 7, 7, 7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7]


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   25/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13       Dire Wolf AC:14, HP: 1/37


PCs are UP!

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:22, Tue 24 Apr 2018.

Arnan could not fault the surviving Goblins' decision to cut and run. Simply put, if they had stayed and fought, they would have been slain where they stood. The scout suspected that Morgrim -- probably enraged by now as a result of having been targeted by many of the Goblins' arrows, without being able to strike a blow in return -- could most likely have slain them all himself, with no further aid from his adventuring companions.

Insofar as Arnan himself was concerned, once the remaining Goblins had run away, there was nothing left for him to target with his arrows. So the archer set out up the trail, moving as quickly as the terrain allowed.

OOC:

Move: Move ahead 15 feet (difficult terrain).

Action: Dash (adds another 15 feet to Arnan's movement.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Wed 25 Apr 2018.

Morgrim barrels along behind the fleeing goblins, ready to pin down any stragglers or crash through whatever bulwark awaited him around the far side of the brambles.

Move I guess? Not sure what I can interact with.

"C'mon Dal!" Kira called out to her female companion.  Now that arrows weren't thwipping all about her, she moved more easily to catch up with BearGrim and the guys at the top.

In reply to Kira (msg # 59):

Dal was quite pleased with the success of her spell and therefore, before she moved to join up with Kira, offered up a small "thank you" to her Goddess.  "Thank you Great Sharindlar!  That helped us out a lot."

Dal still had a smile on her face as she moved towards Kira and the rest of the gang.  The footing was bad enough so she was glad that the arrows had stopped.  It was probably a good thing she hadn't realized that it could also mean something worse than arrows would be thrown at them next.

"I'm coming Kira.  I'm not quite as fleet of foot as you are."

Thane was a bit disappointed when the goblins turned tail and fled, likely to a bolthole or fortification.  He sighed and slowed his pace, and picked his way up the trail at a more reasonable rate.

"What we got up there, anyway?" he called out, not aware of whether Morgrim was still in a beast form or had changed back to his dwarven form.

---

Thane will still double move his way up the trail, but is taking the better of available options instead of trying to make breakneck speed.

The adventurers make it to the top of the trail without being further harassed by the goblin sentries, all of which have presumably fled into a set of sturdy double doors tucked behind a large boulder. The double doors are wooden and reinforced with four horizontal strips of iron banding. The double doors lead into the side of the mountain itself.

BearGrim plants his wet snout to the ground and snuffles around the boulder in search of other goblin tracks that might lead to alternative entrances...

22:03, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 17 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 1,12.  Perception.

Keen Smell: The bear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

The goblins went through the double doors.

So no other entrances then? At least none Morgrim can find?

Morgrim does not smell goblins, other than those going into and out of the double doors. There is a faint scent of smoke in the air, coming from a chimney vent somewhere higher up the mountain slope.

By the time that Arnan had made it to the top of the twisty trail, Morgrim-the-Bear was snuffling around a set of heavy wooden doors that seemingly opened into the mountain.

The archer walked over and cautiously tried the doors to see if they were locked.

Morgrim looks up at Arnan's arrival and shuffles in close beside the huntsman, protective of his companions.

Dal brings up the rear for she has the shortest legs and doesn't mind the big guys (including a hairy brother) take the lead.

"You find where the pesky things went to?"

Beargrim turns at the sound of his sister's voice and plants his wet muzzle in her armpit with a heavy grunt.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 70):

Dal put her arm around Morgrim and gave him a hug before shaking her head.  "You silly bear, they aren't in my armpits.  You're hairier than I am, are you sure they aren't in yours?"  Then she added "I'm glad you are ok too."

Thane huffed to the top of the trail and peered about, nodding in approval at the dead goblins with arrows sticking out their bodies.  "That's some fine archery!" he complimented Arnan and Kira before giving his attention over to GrimmyBear.  [Language unknown: "Pe le ounoerund ta os estoec ee k lefor strmantha ee wece eenwitpre rewepo,"] he said lightheartedly to the bearshaped Druid.

"Now, what have we here?" he asked, stepping up to the doors and giving them a quick once-over.  "My way of dealing with this would be to go in, shield up and weapon ready.  I wonder if them goblins have it trapped up or anything?"

Giving Dal a grin, Kira hurried up and was retrieving any usable arrows when Thane remarked on the marksmanship.  "That was all Arnan.  I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn this time," she said as Grim and Arnan looked over the doors and surrounding area.

In reply to Kira (msg # 73):

Dal looked over at Kira gathering up the arrows.  "If you have some that aren't too broken I can mend them Kira.  Shattered I can't always mend but if they aren't that bad I can try if you'd like."

The door does have a lock mechanism, but it looks to be in very poor shape, completely rusted through and bashed up. The wooden doors are in reasonably good shape however and are presently closed. The adventurers can hear muffled shouting, presumably the goblins who fled from the wall, from somewhere beyond the closed door.

In reply to DM Shard (msg # 75):

Arnan nodded his head towards the door. "Think you can best this lock and get us inside, Kira?" he asked, smiling wanly.

"It'll save Thane having to use his head as a battering-ram."

"Ooooo, that'd be great Dal.  We need to keep as many arrows as possible," she said, knowing she and Arnan both liked to keep their distance as much as possible but neither of them were afraid to get up close and personal either.  She handed a few to Dal and went over to look at the lock, giving Arnan a cheeky grin.  "I couldn't shoot a bit ago but this poor thing might as well not be there," she said as she made quick work of it with her tools.  "Ta Daaaaaa!"

---

12:22, Today: Kira rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6.  Checking lock for traps. [Almost forgot ... oh dear]
12:18, Today: Kira rolled 26 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 19.  Picking.

Kira finds no traps and makes quick work of the rusted lock. While she fiddles with the lock, the assembled party continues to hear the muffled sound of activity on the other side of the door...

Kira listened a moment then looked at her friends.  "Anyone got anything we can light and toss in?  Don't figure it's too wise to just open up the door and say hiya."

Can Morgrim fit through the door or am I going to have to drop bear shape?

"You have any of those arrows which couldn't be mended Kira?  What about lighting that and tossing it in?  Although they already know we are here."

Dalgura didn't have a light spell but she did have the tinderbox in her Priest's Pack.

Morgrim waited patiently (and quietly) while those with thumbs and larynxes capable of producing coherent speech attended to the details of the plan.

Kira snickered and shook her head.  "I meant something that would go boom, sorry.  Sometimes my mouth and brain don't connect," she said.  "I was thinking of taking out as many of those little *bleeps* as possible since it sounds like there's a few of them and likely calling in reinforcements."

In reply to Kira (msg # 83):

Dal looked at Kira and arched her eyebrows.  "Of course you meant for it to go BOOM but not bring down all the ice and mountain on top of us too, right?"

She really knew that was what Kira meant but she couldn't resist just stating the clarification.  Dal then grinned and winked so that Kira would know that it was a partial jest.

To Arnan's eye, Thane looked as if he were ready to throw caution to the winds and go barreling headfirst through the doors. Giving his head a slight shake, the archer held up a cautionary hand.

Putting an ear against the wood of the doors, Arnan listened for a moment . . .

OOC:  21:51, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 20 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 16.  Perception Check: What's Behind Door #1?

Arnan hears numerous scuffing sounds, like footfalls and the muffled speech of many goblins on the other end of the door. Even without knowledge of their language, it is pretty clear they are alerting others to the adventurers' presence and perhaps hatching a plan of counter-attack.

Arnan turned to his companions and quietly told them what he had heard on the other side of the double-doors.

Morgrim growls and shifts his weight from one dinner-plate sized forepaw to the next.

Thane grumbled at the news from Arnan.  "The longer we wait, the worse this gets.  I say we go in fast and hit them while they're still disorganized."

Thane motioned for his fellows to draw closer.  Then he laid out a simple plan using hand gestures to supplement his words.  "I go in first, shield up an' all defensive-like and act as the target for any archers they have covering the door.  Arnan, you follow me and break to the left and shoot the first foe you see.  Kira, you next behind Arnan but break right and shoot the first foe you see.  Then you, Dal, stick close behind me ready to ask your god to heal me if too many arrows stick me.  Bearsie, you're last, and once we're all in there, you just do what you do best."

Thane waited a second or two for comprehension to sink in.  "Any objections, now's the time.  Otherwise I'm countin' to ten and goin' in..."

In reply to Thane Harkensen (msg # 89):

Arnan listened to Thane's suggestions -- it seemed clear that the man had some esperience as a warrior.

After the Luskan finished, Arnan nodded his assent. "Sounds good from my point of view."

Nocking an arrow, he added, "Ready when you are."

"I will do as you ask.  You might have to tell me when YOU think is being stuck too often.  Bearsie never tells me so I don't have a good judgment of when it is enough.  May our Gods aid us in this endeavor."

Dal filed away yet another nickname she could use for Grim.  This journey, at the very least, was educational as well as dangerous.

Thane slams heavily into the double doors, the full weight of the fighter sending them splaying inward with a thunderous crash. Beyond the now-opened doors, a wide hallway extends into the mountain for some 20 feet, where it is joined by another corridor extending outside of view to the right. The main corridor continues beyond this intersection another 20 feet, where it opens to what appears to be a larger chamber filled with tables and chairs...and more importantly, what must be at least a dozen or so panicking and yelling goblins!

The entire room is not visible from the entrance, but the party can see enough it to recognize it for what it is: the main barracks hall. A goblin peers around the corner, sees Thane and company at the door and begins yelling even louder as it relays this latest development to its cohorts. It then pops back around the corner, outside of view...

OOC: The lone goblin was about 40 feet distant. The party cannot actually see any of the goblins at the point, only hear them. The first intersection of the entrance hallway is about 20 feet distant.

[Private to GM: Goblins, 12
AC 15
HP: 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7]


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   25/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13       Dire Wolf AC:14, HP: 1/37


PCs are UP!!!
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 23:55, Mon 14 May 2018.

In reply to DM Shard (msg # 92):

Arnan advanced to the intersection, moving defensively, and cautiously stuck his head around the corner . . .

---

OOC:

Move Action: Arnan will move forward to the intersection (~20 feet).

Attack Action: Arnan will convert his Attack action to a Dodge Action (any attacks will be at a Disadvantage).

Notes: Shane, please consider this a "split move" on Arnan's part -- he will move forward 20 feet to the intersection and look both ways to see what he can see. He will probably take a free action (speak) to tersely tell his companions what he sees. What he does with his remaining 10 feet of movement will depend on what he sees. Or, you may rule that if he says more than a few words, that will expend the remainder of his movement.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:33, Wed 16 May 2018.

At the end of the intersection, about 30 feet distant, Arnan sees a dimly lit chamber beyond a partially opened doorway. He also hears what sounds like someone beating on a wooden door, somewhere outside of view. Additionally, he hears the unmistakable sound of goblins shouting coming from the chamber down the corridor leading off the main hallway. This is in addition to the sound of many more goblins in the barracks room at the end of the hallway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:21, Thu 17 May 2018.

In reply to DM Shard (msg # 94):

Using the index finger of his left hand to point while holding his bow, Arnan first gestured down the corridor leading off to the side and said "Goblins.""

Then, probably unnecessarily, he gestured towards the barracks area and added, "Lots of Goblins."

OOC: I added a little information, but didn't feel like Arnan would have time to go into detail, considering the circumstances. :)

With the doorway now clear Morgrim lumbers into the barracks and nears the intersection, ready to take the first arrow (or barrage of arrows) in place of his peers.

Move/Dash to round the corner.

Dal nodded that she understood about "lots of goblins".  Pesky critters indeed which meant that she probably wouldn't have enough healing for everybody.  Thane had devised the plan that she stay close to him so that was her plan of action.  She would have liked to be behind Grim but...well Grim was as hard headed as some of the beasts he changed into.  He could heal himself a little bit so she tried not to worry to much about him.

Dal moved close enough to Thane but kept back a little bit.  She wasn't going to go up and then come back down if he changed his mind.  She could finish her movement by him if he stayed planted long enough after being the pin cushion.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:34, Wed 27 June 2018.

"Hrrgh," Thane grumped.  "More cowardly 'n I first thought!" he continued, grousing that there was nary a goblin in sight.  "Hey, wait for me!" he called out to Arnan and Morgrim, and did his best to keep up with the roughed-up bear.

---

OOC: Move / dash to round the corner ala Morgrim

Kira hung back with Dal, an arrow resting against her bow but not drawn back just yet.  She'd be ready to shoot something though, if she could see around Beargrim and the two strapping men.

Hengar follows his companions to the T-intersection, rounds the corner and says, "We make a stand here, at the intersection?"

Hengar is referring to the fact the party now seems to have enemies on two different fronts. To the west, the barracks and the sound of many goblins. To the south, an unknown chamber and what sounds like at most a couple of goblins.

The sound of someone pounding on wood rings out from the chamber that lies at the end of the south passageway. Additionally, the party hears the cries of what is obviously a frantic goblin [Language unknown: "Ulpaur! Ll! Yinno whee! Aineon be evtin!"]

Meanwhile, down the west passageway, in the barracks, a pair of goblins peer around the corner but otherwise seem reluctant to chase after the adventurers that just slipped around the corner. They too call back instructions to their compatriots lurking in the barracks room. The meaning of their words however, are not understood by any of the party members.

OOC: The pair of goblins standing at the entrance to the barracks are about 40 feet distant. The doorway to the smaller chamber south of the adventurers is about 20 feet distant. Within this chamber is where the adventurers hear the sound of someone pounding on wood.

At entrance to Barracks
Goblins, 2
AC 15
HP: 0/7 (Morgrim), 2/7 (Arnan)

In small antechamber
Goblins, 2
AC: 15
HP: 7/7, 7/7   (Kira is in this room)


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   28/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   25/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13       Dire Wolf AC:14, HP: 1/37


PCs are UP!!!
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:31, Sun 03 June 2018.

Spotting two of the wretched creatures within easy reach of his bounding gait Morgrim heaves his great bulk around and barrels down upon the terrified goblins, his jaws snapping just shy of one of them while his powerful claws send the other sprawling backwards in a broken heap.

BearGrim roars, a fearful sound that reverberates down the corridors and rattles the doors!

Move to engage (40')
Multiattack
1) Misses
2) Hits AC 17 for 13 damage. One of the goblins dies.

21:46, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 13 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 4,5.  Claw damage.
21:46, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 17 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 12.  Attack.
21:46, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 11 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 6.  Attack.

Seeing Morgrim bound down the hall and take out one goblin, she figured he or one of the others would take care of the other one which might help keep their vile communications interrupted.  Meanwhile, her curiosity got the better of her and she slipped down the south hall.  "Hello?" she called out and then listened intently to whatever was on the other side, wondering if it might be a prisoner and potential ally or more of the little creeps.

---

13:06, Today: Kira rolled 24 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 18.  Perception.

Arnan had a hunch that the pounding that he was hearing was noise that was being made by prisoners who realized that something was amiss from the Goblins' point of view. And prisoners might be willing to grab weapons from dead Goblins and help fight for their freedom -- or a the least, provide some useful information about their captors or the layout of the underground cave.

Kira mayhaps had the same thought, for she headed in the direction of the chamber that the pounding was coming from. Having heard only one Goblin yelling from that direction, Arnan judged that Kira could take care of it -- or call for help if she found more trouble than she could handle. It seemed to the scout that the bigger threat would come from the barracks -- where Morgrim-in-bear-form had just torn apart one of the two Goblins that was calling back to others that were seemingly in the barracks behind them.

Arnan moved until he had a clear shot at the surviving Goblin and hit it with his arrow, but it did not fall.

---

OOC:

Move: Move until he has a clear shot at the second Goblin.

Action: 14:11, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 16 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 9.  Ranged Attack v. Goblin (AC 15). Hit!

14:13, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 5 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 2.  Damage (Longbow).

Kira races down the south corridor, toward the sound of something pounding on a wooden door. She pushes open a wooden door and scurries into an adjoining antechamber. Beyond lies a 30x30 foot square antechamber, dimly lit by a low fire coming from a fireplace in its west wall. Two panicking goblins bang furiously on a doorway at the antechamber's south wall.

Hearing Kira's voice, one of the goblins jerks its head around and draws a scimitar. It says something unintelligible to its companion, whom is still pounding on the door, now even more furiously.

OOC: Kira would have used about 30 feet of movement getting into the antechamber.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:28, Sun 03 June 2018.

"Dammit, looks like we're chasing after the bear!" Thane quipped to Hengar.  Figuring that in his bear form the Druid might not be thinking all too clearly, Thane gave chase.

---

Move: Double move to keep up with our "recon in force" Ursine asset ;)

In reply to Thane Harkensen (msg # 106):

Keeping up with the guys was problemsome but Dalgura tried her best.  If they needed healing and she wasn't there then they'd just have to slow down next time.  Of course Grim cheated and could keep up by turning into an animal which had longer legs.  Not that it took much to have longer legs than a Dwarf.

Dal followed the group as best she could, periodically swearing at the men and then discovering that Kira had disappeared.  "Oh Mighty Sharindlar, please guide her safely back to safety or guide us to find her safe."

Not comfortable with the prospect of one of their party members venturing off alone in an unexplored warren, Hengar lopes off down the hallway after Kira, intent on either aiding her against unknown threats or convincing her to rejoin the rest of the party.

The tribesman reaches the end of the hall, spots the two goblins in the room, and throws an axe at one. The axe flies true and strikes a goblin square in the forehead, dropping it instantly.

"There you are," he comments to Kira. "Gone and found yourself a couple..."

With invaders now pressing into the barracks and one of their numbers slain by a dire wolf, the scrambling goblins string together something resembling a coherent defense. Goblins now teem through the mounds of untanned hides that litter the cramped baracks, hurling javelins and shooting arrows at Morgrim and Arnan. Two score hits against Morgrim, causing the druid to revert to dwarf form, and another strikes Arnan.

Meanwhile, the goblin in the room with Hengar and Kira now abandons its attempt to pound on the door and attempts to force it open, intent on putting distance between itself and the rogue and warrior.


OOC: Morgrim took 6 points of damage and Arnan took 4. Morgrim reverts to dwarf form and the excess 5 hp is subtracted from there.

At entrance to Barracks
Goblins, 12
AC 15
HP: 0/7, 2/7 (Arnan), 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7

In small antechamber
Goblins, 2
AC: 15
HP: 7/7, 0/7   (Kira/Hengar are in this room)


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   24/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   25/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   22/27    1      13       Bear Form: AC 11   HP 28/34


PCs are UP!!!
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:40, Fri 08 June 2018.

Just as she was drawing back to shoot one of the goblins, Hengar popped up behind her and startled her.  "EEEEP!" she squeaked as the bow twanged and the shot went a little wide of her target.  A few choice words rolled from her lips but she was rather glad one of them was down.  "They were trying to get through that door ... need to secure it," she said as she drew another arrow.

---

09:28, Today: Kira rolled 12 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 7.  Shortbow.  Miss - boooo!

Had meant to get the shot off sooner but kiddo hogged my computer and I can't use the die roller on my phone.  :(

Hengar draws his axe and lopes across the antechamber toward the lone goblin. With a practiced and efficient slash, the tribal warrior takes down his foe and calls back with finality, "They're both down."

Then, he turns his attention to the closed door...

Thane wastes no time closing into melee with the nearest of the goblins, and brings his flail into action.  "Fight me, you jibbering nasties!" he roars, hoping to draw some attention from his less armored friends.

---

Move: Single move into melee against nearest goblin
Action: Melee attack vs nearest Goblin

Dice Roll: 20:55, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 20,10 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 15,7.  Flail vs Goblin, melee, crit on nat 19.  Hit AC20 for 10 damage.  1 goblin down.

Beargrim's jaws clamp down around the neck of the nearest goblin, crushing the life from him before tossing the tiny creature aside like a rag doll. Rounding on the next nearest he woefully misjudges the approach and nearly trips over his great bulk, still not entirely used to navigating these narrow corridors in his present state.

Action: Multiattack.
Bite hits AC 23 for 7 damage, goblin dies.
Claws miss (1).

22:40, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 7 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 3.  Damage.
22:39, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 23,6 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 with rolls of 18,1.  Multiattack.

Arnan stood slightly behind Morgrim and Thane, who had moved into melee against the crowd of Goblins. The scout knew that he was a better archer than swordsman, so he kept using his bow.

As Arnan looked on, Morgrim in bear form and Thane both downed a Goblin, and Arnan put a second arrow into the creature that he had hit previously, dropping it this time.

---

OOC:

Move: As necessary to get a clear shot.

Action: 21:12, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 17 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 10.  Ranged Attack v. Goblin (AC 15). Hit!

21:13, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 5 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 2.  Damage (Longbow).

Notes: The Goblin that Arnan had previously wounded is now dead.

Dal was starting to dislike these pesky opponents.  She tried to find one to hit but the men were hopping around hitting them and splattering the Goblins all around and making it difficult.

She finally saw one and quickly cast her sacred flame cantrip at it.  With a quick prayer to Sharindlar Dal flung out her hand and zipped the flame towards the Goblins.  Evidently Sharindlar didn't like her choice for she saw the flame fly past it.

ooc:

14:41, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 12 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 7.  to hit with sacred flame  - missed

With four adventurers now pressing into their barracks, the goblins muster their courage and fight for their lives. The hide-filled room echoes with the sound of clashing blades and bow twangs, at the end of which, Morgrim is struck twice and Arnan and Thane once. Through this all, the goblins continue to yell with all their might, seemingly trying to rouse any other allies in the area.

Meanwhile, back in the antechamber at the end of the eastern corridor, Hengar and Kira have cleared the room of goblins and now stand near the unopened door. They can both hear the sound of battle coming from the direction of the barracks.


OOC: Morgrim is hit for 15, Arnan 4 and Thane 3

At entrance to Barracks
Goblins, 12
AC 15
HP: 0/7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7

In small antechamber
Goblins, 2
AC: 15
HP: 7/7, 0/7   (Kira/Hengar are in this room)


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   20/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   22/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   22/27    1      13       Bear Form: AC 11   HP 13/34


PCs are UP!!!

In reply to DM Shard (msg # 116):

Dal wasn't one to give up.  She narrowed her eyes and concentrated more and once again prayed to Sharindlar.

"Might Sharindlar, I can't do it without your guidance.  They keep hitting Grim.  Please help me help him since he is too thick to duck as much as he should."  Once again Dal flung out her hand to the Goblin she could see.


ooc:


15:16, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 20 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 15.  sacred flame for radiant damage (hopefully). - Hit

15:17, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  damage  if miss dex save DC 13. Gets no benefit from cover for saving throw.

Morgrim was suffering most of the punishment that the Goblins were handing out, which made sense to Arnan -- in his bear form, he was by far the most fearsome adversary that the Goblins were facing. Arnan himself felt another foe's arrow strike him, but some of the Goblins had fallen.

~Just got to keep on keepin' on -- keep whittlin' 'em down,~ he told himself.

And so, using a smooth, long-practiced motion, he nocked an arrow and fired again. As had been the case with his first arrow, he struck one of their foes, but the creature did not fall.

---

OOC:

Move: As necessary to get a clear shot.

Action: 12:11, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 24 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 17.  Ranged Attack v. Goblin (AC 15). Hit!

12:11, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  Damage (Longbow).

Beargrim charges into the thick of the horde, sending goblins scattering left and right. Two fall before the combination of his teeth and claws however and lie broken upon the floor in his wake.

Multiattack
1) Hits AC 19 for 7
2) Hits AC 23 for 7

2 goblins down

20:26, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 7,7 using 1d8+4,2d6+4 with rolls of 3,1,2.  Damage.
20:25, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 19,23 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 with rolls of 14,18.  Attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Mon 11 June 2018.

"Press in now, no quarter!" Thane urged his companions.  The fight was in full swing and the sheer number of foes presented quite a challenge.  He felt the sting of something that got past his armor, but he dared not stop to see what it was.  The wound caused enough distraction, however, to cause him to swing his flail clear over the head of his foe!

---

Move: Only enough to gain adjacency with Beargrim.
Action: Melee attack vs engaged Goblin
Special: Use his Protector stance to benefit Beargrim (all attacks vs Morgrim will be made at disadvantage since Thane will use his shield prowess to protect him).
19:45, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 7,10 using 1d20+5,d8+3 with rolls of 2,7.  Flail vs Goblin, Crit on 19+.  Flat-out miss!

Kira and Hengar find a metal spike lying on the floor and work together to spike the door in the antechamber. This, in the hopes of preventing whatever is on the other side from suddenly showing up at their backs.

The battle rages on in the goblin barracks, with nearly half of the remaining enemies concentrating their efforts on taking out the Thane and Morgrim, and a few others spread across the rest of the party. Morgrim is struck once, despite Thane's best efforts to ward off attacks against the druid.

The goblin who just got zapped by Dalgura's sacred flame charges at the cleric and smacks her with his scimitar, though it is a glancing blow at best. Another goblin comes at Arnan, but is unable to find purchase against the rangy fighter.

Throughout all of this, the goblins are yelling quite loudly, though none in the party understand what they might be saying, but it's fairly clear they are calling out for help. For the moment, help does not seem to be on the way.


OOC: Dalgura is hit for 6 and Morgrim is hit for 4.

At entrance to Barracks
Goblins, 12
AC 15
HP: 0/7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7, 0/7, 1/7 (Dalgura), 1/7 (Arnan), 7 (Morgrim), 7 (Morgrim), 7 (Thane), 7 (Thane)

In small antechamber
Goblins, 2
AC: 15
HP: 0/7, 0/7   (Kira/Hengar are in this room)


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   20/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   22/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   18/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   22/27    1      13       Bear Form: AC 11   HP 9/34


PCs are UP!!!

Morgrim continues his rampage through the goblin ranks, sending little green bodies scattering in all directions. Between his snapping jaws and powerful claws two more of the creatures lie broken on the ground.

Multiattack
1) Hits AC 22 for 8
2) Hits AC 15 for 10

2 goblins die

22:00, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 8,10 using 1d8+4,2d6+4 with rolls of 4,3,3.  Damage.
22:00, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 22,15 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 with rolls of 17,10.  Attack.

Thane does his best to stay abreast of Grimbear, but the shape-shifted druid was certainly a pawing and biting dervish of death.  The goblins must have been terrified of the beast; Thane found it very easy to strike down another goblin who was looking the wrong way at the wrong time...

---

Action: Attack a goblin near Morgrim
Special: use Protector ability to benefit Morgrim (attacks vs him suffer disadvantage)

07:41, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 19,10 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 14,7.  Melee vs Goblin, AC15 (Attack, Damage). Hit AC19 for 10 damage - goblin down

With the door spiked, Kira nodded to Hengar.  "Better get back to the others but hopefully that'll hold," she said, taking up her bow and setting an arrow to be ready to shoot any remaining enemies by the time they get back to the group.

---

Moving back to the group, figuring it takes the whole round.

"OWW!  Stop that you pesky Goblin."

Dalgura didn't like it when the Goblin hit her but with him being so close her first reaction was to hit him back.  Blame it on Grim.  Whenever Grim hit her, she hit Grim.  It was that automatic training that caused Dal to swing her warhammer back at the Goblin who had hit her.

Dalgura swung and was quite satisfied that her hammer hit with a good thud.  Unfortunately she did think she did that much damage to the Goblin but at least she didn't embarrass herself and miss.

15:14, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 2 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 1.  damage to goblin.

15:12, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 16 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 13.  hitting goblin.

Arnan grimaced as he was hit by a third Goblin arrow, but the Goblins were getting the worst of things, by far. As the archer looked on, Beargrim (as Arnan had begun thinking of the druid when in his bear-form) used his claws and jaws to savage two Goblins, and, using his flail, Thane smashed one of the creatures facing him. Wearing a determined look on her face, Dalgura smacked a Goblin with her warhammer, no doubt causing it to have second thoughts about attacking the female Dwarf.

Arnan intended to finish the Goblin that he had previously hit with an arrow, but his front foot slipped, causing the arrow to veer wildly off-target and strike the ceiling.

OOC:

10:57, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 8 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 1.  Ranged Attack v. Goblin (AC 15). Miss.

The barracks is now stren with slain goblins, but two still remain, one of which is quite wounded. The goblin squared off with Thane slashes the fighter with its scimitar, scoring a telling blow in the process. A few feet away, a wounded goblin thrusts its weapon weakly in Arnan's direction, but the fighter easier bats away the attempt. Throughout all of these exchanges, the goblins continue to holler at the top of their lungs, desperate to alert others in the compound to their plight.

Meanwhile, Hengar and Kira rejoin their companions in the barracks, just in time to see a new development coming from the corridor leading off the barracks to the west...

Down that long hallway, with doors periodically on either side, Kira spots a faint blue magical light near the end of the passage. Shadowy shapes now lope up the hallways toward the adventures. As they approach nearer, Kira sees four cultists, three of which are burly men armed with heavy crossbows and clubs. The fourth is a silver and blue robed woman with a fiery red hair.

The woman, an acolyte of Frostmaiden, draws to within 50 feet of the barracks, stops, and casts a blessing over the cultists, urging them to vanquish these foes in honor of their wicked goddess...

The three burly cultists charge down the hallway and take up position in the open doorframe of three separate doorways, level their crossbows and take shots. Their field of view is quite limited, shooting down a hallway into the barracks, but all three manage to score hits against their foes. Morgrim, Arnan and Thane are struck by heavy bolts and are now aware of the threat down the hallway...


OOC: Thane is hit for 12. Morgrim is hit for 9 and is now at 0, so presumably, he reverts to dwarf form. Arnan is hit for 3.

Barracks
Goblins, 12
AC 15
HP: 1/7 (Arnan), 7/7 (Thane)

Hallway West of Barracks
Frostmaiden Cultists, 3
AC: 11
HP: 32/32 (30 ft down hall), 32/32 (50 ft down hall), 32/32 (60 ft down hall)

Frostmaiden Acolyte
AC: 10
HP: 9/9 (60 ft down hall)

In small antechamber
Goblins, 2
AC: 15



PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   17/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   10/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   18/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   22/27    1      13       Bear Form: AC 11   HP 0/34


PCs are UP!!!
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:21, Fri 22 June 2018.

Dal looked at what was coming and new that she would have to expend one of her few healing spells or their cause would be over with before it even started.  Dal clutched her holy symbol and held it out in front of her as she started her prayer, hoping it would give enough strength to those who needed it and that it would be in time.

"Mighty Goddess help me now.  We are under severe attacks and need your precious healing power to wash over me and my comrades.  Please spread your healing over Arnan, Kira, Grim, Thane and Hengar as well as myself if it pleases you. In your name, Mighty Sharindlar, I prayer for your guidance and help."

Dal watched as Sarindlar's magic, which she probably could only see, spread out to her comrades who were with 30' of her.  She could feel that it wasn't much, but at least it would stop their current bleeding and hoped it would be enough.


19:22, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 7 using 2d8+3 with rolls of 3,1.  prayer of Healing.  Edit - +4 for domain of life for a total of 11 hp healed

Ouch!  Sorry guys.  Evidently Sharindlar wants us to do this the old fashioned way.  I only have a channel divinity left (which only gives 15 points split up but can only go to 1/2 HP maximum.  Then it's healing word which is a bonus action.  May all the good Gods look over us.

This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Fri 29 June 2018.

"Well, damn!" Arnan muttered under his breath as more foes appeared from a different direction and hit Thane, Morgrim, and himself with crossbow bolts.

Trusting Thane and Morgrim to deal with the remaining Goblins, Arnan pivoted in place and turned towards the newcomers. He judged the female who had just cast a spell to be the most serious threat, so he turned his attention to her.

Using a smooth, well-practiced motion Arnan nocked and fired two arrows in quick succession, both of which struck the silver and blue-robed woman, dropping her where she stood.

---

OOC:

Action: 17:50, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Ranged Attack v. Acolyte (AC 10). Hit!

17:50, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.  Damage (Longbow).

Bonus Action: 17:52, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Bonus Attack (Action Surge). Hit!

17:52, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 10 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 7.  Damage (Bonus Attack).

Total Damage: 17.

Notes: This should be sufficient to kill the acolyte. Assuming that she had cast Bless (or any other spell requiring Concentration, for that matter), this should also disrupt the spell.

Arnan has used his Action Surge feature until such time as it refreshes after the next rest period (short or long).
This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Fri 29 June 2018.

The fight was going well!  Goblins were being felled left and right, and Thane was anticipating a rapid end to this large opening skirmish in the stony halls.

Then a blistering bloom of pain blossomed in his back, and he faltered where he stood, nearly dropping his shield.  A quick glance told him that several sturdy looking warriors had joined the fray and had sent accurate crossbow bolts into the melee.

"Gnaarrr!" Thane rumbled a dwarvish curse word and focused on his current foe.  Dal's magicks brought a soothing warmth to the wound in his back, and Thane eagerly swept his flail at the overmatched goblin.  But the strike went over the dodgy foe's head!  Thane circled to the side so that both the goblin and the crossbowmen would have to contend with his shield this time around...

---

Action: Attack pristine goblin
20:50, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 8,8 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 3,5.  Melee vs Goblin, AC15 (Attack, Damage). MISS

Move: Adjustment to shift a square to change the angles of attack to be more favorable in Thane defense.

Unable to maintain his form in the face of the sustained onslaught, Morgrim at last reverts to his usual guise, beaten and bloodied but no less defiant. He swings his scimitar at the nearest goblin but it goes wide.

22:11, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 8 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 5.  Attack.

Kira kneels down and takes cover behind an overturned and broken table while drawing an arrow to her short bow. The enemies down the hall likewise have cover and it is difficult for her to find a clear shot. Nonetheless, she releases an arrow and it thuds into the doorframe next to one of the thugs.

10:07, Today: DM Shard, on behalf of Kira, rolled 7,7 using d20+5,d6+3 ((2,4)).

Hengar rejoins his companions in the barracks and, with a swift flick of his axe, summarily strikes down the goblin that had been harassing Arnan.

The lone goblin in the barracks swings its scimitar at Thane but is unable to penetrate the stout fighter's defenses. Sensing a losing proposition, the goblin nimbly escapes from his foes and then retreats down the hallway toward the crossbow-wielding thugs.

Propped up against open doorways, the thugs take pot shots at the adventurers from behind cover. Arnan is nicked by a bolt, but otherwise, it is a moment of reprieve for the party.

Throughout all of this, the Luskan Thugs shout over the shoulders, presumbaly trying to alert allies to the threat.

"Rycher! Davrick! We got company!"

"And not the good kind," another cuts in.

"Get your asses out here. There's at least 10 of them," either the fellow can't count or is a little excited.

OOC: Arnan is hit for 1 point of damage. Thugs have half cover (+2 AC), for an effective AC of 13 for missile fire.

Barracks
Goblins, 12
AC 15
HP: 7/7 (20 feet down hall)

Hallway West of Barracks
Frostmaiden Cultists, 3
AC: 11
HP: 32/32 (30 ft down hall, half cover +2 AC), 32/32 (50 ft down hall, half cover +2 AC, restrained), 32/32 (60 ft down hall, half cover +2 AC, restrained).

A restrained creature's speed becomes 0, and it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed.
Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the creature's attack rolls have disadvantage.
Restrained creatures have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.

Frostmaiden Acolyte
AC: 10
HP: 0/9 (60 ft down hall)

In small antechamber
Goblins, 2 (Dead)
AC: 15



PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   27/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   30/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   21/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13


PCs are UP!!!
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:28, Tue 03 July 2018.

"Lets deal with them one at a time," Morgrim grunted. He reached out his hand with an open palm, curled his fingers and then dragged back towards his torso. Coiling roots burst forth from the stone corridor in response to his gesture and snatched at the feet of the unsuspecting cultists.

Entangle to catch the rear 2 frostmaidens. Spell save DC 13.

Morgrim will then take cover out of arrow fire wherever possible.

The roots reach up out of broken ground to grab hold of two cultists, restraining both of them in a snarl of vegetation.

OOC: These two are now restrained...

A restrained creature's speed becomes 0, and it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed.
Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the creature's attack rolls have disadvantage.
The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.

"One at a time -- got it," Arnan replied to Morgrim -- who was no longer in bear-form. Clinging vines burst forth from the floor and ensnared the two rear-most foes, and Arnan chose to target one of the front two in case Thane decided to close to melee range in order to engage their foes.

His arrow hit the target, but it did not look to have done much damage.

---

OOC:

Action: 12:28, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Ranged Attack v. Enemy Archers (AC 13). Hit!

12:29, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 4 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 1.  Damage (Arrow).

Move If cover is available on the adventurers' side of the battle, Arnan will move so as to take advantage of it after taking his shot.

Notes: Pfffft!! This d8 needs to go into Dal's Time-Out Cup! Shane, per my calculations, Arnan is now at 16 of 28 Hit Points (not 27 of 28, as referenced in the last Summary Post). I'll be happy to go with the 27 if they are up for grabs, though! :)

"Where you goin'?!?" Thane groused at the disengaging goblin as it nimbly beat feet away.  The warrior spoke to Hengar through clenched teeth.  "C'mon, let's go get these new fellers.  Stay behind me so you don't get bolted, I'll cover you if I can..."

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than Morgrim cast some earth magic that tangled up the far two crossbowmen, and Thane bounded forward with a newfound sense of victory.  He closed on the goblin and swung his flail at it, and again he completely failed to strike the thing!

---

Bonus Action: Speak
Movement: Catch up to the goblin
Action: Attack w/flail
17:12, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 7,10 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 2,7.  Melee vs Goblin, AC15 (Attack, Damage).  A swing and a miss!
Other: Use Protector ability to benefit Hengar (so long as Hengar is adjacent, Thane can impose disadvantage on any visible attacks headed his way.

Dal noticed that a couple of cultists had been caught by vines which, presumably, Grim had summoned.  She smiled and brought up her holy symbol.  "Mighty Shalindar, Help show the Cultist your might and look, Grim has even helped me by tangling them up. Please show them your magnificent radiance and show all my comrades that we are not in this alone.  That good can triumph over evil."

Dal flung out her hand and point to one of the trapped cultist.


ooc:  Sacred Flame:  range 60' target makes a dex sav throw or take 1d8 radiant damage.  Gains no benefit from cover for the saving through (spell save 13) - currently the cultist has disadvantage.  If miss save, they take 7 points of Radiant Damage.

17:39, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.  radiant damage if miss dex save 13.

Kira takes aim at one of the entangled cultists and releases an arrow. It's a well-placed shot and she strikes her target with ease.

OOC: DM post. Hit for 11 points of damage.

19:48, Today: DM Shard, on behalf of Kira, rolled 21,6,5 using d20+5,d6+3,2d6 ((16,3,2,3)).

Hengar chases the goblin down the hall and attempts to cut the bastard down before it can get away, but the wily fellow slips out of the way.

Hengar and Thane chase the goblin down the hallway, while the rest of the party exchanges missile and spellfire with the Frostmaiden cultists further down the hall. The goblin darts this way and that to avoid being skewered by its much larger foes, slashing his scimitar at them to keep them at bay. And then, it nimbly escapes again, this time darting further down the hallway, past a cultist, whom it hopes will slow down the adventurers. Calling over its shoulder, the goblin cries out, "Away from you, that's where! Ha!"

However, just ahead, the goblin sees a snarl of roots and begins to inwardly doubt his assessment...

In the doorway, a rough-looking frontier woman tosses aside her crossbow, draws a heavy mace, and lopes down the hall to engage Thane. "Stupid goblins!" she curses, clearly not happy at the creature's cowardice.

"All must answer the Frostmaiden's call. Better to meet it head-on!" she says, her eyes wild and vacant. Closing with Thane, she swings her mace repeatedly, but is unable to penetrate the fighter's defenses. "Damn you for daring to defy the Frostmaiden's grand schemes!"

Meanwhile, the cultist's two companions struggle against grasping roots from below and sacred flame from above...all this while trying to break free. One manages to avoid being scalded by divine fire, but both fail to break free of their bonds.

"Davrick!! Intruders!! Come!!!" one of them yells.

OOC:

Barracks
Goblins, 12
AC 15
HP: 7/7 (40 feet down hall)

Hallway West of Barracks
Frostmaiden Cultists, 3
AC: 11
HP: 28/32 (20 ft down hall, Thane/Hengar), 21/32 (50 ft down hall, half cover +2 AC, restrained), 32/32 (60 ft down hall, half cover +2 AC, restrained).

A restrained creature's speed becomes 0, and it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed.
Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the creature's attack rolls have disadvantage.
Restrained creatures have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.

Frostmaiden Acolyte
AC: 10
HP: 0/9 (60 ft down hall)

In small antechamber
Goblins, 2 (Dead)
AC: 15



PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   27/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   30/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   21/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13


PCs are UP!!!

Morgrim conjures a ball of flame into the palm of his hand and sends it hurtling down the hallway at the nearest cultist where it breaks upon her armor doing little more than singeing her. "The Frostmaiden can choke on this!"

Produce flame hits nearest cultist for 1 damage.
Morgrim remains within cover as much as possible to maintain concentration on entangle.

11:27, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 1 using 1d8 with rolls of 1.  Damage.
11:27, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 15 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 10.  Produce flame.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:30, Thu 05 July 2018.

Arnan decided to concentrate on the foe who was already wounded, and try to add to the man's woes. The fact that he was held fast by Morgrim's magicks made him an easy target. Once again, however, the arrow did not appear to strike a mortal spot.

---

OOC:

Action: 13:25, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 21 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 8,14.  Ranged Attack (w/ Advantage). Hit!

13:30, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 4 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 1.  Damage (Longbow).

Notes: Arnan is shooting at the entangled cultist who was at 21 of 32 Hit Points. <Sigh.> And that's another 1 on the d8 Dice-Roller.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:40, Fri 06 July 2018.

"Keep runnin', you'll only die tired!" Thane taunted the fleeing goblin, then braced himself and took the rough-looking cultess's mace on his shield.  "You'll have to do better than that, crazy lady!" he mocked the woman, then delivered a strong blow of his own to her unprotected side.

---

Action:Melee attack (flail) vs cultist woman
13:52, Yesterday: Thane Harkensen rolled 21,9 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 16,6.  Flail vs Cultist, AC11 (attack, damage). Hit AC21 for 9 damage.
Bonus: Protector stance to benefit Hengar if the warrior also engages the cultist woman.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Sun 08 July 2018.

Dal growled, which probably sounded like a kitten growl next to Grim's growl, when she saw that the cultist had dodged her Sacred Flame.  Really?  Dal was being so nice as to share it.

"Did you see that Sharindlar?  I mean did..you..see..that?  Of course you saw it.  You're the bestest Diety but that was so rude.  I'm going to try again.  I hope that you will help guide my hand this time because that was just rude.  I am sharing your beautiful radiant light with them and they dodged!!!!!  Ok. Here goes.  I'll try harder.  I know it's me and not you."

As Dal clenched her holy symbol and said the Pray for Sacred Flame, she squinted her eyes at the dodgy cultist, and flung out her hand with a mighty "In Sharindlar's Name".

ooc:  13:17, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.  radiant damage if miss dex save 13. - well if I miss again at least the sacred flame's radiant light was more impressive this time.

Kira takes aim at the cultist battling Thane and Hengar in the long hall and moves into position to fire another arrow. Finding an opening, she releases an arrow and sends it right into the crazed woman's chest!

OOC: DM post. Hit for 13 points of damage on a sneak attack.

Hengar brings his axe down on the cultist, sending the woman crashing to the ground with a shriek.

The party manages to strike down the unentangled cultist, while two of her entangled compatriots continue to fight against the divine roots. The cultist furthest down the hallways eventually breaks free and elects to lope down the hallway disappearing behind a curve in the hallway; however the party can hear the man's screams echo in the hallway...

"Davrick! We can't hold them! They're too many! Help!!!"

Seeing his companion race past him, through the grasping vines, the other cultist casts nasty aspersions at his fellow cult mate. "Auril will have you! Damn you and your treachery!" he spits.

The man continues to hack at the cloying vines, but makes no progress in springing himself free.

OOC:

Barracks
Goblins, 12
AC 15
HP: 7/7 (40 feet down hall)

Hallway West of Barracks
Frostmaiden Cultists, 3
AC: 11
HP: 0/32 (20 ft down hall, Thane/Hengar), 10/32 (50 ft down hall, half cover +2 AC, restrained), 32/32 (fled).

A restrained creature's speed becomes 0, and it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed.
Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the creature's attack rolls have disadvantage.
Restrained creatures have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.

Frostmaiden Acolyte
AC: 10
HP: 0/9 (60 ft down hall)

In small antechamber
Goblins, 2 (Dead)
AC: 15



PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   27/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   30/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   21/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13


PCs are UP!!!

Thane bounds forward to engage the wounded but entangled Cultist.  "Auril will have you first, I'm thinkin'!" he cursed the man, and smashed him with his flail.  A solid hit, yet the man was not quite done for...

---

Move into melee with remaining cultist
Action attack cultist with flail
21:23, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 35 using 2d20+5 with rolls of 15,15.  Melee vs Wounded Cultist (AC11, Advantage).
21:23, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 9 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 6.  Damage vs Wounded Cultist.
Hit AC20 for 9 damage

This message was last edited by the player at 01:36, Fri 13 July 2018.

Morgrim advances down the corridor, lobbing another roiling ball of flame at the ensnared cultist.

Advance 25'.
Attack hits AC 23 for 6 fire damage.

09:09, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 6 using 1d8 with rolls of 6.  Damage.
09:09, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 23 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 18,9.  Produce Flame.

The adventurers strike down the sole remaining cultist, the other having already fled westward down the long hallway toward the soft blue magical light. Open doorways on either side of this hallway appear to be storage rooms converted to sleeping quarters, if the first few are any indication. Beyond one of the slain cult assassins, a small dingy and smelly room is outfitted with crude pallets laid out on the floor, with scant personal effects tucked into satchels in the corner.

The fleeing goblin and cultist did not appear to slip into any of these rooms however, fleeing deeper around a bend in the curving hallway. Muffled voices are heard in the distance, but none in the party can make out distinct words.

When the last entangled foe fell to Thane's flail and Morgrim's magicks, Arnan lowered his bow -- although he still had an arrow nocked and ready to shoot.

"Well done, everyone." he said. "Does anyone need a moment, or are we ready to push on? Probably the less time we allow our foes to recover and make ready for us, the better."

In reply to Arnan Aldwynne (msg # 154):

Dal looked at Arnan and arched an eyebrow.  "Has anybody ever know to run out of Goblins to slay?  I will need to rest sooner or later, especially if you guys keep forgetting to duck."

Dal kissed her holy symbol and whispered a thank you to Sharindlar.

"I'd need a solid rest before I work up the strength to shift again, but I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve," Morgrim replied. "Lets press the bastards where it hurts."

Sensing they have seized the initiative and have the Auril cultists on their back-heels, the adventurers waste little time and press deeper into the dungeon. The main hall continues westward for about 100 feet, with adjoining rooms spaced equally along the hallway's length, each of these furnished similarly: broken furniture and ruined supplies. Passing each room quickly, the party does not spot any foes or anything else of interest.

At the end of the hallway, the adventurers come upon thrown-open double doors. Beyond the doors, is a dining room adorned with a long table flanked by trestles. The room is lit by whale-oil maps in sconces along the walls. A long tunnel framed with wooden struts runs off to the side, this leading north, deeper into the mountain.

Directly across the thrown open double doors, about 30 feet distant, is another doorway, this too thrown open and leading to what looks like a kitchen. But it isn't pots and pans that grab the party's interest...

Within the kitchen, the party sees a horrific frost worm rearing over the burned body of the cultist that previously fled from the adventurers. The beast resembles a large wolf-sized centipede with jagged, segmented cobald blue scale. The lower segments of the monster's body bear legs, while the uppermost ones have webbed spines which look like a cobra's fan. Protruding from the back, with two on each segment, are big, red, jewel-like lumps, framing a bladed head with four antenna-like growths, two coming from the chin/cheeks and two from the forehead. The frost worm is blue-white in color, but has a reddish glow that seems to sheathe the hideous thing.

Behind the frost worm, an obviously deranged wearing nothing by a leather toga cackles wildly and points at the party at the other side of the dining room.

"Your time has come, my pet! Attack them I say! Take them for Auril!!!" he raves.

The frost worm rears up and bites the man's head off with a solid crunch and then tosses the lifeless body aside. The monster rumbles from within and lurches forward, emerging from the kitchen into the dining room!

OOC: The frost worm is about 30 feet distant from the party.

Frost Worm
AC: 12
HP: ??/??


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   27/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   30/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   21/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13


PCs are UP!!!

Morgrim stretches out his fingers and cold, blue flames leap from the tips to run across the stone floor in a spreading wave coating everything in their path in vibrant light.

Faerie Fire, DC 13 dex save to resist.

The frost worm evades the tiny motes of light as it darts this way and that.

OOC: Made the save.

"Well we're just goin' to have to do this the old fashioned way then," Morgrim remarked, reaching for the hilt of his scimitar. "Come on and give it a go ye oversized silverfish!"

~Couldn't have happened to a nicer fellow,~ Arnan thought to himself when the Frost Worm unexpectedly took off the head of the cultist.

"Ill-tempered brute, isn't it," he remarked under his breath in response to Morgrim's retort after the monster seemingly evaded the Dwarf's magicks.

"But, aye -- 'tis time for us to get to work."

So saying, he put an arrow into the creature, although the shaft did not appear to strike a particularly telling blow.

---

OOC:

Move: As needed to get a clear shot at the Frost Worm.

Action: 20:31, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Ranged Attack v. Frost Worm (AC 12). Hit!

20:32, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  Damage (Longbow).
This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Tue 17 July 2018.

"Uuu-Ugh!" Thane reacted with disgust as the armored-worm-thing beheaded its crazy master.  He was only vaguely aware of the other party members attacking it, for the appearance of the thing was rather shocking.  He'd never seen its like before!

"What the hells is that thing?!?" he exclaimed.  But hearing Arnan agree with whatever Morgrim had said served to spur Thane out of his temporary reverie.

With a whoop! Thane sped down the hallway, skirting the right hand wall, and engaged the worm in melee.  His flail thunked the beast soundly while the warrior raised up his shield in anticipation of a counterstrike...

---

Move: advance 30 down the hallway into melee
Attack: Melee (Flail) vs Frost Worm
16:07, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 20,11 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 15,8.  Melee vs Frost Worm (AC12).  Hit AC20 for 11 damage

In reply to Thane Harkensen (msg # 162):

Dal saw the beast bob and weave and even eat it's own handler!  Then she saw her valiant comrades decide to go after it themselves.  It was brave of them but she wasn't quite as brave.  She stayed back just far enough for her to be able to cast her Sacred Flame cantrip.

"Oh Mighty Sharindlar, show this wormy thing your radiance and help protect my brave comrades who choose to go up close and personal."

Dal flung out her hand, hoping that she could catch the worm while it was dodging the other attacks.

OOC:

08:29, Today: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 11 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 8.  radiant dam if miss save DC13.

Kira takes aim with her short bow and releases a clean shot that strikes the frost worm in the side of the head.

OOC: DM post. Hit for 13 points of damage.

Hengar charges forward and takes up arms alongside Thane. Wielding his axe, the tribesman delivers a savage blow that tears into the frost worm's hide.

OOC: Critical hit for 15 points of damage.

The adventurers gang up on the frost worm and deliver a succession of vicious attacks that, were the monster not so young, would be of little consequence. But it is still a young remorhaz and not the dread terror it might one day become...if not for the intervention of the erstwhile band of adventurers.

Those still in the dining room (Arnan, Kira, Dalgura and Morgrim) barrage the frost worm with a volley of missile and spell fire and those in the kitchen (Thane and Hengar) engage the monster in melee.

With a bathing glow of radiant light, Dalgura delivers the coup de grace, scalding the creature where it stands. The creature erupts in a bout of searing heat, singing Thane and Hengar.

The frost worm then collapses in a lifeless heap of steam and gore. A few feet distant, the lunatic cultist of Auril, Davrick Fain, lies headless on the ground, a pool of blood spreading where his head once was.

A long hallway off the dining room disappears around a corner to the north.

A door off the kitchen, to the west, leads a garbage-strewn, drafty room with a narrow ledge that opens to the outside and offers a grand sweeping view of Lac Dinneshere. This room smells of musk and urine.

OOC: Hengar and Thane took 3 points of fire damage.



PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   27/28    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Hengar    12   27/30    1      NA
Kira      14   21/21    1      NA
Thane     18   30/31    1      NA
Dalgura   15   24/24    1      13
Morgrim   15   27/27    1      13



This message was last edited by the GM at 00:29, Sat 28 July 2018.

Morgrim spat on the still warm corpse of the cultist. "Ye got better than ye deserved, ye dung-heap of a man."

The dwarf raised his voice louder, shouting down the next corridor.

"Are the rest of ye listening!?!" he demanded angrily. "Auril wont save ye! The towns wont take ye back! The lot of you are dead men walking! Go'n and run! I'll dog yer steps from here to the Spine of the World!"

Thane slumped up against the wall and drew in some deep breaths.  "Damned buggers got me good.  Hold up a moment, will ya?" he asked his companions.  He drew out one of the funny wrapped pouches from his healer's kit and opened it up, then squeezed the gooey contents onto his wounds.  There wasn't time for any fancy bandaging since it seemed more than likely more foes remained in the stony halls.

"That's better," he told his fellows.  "Who knows who, or what, is coming next!"

---

Thane consumes 1 use of his Healer's Kit to heal himself.

20:58, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 12 using 1d6+7 with rolls of 5.  Thane heal self with healer's kit.

Thane's current hit points should go from 18 to 30 hit points.

"So our choices are to keep following?  Or hold up here for the night and block whatever we can to stop them from coming for us until we recover?"

Dal watched Thane put the healing goo on him and walked over to him.  "You want me to wrap that better for you?"

Arnan breathed a sigh of relief when the Frost Worm was cut down by the adventurers' efforts. He had seen these creatures from a distance, and although he had never before engaged one in battle, he had heard enough about them to be very wary.

After Thane had healed himself, Morgrim looked to be the one who had suffered the most from the attacks of their foes. Arnan had cocked his head to one side and asked the Dwarf, "Should we press on, or do you need a short rest in order to bind your wounds?"

When Dalgura posed her question about stopping for the night, Arnan replied, "My vote would be to press the attack, once we are ready. I feel that we have our foes rocked back on their heels, so to speak, and that we should take advantage of that. I would prefer not to give them too much time to recover -- and mayhaps receive reinforcements."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Thu 26 July 2018.

"I'll live," Morgrim replied, shrugging off any concerns towards his own wellbeing. "Though I'm running short on Marthammor's good will for the day. I can still swing a blade though."

"Well that was nasty," Kira quipped though was glad for a bit of a breather herself.  She gave Thane a little pat of understanding as she walked past, her destination the headless body and unphased by the gore started searching pockets and pouches for anything of interest.  There could potentially be magic things that Dal and Grim could utilize, and sometimes even the oddest item could give clues.  "This is a kitchen area so there might be something edible, spare us from rations a meal or two.  Plenty of room to stretch out and we can probably make it pretty defensible," she commented but would press on if the others felt so inclined.

Morgrim gave the room a sniff. "It smells like... well, I won't say what it smells like but I'd hesitate to eat anything ye find in here," Morgrim replied.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 173):

Being a sister came with obligations.  One of the obligations was to remind brothers of embarrassing things even if they were the only two who knew WHY it was embarrassing.  Sometimes it could just be inferred and that was fine too.

Dal crouched down so she could rest just a little bit and grinned when Grim couldn't come up with a good name for the smell.  "That smell, dear brother, is what you smelled like when you returned from that 'celebration' outing.  Although with so many goblins here I doubt one dosing of water will clean it up like it did for you."

Dal lifted up her head and everybody could see she had a big grin on her face.  Even with everything they had gone through, a sister had an obligation to pick on her brother, and she wasn't going to ignore her obligations.  She did, however, blow a kiss to Grim.  They both knew that they loved each other and little jabs like this just added to it.

Morgrim looked crosswise at Dal. "Well, I had a lot to celebrate," he replied before his stern expression melted into a grin.

After a complete search of the fallen, Kira turns up a small sum of coins, altogether worth 50 gold pieces. The goblins and cultists also have an assortment of weapons, swords, daggers, maces, axes, and bows...though none of these are especially noteworthy.

The larder in the kitchen is reasonably well-stocked with clean, edible food. It seems the cultists had some thought to spending the winter here in the upper slopes of Kelvin's Cairn, if their larder is any indication.

Save for the spiked door near the entrance of this dungeon complex, the only unexplored portion of the dungeon is the hallway off the barracks, leading away to the north.

In reply to DM Shard (msg # 176):


"Did anybody count the number of bunks in the barracks and then compare that to how many goblins we saw?  If there is a big difference than there might be a lot more waiting to come back.  Just something to think on.  Pack up some of the stuff for rations?"

Dal was still sitting down.  Resting because of her short legs and not wanting to move until she needed to.  Of course her weapons were still at the ready but one should conserve energy when they could.

DM, care to add the coins to the party treasury?

"Didn't think to," Morgrim replied to his sister. "Gather what ye like, but I don't think we give them long. I'd much rather flush them out into the cold and let them die at their Maiden's hands."

As the group rouses from their brief respite, Morgrim stands and hands a single plump berry to each. "If you're hurt or hungry," he said. "Otherwise keep it close. It'll keep for the day."

Using last 1st level slot to cast Goodberry. Giving one berry to each party member. Morgrim holds onto the other 5.

Morgrim has 2 level 2 spell slots and 2 wild shape uses remaining.

Kira had doled out the coinage but pretty much ignored the substandard weapons, though she did take a moment to tuck them out of sight.  If there were any decent arrows, she'd divvy them up with Arnan to make sure they kept a good supply.  After that, she tucked away a bit of the dried meat and fruit they'd found before taking up guard with Thane.  Giving Grim a smile of thanks, she tucked the goodberry into her pouch for later use and readied herself for this next leg of their adventure.

Dal took her berry and held it up.  "This just proves that the Goddesses are with us.  To think that one tiny berry could fill us up so full, yes, even Dwarves, and even help heal us.  Thanks bro."

Dal then went to Kira and if she could find some broken arrows that were suitable to be mended she'd use her mend cantrip on them.

"Thanks," Arnan said to Morgrim when the Dwarf handed him a berry, which the archer promptly popped into his mouth. He knew that druids and some rangers swore by these slightly-magicked berries, both for their healing properties and for the surprising amount of sustenance that they provided.

Dalgura's healing magicks had taken aware nearly all of the pain from his wounds -- the slight bit that was left paled by comparison to what Arnan felt when he was bonked on the head by a pine-cone. But now Morgrim's berry even got rid of the last little ache, and Arnan felt no ill effects from their recent battle.

Next, Arnan joined with Kira in looking over the arrows that had been shot in the battle. Whenever possible, Arnan had a preference for recovering his own arrows whenever they were still useable, but he also took the better of their foes' arrows if needed to fully refill his quiver.

The adventurers complete their short rest without being harrassed. Either they have already defeated all the mountain hideout's denizens or those who remain have fled elsewhere.

In any event, following their breather, the party continues their exploration of the compound by following the curving corridor that leads away to the north. The passage continues for perhaps 200 feet or so, with no visible exits along the way, before terminating at an open arched doorway just ahead. A small room lies beyond the arched doorway. The small room has a single furnishing--a silver-rimmed mirror about three feet tall, held at face height by a wrought-iron stand.

The mirror is placed in the northwest corner of the small room.

"Thank you, Morgrim," Thane replied to the druid upon receiving the goodberry, "You've shared these before, they're right handy!"  He took a few moments to help the archers recover their arrows and then set in behind the lead scout archer (Arnan, most likely) as the group explored the final corridor.

"Now ain't that a sight?" he mused upon reaching the last chamber, and spied the standing mirror in the corner.  "It seems creepy, just bein' all by itself in the corner like that..."

In reply to Thane Harkensen (msg # 184):

"Wouldn't be creepy if it was a scrying mirror.  I've heard of them but haven't seen any. So people can tell when people come into the room or are attacking.  Or perhaps the cold ...cough...female creepies are using it.  Wonder if spells can be cast through it.  Not a wizard type person so not sure.  If it is too creepy for you, just turn it around and give it time to rest is mirror eyes."

"Well, it's obviously important, sitting all by itself in a room at the end of a long corridor," Arnan remarked.

"But I've no idea what it does, or how to go about using it. Magicks aren't really my strong point."

Morgrim stepped into the room and sidled along the wall hoping to duck behind the mirror and see what may be hidden there if anything.

"Well the buggers got out somehow," he mused.

Morgrim does not find any hidden doors behind the mirror. The walls in this room appear to be pretty solid and devoid of any features that might lead one to suspect secret doors or the like. Save for the doorway the adventurers came through, there does not appear to be any other exits.

Kira slinked up to the mirror from the side and peeked around the frame and along the back before finally looking at the actual mirror section.  "I don't know magicky stuff but could this be something they went through to get somewhere else?" she asked, her gaze settling on Grim and Dal since they had magical abilities.

---

11:11, Today: Kira rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17.  Perception of Mirror.

The silver-rimmed mirror is an exceptional work of art and contains a great degree of etched detail throughout. This piece of furniture is certainly at odds with the other furnishings found within the dungeon.

Though she possesses no great proficiency in the arcane arts, she is intelligent enough to recognize the mirror as a magical device with the properties of communication and transportation. Initially, Kira looks into the mirror and sees a reflection of herself, though she feels as though one might see other things, not within this room, if one knew how to look...

OOC: A Charisma check is required to scry within the mirror.

Not sure if that is common knowledge, but in the interests of moving things along...

Finding nothing behind the mirror, Morgrim continues full circle around it until he stands before the face. After a few moments contemplation he reaches a similar conclusion to Kira.

"Show me where they went," he commands, thinking upon the cultists who had evaded them.

20:10, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19.  Charisma.

Morgrim looks deeply into the ornate mirror and his reflection soon morphs into abstract angular lines of deep shadow before finally twisting into a new scene altogether--a torchlit audience hall with an icy throne atop a raised dais opposite a grand archway. Indistinct humanoid shapes, hidden beneath heavy furs, pass between soaring columns. The image then loses clarity after a few moments of study, an impression of reality, but difficult to discern fine detail.

OOC: Another Charisma check is required to refocus the image into something coherent.

Not sure I understand. Do we have to state what we want to see each time? I rolled, but I'm not clear if that's just to continue watching the scene unfold.

20:24, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15.  Charisma.

The audience hall scene reforms within the mirror...

Two rows of columns stretch down the length of the room to a flight of steps on the far side. On the top of the steps is a small landing that holds a small throne of dark, lustrous ice, beside which is a mirror that looks quite similar to the one Morgrim now peers into. More stairs rise to the left and right of the throne, ascending along the wall to somewhere out of the mirror's field of view.

The columns, stairs, and throne are carved of black ice, and the chamber is lit by torches that burn in sconces set around the walls, casting a latticework of shadows between the rows of pillars.

Seated before the empty, raised throne, the party sees a brawny middle-aged tribesman wearing a grizzly bear cloak, the head of animal fitted over his own head like a regal crown. Hengar recognizes this man as King Gunvald of the Tribe of the Bear, the same clan that the party had faced at the lair of Icingdeath.

King Gunvald is holding court over six fellow tribesman and three orcs, though the lot of them appear to be arguing about something at the moment.

Morgrim gets the impression one might be able to step through the mirror itself, a teleportation device to the audience hall they can now see!

"Is that what it looks like?" Thane asked, his voice rising in tone to betray a hint of fear.  "This mirror can take you places?"  He shook his head, suppressing a memory before it came into full bloom.  "I don't like it, beautiful or not!" he cursed the ornate thing and took a step back.  "But if that's the way we have to go," he frowned, "maybe it's best to get it over with?"

Kira looked in the mirror, arms crossed under her bust and chewing on the inside of her cheek.  "I dunno," she said with a look to Grim and Dal.  "You two have been doing a lot of magic-y stuff.  There's a lot of them and possible more we can't see.  Maybe we should rest a bit ... put that face down on the ground so maybe nothing will come out at us while we rest?"  It was a suggestion only, made from worry about their shorter friends as well as their own hides.

"Well, we already had a short rest," Arnan said, in reply to Kira's question.

"Whatever magicks would've been regained from that should already be taken care of, I would think. Seems to me that we either go now, or settle in for the equivalent of a full night's rest."

He glanced at Morgrim and Dalgura, wondering which choice the two Dwarves would opt for.

In reply to Arnan Aldwynne (msg # 198):

Dal chuckled.  It wasn't a hard choice for her.  "I believe wonder beast over there has gotten his magics back but my Goddess prefers me to get a full rest. No doubt she knows how much I have to work to keep him in one piece.  It is a good idea to put it face down but that would also alert them that somebody is here wouldn't it?  Actually how do we know that they can't hear us even now?  Can we afford 8 hours to wait for my spells?  Do we press the advantage.  Remember if we go through we might be under the influence again of the ice.  You saw it in the mirror."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Mon 13 Aug 2018.

"Stuff it," Morgrim says, rolling up his sleeves. "The bastards like teddy-bears do they? We'll I'll give them a bear."

"You ready, Thane? Lets go knock some heads."

Handing off a potion of healing to Dalgura. You may need it to keep one of us alive ;)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:37, Mon 13 Aug 2018.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 200):

Dalgura took the potion and added it to the one she had.  Then she gave Grim a big hug.  "You stay alive so I can lecture you proper, you hear me?"  Dalgura looked at the mirror and then at the others.  "It looks like they decided.  Do we just jump in or hold hands and jump in so that we don't get separated or what?  I don't have knowledge of this mode of transportation."

Kira had looked to Dal and Grim, who decided it was best to go forward and she wouldn't argue with any of them.  She just hoped this wouldn't turn into another blood bath for themselves, especially with the black ice.  Remembering the way it had affected most of them before, she was worried but it was just another one of life's hurdles.  "Alright then any preference for who goes through first?" she said as she drew an arrow and readied it to draw once she was through.  "And may the gods be on our side," she muttered under her breath.

In reply to Kira (msg # 202):

Dal looked at Kira and smiled.  "The Goddess' are on our side.  Actually I think we are on top with a two versus one.  There is my most wonderful Goddess and Grims also great Goddess."

Dal winked at Kira, trying not to show her own fear.  Fear for the group for she had no fear when it came to her Goddess.  If the spells didn't come then her Goddess was just testing her and giving her another lesson.

"I'll go first," Morgrim said, stepping up to the mirror. "Follow as quick as ye can, and lets get the jump on these bastards."

Hoping for a surprise round. Morgrim will wildshape into a brown bear as soon as he's through the portal (bonus action), and go for the chieftain if within reach.