It had been quite the ordeal for the group - the battle within the keep had been short, but brutal...especially when the goblins and hobgoblins had heard them and all descended on them, but the group prevailed - even having a prisoner to show for it.

Gundren was especially happy to not only be alive, but also have the map to the keep he had searched for for so long. The battle had tired and wounded most of the group, including Gundren, so the decision to remain in the keep one night was wise, since by the time they had searched, night had fallen.

Solgran, dspite his wounds, took the drow form into a room and 'not-so-quietly' spoke to her. When he returned, she was unconscious and he had little information, other than the person who the lead Bugbear (known as King Grol) answered to their master, a 'man' known only as 'the spider'.

---

With a nights rest, the group felt somewhat rested, and woke early and after breakfast weft again for Phandelvin. It was near nightfall when the tired group came into town, virtually plodding with the drow woman in tow. Sildar, the human that accompanied came out and instantly embraced his dwarven friend, and was happier to see his armor and sword, lost from the goblins.

That night, there was a party - the drow woman was imprisoned and guarded, and the inn a hive of revelry with ale and food. The group, drowsy and aching had fun, though their weariness led them to be sedate in the party that welcomed back the dwarven merchant, who despite his ordeal, drank into the wee hours of the night with Sildar.

The next few days saw the group resting, with Gundren telling them that if they were interested on going to the mine, they would leave in a week, giving the dwarf time to heal, rest and supply for the trip.

Each group member had their own tasks. Solgran went shopping, selling some of the weapons and buying a shield. Snoric spent his time in the smith, repairing Muffin until he looked as good as new - in fact he looked better than the group. Osmon spent time with the three magical items they found to discern their properties. Amalia spent time resting, praying to selune in the moonlight and helping others heal. And the sisters helped with shopping and resting, as well as gundren.

---

The week past quickly, but everyone was fully healed, with but a few old bruises and healing scrapes to show. Gundren had gathered the group in the inn and he too looked much liek he did, though he had the telltale signs of purple bruises and a slight haunted look in his eyes. "Ye know why we be here. I'm off to th' mine....now known as echo cave. I wish ye ter come and share in th' glory of reclaimin' this place."

He looked around. "Sildar will be comin', as well as some miners and such but they have said they will stay outside. It will fall to ye ter clear th' mine." He clutched his hands in front of him. "I can't promise much coin on this one, but what i can is this - any things found will be yours - unless they have historical meaning to th' dwarves. th' odds of that will be small, but anythin' that does, it will be brought from ye fer a price."

He looked at them. "As incentive, i can offer ye all a item of magical nature when we are done - th' mine has th' ability ter make weapons and armor - and even if that does not suit ye, i have friends in neverwinter that deal in magic and spells who owe me."

he sits back. "What say ye?"

---

<OOC: Congratulations - you should all now be level 4

I need to know in a private post if you done anything of note in the downtime....this can be training, researching, shopping, etc.

Let me know what you want within the next post deadline what you want to do in private and then we can move on

NOTE - solgran has taken 4 spears, a greatsword and handaxe and sold it....but still lots.>

Yana enjoyed the party, and relaxed and enjoyed herself, though in moderation.   She was also sure to send over some food and drink to the guards watching over the drow, as a thank you for their hard work and for missing the party.
(She'd send a local server if the barkeep felt that the guards was be leery of taking food from a stanger)

She'd also watch Snoric and the blacksmith repair Muffin, with Snoric's permission,
clearly fascinated by the process, watching every gear and joint with intense eyes.

Yana would also spend much time with her sister, unless the woman had other commitments of course.  She'd almost lost her sister several times, and it was more stressful than she'd like to admit

Allura faces a crises of faith and while she enjoys the party, those close to her can tell something is off. She is not as hovery around her sister as she usually is.
Having survived the last battle was still worth celebrating as they didn't lose anybody. She even made some toasts to her friends for they had become friends over that time.

She spends time with Amalia and spars with Solgran if he is up for it. She does some training in her own skills to keep up with things. Attacking targets with her eldritch blast. Paying a local to throw small objects into the air for her to strike.

She will leave her armor and shield with Snoric for a while to more personalize and if possible to enchant them to be better able to protect her. She is willing to help out and provide what magic knowledge and power she has to help out.

(Possibly updating)

Snoric spent most of his time working on Muffin and welcomed Yana's involvement.  This was partly selfish as the gnome used the downtime to quiz the woman about tricks on remaining unseen, how to seek out the vulnerable parts of a foe and how to strike it unseen.  While the gnome was still drawn to his craft, he'd found the ability to remain unseen to be a natural accompaniment to his keen eye for detail.


He also kept his promise to the group.  Early each morning, with permission of the baker he made a large basket of muffins for the group to share.  No two days were the same and ingredients were often 'experimental'.  Like all experiments some succeeded, some failed and the odd one needed to be scoured from the earth, preferably by the breath of a great red dragon!

In reply to Snoric (msg # 4):

Yana was more than willing to reciprocate in sharing knowledge with the gnome.  At first, she treated the exchange like any monetary exchange of goods and/or services, but soon relaxed a bit and treated the exchange as a conversation between friends.
She started being somewhat business like as she talked, exchanging information for information, but eventually loosened up and relaxed a bit, even smiling a few times

Amalia did enjoy the party and indulged a little too much in the wine, not realizing it was this potent. The following day was painful for her and she woke up, way past noon, with a hangover that made her want to throw up. Fortunately for the young cleric, her connection with Selune brought a solution and she was able to cure her hangover (lesser restoration) with ease. Despite that mystical help to cure her from her own fault, she learned the valuable lesson to respect all alcohols.

While waiting for the expedition to be ready, she spend a lot of time at the local temple with Sister Garaele, where she discussed in length with the much wiser and experienced cleric of Tymora. After listening to the party's adventure, she started teaching Amalia on "field medecine", how to use the healing kits to not only stabilize a patient, but to help his recovery.  Following her training, she packed up on healing kits (buy 4) for the expedition, expecting that she would need them. The rest of her time, she  enjoyed Snoric’s muffins, not understanding the first thing about Muffin, still amazed at the mechanical fox. She also tried to practice with her mace but was clumsy with it, deciding that her spell was still her best weapon.

<MOVING FORWARD TO CHAT WITH GUNDREN>

Snoric had spent his time productively between his craft and his practice with Yana.  Now as he sat listening to Gundren's tale and considered.

"I started this journey to aid ye, and I would like to see it through to the end."


OOC: Thought I'd better jump to the present.

Yana smiled slightly as she set down her mug, and nodded in agreement with Snoric.
"I concur. You've been a friend of mine in the past, so if you need help, I'll be there. "
Then she smirked
"Besides, I'm not about to go through all that work to save your hairy backside just to let you wander off into a monster's belly so soon.   Count me in"

The group gathered and listened to each other as they explained what they did in their time. Snoric spent most of his time on his inventions, most on the mechanical marvel that was Muffin. Yana, when not with her sister, picked his brain about clockwork items and such, with snoric returning the favor and questioning her on tips for moving unseen, the signs of movement and weak points in a persons body to best injure them.

Amalia (after a raging hangover the first night) spent most of her time at the temple with  sister Garaele, learning the importance of field medicine for when magic was depleted.

Allura (Again when not with her sister) spent time sparing with solgran, the two learning teh importance of various techniques. Allura learnt that while her style was less offensive and strong, her skills (tied with her magical ability) were still able to do some damage. Solgran learnt that strength (though his preference), the value of speed could also help.

Osmon spent most of the time on his own, reading and such.

When the call came from Gundren, it was clear he was eagre to leave, and the offer was not a surprise. When Yana and snoric voiced the affirmative to keep helping, and no one arguing, the dwarf smiled.

"Good, good! Ye will be given two pack oxen with a small cart fer supplies. Th' cave lies about 15 miles from here, and though short in comparison, ye getting in may need some tools." he clasped his hands. "I will leave with th' dwarves once they arrive as well as several masons two days after ye.  That will give ye ample time ter at least start clearing th' cave."

He sat back. "If ye need anythin' specific, let me know and i'll make sure it's on th' cart."

---

<OOC: You have 3 days to post and let me know what you want before we move on>

At Cragmaw Castle

When Solgran returned from questioning the drow, he informed the group of what little he had learned from the drow'pleganger, which wasn't much considering Gundren had already heard much the same while he was captive. "Whoever this 'Spider' is, he seems to be the one in charge of everything." Frustrated, he spent most of the remaining evening hours doing manual work with the gathering of loot and such.

---

Back in Phandalin

Back in town, Solgran tried to make up for one of his apparent shortcomings, but seeking out someone who had any knowledge at all of the language of orcs and goblins. He certainly would not learn the entire language in a week's time, but if he could learn just enough to avoid another situation like before, where an orc had lead them off in the wrong direction on purpose, then it was time and effort well-spent.

The remainder of the time, Solgran took to sparing with Allura. Using the heavy maul, with its weight on the end rather than the balanced form of the greatsword he had been used to for so long, had caused him to grow a bit stronger over the last few days.

---

Gundren's proposal

"You know I signed on to see it through to the end, Gundren. I'll help you reclaim it." The offer of ox and cart for supplies was welcome, though he wondered if traversing mountains and hills with them might prove a burden. Better a burden on an animal bred for such than the party, he supposed.


"From what you do know of the mines, what equipment would you suggest? Light sources, certainly. Tools for digging or prying, perhaps? Should we expect climbing? What do you think?"

Yana nodded
"Good suggestions.  Especially the torches, though Amelia's trick with dark vision was certainly useful, and a bit of fun, i have to admit "

After the return to Phandalin Osmon takes the time to check the gear for any magical properties, finding only a couple of scrolls and the statue.

A scroll of resurrection for someone who has just died (Revivify). That can do to Amalia.

A scroll to deaden sound in a limited area (Silence). Might be useful later.

A statuary that a creature can ask a single question regarding a course of action and learn if it is likely to yield good or bad results. Sadly it only works once per questioner.

That done he spends his time looking for any information on the Spider on Echo Caves but was not able to find anything of value. Frustrated he will attune to the Orb and try and Scry on the Spider.

Recommended equipment for the expedition: climbers kit, extra 100 ft of rope, block and tackle, pulley, picks, shovels, pitons, grappling hooks, lantern hooded, oil, and a canary or similar bird in a cage.

After her lessons with Garaele, Amalia, growing in her power, prayed to Selune and discovered new powers that she felt would be useful for the coming expedition in dark mines. While she was not afraid of the dark herself, her connection with her goddess giving her superior night vision, she knew that she could not share her gift for very long. So she started looking for ruby powder, as much as she could get her hand on, to be able to prepare permanent lights for those that could not see in the dark.

A few days of negotiations with the merchants later, she showed up at the meeting with Gundren bearing gifts, small hooded lanterns that she gave to Osmon, Yana and Solgran. Inside, a small fire was burning without heat, giving as much light as a torch. "Take care of these, they are a gift courtesy of Selune. This flame will never go out even if submerged in water. This should be useful in a mine. Gundren, I am going to help you reclaim your ancestors possession.

Yana smiled at the cleric, nodding with subdued but obvious appreciation
"Thank you, Amelia.  You and your Dark Lady have been a definite boon to this rather strange Adventure, and I'm glad to have you with us for the next part."

Yana had never had much use for priests and holy people, other than the occasional emergency.   Amelia had done much to dispel that attitude.

Solgran took the everburning lantern from Amalia, "A cold fire lantern?"

Allura had spent a lot of time with Amalia when the cleric had been learning to be a field surgeon. Even taking at active interest in the healing arts. Working alongside Amalia she took the chance to get to know one of her travelling companions more.

When they were getting closer to heading out she purchased some healing kits herself.

Of note: She was keen on getting one of Snoric's muffins this time.

With the plans made, teh group retired for teh night, giving gundren a list of common items for teh trip like rope and pitons, some extra arrows or bolts for ranged weapons, tools for the workers when they arrived after you, and tents along with food for the trip consisting of fresh and smoked meat, fruit, cheese and bread....there was even a barrell of ale and one of cider

The lanterns were handed out by Amalia before leaving, four in all. It was true that the lanterns themselves were normal and the same as what Gundren had, it was clear the enchantment came later care of the cleric. Snoric also had a batch of his muffins, assorted colors and patterns.

The dwarf as well as most of the notable members of town were there to see you off. Gundren came forward with a smile. "I'll be leavin' in four days, but will have heavier wagons than yours, so i will be a week behind at most."

He shook the hands of the group and smiled as you all began moving for the cave and the mine of the dwarf.

---

<OOC: I want four people to roll a d20 for me.  These people will roll seperately and one each. You may choose who rolls.

I also want to know who will keep watch at nights and a perception check from all of you (Snoric, this includes one from Muffin as well)>

Solgran pursues an intense study of the insides of his eyelids.

12:32, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

07:12, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 17 using 1d20.  Watch.

Yana tried to keep watch as well, though was also distracted



15:59, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 19 using 1d20.  Random roll.

15:59, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Perception

Amalia was not very attentive, spending too much time on prayers.

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 7,13 using 1d20+5,1d20 with rolls of 2,13.  perception, d20.

Snoric will offer to take a watch during the night.  Muffin will remain on guard/patrol all night.

Perception (Snoric): 25 (Nat 20!)
Perception (Muffin): 23 (Nat 19!)
Random roll (Because only 3 have done it): 15

DDB dice gods like me!

The group set out for the cave and it wasn't long before the sharp eyes of Muffin and snoric pick up something shadowing them from the nearby forest.

It approaches dusk when you realize that whatever is following you has not (or will not) stop.

People set up watches and with two people each, it was almost midnight when a screeching happened and into the light of the fire, a familiar owlbear came in.

It was short lived - with snoric and muffin ready for it, as well as amalia, the group got several hits before it realized that it would not get a meal out of them, either by recognition or desperation, the beast ran off.

---

The next day saw the group drowsy, but the group made good time, with no incident, and the next night was cooler as they approached the caves.

The third morning had you getting close to your destination - echo cave, and though the map knew it's rough whereabouts, it still took time. It was nearly noon when it was snoric's sharp eyes that saw a well-hidden path that lead into a natural basin.

A small entrance holds a unusual sound, almost like the sound of the rhythmic thunder of pounding waves, even though your nowhere near the ocean.

But that was short lived, as three figures emerged from the cave entrance. These creature appears more or less humanoid; but has mottled, decaying flesh drawn tight across clearly visible bones. Mostly hairless, they have a carnivore’s sharp teeth and jagged claw, burning red eyes like hot coals in their sunken sockets and a unusual gait.

---

<OOC: High rolls were not good for you this time.

Roll a Int (Religion) check to see what you know of these beasts.

And everyone roll iniative>

Allura looked off towards the figures and uttered, "Zombies! At least that was what the corpse men looked like to her. She set her shield in the direction of the zombies and stood by her sister. Talon materializing in her other open hand.



06:33, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Religion.


06:35, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 20 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Snoric did not recognise the beasts coming towards them, only their intent.  He dropped into a fighting crouch, shield in one hand, Ultio in the other.  He prepared to give Muffin an attack order at a moments notice.


Intitiative: 8
Religion: 5

Yana wrinkled her nose in disgust, and winced, fighting the urge to run.  She was still having nightmares about the undead that swarmed them the previous month.
She almost reached for her crossbow, but wondered if her rapier might be better.
She gritted her teeth painfully in almost painful indecision


OOC:

13:22, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Initiative .

13:22, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Religion

Religion: 6
Initiative: 15

Solgran didn't have the slightest clue what the creatures were, but he was fairly sure they could be destroyed just the same as any other. Letting the head of the large maul swing down off of his shoulder, he prepared to charge in and test that theory.

10:00, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
10:00, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 0 using 1d20-1.  Religion.

Amalia knew she should know what those things are, but the sight of those creatures just froze her mind, as she fumbled to grasp her holy symbol, the words of her undead repelling prayer on her lips.

9 on the religion check

6 init

Will turn undead them, so we'll have a chance to take them one at the time

Today: Secret Roll: Amalia Firnam rolled 20 using 3d20 with rolls of 5,9,6.  religion, religion, init.

Note quite sure what the thing was, Solgran went to see if it squished the same way other things did.

Attack hits AC 22 for 12 Magical Bludgeoning damage

00:28, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 22,12 using d20+6,2d6+4

Allura fires an eldritch blast at the same creature Solgran attacked remaining back by her sisters side.

"Let's focus on taking one down at a time."




06:07, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 16 using 1d20+6.  Eldritch Blast + Agonizing Blast.
06:09, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 10 using 1d10+3.  Eldritch Blast + Agonizing Blast Damage.

16 to hit, Damage 10

Yana, gritting her teeth as bile threatened to bubble up, aimed her crossbow carefully and fired at one of the undead, hoping for a good hit


OOC :  06:24, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 18 using 1d6+13.  Damage .
36 with critical

06:23, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  Sharpshooter


This message was last edited by the player at 14:28, Mon 26 June 2023.

Snoric took aim at one of the creatures but held his shot as he ordered Muffin to attack.  Once the fox had rushed in and distracted one of the beasts he lined up and fired.



Muffin
Move: Move to one of the undead
Attack: Hit 22, Damage 8

Snoric
Move: Nil
Attack (Same target as Muffin) Hit 23, Damage 9, Sneak attack 6 (15 total)
Bonus: Command Muffin

Well this is off to a good start. Taking the opportunity to step back while Solgran and Allura engaged the creatures, I signal directions to Edgar before releasing a mote of fire.

Turn 01 Summary
Edgar


Flyby
The owl doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Keen Hearing and Sight
The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

**********

Osmon


Fire Bolt
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 120ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn't being worn or carried.

This spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).

Shield
1st Level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell
Range/Area: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

Location - Mine Entrance
Time - Late afternoon

Round 1

The four shambling undead, though not the normal skeletons or zombies, made for teh group as a whole. Solgran didn't hesitate and slammed his magical hammer into teh closest of the four, sending it to the ground with a crushed chest. Despite that, it stood up slowly and made it's way forward, if not slowly.

As it stood, a blast of green eldritch energy blasted it, and the thiing crumpled back down, lifeless and unmoving.

Three of them got into range, one with the hulking Solgran, one against Amalia and one Allura. The one facing Amalia scratched, the claws bouncing off her armor harmlessly, but the other two found flesh, as claws raked them and a cold sensation could be felt. <Solgran takes 6 slashing damage, and Allura takes 7 slashing damage. Both please roll a con save DC 10. If failed, you are paralyzed for 1 minute>

Osmon, a little thrown by the fierce look of the undead, fired a simple cantrip, sending a mote of fire against them, but the fire went wide, spluttering against the side of teh cave entrance.

Yana felt fear grasp her heart - especially after the last experience of the undead. Instinct drove her to shoot a lucky shot, and it slammed the undead point blank, sending it's head toppling off.

Amalia stepped forward, batting her shield aside, she presented her holy symbol, calling for teh divine help of selune. The air seemed to hum with the sound of a choir as the amulet in her hand sparkled. The undead, once so fierce and insistent on human flesh, turned and fled for the cave.

Snoric, not to be undone, fired his weapon at the one who attacked amalia, now turning as a piece of metal pierced it and went out the other side of it's chest, taking a bit chunk with it even as muffin attacked.

---

<OOC: Round 1 is over. Two are down, one seriously wounded and one uninjured. The two are fleeing for the cave - allura and solgran please include a AOE this round.

Yana, i want you to make a wisdom save please (I will let you know the results), and Allura and Solgran still need a con save dc 10.>

Name	Init	AC	HP/Max	Notes
Solgran	21	16	41/41
Allura	20	16	22/22
Unknown 1	20	12	??/??
Unknown 2	20	12	DEAD
Unknown 3	20	12	-23/??
Unknown 4	20	12	DEAD
Osmon	15	16	31/31
Yana	12	14	28/28
Amalia	9	18	22/22
Snoric	8	17	31/31
Muffin	8	16	20/20

OOC:

00:23, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 8 using 1d20-1.  Wisdom save

Allura felt the scratch and winced slightly at the pain then felt her limbs start to stiffen. She ends up shaking out her arms and legs afterwards.

"I think they have some kind of poison."

She fired off another eldritch blast at the one Snoric struck.



06:22, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  Con save.


06:25, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 16 using 1d20+6.  Eldritch Blast + Agonizing Blast.

06:25, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 7 using 1d10+3.  Eldritch Blast + Agonizing Blast Damage.

16 to hit, 7 Damage

My Attack of Opportunity

06:28, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  Talon strike AOE.

06:29, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 7 using 1d8+4.  Talon Damage.

For the AOE
23 to hit and 7 Damage magical.

-7 Temp Hit Pts, 1 remaining.

This message was last edited by the player at 14:53, Sun 02 July 2023.

Muffin lashed out at the creature that tried to flee, even before Snoric could instruct it to do so.  Snoric took aim on the fleeing creatures and also opened fire.  As he did he shouted at Muffin [Language unknown: "Mane ma sasi!"]


Muffin AoO
Hit: 19  Damage: 5

Snoric Attack
Aim for whichever looks more likely to escape
Hit: 12 Damage:5 Sneak Attack (if applicable): 4

Muffin Attack
Attempt to grapple/Pin nearest creature
Strength Roll: 13

Con Save: 17
Op. Attack: Hits AC 24 for 12 damage

10:32, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Con Save.
10:36, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 24,12 using d20+6,2d6+4.  Opportunity Attack.

Solgran fought against the frigid touch of the undead and whatever it might have done to him. When the creatures fled, he took a swing and landed a solid blow.

Move	close with the ghouls, adjacent to both if I can
Action	Attack and miss with an 8
Rolls	10:39, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 8,7 using d20+6,2d6+4.  Attack: Thunderstryke
Move	if I have movement left and am not in melee with a target, go toward it
Bonus	GWM Attack if the first attack kills my ghoul, Hits AC 11 for 11 damage
Rolls	10:46, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 11,11 using d20+6,2d6+4.  Attack: Thunderstryke

Turn 02 Summary
Edgar


Flyby
The owl doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Keen Hearing and Sight
The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

**********

Osmon


Fire Bolt
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 120ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn't being worn or carried.

This spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).

Shield
1st Level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell
Range/Area: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Sat 01 July 2023.

Amalia invoqued her battle prayers to have bells sound near the creatures, the closest to her.

toll the dead wis save dc 14

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 4,8 using 1d12,1d8 with rolls of 4,8.  toll the death.

Location - Mine Entrance
Time - Late afternoon

Round 2

Solgran felt the rake of claws as the beast scratched him, then turn away. He shrugged and swung his hammer, slamming the beast into the stones with a resounding crack.

The other as it turned didn't realize that both Allura and muffin were so close, and between them, the onslaught was over.

The area was quiet, with the stench of death around them thanks to the ghouls that mindlessly attacked from the cave....would that be an omen for what was to come?

The group, with the haze of the afternoon hinting at rain decided to move into the cave. The entrance tunnel leads into a large cavern supported by a natural pillar of rock and containing three stalagmites. In the western part of the cave, behind the column of rock, are three bedrolls and a heap of ordinary supplies—sacks of flour, bags of salt, casks of salted meat, lanterns, flasks of lamp oil, pickaxes, shovels, and other gear. Amid the supplies, you see the body of a dwarf miner, dead for at least a week.

The northeastern section of the cavern has collapsed, forming a ten-foot-wide, twenty-foot-deep pit. A sturdy hemp rope is tied off around a nearby stalagmite and dangles down the side of the pit, at the bottom of which is a rough-hewn tunnel heading northwest and east.

---

<OOC: To move things along a bit, i have moved you in the cave.

The following is what you see. >

Renews her fiendish vigor after the conflict.

"These zombies were different. Faster for one and have claws."

Follows the others to the mine after briefly looking at the slain creatures.

Snoric moves to examine the campsite more closely.  He checks the body to see how the dwarf died.  He also examined the supplies.  It looked like a trio of dwarves planned to stay a while.  The fact the camp wasn't looted was also telling.


OOC: Snoric will check the body and campsite for any further clues.

Investigation: 16 or Perception: 14 (whichever is more suited).

Other thank his mining gear (As stated above), you find his clothes boots and cloak. While his clothes are tattered a little, and cloak dirty, his boots look in good condition.

---

<OOC: You find the following:

On the dead dwarf - Common clothes, warm cloak and boots.

Campsite - sacks of flour, bags of salt, casks of salted meat, lanterns, flasks of lamp oil, pickaxes, shovels, bedrolls and three packs (2 dungeoneers packs and one exprlorers pack)>

"Anyone know Dwarven burial practices ? Should we wait for Gundren ?"

Amalia got closer to the corpse of the dwarf to determine how he died, but the rot had already taken hold of it and she shook her head. "He's too decomposed already, I can't figure out how he died."


Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 7 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 2.  medecine

Walks over, "Hmm his cloak and boots seem to have weathered things better oddly. Maybe they were attacked by the same creatures we faced."

Yana followed her friends, usually quiet even for her.  In the commotion, they might not have noticed that the locksmith had frozen where she'd been standing, somewhere in the back. And it was only when the undead were destroyed that she seemed to come back to herself
She was back to her normal self, though, or at least it seemed so.

Snoric pointed to a section of the torso.  "There are bite marks on the body.  No idea what caused them or if they were before or after he died."

He stepped back and considered the body.  "He's been here a while.  I don't think a few more days would hurt.  I say leave this for Gundren."

"This camp was for three dwarves.  We should continue on and see if his companions are alive."

"Amalia is there any chance that this body rises again ? Should we tie it up or will it not cause any problems ?"

"I don't know dwarven rites, but I would assume the prefer to be returned to the earth. Gundren may know him, it wouldn't hurt to leave him. I'd say it's safe to guess he was killed by the same creatures we just faced. He's already been out here for a while. I say we leave him until Gundren has a look, in case he does know him, and we can have a proper burial after we've finished our work here."

"If he were going to raise, I think he would have done so by now. Unless there's a necromancer walking around here, we can leave him be. If there are others who might still be alive, we should push on in case they need our aid."

*Looks into the cloak and boots which look in good condition on the dwarf.*

Ends up thinking these must be artifacts. (lol)



13:50, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  Arcana check for magic.

Amalia silently gave a prayer for the soul of the deceased dwarf, hand on his head, before raising. "My parents were friends with Gubdren and my mother once gave me a lecture on the main burying rites of the races. For dwarves, she said they bury their dead in alcoves carved out in the stone, feet first. The alcove is then sealed with a plaque bearing the name of the dwarf inside. Even after battles, they respect their deads and recover the bodies to bury them this way. Of course there is a lot of "holy water" involved for the survivors, I mean beer, of course."

She smiled a little sadly "Unfortunately, I don't see an alcove aroud for us to properly bury this dwarf and my powers are not enough to create one. And I agree with Snoric, if he was to raise as an undead, he would have done so already"

While the others discussed dwarf burial practices or repeated searches, Snoric moved over to the pit and looked down.  He then took time to pull up and examine the rope for sturdiness, length and general usability.  He wanted to make sure they had a safe way down when they moved on.

"I can check for magic if you wish but it will take some time."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 04:55, Sat 08 July 2023.

Amalia nodded to Osmon "I think that's a good idea, we never know"

Allura looks pained since she already checked the items. She shuffles back to her sister.

Though she was mostly oblivious to her sister's discomfort, still working to hide her own, Yana instinctively put a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder.

06:09, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 18 using 1d20.  Perception.

Perception: 9

Solgran joined the others in looking at the path ahead. Burying the dwarf seemed a waste of time and a loss of information if Gundren had something to learn from the body. "How's it look, Snoric?"

Snoric looked up from his examinations, surprised at Solgran's approach, so intent on the chasm he had been.

"It's sturdy, typical dwarven craft.  We should have no problem descending.  Of course going down isn't the hard part is it?" The gnome chuckled at his own weak joke before considering the hole once more.  "The tricky part will be Muffin.  I'll have to rig a harness of some sort to get it down.  I could leave it here on guard but I think it's better if it comes with us."

He looked back to the supplies the dead dwarf lay next to.  "I'm wondering if we should rig extra ropes.  Just in case we need to come back up in a hurry."

Allura looks to her sister and then asks, "Hey, are you ok ? You are very pale and shaking. Are you sick ?"

The cleric looked dubiously at the rope and the pit, trying to pierce the gloom with her divine given sight. "If we are to go down there, yes I think more ropes will be better."

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11.  perception.

"Amalia, while the others determine how we will all get down perhaps Edgar and Ophelia can explore down either tunnel so we can determine which path to take."

With a short whistle and a gesture to Edgar, the owl leaves his perch and flies down into the West most tunnel.

Perception
Osmon: 11
Edgar: 10

Amalia smiled. "That's a great idea, Ophelia, please go check the eastern tunnel"

The snow owl took flight to go in the tunnel

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 10 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 7,1.  Ophelia perception .

In reply to Allura Whitlock (msg # 63):

Yana shook her head dismissively, though it was probably not very convincing
"I'm.... I'm okay.  I'm just still having nightmares about the undead from our last little romp"

Nods to Yana, "I can stay at your side if you want me too."

Yana scowled, but there was a hint of affection in her eyes
"No, no....don't be silly, sister.  I'll be okay. Let's just focus on the mission "

Allura nodded then and patted Yana's shoulder.

"Ok, I will be upfront keep things from getting too close, you pepper them with bolts." Allura smiled.

Yana nodded with a wry smile
"Sounds like a good plan"

Snoric returned to the dwarves' supplies and began gathering lengths of sturdy rope.  He wanted enough to prepare at least two more rope lines and extra to fashion a rope harness for Muffin.


OOC: Snoric tries to find (or cut to size if needed) two more rope lines with sturdy anchors plus a rope harness for Muffin.  The latter is least important (they could just tie Muffin to lines and lower/raise it) but a harness would theoretically make it faster and safer. 

Osmon sends Edgar down the west corridor as Amalia sent Ophelia north.

Both north and the west areas have numerous intersecting passages, with the ceilings here being only six feet high, and several of the passages end in partially excavated rock faces.

To the west, one tunnel opens up into a wider cave.

While this was happening, Snoric was able to salvage rope from the packs at the dwarven camp, and use it to make a makeshift harness - it would hold muffin, though someone with strength would need to help with it.

---

<OOC: The orange star is the party location. The yellow arrow is pointing towards the tunnel that open up into the wider cave.>

Yana checked the area for traps

OOC:
12:32, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 18 using 1d20+1.  Check for traps

Allura looks to Solgran, "If you want, I could stay to help people down with you since we are making harnesses."

"You and I together should be able to manage the harness for Muffin. If anyone else needs it, I'm sure I can handle the weight of everyone here on my own."

19:33, Yesterday: Allura Whitlock rolled 16 using 1d20.  Perception .

With snoric making a harness for muffin and solgran lowering him, the group make it to the eastern tunnel without issues. Yana looks around the area for traps but can see nothing.

At the intersection, there is a passage that leads north then turns both left and right. the cavern east opens up.

---

<OOC: Ok guys, i need perception checks from all who haven't done them. Humans have disadvantage unless they have some light.

ALL ROLLS are to be posted here with the move...from this point on any rolls posted in discord will not be accepted unless i state otherwise.

I need to know what your taking from the dwarven camp, if anything (2 coils of rope were used to make muffin's harness)

I am getting the pace moving again, so i want a posts to be twice a week (every 4 days on average)

...lets do this people>

Yana looked around, scowling in aix of fear, disgust, anger, and annoyance
"There are more undead around.  I...I can feel it in my bones, somehow."
Despite her better judgment, Yana tried to focus on the feeling, to see if she could pin it down.   It felt like ants crawling in her brain, but her natural stubbornness refused to let it get the better of her

OOC:   18:58, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  Perception .

18:58, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Perception

Ohmigod i hate disadvantage so much!!!!  Arrgh!!!

Snoric focused on removing Muffin from it's harness but keeping the harness intact so it could be eaily reappplied should a quick getaway be needed.

"Did our winged friends find anything?" he asked.  Didn't seem a point to choosing tunnels at random when they were already being scouted.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:37, Sun 23 July 2023.

Edgar will follow his tunnel until he gets to the edge of his 100 ft range, 20 cell radius assuming 5 ft per cell.  unless he encounters a threat of some kind then he will fall back. Side passages will be explored starting with the south-east, Assuming N to be the top of the map and proceeding counter clockwise.

Perception
Osmon (w disadv) 14
Edgar (w adv) 13
This message was last edited by the player at 07:44, Sun 23 July 2023.

Amalia gained her vision back after seeing through her owl's eye for as long as she could. "Ophelia went north, there are a maze of tunnels there, pretty low ceiling. I can help too to lower Muffin in the tunnel."

The group slowly descend from the main chamber, solgran helping lower muffin down. Osmon sent Edgar off east into the chamber and flew without issues.

....but something had muffin on edge when he landed at the intersection - aimed at the cavern.

Snoric knelt down beside Muffin.  [Language unknown: "Ie in e?  Ic din urefortho ulnidiei?"]  He looked around, trying to determine what had the defender bothered so.  He focused on the cavern.

Looks to see if there are any lanterns down here.

Whispering a quick invocation while focusing on envisioning what he had seen through Edgar's eyes, a model of the tunnels ahead appeared before him, floating two feet above the ground. After a few small corrections I am happy with it and focus on the others.

"The north route ends in a east-to-west corridor with its east most end either collapsed or  was never fully excavated. The corridor continues east with three off-shoots continuing north and one to the south.

Immediately east, there is a larger chamber with three exits, the north exit links to the norther corridor, the east leads to a larger cavern with a large fungal growth, and the south leads to a dead-end with doors to the east and west."

Turning to Amalia, I gesture at the model. "What did Ophelia see?"

Amalia casted herself and a much smaller illusion appeared over her hand, showing a maze of interconnected tunnels. With a sheepish smile, she let Osmon have a good look at it to add to his magical plan.

using prestidigitation

Snoric drew the attention of the others.  He pointed towards the ceiling in the cavern area.  "There's something moving up there.  Many things, small but definitely there.  Muffin senses them too.  We should be wary."

His hand fell to Ultio, wondering if he'd need to pull the weapon soon.

"I don't do well fighting things that are out of my reach. If they are creatures we must fight, and not harmless animals, I will be no use unless we can draw them into a smaller area or down to us. A cavern of fungus does not sound pleasant. Osmon's three-way passage gets my vote, if the things up above are not a threat."

"Whomever has Amalia's magical lanterns should tilt one up to see what Snoric is speaking about. If it is bats that would make sense, but best we know what kind of creatures claim this mines ceilings." Her own eyes look up at the ceilings warily.

Amalia moved towards Snoric and Muffin. "Selune has blessed me with superior vision in the dark, let me try to see what those things are first, before we startle them with light." The cleric moved cautiously towards the tunnel, praying to Selune and looking for what had triggered the mechanical fox senses.

Abuse my 300' of night vision, 24 perception to see the creatures

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 20,4 using 1d20+5,1d4 with rolls of 15,4.  perception guidance

The ploy worked and the cleric moved back to the others. "I see at least a dozen creatures that look like a cross between a bat and a mosquito, about the size of a large cat. I have no idea what those things are"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:42, Sat 29 July 2023.

Winces, "That sounds gross."



08:53, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  Nature Check.

This message was last edited by the player at 14:54, Sat 29 July 2023.

Snoric thought back to his years studying at Candlekeep.  He'd focused on practical sciences but he'd done some mandatory classes on the creatures of the Realms.  He searched his brain for any mention of such creatures.


Nature: 17

"Yes, I believe they are stirges. Bat mosquitoes does adequately describe them and what they are like. They do drain blood so let's not startle them into flying our way."

"That does limit our choices then." Snoric noted.  "They're on the roof of the cavern there.  Since there's only two paths I guess we take the other one."

While the others debate which direction to go, Edgar shifts to explore the Northern passage and the three corridors off of it.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:49, Tue 01 Aug 2023.

As the talking continues, and the owl swoops through, the sound of screeching could be heard, and the panicked hoot of an owl heard as it veered away from the north ad made for his master.

....he knew he was in trouble.

The roof came alive as the bat like beasts flew down in a swarm and made for the group.

---

<OOC: No one has made a decision, so roll iniative.>

Because she knew about the stirges presence, for once Amalia was on her toes and called on a spectral lunar warrior to protect them before quickly following with her bells of death. "Incoming!"



initiative 15

Bonus action Cast spiritual weapon at a choke point, 14 to hit for 6 damage (can't find the map)

Action, cast toll the dead, Wis save DC 14 or 6 damage

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 15,14,6,6,6 using 1d20,1d20+5,1d8+3,1d12,1d8 with rolls of 15,9,3,6,6.  init, sw att, sw dam, td dam. –

Allura rolled her eyes and spun in the direction of the screeching and aims her sword that way ready to protect her sister.




13:22, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

17:22, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Initiative

Snoric growled as the bird disturbed the creatures.  Having planning for this eventuality he pointed his pistol, muttered a phrase and pressed a button on the side of the handle.  Rather than firing a bullet, a spray of purple powder sprayed out into the largest cluster of stirges.

He called Muffin to take a defensive position before him.



Initiative: 18

Snoric Move: Nil Yet
Attack: Cast faerie fire at the largest cluster of stirges.
Reaction: Command Muffin

Muffin move: Move in front of Snoric
Attack: Hold action until stirge in melee range then nom nom.
Reaction: Deflect attack if aimed at Snoric (causes disadvantage)

Yana tried to take cover, if possible, leveling uer crossbow for a sniper shot.



23:19, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 9 using 2d6.  Sneak attack damage .

23:18, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 18 using 1d6+13.  Damage .

23:18, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  Sniper shot.

23:17, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Stealth

Allura seeing her sister move to take cover moves a bit towards the sounds of the creatures.
Trying to stand so she is not right next to her allies.


Move to face the enemy and if they close on her especially if more then one surround her she unleashes a sword burst cantrip. She spins and spectral blades swirl around her.
It's a Dex save vs DC 13 or take 1d6 Damage. It effects all creatures within 5' of her.


06:37, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 3 using 1d6.  Sword Burst Damage.

Of course it is insects. At least it is not spiders.

Turn 01 Summary
Edgar


Flyby
The owl doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Keen Hearing and Sight
The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

**********

Osmon


Chronal Shift
As a reaction, after you or a creature you can see within 30 ft. of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can force the creature to reroll. You make this decision after you see whether the roll succeeds or fails. The target must use the result of the second roll.

Shield
1st Level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell
Range/Area: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

When the call to action came, Solgran immediately began to look in the different directions for where something new was coming after them. So unused to looking up was he, that he'd completely forgotten the attack was coming from above, despite having just been talking about it.

Initiative: 6

10:04, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 4,2 using d20+2,d8.  Initiative, Gift of Alacrity.

ROUND 1
Location - Cave

The swarm seemed to react to the owl swooping through the cave as well as the noise, and as a group, they all descended and buzzed like some screeching mass.

Osmon stepped back behind the others, unsure of what he could do other than protect his friends.

Snoric drew his weapon and pushed a button on the side. A click could be heard as he pointed into the swarm and fired. Instead of the usual loud sound, this one was softer as a cloud of fine mist came from the weapon. The flying beasts separated as a swarm, but of the 24 of the little buggars weaved, 8 were still hit by the now glowing powder.

Muffin stepped forward and let out a metalic growl as the swarm reformed and surged forward.

Yana, unsure how effective her crossbow would be on such small beasts, fired. the bolt skewered the beast that literally exploded as the rest swerved to avoid the bolt.

Allura moves a pace or two to the right as she prepared her sword with a smile, waiting for them to close in.

But it was amaila who brought fourth the spectral weapon of her god as she again follows through with the magic of the moon. The weapon swatted one out of the air while the bell made one scream and plunge itself into a wall, splatting itself into it.

Solgran looked around as the swarm came in.

...and came in it did.

The swarm seperated and attacked each figure. The ones attacking muffin looked for blood, but the metal beast had none. One unsuspecting one was unfortunate as the fox chomped down and obliterated one more.

With him standing near snoric, the few that came at him heard a hum that somehow distracted them, causing them to miss. Amalia had a swarm over her, but none found purchase on the armor. Some came at Allura, who enacted her spell, sending a spectral wave of swords outward....the four that went in were pushed back and bloodied, but still lived. A few came at Osmon, but his cover protected him.

The two who were hit with the bugs were Solgran and Yana. Several punctured their skin and they felt the effects immediately (Solgran has two attached to him, yana one. Each person takes 5 piercing damage and the stirges are still attached)

---

<OOC: Thanks to cover, and muffin, only two people were hit by the stirges. There is a swarm of 20 still alive, and of the 20, 4 look almost dead (nearest Allura)

Solgran and Yana - you have them attached still. To remove them will take an action from you or someone else.

Round two people>

Name	Init	AC	HP/Max	Notes
Osmon	25	25	31/31
Snoric	18	17	31/31
Muffin	18	16	20/20
Yana	18	14	23/28
Allura	16	16	22/22
Amalia	15	18	22/22
Solgran	6	16	36/41
Unknown (20)	6	12	??/??

"Ack!!!  Get off me, you disgusting thing!!!"
Dropping her crossbow, Yana drew her rapier and tried to stab the flying vermin.

OOC:

00:30, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 10 using 1d8+3.  Damage .

00:29, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 14 using 1d20+6.  Rapier

Solgran growled at the creatures and reached over to grab the long snout-mouth-sucker-thing that it had stabbed him with. He squeezed it tight as he ripped the thing off of him and made to grab for the other. As he did, the spirits of Solgran's dead family rose up around him again. His mother with her pitch fork, the male cousins with crude wooden spears, and others who had not been seen before, gathered around him. They appeared to be more spectral than they had been previously, but they all manifested at once and remained to support him.

Action: detach the stirge
Bonus: Rage

The cleric blessed her heavy armor as the creatures could not pierce it. Directing the warrior to strike again, she targeted one of the striges on Solgran with her bells of death.

Spiritual weapon 11 to hit, that's a miss

Toll the death, DC 14 wis save, 11 damage if already damaged, 6 otherwise.

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 11,7,11,6 using 1d20+5,1d8+3,1d12,1d8.  sw attack, damage, toll the dead damage.

Having not packed a giant bug-swatter Snoric sighed and took aim at one of the beasts with Ultio and fired.  Again, his weapon lacked the ear-splitting bang it had before.  Now it was much quieter, more like a loudish pop than a sound to be heard for miles.

As he fired he ordered Muffin to attack.



Snoric
Move: Fall back if needed
Attack: Fire Ultio at nearby Stirge (switch to handaxe if melee) Hit: 18 (25 if adv).  Damage 8
Bonus: Command Muffin

Muffin
Move to attack nearest stirge
Attack:  Hit 9 (18 if adv). Damage 5
Bonus: Deflect Attack (if close enough)

Allura will place herself so she can release the spectral blades again. Making sure not to stand right next to an ally.


Swordburst 5' area around Allura. Dex save to avoid DC 13

10:04, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 1 using 1d6.  Sword Burst Damage.

Turn 02 Summary
Edgar


Flyby
The owl doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Keen Hearing and Sight
The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

**********

Osmon



Chronal Shift
As a reaction, after you or a creature you can see within 30 ft. of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can force the creature to reroll. You make this decision after you see whether the roll succeeds or fails. The target must use the result of the second roll.

Shield
1st Level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell
Range/Area: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

Thunderwave
1st Level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: Self/15ft cube
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Attack/Save: CON 13

A wave of thunderous force sweeps out from you. Each creature in a 15-foot cube originating from you must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 2d8 thunder damage and is pushed 10 feet away from you. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn't pushed.

In addition, unsecured objects that are completely within the area of effect are automatically pushed 10 feet away from you by the spell's effect, and the spell emits a thunderous boom audible out to 300 feet.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st.

ROUND 2
Location - Cave

The swarm of stirges seemed to envelope everyone as people swat at the flying beasts, both Solgran and Yana with them attached sucking blood.

Osmon made sure he was out of the area of his friends while he swatted, and muttering a word, clapped his hands. The thunderous sound echoed throughout the cave as the initial area around him the four of them backed away, clearly hurt by the wave <Three of the four saved. All still alive>.

Snoric realized that firing his loud firearm was a waste, and switched to the magical axe he gained, and with one of the stirges making for his arm, he swung and cleaved it in two. Likewise, the stirges attacking Muffin realized that the beast had no blood and made to go elsewhere, but of the three surviving, only two made it oyt of the metallic foxes grasp as it jumped and landed on the stirge with a sickening splat

Yana ignored the parasite on her shoulder and dropped her crossbow, drawing the rapier, another came in for teh woman. She deftly lunged and skewered the beast mid air

Allura waited as the beast circled her, and when three came in, she again used her magic to send spiritual swords out from her like a nova. They again hit, and the beasts screached, but hung to life (if barely)

Amalia came to Solgran's aide (not that he looked bothered by them), and sent the blessing of the moon to hurt the stirge on his thigh. It screamed, detaching and promptly exploded in a spatter of warm blood. The magical spirit weapon swung at another, but the beast was too fast for it this time.

Solgran calmly reached for the stirge on his chest and squeezed, pulling it off and throwing it. the thing lazily hovered there, as it contemplated where it would go for it's next meal. As it did, solgran's eyes seemed to glow as he saw something the others didn't - embold4ened by his ancestors presence.

The swarm again came in, more determined to feed.

---

<OOC: Thanks to cover, and muffin, only two people were hit by the stirges. There is a swarm of 20 still alive, and of the 20, 4 look almost dead (nearest Allura)

Solgran and Yana - you have them attached still. To remove them will take an action from you or someone else.

Round two people>

Name	Init	AC	HP/Max	Notes
Osmon	25	25	31/31
Snoric	18	17	31/31
Muffin	18	16	20/20
Yana	18	14	23/28
Allura	16	16	22/22
Amalia	15	18	22/22
Solgran	6	16	36/41
Unknown (16)	6	12	??/??

Yana tried to detach her stirge

OOC:  my apologies.   I meant to attack the stirge on me.  when i said i attacked "the flying vermin", i meant that as a general insult, not specifically about another flying one.
But i can move on and try to detach it now. 

The lunar warrior seemed to redouble its efforts to eliminate the flying pests, as Amalia continued her song of death, this time targeting a random Stirge, since none were touching her allies.


Spiritual weapon, 23 to hit for 8 damage, toll the dead, DC 14 wis save, 6 damage if already injured, 4 otherwise

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 23,8,6,4 using 1d20+5,1d8+3,1d12,1d8 with rolls of 18,5,6,4.  sw attack, damage, toll the dead damage

Allura liked her new cantrip it was proving effective. She kept up the swirl of blades. Making sure none of her allies would get hit.


Sword burst again to try and put the ones swarming her in the grave.
Dex Save DC 13 or take
06:23, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 3 using 1d6.  Sword Burst Damage.

Having little else he could do, Snoric kept shooting and Muffin kept biting.





Snoric
Move: Fall back if needed
Attack: Fire Ultio at nearby Stirge (switch to handaxe if melee) Hit: 10.  Damage 8
Bonus: Command Muffin

Muffin
Move to attack nearest stirge
Attack:  Hit 17. Damage 5
Bonus: Deflect Attack (if close enough)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:22, Fri 18 Aug 2023.

This is a terrible idea.

Turn 03 Summary
Edgar


Flyby
The owl doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Keen Hearing and Sight
The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

**********

Osmon


Chronal Shift
As a reaction, after you or a creature you can see within 30 ft. of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can force the creature to reroll. You make this decision after you see whether the roll succeeds or fails. The target must use the result of the second roll.

Shield
1st Level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell
Range/Area: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

With a swarm of the flying blood-suckers around them, Solgran swung the maul up into the air, where it made the familiar crashing sound as the thunderous energy was released from within.

Free	drop Rage, if necessary, to cast the spell in this way
Action	cast Thunderwave, Str DC 12 vs 9 Thunder damage and a push effect (half damage on a save), hit as many as I can
Rolls	12:15, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 9 using 2d8.  Thunderwave, Str 12 vs 1/2 & Push.
Reaction	OA if one presents itself, hits AC 13 for 14 damage
Rolls	12:21, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 13,14 using d20+6,2d6+4.  OA: Thunderstryke.

ROUND
Location - Cave

The swarm of stirges, though shrinking with every second, seemed to surge and wane like a beating heart.

Osmon moved forward in hopes his presence would lure them in, only to have his magic deflect them

Snoric contemplated taking Ulto out, but realizzed the swarm was too close and swung his axe, missing one barely.  The dodge proved fatal as Muffin swiped it out of the air and stood on it with a sickening splat.

Yana, her sword in one hand, tore the other out and threw it to the ground, stepping on it with a splat of blood.

Allura watched as the three who were injured by her came in and again used her magic, but they were smarter than that and anticipated the attack, and when she used it, were quickly flying away.

Amalia's magic again took out two more, with her spiritual weapon swatting one, while her call to selune destroyed another.

Solgran watched as four of them came around him, his muscles rippling and warm, a perfect target. They came in, one even landing on him when his hammer came down. But his aim was not the enemies - it was the floor

A thunderous boom sounded and a ripple came from Solgran, and the four seemed to implode into a splatter of red from the effect

With only eight left, the group was less sure and more calculated with their attacks. Two went for Snoric, and while one's swoop was wide from fear of the metal fox, the other would have hit if not for Muffin batting it away. One came for Solgran and missed him as he side stepped. Two went for yana and luckily missed thanks to her speed. One for Osmon and as it came in, he sent his shield magic up, forcing a frustrated squeal. One went for Allura and missed, and the final went for Amalia, finding a seam in her armor, she felt the blood being sucked from her shoulder <Amalia takes 5 piercing damage>.

---

<OOC: Amalia is the only one with a stirge attached. There are now 8 left.

Round Three people>

Name	Init	AC	HP/Max	Notes
Osmon	25	25	31/31
Snoric	18	17	31/31
Muffin	18	16	20/20
Yana	18	14	23/28
Allura	16	16	22/22
Amalia	15	18	17/22
Solgran	6	16	36/41
Unknown (8)	6	12	??/??

Cringing in disgust, Yana backed up and lined up another sniper shot at a flying stirge

OOC:  15:07, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 18 using 1d6+13.  Sniper shot damage .

15:07, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Sniper shot

They seemed to be winning through.  Snoric kept up his attacks.

Snoric
Attack: Miss
Bonus: Command Muffin

Muffin
Attack Nearest Stirge: Hit: 23 Damage: 4
Bonus: Deflect Attack (if close enough)

Amalia cried out in pain when the proboscis of the stirge found a seam in her armor, and the lunar warrior came to try to strike it. The cleric keep chanting her prayer of death, trying to dislodge the creature from her.

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 11,4,10,2 using 1d20+5,1d8+3,1d12,1d8 with rolls of 6,1,10,2.  sw attack, damage, toll the dead damage.

don't think the SW hits

Allura swung eldritch blasts one of the foul things.


Horrible miss

Turn 04 Summary
Edgar


Flyby
The owl doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Keen Hearing and Sight
The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

**********

Osmon


Chronal Shift
As a reaction, after you or a creature you can see within 30 ft. of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can force the creature to reroll. You make this decision after you see whether the roll succeeds or fails. The target must use the result of the second roll.

Shield
1st Level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell
Range/Area: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

With the flock thinning, Solgran took to swinging the maul at individuals with wide, powerful swings of the heavy weapon.

Raging	Yes
Move	As needed for melee
Action	Reckless Attack hits AC 20 for 11 damage
Rolls	11:23, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 20,11,10 using d20+6,2d6+6,d20+6.  Reckless Raging Thunderstryke.
Bonus	If the attack kills one, GWM lets me attack again as a bonus action. Hitting AC 17 for 14 damage
Rolls	11:23, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 15,14,17 using d20+6,2d6+6,d20+6.  Reckless Raging Thunderstryke.
Reaction	If one triggers an opportunity attack - Hit AC 17 for 12 damage
Rolls	11:26, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 17,12 using d20+6,2d6+6.  OA.

---

Great Weapon Master
You've learned to put the weight of a weapon to your advantage, letting its momentum empower your strikes. You gain the following benefits:

On your turn, when you score a critical hit with a melee weapon or reduce a creature to 0 hit points with one, you can make one melee weapon attack as a bonus action.
Before you make a melee attack with a heavy weapon that you are proficient with, you can choose to take a -5 penalty to the attack roll. If the attack hits, you add +10 to the attack's damage.

ROUND 4
Location - Cave

With the thinned swarm of stirges now a little more cautious, they came in again and the group was ready for them.

Again Osmonfocused more on avoiding them more than attacking.

Snoric continued swinging the new hand axe, missing one just barely, but opened the shot again for muffin who crunched one with a bloody crunch

Yana, swapping her sword for her bow took aim at one flying away, the bolt skewering it to the wall

Allura called her magic to summon mystical bolts that flew at the beasts, but thgeir agile forms caused the bolts to miss.

Amalia's mystical weapon swung at another and missed, but she called again for selune's blessing, and a clear note rang like a small bell, causing one to squeal and fall to the ground.

Solgran flew into action, his hammer swinging, swatting one, then another from the sky. Another, flying past caught the butt end of the hammer on pure reflex and killed it

with two left, the beast took flight to escape, but magic and arrow brought them down before losing sight.

then....quiet.

The only sound was the dripping of water, and the sound of your own breath's in the still of the cave.

---

<OOC: Combat is over

Since there was two left, i gave those with ranged a chance to attack and rolled for them. Needless to say - dead.

A map will be up tonight, but there is a passage that leads south that goes to two doors, a passage east to a brighter cavern, and a passage north to passages that Edgar can confirm are a maze-like complex into the area.>

"Biggest mosquitos I've ever seen."

Yana scowled
"Absolutely Vile things!"

*Relaxes after and goes to check on her sister.*

Snoric quickly wiped his axe before securing it in his belt loop.  After a quick once over of Muffin he looked to the cavern the beasts had come from.

"If they lair there, it's unlikely anyone travels that way often.  Less likely to find enemies that way.  Still, it might also mean there is a way they wouldn't expect us to approach from.  It might be better to head that way.  Assuming there are no more giant bugs of course!"

In reply to Allura Whitlock (msg # 131):

Yana nodded to her sister
"I'm okay.   Though I'm not sure if I'll ever feel clean again."

"Yes, they were pretty disgusting."

Applies some alcohol to her sisters wound.

Yana winced and flinched
"Gaaaahh!!! Cyric's Crack, That stings!!!  Was that supposed to help!?!?"

"It was just to clean your wound. C'mon since suck it up." Smiles at her sister.

Yana scowled into space and let her sister treat her wounds

Uses some of her healing pack to treat her sister.


17:24, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 11 using 1d6+8.  Hit points healed.


"There you go, right as rain."

Yana smiled wryly and nodded
"Thank you, sis.  I feel much better"

Allura smiles and feels somewhat emotionally wrapped up in being able to heal her sister. Which makes her embarrassed which Has her blush and turn away.

"Your tough, you'll live."

Amalia brushed herself from the remains of the stirge that has injured her, before experimentally moving her arm to assess the damage, deciding it could wait. Taking a stone from her pouch, she casted a spell to repair the damage on her armor, as the lunar warrior faded away to nothingness. "Disgusting creatures... I wish we won't find more of those around. Shall we continue on this path then? The way is cleared now.

"I suggest we check to the south first."

The cleric shrugged "South is as good a direction as another". She mentally probed Ophelia to go see what was out south.

The owl advantage on perception cancels the disadvantage of darkvision

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 19 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 16.  ophelia perception

With the area now void of any sounds other than the whispering group, you decide to move south. The passage extends 15 feet then branches five feet east and west, ending in two wooden doors.

Yana crept up to the door and checked it out for traps and other dangers

OOC:  00:44, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Investigation

Snoric left Muffin to guard the northern approach before moving to assist Yana with her assessment of the doors.


OOC: Providing advantage to Yana unless she'd prefer to work independently.

OOC:  03:03, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Investigation
Sadly, i wasn't able to make it help

<OOC: Which door? East or west>

Stays with the group trusting her sister's skills.

West

Yana and snoric moved forward and looking at the two doors, shrugged and picked the west door first. The two looked around and were confident there were no traps. The human, with a sigh opened the door slowly.

Splintered stone benches and heaps of rubble from a partially collapsed ceiling fill this room. Amid ruined stone bunks and toppled weapon racks are the bones of several dwarves and orcs.

Seeing the door open and no immediate threat, Snoric moved to examine the door on the other side.

Investigation: 12

Yana searched the room, though since it was filled with dead bodies she did so without enthusiasm

OOC:  21:00, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Investigation

Enter open room.

Investigation: 15

As people crossed the threshold, the bones in the room started moving and getting up. Within moments, there were 12 skeletons of human and dwarven size.

---

<OOC: Iniatve everyone>

Focused on the other door, Snoric is slow to respond to the new threat.  When he does he does his best to get into position to attack while sending Muffin ahead.


Initiative: 5

Snoric
Move: To get LOS on a skeleton
Attack (Ultio): Hit 15 Damage 9 (Sneak Attack: 5 if relevant)
Bonus: Command Muffin

Muffin
Move: Attack Skeleton (ideally flank another players)
Attack: Hit 18 Damage 8
Bonus: None
Reaction: Deflect Attack if nearby ally attacked

Solgran wasted no time before moving in to break some bones.

Initiative	16 (21 w/ Gift of Alacrity)
Rolls	11:15, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 16,5 using d20+2,d8.  Initiative, Gift of Alacrity.
Move	into melee, position for effect
Action A	if I can target 3+ with Thunderwave - Str 12 vs 8 Thunder damage and a 10 ft push
Rolls	11:17, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 8 using 2d8.  Thunderwave, Str 12 vs 1/2 & Push.
Action B	Otherwise - Attack hits AC 22 for 12 Bludgeoning (use reckless if there's not another source of advantage)
Rolls	11:18, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 18,12,22 using d20+6,2d6+4,d20+6.  Attack: Reckless Thunderstryke.
Bonus	If the first attack reduces one to 0 HP - GWM bonus attack Crits AC 26 for 22 Bludgeoning
Rolls	11:20, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 26,12,13 using d20+6,2d6+4,d20+6.  Attack: Reckless Thunderstryke.
Crit Damage	11:20, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 10 using 2d6.
Reaction	OA if triggered - Hits AC 20 for 11 Bludgeoning
Rolls	11:22, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 20,11 using d20+6,2d6+4.  OA.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:17, Fri 15 Sept 2023.

Allura watched as the bones scittered together in a fascinated and almost mesmerized way before she shook herself from it and moved so as not to harm her team mates when she called upon those spectral blades. She moved so her attack might hit as many as it could.



Swordburst the enemy have to make a save DC 13 or take damage.
12:41, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 6 using 1d6.  Sword Burst Damage.

Amalia had already called on Selune to heal her allies but the sight of the abhorrent undead made her cringe with disgust. Using her will and the power of her mother's holy symbol, she lifted her glowing hand high in the air and chanted "Begone, foul creatures, or face the power of Selune!"

Turn undead, using the daily of my amulet, DC 14 Wis save or be turned for 1 minute
This message was lightly edited by the player at 01:49, Sat 16 Sept 2023.

Yana scowled fiercely
"I HATE Dead Things!!!!   So much!!!"

OOC:

19:47, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 17 using 1d6+13.  Damage .

19:47, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Crossbow sniper shot

Stepping back to assess the changing situation Osmon released

Turn 01 Summary
Edgar


Flyby
The owl doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Keen Hearing and Sight
The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

**********

Osmon



Chronal Shift
As a reaction, after you or a creature you can see within 30 ft. of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can force the creature to reroll. You make this decision after you see whether the roll succeeds or fails. The target must use the result of the second roll.

Fire Bolt
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 120ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn't being worn or carried.

This spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).

Shield
1st Level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell
Range/Area: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

LOCATION - OLD GUARD ROOM
ROUND 1

The coming together of the skeletons shocked Yana, Osmon and Snoric but the rest heard the sound and soon the small room was filled with the group.

Osmon, one of the first in, backtracked, and though he was out of reach of the skeletons, he almost tripped over Muffin. None the less he fired a mote of fire at one of teh skeletons, singing the armor and bone.

With limited area in the room, the undead swarm what they can reach....yana, snorric, Solgran and muffin. The rusted weapons swing around, many either not finding purchace or bouncing off armor though Yana is poked with a sword <Yana takes 3 piercing damage>, Solgran slashed by a dwarven axe wielding skeleton <Solgran takes 5 slashing damage> and muffin is hit by two skeletons, one a human sized one with a short sword, and one brutally hit with a mace <Muffin takes 4 slashing and 6 bludgeoning damage>

Solgran barely registered the damage as he swung his hammer down, not aiming at the undead, but the floor and a thundering sound echoed pushing three back.

Allura stepped in, calling fourth the magic she was granted, stepping around the others she found a spot in the corner and used the magic to summon spectral blades, cutting the undead, though they looked to have sustained minimal damage.

Yana, cursing the undead with every fiber of her being, lined up a shot from the doorway and fired. Her hatred for the undead was clear as the skeleton's skull got caught in the bolt, leaving the skeleton, then shattered as it hit the wall.


Amalia stepped into the room and held her holy symbol up, calling to selune to help keep the undead at bay. Half of them turned and made for the corner, but the other half clearly were not affected by the clerical magic.

Snoric was amazed that he was not hit, though some came close enough to feel the hits, but his armor absorbed the brunt of it. he drew his loud and destructive weapon and aiming at one of them in front of him, he pointed up and blew the skeleton apart from the bottom up. Likewise, Muffin (though damaged by the hits) returned the favor by destroying the sword wielding skeleton that faced. him.

---

<OOC: End of round 1.

3 skeletons are dead and 4 look pretty injured, with 5 more fleeing thanks to the turn undead spell, but yana, solgran and muffin were all hit


Round 2 guys>

Name	Init	AC	HP/Max	Notes
Osmon	22	25	31/31
Skeletons (9)	18	12	??/??
Solgran	16	16	31/41
Amalia	15	18	22/22
Yana	9	14	25/28
Allura	?	16	22/22
Snoric	5	17	31/31
Muffin	5	16	10/20

Yana stumbled back, working hard to not give into the urge to try to bandage her wound.
"Filthy Creature!!!   If I ever find who raised these damned things...."

With practiced speed, she loaded and fired another bolt at another skull, lining it up with precision and deadly intent

OOC:  18:40, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 17 using 1d6+13.  Damage .

18:40, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Sniper shot

Grimly nodding to the effects of her prayer to Selune, half the undead not trying to kill them anymore, for now, she changed her song to an harsh one with the sonority of funeral bells

toll the dead, dc 14 wis save or take 4 necrotic damage if injured, 6 if uninjured.

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 4,6 using 1d12,1d8 with rolls of 4,6.  toll the dead damage. –

"Your right dear sister, there is probably a necromancer about or judging from what they are wearing was."

Allura ran her fingers along her blade causing blue flames to dance about it as she lashed out with it at one of the remaining skeletons hopefully striking one next to it.
Instead sticking it in a wall.


I missed horribly

This message was lightly edited by the player at 12:17, Wed 20 Sept 2023.

Solgran continued to wade through animated bones as best he could.

Raging	No
Action  1	If I can hit 3+ with Thunderwave, and no allies = Thunderwave, Str DC 12 vs 9 Thunder and Push 10
Rolls	21:25, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 9 using 2d8.  Thunderwave, Str 12 vs 1/2 & Push.
Action  2	Reckless Attack (ignore Reckless if I have another source of advantage) - Hit AC 8 for 9 bludgeoning
Rolls	21:25, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 8,9,8 using d20+6,2d6+4,d20+6.  Attack: Reckless Thunderstryke.
Bonus	- Hit AC 15 for 11 Bludgeoning
Rolls	21:25, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 11,11,15 using d20+6,2d6+4,d20+6.  Attack: Reckless Thunderstryke.
Move	as needed for above actions
Reaction	Opp Attack hits AC 12 for 11 Bludgeoning
Rolls	21:29, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 12,11 using d20+6,2d6+4.  Attack: Thunderstryke.

Remaining outside the room, Snoric continued to attack from range while sending Muffin to attack.

Muffin
Move to attack skeleton (flank if possible)
Attack: 6 (16 if adv) Dmg 6
Reaction: Deflect attack (ally within range)


Snoric
Move: Position to attack Muffin's target
Attack: 20  Damage: 12 (4 sneak attack if possible)
NBonus: Command Muffin

Turn 02 Summary
Edgar


Flyby
The owl doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Keen Hearing and Sight
The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

**********

Osmon


Chronal Shift
As a reaction, after you or a creature you can see within 30 ft. of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can force the creature to reroll. You make this decision after you see whether the roll succeeds or fails. The target must use the result of the second roll.

Fire Bolt
Casting Time: 1 action
Range/Area: 120ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn't being worn or carried.

This spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).

Shield
1st Level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell
Range/Area: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

LOCATION - OLD GUARD ROOM
ROUND 2

Osmon siezed the moment of chaos with the skeleton hoard injured or fleeing, and targeted one of the previously injured undead. The bolt flew straight and true against a human skeleton holding what looked like a rusty pike and though it hit, and it's tatters of armor and close singed and smoked it still stood (just)

Of the few skeletons left, only four were capable of attacking. The one that Osmon hit with fire lunged at Solgran, but the warrior side stepped easily. This unfortunatly put him in line with a dwarf skeleton with a hand axe that cut the human. <Solgran takes 4 slashing damage> one of the reaning two attacked Muffin, the sound of scraping on the metalic hound causing Snoric to wince <Muffin takes 4 Bludgeoning damage>. The other attacked Amalia with a thrust of a short sword, finding a seam in the armor <Amalia takes 7 Piercing damage>.

Solgran again barely felt the pain of the attack, again focusing on the massive hammer, and struck the floor with a thundering boom. the four skeletons that previously attacked and injured people fell to dust at the onslaught

Allura swung her weapon, but saw that the skeleton that was once there crumpled into dust. She looked at Solgran with a bit of an impressed look.

Yana, her hatred for the undead not quenched, took aim at one of the fleeing undead and fired her crossbow, the bolt again shattering skull and causing it to fall to the ground like a pile of bones.

Amalia called fourth her magic against one of the four remaining undead and it felt the keen of the death bells. it turned to attack only to face the damaged form of Muffin coming in to end it's undead life once again.

Snoric was so focused on his anger that he didn't see muffin destroy the undead with the cleric's help - he only heard the echo of the damage done to his greatest work. Raising his weapon, he fired, scattering a skeleton into a pile of splintered bones.

The remaining three undead, still feeling the horrible magic that punished the undead were no match for the group. Soon all the skeletons were again just piles of bones....and again the silence of the area was echoed in it's vastness.

The group took stok of the room but found nothing of use - even the weapons were rusted, damaged and dull beyond easy repair.

---

<OOC: Combat is over

There are deveral weapons of poor quality, including several battle axes, short swords, a pike and two clubs>

Name	Init	AC	HP/Max	Notes
Osmon	22	25	31/31
Skeletons (9)	18	12	DEAD
Solgran	16	16	27/41
Amalia	15	18	15/22
Yana	9	14	25/28
Allura	?	16	22/22
Snoric	5	17	31/31
Muffin	5	16	6/20

With the touble past, Snoric initially spent a short while focused on Muffin.  Pulling out his tools he quickly readjusted some gears, muttering quasi-arcane phrases throughout.  Once satisfied with his work he sent the fox to stand guard in the passageway while he went to work on the other door, assuming Yana hasn't done so by then.

OOC:  Cast Mending on Muffin - Heal 8HP then work on opposite door (or assist if Yana is already doing it).

Moves to help patch Amalia up.

She gives Amalia a brief smile and pulls out her healers kit unrolling some bandages and if Amalia allows Allura will bandage her up.



06:17, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 11 using 1d6+8.  Healers kit and healer feat.
Healing Amalia of 11 hp damage.

Amalia smiled to Allura. "I see you took our lessons with the priestess to heart, thank you my friend, that slash was nasty! Where to now? I won't able to reproduce that trick to repulse the undead or to provide Selune's soothing twilight again before I rest."

Yana gave one of.the bone piles a kick, sneering with contempt.

She moved to join the others

"Anytime Amalia, so do you think we should take a break for you to refresh your abilities ?"

With the others considering a break, Solgran went to verify the undead had been destroyed and to gather their weapons together. Odds were slim that any of the weapons were worth taking, but if they had need to fall back and arm themselves for some reason, it was better to have them gathered and easily accessible.

On the other side of the corridor Snoric, having checked the door for traps and ensuring it was unlocked stood aside to let other precede him into the room.  Better for those with big smashy weapons to go in first.

Allura will head into the room and look around.

In reply to Allura Whitlock (msg # 177):

Yana took a look around as well,

OOC: 16:09, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Investigation

After Snoric looked at the door for any locks, no one made immediate moves to go in, until Allura and Yana shrugged and entered, weapons read.

This chamber was once an office or storeroom of some kind. A large stone counter bisects the room, set with three dusty balance scales made of iron. Cubbyholes carved into the north wall are stuffed with dusty paper scraps. Several long-dead corpses—gnomes and orcs by their look—are sprawled across the floor.

Unlike the other room, none of the corpses made moves to stand up (thankfully to Yana's mind). The paper was so brittle that any touch turned it to dust, but behind the desk, the girls did find a locked iron strongbox

Allura set the magic lantern down by the strongbox so her sister could get a better look at it.

"Found something." she said to the others.

Yana approached where her sister was looking




16:20, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 32 using 1d100.  Roll for dm

The eladrin wizard climbed the rope carefully. He liked the thrill that accompanied the danger of height, but knew his own limitations when it came to climbing. He was almost already mouthing the syllables needed to cast a spell of Feather Fall, should he lose his footing. He didn't, however, and pocketed his small feather, continuing towards the voices.

The sadness of the death, still lingered on his mind. He had always been strongly affected by loss. Perhaps it was the autumn in his soul; the inevitable decay looming on the horizon on the continual journey towards winter. He followed the tracks as best he could. The eldarin could see well in darkness, but he lit the tip of his quarterstaff with a Light spell nonetheless; to make sure he caught details in color. There was also a faint shimmering glow around his body; a force field as strong as armor.

When he spotted figures ahead, the willowy wizard made his presence known and raised his free hand in greeting. "Well met, travelers. I am Caldrel Elionor of the Faerie Realms, friend of Gundren Rockseeker."

"More friends? Sometimes, I'd swear that dwarf knows half the Sword Coast." There was little reason for them to expect a spy of some kind to be infiltrating, and the elf stood out easily enough compared to all the others in the group. "What is it he's sent you here for? News so soon?"

"Gundren is outside the cave, setting up camp. We found the remains of his brother Tharden..." Caldrel's voice was marked with sorrow. "Anyway, he asked me to assist you while he takes care of the burial. I have a certain academic interest in the site."

He looked at Gundren Rockseeker's crew, one at a time.

Caldrel himself was fairly tall for elven kin. His clothes were that of golden autumn, with elements of brown and red. He had handsome features, but seemed strangely aloof, while still talkative.

"You ok sis, you getting it ?"

Hears talking and turns to look, "Fae realms, didn't know Gundren visited those. I am Lady Allura Whitlock." Gives a slight curtsey by way of acknowledgement.

"Damn. We thought he might recognize the dwarf, but we would have been even more reverent if we'd have known it was his brother. I'm Solgran. Allura you've met, that's her sister Yana there. Snoric and his mystical beast, Muffin. Amalia, the reason we've all survived this long. Osmon, our arcane strategist."

Yana wasn't food with strangers, but any friend of Gundren was a friend to her.  She nodded a polite greeting and looked at her sister Allura
"So far so good"

The purple haired lass smiled at Solgran's comment about her prowess, then looked towards the new arrival. "Solgran is too modest, without his brawn, we wouldn't have left so many bodies behind us. The White Lady protects us, I am merely her vessel. Well met, Caldrel. I know very little about the Fey realms, hopefully you'll be able to tell us some stories!

To answer your question, Allura, I will indeed need some time to pray to Selune soon, but we can still explore a little more."

Yana checked out the box

23:16, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Investigation

The locked box is old with some signs of rust around the hinges and lock, but it is in good condition. There appears to have no traps

Getting ready to hold her breath, Yana tried to pick the lock

OOC:  00:14, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Pick locks

"We met here in the Night and Day world." said Caldrel, making it clear Gundren hadn't visited the Feywild as far as he knew.

As the others were presented or presented themselves, the eladrin gave short bows in return. "Ah, Mr. Osmon. That reminds me." He produced a letter from inside his robes, neatly folded and sealed with dark red wax. "This arrived for you in Phandalin."

Having parted with the letter, Caldrel looked around. "I assume you killed the ghouls and are expecting additional dangers here? I shall have my most effective spells at the ready." He seemed genuinely excited at the prospect of fighting deadly creatures.

Snoric waved when Solgran introduced him. "Any friend of Gundren's is most welcome."  When he heard them mention of ghouls he nodded.  "Ghouls, skeletons and some oversized insect things.  I have no doubt we have yet to see the worst these caves have to offer."

Snoric turned his attention to the lockbox.  Yana seemed to have it well in hand but he stood ready to assist if needed.  Muffin he commanded to stand guard at the north end of the passage they had come done.  They would need to return that way soon.



OOC:  Offer advantage on Yana's traps/lockpick rolls (if it's not too late).  Muffin to stand guard.

Unfortunately he's out of baked goods so can't offer Caldrel the 'traditional greeting'!

Yana starts to focus and begins to open the locked box even as the elf comes over to introduce himself, handing a note to Osmon.  The human stood to the side and opened it, reading in the limited light as Caldrel spoke to Snoric.

Yana smiled as she flicked open the rusted locked box, the smile broadened as she saw what was in it.

---

<OOC: Within the locked box is 600 cp, 180 sp, 90 ep, and 60 gp>

Yana looked at her friends
"Well, here's some good news, at least.   We can distribute these coins amongst ourselves if you'd all like?"

Snoric shrugged.  "Probably better to do it later.  For now let's just grab it and move on.  Since there's nothing this way, we'll need to head back the other way."

The gnome moved back to rejoin Muffin and then once the group was ready, slowly and carefully made his way back north to the room where they had fought the stirges.



OOC: If I read the map correctly there is no further way to go in this direction.  If that is so Snoric doubles back (assuming the party follows).  He doesn't care if we split the gold now or later (but suggests later).

"Agreed. We've got foes to face and nowhere to spend it, loot can wait until later."

Allura bid Osmon farewell thanking him for the helpful magic he provided.
She then rejoins her sister, "I agree with Snoric, we can distribute that later. Good job on picking opening that lock so skillfully."

Yana frowned at her friends and looked dubious.
"Just for the sake of paranoia, I'll take the best bits.  Just in case things go sideways later."

She quickly picked out the gold and electrum, for now.

Caldrel laid no claim to any coins found just as he arrived the scene. Instead, he studied the floor, walls and ceiling. It was not an ancient structure by any means, but it piqued his archeological curiosity nonetheless.

"Gundren mentioned you had some problems before you came as far as the cave itself. You've had quite the adventure, eh?" He walked near the back of the group, the light on his staff illuminating nooks and crannies as they moved.

The group gathered, packing the coins in packs while Osmon frowned to the side. When he finished with the note, he folded it up and came to the group. He walks up to Amalia and holds the staff he had found. "While i treasure this, you may need it for the times ahead. Use it well until i return, then i will reclaim it."

He gathered his items, and grabbing his pack, he looked at the group, and with his owl on his shoulder, retreated for the entrance.

---

<OOC: Osmon has left teh group, so any final words, add them now. Amalia, he has given the staff of defence to you as a caretaker item.

The green areas highlighted you have explored, and the rest visable Amalia knows of because of her familiar.>

Amalia gave a big hug to Osmon has he left, her eyes a little wet. "¨Promise me you'll be careful, I have lost enough family as it is. May the light of Selune always guide your path." Taking the staff with a sniffle, she watched the gangly mage moved away, another connection to her past leaving her. She composed herself for a few heartbeats before being able to face the rest of the group, but one could see she was on the verge of tears. "I can take some of that coin too. Ophelia saw a maze of tunnels going north when she explored, so lets be careful not to let any creatures snuck up on us. My connection to Selune is waning and I will need to pray to her soon."

<OOC>Metagaming I know, I have 2 spell slots left

Not one to get lost in sentiment, Yana merely paused as she gathered coins and gave Osmon a friendly nod.
"Take care of yourself, my friend.   Hopefully we will see you again soon"

If others can take coins, she'll try to add all of them, including the copper

Snoric paused long enough to shake Osmon's hand.  "I'm sure we'll meet again before long."  He then rushed off to join Muffin, exploring the tunnel to the north.

Allura will take the lead if the direction is set and head out. Shield at the ready.

"If we go up through the middle, we invite enemies to come at us from multiple angles with all the different entrances and exists. I think we should head east, secure the perimeter, and then we can clear the middle afterward."

"That is fine by me."

Yana nodded in agreement

Caldrel was glad that someone took such tactical and strategical considerations when exploring. It was a sure sign of great intelligence. This Solgran was clearly of sound mind. "Wonderful." said the eladrin aloud. "I'll keep my keen eyes and ears open in all directions," almost sounding like he welcomed an attack.

Allura stalks along at the edge of the light. She tries to tread lightly and stays near Solgran and the front of the team.


12:45, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 8 using 1d20.  Perception.
12:45, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 14 using 1d20.  Perception #2.

12:47, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Stealth.

Solgran took to the front of the group, along with Allura.

14:05, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 3 using 2d20+2, dropping the highest dice only.  Stealth. – 3

14:05, Today: Solgran Farnzythe rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

Amalia staying in the back and tried to stay silent with her heavy armor, not succeeding a lot. The fact that she was so far hampered her checks of the area, but fortunately Ophelia was able to compensate by flying ahead.

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 14 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 11.  ophelia perception.

19:05, Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4.  perception.

19:05, Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 8 using 2d20, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 8,14.  stealth.

Yana moved ahead to scout, trying to keep quiet to keep the others safer.


OOC:
19:04, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 18 using 1d20+1.  per.

19:04, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  stealth.

19:03, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  stealth.

Snoric has been planning to range ahead, but when Yana took point, the gnome instead fell back to serve as the rearguard.  If the group was worried about getting caught in a pincer he best scout their rear.  He left Muffin in the centre group, ready to react to threats from any direction.


OOC: Remains a good 20ft behind the main group to protect the rear.

Perception: 15
Stealth: 20

Caldrel did have his eyes and ears open, but realized a little late that the others were moving quietly. He prattled on about the stone craft of the walls and floor, comparing it to the older Herinn-era before he understood that being quiet could have its advantages here.

Perception 23 and 6. Stealth 9.

In reply to Caldrel Elionor (msg # 215):

Yana smiled wryly at the elf's chatter.   She was actually very interested in history, but now certainly wasn't the time, even if it was the place.

The group, after issuing their farewell's to Osmon (Amalia clearly most torn by his departure), the group decided to follow the outskirts and go towards the green glow to the east.

What assaults your eyes is a sight of wonder. Dense carpets of weird fungi cover large sections of the floor in this cavern. The growth includes puffballs a foot across, weird shelf fungus growing on stalagmites, and large stalks and caps a good five feet tall. Some of the puffballs glow with an eerie green phosphorescence. The light from the fungi is even enough for the humans to make out the entire room.

Over the other side of the room, a passage leads north.

"Mold," Solgran looked back at the others as he pulled is pack off of one shoulder and swung it around in front and reached inside. "Is it one we need to avoid? Anyone know?" He pulled out one of the red cloaks they had taken from the bandits and wadded it up so that he could hold it over his nose. Even if the mold was harmless, he'd rather not have it agitate his nose. Allergies were terrible, and he didn't want to spend the next hour sneezing.

Yana looked at the mold and mushrooms suspiciously (which, to be honest, was how she looked at everything).
Whole not an expert on such things, she'd read many books on many subjects while she'd lived in the Guild while her father had been alive.


OOC:  23:26, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Nature

Caldrel did have some expertise in the matter, both from his heritage and his academic studies. Still, in this case, he didn't know much more than Yana. Nevertheless, he nodded and concurred, agreeing with her conclusions.

Nature 15 for me as well.

The petite cleric looked at Solgran use a cloak as a mask and moved her own gray cloak to do the same. "That sounds like a great idea, Solgran, I don't know the first thing about mushrooms but better safe than sorry, everyone, cover your mouth and nose."

Shrugs and gets some cloth to cover her mouth.

Snoric wondered why the others had stopped.  When he moved forward to listen he pointed at Muffin.  "We just send Muffin in.  It doesn't breathe.  I could tell it to slap a few bushes or whatever you like while we all stay back."

Yana shrugged, nodding
"that could work"

Both Yana and Caldrel look at the moss and fungus, and are at a loss. There are several types of different shades, shape and size, and while some look like normal mushrooms and moss, the rest you don't know.

"Stay out for a minute.  Muffin will see if it is safe."

Once ensuring people moved back a safe distance Snoric instructed Muffin to move from one end of the cave to the other along the path the group would take.  If that causes no issue he then orders the fox to strike the various fungi with its paw to see if anything happen.

"Are you people always this careful when encountering fungi?" Caldrel seemed surprised. "In the Feywild, one glade alone may present hundreds of growths in dozens of species, and millions across a forest."

"If they don't move, they're rarely harmful. Well, unless you eat them or breathe their spores. Leave them alone, and you will be left alone." He did take a step away from the fungi, not convinced by his own words, as it seemed the others had perceived some danger he hadn't.

"We have never really approached many patches of fungi like this."

Amalia nodded to Allura's words and pointed a few broken links in her chain mail shoulder to Caldrel. "Just before you arrived with Gundren's letter for Osmon, we fought weird bat-mosquitos, I didn't have time to fix it. We also had to kill bandits, goblins, bugbears, and undead, so you'll understand if we are cautious in an environment we never faced."

With a mental nudge, she sent her snow owl to fly over the mushrooms.

perception	21
roll	Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 21 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 3,18.  ophelia perception.

Snoric shrugged.  "My expertise with mushrooms is which ones I use in my pies and savoury muffins.  But if the group is worried about them I'm learned to trust their judgement just as I hope they trust mine.  Besides, it will only take a few moments for Muffin to finish.  Hopefully this is just simple caution, nothing more."

In reply to Caldrel Elionor (msg # 227):

Yana frowned at their newest companion.
"Things aren't as simple here as they are in the forest glen.  There is something evil lurking here, and i fear it's touched nearly everything in the cave system "

Muffin strode into teh cavern as per his master's orders. The metalic fox strode in 5 feet....10 feet....15....

POOF

The area near the door exploded in a shower of green and purple spores that even from here the group could tell would have been toxic had anyone walked in. Even in the cloud, the glowing eyes of muffin could be seen looking back.

It was unknown how many more of these toxic traps were in there, but it was clear that anyone who went in would have trouble.

---

<OOC: DAMN YOU ALL! you sprung the 'trap'>

Yana sighed and rolled her eyes
"I hate it when I'm right "

"That is why we stopped when we saw all this fungus."

"Good job muffin."

Snoric shrugged.  "Definitely not putting those in a pie.  Well not any pie I'd make for someone I'd like."

"Guess we have two choices.  Let Muffin run all about and get the fungus to shoot their loads until done then go through.  All we backtrack and take the northern passage.  I feel like even if Muffin triggers all the spores it will take a long time to clear.  My vote would be taking the other passage."

"Heavens!" Caldrel was impressed. "You were right. That's an educational moment, if I've ever had one."

"To be fair, there are as dangerous things in our forest glen as anywhere in the multiverse. They feywild is home to Elder creatures and nefarious fey that'll boil the skin off your body with a mere thought."

The eladrin gave a series of nods. "Well...I'll keep my eyes and ears even more open as we move on."

Yana nodded and shrugged
"I'm fine taking the other passage for now, and coming back here if we need to"

Amalia did a surprised sound when the mushroom exploded around Muffin, the spore cloud obscuring the view of the mechanical fox for a moment. Then Yana talked and she emphatically nodded her head. "Selune's grace! Those cloth masks will never be enough for that much cloud of.... I'm not sure what that is, but I sure don't want to face it if we can avoid it. The other passage does look enticing now. I'll clean Muffin of that dust, Snoric."

will use prestidigitation to clean Muffin