The party retreats out of the tunnel that leads to the troll cavern and back toward the surface. After traveling for about seven hours, the party prepares to set up camp and rest. As they do so, Carmeneren and a handful of other deep gnomes emerge and approach them. "I see that you are down one man," Carmeneren says somberly. "Was he lost while fighting the trolls?"

Lucien's own tone is level, deliberately emotionless. "Yes, though three of them paid for his life. We're heading back to the surface for reinforcements. We'll be back to finish the trolls." Having fought a pitched battle and then hiked through a cave for seven hours, Lucien looks haggard.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:27, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

Rissa eyed the gnomes from where she was seated, and spoke the first words she'd said in hours.

"There were twelve of them, twelve."

She let the words sink in, rising with the help of her staff.

"We slew three with flames, but were overrun. Three Elks charged forward to hold them off, but they had surrounded him. I sealed him in ice."

She rose to her full height, an unimpressive 5'4", but enough to tower over the Gnomes.

"I killed him, so that we might escape."

Her words were ice.

Jinx was as exhausted as the rest of the group after the near forced-march. Hearing the regret in Riser's voice, she tentatively put a comforting hand on the other woman's shoulder, "It's not your fault! Three Elks-- hells all of us-- knew the dangers of going after the trolls. You have no more right to blame yourself that I do because I couldn't torch the trolls fast enough!"

Rissa made a cutting gesture. Not that she needed to grovel in guilt and shame, but she wished to show no weakness before the Deep Gnomes. She knew well the judgement of a crowd, and she did not wish to face it here for misspoken words of comfort. They needed to Deep Gnomes to put their faith in them, if they were to have any chance of returning to extract vengeance upon the Trolls. They needed so much, she was still so, so weak, but this Svirfneblin could not know that.

"We fought more than twice our number, and yet here we stand, bloodied but not broken."

She eyed the Priestess of Callarduran with fire in her gaze, daring the Gnimosh woman to find fault with them.

Carmeneren nods slowly as Lucien and Rissa explain to her how Three Elks died. "What happened to your comrade is most unfortunate," she replies. "But I am pleased to hear that you are not deterred, for the road ahead of you is long and arduous.

"We will await your return."

The gnomes recede back into the darkness, leaving the party to rest.

Long rest.

Rissa moved slowly once the Gnomes were gone, the charade of confidence she had put forth gone the moment they were out of sight. She reached into her bag, pulling out the model of the cottage, whispering the words to grow it to its full size. So much Art, more power than she had ever thought to wield, and yet it had not been nearly enough. She prepared her evening meal in sullen silence, nursing the staff with which she had saved them by dooming Three Elks.

She needed to be more than she was.

She had journeyed for so long to try and save herself, to try and stop the thing which even now burned inside her. She barely understood it, barely understood how she could draw on it without incinerating herself. The magic still burned there, but now there was magic in her blood too. A fire that had not been there before, and now this cottage, this staff. Artifacts of legend, and hers to wield.

She needed to be worthy of them.

18:27, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 10 using 1d6+4.  Staff of Frost recharge

Lathan leads the party back through the tunnels to the abandoned mines and then from the mines back to Milborne.

Lucien is also fairly reserved during the rest in the cottage and the trip back to the surface. He can tell that Three Elks' death is affecting everyone, but particularly Rissa. He just isn't sure of what to say, or if there is anything to say to improve the situation. The true cure, in his mind, is to deal with the trolls, but that is something which will have to wait.

The remainder of the trip back to Milborne is uneventful.

The group might have expected Rissa to remain in sullen silence on the journey back. Given how she had presented within the tunnels, such a thing would have been expected. Yet has the first ray of light from the sun struck her face, something seemed to change within her. Not pleasure, not joy, but purpose. She shaded her eyes and squinted into the bright expanse of the sky, and seemed to have come to some conclusion.

"I have been practicing with the flame that burns within my blood."

She declared aloud to them as they hit the outskirts of Milborne.

"I can shape it, but it still feels to be more light than fire. I do not think it will be enough should we face them again."

There was fire enough in her words.

"I will keep practicing, but I think we should seek out more warriors who can call flame to them. Jinx's Art is a blessing to behold, but her alone is not enough."

When they got back to the surface Jinx breathed in the fresh air. She was not unaccustomed to extended time underground but with what happened with the trolls the air felt even lighter.


Jinx looked up at the tiefling and blushed while still managing to smile. "It is only a small thing. I've also been thinking about how to improve it... affect a larger area. I'll need to spend some time putting it together but I hope it will help."

Alisandra was the sullen reflection of Rissa. She had been living with death for a very long time, but it still affects her this way. The loss of her soldiers was the reason she was orignally sent on her long "vacation"; she couldn't get over their deaths and she would not get past Three Elk's death. She had focused on remebering her earlest training and would need new armor and a shield. She would take up the front line, no one in their small troop would die because she was unable to be near them. When they reach the town she went to Rissa. "I need to get heavier armor and a shield. Is their enough in reserve for such purchases?"

"Aye, we need reinforcements," Lathan agrees with Rissa. "Let's hope we can find someone willing to help."

Rissa had been staring off into the distance, and snapped back into focus when she realized Alisandra was talking to her.

"What?"

She blinked, trying to recall what she'd asked.

"Oh, Mother's Black Night, we have so much gold."

She shook her head, clutching the staff subconsciously tighter to her.

"We can outfit you in full plate, with a spare set waiting should you need it, and hardly scratch our hoard. Assuming there is a blacksmith who can fashion such things."

Lucien respected Rissa's passion. When she made her declaration, he put a hand on her shoulder. Not a hardly clap, but an attempt at reassurance and a gesture of solidarity.

After Jinx mentioned that she was working on a new mechanism, Lucien sped up briefly to walk next to her. In a conversational tone, he got something off his chest. "You've shared a lot with us the last few days so you deserve to know. My real name is Lucien. The others have done a good job avoiding mentioning it, which I appreciate. As long as we're in town, I'd appreciate if you stick to calling me Seliar."

In a louder voice to the group at large, he agrees with the general sentiment. "We have not exactly had the pick of the litter for traveling companions in the past." Perhaps realizing how that might have come off, he makes an attempt at an apology. "Not that anyone has been a poor traveling companion, just that we may have to take whoever is willing. Troll hunting is not likely to be popular among the locals."

Alisandra nodded, she now just needed to find a smith.

"A town such as this, it would be too small to possess anyone skilled in laying enchantments and bindings into weapons and items, would it not?"

Rissa asked, the wheels in her mind spinning.

"I am still a novice in such matters, but I know stories of warriors with flaming swords, surely such a thing could be made?"

She hefted the staff of ice that had saved them all, yet doomed Three Elks.

"I can't imagine we will find something of this magnitude, but perhaps we can find something to aid us."

Jinx nodded in agreement with Rissa as she surveyed the town. "Yes. Mundane supplies and a possible local that wants out... maybe someone traveling through with nothing else to do." Pausing, Jinx rubs at the base of her neck, "Hells, if we needed the money I could probably make us some coin with some of the minor works I can put together. Not that we are in need. Or that we're looking to spend more time than necessary here. Yes?"

When the party arrives in Milborne, a couple of local laborers approach them and inform them that Old Grizzler is looking for them. "He said he's got someone he wants you to meet."

Thanking the laborers, Lucien leads the way to Old Grizzler's favorite place in Milborne: The Baron of Mutton Inn.

Old Grizzler is sitting at a table near the fireplace when Lucien and the others arrive at the Baron of Mutton. Upon seeing the adventurers, he gives them a friendly wave, motioning for them to come over. "Good day, friends! You look like you all could use a warm meal and some strong drink... How goes your exploration of the mines?"

Thoroughly back into character as Seliar, Lucien strides up to Old Grizzler and claps the dwarf on the back though an air of somber sobriety comes through in the gesture of greeting. "It's good to see you old man. We've had some trying times down below. We've come back one fewer than we left."

"I sealed Three Elks in a wall of ice as he was being ripped apart by half a dozen trolls."

Rissa said flatly, her eyes daring Old Grizzler (or any of the others for that matter) to challenge her over her words. She clutched the staff fiercely in her hands, the blood draining from her knuckles. The staff had practically become a part of her in the time they had known her, never leaving her side, never leaving her grasp.

"We fought a dozen of them... alone, killed at least three, but paid dearly for it. We need more allies, allies who can wield flame and acid. This..."

She raised the staff.

"For all it's power, it is not enough."

Old Grizzler finishes off his drink in a quick gulp, then replies, "You faced down a dozen trolls? I'll be damned! Old Grizzler's impressed but sorry to hear about your friend." He glances around the inn. "Old Grizzler's got someone you'd like to meet, then. Where in the nine hells did he run off to?" He raises his voice, calling out toward the bar, "Heldig! Did you get our drinks?!"

Alisandra's mood is dour and she remained silent for now.

There's a sharp intake of breath from Lucien when Rissa quite bluntly lays out what happened. He watches Old Grizzler's reaction carefully, but the old dwarf seems more impressed about the trolls than anything else.

Lathan takes a seat near Old Grizzler while he and the others talk. When the dwarf calls out, he perks up and looks toward the bar to see who this Heldig is.

Hanging back, Jinx flinches visibly at Rissa's blunt words. Gaining a more even hand on her reactions the gnome moved to a chair next to Lathan. Once up in the double-sized chair, Jinx absently swings her feedback and forth as they wait to see who Old Grizzler has in mind.

"We would meet them."

Rissa answered, holding the man's gaze if he chose to offer it.

When Old Grizzler had called out, Heldig was finishing up with the barkeep.

Sliding a few coins to the man, the dwarf collected up the drinks and made his way back toward the table.

He set the tankards down upon the table, one of the drinks was piping hot.  Steam rose off of it and curled into the air.  A pungent herbal tea.

"The tea took longer than I would have liked, old friend."  Heldig said, by way of apology.

"Ah,"  He said, his eyes lighting up.  "This must be the group you had gone on about."

His hair was an ashen gray, and his beard was uncharacteristically short.  Along his forearms and creeping up onto his neck, he bore the mark of his clan.  Ritualistic tattoos that marked him as an apprentice craftsdwarf of the forgepriests.

As he set the drinks down, the jewelry he wore on his arm clattered.  The sound was of the many torcs, bands, and bangles.

On one hand, the dwarf was missing a thumb.  And across the bridge of his nose, the relatively young craftspriest had a decorative grouping of metal bits and baubles attached directly to his face.  They caught the light when he grinned.

"Heldig."  He said.  "Heldig One-Thumb."

Lucien eyes old Grizzler incredulously. "Why have I been buying you ale if tea was an option?"

Then he turns to the new arrival. "Seliar Silversong. A pleasure, I'm sure." He extends a hand. "You'll forgive if we're a bit rough around the edges, we've had a hard time of it lately."

Clearly a Tiefling, she made no effort to disguise her demonic heritage with hoods or cloaks.  The purple flesh of her face  was heavily marred with intricate tattoo work, monochromatic in dark black.  They bore no form or easily discernible meaning, at least to those who lacked the lorecraft to read Celestial and Infernal, repeating geometric shapes and strange symbols that began at her cheeks and traveled down at least as far as the high collar of her studded leather jerkin.  To those who could, the arcane symbols of binding and containment were immediately clear.

Her ears and horns were heavily pierced and adorned with jewelry and rings, with some trinkets of real value mixed in among the cheap costume jewelry.  The armor she wore looked to be of solid quality, though lacking the embellishments that the upper classes might bear. Faded grey leathers with black studs at regular intervals, clearly well worn.  A knife rested at each hip, though those appear to be her only visible weapons.  Under the leathers she bore simple traveler's clothes, the heavy backpack over her shoulders and good knee high boots on her feet making it clear that she is ready to move.

Far more startling was the staff of purest ice she held protectively in one hand, clear and cold, with twinned columns of shadow and light running through it like coiling serpents.

"I would make a comment on the.... practicality of your name..."

She said, a bit of her old humor rising to the surface as she spoke the words.

"But I'm named Rissa Twiceborn, so I've not a leg to stand on."

She gestured to the Dwarf to join them.

"Have you any skill with wielding flame, One-Thumb?"

Alisandra sat looking forlornly into her cup as memories of prior battles roam unbidden in her mind. Rissa's self intoduction roused her from this isolation and she put on a stiff upper lip. She put on a good show but her eyes told a story of too many deaths in her presence. She gave the dwarf a nod, "First Lieutenant Alisandra a’Joli of Second Marine Expeditionary, Third Infantry Division, Warhammer Company." She finally took a good sized draught from her cup and continued, "Alisandra to my friends. I was brought on a short time ago as a tactics expert, which I've failed at entirely."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:50, Sun 27 Feb 2022.

"Lathan Swiftstrider." Lathan greets Heldig with a nod, then leans forward to hear what the dwarf has to say.

Heldig listened as the group introduced themselves. Taking intermittent sips of his piping hot tea while they spoke.

"Dwarves are practical folk."  The forgepriest said, answering when Lucien explained their haggard appearance.   "I'd be more worried if you came from the mines and looked fit for a queen's ball."

Following on, Heldig took in Rissa's appearance for a moment.  The meaning of the tiefling's tattoos was not immediately clear ... although the priest recognized bits and pieces of the celestial and infernal script.  The worthless trinkets sharing space next to precious stones, the practical equipment paired with phenomenal magicks ... the tiefling was obviously an enigma.  A foot firmly planted in two worlds ... belonging in neither.

"Old Grizzler mentioned about some nastiness with trolls."  He said, answering Rissa's questions about flame.  His demeanor was free of any judgement of her appearance or heritage.

"Nasty pests."  He said.  "Once they get burrowed into a place, it's a heckuva job to get them out.  Fire will do it though."

"Working with fire is a cousin to my main craft.  I'm a forge cleric of the All-Father.  The spark that lit the first forge is within me."

To Alisandra then, "Pleased to meet you, lass.  I'd not judge your successes by counting your victories.  There is some measure of comfort in knowing that — when faced with trolls in the dark depths — you got them out."  He said, trying to be reassuring.

"This is a tough land.  Dangerous."

Heldig returned the nod as Lathan introduced himself.  Elves were a tricky lot ... and the history they and dwarves shared often put them at odds.  The dwarf was the newcomer here, and so Heldig took no objection at the man preferring to keep his own counsel and observe.

His secrets were his own.

OOC — Heldig lacks Arcana  but has been trained in Religion ... I figured he'd at least recognize the script used.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:09, Mon 28 Feb 2022.

Alisandra's smile was bitter as the ale she drank. "No, one did not return." The weight of the loss was on her chest, making it tough to breath. "I am sorry, I need air." SHe left her cup and rushed to the door and out it. She did not run, but she did hurry. Outside she thankfully made it all the way round to an alley. She put her hand to the wall and vomited. She shook with the effort, eyes wet from tears of effort and grief. Three Elks had been her friend, confidant, and the one member of the group who had honestly reached out to be friends. She had thought there might be something more given time and cultivation, but time had been robbed. She slammed her hand on the wall and slid to her knees. She cried for Three Elks and for herself.

Snagger enters as Alisandra exits the tavern--he had been relieving himself. He hesitates, then shrugs and proceeds to join the others. "Greetings, uncle! I'm sure they told you of the challenges we faced down below... Hey, another dwarf!" he suddenly says when he notices Heldig. He extends a hand and says, "I'm Snagger. What's your story?"

"Well met."  Heldig said, taking Snagger's hand while his eyes followed Alisandra's exit.  He had not realized until that moment that one of their own did not return from the mines, and he had erred with the human woman by assuming they were whole.  He could tell that the death weighed heavy upon her.

Later, he would have to make amends.

"I'm just now finishing my journeyman travels."  He said, pushing the thought from his mind, referring to the required pilgrimage forgepriests of Moradin must make.

"The Father of Dwarves requires his priests to know a bit of the world before they settle down to tend the forge of their clanhome."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:54, Mon 28 Feb 2022.

Rissa stiffened at the word "spark," snapping out of her cold focus. Any who gazed in her direction would have seen the surprise on her features, and the time it took her to recover her composure. Evidently, something the Dwarf had said had impacted her greatly.

"I don't mean to be rude..."

She said at last, struggling to regain some measure of herself.

"… but we need someone who can conjure flame from the air to strike and smite their foes. Jinx there is possessed of no small amount of artifice..."

She gestured to her companion.

"… but what we face? We can't be reliant on her alone. Even potent Art can miss, when the hand that guides it is unsteady."

A harsh criticism of herself, given the number of occasions upon which she had been overtaken with fear and misplaced her own magical attacks.  She was adhering to social niceties, but only so that she could ask the questions that needed asking. It was shockingly utilitarian, but perhaps less so given what they had all just been through.

"Can your All Father infuse your weapons with flame, or call it down to strike your enemies? Not divine light, but fire. I understand well the difference."

For she could herself do the later, she knew.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Mon 28 Feb 2022.

Lucien watched Alisandra go and decided to give her her space. The group had had nothing, but company for days of travel; perhaps they could all use some alone time. For the time though, he turned his attention back to Heldig and Old Grizzler. "That's not to say that we'd turn down another weapon in the fight of course, but we're being presumptuous. Are you even looking for an adventure like ours?"

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 37):

Lorrain was in the same alley as Alisandra. He ducked in earlier to relieve himself. The commotion at the entrance to the alley drew his attention as he finished his business. His feet moved softly, silently but he stopped when he heard crying. He needed to make a decision fast or he'll be spotted. "Ahem." He cleared his throat and moved to pass Alisandra in the alley.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Tue 01 Mar 2022.

Heldig nodded.  "Moradin is not overmuch fond of war, but yes, as Lord of the Forge ... I can call upon him to smite my enemies with searing heat."



"I may be."  Heldig replied.  "What are you looking for, Master Seliar?  Down in the dark ... what is it you're after in these mines? "  As a dwarf, he knew full well the horrors that came from exploring too far in the depths of the earth.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Wed 02 Mar 2022.

Startled Alisandra got one knee up and a hand on her sword at the sound of the throat clearing. Realizing she had been seen she wiped her eyes and then her mouth with her sleeve. She stood, keeping her back to the wall and hand on her sheathed weapon. "What want ye? Ye'll find me no easy mark, pointy ears. You'll do well to keep your manhood at that if ye try it."

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 44):

The elf shifted his feet retreating from Alisandra. His open palms were held in front of him as if to press her back should she advance on him. "I'm not here to hurt you." Lorrain craned his head to look back from where he came. Unfortunately, the alley was a dead end so he couldn't retreat further. "Stop. I think I understand. I'm standing here in the dark alley doing my business and you're there with a sword threatening me. How about I move out. Maybe I'll make a light so you'll see that I'm no threat."

Lorrain looked around the alley for something that would burn. He picked up a broken table leg and stopped. "Wait. This, this isn't a weapon. It's a torch." He quickly gestured and a bolt of fire shot out from his other hand. The flame hit the wooden leg and began to burn. "See?"

The elf in front of Alisandra held a burning table leg as a torch. The alley was short and ended at a door to an adjoining building. There were boxes and some broken furniture strewn against the side. Lorrain was dressed in well-worn rugged pants and vest. His white collared shirt was clean for someone that stepped out of the alley. Only his boots show some stains of water. Finally the elf stated, "Lorrain. My name... it's Lorrain. Now, would I tell you my name if I intended to do something? I only stepped in here to... Are you okay? Those tears. They don't become you."

Alisandra blinked as the elf light his makeshift torch, and then glarred at the mention of her tears, "They are for a fallen commarade. Do you know more than just prestidigitation?"

"Enough." Lorrain said with confidence. He gestured to Alisandra to back up so that they could step out of the alley. He made another gesture and snuffed out the torch and tossed it to the ground. "I can protect myself with spell and sword. Do you require such protection? Miss..."

In reply to Heldig One-Thumb (msg # 43):

Lucien leans forward in his chair and lowers his voice. "We're looking for kidnapped mages. At least that's how it started. There's a local boy. His fiance was taken by orcs and from from what our friend Snagger here has told us, the orcs have been taking anyone who can use magic deep underground to be given to..." The elf leans further in and lowers his voice even further. "Mindflayers."

With that said, Lucien leans back and the serious expression passes off his face. "So we're going back down there. First to kill the trolls, then to find the missing people. There's been no small portion of treasure along the way." He eyes Rissa, but says nothing in particular about the wand. "So what do you think?"

Just a reminder that Lucien has introduced himself as Seliar.

---

"Mmm."  Heldig remarked after hearing the heroic nature of the journey.

"Perhaps the All-Father placed you in my path for a reason."  He mused.

Then, switching to auld dwarfish, he addressed Snagger directly.

[Language unknown: "Ousto licom romss, Outurethoallmenwil?  Whund chat ugh besom stom enc t st daytheore?"]

Snagger nods along with Lucien as he recounts the quest to Heldig. [Language unknown: "U inewastin ur lo siic a tr iv ev dihi ni ceeingen towiat eve,"] he says. [Language unknown: "Salo ek ecca for ol anyhisant foat, lar somhertha ncni nihiic n, wh En olwa pamen o ivort ica ouneveoer unnolo, nglatr'univ, der iveithundous u molaurin ome thuwhiearhouere. O pronotich ioerun p unha asie trckri iouos i, enc he utine linortsan to p u ome."] Then he adds, "And if my great-uncle thinks you're okay, then you're okay by me, too."

Rissa seemed mollified, sitting back and letting the two Dwarves talk it out.

"What's in it for you?"

She asked when they were done.

"We've earned more than a little coin in this line of work, and paid for it in blood. Why sign up, why'd Snagger fetch you?"

"Happy accident, I suppose."  Heldig began, taking a large swallow of the last of his tea.

"I'd never had the pleasure of meeting Snagger or Old Grizzler before."

"The simple story is, my pilgrimage in and among the land of men had come to an end.  It was time to find my way back to my own people."

He tipped the now-empty mug on its side and rolled it idly back and forth on the table with the first finger of his maimed hand.

"Moradin demands — my faith demands — that I test myself.  If the path were easy, the journey then would be without value.  I do this to prove my worth, to be counted among those few that would spend their lives tending the Dwarf Father's forges."

He held up both hands for a moment, making an effort to show a slow, pudgy fist being repeatedly driven into an open palm.

Thud.  Thud.  Thud.

"It's like the ore, that needs the forge, which then needs the hammer and the anvil.  If it never wanted to change ... all would be fine.  But if it is to become.  Each one needs  the other as a necessary part of the journey."

"Sure ... it's hot, and rough, and noisy."  He admitted, wagging a four-fingered, thumbless hand.  "It might even cost you something dear."

"But it is through that effort ... that iron is turned into steel."

"I thought my pilgrimage had come to an end ... but after hearing of your quest ... it appears that there is more work yet left for me before I can rightly call myself a forgepriest."

"I suppose that's what is in it for me." He said, not unkindly.

Heldig took a moment and righted the sideways mug and wiped away the dregs of tea that had soiled the table.  Glancing up just then to meet the tiefling's eyes with a mischievous grin.

"Plus ... I've never sledged me a troll."

At this Alisandra laughed in spire of herself. Taking her hand off her weapon she put it out to shake, "First Lieutenant Alisandra a’Joli of Second Marine Expeditionary, Third Infantry Division, Warhammer Company." She chuckled as she continued, "I am also versed in sword and magic but," She stopped chuckling as her recent failure came to mind, "My friends would be very greatful for another member in our group who can use magic, especially fire magic. We fought trolls. My tactical assessment failed and we lost one, the friend I mentioned earlier. If you want to put that magic and swordplay to the test, I can provide the opportunity and some profit in it for you as well. Interested?"

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 53):

"Yes, I'm interested." Lorrain replied with a smile. "That's four things that I find interesting in your proposal. I'll take them in equal parts. Are we done here? Then allow me..." He waited to make sure that Alisandra was ready to move before he used prestidigitation to clean off his dirty boots, himself and Alisandra. "Please, lead on Alisandra."

Rissa leaned back in her seat, idly poking a wooden spoon through the bowl of oats and goat's milk she'd purchased.

"His Forge God grants him fire, and he's a will to descend into the deeps."

She said aloud to no one in particular.

"As far as I'm concerned, Master One-Thumb, welcome to the Company. We haven't a name for our not so merry band of mercenaries, haven't had much need of one deep in the earth, truth be told. Perhaps you'll even help us find one? Still, we've gold and magic aplenty, as you will soon see. What need for a name when you've that?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:28, Thu 03 Mar 2022.

Lucien nods in agreement. "Yes, I think you'll do nicely. Welcome aboard. I think we'll be resting one night in town at least before we go back. We need to collect supplies."

Considering the need for a name, he simply says: "If there were another group in the area to compete with, maybe we would need a name, but as it is I think we stand out enough without calling ourselves something ridiculous."

Alisandra nodded and lead the Elf gentleman into the tavern. She lead him to the bar and bid him have a seat. "Let me tell tham about you, I'll signal you when I think it best."

Assuming he plays along

Alisandra made her way to Rissa and sat beside or close enough to be heard. "I've had the good fortune of meeting an Elf, whom I believe to be a wizard or sorcerer of some kind. He says he is interested in joinging us. He is seated at the bar. Shall I wave him over?"

Lorrain followed Alisandra into the common room of the tavern. He stopped at an empty table and watch as she moved to a group of folks already inside the establishment. He waved off a serving girl as he kept a watchful eye.

The purple faced Tiefling eyed the newcomer, instinctively gripping her staff of purest ice tighter to her chest. The light of the lamps reflected off of the silver of her tattoos, the strange runes glinting along her face.

"You don't need our leave, we've no leaders here."

She tried to summon a smile, but her heart was still not in it, and it fell flatly.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:23, Mon 07 Mar 2022.

Alisandra turned and motioned the elf to join them.

"Old Grizzler thinks Heldig's alright," the elder dwarf says to Snagger and the others. "Seems like he'd be a good one to have with y'all on yer quest."

When Alisandra returns and announces that she's found someone else who might be joining them, he smiles broadly and calls out, "Another one?! This calls for more drinks! Another round! Seliar and his friends are buyin'!"

Lucien lets out an almost theatrical sigh, but waives over the server never the less. "It's important to enjoy the comforts of town while it's possible to do so. I'm beginning to wonder who buys all your drinks when we're not in town Grizzler." As the drinks are being brought over, Lucien sizes up Alisandra's new acquaintance out of the corner of his eye.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Tue 08 Mar 2022.

Lorrain smiled as he stepped closer to join those already at the table. "Good evening. Alisandra tells me that there's opportunity for profit." He looked over everyone in turn. "What's the opportunity?"

Still appraising Lucien speaks up first. "First up is some troll hunting. They're pretty well known for having plenty of treasure. It won't be easy though."

Lathan eyes Lorrain carefully when he approaches the table. "Aye. There's opportunity, and plenty of danger, too.

"What's your story?"

"People have been going missing around Haranshire."

Rissa answered simply, no longer able to keep any of it close to her chest.

"Mostly along the riverlands. We were hired to track the disappearances, eventually found some leads, found some Orcs, Bloodskull Clan, and even a cult of Necromancers. We thought maybe they were abducting them for some ritual, perhaps. Fuel for their magics."

She shook her head.

"We hunted rumors of an abandoned fortress and cleared it out, but no captives. They'd taken them underground, see? We found tunnels, miles of lightless tunnels. They wind their way all through these lands. Eventually we found  few villagers and such, rescued them. We pushed deeper, and came upon a clan of Deep Gnomes. They told us that there are Mindflayers down there. I'm not exactly clear on what those are, but I've been told they are nasty. Whatever they are, they've been the ones pushing the Bloodskull and the Necromancers. They are looking for those of us who weave Art."

She gestured with her own staff.

"But the Priestess of Callarduran Smoothhands was afraid we weren't made of stout enough stuff to go hunting in the deeps. Told us to go clear out some Trolls to prove our mettle."

Her voice had gone hard again.

"There were a dozen of them, a dozen. We... we killed three, and then were overrun. Our companion Three Elks held them off and was surrounded. I sealed him in ice to secure our retreat, claiming his life to buy our safety."

Her eyes were diamonds, daring the elf to challenge her.

"We seek to finish what we started, and burn every last one of them out."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:05, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

"So it seems that you're out for vengeance against those trolls. Just over a half a dozen of them. That's a tall order." Lorrain gestured with his finger and counted off the people around the table. "That's eight of you, nine with me. I'd ask for payment upfront but I'll help you out," Lorrain gave a nod to Alisandra, "For an equal share. I do use the Weave. It is good that you have some knowledge of the Art. I can bring forth a sphere of flame against those trolls."

Lorrain settled down at the table. "So you believe that there are Mindflayers that are directing the Blookskulls and Necromancers to find users of the Art. But for what purpose? I'm sure that you have ideas even if you don't have evidence. What you've described is, indeed, sinister." He turned to Alisandra, "Will you be able to give me more details on all this later. Perhaps over drinks and snacks?"

Edit: Fixed color texts :)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Tue 15 Mar 2022.

Alisandra glared at the elf for long enough to make the moment awkward before speaking. "No. Perhaps one of your fellow elves might be better suited." She stood and made her way to a room.

Rissa watched the exchange play out, the lines at the corners of her eyes hardening as it did.

"We are mercenaries, but we lack a patron."

She said coolly once the Marine had departed.

"Or rather, the patron we have is unable to offer us much in the way of coin just now without upsetting the powers that be. It hasn't mattered, we've uncovered a small fortune in our bloody work, and potent workings of magic besides."

Indeed, she held in her hands a staff made of purest ice, and as he looked closer he could see twinned columns of shadow and light within its murky depths, twisted about one another like serpents. It was clearly an incredible working of Art, and she clutched it almost as if it was frozen to her hand.

"Should you want your share upfront, then you are asking for two thousand cold coins now, and no cut of what we later uncover. I am a betting woman, first and foremost, I think you might soon come to regret such a choice. If you can summon flame, then you are what we are looking for, regardless of how poorly you read a room."

She glanced at the doorway through which Alisandra had left.

"But something tells me you'd vastly prefer your cut after the loot and spoils are uncovered, rather than just now."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 18:16, Tue 15 Mar 2022.

In reply to Rissa Twiceborn (msg # 69):

"Yes, you're correct. I will waive the upfront fee and ask for an equal share going forward." Lorrain turned away from Alisandra's retreating back. He smiled at the others, "That is if we're in agreement. I only ask if that someone helps me understand what's you've... we've gotten ourselves into. I think that there's more than to understand."

---

OOC: I'm good with moving on and hand-waving the expanded exposition that Lorrain requested. But I'm happy to get more details too. It beats trying to read all of the other threads :)

"Seliar and Lathan would be the ones to answer that, as they've been at this from the beginning."

She answered, a little of her old self coming back as she thought about the weeks and months since she had joined with this crew. How different she was now from that person, and yet how the same.

"It is honestly hard to keep track of it all, and some of it I've sense enough to not share with strangers. Other's secrets that aren't mine to give away. Pilgrims were going missing, and at first we were just tasked with finding them by Count Palfray. We spent our time hunting bandits, fighting dogs, getting mauled by gnolls and orcs, eventually heard rumor of an abandoned keep."

Had they angered the Count? She couldn't even recall anymore, it all seemed so unimportant compared to what had happened to Three Elks. The Count had wanted their attention elsewhere, dealing with the local problems, not trapsing about the woods looking for abandoned keeps. She would not share that here, would not share that they might have lost the Count's blessing.

"We lost companions before, not in battle, but people who the work didn't suite anymore. Karon the Half-Orc, the Dragonborn Terminax and Arixos. That singer Volani, gods, that Elf with the rapier who came and vanished. What was her name? Atherian?"

She hadn't even mentioned the Dragon.

"It is a long tale, but none of that matters anymore. There is evil below the mines, and we intend to burn it out. We've coin enough to buy any mercenary, and like as not will find much more. Assuming we survive against nine trolls, of course. Or whatever a Mind Flayer is."

"An abomination is what they are, the Illithid."  Heldig offered, after Rissa mentioned Mind Flayers.

"Slavers mostly.  Very secretive.  Very powerful.  Feared throughout the Underdark.  Creatures so foul — so horrid, so alien — that our name for them is has its roots in what they do to the civilized folk they capture."

He said the term, pausing on each syllable as if it were distasteful to give it voice.  "Mind.  Flayers."

"They enthrall  their victims.  Ensorcel them, sapping away their free will until they are just a husk of themselves."

"And if that weren't enough ... when they tire of that ... they dine directly on the living brains of their captives with their foul tentacles."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Wed 16 Mar 2022.

"Abominations, indeed," Lathan grunts.

"I'm going to get some fresh air and enjoy the sunlight while we still can," he says, finishing off his drink and rising from his chair. "I'll be around town if you need me. Otherwise, we'll meet here in the morning before we leave again."

"The Illithid. Seems foul, down right foul." Lorrain looked around the table. "Is there really a good reason to go and poke around where it's really in our best interest to leave it alone?"

Lucien, clearly still assessing Lorraine, tuts disapprovingly. "There are two good reasons my friend and you can take your pick. The first? Helping the people both above ground and below to be free of such tyrannical threats. The second? Well, Rissa has already pointed out just how much money you can make with us. If you've got the time, I'll give you all the details I have of this sordid adventure, but first I need to make a report."

The elf turns to Old Grizzler. "Have you seen Garyld about town? I want to give him an update about what we know. He asked that I keep him informed."

"Well I'm no saint. But taking care of the community is always a good thing. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to find a cold drink and good food to celebrate our fortune. The share of the spoils... well that's necessary to pay, we're not brigands." Lorrain seemed to be at ease. "I do have a final question... or call it a request. I'd like to meet this Tauster and learn more about Jelenneth's disappearance, abduction you said. It's always a good idea to stay on the good side of any resident wizard."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:37, Wed 16 Mar 2022.

"Garyld? Yeah, he's around Milborne somewhere, most likely in his workshop" Old Grizzler says to Lucien. "You headin' out, too? Old Grizzler thought we were just gettin' started!" he says, pounding his empty mug on the table.

"I've a quick errand to run Grizzler. I'll be back in a flash. I've more of our tale to relate to our new friends here. Some of it may even be news to you. If anyone would care to join me, feel free." After his attempt to mollify the old dwarf, Lucien stands and makes his way out of the inn, heading for Garyld's workshop.

"I'll join you, Seliar." Lorrain stood up to follow the elf. He smiled at those around the table. "Good evening."

"I've not yet heard a full reckoning, I'll hear your tale."

Rissa agreed, rising. She had no desire to spend yet another evening trying to shape light into flame.

Lucien finds Garyld at his workshop, putting the finishing touches on a wooden table. "Ah, Seliar," Garyld says with a warm smile, limping over to greet him and the others. "Kuiper told me you all found some trouble below the old Carman mines. How goes everything? Have you any leads on what happened to Jelenneth and the others who've gone missing?"

Alisandra took time alone to grieve Three Elks.

Lucien leans against the wall of the workshop and gives a wan smile. "First Garyld, let me apologize. I've neglected my promise to tell you what I learned. We ventured down into those mines pursuing the orcs who had kidnapped the priest. We didn't find him or Jelenneth, but we did find Old Grizzler's nephew and a local shepherd. Kuiper probably mentioned that too though. It seems that those with magical inclinations may have been taken deeper. We've hit a bit of an obstacle in the form of a pack of trolls. We came back to recruit some more help before we face them again. The first time... did not go well for us. We lost one of our number." The elf lapses into silence for a moment before continuing.

"It might be a good idea for those with a magical bent to be more cautious than normal; not go off alone, things like that. Tauster in Thurmaster will almost certainly be a target, but for being so well known he seems to have escaped their notice so far. Regardless..."

Lucien rummages around in his pack for a moment before extracting a few items. He holds out the two holy symbols of Cyric, the Tanar'ri bracelet, and the two silvered flasks with the fish smelling liquid. "We found these on some necromancers who also seem to be involved in all this somehow. Does any of it mean anything to you? Or do you know who might know more about them?"

Garyld listens to Lucien recount what they've been through. "I'm sorry to hear you lost one of yours... It's an unfortunate part of the adventuring life," he says when Lucien finishes.

He looks over the items and shakes his head. "Cyric? I'm not aware of anyone in Haranshire who worships him. And I'm surprised to see jewelry of this quality around here. We're simply people for the most part, as you know." He takes a whiff of the liquid and frowns. "Not a clue what that is... If none of your friends know, Tauster might.

"Thanks for the update. I'll pass on what you told me to Kuiper the next time I see him. And thanks for all that you've done. Be careful."

Lucien takes back the holy symbols and the bracelet, but only one of the flasks. "Thank you Garyld. If you have a chance to see that that flask makes it's way to Tauster, I would appreciate it. I'm not willing to take a chance on it until I know what it is so it doesn't do me much good to have two of them." He nods to the man and takes his leave; returning to the inn to complete his tale, play a few round of cards, and then call it an evening.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 04:24, Tue 22 Mar 2022.

Lorrain took a quick glance at the various items as they were placed before Garyld. He was about to make an offer to use his magic to identify the items if Seliar wished, but kept silent when Tauster was mentioned. Meeting the wizard was something that interested him greatly.

The rest of the night in Milborne passes without incident. Old Grizzler is happy to spend the evening chatting with the party, especially if they continue to pay for his drinks.

As usual, Lucien is up early the next morning. His gear is packed and he looks as though he's steeled himself for the latest journey into the mines and below. He is having a hot breakfast with any other early risers while waiting for everyone to come down.

Alisandra was up early as well. She is quiet through breakfast, trying to put her mind on thw future rather than the past.

Rissa was a straggler, as her various accoutrement took a fair amount of time to place and pin. Those with a sharp eye for such things might have noticed that she'd added sizable diamond to the baubles and gems, hanging from one curving horn. It was difficult tot ell with the oils and pigments she'd painted herself with, but it looked like the bags under her eyes had grown deeper. A long night spent trying to twist the light she called upon with such ease, and convert it to true flame.

"I do not relish returning to those dark caverns."

She said grimly.

"Nor what awaits us. Yet neither do I desire to turn away. Let us purge those foul beasts from their nooks and crannies."

Lorrain was already in the common room. He had a half eaten plate of food in front of him while he was flipping through a thick book in his hands. He looked up as some arrived, "Morning." He picked up a mug of coffee after he turned a page.

Lathan, not needing as much sleep as some of the others, is up early checking over his weapons and supplies.

"Aye, Rissa, I'm not too keen on returning to the caverns, either. But there's evil down there that keeps spilling up to the surface, so..." he says with a shrug.

"I have a score to settle." Alisandra said this with a nod of grim determination.

Heldig joined the others at the breakfast table, his accounts with the Baron of Mutton settled, and a sturdy leather pack over one shoulder.

Snagger returns to the inn in the morning, having spent the night at Old Grizzler's place. He smells strongly of alcohol but appears to be well-rested. "Well, shall we be at it? Those trolls don't seem likely to kill themselves."

"I agree, things were far more interesting when we were ambushing bandits in their own keep." Lucien observes dryly from his corner. "Still, Snagger's right. We'll soon be without the sun for quite some time so we might as well be off and enjoy the walking in the sun while we can." The elf stands, pulls his pack from where it sits under the table, and swings it over his shoulders before heading for the door.

Rissa's armor was clean and well tended, but no longer the pristine leathers she had once bore. No, though she had the Art to mend it and keep it clean, it was well worn now. She applied her magics to any among the troop who wished, attending to each of their needs as they permitted. Her pack was by the door, though as she retrieved it they would have all noticed that it was light. The cottage she kept in a pouch tied with a thong about her throat, and that was were most of her supplies were kept. So many precious things that she had acquired, such potent magics. The staff which never left her hand, yet would it be enough?

"Time will tell."

She said aloud, the conclusion to her thoughts nonsensical when spoken aloud.

She was ready to find out.

Lathan leads the party out of Milborne and back to the mines and caves, enjoying the last bit of fresh air and sunshine they will get for, he suspects, quite some time.

As the group walked, Lorrain asked where they expect to meet the trolls. The type of terrain that they should expect and lighting. "I hope that there's a plan that's been developed."

Alisandra shook her head, "My last plan was a failure. What we need is a way to engage the Trolls one or two at a time. Thoughts?"

Rissa was not a tactician, but she had ideas anyways.

"We use the familiars to scout, perhaps even lure one away from the others."

She looked to the group.

"We can't fight them all at once, so we use stealth and subterfuge. Heldig in the rear, my apologies by the clanking of your armor will give us away. If we draw more than a few I'll seal them off."

Her voice hardened.

"Then we burn them."

"So we're fighting them in the tunnels underground. How wide are these tunnels?" Lorrain used a stick to draw on the ground when the group were on a break. "The tunnel must have been very wide based on how you described the fight. You had two or even three of them attacking your line at once? That wasn't really a tunnel... sounds more like a cave if you had three trolls abreast. We're going to need to find a narrower spot. Which one of us will be able to hold the front line?

Alisandra shook her head. "That was my plan. The narrowest place allowed them to swarm. We even used traps to try and hold them in place."

"Surely they must sleep?"

Rissa asked, not knowing if it was true. Were they smart enough to set a watch? She did not know.

"We need to fight a war of attrition against something that can mend its flesh easier than my Art."

She shook her head, not willing to lose more of her companions to such a fight.

---

"Using the terrain to our advantage is wise."  Heldig admitted, nodding.  "Trolls are vicious, savage things.  But they are dull-witted."

"If we can keep our efforts on but a pair at at a time, with Moradin's aid we may yet see our way past this obstacle."

Lucien considers the discussion awhile before chiming in. "The tunnel is a real problem. It makes it difficult to sneak up on them, impossible to attack from above, and it's too wide to funnel them effectively. I'm confident that I could approach quietly and get off a few good shots while keeping my distance, but I have a hard time finishing the things off because they regenerate so quickly. I could probably rig up a few arrows with these acid vials, but it will be difficult to hit with them."

He looks around at the more seasoned of the group. "There are tactics that have worked well for us in these tunnels before though. I can cast an illusion  across the entire tunnel to make it appear empty or to disguise the presence of a trap that might otherwise be too conspicuous. Alisandra's Faerie Fire will make it easier to hit them. Range is also to our advantage though it prevents some of our group from engaging as effectively, those who prefer to fight up close could throw oil or acid at the trolls while the others fire spells and arrows. Despite how it... ended last time Rissa, your ice staff can effectively cut some of them off from the others and allow us to fight less at once."

He takes a deep breath before uttering his last advice. "Most importantly however, I think the key is that we must all focus on one of the things at a time. Someone must be in charge of directing all our efforts against a single enemy until that enemy falls. That same person should probably also be in charge of calling the retreat. Rather than fighting until we are about to be overwhelmed, we should keep one trick in reserve to give us an opportunity to disengage." He looks pointedly at Alisandra when he is finished.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:16, Tue 29 Mar 2022.

Lorrain followed Seliar's eyes to Alisandra. He jumped into the conversation. "Well I can bring forth a sphere of fire into the field. That should deter the trolls and help narrow the tunnel so that we can focus on a single troll. I can move the sphere too when necessary."

Alisandra was shocked. Lucien was suggesting she take command in combat. She thought about this longer than was necessary. The weight of Three Elks death was heavy on her. Finally she answered him, "Put it to a vote. If unanimous I will take this responsibility. Only if everyone agrees."

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 108):

Lorrain looked around the group. He had only met these folks, but it seemed that Selair was around longer than most. He had a long view from what he shared about the mysteries of the area. "You've got my vote Alisandra. You seem as one that will learn from past mistakes." Lorrain flashed her a smile, "I am an excellent judge of character." He said full of confidence.

---

rolled 19 using 1d20.  Insight. Left it to chance :)

Rissa was not a warrior, and she was infinitely relieved that the burden of making those decisions would not fall upon her shoulders. Already, the weight there was heavy. Her old instincts told her to flee, to take her hard won magic and escape.  She knew though, even as she had the thoughts, that she could not leave the matter unsettled. She felt her resolve harden around this truth.

As long as it took, no matter the cost, she would see Three Elks avenged.

"You lead, and I will follow."

She said, and left the rest unsaid.

"Ya got my vote," Snagger says with a nod to Alisndra.

"Them trolls are nasty creatures..." He trails off, squinting his eyes as if he's picturing them as they walk.

"Aye," Lathan says from his spot at the front of the party without slowing down or turning around.

When Lorrain lets the group know that he can take advantage of the scrolls that they had discovered over the course of their journey to give them access to new magical weapons against the trolls, Lucien is more than willing to delay their departure by a few days to give the wizard a chance to copy the spells. Though he has a long standing interest in the arcane arts, it takes only an hour of watching Lorrain painstakingly transcribing the first scroll for him to determine that there are better uses of his time than watching the wizard work.

Lucien announces to the rest of the group that he intends to go speak to Master Darius Carman to see what the man knows about the history of the mines. Though only Lathan was present when the group ventured into the New Mire on Master Carman's request, Lucien extends the invitation to join him to the entire group. "We have mostly been dealing with Count Palfrey, but Carman is the more important figure here in Milborne."

When he calls at Master Carman's house, Lucien is well and truly immersed in being Seliar. His cheerful attitude and pleasant smile are designed to set people at ease. "Master Carman, I apologize for calling on you so early in the morning. I do not know if you are aware, but my companions and I have been investigating the recent disappearance of the priest of Torm. We tracked him into one of the old abandoned mines in the hills north of town and have discovered quite the network of passages below the mines. I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about the history of the mines and perhaps why they were shut down?"

"Ah, yes, Kuiper had mentioned something about this to me some days ago," Darius Carman says to Lucien. "The other mines are still in operation, but the Garlstone Mine ceased to be profitable about 60 years ago, so it was abandoned. As far as I know, you are the first ones to enter it in years. I'm surprised it isn't completely waterlogged or collapsed.

"And as far as a network of passages below the mines, I wasn't aware of any. Or course, the Garlstone Mine itself was really just a series of natural caverns that our miners linked together, so I suppose it's possible that there are or were other caverns we didn't know about. Or someone else has created them sometime in the past 60 years," he adds with a shrug.

Lucien thinks to himself that it makes an unfortunate amount of sense that the malicious forces in the area are using an abandoned mine for their nefarious purposes. Out loud to Darius Carman, he simply says: "How many other mines are there in the Blanryde Hills? I assume there's been no word of trouble from any of them? No miners going missing or strange occurrences?"

"We only have two mines, apart from the closed-down Garlstone Mine," Carman replies. "And no, there has been no trouble or strange occurrences in either of them."

Lucien nods, thanks Carman for his time and takes his leave. When he returns and finds Lorrain well and truly engrossed over parchment, he announces to the others that he intends to travel to Eelhold to visit Shiraz and the goblin tribe. He'll wait for anyone who wishes to come with him, but otherwise departs immediately.

We don't need to RP this in character. Lucien just isn't going to sit around for 4 days.

Lathan accompanies Lucien to the Eelhold.

Shiraz is happy to see Lucien and Lathan. She informs them that the plan is working, with the water level of the Eelhold only having risen less than an inch and the goblins no longer bothering the nearby farmsteads thanks to the reliable source of food.

Never having been to the dam or the lake before, Lucien spends the better part of the day visiting the area, talking with Shiraz, and perhaps even paying a visit to the goblins. He tells Shiraz that he's glad to hear that the arrangement is working so well and gives her fair warning about the threats from below, particularly to spellcasters. Once his tasks are complete and Lathan is also satisfied, he'll set out back to Milborne and presumably arrive in time to get a full night's rest before the party sets out again in the morning.

The party makes the trek back to the Garlstone Mine and then proceeds to the now-empty underground orc caverns without incident. As they head down the deeper tunnel toward the tunnel that leads to the troll caves, Rissa spots a group of four quaggoths rushing toward them from the darkness ahead.

The quaggoths are 90 feet away from the front of the party (Lathan and Alisandra).

Quaggoth 1: uninjured
Quaggoth 2: uninjured
Quaggoth 3: uninjured
Quaggoth 4: uninjured

Rissa cursed in some language that sounded nothing like common, a rolling tongue that to her longtime companion's ears was eerily similar to the voice beneath her voice whenever she wove shadow.

"Some sort of... pack of cave bears..."

She said through gritted teeth, raising her staff of ice over her head. Within its crystalline structure, two twining currents of power could be seen, the darkness and the burning light. She tugged at the shadow, pulling for an angry dart of it, and as she did the writing light dimmed. Yet it did not die, even as she pointed the staff into the darkness and sent out a streak of inky power.

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

Most of those present were now familiar with the strange double speak whenever she wove magic, her normal voice loud and clear, but something sickly sweet beneath it too. A second voice, sultry and dripping with power, twisting and manipulating the shadow she now wielded as a weapon.

Don't know what these things are, don't know if they can see me.

18:28, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  If advantage.
18:28, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast
18:29, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 8 using 1d10+3. Damage
This message was last edited by the player at 01:35, Fri 15 Apr 2022.

Alisandra had been training them. When Rissa saw something and made it known they were to halt and go combat ready. She stepped to Snagger's left, forming the three man front with him and the other dwarf, One-Thumb. She raised her shield with her left and took her horn in her right hand. She said, "Snagger, on my mark." Lastly she prepared a spell.

03:17, Today: Alisandra rolled 21 using 1d20+8.  Initiative
Move - to combat ready;
B/A - inspire Snagger
Action - ready Fairy Fire
Trigger- Cave bears are visible
Reaction will be to cast
End turn
This message was last edited by the player at 14:42, Fri 15 Apr 2022.

Lucien, alterted by Rissa's warning has his bow out in a flash and prepares to loose an arrow at any threat he sees.

Readied action to shoot a quaggoth if they become visible (misses).

Lucien Nailo rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.
Lucien Nailo rolled 10 using 1d20+9.  Longbow attack.

---

Heldig noted the efficiency that the group brought to bear when faced with the as-yet unknown threat.

In the underdark ... just about everything was deadly, and if it didn't want to kill you, it wanted to make a slave out of you ... chance encounters with peaceful passersby were just not that common.

The dwarf muttered a small prayer to the All Father as he pulled his crossbow out.  To see the group through this — and what was to be the first of many — challenges.

OOC —
Action, ready crossbow, fire at target when Heldig can see one
Heldig One-Thumb rolled 18,11,6 using 1d20,1d20+2,1d8 with rolls of 18,9,6.  init & readied crossbow.

Jinx blinked in consternation, feeling a little bit disoriented.  The danger, the whole situation, frankly, had come upon her so quickly, she felt like she was scrambling to keep up.  Seeing the others move smoothly in coordination, however, she did her best.  Moving back behind the front line, and to the side, she prepared to cast a spell at the attackers.

OOC:

Initiative:  17:  07:48, Today: Jinx rolled 17 using 1d20+2 ((15)).

Jinx will move back and to the right, just behind the front line.  If she can get an angle with Burning Hands to hit multiple quaggoths without hitting the party, she'll do that.  If not, then Flame Bolt the nearest.

If Burning hands:  they Dex save vs. DC13 for 8 damage

If Firebolt, 10 to hit:  07:52, Today: Jinx rolled 10 using 1d20+5 ((5)).
Firebolt damage 5:  07:53, Today: Jinx rolled 5 using 1d10 ((5)).
This message was last edited by the player at 17:14, Fri 15 Apr 2022.

As soon as Rissa calls out, Lathan stops in his place to allow Snagger and Heldig to catch up and draws both of his swords. He grits his teeth and waits for their opponents to show themselves.

0:05, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 18 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only.  Initiative.

Lorrain craned his head to see what was ahead when the warning was called. He brought up his hand with a spell prepared.

---

rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  INIT

Action: Cast Fire Bolt, Hits AC 12, 4 HP Damage
rolled 12,4 using 1d20+6,1d10.  ATK/DAM

Move: Stay within the ranks

Reaction: Shield if needed for +5 AC bonus until start of next turn

As the other party members get into position, Rissa fires another eldritch blast into the darkness. When the four white-furred, clawed humanoids become visible, they immediately come under fire from the party. Lucien's arrow flies wide. Alisandra catches one of them with her faerie fire, illuminating it. Heldig hits it with a crossbow bolt. Jinx and Lorrain hurl fire bolts at it; Jinx misses but Lorrain hits it.

Next round. The quaggoths are 30 feet away from the front of the party.

Quaggoth 1: injured (-16 hp; faerie fire)
Quaggoth 2: uninjured
Quaggoth 3: uninjured
Quaggoth 4: uninjured

Though his first arrow flies well clear of the Quaggoths due to Lucien's surprise as they emerge from the darkness, the second one finds its mark and lodges itself deep in the chest of the beast affected by Alisandra's spell. As that monster is hit with a barrage of attacks, Lucien's familiar takes flight from his shoulder and makes a diving attack at the next charging beast in an effort to distract it.

Lucien Nailo rolled 25 using 1d20+9.  Longbow attack.
Lucien Nailo rolled 27 using 1d20+9.  Longbow attack advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 11,7 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Action: Attack against Quaggoth 1 hits AC 27 for 18 damage.
Familiar Action: Use Flyby and the Help action to provide advantage on any attacks against Quaggoth 2.

Lathan holds his place until one of the beasts comes within reach, then stabs at it with his swords.

Bonus action: Cast Hunter's Mark on Quaggoth 4. Ready attack vs. Quaggoth 4. Hits AC 21 for 10 damage (of 18 if it is already injured).

15:05, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
15:05, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 10 using 2d6+3.
15:05, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Attack 2.
15:05, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

---

Heldig stowed his crossbow as the quaggoth made their advance.

He began to chant.  HIs voice was low and reverberating in the cavern, and he traced a sigil upon the air before pointing at the wounded quaggoth.

The sound of a dolorous bell filled the air as the magic took shape ... it was Tolling for the Dead.

OOC — Toll the Dead vs wounded Quaggoth, Wis save (DC13) or take 2hp
Heldig One-Thumb rolled 2 using 1d12.  Toll the Dead.

In reply to Heldig One-Thumb (msg # 132):

Jinx spat a curse as her bolt went wide.  Pausing, she raised her hands, squinting along the line of her extended finger.  Mouth pursed, her tongue stuck out a little, she drew a bead to the same creature targetted by Lucien.  She squeezed off another firebolt, hoping this one found it's mark

OOC:  Dice roller does not love me.

14 to hit with the firebolt.  19:44, Today: Jinx rolled 12 using 1d20+5 ((7)).  Advantage roll:  20:08, Today: Jinx rolled 14 using 1d20+5 ((9)).

2 damage:   19:45, Today: Jinx rolled 2 using 1d10 ((2)).
This message was last edited by the player at 11:00, Sun 17 Apr 2022.

"Ubrath'cil."
"Ubrath'cil."

The light within Rissa's staff dimmed further as she made a ripping motion with her free hand, casting the shadows which she gathered with her double speak and hurling them at three of the Quaggoths.

Using a Pact Magic Slot (1/2 remaining) to cast Bane on the three lest injured Quaggoths

Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see within range must make Charisma 13 saving throws. Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or saving throw.

Alisandra picked an uninjured bearthing and pointed, "Your personal hygiene leaves much to be desired."

Action cast Vicious Mockery
21:44, Today: Alisandra rolled 3 using 1d4.  VM damage

Then she called back to Rissa, "Rissa, we must press our advantage."

B/A Inspire Rissa
No move
End Turn

Lorrain focused his attention on the wounded Quaggoth. He intone a word of power, [Language unknown: Tetho Thestavir]. He scanned the tunnel and the area directly above them. He wanted to check for additional hazards or opportunities.

---

Action: Cast Mind Sliver, DC 15 or take 1 HP Damage and -1 to its next SAVE (which was also targeted by Heldig)
rolled 1,1 using 1d6,1d4.  Mind Sliver

Mind Sliver:

You drive a disorienting spike of psychic energy into the mind of one creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on an Intelligence saving throw or take 1d6 psychic damage and subtract 1d4 from the next saving throw it makes before the end of your next turn.

Lucien's arrow sinks deep into the chest of the illuminated creature; Heldig casts toll the dead, further injuring it. Jinx then hits it with a fire bolt and Lorrain assaults it mentally with a mind sliver. Alisandra's target appears unaffected by her vicious mockery. Rissa casts bane, cursing two of the other creatures. As the creatures close in, Lathan stabs one of them in the side and Snagger hacks a different one with his battleaxe; their opponents retaliate, clawing both Snagger and Lathan.

Next round.

Quaggoth 1 (Alisandra): badly injured (-39 hp; faerie fire)
Quaggoth 2 (Heldig): uninjured (bane)
Quaggoth 3 (Snagger): injured (-8 hp)
Quaggoth 4 (Lathan): injured (-10 hp; bane)

---

Heldig didn't like these odds.  Quagoth were bestial creatures, and none too nice when closeup and personal.  Both he and Snagger were each faced with one.

But not if he could do something about it.  Moradin the Dwarf Father was a being of Law.  Of Order.  These savage beasts were anything but.  The only way to impose order on chaos was to lock it down ... to restrict it.  To force  it to comply.

Heldig chanted in the face of the slathering beast that had closed to him.  He imagined a rune-covered iron cage that surrounded the rampaging quaggoth.  Pictured the finely wrought bands and chains and bars that would constrain the beast, he took a moment to mentally picture the welds such a construction might require.  Judged how much steel and how much iron ore the smith might require for his forge.

Then he focused inward upon his mystical connection ... and called down Moradin's power to restrain the beast.

"I cage thee, beast!  Feel the manacles of Moradin upon you! "  He shouted, completing the spell.

OOC — Heldig will cast Hold Person at the baned  quaggoth he is facing.  Wis save (DC13) or become paralyzed.  It's a concentration spell (duration 10 rounds), and the the target gets to make a new save at the end of each of its turns.

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

Rissa pointed her staff at the most wounded of the creatures, sending another streaking bolt of darkness to slam into its chest. It struck true, sending her dark cursecraft skittering up and down its body.



OOC: Think that's the wounded one down?

19:20, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 20 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Eldritch Blast.  ((7,15)).
19:21, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 13 using 1d10+3.  Damage
This message was last edited by the player at 02:22, Mon 18 Apr 2022.

Lathan stabs at the beast in front of him again.

Attack Quaggoth 4. Attack 1 misses. Attack 2 hits AC 15 for 12 damage.

06:35, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 2 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
06:35, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Damage.
06:35, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Attack.
06:34, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

In reply to Lathan Swiftstrider (msg # 140):

Switching targets, Jinx lined up another shot.  In the close confines of the tunnel, and with little room to manoeuvre, she had few other options than to keep throwing bolts at the critters.

The bolt of flame leaped out from her extended finger, shooting past Snagger to catch the quaggoth, but the beast's thick pelt absorbed much of the impact.

OOC:

Firebolt at Quaggoth 3, to hit 21:
11:24, Today: Jinx rolled 21 using 1d20+5 ((16)).

Damage: 2 (sad trombone):
11:25, Today: Jinx rolled 2 using 1d10 ((2)).
This message was last edited by the player at 09:55, Tue 19 Apr 2022.

Lucien is frustrated when his first shot doesn't fell the beast, but Rissa appears to have things in hand. He turns his attention to the beast fighting Lathan and shoots another arrow which also manages to find its target.

Action: attack against Quaggoth 4 hits AC 27 for 10 damage.
Familiar Action: help against Quaggoth 4.

Lucien Nailo rolled 27 using 2d20+9.  Longbow attack w/advantage. Forgot to drop the lowest (11, 18).
Lucien Nailo rolled 6,4 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Lorrain fired off a spell directly at one of the Quaggoth. The shot went wide and missed.

---

Cast Firebolt, Missed
rolled 9,9 using 1d20+6,1d10.  ATK/DAM

Alisandra tried again, picking a different target this time, "Really, you smell terribly. Even sailors on ships five days from port can't match your body odor."

V.M again
4 damage this time.
07:48, Today: Alisandra rolled 4 using 1d4.  V.M damage
No B/A
No Move
End Turn
This message was last edited by the player at 20:33, Thu 21 Apr 2022.

Lucien's next arrow hits the creature attacking Lathan. Lathan stabs it again. Jinx sends a fire bolt at the creature attacking Snagger, hitting it but doing little damage. Snagger slashes it again with his axe. It attempts to retaliate but is distracted by Alisandra's vicious mockery and misses. Heldig paralyzes the creature he is facing with a hold person spell. Lorrain then hits it with a fire bolt. Rissa takes down the creature in front of Alisandra with an eldritch blast.

Next round.

Quaggoth 1: dying
Quaggoth 2 (Heldig): injured (-9 hp; bane; paralyzed)
Quaggoth 3 (Snagger): injured (-21 hp)
Quaggoth 4 (Lathan): injured (-32 hp; bane)

Rissa turned her attention to the foe standing before Lathan, drawing upon her seemingly limitless reserves of magic to hurl more shadow at the thing.

Hitting Quag 4 on a 15 for 8 force

11:18, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 8 using 1d10+3.
11:18, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  EB.

"One is down!" Lorrain shouted when one of the Quaggoth fell under their combined assault. He quickly focused his attention on another that looked to be in bad shape.

---

Attack: Fire Bolt vs Q4, Hits AC 22 for 2 HP damage
rolled 22,2 using 1d20+6,1d10.  ATK/DAM

In reply to Lorrain Greenleaf (msg # 147):

Elated with her last shop, Jinx lines up another on the Quaggoth facing Snagger, but in the jostle of combat, the shot goes wild.

OOC:  10 to hit.
18:25, Today: Jinx rolled 10 using 1d20+5 ((5)).

Alisandra noted Jinx had been having difficulty making consistant shots. She called out to the gnome, "Jinx, directed fire, there."

B/A-Inspire Jinx, 1d6

Turning back to the bear things she pointed at one still mobile, "Hey you, petrification."

Action - Cast Hold person on remaining living monster that is still moving.
No move
End Turn

Lathan continues to attack his opponent, hoping to finish it off quickly.

Attack Quaggoth 4. Hits AC 16 for 11 damage.

18:09, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 3 using 1d8.
18:09, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 2d6+3.  Damage.
18:09, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Attack 2.
18:08, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

Lucien shifts his attention to the monster attacking Snagger and this arrow finds its mark to great effect as the swooping owl once again manages to open up an excellent opportunity for an attack.

Familiar Action: use the Help action against Quaggoth 3.
Action: attack hits Quaggoth 3 AC 21 for 16 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 21 using 2d20+9, dropping the lowest dice only.  Longbow attack w/advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 8,8 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Lucien's next arrow sinks deep into the chest of Snagger's opponent. Alisandra then paralyzes it with a hold person spell. Jinx hurls a fire bolt at it but misses. Snagger hacks into the creature's gut, spilling its entrails as it collapses. Heldig strikes the paralyzed creature in front of him with his warhammer. Lorrain hits it with a fire bolt. Lathan stabs his opponent again, leaving it barely able to stand. Rissa then finishes it off with an eldritch blast.

Next round.

Quaggoth 1: dead
Quaggoth 2 (Heldig): injured (-17 hp; bane; paralyzed)
Quaggoth 3: dead
Quaggoth 4: dead

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 152):

Adrenaline pumping through her veins, Jinx fires off what she thinks will be another wild shot, but by some miracle (or more likely Heldig's spell), it hits the last creature square on.

OOC:  18 to hit.  Rolling with advantage:
20:15, Today: Jinx rolled 18 using 1d20+5 ((13)).,  17:55, Today: Jinx rolled 8 using 1d20+5 ((3)).

8 Damage.  20:17, Today: Jinx rolled 8 using 1d10 ((8)).
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Sat 23 Apr 2022.

As soon as his opponent falls, Lathan moves to help finish off the last creature, stabbing it twice.

Attack Quaggoth 2. Attack 1 hits AC 15 for 11 damage. Attack 2 hits AC 25 for 13 damage.

17:19, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
17:18, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 13 using 4d6+3.  Damage.
17:17, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 2d6+3.  Damage.
17:16, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 25 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack.
17:15, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 15 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack.

With only one creature left standing, Lucien lets fly what he hopes will be his last shot of the battle.

Action: hit Quaggoth 2 AC 14 for 12 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 14 using 2d20+9, dropping the lowest dice only.  Longbow attack w/advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 7,5 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Rissa took a calming breath as the battle finished, her companions bloodied but standing, drawing up her magic for a final strike.

17:05, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 21 using 2d10+3.  Crit.
17:05, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 25 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack w/ advantage
This message was last edited by the player at 00:07, Sun 24 Apr 2022.

Alisandra continued her insults.

Action VM
00:44, Today: Alisandra rolled 1 using 1d4
B/a none
Move none
End Turn

The party quickly overwhelms the paralyzed creature, killing it and ending the skirmish.

End combat.

As the last of the beasts fall, Lucien moves forward to collect his arrows from the dead bodies. "This is probably a surprise left for us by the orcs' masters. We should watch out for more. The orcs set a trap on those doors where we fought them. There will probably be more of those." As he says that, Lucien's familiar swoops over the party's heads and lands on the elf's shoulder. He looks at it for a moment before it takes off again and flies off down the passage ahead. "My familiar will look for any more surprises on our route."

"Eh, I suspect these things live down here and were hunting," Lathan says to Lucien as he cleans his blades. "This isn't the first time we encountered their kind."

He looks around at his companions and adds, "Good work, by the way. We finished them off quickly. But the trolls aren't going to fall so easily."

Rissa began moving between her companions, checking who among them was injured. Even when she found no injure, she twisted her fingers and spoke a word.

"Seliar."
"Seliar."

No, not a word, two words spoken simultaneously. The same as when she wove shadow, but different as well, bold where the cursework had been subtle. Beautiful, and profoundly sad. Light flew from her staff, the dimmed current growing stronger as she drew on it to draw blood and sweat from flesh and clothes, mend rips and tears, and otherwise attend to them all.

"If we rest a moment, I can attend to any injuries. Who among you is wounded?"

OOC: Casting Mending and Prestidigitation on each of you as needed to tend to you.

"I was hit once," Lathan says to Rissa, motioning toward a claw wound. "It's not bad, though."

Lorrain summoned a spotted owl. It launched itself and followed the first owl down the tunnel. "I'm uninjuried."

---

Summon familiar and send it down the corridor with the first familiar.

"I will bandage you up, let's rest a moment and then push on."

Taking a short rest.

Alisandra nodded to Rissa as she tended them. "I'd like to add my congratulations. Normally when a unit is reconstituted it takes longer to gel. We did so admirably. The front ranks held, our casters did their jobs, and we only have a minor casualty. I am impressed."

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 165):

Jinx looks around, panting.  She supposed they did okay, especially given the abruptness of the encounter.  She checked to see if anything had been dislodged in the fight, but all seemed in order.

"So, what now?", she asked the group.

Alisandra said, "We take a breather." She sat as she spoke, "While you all are bandaging and resting, I will tell you about a great battle the Dwarves of the North fought against a tribe of goblins. Then we will get back on the path."

Using Song of Rest, add 1d6 to HP if you use Hit Dice to recover.

Lorrain sat back and watched Alisandra as she sang her song. "Wonderful. You are very skilled."

The party rests in the tunnel for an hour before setting out again.

Short rest.

Lucien doesn't respond to Lathan, but his face says that he's unconvinced.

Rissa's twinned speech sounds strangely as though she is saying the elf's alias which draws his attention. He attempts to make eye contact until it's clear that it was just a coincidence.

He listens as Alisandra tells her story, but his mind also seems to be wandering. He doesn't come back fully to himself until the party is preparing to set out again.

Lucien's familiar is instructed to fly all the way to troll caverns. It will stop and return if it encounters anything that might be dangerous on the way.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Tue 26 Apr 2022.

"Long hours of trudging tedium punctuated by sharp stabs of terror."

Rissa said, a little bit of her old self returning in the words.

"Often worse than terror."

Her Art kept her studded leather armor pristine, and that of her companions should they allow her to tend to them, yet they no longer looked untouched. When Lathan and Lucien had first encountered the Tiefling, they looked like they had never tasted a blade or a claw. In truth, they hadn't. She'd faced angry mobs, yes, or rather had run from them. Yet she had always left before she'd eaten a knife in the back. Now though, she'd felt the halfling rogue's blade, and worse things besides. Now the leathers she mended and oiled looked well worn in.

"Your tales make the former far better, Alisandra. I would hear more of where you are from, and what brought you into our company, should you wish to share."

Alisandra's countenance darkened at talk of home. "That is a tale for another day."

Rissa raised a staying hand.

"There is no need to share anything that you don't wish, now or ever."

In reply to Rissa Twiceborn (msg # 173):

Jinx sat, taking the measure of her companions.  She'd been lucky to get through the fight unscathed, but a rest was always appreciated.  As Alisandra wove her tale, Jinx listend quietly, tinkering with a few components.  As the story unfolds, she puts together a small contraption, made of brass and glass.  It emits a soft, warm glow.

OOC:

Using the artificer tinkering ability to make a light-emitting object.

---

Heldig nodded his appreciation as Rissa used her magicks to mend tears and repair equipment that suffered during the hard fought victory.

"It takes but a careless word to destroy."  He said.  "Sometime two."  He admitted, noting the tiefling's odd way with the Art.

"To mend that which is broken.  To create.  These are altogether different skills."

It was stilted, the dwarf's begrudging way of acknowledging Twiceborn's talent.

An ardent follower of the All Father, Heldig, also paid a keen interest in Jinx's creation.  Moradin was not overmuch favored amongst the gnomish peoples, they of course, having their own deities to venerate.  But the dwarves and gnomes often shared a close-enough worldview that the two stone-cousins could usually meet on common ground.  The joy in the honest crafting of a thing, well-made and durable, was often one of them.

After resting, Lathan again takes his place at the front of the party and continues to lead them toward the troll cave.

After traveling for about five more hours, the party reaches the tunnel that leads to the troll caverns. The treacherously slippery tunnel is quiet, but the party knows that fearsome opponents await them at the end of the tunnel, about 12 miles away.

Rissa paused, considering Heldig's words, her expression pained and grim.

"A careless word, and I burn."

She said at last, her fingers tightening about the staff of purest hoarfrost she held in her ring bedecked fingers.

"It hasn't always been this way, but that is why I am here. That is why I'm risking any of this."

He held up the staff for him to inspect.

"Art, and the mastery of it. Let us journey on, and bring the fight to our foes. We will require stealth, so that we are not taken unaware. Let us hope they have forgotten us."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Sat 30 Apr 2022.

Alisandra commented, "I believe we should camp here. a quick rest will do us little good. I  want us all at our best when we face the Trolls. "

Lucien nods in agreement with Alisandra. "That will give the familiars enough time to scout ahead and report back. If necessary, I can also go investigate personally while everyone rests. Then I think that we should discuss the traps that we should set before our battle."

"Very well."

Rissa backed up a dozen paces or so away from the group, and unbuckled the front of her armor so that she could reach the thing she had bound around her neck. She pulled the chord over her head, and revealed to the prize. It was a small cottage, done in miniature. This, she set upon the ground, and murmured a word or two over it before stepping back lightly to rejoin her companions. As she did, the trinket at the ground began to warp and twist.

It... grew?

It swelled within the darkness, growing until it towered over her, revealing... a cottage.

It was a single story affair, but a full sized cottage never the less, where before there had been nothing but a trinket. She opened the wooden door, and inside they could see another shock, a table positively loaded with coin. A large chest sat in the middle of it, filled to the brim with gold and platinum. Stacks of coin surrounded it, arranged in piles or falling onto the floor. It was a fortune, surely enough to buy a lordship, far more than anyone could carry. Yet carry it she had, in a little charm she kept tied around her neck.

"Be welcome."

She said with exaggerated seriousness, ushering them inside.

Alisandra began setting up shifts for a watch.

In a back corner of the cottage is a much less impressive pile of assorted adventuring gear. There is a pile of rope, a ladder leaned at an odd angle in order to fit inside the cottage, a long pole at the same angle as the ladder, something that appears to be a portable battering ram, a shovel, a pile of rations, and several hunting traps. On the shelf of bookcase there are an assortment of vials and flasks. Lucien moves over to the pile of gear and adds several items to it: a length of chain, a padlock, a set of manacles, and quite a few torches. When the others enter, he points to the hunting traps. "I am going to stand first watch as normal and once the familiars return, I intend to scout ahead. I would appreciate if you could split these amongst yourselves and make sure that they're brought out of the cottage before it disappears." The elf then moves over to the shelf with all the vials and begins to put them away into various pockets on his person.

Once he is done, Lucien steps outside the cottage again. He backtracks approximately 100ft and sets up his makeshift alarm with a bell and string across the tunnel. When he returns, he find a dark corner from which to watch the cottage and settles in for first watch while he waits for the familiars to return.

I don't actually have the carrying capacity to lug the traps around with all the other gear that I have on me. If those of you with decent strength scores could carry one or two each, I have a plan to make a better conventional trap this time.

Alisandra will help with the traps. She made sure everyone was awake when she went through her plan. "My plan is not simple. We put out traps as before. We do not send anyone to draw them, I will blow my horn. The horn will draw them, at least that is my thought. We will wait on this side of the traps, together. No one goes off alone, not even Lathan. We let them at us but only one at a time. Rissa's ice wall is not to be deployed until we retreat. Instead, we use two flamespheres will block them. That will be Jinx and Lorrain's concentration spells. Rissa and I will be using bless as ours. Between the two of us we should be able to cover most everyone. I will not be able to throw Fairie Fire. It has been fairly ineffective. It SHOULD be able to cover a large area and catch most if not all of them, yet it ONLY seemed to affect one of them. Heldig will use his smite spell. Lucien I would like you to use an illusion to bolster the spheres by making the cave walls seem narrow. Front line will be me, Snagger, and Heldig. Second line will be Lathan and Lucien using arrows. Lathan will be a secondary Healer with Heldig, Rissa, and myself being the primary. Rissa and I can use healing at a distance. Lorrain, Rissa, and Jinx will be last line.

Our most potent weapons will be at the back row's fire and acid. A troll only takes damage that won't heal from those. I hope the smite will work the same. We focus on one enemy at a time. I will tag the enemy either with a dagger, sword stroke, or my words. We focus attacks even if we are attacked by another. We focus until the troll falls. Once it falls, hit it with fire or acid one last time to make sure it doesn't get back up. I need you all to call out when you are hurt badly," OCC- 1/2 HP or below "and lastly, most importantly, when I sound the retreat, EVERYONE retreats. Rissa throws an icewall to block them from following. That is my plan, I welcome suggestions or questions."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:51, Mon 02 May 2022.

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 184):

"Well", pipes up Jinx, "the only hitch on my end is that I can't cast any sort of flame sphere spell."  She shrugs apologetically.  "I've still got a few fire spells up my sleeve though.  Oh, and I could Grease the area in front of us?  That might slow them down, give us a little more time to chip away at them."

Alisandra smiled at Jinx, "Lorrain is scribing scrolls of flamesphere for you and himself. Heldig is scribing Bless."

Lucien considers Alisandra's plan. "That sounds like a very good plan. The trolls know the tunnel though so I can't guarantee they'll believe the illusion. Someone will have to be ready to plug the gap if they try to move around the spheres on the sides."

Since they are discussing strategy, Lucien describes his trap to the group. "I am going to place these hunting traps across the tunnel. I also have these caltrops to mix in amongst them. I am going to use a net fixed with some pitons to hold these vials of oil above the traps. I will create a trip wire with some string that will release the net when the traps are triggered and drop the oil on whatever triggered the traps. I should be able to maintain my invisible mage hand and the illusion simultaneously, so my mage hand will set the oil on fire. Any creatures caught in the traps, even if it's just for a moment, should be drenched in oil and shortly set on fire. Even if it only causes a short delay, it should be worth it."

"I've also made these."

Rissa said, pulling out four small vials. A red liquid swirled within, with motes of gold throughout.

"Alchemist's Fire, it ignites upon contact with the air. I haven't bene able to reshape my the Celestial Fire that burns within me into actual flame, so I made this instead."

She sounded so profoundly frustrated in that moment, as if she were disgusted with herself.

"Those of us who cannot wield fire should have one or two."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:26, Wed 04 May 2022.

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 186):

"I'm sorry. I didn't have time two scribe those two scrolls." Lorrain pulled out a single scroll, "I only had time to prepare this. It's a scroll of Melf's Arrow." He held it out to Alisandra and Rissa.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:22, Wed 04 May 2022.

Rissa made to reach for it, looking at it briefly, and then let out a hiss of pent up frustration.

"Such Art is beyond me."

She said, gritting her teeth at the admission.

Alisandra, also clearly frustrated, pinched the bridge of her nose. "How long do you need to make a -firesphere- one?"

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 191):

"Four hours and a 100 gold worth of materials." Lorrain replied, "I discussed this that night... well I guess that was after you retired for the night." He slipped the scroll back into his pouch. "Rissa, you should keep the vials and use it. I have my spells."

Alisandra sighed in relief. "Okay that is doable. You can even use the cottage for that, right Rissa? We extend our rest by four hours, there are enough of us here to cover that,  one extra hour per shift. Good. Is that alright with you, Lorrain?"

Rissa nodded.

"He can work in there, yes. The rest of us can set up camp."

In reply to Rissa Twiceborn (msg # 194):

"I take it", Jinx asks, as the conversation winds down, "that you've tried this before, and run into trouble?"  He gives the others an anxious look.  "I mean, trolls.  Not exactly lightweights, you know?"

Lucien holds out hand when Rissa produces the alchemist's fire. "You made this? How?" The elf sounds slightly in awe. Assuming that Rissa gives him one or two of the vials, he will hide them away in his pockets. "I can use one of these to ignite my trap. Probably more reliable than the mage hand. I will have the mage hand ready with some acid instead." If those who have known Lucien awhile didn't know better, they would think that he almost sounds giddy at the prospect. Certainly his mood is less dour than normal.

When the others argue about the scroll that Lorrain has created, Lucien chimes in. "The plan will still work with one sphere, but if time allows, by all means make another one."

When Jinx asks about the trouble from before, seemingly not remembering the encounter, Lucien eyes her strangely, but decides not to say anything about it directly. Instead he comments about the trolls. "No they certainly are not. We have faced many dangerous foes, but these monsters are by far the most troublesome. Still, I think Alisandra's plan gives us an excellent chance."

Rissa shrugged, clearly uncomfortable with the praise.

"I...."

She trailed off, then found her words.

"It isn't Art, just chemistry. I was actually a journeyman Alchemist before... well before everything changed. Still have my letter of introduction from the Guild, though I'm a bit late on dues."

She handed him two.

The party rests and prepares for the upcoming encounter without incident.

Long rest.

When Lucien emerges from his trance, he sets about collecting all the equipment he will need for his trap before he starts breaking camp. He passes out the hunting traps to those who are willing to carry them saying: "Once we reach the place that Alisandra determines we should set our ambush, these will need to be deployed just a few dozen feet in front of that. I will show you where."

Lucien's owl familiar has returned and he shares the report with the rest of the group. "When my familiar scouted the cavern, there were two trolls. I had ordered him not to enter the cavern if the trolls were in it, so I don't know any more, but at least the route to the cavern appears to be clear."

The elf then helps break camp and prepares to set off for the next encounter with the trolls.

Rissa looked grim as they prepared, going about the business of attending to their needs with her Art. Blood, dirt, sweat, stains, all was whisked away.

"Two we can fight. Hopefully they are not guards. Are they smart enough to set a watch? Everything I know of trolls, I learned fighting them last time."

When they were ready, she fell into line in her designated spot.

Alisandra nodded, "Agreed. This might be a good way to make sure the strategy is effective."

Lucien clarifies. "Every time we've faced them in the past, they call for the rest of the... pack? and the rest of them emerge from the tunnels behind that first cavern. Once we start this, we should assume that we'll have to fight all of them."

"Should I seal the rest off then?"

Rissa looked to Alisandra for leadership.

In reply to Rissa Twiceborn (msg # 203):

"How can you seal them off from the others?" Jinx asked curiously. "I can slow them down a little, but to cut them off completely is rather impressive."

Alisandra thought about it. Then she nodded. "Yes, but do not over tax your staff."

"It's not my own Art."

Rissa answered Jinx simply, lifting the staff of purest ice she bore.

"It is the workings of this."

She nodded at Alisandra's command.

"I think I can call upon such magics twice before I risk harming it."

Alisandra nodded, "Good. I'd like the rest of the plan to proceed as agreed. Are there any further questions, alterations, or comments."

Lucien chimed in to say: "If we're going to use the staff to isolate these first two trolls, then I don't think we should use the scroll. I think I will forgo using all the oil in my trap as well, but I will still deploy the rest of it. The damage from the staff, the single flame sphere and the impediment of the trap plus the element of surprise ought to be enough."

Alisandra relented without difficulty. "Agreed. Jinx, other than Grease, what spells you have that require concentration?"

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 209):

"Nothing relevant.  I imagine I'll be using flame attacks, unless you want me on the sphere", Jinx offered by way of reply.  She was slightly impressed by this group, they seemed to put an awful lot of thought into tactics.

Alisandra nodded again. "Very well. I think we will save the scroll for now. Flame attacks are the key to this plan so that is the best tactic."

Looking around, "Is everyone ready?"

Rissa's grip on her staff tightened until her knuckles went white.

"Yes."

"Yep," Lathan nods at Alisandra as he readies his bow. "Let's get to it."

Lucien also nods in agreement. "Yes, go ahead and blow the horn." He then moves 30 feet in front of the group past the narrow section of tunnel and sets about positioning the hunting traps across the floor. When they are in place, he scatters the caltrops in between them.

When he is finished he moves back to the rest of the group. "Since we have found a narrower section of tunnel, I am going to use my illusion to conceal the trap." With that said, he waits until Alisandra blows her horn, then speaks the word and makes the gesture that summon an illusion to make the trapped area appear to be a normal tunnel floor.

The elf's final preparation is to pull out a vial of acid and prepare to summon his mage hand. He will wait until he can hear the trolls before summoning the mage hand.

Casting Silent Image to make the trapped area appear normal.

19:38, Today: Alisandra rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Performance

Alisandra blew her shofar, it's deep rolling sound resonated through the cavern. She corked the narrow end and cast light inside. She held it in one hand and shield in the other and waited for the enemy to appear. While waiting she cast Bless from the scroll, blessing Jinx, Rissa, and Lorain.

Lorrain listened to the plans silently. He had slipped the scroll of Flaming Sphere to Jinx as he watched Alisandra go about asking about some skills and abilities of the others. "I'll cast my Flaming Sphere and impose it in front of one of the trolls."

Lorrain smiled as Alisandra when he felt a spell infuse him, "Thanks. I'm glad that you cared."

Several minutes pass after Alisandra blows the horn without any sign of the trolls.

08:09, Today: Alisandra rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Performance


She tried again, louder and longer this time.

A few more minutes pass after Alisandra blows the horn a second time; there is still no sign of the trolls.

"No trolls." It was a simple statement without judgement. Lorrain gestured a forward motion. The owl launched itself from his backpack. The wings flapped softly. "He'll check about a hundred feet and return shortly. How far did you say that those trolls were again?"

Lucien is still devoting some of his attention to maintaining the illusion, but the spell is nearly spent. He answers Lorrain as his own familiar takes off to follow the other. "About a quarter of a mile down the tunnel. Well within earshot in these infernal tunnels. If they're not coming, it's because they are choosing not to. Fortunately, the only resource that we have expended is my spell and that is no great loss. I think we must assume that they're unwilling to investigate and that they're probably waiting for us. They may have actually learned something from the last two assaults.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:04, Sun 15 May 2022.

Alisandra became frustrated, trolls were not this intelligent. Cunning yes but not smart. It was possible something else was behind thids. "Do we go in and draw them out or face them on their terms?"

"We need to find them before we do anything."

Rissa said, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.

"We can't stumble into all of them again."

She turned to Lorain and Lucien.

"Can your Artbound Familiars scout further?"

"I think we need to move forward. And scout ahead." Lorrain turned and checked with Alisandra. "We'll need to find another spot that we can use in an attack. But the trolls aren't coming here."

Lucien nods in agreement. "Information is key before we make a new plan. I've already told my familiar to fly ahead again until it finds the trolls so we should have an idea shortly. In the meantime, I'm going to collect my trap." He lets the illusion fade and moves ahead to where he had laid his trap. He begins to meticulously collect the caltrops while the party debates what to do next.

After a minute or so spent picking up, he seems to lose focus for a moment. When he returns to himself, he turns to look at the others. "We have their attention, but they aren't coming this way. There's still only two of them that my familiar can see."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Mon 16 May 2022.

Rissa sighed heavily.

"I can draw them out with my Art from afar, continue to harass and bait them until they give chase."

She stood tall, mostly containing the tremor in her voice.

"I can run faster than they do. I can keep harassing them until they come forth, lure them here."

"Are you sure you're faster than them? On this slippery surface?" Lathan asks Rissa, raising an eyebrow. "Perhaps you have a trick up your sleeve you haven't revealed to us..."

Lucien shakes his head at Rissa. "You can see farther, but I can move faster. If I leave light behind, my cloak will let me fly in the dark tunnel." He looks to Lathan. "I don't have to touch the ground at all." He looks back to Rissa. "But we've tried luring them before. They'll give up once they realize they can't catch the person they're chasing. They'd never come all this way. We have to go to them. We can set up again a hundred feet or so from them. We might have a chance to lure them that far."

Rissa nodded to Lathan.

"I have been experimenting, trying to warp and twist my Art into something that can slay these beasts. I have not succeeded, but in my failure found Art to quicken my footsteps. Between that and my sight, my hope was to harry them with shadow and pain until they were enraged. If they withdrew I would follow, and keep up my assault until they were forced to turn back and come for me."

She paused at Lucien's words.

"That.... I cannot do."

Alisandra held up a hand."We stay together. It isn't ideal,  but it seems we must face them on their terms. Rissa what is the furthest range of your ice wall."

In reply to Alisandra (msg # 230):

Jinx frowns, looking a little confused.  "These are . . . trolls, right?  I mean, they're not known for their intelligence, I think?"  She looks anxiously from one member of the party to another. "And the last time, they pretty much just attacked, yeah?  So .  . . why are they hesitating?  It's like they suspect a trap.  Unless something else has got their attention?"

Alisandra nodded, "I reached a similar conclusion. I believe their strings are being pulled by a puppet master."

"As far as my night eyes can see. Perhaps a hundred.... no... a hundred and twenty paces."

About twice what the others could see in the dark then.

Lucien looks resolved. "Alisandra is right, we'll have to advance to meet them. I suggest that we advance until we are just outside the distance that Rissa can see. There, I can quietly reset my trap. Once we're ready, I will go lure them in myself. They'll have to try and chase me or they'll have to retreat. I will fly over the trap, while they will stumble into it. Then Rissa and Lorrain can cast their spells and things can begin in earnest."

Alisandra nodded, "An excellent tactic, Lucien. Agreed. Anyone want to add?"

About 120 to 140 feet away from the troll cave, the tunnel is 35 feet wide.

Rissa shook her head, taking several deep breaths to calm herself.

In reply to Rissa Twiceborn (msg # 237):

"Nah", mutters Jinx, anxiously hopping from foot to foot. "I figure, the sooner we get at them, the sooner we find out what's going on."

"We've vulnerable here." Lorrain pointed to how wide the tunnel became at this position. "The trolls can come at us three-abreast. We need to find a bottleneck."

Lucien motions for everyone to lower their voices despite their already quiet tones. "Let's fall back. The tunnel was narrower about 200 feet back. I'll set up my trap there, you can prepare the ambush, and then I'll try to lure the trolls back to us." With that said, the elf begins to lead the way back to the narrow point in the tunnel.

When they reach it, he lays out the hunting traps and spreads out the caltrops again. Once his trap is prepared, he nods to the others and then retreats out of the range of Alisandra's light where he promptly grips the edges of his cloak and begins to float. He heads back down the tunnel towards the trolls without touching the slimy surface of the tunnel. He keeps his eyes peeled ahead of him for the first glimpse of the trolls.

Let me know if I need to do anything before I see the first troll. I'm specifically not trying to be stealthy or anything.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Thu 26 May 2022.

Lucien spots a troll standing about 10 feet inside the cave entrance, peering down the tunnel. There are no other trolls visible in the darkness of the vast cavern.

Lucien flies forward until he is in the troll's range of vision. "Hey, pea brain! Bet you haven't had a fresh meal in awhile. Come and get it." He retreats slightly and waits to see if the troll will follow him.

When it came to the art of war, it often was the case that the plans themselves were the first casualty.  Drawing the trolls from their warren had been the original plan ... but since the horn blast had failed to make them issue forth ... something more immediate  was called for.

In this case, Lucien.

Heldig braced with the others when he heard the elf's shouted challenge.

The troll shouts something in a language Lucien does not understand, then snarls and moves toward the elf, baring his jagged teeth.

Lucien begins to slowly fly backwards, keeping his distance from the hulking monster. "That's it you stinking sack of putrid refuse. You'll have to go faster than that if you want to catch me."

ready action -cast bless from scroll
Trigger- see troll
Blessing - Rissa, Jinx. And Lorain

The troll continues to follow Lucien toward the entrance to the cavern, where it stops and shouts something over its shoulder before proceeding out into the tunnel.

"Yeah, sure let's get your friends in on this too. They'll just have to catch up."

When Lucien gets into visual range of the trap, he'll let go of the cape and cast Minor Illusion to hide the trap before resuming flight.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Mon 30 May 2022.

---

Heldig heard the shouting and knew that trouble would soon be coming.  He spared a glance to the others of the front rank, Alisandra and Snagger, as he readied his hammer and shield.

"Time to get to it, then."  He grumbled.

Ready Action - Melee attack vs Troll
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Mon 30 May 2022.

The troll follows Lucien out of the cavern and into the tunnel. After about 200 feet, it stops and glares at him in the darkness.

Lucien stops, turns to look at the troll, and returns to the ground as he releases the cape. "What's the matter you gibbering blob? You can't be out of breath already. Do you need an incentive? Do you need to wait for your friends?"

Carefully watching for a sign of movement from the troll, Lucien pulls out his longbow, nocks an arrow, and sights down the shaft. "Try this for an incentive." He releases the arrow which sails past the troll's ear.

Lucien Nailo rolled 12 using 1d20+9.  Longbow attack.

In reply to Lucien Nailo (msg # 251):

"Um", offers Jinx in a small voice.  "Have we ever tried, I dunno, talking to them?" She looked from one companion's face to another's, earnest curiosity in her own.  "I mean, if they're smart enough to work together like this, maybe they're not troll?  Or not just trolls?  Or, I don't know", her face scrunched in thought, "maybe a different kind of troll?"

---

The dwarf found himself unable to see the trolls as anything other than savage, bloodthirsty brutes and issued a harrumph.

"Maybe they'll pair us with a fine wine."

Alisandra asked, "Do you know their language?"

"If they are, they would justly want vengeance."

Rissa said, the tension making her snappish.

"We've killed three of their brethren, and they one of ours."

She added grimly.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:29, Tue 31 May 2022.

"Not specifically."  Heldig answered regarding understanding troll-speech.

"But if they ken the undercommon, I can make myself known."  Heldig admitted.

The troll takes a couple of steps backward, still watching Lucien carefully, as the arrow flies past its head.

"What do we have to lose?" Lorrain urged Heldig try to speak to the troll. "I'll go with you."

The troll continues to retreat away from Lucien into the darkness.

---

Heldig's dwarven sight could only peer so far into the cavern.  Lorrain's suggestion was sound, but the cleric still didn't know what they were up against.

"How goes it, Lucien?" He bellowed, shouting ahead.  "Need any help?"

Lucien slings his bow and picks up the edges of the cloak again. Before he starts chasing the troll again, he shouts back to Heldig and the others. "The cursed thing is retreating back down the tunnel. I'm going to follow it. It might have friends coming. If you follow, be careful." With that said, he begins to fly again and follow the troll back down the tunnel while keeping a careful eye out for surprises.

---

The priest had never served in any sort of militia, but back at his homeforge, he'd dealt with the aftermath of plenty of battles.  He knew the likely outcome if the group started splintering and individually making their own plans.

The only chance the group stood was to act as one.

Heldig arched a bushy eyebrow toward Alisandra.  "What say you, lieutenant?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:12, Thu 02 June 2022.

Alisandra cursed under her breath but nodded, "Form marching ranks and follow our scout, double time."

---

"Right then."  Heldig said, setting off deeper into the caverns.

Keeping to her designated spot, Rissa marched.

Lorrain returned to his spot. He waited until the person in front of him moved before he followed. He turned and checked his rear. He ordered his owl to return and fly to the rear to ensure that none followed.

At Alisandra's order, the rest of the party sets off after Lucien. Heldig quickly slips on the slippery tunnel floor, falling and stopping the progress of those behind him.

Meanwhile, the troll continues to retreat toward the cave.

Lucien continues to keep pace with the troll, rather than with his advancing friends behind him. His plan: to give ample warning to the group when the trolls inevitably spring their ambush or whatever nefarious plan they have in place.

Alisandra stopped to help the dwarf to his feet.

---

A dwarven curse issued forth under Heldig's breath when he fell — out of sheer embarrassment more than anything else — and he thanked Alisandra as she helped him to his feet.

"Probably troll spoor."  He muttered.

Lorrain used his owl and keep watch on the group's rear. "These trolls are acting too smart."

As the troll continues its retreat, with Lucien following, the rest of the party gets moving again. However, after traveling another 25 feet or so, Snagger takes a nasty fall on the slippery ground.

Rissa paused to look at what had caused Snagger to fall.

20:36, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 17 using 1d20 ((17)). Investigation

Alisandra cringed, "Have they laid traps for us?"

Rissa doesn't see any traps on the ground; it is simply wet and slimy.

"They drooled?"

Rissa whispered. What little she knew of Trolls, she had learned the hard way. The others kept insisting that this was not like them, and so she found herself wondering what alien intelligence guided them.

"We have no choice but to push on, slowly, and watch our sides for an ambush."

Lucien continues to follow the troll as it reaches the cave.

Lucien stops when he spots the additional trolls. He has his familiar stay within sight of them and then the elf himself retreats towards his companions as they struggle over the difficult terrain. When he reaches them, he speaks in a low voice. "We're up to four trolls at the cave entrance now. More are probably coming."

"I will try and seal their reinforcements off then."

Rissa said, pushing forward.

A dwarven curse was muttered under Heldig's breath as he took in his surroundings.  Already, he could feel his knee swelling after he had twisted in the spill he had taken.

"I thought we were going to try to separate them into smaller groups. Rissa try to split the group of four trolls in half with your spell." Lorrain offered his thoughts.

Alisandra nodded, "This is wrong. We should retreat. We need more intelligence."

She got ready to blow her horn.

"Good idea." Lorrain replied. "We don't need to rush into things. Especially when they are not behaving as you expected."

Alisandra sounded their retreat.

Rissa obeyed, but they could hear her grinding her teeth.

"We can take four, surely?"

She didn't sound like she believed it, but she spoke the words anyways.

Lathan scowls in the darkness but, likewise, follows Alisandra's order to retreat.

Lucien checks with his familiar to see if the trolls respond to the horn and then follows the group. "Could we can devise a strategy for fighting them here where the corridor is wider? They seem willing to follow us this far with a little provocation."

"I can cover about a hundred feet, so long as it's not more than ten feet high."

Rissa confirmed.

"Well?" Lathan turns to Alisandra. "These trolls aren't going to kill themselves."

The trolls do not appear to be following the retreating adventurers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:15, Sun 26 June 2022.

In a low voice, Lucien addresses Rissa and the rest of the group. "Take up positions where Rissa can just barely see the trolls through the dark. I will go back and make one more attempt to lure them out. My familiar can see nine of them now. The plan has not changed too much, Rissa will just have to try to trap a small number of them. If we are still facing too many after that, we'll retreat again."

The elf lands briefly, pulls something from one of his pockets, waves his hands, and utters a command. Down the tunnel, at the edge of where he can see, a cave bear appears from thin air. With the illusion successfully summoned, Lucien grabs the edges of the cloak again and flies to the bear's side. Then, with Lucien staying aloft in place, the bear disappears from everyone's sight except for Rissa who sees it continue down the tunnel towards the trolls at a slow pace.

Casting Silent Image to create the image of a bear and then using my action to make it wander into view of the trolls.
Lucien is positioned 60ft from the entrance of the cavern where he can just see the trolls.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Wed 29 June 2022.

Rissa stepped quietly into position.

It was a delicate thing, finding just the right spot. She peered into the darkness, and within her the fragment of the Celestial Artifact burned. She drew from the Demonic Magics that contained it, peeling the tiniest sliver of shadow from within and granting herself the Abyssal Sight. Then she stood ready, staff raised, as she lined up her strike.

The air began to condense upon the frosted tip of the ancient relic she bore, as she focused her will through the staff. She drew upon neither light nor void to enact this weaving, pulling instead upon the primal ice contained within. Runes made themselves manifest upon the artifact, old magics, ancient things. With a single wide slashing sweep, she sought to isolate two of the trolls from their brethren, sealing the rest behind impenetrable cold.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:54, Mon 27 June 2022.

As soon as the trolls make their first move toward Lucien and the illusory bear, Rissa summons a wall of ice, cutting two of them off from the others. They immediately move to attack the bear.

The two trolls are about 100' away from the party.

Troll 1: uninjured
Troll 2: uninjured

Rissa let out a breath she had not realized she'd been holding.

Two.

They could do this.

Even as she thought it, she wondered if it were true. They had killed how many before, three? They had more fire to call now too, and other things besides. The trolls were too far away for her to call upon her Cursecraft, and so instead she drew upon raw shadow. They could not see her at that range, she did not think, so she would get their ensure that she had their attention. Shadows pooled about her hand, and more of purest black condensing from the pneumbral power she drew from the staff.

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

As always, there was another voice underneath her own.  While her voice was usually amiable and concise, this voice was oozed with promise and temptation.  There is power dripping from every syllable, there for the taking.  It was that power which streaked forth in an angry hum of dark energy, rippling through the air to fly at the face of the first of the trolls.

Crit on a 25, but only 9 force damage.

19:56, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 25 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Eldritch Blast w/ Advantage.
19:57, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 9 using 2d10+3 ((3,3)).

Able to see the trolls from his advance position, Lucien decides to take advantage of the distraction that the bear is providing. He releases the cloak and returns to the ground. Once safely on his feet again, he makes the hand gesture and speaks the word of power required to summon his mage hand. The invisible hand pulls a torch from Lucien's pack which the elf then sets about lighting.

Lucien Nailo rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.

Action: Cast Mage Hand.
Bonus Action: Cunning actions to control the hand to pull out and light a torch. That should put the trolls in dim light so that everyone can see them.

Heldig spat on the cavern floor as the trolls came into sight, Lucien's torchlight revealing their gangly limbs and mottled, rubbery flesh.

He spared a glance toward the spellcasters who would remain behind the first rank he and the other warriors would establish.

"I will hold them."  He promised, before starting forward to establish a suitable standoff distance from which to hold the line.

The Lord of Forges was not a malicious power, neither Moradin — nor his priests — relished violence for violences' sake ... but still ... trolls were trolls.

He offered up a small prayer to Moradin.  A mantra, really.

"Dwarffather, Keeper of the Seven Part Ember, Protector of the Stone Peoples, and Most Exalted of all the Morndinsamman ..."  He began.  "Forgive me for the violence that I must inflict."

OOC — Advance 25'.  Ready Toll the Dead, Cast it upon the first troll within range (60').

Jinx sees Rissa cast a spell into the darkness ahead.

"Trolls?", she asks, "How many and which one should I target?", hoping that Rissa can help her concentrate fire.

She slowly creeps forward, making sure to stay behind but to the side of Heidig so to have a clear shot, ready to cast the moment she sees something.  As Lucien's torch reveals the trolls, she stops and fire

"Sâ pilon!"

Action: cast Fire Bolt.  Assuming Advantage

14:57, Today: Jinx rolled 14 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 3,8.  Fire bolt attack w/ Advantage.
14:58, Today: Jinx rolled 9 using 1d10 with rolls of 9.  Fire Bolt damage.

Lathan advances forward behind Heldig, then fires at the closest troll as soon as it becomes visible to him.

16:07, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 6 using 1d8+3.  Damage.

16:06, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 13 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack.

16:06, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 22 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only.  Initiative.

The trolls attack the bear and discover that it is an illusion. Lucien uses his mage hand to light a torch, illuminating the two trolls for the rest of the party. Lathan fires an arrow at one of the trolls, but it glances off of the creature's rubbery skin. Rissa's eldritch blast, however, connects. Heldig advances the party forward and attempts to toll the dead against the injured troll, but the troll shrugs off the spell's effects. Alisandra lets out a string of insults, psychically damaging the troll with her vicious mockery. Jinx hurls a fire bolt down the tunnel, but the troll dodges it. Lorrain summons a flaming sphere, which burns the nearest troll. The trolls turn to advance on the party.

Next round.

Troll 1: injured (-18 hp)
Troll 2: uninjured

Rissa pulled more shadows from the wellspring of Abyssal magic within herself, channeling it through the staff

"Ubrath'cil."
"Ubrath'cil."

The shadows clung to both trolls, seeking to slow their reactions and muddle their senses.

Action: Cast Bane using Pact Magic Slot (1/2)
Movement: Withdraw 30ft. Trying to get outside their Darkvision

Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see within range must make Charisma 13 saving throws. Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or saving throw.

As soon as the trolls discover that the bear is an illusion, Lucien releases his concentration and all the image to fade. He pulls out his bow and lets fly an arrow at the burned troll just as his familiar dives in at the creature to distract it. As he does this, he continues his retreat towards the party and away from the advancing trolls.

Familiar Action: Use the Help action to give advantage on the next attack against Troll 1.
Move Action + Bonus Action: Use Dash to retreat carefully from the trolls at half speed (35ft).
Action: Attack against Troll 1 hits AC 22 for 19 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 22 using 2d20+9, dropping the lowest dice only.  Longbow attack w/advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 11,8 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Lathan frowns when his arrow glances off the troll. He nocks another arrow, takes aim, and fires again.

Bonus action: Hunter's Mark on Troll 1. Attack Troll 1. Hits AC 15 for 14 damage.

19:44, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
19:44, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 3 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
19:44, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
19:43, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

"Ah" Jinx exclaim seeing her bolt go wide.  She steps slowly backwards with Rissa and Lucien and fires another bolt at the troll that looks injured. "Sâ pilon!"




Movement: Withdraw 30ft. Trying to get outside their Darkvision
Action: cast Fire Bolt.  Assuming Advantage

15:24, Today: Jinx rolled 26 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only.  Fire bolt attack w/ Advantage.
15:23, Today: Jinx rolled 11 using 1d10+3.  Fire Bolt Damage.
15:23, Today: Jinx rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

As the melee closed in around the dwarf, Heldig worked to stay calm.

His armor was blessed by Moradin ... he did not fear trolls.

The flaming sphere and the fire bolts were lighting the tunnel spectacularly.  The light of the flames reminding the dwarf of a forge.

Time to go to work ...   Heldig thought, readying his hammer and willing a bit of Moradin's forgefire into his weapon.  He felt the reassuring heft of the weapon in his hands, as the head began to glow with an unnatural, sizzling heat ... and then he smashed it into the nearest troll!

OOC —

Bonus Action, cast Searing Smite</a> with 1st level spell slot
Action; 02:18, Today: Heldig One-Thumb rolled 11,11 using 1d20+5,1d8+3.  Hammer vs troll.
If attack hits: 02:23, Today: Heldig One-Thumb rolled 5 using 1d6.  Searing Smite
If it does not, maintain concentration on spell
http://dnd5e.wikidot.com/spell:searing-smite

Rissa's bane does not appear to affect either of the trolls. Alisandra casts faerie fire, affecting the uninjured troll only. Lathan's next arrow sinks into the injured troll, as does Lucien's. The wounded troll continues to advance on the party, followed a few steps behind by its uninjured companion. Heldig intercepts it, swinging his searing hot hammer at it, but misses. Snagger steps up alongside Heldig and hacks into the troll with his battleaxe. Jinx then strikes from the darkness, hitting the troll with a fire bolt. Lorrain then rams his flaming sphere into it, dropping it.

Next round.

Troll 1: dead
Troll 2: uninjured (faerie fire)

With the first troll dealt with and the second troll illuminated by Alisandra's spell, Lucien pivots only slightly to loose his next arrow straight into the towering monster.

Move Action + Bonus Action: Use Dash to retreat carefully from the troll at half speed up to 60ft away.
Action: Attack against Troll 2 hits AC 22 for 14 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 22 using 2d20+9, dropping the lowest dice only.  Longbow attack w/advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 5,9 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Her heart was in her throat as the first troll fell. They had burned it, had they not?  It was dead? She'd lost track. Yes, there was the burning orb of flame. None were injured that she could see. With Heldig close, that could not last long.

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

She hurled another blast of shadow, catching it with a glancing blow, and then advanced.

So long as the wall held, they could do this.

Cast from 70ft. away.
Attack: Eldritch Blast hits on a 15 for 7 Force
Move: Move towards the fight

21:06, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 15 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only ((10,9)).
21:07, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 7 using 1d10+3 ((4)).

Heldig fought a dwarven urge to bellow a warcry as he saw the first of the trolls fall.

This was not a time to celebrate, the cleric reminded himself, this was a time to focus.  The first of the horrid brutes had been felled by fire ... that was good.  Trolls didn't necessarily stay dead otherwise.

Heldig turned toward the remaining troll and swung his white-hot hammer!

Move: enter melee with troll #2
Action: melee attack w/ searing smite

Hit AC21 for 7 bludgeoning and 6 fire damage

06:10, Today: Heldig One-Thumb rolled 21,7 using 1d20+5,1d8+3.  hammer vs troll #2.
06:12, Today: Heldig One-Thumb rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  hammer vs troll #2 (forgot advantage).
06:12, Today: Heldig One-Thumb rolled 6 using 1d6.  searing smite.

When the first troll falls, Lathan quickly switches his focus to the second and lets loose an arrow at it.

Bonus action to switch Hunter's Mark to Troll 2. Attack vs. Troll 2 hits AC 24 for 12 damage.

16:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 6 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
16:02, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 6 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
16:02, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

"That's better!" Jinx exclaims, happy to see her bolt hit and the troll die shortly afterwards.  It seems to work so fire at the second troll now

"Sâ pilon!"


Movement: Minimum retreat needed to stay outside their Darkvision
Action: cast Fire Bolt from 70'

00:08, Today: Jinx rolled 6 using 1d10+3 with rolls of 3.  Fire Bolt Damage.
00:07, Today: Jinx rolled 22 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 16,2.  Fire bolt attack w/ Advantage.
00:07, Today: Jinx rolled 18 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 15.  Initiative.

Lathan hits the second troll with an arrow, then Rissa hits it with her eldritch blast. The troll attacks Snagger, viciously biting and clawing the dwarf. An arrow from Lucien finds its mark just as Heldig hits it with his hammer, igniting it in flames. Alisandra shouts a healing word to Snagger, magically stitching up some of his wounds from a distance. Snagger takes a deep breath then swings his battleaxe full force against the troll. Jinx hits the troll with a fire bolt, and Lorrain slams his flaming sphere into it, further scorching it.

Over the sound of fighting, the party can hear the trolls on the other side of the ice wall chipping away at it with their claws.

Next round.

Troll 1: dead
Troll 2: injured (-73 hp?; faerie fire)

Rissa continued to advance, calling up shadow. Yet the light which had almost waned to nothing grew brighter now, surging in a burst of radiance.

"Ar'Hannoran"
"Ar'Hannoran"

The voice beneath the voice was different this time, bold and powerful where the first had been sweet and sensuous. The light she pulled forth from the fragment of the Celestial Engine descended upon Snagger, closing some of his wounds.

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

The change in pitch and tone was so sudden, so complete, that even those who were used to it were likely caught off guard. So was Rissa, it seemed, for the dart of inky blackness that burst forth struck the troll's thick hide ineffectually.


OOC

Move: Move to within 30ft of snagger
Action: Hit with Eldritch Blast on an 18 for 5 force
Bonus: Healing Light

Snagger heals for 7

The wall is an object that can be damaged and thus breached. It has AC 12 and 30 hit points⁠⁠ per 10-foot section, and it is vulnerable to fire damage. Reducing a 10-foot section of wall to 0 hit points⁠ destroys it and leaves behind a sheet of frigid air in the space the wall occupied. A creature moving through the sheet of frigid air for the first time on a turn must make a Constitution saving throw. That creature takes 5d6 cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

18:34, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast
18:34, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 7 using 3d6.  Healing Light.
19:57, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 5 using 1d10+3.
19:57, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Faerie Fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Fri 15 July 2022.

--- See below ---
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Wed 20 July 2022.

"Why won't you die?" says Jinx as she attempts to understand how this troll is still standing after taking so much punishment.

Can Jinx notice somthing abnormal?

Jinx looks at the injured troll and the wall and prepares to act



If the wall breaks:
Action: Cast Flaming Sphere from scroll and direct it towards the group of troll

If the troll is killed but wall still standing:
Get ready to cast Flaming Sphere at the trolls as soon as the wall break

If troll is still standing and wall is still standing:
Action: cast Fire Bolt from 70'

23:24, Today: Jinx rolled 12 using 1d10+3.  Fire bolt Damage.
23:23, Today: Jinx rolled 18 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 7,12.  Fire bolt attack w/ Advantage.
23:22, Today: Jinx rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

This message was last edited by the player at 22:27, Fri 15 July 2022.

Lathan keeps up the assault, firing another arrow at the last troll on this side of the ice wall, hoping to take it down before the wall gives and the other trolls come pouring through.

Attack vs. Troll 2 hits AC 24 for 23 damage.

21:49, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 6 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
21:49, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
21:48, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 9 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
21:48, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 24 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack.

Heldig kept up the pressure, swinging his hammer with mighty, downward arc.

20:09, Today: Heldig One-Thumb rolled 20,21,7 using 1d20+5,1d20+5,1d8+3.  hammer vs troll (with advantage).

Lathan's arrow drops the badly burned troll. It slumps to the ground as the party can hear the remaining trolls clawing at the ice wall from the other side.

Pause round to allow characters a chance to change/revise their actions...

Troll 1: dead
Troll 2: dead

"When they come through, they are going to be injured from the frigid ice!"

Rissa cried out, and they could all hear the panic in her voice.

"Do I throw up another wall to buy us more time to escape, or do I blast them with more artic cold and we fight them here and now? I've only enough magic for one choice, so we need to decide now!"

OOC: Rissa is asking.

1. Do I throw up another Wall of Ice and we leg it?
2. Do I blast them with a Cone of Cold when they come through, already injured, and we try and finish them off?