The new day dawns unseasonably warm, and the wet ground around the halfling camp dries quickly. The halflings busy themselves with various errands and tasks, giving the small area the feel of a miniature bustling town.

---

Once ready I can post a setup for your return to the nearby Sacred Stone monastery, assuming that's still the next stop.

A bear returns to the halfling camp in the morning, still brown, and large like the last one, but this bear looks a bit bigger or perhaps just a bit healthier.  It is entirely possible that the whole difference is a trick of the light seeing the bear in natural daylight for the first time but in any case the mannerisms and expressions the bear uses when looking around the camp and nodding gently in recognition of familiar travelers clearly indicates it is the same bear.

Morg nods at Gorm, "To the monastery instead?"

Makari greeted and thanked their hosts. He smiled at Gorm when they re-entered the area as well, giving a small wave. He looked at Morg and then slowly nodded. "I believe that is the next destination."

He cast a spell upon himself. A vague shimmering effect washed over him and then dissipated.

Ehrendil woke feeling as if this was his first rest in weeks. He walks to the river's edge, doffs his armour and clothing and jumps in! A quick bath and some swimming, and soon he joins his companions around the campfire, feeling invigorated.

"Good morning to you all. I hope you all feel as rested as I do."


"If the guards were not lying then that is where we will find the missing delegation. So to the monastery."

Either in direct response to Morg or as a more general confirmation the bear that is obviously still Gorm nods her slightly different head in exactly the same way as before.

One of the halflings busying themselves over a pot of stew directs several of the children to bring a hearty breakfast to the camping newcomers.

---

Anyone who is below the average hp for their class can partake of the stew and permanently raise their max hp to the average (plus Con bonuses). I.e.,

Morg would go from 46 --> 52
Makari 46 --> 51
Ehrendil 51 --> 52
Gorm 34 --> 39
Zenna TBD pending hp roll for level 6
Zeb is already above hp average for rogues

"Am I crazy?" Zeb whispered to Ehrendil when he was confident they would not be overheard. "Or is that a different bear than was with us yesterday?"

"She's not an ordinary bear," Morg says while eating the stew, "Ask her something."

He then thanks the halflings, and tells them he'll welcome them, along with all good folk, in the dwarven stronghold of Tyar-Besil once it's been taken back from the elemental cultists.

Ehrendil studies the bear more closely. "I think it is still Grom. But I think she has chosen a different form of bear than yesterday."

He adds with a chuckle, "If it's not Gorm then we must be blessed to have two bears in two days join our group and not attack us!"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:22, Sun 08 Jan 2023.

Makari blinked at the 'new' bear entering. He walked around the bear and then smiled, stopping in front of them. "You look AMAZING, Gorm! And you're bigger too! I bet stronger as well." He shook his head, still smiling. "I almost wish I could do things like you." He stopped and then sobered a little. "I don't know if it's been said, but thank you for traveling with us and lending us your strength of body and will. I appreciate you."

This was all said seriously and as to an equal - possibly someone seeing Gorm as more than an equal.

He stepped back then, not wanting to impose on Gorm too much.

"Thank you all," Zeb added, approaching as he heard it confirmed this new bear was still Gorm. "Judging by what we have seen thus far, these cults are a greater threat than we three could handle on our own." He offered a thin smile to Ehrendil and Zenna, apologizing for including them in his self-effacement.

As the group packs up to leave, the halflings busy themselves picking up their homestead. In a remarkably short period of time, they have transformed the surroundings into what looks like a nondescript flat space in the hills. Despite knowing that the little people's dwellings lie there behind a curve in the rock, and over there on the opposite side of the hill, the homestead is remarkably well hidden to the visitor's eyes.

The group hikes out into the nearby hills, through a stretch of particularly steep country. After not more than a mile's distance overland, the air turns sharply colder. A chill wind blows in from the north and swirls through the sparse brush. After a few more minutes time and perhaps another mile's distance, the air is decided cold, and the travelers' breath becomes visible as the walk.

Suddenly a snow squall appears on the horizon, travelling quickly in the path of the group, dumping large snowflakes on the ground. Within minutes visibility drops to only a few feet, with the snow blinding even those in the group with keen eyesight.

Just as suddenly as the snow arrived it dissipates, the localized storm continuing its way southward.

After barely another mile of travel, the group reaches a trail leading through a narrow defile of rock, with steep cliffs bordering the path. The clearance between the cliff walls narrows gradually until the passage is only wide enough for a single person to make their way through. But then the bluffs recede, and the narrow space opens into a hidden canyon in the heart of the hills.

A sprawling monastery with dark, narrow windows and red tile rooftops stands in the middle of this natural amphitheater, ringed by sandstone cliffs all around. A weathered flight of steps leads up to the closed monastery doors.

---

Morg can explain, on or off camera, the layout of the monastery as far as his previous experience went.

This map shows the areas that would be known to Morg from the previous visit. Slide 2 is zoomed out to show the entire 1st floor with doors to unexplored areas numbered.

Morg explains what he remembers about the monastery, asks Gorm what she thinks about the snow squall, and asks the party about flying-scouts possibly checking out the passage and area around the monastery generally.

Gorm travels quietly at the back end of the group, occasionally slipping off into the trees to do whatever bears do in a forest when nobody is watching, but never for long.  When they get to the narrow passageway she gets stuck for a few moments as it tightens around her new bulkier form. It doesn't take long for her to figure out that she can just as easily climb higher in the cravase and navigate it carefully from above without getting stuck.  When Morg asks her a direct question she focuses on him for several seconds then starts sniffing around the steps and area near the entrance.

Morg quietly relays some of what Gorm tells him to the party: that passing through the snow squall may have alerted the monks to their presence.

Makari let out an involuntary gasp as the quick and brief snow storm hit them. It was like being back home for a minute. Though usually he was inside during those. He smiled until ti passed them by, the smile slowly fading as the storm got further away.

He paused and frowned at Morg. "Oh. In the squall?" He looked down and then shook his head slowly. "Very strange, if true." He then gave a small shrug. "That is disadvantageous for us, obviously, but it changes little, yes?"

"If Gorm is right, we have lost the element of surprise, if we ever had it. Still I wonder if it would be better to try entering from the stairs Morg said are to the left, instead of using the front door?"

---

I'm looking at the second slide and there are stairs in the northwest corner.

Zeb was disturbed by the squall for reasons having little to do with the element of surprise. "This storm is unnatural, yes?" He posed the question aloud, but with an eye turned toward Ehrendil, as he was wont to do in moments of confusion or precarity. "It seems the elements are not merely out of balance but turned actively against us. No wonder a small delegation of dwarves could go missing in the midst of such villainy. Somewhere behind this there is greed."

Zenphar raises an eyebrow, "Very philosophical, Zeb. And likely true. Greed for gold. Greed for power. Leads many astray.

Perhaps Zeb and I should scout ahead, to make sure the way to the stairs is clear?"

---

Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 16 for Stealth (DEX).

Makari gave a shrug and then nodded at Ehrendil's suggestion, spreading his hands a bit. He had no problem with some scouting ahead...it was when they ran in to trouble and were all split up, that's where the problem lay.

So he gave the two a bit of a lead and then began making his way after them, trying to be as stealth as he could.

Content to let the stealthy people do their thing Gorm does what bears do best, and plops down on the ground to wait it out.  While not quite asleep her restful pose seems far more reliant on others paying attention, or just being ignored, than on any sort of personal preparedness.

Morg hangs back a bit, hiding with Makari, but ready to charge.

---

Originally posted in OOC thread: Morg Danforge rolled 14 using 2d20+1, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 13,17.  Stealth check with disadvantage (from splint) for entering back of monastery.

Zeb followed Ehrendil's lead, and though he seemed to blunder down the stairs, taking little precaution, still his tiny feet fell with minimal sound.

---

Zeb rolled 16 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 6.  stealth.

The group makes their way clockwise around the monastery, hearing no sound besides the attempts at soft footfalls from their own group. The tell, narrow windows of the structure afford little view into the interior, but neither do they easily betray the intruders' presence to the monastery denizens.

As they approach the northwest door, a great deal of activity can be heard from just inside, and smells of fresh baked bread are evident in the mid-morning air.

---

Map updated!

"Do we charge in and attack the cooks?" Ehrendil asks quietly.

He adds, "Zeb, can you use your magic hand to see if the door is unlocked?"

Makari hesitated and gave a shrug with a wincing face. He quietly replied, "I mean, the cultists at the other place just kept attacking us on sight every time, so I'm not sure."

He glanced at Morg for more information. "You were here before, yes? What should we expect?"

Gorm sniffs the air as they approach the kitchen, almost certainly detecting a much wider variety of smells even under the overpowering fresh bread.

When the question of attacking the cooks is raised she starts licking her lips with obvious anticipation.

"There were tables around the walls, a stove in the center of the kitchen, and laundry tubs." Morg whispers. "I think the rest of the party had robes on last time I was here, and the kitchen staff ignored us until we confronted them. I remember them saying something culty, but to be fair we invaded their place."

"We could ask them about the missing delegation, and see where that leads, tho that's more something you'd do at the front door if you were coming in good faith."

Zeb's hand endorsed Makari's suggestion with a raised thumb and skittered off to comply. Though the hand was perfectly capable of floating and flying, the gnome seemed to prefer having it run along the ground, using its fingers as legs, when possible. This weak nod to the laws of the physical world, when everything else about the detached hand was ineffably in violation of those laws, served only to enhance the eeriness of its autonomous movement.

---

Not trying to open the door, just test whether it could be opened. Stealth roll, in case it's needed:
Zeb rolled 20 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 10.  stealth.

Zeb tries the handle of the door into the kitchens, which is reinforced with iron bands. It seems to be locked.

Seeing Zeb's hand not able to open the door, Morg whispers "They may have fortified the entrances."

"I'm not good at hiding, so my inclination is to knock on this kitchen door, ask about the delegation again, barge in if they don't let us in, and asking those inside to surrender because some of them may be in there against their will. Those who don't surrender, get knocked out or killed. It's not the ethical way to do this, but I don't have much patience for these cults anymore."

"I welcome any smarter, more wizardly approaches."

Ehrendil purses his lips, as he thinks for a moment.

"I am fine with asking for surrender, if you think any of those inside are there against their will, but I think we would be best to take them by surprise...I am confident that Zeb can open the lock."

"That would be safer." Morg whispers in reply to Ehrendil.

Makari watched their backs with his quarterstaff in hand. He was getting himself ready for another period of cultists just straight-up attacking them - granted, they WERE kind of invading their 'home' or temple, so it wasn't like they were entirely blameless in being attacked. But the cultists were evil and deserved a home invasion by some good people. Probably. Maybe.

Abruptly, the door from the kitchens bangs open, and a figure clothed head to toe in brown hooded robes appears in the doorway. They move deliberately through the doorway, their movements practiced as if routine, as they idly toss a sack onto a pile of similar sacks and random refuse to the ground on the right of the stairs.

The person slowly turns to regard the party, their mein covered behind a golden mask resembling a stylized gargoyle. "Yes?" the figure calmly asks, regarding the array of visitors near the foot of the steps.

Makari blinked a few times and then plastered a friendly smile on his face as he stepped to the front. "Hello there. I'm Makari, nice to meet you I'm sure."

He indicated the group and himself. "We were hoping you could tell us if you know anything about a missing dwarven delegation? We're searching for them, you know. Are they here?"

Ehrendil forces a smile onto his face as he stares up at the masked figure, all the while gauging the distance from where he stands to the kitchen worker.

---

Based on the map, it looks to be less than 30 ft even taking Pythagorean's theorem into account.

Zeb's hand had not brought lock picks with it when it first went to investigate the door. It was on its way to retrieve them when the portal suddenly flew open. The hand dropped flat onto its palm, doing its best to resemble a rock and thus blend in with the surrounding terrain as Makari sweet talked the gargoyle-faced fellow.

The figure stared at Makari for a few moments behind the expressionless mask. "I'll go check on that for you," they replied, turning to re-enter the monastery and close the door behind them.

Zeb unslung the bow from his back and sought a defensible position. "Well that was ominous. I'm thinking let's make ready to fight our way in just on the off-chance he doesn't come back with a map of the delegation's whereabouts."

"NO!" Ehrendil shouts loudly.

[Case 1: If the masked cook pauses or turns back even for an instant]
"Gradus Nebulosus!" the ranger incants, as he shimmers, then disappears.

Appearing just inside the doorway, Ehrendil then throws his shoulder into the Masked Cook, hoping to knock him down the stairs.

[Case 2: If the masked cook does not pause]
"This is not going to go well for us." Ehrendil remarks as he nocks an arrow.

---

[Case 1]
Bonus: Cast Misty Step: Teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space in sight.
Action: Shove: push away 5 ft; STR (Athletics) contested by the target's STR (Athletics) or DEX (Acrobatics).
        Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 13 for Athletics (STR) - shove.
Use an object: Drop arrow and draw rapier.

[Case 2]
Action: Ready bow attack against first hostile creature seen.

The monk is surprised by the sudden appearance of Ehrendil next to them, so much so that they spin through the air after the elf's push and land awkwardly on the ground next to the stairs. They recover quickly however, as they rock back with their knees up, then spring to their feet on the rocky ground.

"Intruders! Help me repel them!" the monk shouts, calling over their shoulder to the still open door. From inside an object crashes to the stone floor, and two other figures appear in the doorway, quickly descending the stair as the first monk moves to attack Zeb with their bare hands and feet.

---

Map updated! Everyone is up now.

Surprise Round
Ehrendil casts Misty Step and appears next to the monk on the stairs (M1). He attempts to shove the monk - SUCCEED. M1 falls off the stairs and lands prone.


Round 1 So Far:

Monks
M1 stands up, moves, and attacks Zeb - MISS.
M2 appears in the doorway and attacks Ehrendil - HIT once for 4 bludgeoning.
M3 appears in the doorway and attacks Ehrendil - HIT once for 6 bludgeoning.


Round 1 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Monks	21
Makari	19
Morg	19
Moonclaw	19
Gorm	12
Zeb	11
Ehrendil	6

Makari shook his head. This was going about as well as he thought it would end up. He moved up and around a bit to stay out of reach but get more of a visual on the various monks. As he did so, he called out the wrods a simple spell to empower his staff. "Shillelagh!"

Then he swirled the staff around and pointed it at the closest monk engaged with Ehrendil, saying the words "Eldritch Blast!" and loosing two bolts of golden force.

OOC: Moving up and around out of reach next to Zaina, on the far side of her from where Makari is starting.
Bonus Action: Cast Shillelagh.
Action: Cast Eldritch Blast at the 'north' most monk in melee with Ehrendil (AC 28 for 8 force).

23:26, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 27,8,11,13 using d20+8,d10+5,d20+8,d10+5 with rolls of 19,3,3,8.  Eldritch Blast vs monk in melee with Ehrendil.

Morg moves up in between the 3 monks, distracting the monk between him and Zeb, and then attacking the same one Makari did.

---

Move: 25' ESE to be in the middle of the 3 monks.

Action: Attack.
Bonus action: Commander/comrade's strike: Zeb can in Morg's turn use his REACTION to make 1 weapon attack to an enemy next to him, adding 6 more to his attack's damage roll. Sneak attack can be used on this attack and again on Zeb's turn.

Extra attack: knock-out (not lethal) attack on monk with maul - hits AC 20 for 15 bludgeoning damage and monk must make STR save vs DC 16 or be knocked prone from trip attack maneuver.

08:24, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 6 using 1d8 with rolls of 6.  Maneuver: Commander/comrade's strike bonus damage for Zeb's REACTION attack in Morg's turn.
08:17, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 20 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 12.  Attack monk with maul.
08:17, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 4,3.  Bludgeoning damage to monk from maul.
08:18, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 3 using 1d8 with rolls of 3.  Maneuver: trip attack on monk (STR save vs DC 16) or be knocked prone.

The bigger meaner bear that Gorm has become doesn't really operate any differently than the other one, just more.  Lumbering up to the first monk, likely the one that was tossed out, she mauls it with a claw and bites a chomp out of its body.

OOC: Move: Northeast up to the northwest monk
Action: Claw hit 18 for 14 damage, bite hit 20 for 13 damage
Gorm Hareth rolled 18,14,20,13 using 1d20+8,2d6+5,1d20+8,1d8+5 with rolls of 10,5,4,12,8.  Claw and Bite NW Monk.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:50, Fri 03 Feb 2023.

"Nope!" Zeb sidestepped the flailing monk and felling back, firing as he went. He aimed not for the fellow who'd attacked him but for one of the ones distracted by Ehrendil.

---

Cunning: Disengage
Move: 25' straight back, away from the monastery and toward Gorm
Action: Fire shortbow at the more northern monk attacking Ehrendil.

Zeb rolled 14 using 4d6+4 with rolls of 1,2,1,6.  damage.
Zeb rolled 26 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 19.  attack.

Edit: Forgot to use reaction to make extra attack courtesy of Morg, but rolled a 4 so moot point.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Mon 06 Feb 2023.

Ehrendil grimaces as the two monks pummel him. "Glad you made it!" he calls to Morg as the dwarf's maul pounds into one of the two masked monks.

The elf wields his rapier to attack the foes facing him.

[If able to move into the room as noted below] Ehrendil quickly scans the room for more opponents.

---

Bonus:  Hunter's Mark on northern monk if he is not unconscious, otherwise on  southern monk.
Action: Attack: northern monk if he is not unconscious, otherwise attack southern monk.
        Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 19, for 10 + 1 = 11 piercing (rapier and Hunter's Mark).

Extra Attack: on northern monk if he is not unconscious, otherwise on southern monk.
              Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 14, for 5 piercing.
              Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 2 extra damage if the Extra Attack was on the same monk that was targeted by Hunter's Mark.
Move: if northern monk falls, move through his square (if allowed) and take a position directly behind where he formerly stood, diagonal to southern monk.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Mon 06 Feb 2023.

Two monks fall in quick succession, one dazed from a brutal knock on the head from Morg's maul, the other from a precise stab from Ehrendil's rapier. The only remaining monk quickly steps back up the stair and slams the door shut on the attackers.

---

Map updated! Everyone is up now. The monk remaining outside is unconscious while the door to the kitchens is now closed. Assuming folks are still taking combat-like actions we'll remain in initiative.

Round 1 Review:

Monks
M1 stands up, moves, and attacks Zeb - MISS.
M2 appears in the doorway and attacks Ehrendil - HIT once for 4 bludgeoning.
M3 appears in the doorway and attacks Ehrendil - HIT once for 6 bludgeoning.

Makari moves around to the north, then casts Eldritch blast at M1 - HIT once for 8 force.

Morg moves towards the stairs and attacks M1 - HIT for 15 bludgeoning. M1 is unconscious.

Gorm moves towards the stairs.

Zeb retreats, then fires 2 arrows at M2 - HIT once for 14 piercing.

Ehrendil casts Hunter's Mark on M2. He attacks M2 with his rapier - HIT for 11 piercing. M2 is dead. He attacks M3 with rapier - M3 uses reaction to dodge.


Round 2 So Far:
M3 disengages and moves back into the monastery, slamming the door.



Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Monks	21
Makari	19
Morg	19
Moonclaw	19
Gorm	12
Zeb	11
Ehrendil	6	Conc: Hunter's Mark: M2

Morg backs away from the door to make room for Gorm if she wants to rush it, and starts hog-tying the unconscious monk with its own robes.

Makari headed to and through the door, pausing long enough to open it - unless it was locked, then he bounced off of it. He was aiming to see if he could get line of sight on the fleeing monk before they got away and set off all the alarms.

OOC: Moving to door, object interaction to open door, continue moving in and out of the doorway to let others in, then eldritch blast if he sees the monk. If not, he will not continue to move inward since he doesn't want to get cut off by himself. And he will miss even if he does see the monk so doesn't matter, lol.

22:15, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 9,8,12,6 using d20+8,d10+5,d20+8,d10+5 with rolls of 1,3,4,1.  Eldritch Blast vs monk in case it matters.

Expecting a different result than the optimistic fellow who no doubt bounces himself off the door Gorm approaches a good bit more decisively, and more than a little faster, rears up on her hind two legs for the last two steps and slams both front paws into the top of the door, almost certainly breaking what support it has well above the usual bar, and hopefully knocking the whole thing in as she lands on it.

Zeb kept his bow drawn and his small body some distance behind Makari's as he shadowed the taller fellow up to door. His bow was drawn and trained on the portal, ready to fire at the first sign of movement inside.

---

Move: 25' forward and slightly diagonal to stand 10' behind where Ehrendil currently is on the map.
Ready Action: Attack anyone who becomes visible through the doorway.
Bonus Action: Hide.

[(1) If the door was opened]
Ehrendil sheathes his rapier and nocks an arrow to his bow. He follows Makari and Gorm into the building and will loose arrows at the first monk he sees.

[(2) If the door is locked]
Ehrendil sheathes his rapier and reaches into his satchel, pulling out his thieves' tools and will work to open the lock.

---

(1) Bonus:  Move Hunter's Mark to first visible monk.
    Action: Attack/Extra Attack with longbow:
            Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 15, for 5 piercing damage.
            Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 1 for Hunter's Mark damage.
            Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 17, for 5 piercing damage.
            Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 5 for Hunter's Mark damage.
(2) Action: Pick lock
            Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 16 for Thieves' Tools(DEX).
    Bonus:  Move Hunter's Mark to first visible monk.

The bear crashes through the steel reinforced door, accompanied by a crash of splintered wood. Ehrendil slips through the door directly behind the bear, quickly firing at the fleeing monk. One arrow catches an exposed foot as the monk slips through the southern door of the kitchen.

---

Map updated! Everyone is up now.

M3 moved through the southern door in the kitchen, where Gorm and Ehrendil are now, and is currently not visible.

Round 2 Review:

Monks
M3 disengages and moves back into the monastery, slamming the door.

Makari bounces off the locked door.

Morg backs away and starts tying up the unconscious monk.

Gorm moves up to the door and opens it.

Zeb moves toward the door.

Ehrendil moves into the building and fires at M3. M3 uses a reaction to parry the first arrow, and second arrow HITS for 10 piercing.


Round 3 So Far:
M3 moves south through the door.



Round 3 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Monks	21
Makari	19
Morg	19
Moonclaw	19
Gorm	12
Zeb	11
Ehrendil	6	Conc: Hunter's Mark: M2

Morg follows the party after hog-tying the monk.

---

Action: if it takes more than 1 action to tie up the monk, then do that, 15 Dex Sleight of hand or 14 Int Sleight of hand (Xanathar's).
If another action is not needed for that, then Dash 25' into kitchen, not blocking any choke points for the rest of the party.

Move: 25' into, or towards kitchen but not blocking the door.

11:38, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 15 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 14.  Sleight of hand (Dex) (Int is 1 less) check to tie up monk.

Makari had let out a curse then rubbed his shoulder slightly and winced after bouncing off the door. He hurried inside once the door was opened by Gorm, moving to get within sight of as much as possibly, and using the table in the middle as a bit of cover as he could.

Then he readied his arcane cantrip to blast any enemies he sighted.

OOC: Moving 30 feet past Gorm and on to the north side of that table or whatever is in the middle of the room. Readying an Eldritch Blast for any seen enemies.

09:16, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 19,12,24,9 using d20+8,d10+5,d20+8,d10+5 with rolls of 11,7,16,4.  Readied Eldritch Blast.

Passing through the kitchen quickly Gorm does her best to ignore the smells of all the food and continues on through the southern doorway, or the door itself, where the monk once was.

Emitting a little whoop of excitement as Gorm smashed through the door, Zeb followed cautiously behind, bow drawn and ready to fire.

---

Move: 25' forward
Ready Action: Attack anyone who becomes visible
Bonus Action: Hide

Ehrendil follows Gorm through the south door. He will loose arrows at the first monk he sees.

---

Move:   Move into the next room, 40 ft speed
Bonus:  Move Hunter's Mark to new target.
Action: Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 23 - CRITICAL HIT, for 14 + 2 + 4 = 20 Piercing Damage.
        Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 16, for 19 + 6 = 25 Piercing Damage.

As Morg remains outside tying up the unconsious monk, Zenna quietly slips away around the northern side of the monastery, unnoticed by the dwarf.

Makari and Zeb enter the kitchen from outside, while Gorm and Ehrendil crash through the kitchen's southern door. The monk, standing behind the still-open door, falls upon the bear, landing two solid blows with their hands and feet. Ehrendil finishes them off, driving two arrows deep into the monk's chest.

Gorm and Ehrendil find themselves alone in an empty refectory, four old wooden tables with bench seats arranged in the middle of the room. Shelves full of plain clay crockery and wooden platters line the walls.

---

Map updated! We're out of initiative.

Round 3 Review:

Monks
M3 moves south out of the kitchen through the door.

Makari moves into the kitchen.

Morg hog-ties the unconscious monk (will take 2 actions).

Gorm moves through the kitchen and through the southern door. M3 triggered action: attack first enemy that appears through the doorway - HIT twice for 12 bludgeoning.

Zeb moves into the kitchen.

Ehrendil moves south out of the kitchen through the door. He reassigns Hunter's Mark to M3. He fires 2 arrows at M3 - HIT twice for a total for 45 piercing. M3 is dead.

Ehrendil quickly scans the room, seeing no more monks, he grabs the corpse and drags it into the kitchen. "You all right, Gorm?" he asks the great bear, in a quiet voice. "I think we should re-group before moving on."

Seeing Makari and Zeb, he indicates the corpse, "He hit Gorm, but she's alright. I think we stopped him from raising the alarm so we still have surprise on our side."

He looks around the kitchen, his eyes alighting on the western door. "Hopefully that's an empty pantry." He pulls the corpse close to the door before releasing it and drawing his rapier. "Shall we take a look?"

Morg drags the unconscious monk into the kitchen, and tries to clear the signs of struggle outside.

He quietly follows Ehrendil towards the western door.

---

Were the monks wearing armor? If not, he'll stow his maul and take out a shark-toothed longsword.

Gorm takes one look at Ehrendil then huffs a bit and turns away.  Settling down on the floor she brings one paw up to her neck as if to scratch some itch but instead pushes a big lever on the barrel around her neck.
Each of two pulls drops 5 goodberies out and onto the floor, where they are promptly licked up by the big bear to be munched on and devoured.

"Best to be sure," Zeb agreed with Ehrendil's suggestion of checking the supposed pantry, sending his hand scampering over. If no one objected, the hand floated up to pull open the door while Zeb's flesh-and-blood limbs readied his bow.

---

Action: Mage hand to open pantry door (barring any objections from the party)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:44, Tue 21 Feb 2023.

Zeb's hand opens the door, revealing a room with three wooden tubs, along with piles of worn and dirty monk robes.

---

Map updated - the two monks are depicted on the map, one unconscious & other dead.

Loot thread also updated - 300xp for the 3 monks.

@Morg the monks were indeed unarmored.


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:32, Tue 21 Feb 2023.

"A laundry is as good as a pantry," Ehrendil remarks as he drags the corpse into the room. Surveying the piles of robes, the ranger's eyebrow raises as a thought strikes him. "Do you think we could use these robes and the three masks to disguise ourselves? It might gain us some advantage when come across more monks."

Seeing Morg switch weapons, Ehrendil also switches his rapier with the toothed-longsword on his back. He takes a moment to confirm that the potion he picked up was easily accessible.

He closes his eyes for a moment in concentration. Then adds, "We should take the bread out of the oven. If it burns, the smell will attract others and the entire monastery will be on alert. We want to remain unseen and unheard for as long as possible.

Morg, do you recall if all of the monks were human or were there others too?"

---

Put rapier onto back, and toothed-longsword on hip.
Put Potion of Hill Giant Strength into pouch.
Detect Portal: Use an Action to detect the distance and direction to nearest planar portal within 1 mile, usable once per rest.

This message was last edited by the player at 05:08, Thu 23 Feb 2023.

Morg swishes the shark-toothed longsword to get used to its balance, but then tries to sheathe it to not get any earth cultists upset at the water cultists' weapon.

---

I just remembered he has a monk cloak from the last time he was at the Standing Stone monastery. I don't know if he has a mask also.
Any long-limbed PC who wants it can get it, otherwise Morg will try to roll and fold it, and wear it if it doesn't impede his movement.

Edit: grammar.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:15, Wed 22 Feb 2023.

Makari looked over at Ehrendil with an arched eyebrow and a cool look on his face. "Oh? Should 'we'? You can tell someone to do it but can't do it yourself? Hmm?"

But then he smiled and shook his head. He walked over to begin making sure nothing would burn or something else that might draw attention from the kitchen. Of course, no one in there cooking might draw attention as well, but he could only do so much.

The gnome arched an eyebrow at Makari's hostile response but said nothing to escalate the situation further. He began rifling through the robes in search of any that would fit his small frame, though he was not optimistic about his prospects. "I can disguise myself by other means, if necessity demands," he remarked aloud.

---

Searching for gnome-sized robes. Would be a 9 if you'd rather use investigation.
Zeb rolled 11 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 5.  perception.

While the others play dress up Gorm continues to eat goodberries off the floor, what little visible damage the impact of the monk's fists did to her fades away as she does so.

Zeb and the others searching for appropriately sized robes each find them, though no masks are to be found in the piles of laundry.

---

Where to next?



This message was last edited by the GM at 11:53, Sun 05 Mar 2023.

Once finished with making sure nothing burn in, or burn down, the kitchen, Makari shrugged and dressed himself as one of the monks as well. There would be no disguising Gorm while they were clearly a bear, though, so he wondered how much it would matter. "I think having Gorm along with us, even if we could drape some robes over her back," He grinned as the though amused him, "will make deception difficult, but if it gives us even a moment of confusion before hostilities erupt, I suppose we should take every advantage we can."

He finished up and nodded to indicate he was ready.

Looking up from the floor where she is contentedly munching on magical berries Gorm nods her head in the direction of the door, and gestures with a paw very much like the way a hand would be used to offer someone else the first opportunity to go through a confined space or place in line.

Ehrendil grabs one of the unlaundered robes and puts it on, and then straps on his sword, bow, quiver, and satchel.

"I'm going to get the monk that is outside, to add to the collection in here. No point in leaving a warning out in the open, even if it is the back door."

---

Grab monk 1 and drag his corpse into the laundry room.

Morg helps clear drag marks and blood in the kitchen and outside, before putting on one of the masks and some robes. Trying to hide the shark-toothed longsword somewhat under the robes, he waits for an okay from the rest of the party to open the southern door.

Once the group are suitably robed, Ehrendil points to the three masks.

"Morg, you should probably wear one, since you have been here before and should lead the way. Then maybe Makari and Zenna...where's Zenna?" The ranger looks around the room quickly.

"Damn it all! I hope she didn't traipse ahead while we were cleaning up! Then you Zeb, with the third mask?"

Zeb's hand retrieved one of the masks and brought it back to his face. Creases of worry appeared there as Ehrendil expressed concern for Zenna's whereabouts, quickly concealed by the cultist mask. "Only one way to find out," he said.

With all but the bear wearing soiled monk robes and masks, the group heads through the southern door in the kitchen into a refectory. Four old wooden tables with bench seats stand in the middle of this room, and shelves full of plain clay crockery and wooden platters line the walls.

To the west, two windows look out into the canyon beyond the monastery walls.

---

Map updated

Morg had a mask from the previous foray into the monastery, so there are enough masks and robes for all the humanoids.

More than capable of following along from a distance Gorm just listens to the party advance to each room, waiting for silence or conflict to indicate it is safe or important for her to join them.

Morg points to the south and whispers "I remember some gargoyles at the entrance, which may have been rebuilt/resummoned? Towards the center of the building was an underground jail, tho considering the presence of the monks I don't think the jailbreak and attempted overthrow worked."

---

DM, was the big thing that scared the party away last time demonic, stone-elemental, fire-elemental, or something else?

Makari listened to Morg and then frowned. Gargoyles? Hmm. He gave a small shrug. "Okay. So we should be ready." Then he smiled. "Same as are now, but good to know."

He twirled his staff around once and then as almost an afterthought, he cast a spell on it to enhance it. "Shillelagh."

Ehrendil readjusts the mask on his face, "How do they wears these things? It's bloody uncomfortable!" he complains.

"That's likely where the delegates are being held. Should we head there directly, or should we try to whittle down the monks in small groups?

I should mention that I detected a planar portal, perhaps 800 feet below us. I'm not sure how deep this jail is, but it might lead to the portal.

It's worrying, there was portal beneath the water cult's temple too."

"Certainly sounds worrying," the gnome agreed. "For those of us who lack your experience with the arcane, what exactly does that portend? What would the cultists be doing with these portals?"

"I can't say for certain what they are doing. But these portals allow access to another plane of existence. Based on what Morg has told us of his previous excursions and what we have seen ourselves, there are cults of water, earth, fire, and air within this area.

Logic would say that each cult might have a portal to their  favoured elemental plane. Perhaps they are competing to some goal?

In my experience, portals and the planar creatures they spawn has always been destructive and evil. The nature of the cultists makes me think that there is nothing here that will change my experience!"

Zeb's face, hidden now by the cultist mask, wrinkled with worry at the ranger's words. "Best we get moving, then. I see no need to seek trouble with gargoyles. Shall we see about this prison?" He looked to Morg, who seemed to know the way.

"To the prison then." Morg says, clanking to the northeast under the cloak and mask.

---

14:25, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 2 using 2d20+1, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 4,1.  Stealth check with disadvantage (from splint) for heading to prison.

Ehrendil nods to Morg, and then winces as the dwarf clangs towards the door in the northern wall.

The ranger checks the longsword on his hip, and then nocks an arrow and follows Morg.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:03, Fri 10 Mar 2023.

The group follows Morg through the northeast door, entering a chamber dominated by four large columns of rock. A wide set of steps descends into darkness in the center of the room, in front of a slab-like stone altar. Signs of a battle of some sort are strewn around the room; bits of armor, broken pieces of stone, and the like. Only a cursory attempt to clear the room are evident.

Large, copper-sheathed doors stand in the middle of the south wall, and a smaller door sits on the east wall, similar to the one the group entered from the west.

Two narrow windows in the north wall admit thin fingers of mid-morning light from outside. Above the altar, a triangular symbol has been chiseled into the heavy stone blocks of the wall.

---

Map updated

"Luck is on our side, the room is deserted" Ehrendil whispers. He takes a cursory look at the debris, to try to determine how long ago the battle occurred.

"I think Zeb should lead, Makari and I will be five paces behind, Morg and Gorm five paces behind us."

---

Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 12 for Investigation (INT).
Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 22 for Stealth (DEX).
Assume one pace = 3 feet.

Zeb nods at his friend's suggestion. "I assume the room did not look like this when last you were here?" he whispered to Morg before proceeding. "What of that symbol above the altar? Was that there? Does it mean anything to anyone?"

---

Ready to proceed stealthily!

Zeb rolled 30 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 20.  stealth.

(Not rolling to identify the symbol myself because I don't think there's any reason Zeb would know what it is.)

Makari paused a bit in to the room, looking around. Then he walked closer to the altar, but still staying a bit back from it. He peered at the symbol on the wall. He wasn't sure he had seen it before, but maybe something like it.

Regardless, he was ready to stealthily move out.

08:47, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Arcana for symbol?
08:48, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 20 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 17.  Stealth.

"I think it's new carnage." Morg whispers. "This is probably one of the 4 elemental symbols, earth?"

---

DM, does Stonecunning help Morg identify the symbol, or is that just for mundane history?

The group quietly moves around the room, examining its contents.

---

Ehrendil isn't able to glean much from the examination of the debris, though from the traces of blood and other signs of the battle it can't have happened more than a few days ago.

The symbol looks like this, and was also present here the last time Morg was in this room. Morg would also remember it as the symbol on the Bringers of Woe's armor.

There is a bronze lever in the northeast corner - the map is incorrect, as it shows it in the northwest corner.

"Down the stairs then?"

Makari eyed the symbol for a long moment in silence. Then he glanced at Ehrendil when they asked the question. He glanced at Morg but gave a shrug and a nod for his own answer. "Sure. Let's not keep the cultists and their prisoners waiting, shall we?"

Looking up from where she has been sniffing at the remnants of blood on the ground Gorm nods her big fuzzy head up and down, then point her nose in the direction of the stairs.

Zeb nodded and slipped on padded feet toward the stairs. He descended slowly and cautiously, careful not to get too far out ahead of the others.

The group descends as quietly as possible down the steep stairs. The only illumination ahead is that reflected from the sunlight in the room above. A distinct chill and a musky odor intensifies in the air around the group as they descend.

Letting their eyes adjust gradually to the dim light, a large chamber comes into focus at the bottom of the stair, its floor consisting of loose red earth. A column of natural stone standing near the middle of the room comes next into view.

As the group nears the bottom of the stair, a row of sturdy iron bars with a closed sliding door walling off the western portion of the room becomes visible. A door of iron plate stands in the western wall behind the iron bars, while a similar door exits to the east.

Behind the iron bars stands a monstrous creature that resembles a cross between a huge ape and a beetle. It has wicked mandibles, powerful claws, and four eye sockets - though two of its eyes look to have been put out, and its claws somehow replaced with bronze blades.

The creature bellows at first sight of Zeb leading the group into the room, then thrashes in rage as the rest of the party arrives. It begins alternately clawing at the walls and testing the bars of its cage, bellowing and snarling.

---

Map updated

Note there is dim light in this room, which may be relevant to those without darkvision.


This message was last edited by the GM at 20:48, Fri 17 Mar 2023.

A slight sound could be heard as the beast went into a rage, and a voice came from seemingly nowhere. "Whatever the hells that is, he doesn't like people - even the bastards who have him here."

The air shimmers and against the wall is a slight figure. Her skin was unusual for her kind looking more human in color, though she herself considered herself unusual. The tiefling had small horns of a crimson red color, almost hidden underneath her dark hair, her eyes a deep purple seemed almost tired. She wore simple clothing that was tattered under the studded leather armor that was dark grey and form fitting to her lithe frame. At her side was a rapier and a dagger.

The woman was clearly exhausted, dirty and healing from some old wounds....and trying to hide it.

She managed a weak smile, and you realize that her leaning against the wall isn't just for show - she was tired. "I'm guessing your not with these 'stone-worshipping' nut jobs, which is why i've shown myself. Now, if any of you happen to have some water - i'd be much appreciated.

Ehrendil watches Zeb descend the stairs, waiting before following. But his plan of investigating stealthily is ruined before the gnome even reaches the bottom of the stair, as the quiet is shattered by loud snarling.

The ranger drops any pretense of staying behind Zeb, and leaps down the stairs, arrow nocked and drawn. The light is dim, but Ehrendil can see the abomination clearly. He releases the tension on his bow when he sees the bars holding the creature captive.

The ranger whirls at the sound of another voice, bowstring once again drawn taut, pointed at the tiefling. "Who are you? And why are you here?"

---

Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 22 for Nature (INT) to identify the angry creature.

The tiefling raised her arms, eyes wide. "Woa there.....My name is Faith. I was a prisoner here, but got out a few days ago. Using some luck and magic i was able to remain hidden, but the goblin-kissers are everywhere"

She slowly lowered her hands. "Your the first guys i've seen that don't look like them."

Zeb started at the sight of the raging creature, staggering backward. He was more than willing to let Ehrendil get ahead of him. When the ranger's bow swung around to point at tiefling, the bearded gnome leaned his little body as if willing the weapon back toward the beast. "Don't think she's our chief concern right now..." he muttered to his friend as he trained his own bow on the monster.

"Don't suppose that thing was here when you last were?" Zeb asked Morg without turning.

---

DM, does Morg recognize the chamber and creature behind the iron bars? Is it an Ankheg - which he helped fight on day 7?

Makari eased down the stairs as well, his pace had slowed when he heard the...whatever it was thrashing about and making a lot of noise. It sounded big. And angry. Or hungry. But apparently, there was someone else down there - and not a cultist since they didn't immediately attack or start demanding something.

He eyed the new person with a light frown. "How'd you end up here, and why didn't you just leave if you can be unseen?"

The last one down the stairs isn't like the others, four legs instead of two, covered in think brown fur, and fangs for biting, most assuredly a bear.

The bear looks at the creature in the cage for a few moments then seems satisfied it isn't an immediate threat and walks over to the tiefling instead.  Stopping about ten feet away she sniffs the air a few times then lifts her head not quite enough to expose any vulnerable bits then reaches under her head with one forward paw and five small berries drop out onto the ground.

Then the bear backs up away from the spot on the ground where the berries just sit doing nothing and points at them with her nose then points at the tiefling.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Sun 19 Mar 2023.

The tiefling looked at Maraki and smiled and started speaking. "I've had limited magic, and while i've not been free long i...WHOA!" She stood straight up, looking at the bear, blinking for a moment. "You....umm, have a bear?"

She blinked, then shook her head, again looking at the man. "When i escaped they became alert. I managed to get my gear before they found my cell empty, but locked the place down - they've been walking around thicker than fleas on a rabid wolf." She took a breath and sighed. "It's been all i can do to even stay ahead of them, let alone get out of here."

Ehrendil kept his arrow aimed at the woman while she spoke. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. But she's not in a cage, and she is wandering about on her own. Both might be trouble!" the elf whispers to the gnome.

The creature continues to rage, scratching at the bars of the cage and the surrounding wall.

---

[Private to Ehrendil Vakalyn; Gorm Hareth: Gorm and Ehrendil see the creature resembles an umber hulk, though it's clearly maimed.

In general you know umber hulks burrow deep underground with their claws, but this one's claws seem to have been replaced by very sharp artificial blades, which look ill suited for digging. They also have thick natural armor, and can be fierce opponents. They can occasionally freeze their prey merely with their gaze, though this creature's eyes appear to be at least partially blinded.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:17, Tue 21 Mar 2023.

Makari smiled and shook his head. "No. The bear is Gorm. She is not a pet. She is a member of our group." He shrugged. "And I am Makari."

He glanced at the creature with a frown. "We should leave this area before that creature attracts attention and brings cultists down here on top of us."

The tiefling looked at the bear with a frown. "A member....is she a companion of a hunter or something - i once saw one of those. Or is she a talking bear?"

She looked at the bear and smiled. "Hello....my name is Faith. I don't mean to be rude it's just that....never seen a bear up close."

The beasts noise started to amplify and she jumped, with a frown. "Maybe we should get out of here...." She looked at the wood elf. "...does it look like i'm in any shape to wander around here?" She indicated her clothes - torn, dirty and splattered in blood. She looked at Makari. "But if your gonna stick around, you mind if i tag along? I wouldn't mind getting back at a few of these bastards. They killed some friends of mine, and well, almost me too." She rested a hand on her rapier.

"I'm not the strongest, but i have some tricks."

The Bear in question holds still as if to let Faith get a better look at her, big dark eyes focused directly on the new tiefling for several long seconds.

"A wise thought, Makari. That creature is...was an Umber Hulk. I fought one once in the High Forest...but this one has been mutilated. Those missing eyes, in the wild they can confuse a person. And those blades on its paws, those have been...added...they normally have massive claws that can burrow through rock. Nonetheless, it still looks to be a formidable foe.

"Looks can be deceiving!" The elf does however, release the tension on his bow. "What are you doing in this place? Have you seen any prisoners?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 06:59, Wed 22 Mar 2023.

The tiefling looked at the elf and nodded. "Myself and my friends were travelling a few days ago - I think. Times a bit fuzzy when your tortured and kept in tbe dark. Anyway, we were on our way to Beliard from Westbridge. We were just passing into the sunbar hill when we were attacked."

She leaned against the wall. "There were eighteen of us in all. The leader was an elf. There was another in the group too, as well as two dwarves a knight and human woman plus the men under her troop - soldier's one and all." she paused, looking at her hands, trembling. "They swarmed us like locus - many died, but I was knocked out. When I woke I was in a cell for a time, but then they moved me to a mine - under this place. Found a few of the soldiers that lived as well as one of the dwarves - if not for him I'd still be in chains"

She looked at the elf. "So, yeah - I've seen some prisoners. many working in the mines. some sacrificed for their God, whatever the hells it is."

She fell silent, and looked at the bear. It was then she opened her eyes in shock, hearing the voice in her head. "WHAT THE....." she pointed at the bear. "It can talk.....you can talk, she can talk.." she blinked shaking her head. "Sorry....it's just - WOW!"

The gnome's strange, vaguely handsome face contorted in some combination of sympathy and anger as Faith revealed her story. "Revenge you shall have," he vowed, looking as ferocious as a four-foot-tall forest gnome could manage. "Else others shall share your fate. Do you have any insight into why they attacked you?"

Faith looked at the gnome and shrugged. "Maybe they needed workers in their damn mine. Maybe someone had information. Maybe we just came too close to them. - hells, maybe they just liked the look of the elven and my butts! Why don't we find one of them and ask them - i have some magic that may help loosen their tounges on that account."

"If there are people unjustly imprisoned," Morg says joining the conversation and narrowing his eyes, "then their captors deserve to be crushed under my maul before they can desecrate Tyar-Besil even more."

"Greetings, my name is Morg." he says, making a small bow.

Faith smiles at the dwarf and bows. "Greeting's Morg." She smiles at him and starts to speak in fluent dwarvish. [Language unknown: "Lo ur wer hiprse he her ek vir thom ririsice"]

She looked at the others and crossed her arms. "If your going deeper in, and you'll have me, i'd like to come amd make some of these bastards sorry they messed with me and my friends."

Morg smiles and replies in Dwarvish [Language unknown: "Eimoer tata ain ll erilee ter atad elwi isouhiuswe venwi of wios-oule, prle ec plurnd ar e sihero saivur!"]

Faith smiles at Morg. "You remind me a little of Bruldenthar. If he's still aive down there, he'll be happy to meet you."

Makari grinned widely at Faith. "I did tell you she was one of us, not a pet." He let out a chuckle.

But then he got serious and nodded at Morg. "Of course we're going to go free them. The people we're looking for are probably down there."

"It looks like you will be joining us, then," Ehrendil said to Faith. "Do you know the path ahead? If so, you can guide us. If not, keep back with Morg and Gorm and Zeb will look for the way forward."

Then to group as a whole he adds, "Let's get moving, this Umber Hulk is not going to calm down with us here."

As the group turns its attention to the chamber exits, the western door lies beyond the creature, while its twin on the eastern wall stands ajar. It was once seemingly secured by a simple lock, which now lies broken on the earthen floor.

Beyond lies a narrow corridor approximately 40' long, ending in a door of bronze plate.

---

Map updated.

"I can get the door open, no doubt, when we're ready?" The gnome indicated his own readiness by brandishing a set of lockpicks in one hand. As he lowered his arm, the hand remained, disconnected and floating, where it had been. With a wink at his new companion, he sent the disembodied hand off to try the door and pick its lock if necessary.

---

Don't want to rush things, but if no one objects, I'll open the door, picking the lock if necessary, with my mage hand.

Zeb rolled 21 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 11.  thieves' tools.

Faith looks at Ehrendill and nods. "The mines lay east from here." She looked at the open door. "Beyond that door is a room - more a crypt and then the mines."

She looked at the group. "...thats the best i've got. The mines are like a maze of tunnels, chaotic and confusing. Thats part of the reason i was down here so long - it took me forever to even find this room. I got turned around so much, that i don't know which way is which down there. Basics i can help with, but beyond that will be luck."

Once the door is open the Bear takes one look down the tunnel not much wider than her shoulders and turns back to look at the others, nodding for them to go first

The bronze door has no lock, though Zeb's hand is unable to open it. It appears to be stuck.

Makari listened and then nodded slowly at Faith's brief description of what was coming up. He took in a deep breath and readied himself for what might be behind the door...but then it didn't open.

His head tilted to the side and he moved to Gorm's side, laying a gentle hand on one furred shoulder. He cast a quick cantrip spell, "Guidance." He grinned at her. "Whether you 'open' the door or not, give you a little boost for the next minute in case you need it."

OOC: Cast Guidance on Gorm.

Gorm watches the assessment of the door calmly from several feet away, waiting.  When Zeb indicates he won't be able to open the door and that it indeed needs a firmer hand she takes a few lunging steps forward and raises up to slam both forward paws into the thing on her way down.

Gorm crashes through the now un-stuck door into a barrel-vaulted chamber beyond. The air here is stale and thick with the smell of decay, and a deep shadow cloaks the far eastern end, outside the range of the group's darkvision. The scent of death quickly overpowers the animal smell of the creature in the previous room.

The room is obviously an ancient crypt, as niches along the walls hold dozens of old skeletons. Some scraps of burial cloth still cling to their bleached-white bones.

Two more bronze doors sit along the southern wall. A motionless humanoid figure lies prone just inside the range of vision, clad in armor.

---

Map updated.

"Well done, Gorm. Albeit, a bit loud!" Ehrendil mutters as he steps up  behind the pillar, wiping his nose as he moves.

"Zeb can you give it a push with your hand? Just to confirm it's not undead?" the ranger asks, pointing at the corpse with a nocked and drawn arrow.

"You wouldn't believe how many things a severed hand can't do," Zeb whispers to Fait with a wink. At Ehrendil's suggestion, the hand creeps over to the corpse, pokes at it, then feels for a pulse.

Makari stepped in to the room a little bit and looked around slowly. When he heard the 'plan' to bug the far 'corpse' to see if it was...well, whatever it might be, he got ready. Knowing their luck so far, it would be undead or trigger a trap or something. So he cast shillelagh on his staff and waited to blast a hostile creature.

Faith entered after the others, rapier in hand and looking around. She sniffed the air with a grimace. "You'd think the would keep things a bit cleaner here." She muttered as she looked around

"Strange to have a crypt so close to the entrance" Morg says and walks to about 30' from the prone figure.

Zeb and Morg venture further into the crypt, and the smells of death and decay waft over them. As the darkness recedes in front of them, a magnificent stone sarcophagus comes into view at the far end of the room. Its massive stone surface is carved in the image of a noble human knight with a long white beard.

Zeb's severed hand finger-walks ahead to the prone armored figure and gives it a firm poke. Moving to its neck, the hand feels for a pulse.

As the group enters further into the chamber, dusty cracking noises sound along the north and south walls. Small clouds of dust puff into the air as stone and bone grind against each other, and sharp cracks are heard as jerky motions can be seen amongst the numerous bare skeletons arranged along the walls.

Several figures begin to emerge from the shadows, at first shuffling slowly, then violently shoving long-dead skeletons out of the way as they emerge into the suffocating dark of the crypt.

---

Makari casts Shillelagh on his staff before initiative.



Map updated! Note numbers assigned to the 6 undead.

Ehrendil, Morg, and Faith are up now. Others can feel free to post now & update their posts (if needed) after the zombies take their turns.


Round 1 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Ehrendil	23	Conc: Hunter's Mark
Moonclaw	20
Morg	19
Faith	16
Zombies	10
Zeb	6
Makari	5
Gorm	1

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:24, Fri 31 Mar 2023.

"Damn!" Ehrendil curses at the sight of the shambling undead. He looks at the closest foe to his right, and looses his arrows. He quickly moves to his left to gain some cover. "Zeb, get back here!" he calls out.

---

Bonus: Shift Hunter's Mark to Zombie 4. (initially cast against monks, 1 hour duration)
Action: Attack Zombie 4: Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 11, for 20 damage.
        Extra Attack: Zombie 4 again; then move to the square diagonal to the top right of the pillar.

                      If Zombie 4 is dead: Move 5 squares, to Makari's right; attack Zombie 5,
                      then move 3 squares to the square diagonal to the top right of the pillar.

                      Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 19, for 16 damage.
                      Add Hunter's Mark 6 damage to first attack that hit.

"This one's dead, at least," Zeb reported as his hand scrambled back to him.

---

Just wanted to share that information with the party. I'm going to wait until my turn to take actions because it will depend on where the zombies are.

Morg runs SE towards a zombie and starts swinging with his maul. "And stay dead!"

---

Move: 15' SE to be diagonal from z5. If z5 is out, then move 10' East to fight z6.

Action: attack z5 with maul - hits AC 27 for 13 bludgeoning damage.
Extra attack z5 or z6 with maul - hits AC 11 for 9 bludgeoning damage.

If z6 is still active, then Action surge.
Action surge attack z5 or z6 with maul - hits AC 16 for 14 bludgeoning damage.
Action surge extra attack z5 or z6 with maul - hits AC 16 for 10 bludgeoning damage.

14:48, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 27 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 19.  Attack z5 with maul.
14:48, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 13 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 6,2.  Bludgeoning damage to z5 from maul.

14:51, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 11 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 3.  Extra attack z5 or z6 with maul.
14:51, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 9 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 2,2.  Bludgeoning damage to z5 oz z6 from maul.

14:54, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 16 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 8.  Action surge attack z5 or z6 with maul.
14:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 14 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 4,5.  Bludgeoning damage to z5 oz z6 from maul.

14:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 16 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 8.  Action surge extra attack z5 or z6 with maul.
14:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 10 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 4,1.  Bludgeoning damage to z5 oz z6 from maul.

Ehrendil fires two arrows in quick succession, taking down one of the zombies. The other shambles forward toward Morg, a well-place arrow lodged in the rotting remains of its eye socket. Morg finishes it off and moves to engage a third zombie, cratering its ribs.

The four remaining zombies approach the intruders slowly, and their clumsy attacks miss spectacularly.

---

Map updated!  Faith, Zeb, Makari, and Gorm are up now, with Faith's turn happening before the zombies'.

Round 1 So Far:

Ehrendil shifts Hunter's Mark to Z4, then fires an arrow at Z4 - HIT for 26 damage. Z4 is dead. He fires a second arrow at Z5 - HIT for 16 piercing.

Morg moves and attacks Z5 - HIT twice for a total of 24 bludgeoning. Z5 is dead. He moves towards Z6 and attacks - HIT twice for a total of 24 bludgeoning.

Zombies
Z1 moves and attacks Ehrendil - MISS.
Z2 moves and attacks Zeb - MISS.
Z3 moves and readies an action.
Z6 attacks Morg - MISS.

Makari quickly, well for being so slow on the uptake, moved out of Gorm's way. He scanned the room and fired off two eldritch blasts on the one harassing Ehrendil, since he knew they were ranged usually.

OOC: Move 1 square (15 ft) to the map south, where there are no baddies.
Hit AC 24 for 12 force dmg. AC heh 13 for also 12 force dmg.

10:15, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 24,12,13,12 using d20+8,d10+5,d20+8,d10+5 with rolls of 16,7,5,7.  Eldritch Blast on Z1.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:18, Sun 02 Apr 2023.

Having long since sorted out that Morg can manage his own issues Gorm stays focused on the nearer pair of zombies mauling and biting at them to help bring them down.

Being small had its advantages. Zeb whistled as he casually ducked beneath the zombie's lumbering claws, thrust his magical dagger through the rotting flesh between its ribs, then dodged and weaved his way back to his companions. His first instinct was to run to Ehrendil, but seeing more zombies surrounding the ranger, he sheltered by Gorm's side instead.

---

Action: Attack Z2. Crit for a big 7 damage.
Cunning: Disengage.
Move: 25' west and slightly south, to finish just south of Gorm

Zeb rolled 7 using 2d4+5 with rolls of 1,1.  damage.
Zeb rolled 28 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 20.  dagger attack Z2.

Maybe it's poor form to complain about crits but bummer it happened when I couldn't get a sneak attack in. Then I rolled double 1s on the damage dice (not really that hard to do on d4s)!

Zeb stabs one of the zombies in the gut before scurrying back towards the western door. Worms and maggots fall out of the undead's belly to the floor, where they writhe like beached fish. Makari and Gorm combine to take down another of the undead horrors.

Undeterred, the shuffling creatures advance inexorably towards the living occupants of the crypt.

---

Map updated!

Everyone is up now for round 2. I posted the remaining zombies turns (Z2, Z3, and Z6) below to simplify and speed things up, and put it under spoiler text since technically Ehrendil, Morg, and Faith move first. Seems like you all have these zombies well in hand ;).

If Ehrendil, Morg, or Faith do things that change the zombies turn(s) we can retcon.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Zombies Round 2
Z2 attacks Gorm - HIT for 6 bludgeoning.
Z3 attacks Gorm - HIT for 6 bludgeoning .
Z6 attacks Morg - MISS.

---

Round 1 Summary:

Ehrendil shifts Hunter's Mark to Z4, then fires an arrow at Z4 - HIT for 26 damage. Z4 is dead. He fires a second arrow at Z5 - HIT for 16 piercing.

Morg moves and attacks Z5 - HIT twice for a total of 24 bludgeoning. Z5 is dead. He moves towards Z6 and attacks - HIT twice for a total of 24 bludgeoning. Z6 makes Con save.

Faith hangs out.

Zombies
Z1 moves and attacks Ehrendil - MISS.
Z2 moves and attacks Zeb - MISS.
Z3 moves and readies an action.
Z6 attacks Morg - MISS.

Zeb attacks Z2 with Reszur - CRIT for 7 piercing. He disengages and moves.

Makari moves and casts Agonizing Blast at Z1 - HIT twice for a total of 24 force. Z1 makes Con save.

Gorm moves and attacks Z1 - HIT for 11 slashing and 14 piercing. Z1 is dead.

Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Ehrendil	23	Conc: Hunter's Mark
Moonclaw	20
Morg	19
Faith	16
Zombies	10
Zeb	6
Makari	5
Gorm	1

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:51, Tue 04 Apr 2023.

Ehrendil moves around the pillar, taking a position next to Zeb before loosing two more arrows at the zombie harassing Gorm.

---

Move:   15 ft west, then 20 ft south.
Bonus:  Place Hunter's Mark on zombie 3
Action: Attack: Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 21, for 18 Sharpshot damage.
                Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 2 for Hunter's Mark damage.
        Extra:  Attack zombie 3 if it is still up, else zombie 2.
                Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 18, for 21 Sharpshot damage.
                Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 3 for Hunter's Mark damage - only applies against zombie 2.

[Edit: for some reason I thought Hunter's Mark only applied on one attack per turn!]

This message was last edited by the player at 06:55, Thu 06 Apr 2023.

Makari manuevered a bit again, trying to make sure he had an angle to help Gorm out. The other zombie was a little hard to see from where he was. He casts another cantrip, "Eldritch Blast!" and lets two more blasts of energy fly out from the tip of his staff.

OOC: Move 1 S and 2 East (assuming each large square is 10 feet).
Hit Z3 or Z3 for a crit of 17 force damage. Hit Z3 (or Z2 if Z3 is down) AC 18 for 15 dmg.

11:20, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 28,13,18,15 using d20+8,d10+5,d20+8,d10+5 with rolls of 20,8,10,10.  Eldritch Blast on Z3 (and/or Z2).
11:21, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 4 using 1d10 with rolls of 4.  Uh crit damage.

Morg keeps bashing with his maul, keeping his mouth closed in order not to get any goop in it.

---

Action: attack z6 with maul - hits AC 12 for 15 bludgeoning damage.
If z6 is down, move: 10' NW and 5' W towards z2. If z2 is out, move 10' W towards z3.
Extra attack z6, z2, or z3 maul - hits AC 12 for 13 bludgeoning damage.

09:40, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 4.  Attack z6 with maul.
09:40, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 15 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 6,4.  Bludgeoning damage to z6 from maul.

09:40, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 4.  Attack z6 or z2 with maul.
09:40, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 13 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 4,4.  Bludgeoning damage to z6 or z2 from maul.

Edit: can't sentence properly.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:49, Thu 06 Apr 2023.

As the zombies start falling down Grom moves from one to the next smashing and ripping them apart without any regard for where the pieces end up.

Ehrendil and Morg move quickly to strike down the remaining three zombies, the last two just as they were about to accost Gorm. Ehrendil's second arrow slices through the last zombie, severing its arm. Just as the severed arm slides down the side of Gorm's thick fur, Morg's maul slams into the zombies back, dropping it to the stone floor.

---

Map updated! We are out of initiative. Loot thread updated with new XP.

What next?

Round 2 Summary:

Ehrendil moves and transfers Hunter's Mark to Z3. He fires an arrow at Z3 - HIT for 23 piercing. Z3 is dead.. He fires a second arrow at Z2 - HIT for 21 piercing.

Morg attacks Z6 - HIT for 15 bludgeoning. Z6 is dead. Morg moves toward and attacks Z2 - Z2 is dead.

This message was last edited by the GM at 20:25, Thu 06 Apr 2023.

"Good fighting, all." Ehrendil says as he moves strategically behind the pillar to avoid as much of the gore, as possible, that Gorm was generating.

"Are we fine to proceed, or does anyone need some time rest up?"

---

As always I have lost track of how long we have been moving. It might be time for a short rest, especially if anyone needs to expend Hit Dice.

Never opposed to taking many short naps throughout the day Gorm takes a few steps away from the zombie gore and plops down on the floor to indicate her willingness to participate in whatever time delaying techniques the others have in mind.

"I'll be better after a rest, but I can instead stand ready next to the armored figure if it jumps up if we're looking in the sarcophagus." Morg says.

"They've yet to lay a finger on old Zeb," the gnome bragged, proving his nimbleness with an improvised dance.

Makari looked around with a little distaste at the decor, the 'housing', and the re-killed corpses. He gave a bit of a shrug even as he let out a sigh. "As is needed. I'm fine either way."

He found a place to perch and keep an eye on the door, and stayed away from where the zombies would come from theoretically.

"As would I. Zeb, since you seem so chipper, do you want to poke around and see if there is anything to discover in here?" Ehrendil asks as he salvages some of his spent arrows.

The ranger will confirm that the two doors leading west to the Umber Hulk are secured before settling into a fairly hidden spot near the pillar.

---

Top left corner in the top west alcove.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:11, Sun 09 Apr 2023.

Morg looks at the re-dead corpses and figure, and then sits down about 10' from the prone armored figure keeping an eye on it.

---

Looking at the size and build of the corpses and armored figure, to see if they were dwarves or more human-like.

He'll then try to glean more info from the re-dead: 16 investigate.

11:49, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16.  Investigate check of re-dead, trying to figure out info beyond just size.

The stillness of the air magnifies the sounds of Morg's rummaging, as the dwarf moves from one grim corpse to another. After the exertion of fighting the undead, chill dry air seeps into the group's bones as they rest.

Sitting near the foot of the magnificent stone sarcophagus at the east end of the crypt, Morg can see an inscription at its foot: Here Lies Samular Caradoon, Defender of the North.

---

Folks can successfully take a short rest here; just post any HD you take and/or other activities you undertake.

Ehrendil recollects 2 spent arrows.

Morg finds a silver ring set with small rubies on one of the zombies, as well as a ring set with a single garnet that sparkles almost with its own light in the pitch blackness. Loot thread updated.

Morg finds nothing of value on the prone figure, which has clearly been slain in some sort of battle. The body bears a battered breastplate, though the symbol emblazoned on it is still recognizable as that of Tyr. 
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:24, Sat 08 Apr 2023.

Ehrendil sits quietly and keeps watch on the doors to the south.

"Morg, you have a nose for treasure!" the ranger chuckles when the dwarf displays the two rings he found. "Not sure that I have heard of Samular Caradoon, though." Ehrendil ponders on the name.

---

Rolled two hit dice for 6 and 12 hp.
Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 15 for History (INT) to recognise Caradoon.
If someone focuses on the ring for an hour we will know what it does.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:13, Sun 09 Apr 2023.

<OOC: Sorry for the quietness - I’ve been as sick as anything.>

Faith took a breath as the battle ended - and though she was skilled, with her exhaustion, she felt out of the league of the others. She came to the fallen body and her visage softened as she groaned. “Damnit.” She muttered, kneeling. “You went out in battle as you wanted old friend.” She placed a hand on the breastplate [Language unknown: “Ble Ca peeiro poni, fodilo.”]

She stood up and looked at the others. “This is Narl Elroy, one of the delegation from Miribar that i joined up with. Faithful of Tyr. He was a stubborn old fool, but he’d save my life once.”

The woman sat down and looked at them all. “Most of my wounds are superficial - just rest will help. If you want me to look over the ring, i might be able to determine what it can do.”

Morg hands the rings out to magic users to investigate during their rest: to Faith the ring with rubies, and to Ehrendil the garnet ring.

He smashes the skeletons against the walls, and then asks Faith if he should place Narl's body in one of the sarcophagi against the northern or southern walls.

---

11:33, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13.  History check for sarcophagus inscription Samular.

Although clearly uninterested in the goings on with the shiny bobbles Gorm doesn't quite go to sleep, but she seems to get close, her heavy fur making the cold environment almost more comfortable than a warm one.  Almost immediately she seems fully physically restored, any cuts or even matting in her fur from zombie bits is gone.

AFter Morg's discovery, Makari would, if the group was willing, take a little over ten minutes to ritually cast a spell that can detect magical auras and make sure there weren't any magic items among the bunch, or anything else in the room that was worth investigating due to magic-ness.

OOC: Ritual cast Detect Magic.

As Morg smashes the remaining inanimate skeletons, a thin cloud of dust soon forms in the stale air of the tomb, causing its living occupants to occasionally cough.

---

 with Abjuration magic.]




This message was last edited by the GM at 12:22, Thu 13 Apr 2023.

After some time, Ehrendil stands. He passes the ring to Makari. "I believe this ring allows the wearer to resist fire."

Standing up and stretching, he adds, "I had to dredge back into my memory, but I recall this Caradoon.

He was the founder of an order of knights that he egotistically called The Knights of Samular, over five hundred years ago! They are paladins dedicated to Tyr that pursue justice across the North.

Caradoon built Summit Hall as a training monastery for the order. He died in a war hundreds of years ago. To this day, people from across the North travel to Summit Hall so that they might learn from its aging heroes.

But this place is not Summit Hall. Why would his sarcophagus be here?"

"Gorm, can you wear rings?" Morg asks the bear.

---

Any info known on Summit Hall? I think it was it on a map Morg's seen, and the delegation was heading there to inter someone there.

Makari opened his mouth but Ehrendil started speaking. He gave a shrug, a half-smile and shook his head. "Well, he apparently knows more than I do, but it is magical for certain."

He then pointed, "In addition, the east-most door on the southern wall glows brightly as well."

"A magical door? That is not something I've seen before!

But before we open the door, I would like to see if Caradoon is actually here. I trust Tyr will forgive us for looking into this conundrum regarding one of his favoured."

If no one objects, Ehrendil will look to open Caradoon's sarcophagus.

---

And he will likely need help, as his STR is not great!
Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 11 for STR check.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:46, Thu 13 Apr 2023.

Morg says a quick prayer to Tyr and Marthammor Duin, and then helps Ehrendil trying to lift Caradoon's sarcophagus' lid.

---

14:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 21 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 13.  Athletics check for helping Ehrendil open Caradoon's sarcophagus.

"If it must be done, it must be done," Zeb answered Ehrendil. "Decorum is a luxury we can ill afford."

Too small to help himself, the gnome stood back but looked on with interest as his companions opened the sarcophagus.

The lid of the stone sarcophagus is heavy, though once enough force is applied it comes off easily enough.

The sarcophagus is empty.

Gorm looks at the tiny little ring Morg is asking her about, then down at her enormous paws, each finger of which is about as big around as a halfling's wrist, then back at him and shakes her head slowly from side to side.

Ehrendil looks at the empty sarcophagus for a few moments. He unconsciously draws an arrow and starts to spin around this finger.

"Who would have this sarcophagus constructed in this place? I'm not an expert but the detail in the carving makes me think someone spent a full purse of gold for this.

But why?"

The elf gives his head a shake, "I simply have no idea."


"Perhaps Zeb should wear the ring? It might help him if he stumbles onto a fire trap...like on that magicked door!"

---

Ring of Fire Resistance: if not a front-liner, then the lockpicker IMO.

"It's a magic ring, so it might change size as you try it on." Morg says to Gorm, while looking over the sarcophagus' construction.

"It might be good to know if you can wear them - even if Zeb eventually wears it."

---

08:50, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 14 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 8.  Stonecunning history check regarding origin of stonework of sarcophagus.

The silence of the room continues to be broken only by the movements and speech of its occupants.

---

"This sarcophagus stone wasn't carved by dwarven tools. From its surfaces, it looks about 500 years old."

Makari looked at Morg and then gave a nod. "Interesting."

He gestured towards the door that had glowed. "Zeb, do you think you can investigate that door? Or do we want to avoid it?" He spread his hands, "I do have the ability to cast Dispel Magic but I don't know enough about the magic on the door to know if that would work or not."

"I'll see what I can do, but I very much doubt it will be to the standards of the magic you propose." Nevertheless, the gnome's hand crept out to see what it could learn about the door.

---

Zeb rolled 8 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 4.  investigation. Would be a 10 if Perception is more appropriate. The hand will also attempt, without actually opening the door, to determine whether it could be opened.

"Maybe the non-magical door leads to the same place." Morg says, putting his ear to the SW door.

---

20:35, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Perception check, listening at SW door.

Zeb's otherworldly hand makes it way across the room towards the door, its pallor making it seem well at home in the crypt. Reaching the door, its surface feels no different than the other wooden doors in the monastery, just as it looks no different. A brief pressure on the door isn't enough to open it, though its appearance and the visible hinges provide no indication that it couldn't be opened.

His ear pressed to the other door to the south, Morg hears nothing beyond it.

The hand pointed at the door, shrugged with two knuckled, and returned to its owner. "All yours," Zeb said, inviting Makari to work his magic if he was so inclined.

"So the sarcophagus is in the same time frame as Caradoon's death, but it's empty and in the wrong place! A mystery for sure."


Ehrendil purses his lips in thought, "It wouldn't be logical to protect one door with magic and not the other if they lead to same place. Yet, it would be prudent to confirm that is the case, before expending Makari's magicks.

Let's take Morg's advice and check the normal door first."

"But someone should put that ring on before we leave this room. It would be a shame to not use such a potent magic item."

---

If the ring does not fit Gorm, or she does not want it, then Zeb should take it.

Faith listened to the group and smiled. She was impressed by the reasoning of the group and their dynamics. Unfortunately my magic is unable to help with the door - i am able to disrupt a spell being cast with my magic, but cannot dispel existing magical effects."

If they offered the ring, she shook her head. "I have not been with you long enough to earn sich a thing - besides, tieflings are already resistant to fire, so it will do me little use."

She looked at the sarcophagus. "Perhaps this was made to house him and was not finished.....perhaps it hides something." She comes forward and looks closer at the sarcophagus. Within moments, she blinked, the dust from the skeletons in her eyes, she wasn't able to determine anything. She smiled and shrugged. "...to my eyes though, it looks like it was never used."

---

<OOC: Faith rolled 6 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 1.  investigation check.

Nope - find nothing!>

Faith finds nothing more than a few dry cobwebs in the sarcophagus.

---

Where to next?

"Normal door first, Zeb," the ranger suggests, pointing to the door in the southwest corner. "Same as before, Zeb leading, Makari, Faith and I, will be 5 paces back [15 feet], and Morg and Gorm 5 paces behind us."

---

I actually don't know/forgot what class Faith is! So, if it makes sense for her to be with Morg and Gorm she should just say so!

Also, I was looking for the previous marching order and I read through Faith's introduction and realised that it completely went over my head that she was part of the delegation from Mirabar!!!!! Doh! Ehrendil should have asked a lot more questions of her. Oh well.

"I have a potion of fire resistance if someone needs." Morg says.

---

Do the PCs know the following?:

1. Ehrendil: elf (wood) ranger (?)
   
2. Faith: tiefling ? (?)
   
3. Gorm: ? druid (moon)?, usually a brown bear
   
4. Makari: half-elf (drow?) warlock (celestial, tome), (tho Morg currently thinks he's a cleric), owl: Moonclaw
   
5. Morg: dwarf (mountain) fighter (battle master)
   
6. Zeb: gnome (?) rogue (?), trident, magic +1 dagger Rezur

The tiefling smiled as she drew her rapier and looked at the group, finishing her gaze onthe gnome. "After you Zeb." She muttered

Zeb's hand answered Ehrendil with a thumbs up. After retrieving the ring and bringing it back to the gnome's body, it floated over to open the door. Zeb kept his bow out, ready to summon the hand back to him for firing at a moment's notice should the need arise.

---

Accepting the ring of fire resistance, if that's what we landed on re: its disposition. Then opening the door, with Zeb standing 30' back and advancing only if there's no obvious danger or activity inside.

Zeb's hand pushes open the door, revealing an unlit, rough-hewn tunnel beyond. Dark walls of stone border the tunnel, shorn up here and there with old timbers. Patches of some type of fungus or lichen cling to the walls in places. A soft breeze bringing musty, vaguely rotten smells wafts through the open door.

The tunnel splits not far past the door, continuing both left and right. Straight ahead to the south the tunnel ends in another door, similar to the one just opened.

---

Map updated!

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:06, Fri 21 Apr 2023.

Standing just behind the gnome as the spectral hand opens the door, Ehrendil whispers to the group, "Another door straight ahead. But I think we should check to the left first, to see if we can find the room behind the magic door."

Once Zeb moves forward, Ehrendil will follow, 15 feet behind.

Faith, rapier in hand and the point facing down, sniffed at the smell of death - something she had smelt too much in this place, but nodded to the wood elves words.

Morg tries to follow quietly, less than 25' from whoever is in the lead.

---

11:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 9 using 2d20+1, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 8,12.  Stealth check with disadvantage (from splint) down S tunnel.

Zeb looked back and forth between the door Ehrendil indicated and the one already open before him. He was inclined to wait on his friend's suggestion until he heard some of the noisier members clunking up behind him. On an impulse, thinking he'd best get ahead of them if wished to scout unseen. The gnome's hand floated further ahead still, testing the walls, ceiling, and floor for traps as best it could. It paid particular attention to the lichen, poking and tickling at to see whether it responded. If it did not, the hand continued on to test the door, not opening it, but testing whether it was locked or otherwise barred.

---

Moving into the hallway until he is 30' from the next door, which is the range at which his hand can investigate it, or until something reacts to the hand.
Zeb rolled 25 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 15.  stealth.
Zeb rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6.  perception

Gorm moves up next to the door to watch, and or smell, but as usual lets all the smaller creatures go first into what only seems like a tight space to something as big as a bear.

Makari stayed near the back instead again this time. He let the others go in first, while he kept an eye, and ear, out for anything coming up behind them. He had his staff in hand, however, in case there was trouble...which seemed likely in the monastery. There always seemed to be trouble with cultists.

Zeb pauses several feet into the tunnels, his disembodied hand crawling along the walls as if gravity had turned sideways.

The black-green tendrils extending out from the lichen growths shrink back at the hand's approach. Several flakes fall to the ground as the digits tease and pull at the tendrils, but the Zeb's hand doesn't come to any harm as a result.

The hand moves on southward, and carefully tests the door ahead. It moves just slightly on its hinges, and it seems like it would open easily.

---

Map updated!

Ehrendil rolls his eyes, then whispers ahead to Zeb, "The door first, then?"

The elf nocks an arrow and half-draws the string, ready to loose it if the gnome chooses to open the door.

Zeb shook his head. The spectral hand reappeared beside him and wiped its fingers on its pants. It was no longer part of him - no longer flesh at all - but he still had the overwhelming urge to wipe off the residual feel of the fungus on his fingers.

"Let's try the magicked door," he suggested. "If we are able. I don't like the look of that fungus."

---

Zeb rolled 12 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 8.  nature. Anything on that fungus?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:57, Mon 24 Apr 2023.

Zeb and Morg step back into the crypt past the waiting Ehrendil, turning their attention to the other door on the south wall.

---

If y'all are going for the magicked door first, who's going to attempt to open?

Ehrendil, sighs in exasperation as the group returns to Caradoon's Tomb to examine the magicked door.

"What is the point of making plans?" he asks no one in particular as he brings up the rear, being sure to close the door.

Faith smiles as she steps forward, reaching into a pouch. "Let me have a look at that."

She steps forward with some thieves toe, but before she starts, she starts singing a note....her tone was melodic and sweet, and even though she sang no words you could tell she had a voice.

The tone of the note dropped and held as she began using her tools, holding the note and working at the same time.

---

<OOC: Casts dispel magic on door as she tries to pick the lock

Faith rolled 24 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 20.  Thieves Tools check>
 

To Makari's eyes the glow around the door winks out as Faith approaches, lock picking tools in hand.

The locked door easily swings open after Faith's ministrations. A blast of stale, acrid air blows into the crypt, heavily laden with a smell of musty rot and death, so strong that it even overpowers the stale odor of the crypt itself. Cobwebs fall silently to the floor, disturbed from their position by the door's movement.

Beyond, the open door reveals a staircase leading up.

---

Map updated.

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:21, Thu 27 Apr 2023.

Makari was watching carefully. He gave a nod and smiled as he quietly called out, "Good job, I think that did it. Magic seems to have disappeared."

If she was really a spy or double agent, she was doing a good job of hiding it. But then, they'd been meeting people along the way in the cult lairs who didn't seem to be with the cultists so he tried not to be overly suspicious.

He kept to the back once more and let other go in first.

"You can sing away magic?" Morg says to Faith. "Was the song a prayer? Are you a cleric of Milil?"

"Do you like being up front when there's trouble, like Gorm and me; or do you prefer cover and distance?""

Ehrendil watches Faith deal with the magic on the door and then adroitly, pick the lock. "Looks like Faith has some talents in common with you, Zeb!"

As he peeks up the stairs, the ranger adds, "It smells worse than death! I suppose that means we will go and see what is up there? Even though we are looking for the rest of the delegates that travelled with Faith.

The stairs go back up, so we will likely come across more monks."

Looking at Morg, Ehrendil says, "I know some nature magic that might help keep us from being heard..."

Touching the amulet hanging around his neck, the elf incants some odd words and a veil of shadows and silence radiates out over all of the group.

---

Cast Pass Without Trace: all PCs receive a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks; can't be tracked except by magical means; and leave no tracks or other traces of their passage.

Lasts up to 1 hour (concentration)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:02, Thu 27 Apr 2023.

"A few," the gnome admitted. "Though I could not have banished that magic so easily.

Thank you, Faith. Looks can be deceiving, but for my part, I much prefer that staircase to a fungus-lined corridor."

The tieefling smiled as she put away the lock picks. "You'll find i'm a woman of many talents" She looked at Zeb and winked, but then looked serious. Ever since i could remember my vioce had a magical quality - Wizards studied it and had no clue of the source.....could be part of my demon heritage as a tiefling, or something else. But, many suspect it's something akn to the power that bards have with intruments and song. They use songs and verses, mine is just the notes themselves."

She shrugged. "As for direction - i've seen and smelt enough death for the moment. Lets just move."

Zeb choked at this. His hand floated up to wipe the sweat that had appeared suddenly on his brow. "Ahem," he sputtered, his small voice sounding even more high-pitched than usual. "Let's get going."

Climbing the steps, the group sees this part of the monastery is of older construction than the rest. Though the stair appears to be bordered by external walls, the windows have been bricked up, and cobwebs hang thick in the ceiling corners. A small landing halfway up the stairs is situated where a door, apparently to the outside, stands closed.

The room at the top of the stairs has been fitted out as a laboratory, with work tables covered in alchemical apparatuses and shelves full of strange curios and dusty clay jars. Different colored liquids bubble and drip in strangely shaped glass containers and tubes, and multicolored steam rises from several of the tables. Two doors stand closed on the southern wall.

An ancient skeletal figure, draped in heavy layers of once rich but now moldering cloth, peruses a heavy tome that lies open on a small desk, making notes on sheets of parchment covered in arcane writing. An aura of darkness hangs in the air around his thin frame, distorting the view of the room behind him. His visible bones click and snap as his hand and arm move across the page. As the first members of the party near the top of the stairs, he speaks without looking up, in a deep but ethereal voice. "I have already told you cultists no. Depart."

---

Map updated.

"We are no cultists, sir." Zeb said, trembling a bit at the sight of the figure's bones. He was not certain "sir" was the appropriate honorific, but it seemed better than using none at all. "Nor any friend to them. We seek a delegation of dwarves we believe taken by the cultists. Do you happen to know whether they were taken through here?"

The figure looks up, revealing a ghostly green light in its eye sockets in place of eyes. "Not cultists? Perhaps," he rasps. "You don't sound like cultists, but you do look like them," he continues, indicating with a nod of the head the group's dingy robes.

Makari made his way up hearing a non-cultist voice talking. He smiled at the figure and nodded. "Yes, you're right, we do, at the moment. It's a disguise, however. One, which, if I'm being totally honest, hasn't been helpful yet, but we're hopeful it will cause less issue wandering around in this while in this cultist stronghold."

He stepped forward and pulled off the robe he was wearing. "Hi! My name is Makari. We are at least partially here in search of a missing dwarven delegation we believe might be prisoners of the cultists."

He stood respectfully in his body language, only staff in hand but lowered. He paused and then asked, "Might we know more about you and why you're here?"

Gorm is always fairly good at being a bear, but here she puts some extra work into it, sniffing around at the edges of the room, even going so far as to lightly head but the person nearest to her like a pet might when bored.

Ehrendil climbs the stairs and his jaw drops at the sight of the skeleton with glowing eyes. His initial reaction is to attack or perhaps run, but there seems to be an intelligence in the voice that he has never seen in an undead creature before.

The elf is at a loss as to what to say, so he parrots Makari, "Yes, just a disguise. So we can look for the prisoners somewhat unharried.

Oh, my pardon. Ehrendil Vakalyn, of Reitheillaethor."

The tiefling stepped forward, her attire not of the robes, but of her normal clothes, dirty, bloody and torn in places. "Tell me....do I look like a cultist, hmm?" She held her arms out, the bruises still apparent on her skin. though her tone was light, there was a bitterness and edge to her eyes.

She placed her arms down and crossed her arms. "If your against the cultists, then you may have found some allies." Gorm nuzzled her, and she placed an arm on them. "I can tell you, he won't pass for a cultist, being a bear and all."

The figure waves away the introductions. "I have no interest in cultists, dwarves, or bears. Leave me alone. I am here for knowledge. Depart."

Ehrendil looks around at his companions and gives a subtle gesture with his head, indicating they should take the stairs back down.

As the elf turns to exit, he pauses, "I'm curious...sir. If you are not interested in dealing with the cultists, how is it that you located your laboratory in the middle of the Earth Cultists stronghold?" He adds hastily, "If you don't mind the question!"

The light in the figure's eye sockets flares with bright green light, casting misshapen shadows behind the rows of chemical equipment. "I did not locate my laboratory in the cultists' stronghold," he relies angrily. "Those vermin moved into my stronghold. My presence here predates them by several hundred years."

His eye-lights dim before he continues. "So long as they leave me be, I have no interest in harming them, or indeed anyone else. My brother and I saw enough killing in the second Troll War for at least two lifetimes," he finishes bitterly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:44, Thu 04 May 2023.

Ehrendil turns to the skeletal creature, any thought of leaving seemingly forgotten; a look of interest on his face.
"You've been here for hundreds of years! Then you might recall the Kingdom of Eaerlann as it was before the demons and orcs destroyed it!"

---

Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 14 using 1d20+1 for History (INT) to recognise "Troll War".

Eaerlann was an ancient Elven kingdom in what is now the High Forest. Ehrendil is from the village of Reitheillaethor which is a 'new' village in the High Forest. Just threw the comment in for some backstory colour! See: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Eaerlann

Makari was about to continue speaking with the...spirit...but Ehrendil jumped in. And then...went off on a historical tangent. Makari's eyebrows rose up and he looked slowly from the spirit to his ally with a quizzical look on his face as he waited silently for the moment.

The skeletal figure leans back slightly, looking over Ehrendil's head for a few moment. "I never visited Eaerlann," he says finally, "though my brother and I were close with Arilyn Moonblade and Qilué Veladorn for a time. They spoke highly of that place. But that was a long time ago."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:46, Tue 09 May 2023.

Ehrendil's eyes widen, at the skeleton's response. "Lolth's loins!" the curse escapes him in a whisper.

He is about to ask another question, when he catches the look on Makari's face. He flushes slightly, "I beg your pardon, sir. Perhaps, when our task is complete, I might come and speak to you about the past?"

A sheepish look passes over his face, before his more typical stoic facade appears. He gives Makari a nod, as if to say, your turn.

Makari didn't understand the reaction of Ehrendil, but then again, he didn't really know the names that were being spoken of. He looked between the two of them once more and then pushed it aside.

He politely asked, "So, you will not help them, but you also will not help us, not even with information?"

Faith remained quiet, leaning against the wall and looking on as they spoke to the undead thing. She suspected that if it was not allied with the cultist, that it would not join them either without good reason.

She looked at Makari with a snort. "I doubt it."

"Perhaps there may be value in dwelling on the past," the figure says doubtfully to Ehrendil's question. He turns back to the work in front of him, dipping his quill in a nearby ink jar.

"What is the importance of these dwarves?" he asks Makari absently, eyeing Faith warily.

Faith, still leaning against the wall, smiled warmly at Makari. "For my part, some were my friends, and last i saw them when i was captured, at least one still lived. Plus....not a fan of the whole 'slavery' thing - but thats just me."

From Makari's look, Morg pipes up: "If Bruldenthar, and the rest of the delegation are still enslaved, then it is my duty to help free him. Them."

When it becomes quite obvious that there won't be anything useful to do here Gorm turns back the way she came and starts sniffing for missed paths, particularly one that smells like dwarves or cultist ritual components.

Ehrendil throws a look at Zeb, then blurts out, "Some of us were sent by the Abbot of Goldenfields, Ellardin Darovik, to find the delegation because they did not arrive as planned."

"Hmmm," the figure ruminates as it scratches more arcane glyphs onto the page. "Sounds like some grand task my brother and I would have done." His writing pauses, and his glowing eyes dim for a moment, as if picturing a scene from long ago.

"I have little need for material things these days," he continues after a time. "One of you, perhaps this one," he says, pointing at Morg without looking up. "Fetch the amulet on the shelf over there and take it with you." He indicates a shelf on the eastern wall.

"I recall there are mines that go deep under this monastery, and all manner of ill beasts and dangers may dwell down there. I pay little attention to the material world anymore. The amulet may keep you safe as you pursue your quest."

Morg opens his mouth to ask  Makari something, but then instead just thanks the undead creature and pockets the amulet.

---

Not putting the amulet around his neck or arm, but planning to ask the wizards later to do their detection and identification magic on it later.

Makari hesitated and then gave the spirit a small bow. "Thank you for both your hospitality and conversation. We wish you...well." You know, as well as an undead spirit can be, he supposed.

He turned towards the exit. "We should go." And he headed back after Gorm.

"Thank you sir," Ehrendil adds as he turns to leave. Once again, he hesitates and turns back to the skeleton. "It sounds like you and your brother were once adventurers, if it's not...too rude to ask sir, what is your name?"

---

Did Ehrendil recall the Troll War (see msg #218 for roll)?

Sorry Makari, but Ehrendil's flaw is I'd risk too much to uncover a lost bit of knowledge.. I planned to use it mainly around planar portals and gates and such, but this was just too good to pass up.

I apologise up front if Ehrendil turns this, apparently benign, encounter into a TPK!

Faith raised her eyebrow at the undead, surprised at the help he offered. "Aahhhh....thanks." She stood up and made for the door when Ehrendil asked another question. "Obviously he is caught up in some important study - lets leave him be."

She made for the door and stepped out, glad he was indifferent and not the 'kill' type

"Yes. Of course. Thank you," the gnome stammered, his feet already pulling him toward the door. A chill ran through him when his friend spoke again.

Zeb hid his face as he grimaced. He ought to have seen this coming, ought to have distracted Ehrendil or dragged him out by his sleeve. It would not be the first time the elf's curiosity had got them into trouble.

The figure grimaces slightly, giving his mien an even more deathly look. "My name is - or rather was - Renwick Caradoon," the figure says reluctantly. "My brother Samular led the knights of Tyr during the Second Troll War, and it was in that war's final battle that I met my untimely end. Yet here I am still, thanks to my brother feeding me a damned'd potion as I lay dying."

Renwick looks up finally from his writing. "Truth be told I may have come to undeath myself in time, but Samular thought it a mercy in the moment. If our places had been exchanged I wouldn't have hesitated to give him the potion, rather than bear to see my brother die in my arms."

"If only either of us had known the costs lichdom would bring," he sighs. "I strain even now to retain any shreds of humanity. I cling to the thirst for knowledge that I had in life, and it drives me relentlessly. I offer it to Tyr as penance."

---

Apologies Ehrendil, I missed that history roll!

A little over five hundred years ago there were a series of wars between trolls and the inhabitants of the areas around Waterdeep. Some of the wars may have even predated the official founding of the city. The Second Troll War involved an alliance of a number of factions to drive the trolls back, including knights of Tyr and other leaders from the human realms.


This message was last edited by the GM at 00:17, Sun 14 May 2023.

Ehrendil's jaw drops open. "M-m-my apologies Master Caradoon for the interruption."

As he finally, steps onto the staircase to descend, he adds, "Your brother, and you, were...are...great heroes."

The elf then descends the stairs in silence.

Bidding farewell to Renwick, the group retraces their steps back down the stairs.

---

Map updated!

Where to now?

Outside, Morg asks the mages to see if they can identify the amulet, and says that he can quickly scout the fungii corridors since dwarves are hardy and not easily poisoned.

The group cautiously re-enters the mines, turning left at the first intersection. The air is still and stale, tinged with a faint musky odor. The group passes strange lichen or fungus clinging to the tunnel walls at various places.

After a cursory exploration of the mines in this area, the tunnels appear to be devoid of anything of interest. Piles of rock and pickaxes are scattered near the end of tunnels, the latter apparently left there for the next time someone might resume excavations.

---

After quick glances down the various tunnels in this area, everything this side appears to be a dead-end. If anyone wants to examine any of the tunnels more closely, I've labeled them on the map a-e.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:23, Fri 19 May 2023.

Faith followed the others around the halls, and with the realisation of dead ends, she mused. “Let me take a closer look.” She them made her way left first to look around.

---

<OOC: Faith will look down the passage ‘a’>

Ehrendil watches as Faith walks to the end of the tunnel. "No prisoners to be seen. And no cultists. I say we go through the door rather than wander about these mining tunnels."

Morg adds 1 pickaxe to his equipment, and checks tunnels not investigated by other party members.

---

Check origin of stonework of tunnel c-d.

14:03, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Stonecunning check regarding origin of stonework of alternate tunnels.

As a forest gnome, Zeb knew less about mining than his deep-dwelling cousins. Nevertheless, it occurred to him that if one wanted to conceal the entrance to a secret passageway, a seemingly-abandoned tunnel would be a fine place to do so. His hand waved in the air to attract the attention of his companions.

"I can try the door when we're ready to do so. But I share Morg's curiosity. This tunnel here runs alongside the room we've not yet explored. I just want to see..."

---

Searching tunnel E for secret doors. 19 Perception, or 17 Investigation if you'd rather.
Zeb rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  checking for secret doors.

Clearly not very enthusiastic about the musty tunnels Gorm waits at the larger intersection while the little people poke around to find out.

Makari waited with Gorm. Not that she needed him around for protection or anything, and he didn't need her for protection either. But...it was nice to keep the 'bear' company for a moment while the others poked around.

He glanced over at Gorm and quietly asked, "How are you holding up? I'd say you've been quiet, but you always are kind of."

The group sees nothing out of the ordinary upon their examinations of the tunnels - these are clearly in the process of being excavated, with freshly turned rock strewn around where the tunnels end.

---

Map updated.

Ehrendil stands watch, patiently, spinning an arrow while some of the others explore the mining tunnels.

"Right. More tunnels or the door?"

Faith walks by and freezes as she spots something with a frown. She points down. "Snake....i hate snakes!" she whispers.

Morg returns to Gorm and Makari, "This southern door next?"

"Most of them are harmless," Zeb informed the tiefling ungently. "All of them are, if you don't go poking at them.

There's nothing down this tunnel either. Door it is, then."

If no one objected, he strung his bow and sent his "spare" hand out to push open the door.

The group reassembles outside the door, Ehrendil and Faith just arriving as Zeb pushes on the door with his disembodied hand. As it opens on squealing hinges, a large well becomes visible in the room beyond the door, situated in a corner and equipped with a winch-and-bucket mechanism for fetching water. Two identical doors sit on the western and southern walls.

Several dirty straw pallets lie tucked into the corners of the room - including one very large pallet near the western wall. The unpleasant musky odor in the air in this room seems to emanate directly from that pallet.

Three heavily armored orcs turn lazily at the sound of the opening door. One of the orcs steps forward, hands on hips. His piggish face displays a maze of scars, and he regards Zeb with a mix of disdain and boredom. "The pass sign!", he barks.

"Pass sign! Pass sign!" A rumbling voice yells from behind the door. A hulking, flabby ogre comes into view and skids to a halt next to the commanding orc, nearly knocking him over in his enthusiasm. The ogre beams at the orc while touching his thumbs and forefingers together, holding his oversized digits in front of his chest in the shape of a triangle.

The orc steps back awkwardly, raising his hands and scowling furiously at the ogre. "Not you, Drool! You have the wits of a squashed bug, not to mention a stench to raise the dead. Back in your corner until it's time to play with the slaves!" He points back behind the door and returns his gaze to Zeb and the others.

---

Map updated.

Faith made her way through and smiled as they came in. "Come on, how am I - Hi....." She pauses as the Ogre comes in. "Oh, you are a big one, aren't you!" She then looks at the orc. "Sorry - your 'friend' disrupted my train of thought....Oh, yess, the sign."

She placed her hands as the ogre did, and smiled.

The orc nods absently and turns back to his work, apparently fashioning a sort of crude cudgel from a thick tree branch.

"New recruits I guess," he mumbles. "Any more prisoners coming? We could use the labor. And the entertainment." The other orcs snigger, and the ogre lets out a snorting gaffaw.

Zeb's floating hand had its middle finger halfway raised when the gnome saw what Faith was doing. The hand turned invisible, so that the smirk on the gnome's face was the only visible sign of the crude gesture it was making. Not trusting himself to keep up the facade of civility toward these brutes who joked about torturing slaves, he kept his angry glare fixed on the invisible, extended middle finger and let the others do the talking.

Faith nodded to the orc. "Yeah, not even two days in." At the mention of the 'entertainment, faith smiled, thgough only the sharpest of eyes could see her clenched fist at the thought of it - until recently, she was said slave.

"Was sent to bring them in to get them working as soon as possible.." She shrugged. "...no rest for the stupid." She looked at the bear then back. "That thing has been tamed - can help pull carts."

Makari didn't want to 'muddy the waters' as the saying went. Faith seemed to have started speaking and was doing alright for the moment, so he didn't want to jump in and step on her toes socially.

Instead he kept staying where he was, next to Gorm. He blinked a few times when Faith said Gorm was tamed and trained to pull carts. He looked slowly over at the bear and then immediately took more of a 'guard' position on it, as if he were making sure it didn't do anything.

Yeah. Right.

"Sounds good to me," the apparent leader of the guards replies to Faith. "After you," he finishes, indicating the southern door in the room with a sweep of his hand.

Faith smiles, and looking at the others, spoke with a wink at them. "Get them moving....we haven't got all day!"

For her part Gorm doesn't blow their deception, but she doesn't seem inclined to play to heavily into the role of a half trained, or specialized beast of burden.  Anyone even remotely familiar with animals will know that this bear considers people to be allies or at least food providers.

Ehrendil brings up the rear of the group, keeping a close eye on the orcs and ogre as he passes through the room.

Zeb followed, keeping his eyes down and doing his best to hide his face, as he could not not keep the look of disgust from it.

While it was a bit refreshing to not just be attacked on sight and have to fight their way in to and through another room...he didn't like slave keepers. Not at all. Not even pretend. He struggled to maintain his composure and keep his face blank. He tried to affect a bored look on his face, but it likely looked more like he was frowning a little.

He walked beside Gorm, or right behind them.

"Stay back Drool!" the commander shouts as Faith leads the group through the southern door. At the next turn of the tunnel Faith looks back, hesitant, but the orc impatiently directs her to turn left. The ogre wipes his mouth and restrains his enthusiasm for violence, hanging back at the rear of the group.

The tunnel doesn't extend far beyond this first intersection. At the end of the tunnel, three cell-like rooms have been excavated from the rock. Iron bars wall off each one, with a chain and padlock securing a swinging gate. Inside, a number of prisoners huddle on miserable straw pallets.

Inside the cells, several starved and filthy prisoners in each cell look up from their meager belongings at the approach of heavy footfalls. A quick glance takes in approximately 15 total. Their faces are alternately streaked with fear, angry with resentment and pain, resignation, and blank in apparent shock. Several humans cower in the pitch blackness, clearly unable to see anything, but also aware of what approaching footsteps means.

"Alright, back to work you lazy filth," the lead orc says, fishing around in his pouches for a jingling key. He approaches one of the locked cells, grimy hand still searching.

One of the prisoners stands slouching at the bars of another cage. An aging dwarf, he fiddles with a bit of wood sticking out of the side of his mouth. "Well well, if it isn't my captors gracing us with their presence," he says, his voice dripping with disdain and sarcasm. "Come to marvel at the depths of my unyielding will, have you? Or perhaps you seek some morsel of knowledge to sate your feeble minds? Pray, do tell, what brings you to this dank dungeon today? Has your insatiable curiosity finally gotten the better of you?" His eyes widen slightly at the sight of Faith, though his face betrays no other hint of recognition.

---

Map updated.

The so called trained bear follows along amiably enough until they can smell the prisoners at which point she sniffles a bit in very real discomfort.  When the caged dwarf speaks she looks up at him.

Morg winks at the aging dwarf, and then moves back to stand next to the ogre.

Faith walked through the door with a nod and confident smile as they made their way in. She looked at the group and nodded, keeping up the charade. "Keep the bear moving...." she said back, hoping Gorm understood enough to know what was happening.

When they came to the cell, she heard the familiar voice of the dwarf and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief ever so softly. When he looked at her, she shook her head slightly, and looked at the orc who held the keys. She dipped her hand into a pouch, a drop of honey on her finger, she smeared it on her lips and sung, a soft note that seemed to reverberate a little. Her eyes glowed a little as she spoke to the jailer.

"We've come to relieve you....you've worked so hard. why don't you give me the keys and go have a full night's sleep - you have earnt it."

---

<OOC: Casts suggestion. DC wisdom save 15>

Zeb's invisible hand fingered his dagger. He recognized that drawing it right now would be worst thing he could do, for himself and for the slaves, but it felt good to remind himself it was there. Meanwhile, Faith's more subtle approach was getting results, so the gnome stood ready to support her however he could.

The commanding org grunts, shaking his head. "Hell no," he says gruffly, finally finding the key and inserting it into the lock of the northern cage. "No sleep until we find what Marlos is looking for. And," he says, smirking at the dwarf in the eastern cage, "everyone gets to take their turn. Only one squad at a time, and only that squad gets to eat. Hellenrae's orders." The grin on the lead orc's face grows wider. "This squad might be busy for days." Five haggard and painfully thin figures begin to shuffle out of the cage into the crowded tunnel.

Still behind the eastern bars, the dwarf seems about to retort, but then stops short and says nothing.

"Where do these maggots dig next, your eminence?" the orc says, addressing Faith. "The eastern tunnels are particularly dangerous for miners. I recommend we start there."

---

Map updated. With the exception of the dwarf, I'm being lazy and not adding icons for the prisoners. 5 have been released from the northern cell, and there are 11 others split between the eastern and southern cells (other than the dwarf). If they become relevant I'll add them to the map.

Orc successfully saves vs. Suggestion

21:18, Today: Secret Roll: DM rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18.  Wis save vs Suggestion.

Ehrendil takes in the leader orc's comments with a grimace on his face. When the group comes to a halt so some prisoners can be forced to work, the elf decides the time for action has come, confident that Morg is thinking the same thought.

He steps past Makari saying quietly, [Language unknown: "Reiv nale e ainonsare ndeon ofmiie evat Ntncac."] The ranger steps past Zeb and whispers, "Enough of this."

Ehrendil steps into the opening facing the southern cell, making it look like he is inspecting the prisoners.

The ranger then draws and looses two arrows at the orcs.

---

DM: please let any of the PCs interrupt these actions if they choose to. I tried to break it up into four steps for that reason. And, of course your NPCs are welcome to do so as well! :-)

Bonus:

• target Orc Leader with Hunter's Mark (cast on monks in initial encounter, 1 hr duration)
• if Hunter's Mark has expired, then use Planar Warrior to target Orc Leader

Action: attack orc leader

• Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 6, for Longbow Sharpshot attack.
• Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 19, for Longbow Sharpshot attack, for 19 damage.
• Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 4 for Hunter's Mark damage
  OR
• Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 8 for Planar Warrior force damage.

Clearly having been waiting for just this sort of thing the not so tame bear some know as Gorm lunges for the Orc that has been doing all the talking, raking it with her claws and gnashing big teeth in its face.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:43, Tue 30 May 2023.

Morg's finally swings his maul, letting loose his fury on the ogre. He then shouts to the party "Unlock and arm the dwarf!" while taking out his unused greatsword.

---

Move: the moment the ogre is not a threat anymore (maybe because of initiative order), Morg will move up to 25' to the key-holding or nearest orc and attack it.

Action: attack ogre (or orc) with maul - hits AC 15 for 12 bludgeoning damage. If that hit, the ogre (or orc) must make a STR save vs DC 16, or be knocked prone.
Extra attack: attack ogre (or orc) with maul - hits AC 20 for 15 bludgeoning damage. The ogre (or orc) must make a WIS save vs DC 16, or be frightened of him (it has disadv. on ability checks and attack rolls while Morg's in their line of sight, and they can't willingly move closer to him) until the end of Morg's next turn.

If ogre (or orc) is prone, then:
 Action surge attack: attack ogre (or orc) with maul - hits AC 21 for 16 bludgeoning damage.

If the ogre (or orc) is not prone, then instead:
 Action surge attack: attack ogre (or orc) with maul - hits AC 16 (adding Maneuver precision) for 16 bludgeoning damage.

Action surge extra attack: attack ogre (or orc) with maul - hits AC 25 for 17 bludgeoning damage. The ogre (or orc), if not already frighteneed, must make a WIS save vs DC 16, or be frightened of him (it has disadv. on ability checks and attack rolls while Morg's in their line of sight, and they can't willingly move closer to him) until the end of Morg's next turn.

Free interaction: take out greatsword and pulls back arm in order to throw it (which should be Morg's next turn's free internaction) towards the cage where the dwarf is.

12:14, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 15 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 7.  Attack ogre (or orc) with maul.
12:14, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 8 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 2,1.  Bludgeoning damage to ogre (or orc) from maul.
12:14, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 4 using 1d8 with rolls of 4.  Maneuver: trip attack on  ogre (or orc) (STR save vs DC 16) or be knocked prone.
12:28, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 20 using 2d20+8, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 12,1.  Extra attack ogre (or orc) with maul (with advantage if it's prone).
12:29, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 14 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 6,3.  Bludgeoning damage to ogre (or orc) from maul.
12:29, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 1 using 1d8 with rolls of 1.  Maneuver: menacing attack on ogre (WIS save vs DC 16) or be frightened until end of M's next turn.
12:32, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 21 using 2d20+8, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 2,13.  Action surge attack ogre (or orc) with maul with advantage.
12:32, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 16 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 6,5.  Bludgeoning damage to ogre (or orc) from maul.
12:33, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 6 using 1d8 with rolls of 6.  Maneuver: precision attack on ogre (or orc) if not prone, added to hit roll.
12:35, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 25 using 2d20+8, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 17,8.  Action surge extra attack ogre (or orc) with maul with advantage.
12:35, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 3,4.  Bludgeoning damage to ogre (or orc) from maul.
12:36, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 5 using 1d8 with rolls of 5.  Maneuver: menacing attack on ogre (WIS save vs DC 16) or be frightened until end of M's next turn.

---

Correction: Morg can't take out the greatsword at the end of his 1st turn of initiative (in order to throw it to the dwarf at the start of his next turn), because he had to use his free interaction to take out his maul - since the party was trying to not look hostile to the orcs.

Good old Ehrendil. Zeb had been beyond ready to slit some slavers' throats even before they laughed about sending prisoners into unstable mines. Heedless of the danger to himself, he stepped up to one of the orcs and thrust his magical blade into the creature's neck.

---

Initiative: 16
Move: 10' west or whatever is necessary to get into melee range of an enemy who is within 5' of an ally, to trigger sneak attack.
Action: Attack. Hits AC 20 for 18 damage (7 if SA does not apply).
Cunning Action: Dodge.

Zeb rolled 18 using 1d4+5+3d6 with rolls of 2,5,5,1.  damage. – 18
Zeb rolled 20 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 12.  attack. – 20
Zeb rolled 16 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 12.  initiative. – 16

Faith was a little surprised the suggestion magic didn't take on the orc - more often they worked on such beasts. She however knew with what happened the otehrs would act.

....and so did she.

She looked at Zeb and tapping his shoulder, hummed a tone in his ear - low, warm and comforting as she winked. "go get 'im"

Holding her arms out wide, she looked at the biggest (and stupidest) threat, and channeling her magic through her voice, held a note - low with slight vibration to it. she looked at the ogre as she did with menace in her eyes.

---

<OOC:

Faith rolled 10 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 6.  iniative.

Move	Within eyesight of Ogre
Action	Attack the Ogre using Dissonant whisper.
	Faith rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,2,6.  damage - dissonant whisper.
	DC Wisdom 15 or take 10 Psychic damage and must use movement to move away using reaction
Bonus	Bardic Inspiration for Zeb

One eyebrow went up at Ehrendil but he didn't reply. Makari wasn't really surprised when things turned to violence. He honestly was only a little surprised that it had taken so long, and that it hadn't been the orcs who had initiated it, really.

He ran one hand along it as he uttered an arcane phrase, "Shillelagh!" A brief shine ran up the staff's length following the hand passing over it.

He then whipped the staff around in a gesture and pointed it at one of the slavers, even as he uttered another arcane phrase, "Eldritch blast!" Two beams of golden force blasted out from the staff towards the target. Well, one went towards the target at least.

The orcs cry out in rage as they are suddenly attacked from all sides in the narrow tunnel. The prisoners scurry quickly away from the melee, cowering in the corners of their cells. The dwarf casually gives a small mock salute towards his would-be rescuers and saunters to the back of the western cell.

The orcs quickly heft thick-hafted great axes and rush their assailants, staggering both Faith and Zeb with their capable attacks. Drool excitedly grabs his misshapen club and smashes it into Gorm, but then quickly covers his ears and bellows, almost dropping his club in his haste to flee west down the tunnel. He disappears from view around the corner, though his terrified caterwauling his still audible.

---

Map updated! Note Jurth is the orc (orog) closest to Faith.

Ehrendil's prior Hunter's Mark has expired due to the short rest.

Zeb is up now. Note Zeb received Bardic Inspiration last round.

Round 1 Summary:

Zeb moves west and attacks O2 with Reszur - HIT for 18 piercing. Zeb dodges.

Orogs
Jurth moves and attacks Faith - HIT twice for 18 slashing.
O2 attacks Zeb with disadvantage - HIT once for 7 slashing.
O3 attacks Zeb with disadvantage - HIT twice for 21 slashing.

Ehrendil attacks Jurth using Sharpshooter - HIT once for total of 27 damage.

Makari casts Shillelagh, then Agonizing Blast at the Ogre - HIT twice for 13 force.

Gorm attacks O2 - HITS with claws for 16 slashing.

Drool attacks Morg with Greatclub - HIT for 11 bludgeoning.

Faith casts Dissonant Whispers on Drool - Drool FAILS the save. Drool takes 10 psychic and moves west then north, provoking an opportunity attack from Morg for 6 bludgeoning. She grants Bardic Inspiration to Zeb.

Morg moves towards the orogs and attacks O2 - MISS. He attacks again with Menacing Attack - HIT for 15 bludgeoning. O2 is dead. Morg Action Surges and attacks O3 - MISS. He attacks again with Menacing Attack - HIT for 17 bludgeoning. O3 is frightened of Morg until the end of Morg's next turn. Morg uses Second Wind to recover 12 hp.


Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Zeb	16	Bardic Inspiration (d8)
Moonclaw	16
Orogs	16	O3: frightened of Morg
Ehrendil	13
Makari	12
Gorm	12
Drool	11
Faith	10
Morg	4

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:53, Mon 05 June 2023.

Morg's punches the ogre's knee as it scurries away.

---

Reaction: Opportunity attack ogre with an unarmed strike - hits AC 23 for 6 bludgeoning damage.

01:45, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 23 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 15.  Opportunity attack Drool with maul.
01:45, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 9 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 1,3.  Bludgeoning damage to Drool from maul.
01:47, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 3 using 1d8 with rolls of 3.  Maneuver: trip attack on Drool (STR save vs DC 16) or be knocked prone.

I rolled with weapon damage, but it should be an unarmed strike (1+5) because Morg is last in the initiative and only took out his maul on his turn. The trip maneuver also doesn't count because it requires a weapon hit.

---

Bonus: 2nd wind heals 12 HP (only 11 to heal).

01:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d10+5 with rolls of 7.  HP recovered from second wind.

"Tried to take my other hand, the bastard." Zeb's weak voice undercut his joking tone. Still, he did not give up the fight, thrusting again with the enchanted dagger before scampering off to (relative) safety.

---

Action: Attack hits AC 24 for 19 damage (or 6 if Sneak Attack does not apply, so let's hope it does!)
Cunning: Disengage.
Move: Step back 10', so as not to be within striking distance of either foe.

Zeb rolled 19 using 1d4+5+3d6 with rolls of 1,6,6,1.  damage. – 19
Zeb rolled 24 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 16.  attack. – 24

Faith felt the wound greatly, the already wounded woman wincing as she looked now at the orc with fire in her eyes. Rapier in hand, she lashed out with the blade even as she sung a warm tone.

---

<OOC: Action - attack with rapier

Faith rolled 22 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 16.  attack - rapier.
Faith rolled 10 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 7.  damage - rapier.

Bonus Action - Healing word on self - 3rd level

Faith rolled 12 using 3d3+4 with rolls of 3,3,2.  healing word, 3rd level.

Heals 12 HP

Reaction - Cutting words against orc attacking her

Faith rolled 6 using 1d8 with rolls of 6.

-6 to attack>

Zeb lands a stinging wound to one of the remaining two orcs then dances back out of its reach. Growling, the orc spins around and swings at Morg behind him. Jurth continues his attacks against Faith, muttering foul curses the entire time.

---

Map updated!

Everyone but Faith is up now, as her Round 2 post is already done. Zeb, you can post for your Round 3 turn too.

Note I've added Morg's opportunity attack & Second Wind to last round's post.

Round 2 So Far:

Zeb attacks O3 with Reszur - HIT for 19 piercing. Zeb disengages and moves back.

Orogs
Jurth attacks Faith - HIT twice. Faith uses Cutting Words to avoid one of the hits, and takes 6 slashing.

O3 attacks Morg with disadvantage - HIT once for 12 slashing.



This message was last edited by the GM at 00:24, Tue 06 June 2023.