OOC: Jesus, you've got iron lungs!

"Great! Yes!" One of them says, "The forge up ahead is inFESted with firenewts! There are also keeping their strider mounts in (AREA 10), and they're holding dwarven prisoners in (AREA 9). Ok?! Now please go away!"

Clayton tilts his head a bit as if to say, ‘Anything else?’

Clayton ‘What’s a Cigar?’ Pendragon Lungs: 11

"NO! GO AWWAAAYYY NOW!" The smoke mephit flaps its arms in frustration.

"Sheesh." The other one says, sulking to the ground.

Can the rest of us at the mouth of the tunnel hear any of the conversation going on, or are they too deep into the cave?

Clayton tips his hat in thanks, drops a gold coin for them, and leaves back to the group.

Quote from o_Merlin_o >>

Can the rest of us at the mouth of the tunnel hear any of the conversation going on, or are they too deep into the cave?

"GhLth! I thought he'd NEVER leave..." You hear one of them say as you exit the smoked filled part of cavern.

Where to next, folks?

Bree is impressed. 

When Clayton emerges, Maldrek lets out a long whistle.

"Damn, about time cowboy, a few more minutes and I woulda thought I'd have to go in and drag your hide out."

Clayton holds up a finger and coughs intensely, “Much better. So, I found some weird smoke mephits in there,” Clayton turns, “Thanks again, folks!” Before turning back to the rest of the group, “Anyway, they told me some mighty interesting stuff.” Clayton will tell the group what they mephits told him.

SMELTER

Area 2

The hammering sound grows louder, but it's not coming from the chamber ahead. This enormous, rectangular chamber is a working smelter. A rectangular pit in the center of the room is filled with molten iron. Six devices of dwarven design and make, arranged around the pit, siphon off the liquid metal and draw out the impurities. A smaller pool in the southeast corner holds what appears to be molten silver.

Creatures that look like a mix of humanoid amphibians and elemental fire are tending to the machines. So far, they have not noticed you.

There are 8 of them, hammering away, making weapons and armor. Completely oblivious you are there peeking by the end of the tracks.

Clayton is gonna try to keep quiet as they observe the firenewts. Stealth: 18

The firenewts work away. CLANK! CLANK! They appear to be using the forge to make armor and weapons. They talk amongst themselves. They do not spot you all.

Yasei unsheathes both her katana and her wakizashi, raising both in a circular motion until both tips are on one line aiming at one of the humanoids throat, at shoulder height.  In a low murmer she mutters "TENNOHEIKA BANZAI", and silently stands there, waiting for the rest of the group to move into action.

If you wish to react, everyone gets one surprised round attack taken in any order - I don't who goes when -  then we're all going to roll for initiative and being the round proper.

OOC: How far away are they and how are they positioned? Are they grouped together or spread out pretty evenly?

"Bree. Got anything cold to take these out with?" Mal whispers to the gnome.

The closest one is about 20 feet away, and the furthest is about 60 feet away. They are not bunched together.

Bree

”Yeah, I got something for them.” Bree will cast Ice Knife at one of the furthest of the firenewts, max range is 60’. If any of the newts are within 5’ of each other, she would rather target one of them (spell has an area effect component, too).

Ae we rolling, or just setting up?

You can roll. Make your attacks, i'm giving everyone a free surprise round before actual combat begins.