Jakrynn holds his ground, watching the two dwarves carve up the hellhound. His own lips twist a bit in to almost a snarl as he stares at the black dog-like creature. His will infuses arcane energy into his words as he once again spits out an insult.

"Hell hound? You're nothin' but an overgrown water spaniel!"

13:39, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 1 using 1d4 with rolls of 1.  Vicious Mockery.

Magdrak steps out from the side tunnel and slices cleanly through the neck of the hellhound. Wiglaf's form lies still further down the tunnel.

---

And we're out of combat!

XP earned:
- 2 hellhounds: 1400
- DM award, rescue Merellien from imprisonment: 1800
The party has earned enough XP to level up to Level 5 after the next long rest!


1 failure for Wiglaf, death save.

17:04, Today: Secret Roll: DM, on behalf of Wiglaf, rolled 6 using 1d20 with rolls of 6.  death save .

"Help him, and let's get out of here before more approach. I think we've met our quota of trouble for today?" Findarion waits for them leaning against the wall. "There's still Graek upstairs, wonder how he'll take the news of his people choosing revolt over freedom."

Magdrak walks over to Wiglaf and lays his hands on the werewolf.  He chants a quick spell to bring his compatriot around.

---

OOC:

Cast Cure Wounds (Heal 10 HP)

01:20, Today: Magdrak rolled 10 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 7.  Cure Wounds HP.

Current HP: 17/40
Lay on Hands: 20/20
Channel Divinity: 0/1
Current Spells:
1st: 1/3

Wiglaf's lupine form slowly morphs back into its humanoid shape as Magdrak approaches, and Wiglaf's eyes flutter open as the healing stitches some of his more obvious wounds back together.

"Thanks for bringing me back, old friend," Wiglaf breathes as the paladin stands over him. He rises slowly, still looking ragged and tired. Dark circles beneath his eyes stand out against the pallid skin on his cheeks, but he moves spryly enough to join the larger group.

---

(DM post)

Where to?

Jak stopped as Magdrak stepped up to heal Wiglaf. He gave a nod of...something, to the dwarf. He eyed Findarion with a raised eyebrow for a moment in silence. He looked like he almost said something but didn't. Then he turned and began to continue to head back the way they had come previously.

"Sure. Let's keep goin'. I'm sure Greaek will be generous an' understandin'."

Magdrak nods at Wiglaf, and then chuckles at the words of Jakrynn.  "I am sure that Greaek does not expect us to be returning alive."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:27, Tue 06 Aug 2019.

The group makes their way through the tunnels wearily, feeling the absence of natural sunlight that they have experienced now for more than a day. The light finally brightens however as they turn a corner, and the flickering flames from the ruined basement of the fire cult's tower come into view.

Just visible beyond the tunnel's mouth, four magmins continue to caper through the remains of the rubble. The piles of debris have lessened considerably.

---

Map updated.

The magmins don't seem to have noticed you yet. What next? If you move into the basement, please note ending coordinates.

"Ugh, not these things again. Think they'll let us through?" The elf scowls from the back of the group.

Morg holds a hand out to the magmins, trying to look non-threatening, and shouts up "Greaek, we're back. Can you call off your fire critters?"

---

Move: to s98.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:10, Thu 08 Aug 2019.

A fire-wreathed head appears at the opening in the ceiling, connected to the body of the Azer, Greaek. Squinting at Morg, he considers a moment. "Hm. So was your errand... successful?"

The magmins slow their capering, letting several pieces of debris smoulder unnoticed. The four creatures consider Morg's appearance curiously, but don't immediately approach the dwarf.

---

Folks can make persuasion/deception/performance/etc. rolls as appropriate if you choose to answer Greaek's question. DC will be proportional to the words spoken ;).

Jak eyed the magmins for just a moment but then focused his concentration fully on Greaek. He gave a firm nod. "Yes. We freed your kin." He shrugged. "Actually, we freed all the prisoners we could find."

He gestured. "Can we come up an' discuss face-to-face?"

Leaning back to his brother, Findarion quietly whispers. There is no usual joyful, brash glint in his eye.

"We got this, little brother. Stay quiet and alert, hide if it gets hot."

Magdrak murmurs to Jakrynn.  "I am not certain that he wants that fact advertised to the whole garrison."  He steps forward next to Morg and shouts up to the azer.  "Your... brothers... wanted to stay down there.  We could not convince them to leave.  Perhaps you might have better luck?  You may want to hurry.  They were going after that fiery taskmaster in the forge area."

---

OOC:
Move to R98

14:52, Today: Magdrak rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11.  Persuasion Check.

Greaek's head disappears, and a moment later a rope dangles down near Morg's head. The magmins look at Morg and the group curiously, but make no move towards them for the time being.

Merellien sulks a bit, still back within the tunnels, but peers out into the basement of the tower.

---

Anyone who would like to climb the rope can make a fairly low-DC Athletics check.

At first he thought Greaek might disappear and leave them there. He couldn't be too happy hearing that his kin joined a revolution instead of coming here. However, then the rope dropped.

Jak didn't hesitate. He climbed up it, and partially Morg to get to it, and began clambering up it. He didn't want to be stuck in a fiery hellhole.

10:52, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 14 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 13.  Athletics check.

Morg helps up those who want, lifting them on his shoulders.

---

Semi-help action, because it's only for the bottom part of the rope - so while probably not full advantage, maybe +1?

Will roll for his own climb after this is posted and not edit this, and post again with rolled number.

---

20:42, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 19 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 12.  Athletics check for climbing rope up to Greaek.

Findarion ushers his brother to go before him, the rogue himself following right behind him.

21:24, Today: Secret Roll: Findarion rolled 19 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 20.  Athletics.

Magdrak keeps a wary eye on the magmins as the others climb the rope.  When it comes to his turn, he struggles as he is distracted.

---

OOC:  What a roll... *facepalm*

22:59, Today: Magdrak rolled 9 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 3.  Athletics Check.

This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Mon 12 Aug 2019.

Jak and Findarion quickly ascend the rope, assisting Merellien when he slips. The elf curses and mutters about rope burns but finally reaches the top. Morg and Magdrak follow, and Wiglaf quickly pulls himself up last.

At the top, Greaek regards them silently. When the finally all reach the top, he speaks quietly, his rumbling voice grating like stone on stone. "The guards are all outside, repairing the damage you all caused yesterday and looking for you. So before I call them and tell them you're here, where are my kin?"

---

Map updated.

Feel free to make insight/persuasion/deception/performance/etc. rolls as needed, depending on what you decide to reply or do.

15:15, Today: Secret Roll: Wiglaf rolled 15 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 10.  climb rope.

Jak waited, mostly patiently, for everyone to climb up and then nodded to Greaek. "So, yeah, we freed ALL the prisoners in the cells. There were your kin, there were some...salamanders? We tried to tell them you sent us and we were escaping, but they didn't seem to understand us, I'm guessing the hissing stuff was a language I don't understand." He shrugged and continued on. "Anyway, along the way back they caught sight of the forge area, and ran in there yelling and starting a ruckus."

He shook his head. "I mean, we're capable, but there was like a fire genie there and a huge salamander and that was more then we could take on, so we came back here to let you know."

OOC: Poop. I was typing in "Persuasion roll if needed" but hit enter accidentally and it rolled. Sigh. Anyway - Jak isn't trying to lie, he's telling the truth as he saw it (which I think is mostly what happened, skipping the hellhounds and such).

10:14, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 16 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 10.

Greaek grunts, looking to the others for confirmation of Jak's story.

Morg nods his head as Jak speaks, keeping his eyes on Greaek and trying to figure out if it looks like the fire dwarf really cares about his kin - or if he might have been the one to sell them into slavery.

---

11:00, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 6 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 5.  Insight check on Greaek to see if he cares about the slaves, or maybe sold them out.

"Well, is this one telling me what I want to hear, or is he telling the truth?" Greaek rasps.

---

Morg can't tell why Greaek cares about his kin.