Quillary sighs. “If I could get some rest, I can take on a beast shape, and not need an amulet.”

OOC > To that end, Q, what’s your take on druids casting a concentration spell then wildshaping? Can they continue to concentrate? (Corollary, of course they can’t cast a spell while in Wild Shape, maybe if it took no verbal or somatic components, but maybe not even then.)

Quote from Mingofaust >>

Quillary sighs. “If I could get some rest, I can take on a beast shape, and not need an amulet.”

(You had a short rest to use hit dice, so you've already got your Wild Shape uses back.)

Quote from Mingofaust >>

OOC > To that end, Q, what’s your take on druids casting a concentration spell then wildshaping? Can they continue to concentrate? (Corollary, of course they can’t cast a spell while in Wild Shape, maybe if it took no verbal or somatic components, but maybe not even then.)

(No take necessary. Player's Handbook says "you can’t cast spells" after transforming. And:

"Transforming doesn’t break your concentration on a spell you’ve already cast, however, or prevent you from taking actions that are part of a spell that you’ve already cast (such as Call Lightning)."

If you were thinking Pass Without Trace, consider how many checks I'm going to make you roll if the party tries to Stealth past over 100 Xanathar... I read a bunch of spy novels when I was younger. The person trying to avoid being seen is the one who sticks out, if they are noticed. Act bland and mildly annoying, and other people will chose to deliberately avoid that person (as long as they don't seem too out of place)... If the party swaggers in, pretending to be arrogant thugs but without drawing excessive attention, then it is only 1 or 2 Intimidation and/or Performance checks to get to the Tower.

My approach is I don't want to put the party in a no-win scenario. So try to have fun, but don't be reckless or too crazy with the schemes. If the check rolls are bad, I expect the party to use up resources, like spells or single-use items, in a clever way to get out of a bad spot. If the rolls are good, then enjoy your luck.)

OOC > I had not put the HD together with the Short Rest, duh. Also, all cool on the rest of the stuff. Quillary is ready to be somebody's badass pet again. Or a teensy tiny spider riding in someone's pocket, either way.

Her Cha bonus is +0, so she won't help with the Persuasion checks. As an animal, would you expect her to join in the group checks for that sort of thing?

Quote from Mingofaust >>

OOC > I had not put the HD together with the Short Rest, duh. Also, all cool on the rest of the stuff. Quillary is ready to be somebody's badass pet again. Or a teensy tiny spider riding in someone's pocket, either way.

Her Cha bonus is +0, so she won't help with the Persuasion checks. As an animal, would you expect her to join in the group checks for that sort of thing?

(You could use the Help action, if you coordinate with what someone else in the party is trying to do.)

I'm not necessarily pushing for something that's been in Hildigrim's wheelhouse, and he's had NO opportunity to take advantage of it this whole campaign, but if you didn't wildshape prior to going in, you'd have all your slots left in case you needed them later.

You speak wisely Hildi, but what then of our five people and only four necklaces?

One of us gets decorated to look abused. We would be four Xanathar and one prisoner.

"Oh, I get it!" Quillary says, enthused. "I want to be the prisoner!"

Without waiting for the others to voice their agreement or disagreement, Hildigrim immediately whips out his disguise kit and begins making Quillary look like she's been beat up.

Of course, he can be stopped mid process if that happens.

I'll go ahead and roll. Here's a vanilla d20: 5 + DEX? That would be +4. Performance would only be +1 if you like that skill better for applying makeup, etc. He is proficient, so that's +3.

(Let me know if there were any other preparations that were done. Otherwise, off you go!)

After the short rest (and a little creative stage make-up by Hildigrim), the Road Enders are ready to leave. Your (temporary) drow allies would have liked more time to prepare, but they receive news that makes them agree with your plans to act now. An interrogator from the ruling Drow will arrive tomorrow, to get information from the Bregan D’aerthe prisoners, so it is better to make the prison break before they arrive... When you blow the whistle, they will create a diversion along the bridge and eastern harbor, while a stealthy second group will assist in your escape with the prisoners.

You head south, to the Murkspan bridge, which connects Skullport to the fortress on Skull Island. The bridge 20' wide, and 30' above the water; if you fall off, it will be difficult to get back on. Most of it is open to the air (to make it easier to fire arrows at anyone crossing).

As you get to the water's edge (before you reach the bridge), you way is barred by a heavy iron gate, currently closed. 3 bugbear guards are resting in front of it. There is a 10' x 10' shack, with an open window. Inside is the leader of the squad of guards, a duergar by the name of Bruldryn Blackfyre. (Reminder that duergar are an offshoot of dwarves, evil by nature, that can grow large or invisible in combat.) The entire retinue has a multitude of eyes painted on their helms, armor, and heads.

From inside the shack, Bruldryn calls out that she expects you to state your business, and to pay proper deference to the Xanathar.

Quillary lets herself be half-dragged along, but doesn't ham it up. She's aware that less is more.

(Immense apologies for not keeping up the last couple days, the holiday was super busy)

"Hail boss, we have another Bregan D’aerthe prisoner for the dungeon.  Just taking her down there and we'll be on our way." Jorin says and gives Quillary a pat the back.

Jorin has stated the business, but hasn't yet "shown proper deference to the Xanathar".

Drusk will hold up his Xanathar id necklace. And then starts to cuddle it, to show his affection for the gang.

"Oh," Hildigrim says, fishing his own Xanathar necklace out of his tunic. "We are Xanathar."

Pascal does the “mafia ring kiss” on his own Xanathar amulet, showing loyalty... and a little bit of saliva.

Jorin follows suit, tapping the icon to his forehead and then tucking it back into his pocket.

Bruldryn waits for the bugbears to inspect your eye-pendants. The bugbears aren't impressed by surface humanoids to begin with, and are a bit repulsed after seeing Drusk hugging his pendant and Pascal french-kissing (with saliva). Their reluctance to get closer to the your group works in your favor.

Bruldryn hears Jorin's explanation, and says (a little annoyed) "Anuder group towing a rebel drow? Guess it good thing, just another one to put a shortage to Bregan’s men, keepin’ ‘em in check."

She points to the gate. "Go on. You open da gate and cross da bridge. I'da open it for you, but you strong folk don need a little woman to do it for ya."

At this comment, the bugbears snicker quietly. (From the bugbears reaction, it seems like these guards are doing some kind of prank to amuse themselves.)

The gate is big and heavy. Also a mess of poor craftsmanship, where it isn't obvious how to open it, except by pushing it really hard.

OOC: Do these bugbears have the same accent as the bugbears who kidnapped us?

Quote from DirtyDogP >>

OOC: Do these bugbears have the same accent as the bugbears who kidnapped us?

(OOC: Different bugbears, although similar attitudes. As goofy as Volothamp is, he wouldn't hire known Xanathar thugs.)