There is a smaller tunnel (about 10' wide) concealed behind several large rocks at the back of the cavern. The natural tunnel slopes downward for about 60 feet before leveling off and continuing southeast as far as the party can see in the dark, unlit passageway.

Rissa kept to the back, though if the tunnel went straight she could see further than any of the others within the inky blackness.  She had a hard time deciding between looking ahead, and watching their back, and tried her hand at both.

Alisandra put the “ new” daggers away. She cast light on a stone and handed it off to whomever went first. She fallowed in the second position.

Lucien lets the others pass and then follows in the rear most position.

Lathan takes the lead, venturing into the tunnel with one sword drawn and ready.

The tunnel leads southeast for about two miles before a second tunnel splits off to the south.

"Do we keep to the main tunnel, or take every side path we find?"

Rissa asked the group.

Alisandra shrugged, "We can always come and check them later."

"This tunnel is much longer than the others," Lathan observes. "I wasn't expecting it to go as far as it does.

"Let's continue in the direction we're going for now."

Rissa nodded in agreement.

When his familiar returns, Lucien reports that the other tunnel they passed leads only to a large empty cavern. "At least it would appear that there is nothing more to investigate behind us."

When the group comes to the next intersection and then decides to continue straight, he once again dispatches the owl to investigate the side tunnel for no more than five minutes before returning to report. "This is an impressively large mine. Kuiper, how long was this place active before it shut down?

"I'm not sure. This mine hasn't been in operation as long as I've been alive," Kuiper says to Lucien. "As I said earlier, Old Grizzler or Darius Carman would probably be able to tell you more about the mines. However, this tunnel we're in now doesn't appear to be a mine. It's definitely not naturally occurring, but there are no signs of mining activity having ever taken place here... This is something else."

"Oh lovely."

Rissa added, bringing up the rear as the party moved deeper into the tunnel.  She raised her orb high, but did not cease in casting backward's glances.  She did not feel like tasting another blade in the back if she could help it.

"Aye. Lovely." Lathan continues to lead the party further along the tunnel, one sword drawn.

Horn in one hand and rapier in the other, Alisandra takes second position so that she can aid Lathan in any tracking or navigating if necessary.

Lucien's grunt is halfway between resignation and frustration. "Nothing to be done about it now. We have to find some answers and I don't think going back to town to ask Old Grizzler is the right move at the moment."

As they traversed deeper into the depths she made an observation, "I think we are deep enough to fall out the bottom. Best keep our eyes open for danger."

The party continues to follow the tunnel for about another mile before they come to a second fork. The tunnel splits to the east and to the southwest.

"This is getting repetitive."

Rissa said, though she didn't sound frustrated.

"If we cannot find a main path, what little wisdom I have to offer says we keep going right."

Alisandra agreed. ”We keep going right until we find a dead end or the main path.”

Lucien shrugs and sends his familiar to check the left path. "Sounds reasonable to me."

"I'm more of a left sort of guy myself," Three Elks said attempting to bring a little levity into the situation.

The party takes the right tunnel to the southwest. After about another mile, they come to a T-intersection. The tunnel to the right leads north; the tunnel to the left leads south.

Lucien pauses at this new intersection. "The last split did not lead to a dead end. We should take notes of which way we've gone." He pulls out a bottle of ink, quill pen, and a sheet of paper. He quickly begins sketching a series of lines and dots that represent passages and intersections, starting with the mine entrance. Next to each line, he notes the approximate cardinal direction that the passage entrances pointed. It is not the most detailed map, but it should be sufficient for finding their way back. When he is done, he packs up the implements, blows on the paper to finish drying the ink, and then carefully rolls it up and puts it back in one of his numerous pockets.

Lathan stops at the intersection and stands guard as Lucien works on a map. "It seems likely that turning right again will take us back to where we started," he says. "If we intend to keep exploring these tunnels, I suggest we go left."

Rissa laughed, the sound warm and full.

"Left it is then, lead the way."

Lucien nods his agreement and sends his familiar down the right tunnel. This time however, he gives the owl instructions to fly down the passage for at least the distance the group took to reach the current intersection and return to report if the corridor was indeed the alternate path from the previous intersection as Lathan suspected. He then turns and prepares to follow sown the left passage.

Alisandra nodded and followed Lathan. ”You have a keen sense of direction. I appreciate it, lead on.”

The party takes the left passage, which leads south. Lucien's familiar returns to them after they have traveled a couple of miles.

Alisandra stopped and waited for Lucien to let them know what they were heading into.

"Lathan was right. The other passage was the same one from the previous fork. Why would there be two tunnels leading to the exact same place? Also, we've moved miles to the south. At this rate we might eventually pass under the river. We are almost certainly not under the hills any longer."

Alisandra shrugged at Lucien’s question, ”Most likely to give them some tactical advantage, a secondary means of escape, or something along those lines.”

"I can't imagine they dug all this?  It would have taken years, even with skeletons to do the labor.  Let us keep going, and see what we can find."

Rissa suggested.

Kuiper nods in agreement with Lucien's assessment. "Yeah, you're right. If my mental map is correct, we should be crossing under the Churnett River before too long.

"And whoever built these tunnels, I had no clue they were this extensive. They must have had a lot of help and time. And I suspect that even the local miners aren't aware of them."

Alisandra stopped for a moment and took a good look around. ’I’ve been in Dwarven tunnels. These have a quality similar but not the same. I think...no that would be crazy.” She continued on with the others, keeping her light spell up as needed.

Lucien looks askance at Alisandra, but decides not to press the issue at the moment. He feels the hairs rising on the back of his neck again.

The tunnel continues south for another six miles before coming to another fork: The tunnel the party has been following continues south and another tunnel branches off to the west.

Lucien eyes the side tunnel. "I suppose we'll keep to the main tunnel?" His familiar takes off from his shoulder and starts flying down the tunnel to the west. "Surely this tunnel must go somewhere."

She crouched at the fork and looked at her friends, ”Does anyone have any ball bearings?”

Lucien pulls out a cloth sack from one of his many pockets, extracts three ball bearings from the sack, and hands them to Alisandra.

Alisandra nodded, ”Thank you. I’m playing a hunch here.” She took a ball bearing and put one at the south entrance and one at the west. Whichever one rolled faster would be the tunnel with the greatest declining angle. She cast light on the south bound ball and let it go. If it rolls she will let it go the distance her light will maintain, then cast light on the west bound ball and let it go too.

Lathan watches Alisandra send the ball bearings rolling and wonders what she is up to.

The southbound ball bearing rolls slightly faster than the westbound one.

She caught both and handed them back to Lucien. ”The Southern passage slopes downward at a slightly greater angle. I believe we should head in that direction.” She shrugged, ”It’s like walking, sharper decline helps you walk faster.”

Lucien takes the ball bearings, places them back in the bag, and secrets the bag back into a pocket. He eyes Alisandra curiously, unsure whether shes being serious, but says only: "Works for me. It seems like the main passage one way or another. My familiar will let us know if there is anything of interest along the western tunnel."

The party continues south for about two more miles before the tunnel suddenly ends. It appears that whoever or whatever dug this tunnel simply stopped digging at this point.

Alisandra stopped at the dead end. She looked around. It made no sense. She picked up a rock and hacked it at the wall of rock in front of her. ”I don’t understand. I thought they were digging up.”

Lathan shrugs and leans against one of the walls of the tunnel. He pulls out a piece of dried meat from his pack, takes a bite, then washes it down with a swig of water.

"Back to the last fork then?"

Lucien also eyes the dead end of the tunnel dubiously. "It's always possible that whatever operation was digging this tunnel was interrupted before it was finished. Still, it can't hurt to take a closer look. Give me a moment." He begins inspecting the end of the tunnel for cracks or other signs of a hidden door.

Lucien Nailo rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  Investigation.

Before he can finish, Lucien's familiar returns. "The other tunnel also turns south. My familiar did not reach the end if we want to explore in that direction."

Alisandra nodded, ”Indeed, I feel as though I have failed you all. Please lead on.”

Rissa picked up a rock, and threw it at the wall at the back of the tunnel.

There is no sign of a hidden door or passageway at the end of the tunnel.

Rissa's rock bounces off the wall and falls to the ground.

Alisandra’s mood is dour and she walked along with the others. She feels like a failure.

Rissa gave Alisandra a gently pat on the back.

"Chin up, I proposed back tracking!  Your plan was good, we are just in a maze.
We will keep going until we find what we are looking for."

Lucien is also silent as the group walks, though his is the silence of deep thought.

The party turns around and heads north through the tunnel for about two miles until they reach the last fork, where they can either turn west or continue to retrace their steps to the north.

Lucien peers down the western tunnel. "No stone unturned I say."

"We've been plenty cautious, let's go."

Rissa urged, though from the rear she had little control over the party's speed.

Lathan nods and proceeds to lead the party down the western tunnel.

"It seems we've covered quite a distance so far," he muses as they walk. "I imagine we'll want to find a place to rest before too long."

"It's easy to lose track of time in these tunnels." Lucien observes.

Alisandra followed closely but silently. She was unhappy with her own failure.

Three Elks walked beside Alisandra, "You are no mole, gopher, Dwarf, no one expects you to be able to navigate underground tunnels. In fact, had your guess been right, you would have only made yourself more suspect.  It's a maze down here.  We'll figure out what's going on or we'll get tired of the whole mess and find a way back to the surface.  In the mean time, just relax and take in the scenery.  Look there's some brown dirt, and there...some gray dirt. Ooooh, rocks," he said pointing at random things with a smirk.

As Three Elks walked over Alisandra gave him a side long look, but listened. She snorted and shook her head but by the end she had a bit of a smile. ”Thank you.”

"I'd estimate we've been down here about five hours," Kuiper adds. "I'm okay to keep pushing on, but Lathan is right; we will need to rest at some point."

The tunnel continues west for about a mile then turns south for about seven miles before terminating like the previous tunnel.

"Okay, I'm exhausted and frustrated."

Rissa said.

"Let's get back to fork of the nearest unexplored tunnel, and try again tomorrow.  Or tonight.  Whenever.  I've lost track of time."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

Lucien nods. "Agreed. Just backtracking will take some time."

Alisandra nodded her agreement. ”Indeed many perils faced and defeated for a single day.”

The party retraces its steps back to the last unexplored fork in the tunnels, which takes several hours. They are a little over three miles away from the entrance to the tunnels.

"How many hours has it been?  I've lost track of the time.  I'm exhausted."

Rissa said wearily.

"Are we setting up camp or pressing on?"

Alisandra nodded, ”We should get some sleep. I set up camp and such while you guys get a fire going?”

Lucien's familiar takes off to fly down the unexplored tunnel while the elf himself pulls the bells and string from a pocket to set up his warning signal across the passage. He places the alarm about 100 feet away down the tunnel towards the mine's exit. As he returns, he justifies his decision. "We can be confident that there is nothing back to the dead end so any threat will have to come from the unexplored tunnel or from the entrance to the mine." That done, he sits heavily on the ground. "I will take four hours to rest and then will take the next watch."

"That is a fine plan."

Rissa said, reaching for her pack.

"Perhaps your familiar can scout while we are resting, so that we know which way to go when we wake?"

Lucien nods in agreement.

Lathan sets to work helping set up the camp. He offers to take watch for the first part of the party's rest, then rest himself for the last four hours.

Lucien's familiar returns after only a little under two hours.

When his familiar stirs him out of his trance, Lucien is instantly on alert. He keeps his voice low as he alerts the party. "Every one up. We have trouble headed our way. Seven orcs from the unexplored tunnel. Looks like there's something down that way after all. We can lay an ambush, what assets do we have?" He pulls two flasks of oil, carefully wrapped, from a pouch. "I can also cast an illusion or change my appearance."

"We should have plenty of time to prepare ourselves," Lathan says to the others. "Your bird is much faster than them. An ambush would be prudent. Do you have anything particular in mind?"

Lucien nods. "We plant the flasks of oil somewhere up ahead. My familiar will alert us when they are 10 minutes away. Then I will cast my illusion to make the corridor appear empty.
 When they pass the oil, I will use my mage hand to pick up the flasks and then break them under the feet of the orcs. Then someone shoots a flaming arrow or casts a fire spell through the illusion to light the oil. While the orcs panic from the fire, we take shots from range. There is room for more elements, but that makes use of what I have available."

"My Art is shadow and light, I can summon no flame."

Rissa said, positioning herself well at the back where she belonged.

Lathan shrugs then looks to Three Elks, Alisandra, and Kuiper for their input.

Alison stood and drew her weapons. "I can create light and cause pain with words." She shrugged, "And I am not bad with these blades."

"My songs can create minor effects, though I use them mostly to entertain.  I have created fire with it before," Three Elks shares.  Such tricks would require a free hand so he readied the magic flail as his weapon of choice.

How wide are the tunnels? Are we near an intersection, so we can attack from two directions as once vs their 1?
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 01:57, Fri 09 Oct 2020.

Rissa waited in silence, casting nervous glances behind them to make sure they weren't surprised again.  She hated this part.  She would likely always hate this part.

Lucien ventures ahead into the tunnel from which the group expects the orcs to emerge and looks for a place to hide his flasks of oil where they won't be visible to anyone passing by in the corridor, but where his mage hand will be able to lift them in order to drop them on the orcs. His familiar also flies back down the corridor to notify him when the orcs are getting close.

Kuiper helps the party prepare the ambush and waits for Lucien's familiar to return. He positions himself out of sight with his sword drawn when word arrives that the orcs are close.

Drawing weapons she moved to the opposite side of the entrance from Kuiper, ensconcing herself in shadows to await the ambush.

Eventually, a group of seven orcs armed with axes appears from the eastern tunnel.

Begin combat. You will get a surprise round.

Orc 1: uninjured
Orc 2: uninjured
Orc 3: uninjured
Orc 4: uninjured
Orc 5: uninjured
Orc 6: uninjured
Orc 7: uninjured

"Menil Katharis.  Irkigaar."
"Menil Katharis.  Irkigaar."

Rissa's dual curse was a sensuous, liquid thing.  The voice beneath her voice rich with the promise of power.  A buzzing mote of darkness gathered in her orb, the light within it diminishing, and she pulled it forth and hurled it towards the lead orc.


18:42, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
Bonus:  Cast Hex
Action:  Attack with Eldritch Blast, hit on a 23 for 10 force


18:43, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.
18:44, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 10 using 1d10+3+1d6 ((6,1)).

Alisandra's training is more militaristic. She remembere to wait until the first two in line were through  the entrance before striking the third. She intended only to wound him enough to force his comrades to give him aid. Both her rapier and dagger stroke true.


22:24, Today: Alisandra rolled 1 using 1d4.  Dagger damage.
22:24, Today: Alisandra rolled 7 using 1d8+2.  Rapier damage.
22:23, Today: Alisandra rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Dagger off hand.
22:23, Today: Alisandra rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  Rapier attack

Lucien's mage hand is prepared and waiting, invisibly, for the orcs to pass. Once they have, he commands the hand to pick up the two flasks of oil and pour them over the orcs and onto the ground around them. Then, with an arrow wrapped in a piece of cloth lit by a waiting candle, he fires at the oil soaked ground in an attempt to set it, and the orcs alight.

Bonus Action: Command the mage hand to pick up the flasks of oil and pour them on and around the orcs.
Action: Fire a flaming arrow at the oil soaked ground at the orcs' feet.

Lucien Nailo rolled 17 using 1d20+4. Initiative.
Lucien Nailo rolled 13 using 1d20+6.  Shoot flaming arrow at the oil.

Lathan waits for Lucien to spring the trap, then rushes forward to attack the first orc, stabbing at him with both blades.

Initiative 15. Attack vs. Orc 1 hits AC 25 for 14 piercing damage (or 22 if he is already injured). Bonus attack misses.

19:19, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
19:18, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 14 using 2d6+3.  Damage (critical).
19:19, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Bonus attack (advantage).
19:18, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Bonus attack.
19:18, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Attack.
19:17, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 15 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only.  Initiative.

Three Elks stepped in when he could and swung the magic flail, stolen from the dead necromancer, days ago.  The Seven Reindeer tribe often had to fend off rogue tribes of orc bandits in the northern lands.

19:05, Today: Three Elks rolled 10 using 1d6+4.  damage.
19:04, Today: Three Elks rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  attack.

Lucien uses his mage hand to pour oil on the ground in front of the lead orcs, then fires a flaming arrow at the oil as the orcs approach, igniting the oil and burning the first two orcs. Kuiper rushes forward and cuts down both of them with two skillful swipes of his sword. Rissa's eldritch blast slams into the next orc in line; Lathan finishes him off, jamming his sword into the orc's open mouth. Alisandra stabs the next orc with her rapier and dagger; Three Elks takes him down with a solid blow with his flail. The remaining three orcs are clearly panicked by the brutal ambush.

Next round.

Orc 1: dying
Orc 2: dead
Orc 3: dead
Orc 4: dying
Orc 5: uninjured
Orc 6: uninjured
Orc 7: uninjured

Lucien's owl familiar joins in on the chaos, diving in and harrying one of the orcs which gives Lucien the opening he needs to fire an arrow into the orc's chest. Meanwhile, the invisible mage hand draws one of the dead creatures' weapons and begins to brandish it at the surviving orcs.

Familiar: Use Help action against Lucien's target.
Action: Attack hits orc AC 25 for 19 damage.
Bonus Action: Command Mage Hand to pick up one of the dead orc's weapons a swing it around.

Lucien Nailo rolled 25 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 2,19.  Attack w/Longbow (advantage).
Lucien Nailo rolled 12,7 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/Sneak Attack.

This was the sort of fight Rissa preferred, if there was to be any fighting at all.  She had a flashing image of two Dragonborn standing before her, an impenetrable wall of scales and steel.  So many of their companions had gone their separate ways, but they had yet to taste true tragedy.  She was almost lost to reverie as she worked the shadows of her twinned magics, ripping her cursecraft off of the dead Orc before her and hurling it at the next.

Bonus:  Transfer Hex
Action:  Eldritch Blast

Hit on a 15 for 11

14:17, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.
14:17, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  The rest of the damage.
14:17, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 3 using 1d10.  Damage.

Lathan smiles as they make quick work of the orcs, moving to attack the next one in line with his blades.

Attack hits AC 12 for 7 piercing damage. Bonus attack hits AC 14 for 8 piercing damage (or 15 if he is already injured).

16:30, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
16:30, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Damage.
16:30, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d6+3.  Damage.
16:30, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  Bonus attack.
16:30, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

Alisandra stood her ground, giving the ranged fighters among them an opening to attack.

dodge action
No mv
No B/A
End of Turn

Also trying to stay out of the way of the ranged attackers, Three Elk's seems content to simply mock the orcs.  "Do these inept goblins seem a little taller than usual? They definitely bleed more than normal."

Move if necessary to get out of the way of the ranged attackers.
Uses Vicious Mockery cantrip.  Wis save DC13 or take 3 psychic damage and have disadvantage on next attack.

Kuiper wastes no time taking down the next orc with two slashes of his blade. Lucien fires an arrow directly into the chest of the orc next to that one, dropping him. Rissa's eldritch blast connects with the last orc, then Lathan guts him, ending the fight.

End combat.

Alison went back to her sleeping area
 She lay down to rest.

Lucien rises from his crouched shooting position and proceeds up to where the fallen orcs lie.  He waits for the flames from the oil to completely die out, before trying to retrieve his arrows and searching the bodies. "I wonder where these orcs were coming from. We should finish our rest before we investigate of course, but he need to be careful in case there are more." No sooner has he uttered the words than his familiar takes flight down the passage again to watch for more threats.

Rissa's heart was still racing, but she managed to let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"I'm never going to get used to this, but I like this sort of fight much better."

She leaned back against the wall, resting her head against it.

"Let's find out where they came from."

"Let's get some rest first, Rissa," Lathan says as he cleans his blades and checks over the dead orcs for any clues. "I trust that Lucien's owl will alert us if any more of them come our way. And if they do, we'll deal with them like we did these."

"Oh, oh good."

The relief in her voice was audible, as she withdrew a camping blanket from her pack and set it upon the stone ground to give herself some comfort.

"Agreed," Kuiper says. "If there are any more of them they'll come from the same direction, and we've got Lucien's owl scouting for us, so they shouldn't be able to sneak up on us. Let's try to get some rest."

The party is able to rest undisturbed for more than eight hours.

Long rest

When the party wakes up, Lucien shares what his familiar discovered. "The tunnel goes for about 12 miles before it forks. One of the forks is a dead end, but my familiar didn't explore the other path. It sounds like a full day to explore the path in that direction."

Lathan stretches and grabs his pack. "Well, let's take the unexplored tunnel," he says. "Everyone ready to go? It sounds like we've got a lot of walking to do."

Alisandra awoke, packed her things, and was ready with the others. She nodded to Latham, ”Indeed. Let’s get moving.” She cast light inside her horn and used wax to stop up the small end. She smirked, ”I call it a torch-horn.”

Lucien eyes Alisandra's device approvingly. "Clever." Then he prepares to take his customary place in the back of the group.

"What a useful piece of magic, that."

Rissa remarked towards Lucien, the admiration in her voice clear.  She spent a great while pulling her leathers over her travelers clothes, and then went around to each of them with a little spellwork.  A few words and a little finger waggling, and with a shower of light sparks she cleaned the sweat, dust, and grim from each of them.

"Alright, let's be about it then."

The party sets off down the tunnel heading east. After a couple of miles, the tunnel starts to gradually turn southward, then continues south for another three or four miles before turning east again for another two miles. Then the tunnel turns sharply north for about two miles before gradually starting to turn back to the east. Then the party comes to a fork: one tunnel continues to the east, while the other tunnel continues southeast.

Alisandra shrugged, ”I am not even going to try, you guys pick.”

Three Elks seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.  When they reached the intersection he simply continued walking east.

Lucien turns towards the southeast tunnel. "The eastern fork is a dead end. We should go this way."

Lathan nods and proceeds to lead the party down the southeast tunnel.

Alisandra reached out and took Three Elk’s arm, pulling him to the other passage. ”This way, my friend.”

The party takes the southeast tunnel, which continues for about five miles before forking again. The tunnel continues to the southeast ahead of them, while another tunnel branches off to the northeast.

Lucien eyes the two passages, the endless tunnels are beginning to wear. "The main tunnel or the offshoot? I'll have my familiar scout the route we decide not to take."

"The main tunnel, before we are lost forever."

Rissa said grumpily, clearly not happy with the idea of wandering around in the dark for weeks on end.

Alisandra continued to follow without speaking much. She did not like the cold or the lack of sunlight.

Lathan nods and continues down the southeast tunnel. The seemingly endless exploration of the underground tunnels doesn't seem to bother him.

The party continues down the southeast tunnel. After about six miles, a tunnel branches off to the west, while the main tunnel continues to the southeast.

"Shall we keep to this tunnel?" Lathan asks the others, stopping momentarily when they reach the fork. "I reckon we're under the Thornwood by now. What do you think, Kuiper? You're more familiar with this area than I am."

Alisandra has taken to tossing stones at the wall, bouncing them off.

Lucien nods in agreement.

Kuiper pauses to think. "Yes, I think you're right, Lathan. If we're not under the Thornwood now, we should be soon.

"How's everyone holding up?"

"Tired and worried."

Rissa said honestly.

"I've been trying to keep track of our twists and turns, but I think I'm lost."

Alisandra spoke up as well, ”Lost, bored, but not tired. I can march all day.”

"Assuming that the people who took the priest even went into the mine, we lost them long ago with our wrong turns. Unless they also didn't know their way. The real question is why all of this is down here. Who built it? Why?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:46, Sat 07 Nov 2020.

"Not a clue, Lucien," Kuiper replies. "There's obviously something foul going on in Haranshire, and it's much more extensive than we first expected. It's all very troubling.

"Let's keep pushing forward."

"Agreed."

Rissa said, raising her orb and once again filling it with light.

The party continues down the southeast tunnel for about 15 more miles before it terminates. However, unlike the other tunnels, this one ends in what appears to be a heavy stone door.

When his familiar returns, Lucien reports. "That last tunnel was another dead end." He then sends his familiar back to the intersection before last and asks it to fly to the end of that one as well for no more than an hour after it enters the side passage.

"That's new." Lucien cautiously approaches the door and begins to check around it for any dangers, but avoids touching it for the time being which precludes him from being as thorough as he'd like.

Lucien Nailo rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Investigation.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Sat 07 Nov 2020.

"Hmm..." Lathan draws both blades and stands ready near the door while Lucien checks it. "Perhaps this is what we've been looking for. I'm ready whenever everyone else is."

Lucien's familiar returns while he is investigating the door and he informs the others of what was found. "My familiar did not make it to the end of the fork before the most recent one. When time allows, I will send it back to fly farther."

Not spotting any obvious traps around the door, Lucien pulls a rope from his pack and ties it around the metal handle set into the stone door. "Better safe than sorry." He says to the others as he backs up a good 30 feet from the door. He waits for everyone else to clear away before he starts trying to pull the door open using the rope.

Alisandra drew her sword and horn. She stood clear and nodded to Lucien her readiness.

Lucien slowly pulls the door heavy stone door open. A tapestry hanging on the other side of the door prevents the party from seeing what is through the door, though they can tell that the room or tunnel on the other side is not lighted.

First, Lucien summons his mage hand. He commands the invisible hand to go up and push the tapestry as though something is pulling it aside to pass through. He waits until he is certain that the disturbing of the curtain hasn't prompted any retaliation from the far side, then he approaches the curtain himself while motioning for the others to stay back and direct their lights away from the doorway. Seeming to fade into the darkness around the door, Lucien moves right up to the tapestry and tries to peer around it with the least possible distrubance.

Lucien Nailo rolled 28 using 2d20+8, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 20,16.  Stealth.

Alisandra will shine her ‘horn light’ into the darkness for her dumb human eyes.

After using his mage hand to check for threats, Lucien slips into the room on the other side of the tapestry and finds himself in the bedchamber in the basement of the keep in the Thornwood where the party faced the necromancer-priest and his undead minions. There is no one in the room.

Lucien blinks and turns to look at the massive tapestry obscuring the door. After taking a moment to assess the implications, he slips back through and informs the others. "It's the basement of Spire Keep. If the priest was brought here, we may have lost the trail unless they're still in the castle."

Alisandra’s horn shone light into the room. She looked this way and that, ”Unlikely as it is that they are here, it would be a good idea to search the tower. If we are alone here it would make a good base of operations, or at least a landmark for exploring the tunnels below.”

"Spire Keep? I guess I was right about us being under the Thornwood," Lathan says. "It seems everything we've been dealing with is connected somehow. Let's check the keep to see if anyone is currently here or has been here since we last were."

Rissa let out a long sigh.

"We've been going in a giant circle?  Well, at least we don't need to worry about starving to death down there.  Perhaps your familiar can quickly scout the whole keep?"

Raising an eyebrow at Lathan, Lucien's mouth twitches in the general direction of a smile. "That much at least does not surprise me. There was a necromancer based here. It isn't out of the question that the two we fought in the mine were in league with him."

Lucien nods in agreement with Rissa and his familiar flies off to begin scouting the area.

"Aye, but what are they doing with all of their captives?" Lathan wonders aloud. "They're obviously raising some of them as undead minions but not all of them. And how do the damned orcs fit into all of this mess?

"I say if the keep is clear, we head back to the tunnel your owl didn't finish exploring."

There is no one else in the keep, though it does appear that someone else has been through it recently.

Lucien relates what his familiar found and agrees with Lathan. "Since there is nothing in the keep now, that sounds like a better idea that tramping through the Thornwood."

Rissa searched for ink and paper within the keep, so that she could map and track their progress.

"Does anyone have ink, paper, and quill?  I got hopelessly lost down there, and I wish to start both journaling and trying to map our progress.  I am not a cartographer, but I believe between the journal and a crude map we at least have a chance."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Sat 14 Nov 2020.

Lucien pulls several neatly rolled sheets of paper, a bottle of ink, and a quill pen from one of his pockets and hands them over to Rissa. "A map is a good idea. I'll replace these when we're next in town."

"It's too bad we couldn't just flood the tunnels and drown everything down here like rats," Three Elks muttered.  The underground was only fit for Gnomes and Dwarves, not a Half-Elf like himself.  He missed the sky. "So let me see if I've got this right... A tribe of Orcs are kidnapping folks, and using these tunnels to move them around unnoticed; ultimately, to end up turning them into undead for some nefarious purpose? Probably to be manipulated in some power struggle among living nobles."

Three Elks, while mostly silent in the tunnels, seemed to have constructed a fairly imaginative conspiracy theory.

"Nobles?" Kuiper raises an eyebrow at Three Elks. "You think Count Parlfray has something to do with this?"

Lathan cocks his head toward Three Elks, curious to hear his response to Kuiper's question. He wouldn't necessarily put it past Count Parlfray, but why would he hire them to investigate the missing pilgrims if he was behind the kidnappings?

Rissa marked down the keep with a square on one page, and began a journal with the next.  While she doubted she cloud tell if the tunnels twisted and turned once they were back underground, she could at least keep track of the branches.

"Let us get back to it while we talk."

She suggested.

"Life in the north is hard, but among the tribe we have little crime.  Of course I have heard stories of larger hamlets and towns, where stories of organized crime are many.  When the crimes are big, so to are the people behind them.  Men with power and coin, usually want more, and usually are the only ones rich enough to make such things happen.  The rest of us, we common folk, are too busy trying just to survive to construct such devious machinations. I have yet to meet this Parlfray so I cannot speak of his character; but if not him perhaps another."

It was odd to see this muscular barbarian from the north, weave such a conspiracy and to put in in words that caused all his companions to stop and think for a moment, to wonder at the possibility.  It seemed he was a teller of tales, able to shift people's perceptions.  "As we learn more, the narrative of this story may well change," he said with a shrug, realizing he's drawn perhaps too much attention.

He nodded to Rissa in agreement that they should keep moving.  The open sky was waiting.

Alisandra nodded along with Three Elks, ”It is an excellent working theory, though we should keep it amongst ourselves. We do not want to be on the wrong side of a powerful noble without evidence and such.”

Lucien actually chuckles quietly when he hears Three Elks' theory, perhaps the first time many in the group have heard him laugh without playing the character of Seliar Silversong. "I wonder if you know how right you are Three Elks. I'll say this for Palfrey, he definitely knows more than he's saying about whatever is going on. Whether he's behind it or not is another question though. In my experience the motives of nobles are, in my experience, often hard for us 'common folk' to fully rationalize and their plots are seldom simple and straightforward." He gestures for Lathan to take the lead again and then waits for the group to pass before falling in behind as before.

Kuiper shrugs. "You never know... A kidnapping plot like this seems a bit much for the current Count Parlfray, from what I know of him. The family doesn't hold the same power they used to.

"Whoever's behind all of this, I hope we get some answers soon."

Lathan nods, having nothing to add at this time, and proceeds to lead the party back into the tunnels.

The party decides to rest in the keep before returning to the tunnels. While resting, Oleanne and her animal companions arrive. When she sees the party, she gives them a wave and a smile.

"Oh, just you," she says. "Thought you more orcs. Been tracking orcs for many days. Can't find their base. What you doing here?"

Alisandra rolled over in her bedroll. Only an idiot wouldn’t realize they were resting.

"We're still looking for whoever is behind the kidnappings," Lathan says to Oleanne. "We started in a mine in the Blanryde Hills and followed a series of underground tunnels that led us here.

"We did encounter a group of orcs in one of the tunnels. Perhaps they are using the tunnels to get around and that is why you have been unable to find them."

Lucien gestures back towards the tapestry. "We only just discovered the link between the keep and the tunnels. We haven't found any other exits yet. I don't suppose you've seen any sign of a kidnapped priest from Milborne?" Having completed his necessary trance, Lucien is more than happy to trade information though he does speak quietly and move away from those who are asleep.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:54, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

Oleanne shakes her head. "No. We not seen any prisoners.

"We keep you safe while you rest." She, the bear, and the two wolves then position themselves to guard the entrance to the keep while the party rests.

Long rest.

Rissa woke early, rising to stretch and begin the long and arduous process of meticulously cleaning herself and her belongings with repeated workings of her magic.  She appeared delighted by the working, still confused but pleased with wherever this new magic had come from.

In the morning, Lucien makes ready to leave, but he also makes a point of thanking Oleanne for keeping watch. "Other than the party of orcs we dealt with back that way, we've only found necromancers and the undead down here. Thank you for keeping watch."

Alisandra did not sleep in, it was not her way. She got up and began to break down camp, then once done she went to Rissa quietly, "I do not possess the magic that cleans oneself. Being a woman, I thought you might be good enough to do me the favor?"

Rissa flashed Alisandra a beaming smile, her costume jewelry tinkling gently with every movement.

"Because I'm a woman then?"

She laughed, and gestures the sigil that brought the purifying light to the marine.

"And here I thought I was just using the gifts given.  I don't know where this new Art came from, it still feels so different than what I normally weave, but I am happy to use it freely."

Alisandra is clearly uncomfortable in speaking this and she dropped to a whisper while she did so. "I just meant that, being a woman, you would understand the plight I face if I do not remain...clean."

She is alluding to yeast infections

Rissa nearly choked from laughing, and while she was clearly amused by the other woman's discomfort, there was no cruelty in her voice.  With a wave of her fingers and a warm sensation through her blood, she whisked the sweat and grim from the other woman's skin, clothes, and armor.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Fri 27 Nov 2020.

"Aye, thank you for guarding us while we rested," Lathan says to Oleanne as they prepare to head back into the tunnels. "Perhaps you would accompany us as we explore the tunnels?"

Oleanne shakes her head at Lathan. "No. Underground no place for us. We stay in Thornwood. Keep looking for orcs."

Lucien nods in understanding. "Find us if you ever want any help." He packs up the last of his things and waits for the others to be ready to depart.

"Fair enough," Lathan says to Oleanne. "Best of luck."

Then he slings his pack over his shoulders and leads the party back into the tunnels.

Alisandra gave a formal curtsy to Rissa, "Thank you, much better now." She breathed a bit easier now and moved around to pack everything up. "So what now?"

The party head back into the tunnel, traveling back the way they came for about 20 miles before reaching the fork they haven't explored, which leads northeast.

At the fork, Lucien sends his familiar ahead again and instructs it to return either when it finds danger or when it encounters another fork. After it departs, he addresses his companions. "No reason to wait. We might as well forge ahead."

Alisandra nodded and shone her horn light ahead walking in the second position to give aid.

As usual Aid Another action.

"While it is good to know that the Keep is connected, let us hope this is more fruitful."

The party takes the tunnel to the northeast. After about three miles, it turns southeast and continues that direction for about eight miles before turning east. After one mile, the tunnel turns south. At this turn, there is a set of massive, 15-foot-tall bronze double doors to the east with two keyholes.

Alisandra followed the tunnels and turns until they came to the doors. She looked up at them suspiciously. "I think it a good idea to check for traps, yes?"

"That would probably be wise.

"I recall finding some keys on the fallen necromancers. Lucien, do you still have those?"

Lucien has to rifle around in his pockets for awhile before he can produce both keys., but eventually he does. "Here they are. Before we use them though, let me check around the door." The elf spends a few minutes looking around the door for anything suspicious before stepping back to join the others. "I can use a mage hand to try the keys from a distance."

Lucien Nailo rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Check for traps.

Three Elks was surprised and glad to see the massive doors.  At least he wouldn't be staring at dirt and rocks for much longer.  Of course whatever lied beyond the door would likely be more than unfriendly.  He readied his shield, his other hand he kept empty for now, not sure whether magic or weapon would be needed.

The doors do not appear to be trapped. However, both keys must be turned at the same time.

"I have that Art as well, I will work the other."

Rissa said, and on Lucien's signal did so.

Lucien takes several steps back, summons his mage hand and hands one of the keys to apparently nothing. When Rissa summons her own hand, he holds the second key out for it to be taken. Moments later the first key floats towards the door, seemingly under its own power and inserts itself into one of the keyholes. Waiting until Rissa is ready, Lucien looks over at the tiefling mage. "On a count of three. When I say three. One... Two... Three."

Casting Mage Hand.

Lathan draws both of his blades and positions himself back from the doors and off to one side, readying himself for whatever might lie behind them.

Lucien and Rissa turn the keys in the massive doors. They hear a click as the doors are unlocked, but the heavy doors do not open on their own; they will need to be pushed open.

Lucien eyes the doors dubiously as his mage hand pulls the key out of the keyhole and returns it to him. "There's no way the mage hands will be able to open those doors; even working together." He seems warry of approaching the doors again.

“Are there any obvious traps?” Asked the barbarian as he approached the doors rolling his shoulders.  If they were hinged, he didn’t expect it to be too much of an issue.  Only Dwarven stone doors doors prove too much for the muscular man to push past by himself.

"I feel like Lucien would have said something if there were."

Rissa teased gently.

Three Elks pushes the heavy doors open. On the other side is a massive, unlit cavern; it extends beyond any member of the party's range of vision, and is at least 150 feet wide, with a 40-foot-high ceiling. The cavern is strewn with gnawed bones and detritus, as well as crude blankets and mangy furs. About ten armed orcs face the doors as they open. Behind them, a handful more are reaching for their weapons and rousing the three giant lizards occupying the middle of the room. All of the orcs have the same skull tattoos and shield designs as those previously encountered.

The orcs immediately let out battle cries and rush to attack.

Begin combat. Roll initiative and post your actions for the first round.

How far away are the Orks? Are they clustered for Fairie Fire?
10:45, Today: Alisandra rolled 20 using 1d20+7.  initiative.
Also I have Alert which prevents me from being surprised, if it matters.

At first glance Alisandra thought to Cast Fairie Fire, but given the Location of the incoming Orks, she changed her mind at the last moment and went with a different Spell.

Casting Shatter instead. Shatter has a 60' range as well. Picking a point where those same four Orks are affected.
DC 13 Con save. Miss and 12 damage.
12:09, Today: Alisandra rolled 12 using 3d8.  Thunder damage.
Make and 6 damage
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Mon 07 Dec 2020.

As he is mobbed by orcs, Lucien almost seems to melt into the shadows and then suddenly appears a good distance away. As he reappears, he looses an arrow at one of the orcs attacking Alisandra. Almost in the same moment, his familiar swoops in with its talons bared to draw the orc into the line of the shot.

Lucien Nailo rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.
Lucien Nailo rolled 16 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 8,10.  Attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 10,10 using 1d8+6,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Familiar Action: Help for Lucien's next attack.
Bonus Action: Disengage.
Move: 30ft away from the orcs.
Action: Shoot orc 3 on Alisandra hits AC 16 for 20 damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:09, Sat 12 Dec 2020.

Rissa raised her orb, and pulled shadows forth.

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

With the twisting twinned words, the space around the orb darkened as she hurled a buzzing mote of darkness at the nearest foe.

18:29, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Action: 19:28, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.
19:29, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 5 using 1d10+3.  Damage.


This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Thu 10 Dec 2020.

Three Elks stood in the middle of the entrance way.  Seeing the army of Orcs, Three Elk immediately regretted opening the door.  He didn't allow himself to show any fear however.  Instead, he slapped his shield with the magic flail and then pointed it at the biggest meanest looking Orc and his lips began to move as if silently singing.  Only the Orc he pointed to could hear the magical psychic dirge.  It was a song of death.  The Orc's tortured dead friends and family joined in the chorus. The song spoke of how he was going to die in a most painful manner and then be dragged to the netherworlds by faceless hags.  Let the army beieve they were being besieged by a coven of witches or a college of wizards!

08:37, Today: Three Elks rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  initiative.
Cast Dissonant Whispers, Will sv 13 or take
08:46, Today: Three Elks rolled 16 using 3d6.  psychic damage and immediately use reaction to run as far away as possible.  Successful save does half damage, and doesn't run

Lathan grits his teeth and readies himself to attack the first orc to come within reach.

Initiative 15. Ready Attack. Attack 1 hits AC 10. Bonus attack hits AC 16 for 8 piercing damage.

09:54, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Damage.
09:54, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Bonus attack.
09:54, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Attack.
09:53, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 15 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only.  Initiative.

Rissa is the first to react, firing an eldritch blast at one of the orcs, who deflects it with his shield. Three Elks' dissonant whispers drops one of the approaching orcs, who clutches his ears as he collapses to the ground. Alisandra casts shatter in the middle of a group of four more orcs, shocking them with a thunderous boom. They rush toward Alisandra to retaliate. Kuiper moves into the room and attacks the first orc to approach, but fumbles his sword and fails to mount an effective offense; that orc cuts Kuiper with his battleaxe. Two orcs attack Three Elks, each cutting into him with their swords. Lathan is also cut by one of the oncoming orcs; Lathan stabs his attacker in the side. Two orcs attack Lucien but he manages to avoid their blades, ducking into the shadows and firing an arrow at one of the orcs approaching Alisandra; the arrow finds its mark, dropping the orc.

Meanwhile, the orcs in the middle of the room continue to rouse the three giant lizards.

Next round.

Orc 1 (Kuiper): uninjured
Orc 2: dying
Orc 3: dying
Orc 4 (Alisandra): injured (-6 hp)
Orc 5: injured (-6 hp)
Orc 6: injured (-12 hp)
Orc 7 (Three Elks): uninjured
Orc 8 (Three Elks): uninjured
Orc 9 (Lathan): injured (-8 hp)
Orc 10 (Lathan): uninjured
Orc 11 (Lucien: uninjured
Orc 12 (Lucien): uninjured
Orc 13: uninjured
Orc 14: uninjured
Orc 15: uninjured
Orc 16: uninjured
Giant Lizard 1: uninjured
Giant Lizard 2: uninjured
Giant Lizard 3: uninjured
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:26, Sat 12 Dec 2020.

"Ar'Hannoran"
"Ar'Hannoran"

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

The difference between the two voices that infused her spellcasting was never more clear than when she wove one spell after another.  The voice that drew healing light from her orb was soft and deep, resonate with a resolute power.  The voice that cast darts of blackness was silky and sensual, whispering promises from the dark places of the world.

She hurled light and her companions, and shadows at the foe, the light and darkness within her orb in perfect harmony.

Bonus:  Healing Light on Three Elks for 10
Action:  Eldritch Blast on wounded Orc, hits on a 14 for 7


16:36, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 10 using 2d6.  Healing Light.
16:36, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.
16:36, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 7 using 1d10+3.  Damage.

Alisandra once again went into a more clever footwork style to keep her enemies at bay.

Taking the dodge action, No Movement.

She called out, "Lathan, I could use your aid."

B/A Inspire Lathan
1d6 to a single attack, ability check, or saving throw
End of Turn

Lucien's familiar dives in at the other orc attacking Alisandra just in time for another arrow to catch it in the throat. "I have it taken care of Lathan!" Lucien shouts to his fellow elf over the din of battle, hopefully allowing him to stay focused on fending off his opponent rather than needing to help the bard. Meanwhile, Lucien stays intent on avoiding any enemies who follow him.

Lucien Nailo rolled 25 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 19,1.  Attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 8,8 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Familiar Action: Help on next attack.
Bonus Action: Disengage if necessary.
Move: Move away from any orcs in melee.
Action: Attack with longbow against orc 4 hits AC 25 for 16 damage.

Lathan stabs the same orc again, then turns slightly to stab a different orc.

Attack vs. Orc 9 hits AC 23 for 15 piercing damage. Bonus attack vs. Orc 10 hits AC 24 for 8 piercing damage.

20:22, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
20:21, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Damage.
20:21, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Damage.
20:21, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Bonus attack.
20:21, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

Perhaps, they fell for Three Elks ruse: pretend to be a caster drawing in your foes to unleash your barbarian rage.  Perhaps they were just stupid Orcs.  Feeling the sting of the Orcen blades, feeling his own blood pour over his skin, Three Elks grinned menacingly.  He shoved his shield into the face of one Orc defensively as he swung the flail, looking to kneecap the other.

Healed for 10 life applied to character sheet.(Thanks Rissa)
Raging! Resistance to B,P,S damage.
09:00, Today: Three Elks rolled 8 using 1d8+4.  damage.(actually 10 w/rage)
09:00, Today: Three Elks rolled 22 using 1d20+7.  attack.

Rissa heals Three Elks and releases an eldritch blast at one of the orcs, who deflects it with his shield. Three Elks strikes an orc in the leg with his flail; he and another orc hit Three Elks in retaliation. Kuiper cuts down an orc with two slashes of his sword. Two more orcs step forward in his place, both of them cutting Kuiper with their axes. Alisandra does her best to evade her attacker, but the orc hacks her with his axe, leaving her barely able to stand; thankfully, Lucien takes down the orc with an arrow to his throat. Three orcs swarm Lathan, and he suffers two severe wounds that nearly take him out. Lathan stabs one of his attackers viciously, dropping him, then stabs the other orc who hit him.

The remaining orcs move toward the party, followed by the three giant lizards.

Next round.

Orc 1: dying
Orc 2: dying
Orc 3: dying
Orc 4: dying
Orc 5 (Kuiper): injured (-6 hp)
Orc 6 (Kuiper): injured (-12 hp)
Orc 7 (Three Elks): injured (-10 hp)
Orc 8 (Three Elks): uninjured
Orc 9: dying
Orc 10 (Lathan): injured (-8 hp)
Orc 11 (Lathan): uninjured
Orc 12: uninjured
Orc 13: uninjured
Orc 14: uninjured
Orc 15: uninjured
Orc 16: uninjured
Giant Lizard 1: uninjured
Giant Lizard 2: uninjured
Giant Lizard 3: uninjured

Seeing Lathan now taking multiple hits, Lucien refocuses on the ranger and looses another arrow as his owl familiar swoops in catching the orc in the back. As he repositions, Lucien's mage hand pulls a bag from one of his many pockets and floats past the bulk of the fighting where it drops the hundreds of ball bearings out on the floor in an attempt to impede the progress of the orcs and their lizard pets.

Lucien Nailo rolled 22 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 2,16.  Attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 9,8 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Familiar Action: Help on next attack.
Bonus Action: Order to mage hand to drop a bag of ball bearings.
Move: Stay 35ft from any orcs, move in closer if no orcs are close.
Action: Attack with longbow against orc 10 hits AC 22 for 17 damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:22, Sat 19 Dec 2020.

"Menil Katharis"
"Menil Katharis"

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

Rissa also lended her weavings to the hard pressed Lathan, calling forth a storm of shadows and entropomancy to besiege his foe.

Bonus:  Cast Hex on uninjured Orc, Str penalty
Action:  Eldritch Blast on the uninjured Orc hitting Lathan, crits on a 25 for 19

17:05, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.
17:06, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 10 using 2d10+3.  Crit damage.
17:08, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 9 using 2d6.  Hex damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:09, Tue 15 Dec 2020.

The best defense is a good offense, Lathan thinks as he continues to strike at the orcs attacking him despite being very nearly at death's door.

Attack vs. Orc 10 hits AC 16 for 11 piercing damage. Bonus attack hits AC 12 (miss?).

20:46, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
20:46, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  Damage.
20:45, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Bonus attack.
20:44, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

Alisandra moves behind her allies, holding a wound on her stomach. She pointed at an Ork in range, "You Orks have no tactical acumen!"

Move 30' behind her allies
Casting Vicious Mockery DC 13 Wis save or 3 damage and disadvantage on next attack. Save means no affect.
07:53, Today: Alisandra rolled 3 using 1d4.  VM Damage.

She then turned her attention to Lucien, "I admire your Courage, Lucien."

Inspire Lucien. 1d6
End of Turn

Three Elks continued to attack the same orc.  If a flail to the knee wasn't enough to drop him, perhaps a blow to the head would.  He kept his shield raised, hoping to ward off the blows of the second orc, though so far their attacks kept sneaking past.  He bellowed with frustration and rage.

Raging
09:56, Today: Three Elks rolled 11 using 1d8+4.  damage.
09:56, Today: Three Elks rolled 14 using 1d20+7.  attack.

Rissa's eldritch blast slams into the head of one of the orcs attacking Lathan, immediately taking the orc out of the fight. Lathan stabs his other opponent in the gut, taking him down, too. Three Elks strikes one of his opponents in the head with his flail, dropping him. An arrow from Lucien takes out the other orc in front of Three Elks. Alisandra's vicious mockery takes down one of the orcs facing Kuiper; the ranger cuts down the other one with two slashes of his sword.

The remaining five orcs and the three lizards, now slowed by the ball bearings covering the floor, advance on the party.

Next round. The remaining opponents will be in melee range next round.

Orc 1: dying
Orc 2: dying
Orc 3: dying
Orc 4: dying
Orc 5: dying
Orc 6: dying
Orc 7: dying
Orc 8: dying
Orc 9: dying
Orc 10: dying
Orc 11: dying
Orc 12: uninjured
Orc 13: uninjured
Orc 14: uninjured
Orc 15: uninjured
Orc 16: uninjured
Giant Lizard 1: uninjured
Giant Lizard 2: uninjured
Giant Lizard 3: uninjured

Alisandra will cast Fairie Fire on the group of advancing enemies.

Action Cast FF; DC 13 Dex save
No Movement
No B/A
End of Turn

With a wave of her orb, Rissa ripped the black magic off of the fallen Orc and hurled it at the closest foe wrapped up in Alisandra's magic. An dart of buzzing power followed, the light within her orb all but extinguished.

20:00, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 13 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack w/ advantage.

20:00, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 15 using 1d10+3+1d6.  Damage.

Lucien moves in on the advancing orcs and their pets, staying just beyond what he judges to be the practical distance they can charge. As his familiar swoops in advance of the melee fighters, he looses an arrow at one of the lizards, but it slips harmlessly off the beast's scaly hide.

Lucien Nailo rolled 9 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 3,1.  Attack w/ advantage.

Familiar Action: Help on next attack.
Move: Move in closer, but stay 35ft from any enemies.
Action: Attack with longbow against giant lizard 1 hits AC 9, miss.

Lathan is bleeding badly and knows he is in no shape to face the remaining orcs and their lizards head-on. He backs up behind the others, sheathes his swords, and reaches for his bow.

Glancing over his shoulder Three Elks could see some of the others were battle wary and on the verge of collapse.  They retreated further into the tunnel.  They would need a buffer, however, and that's were he came in.  Unlike the others he only stepped back a few feet.  If the Orc were to get to his companions, they would have to go through him.  With shield still in hand he rested the head of the flail over his shoulder ready to strike at the first Orc to come within range.

Move 10 feet back.  Hold action to attack the first enemy to come into melee.
19:15, Today: Three Elks rolled 10 using 1d8+4.  damage.
19:15, Today: Three Elks rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  attack.
Hoping I can get off at least one attack of opportunity as the orcs try to move past me to get to the others.

Rissa releases an eldritch blast at one of the approaching orcs, who deflects it with his shield. Alisandra attempts to catch several orcs in her faerie fire spell, but only manages to affect one. Kuiper and Three Elks hold the line, lashing out at the first orcs to close in on them; Kuiper cuts into one of the orcs with his sword, but Three Elks misses his target. In the ensuing melee, Kuiper is stabbed and Three Elks is hacked with an axe. Lathan withdraws behind Three Elks and Kuiper, while Lucien fires an arrow at one of the giant lizards, missing. The lizards move in, attacking Three Elks and Kuiper; Three Elks evades his attacker, but one of the lizards bites Kuiper in the shoulder.

Next round.

Orc 1: dying
Orc 2: dying
Orc 3: dying
Orc 4: dying
Orc 5: dying
Orc 6: dying
Orc 7: dying
Orc 8: dying
Orc 9: dying
Orc 10: dying
Orc 11: dying
Orc 12 (Kuiper): injured (-6 hp; hex)
Orc 13 (Kuiper): uninjured
Orc 14 (Three Elks): uninjured (faerie fire)
Orc 15 (Three Elks): uninjured
Orc 16: uninjured
Giant Lizard 1 (Kuiper): uninjured
Giant Lizard 2 (Three Elks): uninjured
Giant Lizard 3: uninjured
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 19:12, Wed 23 Dec 2020.

Lathan draws his bow and fires an arrow at one of the orcs attacking Kuiper, but his injuries cause the arrow to fly high and miss.

Attack vs. Orc 12 hits AC 9 (miss).

14:56, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

Lucien looses another arrow at one of the orcs besetting Kuiper with the help of his familiar and then, fearing that the press of opponents may overwhelm the weakening front line, drops his bow and draws his rapier as he dives forward into the fray.

Lucien Nailo rolled 19 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 7,13.  Attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 7,3 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Familiar Action: Help on next attack.
Action: Attack with longbow against orc 12 hits AC 19 for 10 damage.
Bonus Action: Drop bow.
Move: Move into melee and draw rapier.

Rissa kept the barrage of magic up, hurling bolt after bolt as their foes drew near.

Hit on a 16 for 11

15:42, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  EB.
15:43, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 11 using 1d10+3+1d6.  Damage.

Three Eks quickly found himself surrounded.  He swung shield and flail from side to side like the wild barbarian he was instead of an experienced and trained fighter.


14:46, Today: Three Elks rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  attack with advantage.
14:45, Today: Three Elks rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  attack.
Really hate this dice roller!
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 02:19, Tue 29 Dec 2020.

Rissa's eldritch blast takes down one of the orcs attacking Kuiper; Kuiper slices into the chest of the other one but the orc remains standing. Lathan and Lucien fire arrows to assist Kuiper; Lathan's misses but Lucien's hits. Lucien then drops his bow and rushes into melee, only to be bitten by a giant lizard. One of the giant lizards bites Kuiper again. Three Elks swings his flail at the orcs in front of him but they easily evade it. A giant lizard bites him but he barely feels it.

Next round.

Orc 1: dying
Orc 2: dying
Orc 3: dead
Orc 4: dying
Orc 5: dead
Orc 6: dying
Orc 7: dying
Orc 8: dying
Orc 9: dying
Orc 10: dying
Orc 11: dying
Orc 12: dying
Orc 13 (Kuiper): badly injured (-14 hp)
Orc 14 (Three Elks): uninjured (faerie fire)
Orc 15 (Three Elks): uninjured
Orc 16 (Kuiper): injured (-10 hp)
Giant Lizard 1 (Kuiper): uninjured
Giant Lizard 2 (Three Elks): uninjured
Giant Lizard 3 (Lucien): uninjured

Lucien tries to ignore the stinging pain of the lizard's bite and remain focused on the mob of enemies surrounding Kuiper. He sees an opening and plunges the thin blade of his sword through a gap in the scales of the lizards attacking the huntsman.

Lucien Nailo rolled 23 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 17,16.  Attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 8,11 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Familiar Action: Help on next attack.
Action: Attack with rapier against giant lizard 1 hits AC 23 for 19 damage.

Lathan takes careful aim at one of the orcs in front of Kuiper then looses his arrow.

Bonus action: Cast Hunter's Mark on Orc 16 (or 13). Attack Orc 16 (or 13). Hits AC 16 for 12 piercing damage.

11:33, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 2 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
11:33, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 1 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
11:33, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 9 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
11:33, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

"Sever more are coming, with an Orog!"

Rissa said, continuing to harry their foes with magic.  It seemed her claim that she could see further than any other in the dark was not false. She hurled her black cursecraft at one of the Orcs still limed by fairy light.

"Do we fall back, or fight?"

Her voice, when she was not summoning more shadows, sounded unsure.

"Fall Back!" he practically growled.  He didn't like retreating from a fight, but he knew it would only take two lucky hits to finally drop him.  He was already fighting 3 on 1, and if the Orcs had reinforcements coming he knew he would fall to their axes.  Still, he refused to be the first to run.  He could buy his companions a few extra seconds still.  He swung at the orc that glowed with ghost fire.  His first blow was parried, for his second he dropped low on the backswing looking to injure a knee.  Even if it didn't drop the orc, it would make a chase unpleasant.

17:44, Today: Three Elks rolled 7 using 1d8+4.  damage.
17:43, Today: Three Elks rolled 25 using 1d20+7.  attack with advantage.
17:41, Today: Three Elks rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  attack.

From her position Alisandra saw how bad things were going. She heard Three elks call for retreat and agreed. "Aye retreat." She searched for something helpful, but all she could come up with was a healing spell for Three Elks. "Three Elks, your wounds be healed."

B/A cast L1 Healing word on Three Elks.
08:27, Today: Alisandra rolled 6 using 1d4+3.  HP to Three Elks Healing Word.

She called and motioned for them to run, and when/if it seemed they would she ran with them.

Taking Dash action to GTFO
Dash and Move for 60' away from orks
End of turn

Rissa's eldritch blast slams into one of the orcs in front of Three Elks, who finishes it off with a strike of his flail to the orc's knee. Kuiper cuts into one of the injured orcs in front of him, killing him. Lathan drops the other one with an arrow. Lucien stabs the lizard attacking Kuiper, taking it out of the fight. Alisandra's healing word stitches up some of Three Elks's wounds as she turns and retreats. One of the remaining lizards bites Three Elks; the other one snaps at Lucien, who barely manages to evade its teeth.

Out of the darkness of the massive cavern, an orog and nine orcs emerge, rushing forward to engage the party.

Next round. The newcomers are 60 feet away.

Orc 1: dying
Orc 2: dying
Orc 3: dead
Orc 4: dying
Orc 5: dead
Orc 6: dying
Orc 7: dying
Orc 8: dying
Orc 9: dying
Orc 10: dying
Orc 11: dying
Orc 12: dying
Orc 13: dead
Orc 14: dying
Orc 15 (Three Elks): uninjured
Orc 16: dying
Giant Lizard 1: dying
Giant Lizard 2 (Three Elks): uninjured
Giant Lizard 3 (Lucien): uninjured
Orc 17: uninjured
Orc 18: uninjured
Orc 19: uninjured
Orc 20: uninjured
Orc 21: uninjured
Orc 22: uninjured
Orc 23: uninjured
Orc 24: uninjured
Orc 25: uninjured
Orog: uninjured

Lucien tries to repeat his success against the lizard that is attacking Three Elks, but overextends in the lunge and can't pierce through the beast's scales. After the attack, he twirls away out of the melee and falls back to where he left his bow. "Agreed. We'll have to hope that we can out distance them."

Lucien Nailo rolled 10 using 2d20+6.  Attack w/ advantage.

Familiar Action: Help on next attack.
Action: Attack with rapier against giant lizard 2 misses.
Bonus Action: Disengage.
Move: Fall back to where he dropped his bow.

Lathan fires an arrow at the lizard attacking Lucien, then begins to retreat with Alisandra.

Switch Hunter's Mark to Giant Lizard 3. Attack Giant Lizard 3. Hits AC 25 for 14 piercing damage.

16:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 2 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
16:03, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 12 using 2d8+3.  Damage (Critical).
16:02, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

As Allisandra dashed by, Rissa reached out and grazed her with her fingertips.  White light poured forth from the Orb she clutched in her left hand, for a second overwhelming the shadows that she had been drawing forth from it.

"Ari'Judiantu"
"Ari'Judiantu"

The words were vibrant and full of power, as was the magic that they summoned.

And then Rissa too was running.


Healing Allisandra.

14:40, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 9 using 1d8+3.  Cure Wounds.

Three Elks calmed himself.  He draped the flail over his shoulder and weaved a jagged crisscross line through the air with his finger, "Evawrednuht!"  A boom of thunder rippled in the air before him enveloping his enemies.  He turned and ran down the tunnel.

Bonus Action: End Rage
Action: Cast Thunderwave on the two in melee with me. Con DC13 or take:
20:57, Today: Three Elks rolled 10 using 2d8.  thunder damage and be pushed back 10ft. Save for half damage and no push.
Move: 30 feet down the tunnel

Three Elks casts thunderwave, sending the orc and giant lizard attacking him flying backward and giving him the opportunity to retreat. Kuiper cuts down the giant lizard in front of Lucien, then begins to retreat. Lathan shoots an arrow into the eye of the last giant lizard, dropping it, before retreating with the others. Rissa partially heals Alisandra's wounds, then flees alongside her and Lucien.

As the party retreats, they hear a booming voice cry out in Orc: "" Glancing back over their shoulders, they see that none of the orcs appear to be following them into tunnels.

End combat? Let me know if you intend to do anything other than run.

Orc 1: dying
Orc 2: dying
Orc 3: dead
Orc 4: dead
Orc 5: dead
Orc 6: dying
Orc 7: dying
Orc 8: dying
Orc 9: dying
Orc 10: dying
Orc 11: dying
Orc 12: dying
Orc 13: dead
Orc 14: dying
Orc 15: injured (-10 hp)
Orc 16: dying
Giant Lizard 1: dying
Giant Lizard 2: dying
Giant Lizard 3: dying
Orc 17: uninjured
Orc 18: uninjured
Orc 19: uninjured
Orc 20: uninjured
Orc 21: uninjured
Orc 22: uninjured
Orc 23: uninjured
Orc 24: uninjured
Orc 25: uninjured
Orog: uninjured

Alison stopped her retreat after only a few seconds. "Thank you," she nodded to Rissa. "They are sealing the door. They do not pursue. Why?"

Lucien picks up his bow as he retreats and stops when he sees that Alisandra has stopped. He thinks for a moment when she relays the meaning of the command. "If I had to guess? They're guarding something and unwilling to abandon their post."

He looks over the Kuiper. "If that's true, they'll probably reinforce the position. If we come back, we'll need to be ready. One way or another Oleanne will want to know about this. Do you think it's possible to track her down?"

"She's generally not easy to find," Kuiper says with a shake of his head. "I bet you're right, though, Lucien. But they suffered some serious losses just now. If we hit them again soon, without giving them time to fully recover and reinforce themselves, we should be able to clear them out and get to whatever it is they're guarding."

Rissa drew near Lathan, the light of her orb shining.

"Ari'Judiantu"
"Ari'Judiantu"

She said with that strange doublespeak, her Art pouring over him.

"I don't know, but we will need to assault it one way or another if we want answers. Let us go find someplace safe to lick our wounds, and decide what to do next."




18:10, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 11 using 1d8+3.  Cure Wounds on Lathan.

Alisandra nodded, "Agreed. We can bind our wounds in an hour or so, then hit them again. We know what we are dealing with now."

"We have to prepare for the possibility that we may not get through that door again.  If I were them I would be barricading it so it could not open. Does anyone have any idea where we are or more accurately what exists above here?" Three Elks asked as he pointed to the cave roof over his head.

Kuiper thinks for a moment, then says, "I believe we're still under the Thornwood... We're probably near the northern edge of it, not far from the Churnett River."

"Thanks, Rissa," Lathan says as her healing magic mends some of his wounds.

"Do we really know what we're dealing with now?" he asks Alisandra skeptically. "And I suspect we're going to need longer than an hour or so to be in any shape to attempt a second attack.

"Let's keep moving. We'll need to put some distance between us and them before we rest."

Lucien is inclined to agree with Lathan. "I can set my familiar to watch the passage and give us plenty of warning if and when they come after us. I would prefer not to fall back any father than the last intersection though. We wouldn't want them to get around us."

He also acknowledges Three Elks' point. "Even if they don't barricade the door, they'll be ready for us to come back. Still, even if there is a way to get around behind them, we have no way of finding it."

"Agreed, let's rest at the crossroads."

Rissa said, nodding to Lathan at his gratitude.

It should take the party about four hours to get back to the last intersection in the tunnels.

Lucien watches the group's back for orcs coming from behind as they make their way to the crossroads.

"Four hours seems a bit much, no? Let's just walk the tunnel for ten minutes or so, as best we can reckon. Then we can post, lick our wounds, up and make sure we aren't being followed."

Alisandra nodded, "I agree with Rissa."

"I am tired of walking.  Either we retreat from these burrows or we fight to breach what lies beyond the doors. I saw roughly ten others, we can only hope there were no more than that.  I doubt I could call upon any more songs of power this day.  I can only offer words of encouragement and perhaps dance the Dance of the Beast once more before I am spent."

Lucien simply nods.

"Let's just rest here then, recover our strength, and strike them in ten hours. Yes, that will give them time to prepare, summon reinforcements even. But they already have that, and we are wounded and our magic is spent. Let's regain our strength here, and try again."

And then she was following her own advice and setting up camp.

"Aye," Lathan nods. "Let's do that."

Lucien's familiar flies off down the passage back in the direction of the door with orders to fly back immediately if the doors open. While the others set up camp, Lucien walks a hundred of so paces further down the passage ni the opposite direction where he sets up his customary alarm with string and a bell.

Once he returns, he helps set up camp. "I hardly imagined when we chased after the kidnapped priest that we'd be spending days underground." He looks over to Kuiper. "If we assume that we're getting closer to something important to the orcs, then it's also possible that we're getting closer to Jelenneth."

"That seems likely," Kuiper says to Lucien. "And perhaps we'll find some answers as to why she and the other victims were taken."

"Good, then let's post a watch and get some rest.  It is well earned."

Aisandra nodded, "Wake me for last watch, please."

The party sets up camp in the tunnel and settles in to rest and recover for the next ten hours.

Long rest.

When everyone is fully recovered, Lucien summons his familiar back and interrogates it about whether there has been any activity by the doors while the party was resting.

Rissa began her morning utilizing her magic to meticulously clean herself, and any of her companions who consented to the tingling touch of it. She still seemed fascinated by it, her eyes lighting up with undisguised delight with each little working.

"This is... alive."

She said at last, staring at her hand with a smile cracking her face wide.

"Ah, I love it. Alright, let us try this again, and hope they haven't summoned reinforcements."

"Aye, let's get back at it," Lathan says, grabbing his backpack. "I suspect they'll have barricaded the doors, but I doubt they'll be expecting us back so soon."

While they walked Alisandra asked, "What tactics do you all have in mind?"

"We seemed to have had the advantage when it came to ranged attacks.  Is there any way we could construct a barricade or pit perhaps to keep them from closing in on us as quickly?" he asked as he looked to the magic users.

Lucien thinks for a moment. "I have had some success in the past distracting or delaying orcs with illusion, but it rarely lasts for long."

"I can hurl magic at them from afar, but there is nothing stopping them from barricading themselves in to resist my attacks. Let us see what their defenses are."

Rissa said, leading the way with her night eyes.

Alisandra followed behind silently thinking over possible tactics.

Lathan nods in agreement with Rissa's comment. "Aye, until we see what we're up against, we won't know exactly how to respond... There was an orog among the second wave. It might be their leader. Regardless, we'll probably want to concentrate our firepower on it. I've not faced an orog before, but they are supposedly much tougher than their orc brethren."

When the party returns to the massive doors, they are closed and locked.

"If they open, I think I'll only push open a single side this time.  Funnel them as much as possible" Three Elk's whispered.  He didn't offer much more in the way of tactics other than that.  He also didn't mention that he had no idea what an Orog was.  It was likely that taller orcish beast.

This time around he carried a javelin in his right hand and the warhammer in the other.

"Anyone know how to work a set of picks?"

Lucien speaks in a voice barely above a whisper. "We should see if the keys still work before resorting to other methods, but I can attempt to pick the locks if it becomes necessary. However just because there were no traps on the door last time, does not mean that they can't have prepared something this time. Give me a moment." He moves forward cautiously and begins to check the area around the door for any new additions that might signal danger.

Lucien Nailo rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Investigation to check for traps.

"That's a good idea," Kuiper says to Three Elks. "They outnumber us, so if we can limit how many of them we face at once, that will be to our advantage."

Lucien steps back and pulls out the two keys from his pockets. "The door looks clean. It looks like they just shut it and locked it." He hands one of the keys to Rissa and then summons his mage hand as he steps back from the door. "Still no reason to take chances though. We unlock the door from a distance again, then I'll throw up an illusion, while everyone gets ready to hit them with a volley. Any volunteers to push the door open once it's unlocked?"

Casting Mage Hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:59, Sun 24 Jan 2021.

"Agreed."

Rissa repeated what had worked the first time.

Casting Mage Hand

Alisandra drew her rapier and horn, waiting for the inevitable.

Three Elks took point again. He attempted to push one of the doors open slowly, ready to dodge behind the doors themselves as cover should a hail of arrows to come flying through.  He plan was to push it open and duck behind the still closed door.  Allowing his companions to fire a volley or arrows and magic through.

Alisandra stood on the opposite side from where Three Elks wanted to be. She knew she had to be on the front lines here, but having a bit of cover wasn't a bad thing.

As Three Elks starts pushing the door open, Lucien waves his hands and chants a short invocation. From the party's perspective, the only change is the emergence of a slight shimmer around the periphery of the corridor, but from the opposite direction an illusion makes the corridor appear to be empty. Once the illusion is cast, Lucien pulls out his bow and knocks an arrow.

Cast Silent Image.

Lathan stands back from the doors and to one side, readying himself for the attack. He has his bow out this time.

Lucien and Rissa use their mage hands and the keys to unlock the doors. When Three Elks moves to push one of the doors open, he feels as though he is stung by something, though he cannot see what hit him, nor does the sting appear to have any effect. The door budges ever so slightly but doesn't open more than a small crack; it is apparent that there is something heavy on the other side.

Three Elks fears that perhaps he may have just set off a trap; but with no obvious immediate effect he put it out of his mind for now.  He listened for movement or talking beyond the door.  Not hearing anything he gave a door a harder push.

20:13, Today: Three Elks rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  athletics.
20:12, Today: Three Elks rolled 2 using 1d20 +2 = 4 perception.

Lucien keeps his bow at the ready and silently order his familiar to be ready to fly through and scout out the far side as soon as the opening is large enough.

"Axes then?"

Rissa suggested, bringing the key back to her hand and pocketing it.

Three Elks pushes again, but the door doesn't open any further.

Alisandra suggested, "I have a spell that might shatter the door."

Three Elks glanced over his shoulder at his companions.  He was supposed to be the muscles of the group, and yet he couldn't seem to push the door open.  He moved to the other half of the double door, this time sticking his warhammer in the slight gap in the door to use as a pry bar.  "How about you just help me push this time," he said to Alisandra. It sounded a bit ruder than he actually meant it to.  The long time spent in the tunnels and the frustration of feeling useless was obviously starting to get to him.  "Side by side with the warrior of Avenguard we breached the walls of the Night King's courtyard," he said, grunting a line from an old epic poem.

Cast Bardic inspiration on Alisandra.  Once in the next 10 min you can add a 1D6 to a ability check, attack roll, or saving throw.
Accepting help or using the warhammer as a possible asset...
12:25, Today: Three Elks rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Athletics w/advantage.
12:25, Today: Three Elks rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Athletics.

Three Elks manages to push the door open just wide enough for one person to pass through at a time. There appear to be rocks and dead bodies piled up on the other side of the doors.

Lucien's familiar flies through the gap created by Three Elks and the elf's eyes glaze over as he gazes through the owls eyes. He describes what he sees on the far side of the door...

Alisandra nodded and in a moment felt the magic of his words take hold. "So that is what this feels like."

Lucien's familiar flies into the orc cavern...

Lucien snaps back to his own body with a jolt. He silently motions for Alisandra and Three Elks to move away from the door. When everyone is close enough that he can whisper, he informs the group what he saw. "They are waiting for us on the far side. Fourteen orcs, including fours with crossbows, and the orog on a giant lizard."

"How far away?"

Rissa asked.

"Immediately on the other side. Ringed in a semi-circle around the door."

"That is not a good fight for us to take. Does anyone have an idea?"

Alisandra nodded, "I can use Fairie Fire since they are all clustered. Our main problem is the crossbows. If our archers can take them out quickly, and my fire is successful, We should be able to deal with the others. I suggest isolating one enemy at a time and concentrating attacks.

If the Ogre is a real problem I can use Hold on him and make him a statue temporarily, but I cannot do that and the fire at once. Tactically it might be better to find another way in and sneak up on them with their attention on this door. Those are my thoughts."

Three Elks spun out of the way of the opening using the door to shield himself from what lay beyond.  "They're Orcs, but we could try diplomacy; though at this point I would be surprised if they'd be willing to talk."

Three Elks unslung his backpack and started to fish out a bear trap.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:39, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

Lathan watches Three Elks out of the corner of his eye, wondering what he intends to do with the bear trap.

"No sense standing around. They know we're here. Let's get to the killing."

Alisandra nodded and spoke hurriedly, "Use the doors and their barricades as cover. Give them as small a target as possible."

Lucien readies his bow again and begins to approach the door in a crouch. "Let us see how good their discipline is. I will see if I can bait them into attacking us." Using his knowledge of where the orcs are positioned, Lucien prepares to peek through the opening, loose his arrow, and then duck back around behind the door.

He looks at Alisandra. "Be ready with the Faerie Fire if they charge the door."

Lucien Nailo rolled 8,6 using 1d20+6,1d8+4.  Longbow attack w/ damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:15, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Rissa began drawing shadow and darkness from her orb, fashioning her attack.

Holding an action to fire off an Eldritch Blast on the first Crossbow Orc.

20:23, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
20:24, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 12 using 1d10+3.
20:24, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.

Three Elks set the bear trap just behind the closed door.  He then began to hammer the chain end into the ground with piton.  The Orcs knew they were there drawing them to the doors and the thinner passageway was the smarter move.

Lucien peeks through the open doorway and fires an arrow, which flies high, then ducks back out of the way just in time to avoid being hit by incoming crossbow bolts.

"Okay, they know we are here.  Either we stay here and trade potshots, or we all charge through. My vote is charge."

Which was easy for her to say, as she wasn't going to be the first through the door.

Alisandra crouched and pushed the door trying to wedge herself in the room. If successful she will lead with Fairie Fire, attempting to catch as many as possible, then retreating back to the relative safety of her friends. "Fire at will!"

Move 1 - into the room
Action - Cast Fairie Fire
Move 2- withdraw from the room for cover.

She patted Three Elk on the shoulder, "You and I will hold the line!"

B/A Inspire Three
End of Turn

After Alisandra casts her Faerie Fire, Lucien turns around the corner again ready to fire another arrow into the press of orcs. This time, the shaft finds its mark and lodges itself in the neck of one of the orcs.

As he ducks back behind the door, he looks quizzically at Rissa. "When they have created such an effective bottleneck that robs them of their numbers advantage? I say we keep taking potshots at least until we run out of arrows."

Action: Attack hits the orog under the effects of Faerie Fire for 23 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Initiative (if necessary).
Lucien Nailo rolled 26 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 17,20.  Longbow attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 12,11 using 2d8+4,4d6.  Damage w/ critical hit.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Tue 16 Feb 2021.

Three Elks nodded in agreement with both Alisandra and Lucien.  He stepped around the door and threw a javelin through the opening at the regular orc surrounded in faerie fire, then ducked back behind the closed door careful to avoid the bear trap.  "They'll come for us alright. We just need to get them riled up first."


17:20, Today: Three Elks rolled 5 using 1d6+3.  piercing damage.
17:20, Today: Three Elks rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  attack w/fairie fire advantage if able
17:19, Today: Three Elks rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Wed 17 Feb 2021.

Rissa wasn't a warrior, or a tactician, so she didn't speak again when the others spoke. Instead she just took her place behind Three Elks, and fired an orb of shadow through the open door before moving out of the way.

Attacking Orc 11
Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 4 using 1d10+3.  Damage.
18:29, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  EB.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:02, Wed 17 Feb 2021.

Alisandra pops into the room and casts faerie fire, catching an orc, the orog, and the giant lizard upon which it sits in the glow. Unfortunately, she is hit by three crossbow bolts before retreating back behind the door, leaving her badly wounded.

Waiting for everyone to post/update his/her post.

Orc 1: uninjured
Orc 2: uninjured
Orc 3: uninjured
Orc 4: uninjured
Orc 5: uninjured
Orc 6: uninjured
Orc 7: uninjured
Orc 8: uninjured
Orc 9: uninjured
Orc 10: uninjured (faerie fire)
Orc 11 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 12 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 13 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 14 (x-bow): uninjured
Giant Lizard: uninjured (faerie fire)
Orog: uninjured (faerie fire)

Lathan pops his head inside the room and fires an arrow at the orog, then ducks back out of the way.

Initiative 17. Bonus action: Hunter's Mark on Orog. Attack hits AC 19 for 10 piercing damage (or 18 if the Orog is already injured).

10:52, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer (if applicable).
10:52, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 6 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
10:51, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 4 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
10:50, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 19 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack (advantage).
10:50, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 17 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only.  Initiative (advantage).

Three Elks launches a javelin at one of the orcs caught in Alisandra's faerie fire, hitting it in the shoulder. Lathan hits the orog atop the lizard with an arrow, then Lucien fires an arrow directly into the orog's neck, nearly taking it out. Rissa's eldritch blast hits one of the orcs with crossbows. The half-circle of orcs rushes toward the partially open door.

Next round.

Orc 1: uninjured
Orc 2: uninjured
Orc 3: uninjured
Orc 4: uninjured
Orc 5: uninjured
Orc 6: uninjured
Orc 7: uninjured
Orc 8: uninjured
Orc 9: uninjured
Orc 10: injured (-5 hp; faerie fire)
Orc 11 (x-bow): injured (-4 hp)
Orc 12 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 13 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 14 (x-bow): uninjured
Giant Lizard: uninjured (faerie fire)
Orog: badly injured (-33 hp; faerie fire)

Rissa retreated from the doorway at the sound of the charge, pulling light and darkness both from her orb. She flicked a wave of light at Alisandra, shaping and molding the energy with her strange double speak.

"Uur Vaner."
"Uur Vaner."

Then she began shaping shadow, preparing for the threat.

Using a Bonus Action to use a Pact Magic Slot to cast Healing Word of Alisandra

19:01, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 4 using 1d4+3.

Withdrawing 30 ft.

Holding an action to cast Eldritch Blast on the first enemy that comes through the door.

19:02, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.

19:02, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 13 using 1d10+3.  Damage.

Lucien stays put in the face of the charging orcs long enough to fire another arrow at the orog. Threading the shot through the press of bodies is challenging and Lucien's arrow is slightly off target. Once he has fired, he also retreats from the door. "Here they come!"

Action: Attack against orog hits AC 13 for 16 damage.
Bonus Action: Disengage.
Move: Retreat 30 feet.

Lucien Nailo rolled 13 using 2d20+6, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 1,7.  Longbow attack w/ advantage.
Lucien Nailo rolled 7,9 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage.

She nodded her thanks to Rissa. Noting the group charging the door she smiled and made a humming noise that grew loudee until it unleashed in a concentrated explosion of sound amidst the charging enemy.

Action cast Shatter into the charging enemy.

She took the opportunity to move quickly  back toward her allies.

move to just in front of Rissa

No B/A
End turn

Lathan fires another arrow at the orog, then retreats behind Three Elks and Kuiper.

Attack vs. Orog hits AC 24 for 18 piercing damage.

13:17, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 1 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
13:16, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 6 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
13:16, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 11 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
13:16, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 24 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack (advantage).

Three Elks took his turn in front of the door before letting loose a drawn javelin.  He then retreated further back into the tunnels with the others, though remained up front side by side with Alisandra.  Maybe some of the orcs would stay back to secure the doors? Maybe they were going to go for a full rush, to rid themselves of the pesky intruders.  He hoped at least one, would get stuck in the beartrap.


19:34, Today: Three Elks rolled 5 using 1d6+3.  damage.
Target Orog if still up and within range.  Otherwise, the injured crossbow orc.
19:33, Today: Three Elks rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  attack.

Three Elks hurls a javelin, which hits the orog. He is immediately met with a volley of crossbow bolts, three of which hit him. Lathan fires an arrow at the orog, knocking it off the giant lizard and taking him out of the fight. Lucien fires an arrow that strikes the giant lizard. Alisandra casts shatter, hitting four of the oncoming orcs. Rissa partially heals Alisandra with a healing word.

The orcs rush forward and start to push the partially open door closed.

Next round.

Orc 1: injured (-8 hp)
Orc 2: injured (-7 hp)
Orc 3: injured (-3 hp)
Orc 4: badly injured (-14 hp)
Orc 5: uninjured
Orc 6: uninjured
Orc 7: uninjured
Orc 8: uninjured
Orc 9: uninjured
Orc 10: injured (-5 hp; faerie fire)
Orc 11 (x-bow): injured (-4 hp)
Orc 12 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 13 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 14 (x-bow): uninjured
Giant Lizard: injured (-16 hp; faerie fire)
Orog: dead

Since the orcs don't seem particularly inclined to chase the party, Lucien darts back in to fire an arrow at some of the crossbow wielding threats who are peppering the party with bolts before darting away from the door again.

Bonus Action: Dash
Move: Run back to the door.
Action: Longbow attack against orc 11 hits AC 15 for 12 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  Longbow attack.
Lucien Nailo rolled 12 using 1d8+4.  Damage.

Rissa kept back-peddling as the Orcs poured through the doorway, hurling another blast of shadow that slammed into the stone wall without effect. Cursing her shaking hands, she peeled a mote of light from her orb and threw it at Alisandra. That, at least, struck home.


Bonus: Healing Word on Alisandra for 7 using 2/2 Pact Magic Slots
Action:  Miss with an Eldritch Blast
Move: Retreat 30 feet.

17:49, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  EB.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:01, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

Although she had just used it, she saw the perfect opportunity to shatter again. She focused on those orcs trying to close the door. She would like to catch the door as well.

Action Cast Shatter
No B/A
End turn

Lathan fires an arrow at the orog's lizard, then moves back again.

Bonus action: Hunter's Mark to Giant Lizard. Attack Giant Lizard. Hits AC 25 for 13 points of piercing damage.

21:01, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 2 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
21:01, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 3 using 1d8.  Colossus Slayer.
21:01, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 8 using 2d8+3.  Damage (critical).
21:00, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 25 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Attack (advantage).

Three Elks waited until he could hear the Orc, just on the other side of the door before coming around and casting a spell of his own, "Evawrednuht!"

A wave of thunderous energy exploded outwards causing the air to shimmer with its force, the deafening boom echoing down the cavern.

Cast Thunderwave: Con save DC13,
18:26, Today: Three Elks rolled 7 using 2d8.  damage to 15' cube and pushed 10ft back.
Suc save for half and no push.  I imagine some of the dead bodies on the other side would also be pushed back since they are unsecured objects.

Three Elks steps inside the room and casts thunderwave, taking out one orc and injuring two others with a deafening boom; several rocks and dead bodies are also pushed away from the door by his spell. Kuiper follows after the dust settles and quickly cuts down two of the orcs near the door. Lathan fires an arrow right between the eyes of the giant lizard, dropping it. Lathan drops one of the crossbow-wielding orcs with a quick shot from his bow. Alisandra catches a cluster of orcs with her shatter spell, taking out two of them and injuring the others. Rissa heals Alisandra then fires an eldritch blast into the cavern, hitting only the wall. The remaining orcs swarm Kuiper and Three Elks; Kuiper is hit three times, twice with axes and once with a crossbow bolt. Three Elks dodges their melee attacks but is struck by a bolt.

Next round.

Orc 1: dying
Orc 2: dying
Orc 3: dying
Orc 4: dead
Orc 5: dying
Orc 6 (Kuiper): injured (-4 hp)
Orc 7 (Kuiper): injured (-9 hp)
Orc 8 (Kuiper): injured (-7 hp)
Orc 9 (Three Elks): uninjured
Orc 10 (Three Elks): injured (-5 hp; faerie fire)
Orc 11: dying
Orc 12 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 13 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 14 (x-bow): uninjured
Giant Lizard: dying
Orog: dead

Rissa kept peeling shadow and light out of her orb, moving closer to Kuiper so that with a shout of...

"Ar'Hannoran"
"Ar'Hannoran"

... she could embrace him in warmth and healing light. For the Orcs who faced him, it was shadow and pain, and a hissed...

"Irkigaar."
"Irkigaar."

Hit Orc #6 on a 15 for 13
Healing Light on Kuiper for 8

19:19, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 8 using 3d6.  Healing Light.
19:18, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 13 using 1d10+3.  Damage.
19:18, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  EB.

Alisandra added her own healing, focusing on the same place that Rissa had. "Kuiper, Keep up the fight!"

B/A Cast Healing word on Kuiper
10:00, Today: Alisandra rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  Healing Word.

She then spoke words of death, mocking the Orcs. "Your tactics are annoying and will end in your death."

Action Cast Vicious Mockery on any Orc within range.
10:02, Today: Alisandra rolled 2 using 1d4.  VM Dmage.

No Move
End Turn

Lathan fires an arrow at one of the crossbow-wielding orcs.

Switch Hunter's Mark to Orc 12. Attack Orc 12. Hits AC 20 for 12 damage.

16:00, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 5 using 1d6.  Hunter's Mark.
15:59, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 7 using 1d8+3.  Damage.
15:59, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

With allies now engaged in melee, Lucien focuses on taking out the close range threats. He looses an arrow at one of the orcs fighting Kuiper.

Action: Attack against orc 8 hits AC 20 for 16 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  Longbow attack.
Lucien Nailo rolled 8,8 using 1d8+3,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

"YEARGH! MAY THE BLOOD OF THE ALL FATHERS PURGE YOU FROM THIS PLACE," he bellowed as he flew into a rage once more, small shafts of multiple crossbow bolts sticking out of his body. As he swung his warhammer at the glowing orc before him, the orc ducked under it.  Without missing a beat, Three Elks brought the end of the handle down on the orc's foot instead.

17:25, Today: Three Elks rolled 7 using 2d6+5.  damage.
17:24, Today: Three Elks rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  attack advantage.
17:24, Today: Three Elks rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  attack.

Three Elks smashes the foot of one of the orcs attacking him. Kuiper cuts down another one with a quick swipe of his sword. Lathan hits one of the crossbow-wielding orcs with an arrow, leaving him badly wounded. The orc fires a shot back at Lathan, hitting him squarely in the chest.

Suddenly, a fierce battle cry echoes through the cavern and an orc wearing chain mail appears in the melee; he cuts into Kuiper with his greataxe, leaving the ranger barely standing. Lucien drops one of the other orcs attacking Kuiper. Two more orcs, these wearing ring mail and shields, also appear out of thin air amidst the melee and attack Kuiper and Three Elks, each of them striking his target with his spear. Alisandra heals some of Kuiper's wounds with her healing word then cuts into the psyche of one of the orcs attacking him with her vicious mockery. Rissa heals Kuiper further then finishes off that orc with an eldritch blast. Three Elks is cut by one of the orcs engaged with him. A crossbow bolt strikes Alisandra in the side.

Next round.

Orc 1: dying
Orc 2: dying
Orc 3: dying
Orc 4: dead
Orc 5: dying
Orc 6: dying
Orc 7: dying
Orc 8: dying
Orc 9 (Three Elks): uninjured
Orc 10 (Three Elks): badly injured (-12 hp; faerie fire)
Orc 11: dying
Orc 12 (x-bow): badly injured (-12 hp)
Orc 13 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 14 (x-bow): uninjured
Orc 15 (chain; Kuiper): uninjured
Orc 16 (ring; Kuiper): uninjured
Orc 17 (ring; Three Elks): uninjured
Giant Lizard: dead
Orog: dead

Deciding to focus his attacks on the new arrivals to help the hard pressed melee fighters, Lucien looses an well placed arrow straight at the orc wearing chain mail.

Action: Attack hits orc 15 AC 23 for 12 damage.

Lucien Nailo rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  Longbow attack.
Lucien Nailo rolled 5,7 using 1d8+4,2d6.  Damage w/ sneak attack.

Lathan fires another arrow at the orc who hit him but his aim is slightly off.

Attack Orc 12. Hits AC 12 (miss?).

09:30, Today: Lathan Swiftstrider rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Attack.

Rissa hurled a buzzing dart of black power at Lathan's target, frantically weaving light together to try and tend to Kuiper's desperate struggle.

Action: Eldritch Blast on 12, hits on a 16 for 10 damage.
Bonus: Use a Sorcerer spell slot 1/3 to heal Kuiper for 4

19:22, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 4 using 1d4+3.  Healing Word.
19:22, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 10 using 1d10+3.  damage.
19:22, Today: Rissa Twiceborn rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  EB.