Adventures in Fellneral

Osborn looks sorrowfully at Orin "Oh my friend, I'm sorry - I assure you, next time you can have all the kills and I instead shall make myself small. Er, make myself small-er" Then to the group in general "I have no need for those stabby things, I've got my own apple cutter already"

He ponders Gromedark's observation carefully "Yes that's a good point.  Maybe the two factions wiped each other out? Regardless, we have a courier job first and foremost, so I think it best to focus on getting the job done that we're paid for"

Looking at the cave entrance, he fiddles nervously with the blood red crystal at his neck and looks over to the others "So I guess we go in?  Who wants to go first?"

"I know that they do unspeakable things in the woods" replies Osborn, deadpan.  He lights a torch and then follows Gromedark, eyes peeled for danger.

Perception 18 (passive 11)

Orin will bring up the rear keeping his maul out ready for danger, or the chance to hit something, either is good with him.

As Orin kicks the body Herbert watches with interest, and then shrugs.

Herbert will follow the group, settling into the middle of the pack.  "My new friends...this day has got very strange, very quick.  Let's keep our eyes peeled, eh?  Out of interest, who can't see so well in the dark?  Just in case, you know, we need to go to the dark side for a bit..."

Gromedark, you picking up the daggers gives you two Poison Daggers

 The tunnel descends deeper into the cave, first reaching a room stacked with boxes, bas and other storage containers, all marked with different symbols on them. One more exit continues the same way you are going.

Osborn looks over the various symbols and says "Well the easiest way to crack the code would be to start opening crates, but that doesn't seem a good idea in strange dark caves.  Herbert, you seem like a man of books - do these mean anything to you?"

Quote from GrubaMcD >>

Osborn looks over the various symbols and says "Well the easiest way to crack the code would be to start opening crates, but that doesn't seem a good idea in strange dark caves.  Herbert, you seem like a man of books - do these mean anything to you?"

 "That I am!" And then a little embarrassed he gets out a small pair of spectacles and gets a closer look at the symbols. 

History/arcana check: 17 : would Herbert recognise anything to do with the symbols 

Some of the symbols are from shops, but on most of them are crates marked with a shield, split into three sections, yellow, purple, and green, This you recognize as the mark of The Sisters Three, also known as the merchant's guild. One box is completely empty.

Herbert: "Looking at the symbols, the crates are from local merchants and shops.  Can we justify looking in any of these crates at the moment? "

Herbert takes a few steps down the passage leading deeper into the cave and looks around to see if can see where it goes.  (Perception: 20 with darkvision to 120ft)

"HELLO!"

The cave quickly splits into two paths, one path to the right which turns left to a room you cannot see. The right passage that leads to a room, filled with four ragged sleeping cloths and a put out fireplace. On one of the sleeping cloths is a another cloaked human, sleeping, with their mask beside them. (If you want to retcon shouting "Hello" you can)

((Yes please, screaming HELLO into a sleeping mans face seems a crazy move.  Thanks DM))

Herbert: Looks back towards the group.  If he can see them he will wave is arms until one looks round and then point with two fingers at his own eyes, and then to the sleeping human indicating that he has seem something.  Then he will bring one finger to his mouth, signalling everyone to be quiet.  "How do I get myself into these situations" - thinks to himself.

If the group are out of sight he will slink back to the group and let them know what he saw.  "Lads...there's another one of those cloaked buggers in a room down there.  Everyone be real quiet...should we wake our sleeping friend and see what he has to say.  Anyone got any rope?"  (Stealth check if needed: 17)

((Really hope it's not needed!))

"Hmmm good scouting Herbert. I might have a way to get us through in plain sight" says Osborn thoughtfully.

He casts disguise self to give himself the appearance of one of the bandits, including the mask.  Entering the room with the sleeping figure he tries to wake him by shouting "Hey! You need to get up!  Boss wants you, says it's about that thing"

Deception 7 

 If the Deception check is needed and 10 is not high enough then Osborn will draw on his Pact of the Talisman to add 4 to the roll.

Second Deception roll in case Osborn has advantage for the disguise 15 

(You don't need to use the talisman)

The bandit wakes up, groans under their breath, puts on their mask and says, "Sayseir? What does he want from us?"

Osborn feels a familiar buzz of excitement as the bandit buys his bluff "Us?  He wants you!  And he's not happy, he knows what you did"

(Osborn is hoping to either find out some info about the operation here, scare the bandit into abandoning the camp and running away without a fight, or both)

Herbert: whilst Osborn is playing the bandit Herbert will make sure he is out of sight.

Stealth if needed 14

The bandit seems nervous for a second , then starts venting to you. "Well, well, maybe if he gave us any time to build the prison, this wouldn't have happened!"

Osborn blows out through his lips, nodding "It doesn't change his mood though.  What you going to do?"

The bandit sighs, and walks down the right hall.

Osborn smiles at Gromedark's compliment, still in disguise.  "Those are both excellent deductions, my bugbear friend.  Let's see where he takes us, be ready for the 'plan' to go off piste"

The halfling follows the bandit.