The group leaves the shelter of the hidden cavern, refreshed from their rest. Jak finds the mushrooms nourishing, though not an invigorating as the others did.

Following Greaek's directions, the group turns left back into the natural tunnel leading down. Abruptly the tunnel walls shift to that of worked stone. The ceiling rises to a height of about fifteen feet. Magdrak and Morg easily recognize dwarven stonework.

The passage narrows ahead near what looks like a large arrow slit in the south wall. Flickering light ahead casts shadows on the passage walls. The stale air in the corridor smells of ash.

---

Morg earns Inspiration for completing one part of his "secret mission", discovering one of the ancient dwarven strongholds on his map!

New map: Temple of Eternal Flame

I'm assuming someone has cast Light for those without darkvision, or perhaps Jak has activated his driftglobe?

Findarion notes he has 5 arrows remaining in his quiver as you all leave the cave.

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:34, Tue 14 May 2019.

Jak did indeed activate the driftglobe that has been passed around some of the party members - quietly whispering a command word after pulling the small sphere of glass out. The globe began to emanate light, and Jak held it in his hand. He could have it float and even follow him, but it was too easy to lose that way.

He looked around as they walked along, letting Morg and Magdrak take the lead if they wished to do the talking.

Morg points out the arrow slit to Jak and Asano, "Want to talk our way past any possible archers?"

As Morg examines the arrow slit, he notes that it is about 3 feet tall and 6 inches wide. Peering through from the corner, Morg and Magdrak can make out a rough tunnel leading beyond it to an apparent dead end.

---

Map updated.

Morg makes the hand signal at the arrow slit, and scurries past.

Morg slips past the unmanned arrow slit and sees that the passage widens just beyond it. Two large alcoves flank the hallway. Loose piles of stone form makeshift barricades at the front of each alcove, angled to defend against intrusion from the west. A path between the barricades leads to a wide, descending staircase to the east.

A company of hobgoblin guards stand around the stairs, looking bored until Morg rounds the corner. "You there, dwarf! What are you about?" the large captain barks from the foot of the stairs.

---

Map updated.

Jak followed suit, not knowing better, and made the hand signal as well as he continued to follow after Morg. He restrained the natural urge to smile at the hobgoblins, thinking it might not go over well.

He made the sign of the Eternal Flame as they walked closer. "Priestess Lytin sent us from outside to bring a prisoner out for the ritual." He smiled slightly. "I think they will be...participating a bit unwillingly."

OOC: Seriously, dice roller. It's like you WANT us to have to fight every time. sigh.
20:31, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2.  Deception.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:37, Sun 19 May 2019.

Magdrak remains silent, his hand casually resting on his battleaxe.  He tries to keep a straight face as Jak attempts an explanation.  His gaze travels to take in all of the visible hobgoblins, considering the best course of action should it come to a fight.

The hobgoblin stares down Jak as he comes around the corner, then notes the hand sign.

"Squelch, take 'em to the razerblasts," he grunts in a bored voice. One of the others stands and motions for the group to follow him down the stairs.

Morg follows the descending hob, trying to portray an easy indifference, but actually keeping a close eye on the goblinoids.

Nervously shuffling his hands, Findarion passes by the hobgoblins quickly with his head low.

ASano follows in the middle of the group quietly. His eyes look about for anything out of the ordinary.

---

13:21, Today: Asano Breathkill rolled 22 using 1d20+3 ((19)). Perception w/ Tides
13:21, Today: Asano Breathkill rolled 4 using 1d20+3 ((1)). Perception
13:14, Today: Asano Breathkill rolled 4 using 1d6+1 ((3)). Wand recharge

---

Action:
Move Action:
Bonus Action:

---

HP: 29/29 AC 12
Buffs/Debuffs: Cannot be intoxicated by alcohol for 21 days
Conditions: Will cast shield if necessary
Spells/Sorcery Points: 1st- 4/4 2nd- 3/3, 4/4
Tides of Chaos: No
Wand of MagMiss: 5/7

---

This message was last edited by the player at 20:22, Tue 21 May 2019.

Jak let out a small sigh of relief. The lie hadn't worked on the group upstairs either, really, and so he was pleasantly surprised when they were let past....though he wondered at a trap or something up ahead. It seemed...too easy, and very little had been easy for them of late. But he followed along nonetheless.

The hobgoblin eyes the group warily, but leads them past the rubble-strewn room and down the stairs beyond. The hall widens to form a domed chamber supported by four obsidian columns laced with fiery cracks. Wall sconces hold torches lit with dancing flames, and the smoky air is oppressively warm.

Suddenly a form moves away from one of the walls, carrying an enormously long spear whose tip burns as brightly as one of the torches. Clad in metal armor, the overlapping plates of steel seem to meet at lines of molten metal, giving it the marbled appearance of unevenly melting iron. A bright orb embedded in the chest piece flares with its own light, illuminating a hard face under a heavy helm and circular goggles. As it approaches, a similarly clad figure shifts in its place on the south wall.

"And who are these?" the figure asks imperiously, turning her implacable gaze to Squelch.

"I don't know," the hobgoblin shrugs, "they showed the sign, the boss told me to bring them down. Can I go?" The guard seems uncomfortable in the heat of the chamber, and sweat trickles down his forehead.

The figure motions the hobgoblin away in an arrogant dismissal, then turns to the new arrivals. "Well?" she asks impatiently. The hobgoblin turns to go back up the stairs.

---

Map updated.

"Going to the cellblock to retrieve a prisoner." Morg says, pointing with his head to the right beyond the columns, without breaking his stride.

The second figure moves quickly to block Morg's path with the butt of his spear, grinning maliciously. "Under whose authority?" the first razerblasts barks, stepping forward. "Those are Vanifer's prisoners. Nobody's being retrieved without her say-so."

---

Map updated.

Morg and anyone else should make Deception/Intimidation/Persuasion/etc. rolls as appropriate. Creativity gets lower DC's ;)

Magdrak frowns as Morg is blocked from his objective, and his hand casually goes to rest on the butt of his battleaxe.  "Who in the 'Fells is Vanifer?  We weren't told much of anything by Priestess Lytin, only that she would send a fiery beast after us if we were not back with the prisoner soon.  Something about bait for a trap, or such.  They don't exactly tell us much, having been newly brought on.  Just fetch some... who is it again?"

He turns to the others behind him momentarily as he asks the question, then turns back to the armored figure.  "But if you need permission from someone else, fine by me.  Just let us know so we can get out of here quickly...  So I can tell Lytin, assuming she doesn't just burn me to a cinder for failing.  You ARE fireproof, right?  When that big elemental comes storming in here carrying his master's wrath, won't be no problems for you?  All in a day's work?"

He pauses for a few seconds.  "Just out of curiosity, who ranks higher?  Lytin or ... what was your girl's name again?  Vanifer?"

---

OOC:
23:21, Today: Magdrak rolled 17 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 12.  Intimidation Roll.

Current HP	40/40
Current HD	4d10/4
Lay on Hands	20/20
Current Spells
1st	3/3

This message was last edited by the player at 04:20, Fri 24 May 2019.

The woman slowly turns her head to face Magdrak, her goggled gaze seemingly boring a hole through the dwarf's skull.

Raising a hand to her face, she slowly lifts the goggles from her face. In place of eyes, two glowing orbs of red flame blaze out of blackened eye sockets as she stares down at Magdrak with malevolence. "You moron. Some simple priestess of Elizar's sent you in here to fetch a prisoner, and you think that you can fling around threats of fire elementals? My heart burns already," she says, touching the flaming orb in her chest for emphasis. "No fire can touch what I have already given to the flames willingly. I am already purified."

She replaces the goggles and turns to her companion. "I'll escort these worms to Vanifer. If they do not know the name of the Prophet of the Cult of the Eternal Flame, then they shall." The man nods calmly, lowering the spear from Morg's chest.

Motioning for them to follow her, she starts walking down the hallway.

---

Map updated.

If you're all planning to follow let me know, and/or if you're going to do anything else post accordingly.

The razerblast leads the group to a crossing corridor that heads south. The wide hallway stretches arrow straight, with guttering torches illuminating the way at regular intervals. A fair amount of noise can be heard at the end of the hall. The goggled woman motions for the group to proceed toward the stairs at the far end.

A narrower, darker corridor continues to the east, with what look like dark alcoves along either side.

---

Map updated - I assumed you all might like to see a bit more of the upcoming surrounds as you discuss next steps in OOC.

Asano purses his lips, then nods imperceptibly to Morg. "I understand you don't think much of Lytin," he says, drawing the woman's attention, hopefully long enough for the others to do something. "What about Bastian and his antics?"

Morg, oblivious to the plans of the sneaky folks, follows the goggled lava cultist, keeping close to the right wall in order to see as much into the left exit before the stairs.

Magdrak walks along, grumbling loud enough for himself to be heard by the cultist.  "It weren't me doing the threatening, and here I am, walking to find someone ELSE who wants to threaten me.  If this is how they treat the people they hire, it's a wonder there's any merc outfits who will ever do business with these berks again.  Or maybe that's how they operate, offering ya money so they can stab you in the back when they're done bossin' ya around."

Findarion says nothing, taking out the magical silent dagger and twirling it in o e hand while the cultist is not looking. He exchanges knowing glances with the group.

The din grows louder as the group makes their way down the hallway. Arrhythmic clangs can be heard, and the air grows warmer.

The razerblast proceeds down the hallway, glancing back at Asano sharply. "It is unwise to criticize your superior officer in any outfit, least of all in the Cult of the Eternal Flame. Bastian commands those of us at this end of the Temple."

---

Map updated.

I neglected to mention:

Asano, Findarion, and Magdrak all obtain Inspiration for reaching the Temple of Eternal Flame!
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:53, Wed 29 May 2019.

"That's probably true," Asano says, laying a hand on Magdrak's shoulder. He gives the dwarf a meaningful look, the half-elf's eyes flicking to the razerblast. He immediately begins casting a spell, releasing  abarely visible cloud of purple smoke. To the razerblast's eyes a chainand suffocating collar explode from the wall next to her, locking around her neck with enough grip to cut off her air and voice.

---

20:26, Today: Asano Breathkill rolled 7 using 1d20 with rolls of 7.  Wild Magic chance.

---

Action: Cast phantasmal force (Int DC 14)
Move Action:
Bonus Action:

---

HP: 29/29 AC 12
Buffs/Debuffs: Cannot be intoxicated by alcohol for 21 days
Conditions: Will cast shield if necessary
Spells/Sorcery Points: 1st- 4/4 2nd- 2/3, 4/4
Tides of Chaos: No
Wand of MagMiss: 5/7

---