Kathra, long schooled in the art of keeping her opinions to herself, had been silent and expressionless during the walk through the tunnel. She only speaks up when Bencor freezes the metals, raising her finger and opening her mouth a few times before interjecting. She enunciates slowly and clearly, feeling that the time spent enunciating was better spent than what might be wasted if she was unintelligible.

"Might want tae shut this door behin' us oan th' way back. Let me try somethin', an' then Inanah can try tae pick th' lock."



She spends a minute casting Mending on the lock, to restore the corrosion. Hopefully, between this and the frozen metal, they would be able to pick it more quickly.

Once done, she gesture for Inanah towards the lock. While Inanah works, Kathra speculates as to the relative strength of her party, in case we need to try to force the lock.

Not sure what I should roll to try to guess if anybody has a stronger Strength score than I do, but it'll be 10+whatever you feel is appropriate.

07:59, Today: Kathra Silvernode rolled 10 using 1d20 ((10)).

Getting to the grate was a relief, until she saw what condition it was in. Before doing anything about the lock or the grate she took a good look out for any hidden enemies.  Then turning back she noticed the others working on the lock. Frown formed on her smooth brow as she considered it. Even with the repairing and freezing spells it was looking pretty bad. The hinges were rusted, so she applied some oil to them to possibly make them move easier.

But Kathra was right, they might want to lock it later, so better not break it yet. Taking a small mirror out from her tool and taking her lantern back from Hasan, she shone light into the lock to see if she would have any chance of opening it with her delicate tools or if it would be just better to break it.

"They really should have taken better care of this route, since it's meant as an escape," she muttered while working. "I'm not sure this will work, but we'll see. I have a tools for breaking it, but someone else better do that, if needed." Inanah would borrow her crowbar and hammer for the breaking, if needed.


OOC
Making a lot of if this happens, then I do this, but for the sake of cutting down on the posting:
Inanah looked out of the grate to see what's outside. Perception =17
Tries to see if there's any chance of opening the lock with Thieves' Tools. Investigation =12
If there might be a chance. Thieves' Tools for lockpicking =24


19:12, Today: Inanah Nightbreeze rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Thieves' Tools, picking the lock if it looks possible.

19:11, Today: Inanah Nightbreeze rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Investigation, checking out the lock.

19:10, Today: Inanah Nightbreeze rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  Perception, looking out the grate.

The grate opens next to the shallow stream that runs through Greenest. Inanah manages to unlock the lock on the grate and open it. When she does, she notices a group of eight raiders--two humans and six kobolds--walking along the stream in their direction, about 100 feet away. They do not seem to notice her.

Inanah retreated back into the tunnel immediately. Talking to the others with a low voice, she told what she saw and outlined a plan. "There are 8 enemies coming this way, 2 humans and 6 kobolds. We could set them an ambush here. It's important to get all of them so they don't run to tell of this tunnel to anyone. If we let them get close enough that the melee people can get to them in seconds, then burst out of the tunnel and everyone able to takes a ranged attack at them at almost the same time. That sound acceptable to everyone?"

If there were no other plans presented she would flatten herself against the wall, bow in hand, waiting for the enemies.

OOC
Trying to set up a surprise round here for us.

"Ah'll go ranged this time, since mah wee feet dunna go verra far." Kathra suggested, wiggling her fingers to demonstrate her intent.

Bencor bobbed his head and got in position to ambush with ease like he'd done it many times.

13:46, Today: Bencor Dekarrac rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Initiative roll.

Readying Frostbite as part of the ambush ranged strike, Con save DC 13, 1d6 dmg + disadvantage on victim's next attack
This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Tue 05 Mar 2019.

Hasan nods and readies his sword. He moves toward the front of the group, as he will be rushing into melee with the raiders when they spring the ambush.

N'Rell listened to Inanah's assessment. It was a sound enough strategy. Granted, his motivation was less about protecting the path as it was about eliminating the raiders. Still, he would do his part. The mage waited at the back of the group as he grabbed the crystal at his neck and prepared to loose magical energies when the ambush began.

Isolde hefted her hammer. Her eyes glinted in the dim light. At Hasan's side, she was ready to charge into battle. There was little opportunity for discussion, but Isolde was in agreement that the raiding party would need to be put down quickly. Not that any of the others they had met up with had shown any inclination to flee, even when defeat was imminent ... .

It didn't look like there was anyone that wasn't happy with the plan, or at least willing to try it, so Inanah nodded to Isolde and Hasan. "I'll start with shot, then you get close."

Steadying her breath she aimed her bow and waited... Until finally the first raider appeared close enough, about 25 feet from the mouth of the tunnel. Inanah leaned to target her arrow at one of the humans, then flattened against the tunnel wall to let others pass.

OOC

Initiative 4

18 to hit one of the humans
11 piercing damage

21:46, Today: Inanah Nightbreeze rolled 6,5 using 1d6+3,1d6.  Shortbow damage, sneak damage.

21:45, Today: Inanah Nightbreeze rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Shortbow attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:48, Tue 05 Mar 2019.

Hasan waits for Inanah to launch the attack, then rushes out attacking the nearest opponent with his sword.

Initiative 14 (will hold until after Inanah goes if necessary). Attack hits AC 24 for 6 slashing damage.

20:22, Today: Hasan Saqri rolled 6 using 2d10+2.  Damage (critical).
20:22, Today: Hasan Saqri rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
20:22, Today: Hasan Saqri rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

At the best time, Isolde tromped forward out of the tunnel toward the squad of raiders, her shield between her and danger and her hammer swinging in a wide, powerful arc ... catching nothing but air. Still, she kept herself between the raiders and her companions attacking at range, serving as their shield, she hoped, more effectively than serving as their hammer.

19:37, Today: Isolde Glibhammer rolled 9,12 using 1d20+5,1d8+5. attack nearest enemy.
 19:37, Today: Isolde Glibhammer rolled 11 using 1d20-1. initiative

It's been awhile since I've had such consistently bad luck with attack rolls on this dice roller!

Kathra charges out, her squat form racing along the innermost path that could circle around the enemies, ineffectively swiping at someone on the flank as she goes.


09:46, Today: Kathra Silvernode rolled 13 using 1d20-1 ((14)). Initiative 13

09:49, Today: Kathra Silvernode rolled 10,10 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 ((5,7)). Attack and damage.

As the group lept into action, N'Rell launched a flaming projectile over both ally and foe in an attempt to pick off any who might try to flee.


Fire Bolt aimed at the furthest enemy
13 attack
8 fire damage if hit

00:59, Today: N'Rell rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.
00:58, Today: N'Rell rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Ranged Spell Attack.
00:58, Today: N'Rell rolled 8 using 1d10.  Fire Bolt damage.

The party springs the ambush on the raiders. N'Rell picks off one of the kobolds with his fire bolt. Inanah's arrow finds its mark, taking out one of the two humans in the group. Hasan drops a kobold with a swipe of his sword. Isolde and Kathra rush out into the fray but fail to hit any of the raiders. Bencor's spell fails to affect its target.

Next round.

Human 1: dying
Human 2: uninjured
Kobold 1: dying
Kobold 2: uninjured
Kobold 3: uninjured
Kobold 4: uninjured
Kobold 5: uninjured
Kobold 6: dying

Slowing down a bit, Kathra takes a second swing at the kobold nuisance who had dodged her previous blow. [Language unknown: "Of el she!"] she hisses at the vermin, spitting on it for good measure before continuing to move behind their foes.


Hits: AC 20
Dmg: 7
Move: If this downs the target, she moves to the rear flank of their opponents, blocking their retreat and engaging Isolde's next target from behind (flanking them).

21:07, Today: Kathra Silvernode rolled 20,10 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 ((15,7)).

Isolde worked to find a rhythm with Saqri and Silvernode. With an almost casual swipe, she hammered one of the kobolds and worked to keep her shield between her and the remaining foes.

Hit AC17 for 8 damage.

19:23, Today: Isolde Glibhammer rolled 17,8 using 1d20+5,1d8+5. attack any kobold.

Muttering, Bencor unsheathes his scimitar and charges into the fray... and misses again.

6 to hit

Hasan moves toward the remaining human, attacking with his longsword. His accuracy remains excellent, though he continues to have difficulty getting much power behind his attacks.

Attack Human 2 (if possible). Hits AC 23 for 3 slashing damage.

09:45, Today: Hasan Saqri rolled 3 using 1d10+2.  Damage.
09:45, Today: Hasan Saqri rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

Keeping close to the entrance of the tunnel Inanah releases another arrow towards the enemies. She was pleased that the plan seemed to be working, if they could keep this up perhaps nobody of them would need to get hurt.


OOC
19 to hit. Targeting any kobold that is unhurt and has an ally next to it
9 piercing damage


17:55, Today: Inanah Nightbreeze rolled 5,4 using 1d6+3,1d6.  Shortbow damage, sneak damage.

17:54, Today: Inanah Nightbreeze rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Shortbow attack, any unhurt kobold that has ally next to them.

From his position, N'Rell had trouble finding his target as his Fire Bolt left his hand.


Doubt it matters the target with that attack roll.

01:02, Today: N'Rell rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Ranged Spell Attack.

01:02, Today: N'Rell rolled 6 using 1d10.  damage if hit.

The kobolds swarm Isolde and Kathra. One of them manages to get past the dwarves' defenses, stabbing Kathra with its blade. Kathra takes it down with a solid blow from her warhammer. Hasan slashes the remaining human, leaving a minor wound across his chest. Bencor enters the melee but fails to hit his target. Isolde takes out another kobold, as does Inanah. N'Rell's fire bolt misses.

Next round.

Human 1: dying
Human 2 (Hasan): injured (-3 hp)
Kobold 1: dying
Kobold 2: dying
Kobold 3 (Isolde): uninjured
Kobold 4: dying
Kobold 5: dying
Kobold 6: dying

"Keep that shield up!" Isolde encouraged Kathra, and she took a mighty swing at the remaining kobold -- right on target, and with enough force to send the vermin flying!

Hit AC21 for 9 damage.
12:46, Today: Isolde Glibhammer rolled 21,9 using 1d20+5,1d8+5. attack kobold.

The dwarvern women were quite the pair in battle. Feeling left out Bencor tries to get in on the murder before the stragglers are all wiped up.


Hit AC22 for 6 dmg
10:33, Today: Bencor Dekarrac rolled 22,6 using 1d20+4,1d6+2.  Scimitar melee atk to hit.

Inanah nocked another arrow and waited to see if her companions would be able to kill the enemies without her having to release it.


Inanah will hold her attack until everyone else has attacked, only if the human hasn't been killed by the end of the turn will she attack.

23:24, Today: Inanah Nightbreeze rolled 22,4,4 using 1d20+5,1d6+3,1d6.  Shortbow attack, shortbow damage, sneak.