The group moves away from the battle raging below, as the azers and salamanders join the slaves in the foundry. Shouts and cries ring from the stone walls.

"Findarion, is that you?" Merellien calls out loudly when his brother appears briefly from behind the illusion of a wall. Findarion sees the razerblast poke his head around one of the thick columns, looking back towards the sound of the call.

---

Map updated!
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 13:45, Mon 01 July 2019.

Jak gave a slightly-confused nod and waited for everyone to scatter and hide. Then he walked up to the corner and the hurriedly burst out from it, doing his best to look frantic, maybe a bit panicked, definitely like things were out of control - huh, honestly not that far from the truth!

He waved at the Razerblastperson to come quickly. "Hurry! Somethin's going' done in the foundry area! Some o'the slaves are revoltin' or somethin'! Quick!"

19:24, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 21 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 15.  Deception.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Tue 02 July 2019.

With a curse, the remaining Razerblast hurries down the corridor towards the battle in the foundry. "I'll have to get Thermandar to quell this one," he mutters as he passes.

---

Map updated!

"Alright. That works too." Findarion exits his illusion as the razerblast disappears from sight. He smiles as he sees his brother, tapping him on the shoulder. "Thank you all for the help. Now, let's get out of here, we may talk later."

The group moves back towards the way they had come, skirting around the columns in now-empty room and climbing the stairs guarded by the party of hobgoblins. None of the brutish creatures paid them any mind as they passed, and they quickly reached the opening to the natural tunnels of stone outside of the Temple proper.

"Well, that was quite the ordeal," Merellien offers to his rescuers. "I assume I should now assume command of this group? I believe I am the highest ranking noble among you."

---

Where to? =)
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:20, Tue 09 July 2019.

Jak gave the Razerblaster a mock salute behind its back as it disappeared away from them. He kept quiet, though, as they re-traced their steps back. He paused and let out a laugh as Merellien's 'offer' of leadership. "Yeah, right. You're in the wrong group for that."

He then stopped and blinked. "Oh shit." He looked around to see if any of the Azers had followed them to freedom. "We...promised we'd free the Azers..." He gave a wince and a shrug. "I mean, did we promise t'bring 'em back here?"

"We did free them - they choose revenge instead of getting out. What Greaek does with that information is up to him." Morg says to Jak.

Merellien gives Jak a sour look but says nothing more.

---

Assuming you're all headed back to the surface via the basement of the tower? If so, anyone who would like to can make a Survival check to see if you can find the way back.

"Tsk, tsk. That's not how any of this works, brother." Findarion chuckles, giving Merellien a patronizing pat on the back. He takes out his brother's dagger and returns it. The elf doesn't hesitate to look back, keen on getting out of this place.

"How'd you even end up here? I've heard mixed stories about that." He inquires his brother.

01:20, Today: Secret Roll: Findarion rolled 4 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 2.  Survival.

"Long, FACINating story," Merellien replies, awkwardly replacing his dagger in his empty belt sheath.

He goes on to describe a visit to a village within the family's land holdings that he had visited, shortly after a falconry outing. Shortly after his arrival the town was besieged by fire cultists. Hellhounds rampaged through the village and cruel fire cultists captured anyone of importance. The commoners they slew, along with Merellien's own retinue.

He and the other prisoners were marched back to the above-ground camp for a time. He noticed another group of prisoners briefly in other parts of the camp, but wasn't able to interact with them at all. A few days ago he was transferred below ground to the temple here.

---

Findarion has no idea whatsoever which tunnel leads back to the surface =).

Jak smirked at Merellien but didn't say anything further about it. He watched as Finadarion seemed to be looking a little lost while his brother regaled them with a tale. Jak showed no signs of hesitation but acted like he knew exactly where he was heading and how to get there.

"Yeah, these fire guys suck almost as mush as the air ones," he muttered.

10:18, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 20 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 17.  Survival check.

Asano is silent as the group begins making their way to the tunnels, aside from a quiet snort at the claim of the rescuee. His thoughts are clearly elsewhere, his gaze drawn back toward the fire temple on numerous occasions.

---

23:09, Today: Secret Roll: Asano Breathkill rolled 6 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 3.  Survival w/ disadvantage (Distracted)].
23:08, Today: Secret Roll: Asano Breathkill rolled 11 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 8.  Survival.
23:08, Today: Secret Roll: Asano Breathkill rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12.  History to ID Merellien's rank.

---

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- 2/3, 4/4
Tides of Chaos: No
Wand of MagMiss: 5/7

---

Magdrak looks the newly rescued elf up and down.  He shakes his head and chuckles.  "I am sure that you are important back where you come from, but for myself, I follow the one payin' the gold.  And no offense, but that does not exactly seem like you at the moment.  Besides, I only recently met up with this group, and I was not here to rescue you;  I had my own plans.  I am glad that your brother found ya, but that is as far as it goes for me."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:43, Mon 15 July 2019.

Morg holds out his hand towards the trophy dagger he'd given the uppity elf earlier.

Jak leads the way back through the natural tunnels, occasionally looking back to ensure they're retracing their steps accurately.

Merellien silently hands the dagger back to Morg, a sour look on his face from Magdrak's comment.

Just as the group is about to approach another natural branch in the tunnels, the echoing footfalls of some group of what sounds like beasts becomes audible. Jak is fairly sure that the noise is coming from the tunnel leading back up to the fire cult's tower on the hill, though there are two other tunnels leading from this junction.

---

Asano believes Merellien is a noble, possibly from one of the houses of High Elves that dwell deep in the High Forest near his hometown of Triarbor.

Jak quickly ducks down one of the other tunnels, trying to motion for the rest of the group to do so as well. It wouldn't like hide them from whoever was coming, but it might give them an element of surprise, even just momentary, should things come down to a fight....

...and he could always try to spin it as trying to ambush escaping prisoners or something if they had a chance to talk. "c'mon! over here, quick!"

The group ducks down a side tunnel as the beasts approach. From the sound of their heavy paws on the stone and their heavy breathing, there must be at least 2, maybe 3 beasts. The sounds of paws on stone slows, and something around the corner sniffs at the air.

---

Map updated!



This message was last updated by the GM at 20:22, Sun 21 July 2019.

Jak looked a little bit equal parts nervous and excited. Nevertheless, he took a step back to be concealed, for the moment, from whatever was coming down the hall. The sniffing sounds worried him that they might be able to smell him and the group, but unless and until they came towards them, he would wait. But he got ready just in case and nodded to Morg, mouthing 'Get ready'.

OOC: Stepping back out of sight to T-14 I think.

As the group steps back and waits, the tunnel becomes perceptibly hotter. Sweat beads on foreheads and drips from noses as the group waits, listening to the sounds from around the corner. The beasts continue to sniff the air and walk around, paws clacking on the hot stone. After a minute that seems like twenty, one of the beasts heads off down the tunnel leading back to the temple. The others seemingly remain where they are.

---

Folks who want to can hide (stealth checks) or do whatever else. :)

Jak hid and held his breath as he listened. He pressed his back against the wall and stayed still. However, he was ready. If the beasts got close he was going to try and cast a quick Minor Illusion to make the sound of footsteps running away down the farthest corridor away from where they were currently hiding.

Getting ready to cast a Minor Illusion as described above but staying hidden and still unless necessary.

21:43, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 21 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 17.  Stealth check.

Morg tucks away his dagger, and holds his greatsword behind his back - trying not to look intimidating but ready to strike if his sweat-caked chainmail gives away their presence.

Noticing Jak, he also tries to hide.

---

Action: hide - Stealth 6.

08:40, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 6 using 2d20+1, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 7,5.  Stealth check with disadvantage (from chain mail) to hide from beasts.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:43, Sun 21 July 2019.

"Get deeper into the tunnel. Hide behind the illusion." Findarion whispers, tracing a pattern in the air. A solid, rocky wall appears, seemingly like a natural end to the tunnel. The elf walks through it, and the illusory nature of it becomes apparent to everyone present.

Silent Image from U12 to W12

Magdrak, looking warily in the direction of the oncoming creatures, nods and moves behind the illusory wall.

---

OOC:  Quote clumsily, I might add.

14:11, Today: Magdrak rolled 4 using 2d20+1, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 3,18.  Stealth Check (Disadvantage).

The group shifts behind the illusory wall as the remaining beasts approach. Despite their efforts to remain silent, boots scrape pebbles underfoot and equipment rattles.

A hellhound comes into view, steam rising from its snout, as it tests the air in the hallway. Sounds from another beast come from behind it.

---

Map updated!

The hellhound starts to approach the illusory wall, then gives a low growl and heads off down the eastern tunnel. Just as the party is about to relax, the second hellhound approaches the wall, sniffing and growling. It approaches slowly, then sits in the tunnel near the wall, occasionally snarling and slavering towards the hidden group. Several minutes pass.

---

Map updated!

Folks can make another stealth check with advantage, assuming you're trying to stay quiet.