Seeing the loose floorboard, Essie's head tilts to the side in curiosity. She draws her staff from where it's been strapped to her back and gingerly pokes at the floorboard before approaching. If nothing happens, she makes a noise and goes to kneel beside it. Studies it for a moment. Then shrugs and opens it.

Daerthe will go off to the cottage that Helena ignored, pausing at the door to check. She will open it slowly and start to look around the small dwelling. 

Investigation:

20

Nothing happens when Essie prods the floorboard. When she lifts it, she finds a leather satchel with the components of an herbalism kit. There is also a vial of liquid, which if she tests a drop, she can identify as antitoxin. She also finds a small pouch with 15gp.

Meanwhile, Daerthe has remained at the first cottage. She moves with confidence to open the door but finds it locked.

The drow shrugs before she moves to attempt to pick lock on the door.

Thieves Tools: 7

Essie makes a happy noise upon finding the various things tucked away. She sticks the antitoxin and the gold in her new pouches while setting the herbalism kit to the side. "Maybe someone else could find a use for this," she murmurs under her breath. Then she plops down on the ground to watch Helena work. "I've never seen someone actually do magic like this before," she says. "Is it okay if I watch?"

Daerthe attempts to unlock the door of the southern cottage, but her lockpick breaks in the lock. Now she really wishes she had been able to find a set of thieves’ tools in the trading post, because her lockpick is now useless. Essie is sitting down to watch as Helena begins to light her charcoal, herbs, and incense. (Feel free to describe your casting and its results.) Meanwhile, Bramble the Giant Spider is making good progress on his web. He will probably finish making a good solid bridge before Helena completes her casting of Find Familiar.

(What does Daerthe want to do while Helena casts her spell? What will Bramble, Ryndar, and Stigandr do when the bridge is finished?)

Helena kneels before brazier as she starts her casting.  The flames lick at the charcoal as she adds in the herbs and incense.  She speaks the words as the spell begins, the flames turning blue, then green as the magic takes hold.  She sees nothing but the flames, feels nothing but the gathering of the power she has called upon.  An hour later she calls out the last words of power and a snowy owl sits in place of the green flames.

Once Bramble is satisfied with the foundation of webbing, he will stay in his Spider form to ferry planks and other materials from the nearby wrecked buildings. He will begin placing the pieces of debris on the webbing like assembling a giant puzzle. If needed, he will scramble below the bridge to shoot webbing upwards to secure the fractured walkway. He will silently work around Ryndar and Stigandr (assuming they are also laying planks).

He will plan on maintaining the spider wild shape until it runs out (1 hour) or until we’ve all gathered and he gets the sense that too many are uncomfortable with a giant spider being a member of the party. He hopes everyone can cross the bridge while he could still make last minute repairs with his webs.

Daerthe will sigh and instead look for another way to get inside. If she doesn't find anything quickly she will go back to the Helena and Essie to regroup.

The undamaged cottage seems quite secure. The windows are covered with shutters which Daerthe discovers are also locked from within. She gets the idea that only force or magic would get her into this cottage.

As Ryndar and Bramble begin to scavenge broken pieces of wood from the nearest cottage, they are startled by a shape that bursts out from the shadows within the building. As they turn to watch, they see a winged creature fly over to the roof of the next cottage. It is a cat! A cat with wings that stretch about 3 feet! It makes itself comfortable and simply watches them.

Daerthe will make her way to the surface elf and point towards the cottage. "Force that one open."

Bramble’s multi-segmented eyes lock onto the flying creature and he suppresses the instinct to shoot it out of the air with a burst from his spinnerets. He does notice that his abdomen is feeling hollow and that a snack would be most welcome right now. 

No, no. Finish your work. There’ll be time for food and rest later, he thinks to himself.

Ryndar takes note of the cat, keeping half an eye on it while continuing to assist in the bridge re-construction.

Quote from DarthDrizzt >>

Daerthe will make her way to the surface elf and point towards the cottage. "Force that one open."

 (Ryndar, do you care to respond to this?)

Ryndar glares at the seeming order from the Drow, "I am a little busy over here... but sure let me break down a door for you..."

He reluctantly makes his way to the cottage and uses a handaxe to crack the door near where it appears to be locked.

Straight D20 roll to use as you see fit: 2

Daerthe, as you watch Ryndar’s handaxe bounce ineffectively off the cottage door, two thoughts occur to you: one, you think you saw a crowbar in the trading post and two, the tall young woman with white hair might have more muscle on her than the surface elf.

"A child is stronger then that." Daerthe says as she  gives him an unimpressed look, shaking her head as she begins to mutter in the drow dialect of elvish. She will make her way to the trading post and take the crowbar before going back to the door. With a growl she will attempt to pry the door open.

Crowbar: 11

Daerthe wedges the crowbar into the space between the door and frame and puts her weight behind it, but it is a sturdy door. She thinks she could get it in time if she keeps working at it.

(Do you want to spend a good 30 minutes opening this door or try something else? We're still in the middle of Helena casting her spell and the other folks working on the bridge, so you have time.)

Daerthe will glare at the door, thinking of multiple ways she would have gotten open she still had access to her former abilities. She will step away from the door and then go to find the Essie where she is guarding Helena. "Use this and open that door. We need all the supplies we can find." As she speaks the drow forcefully pushes the crowbar towards the Aasimar.

(Much like the character's in Critical Role campaign one Daerthe's greatest enemies are doors...)

Essie looks up as Daerthe enters, and she blinks a few times at her as a crowbar is shoved in her direction. "You want me to break open a door?" Essie asks, that little wrinkle coming back to her nose. "I mean, okay? But I thought the polite thing was to knock when a door was locked. Not break it down." But she gets to her feet nonetheless and follows the drow back to the first building. She studies the door for a moment then nods and wedges the crowbar in. Before she puts some force behind it, she taps herself in the center of her chest, murmurs something in Celestial, and casts Guidance on herself. Then she tries to open the door.

Strength /w Crowbar: 19 + Guidance: 4