Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

As the Harengon leave Flynt follows them out. 

"Pardon me, but those you lost...did he they leave any close relatives behind, sons or daughters perhaps? It's just that I don't feel entirely right about keeping something that by rights belongs to someone else. I also found this as well." Flynt holds up the ring  "This could be an heirloom for all I know." He holds out the handkerchief to the herbalist. " At least take this if for no other reason than as a token of my gratitude. May it serve as a pleasant reminder of those you lost."

(4, 3)

"I'm afraid they really didn't have any family of their own still here.  The man's mother passed away several years ago and the druid was not originally from here."  She takes the ring and handkerchief.  "I can see they go to one of their friends though. Thank you, Flynt" she says. 

(Note that Flynt had found studded leather on the second gnoll.) 

You all complete a Long Rest and are up early the next day to head off.  The Harengon that had originally led you into the village is there, along with a few other onlookers, and the herbalist. "It was great to meet you all!  I definitely enjoyed your tails Aurelius and Flynt. I hope I get to see you again." 

It takes less than an hour to reach the edge of the forest.  Once there Elyria leads you on into the forest.

(I will use Elyria's Survival roll but note again that a character cannot both navigate and use Perception to scout at the same time. Dense foliage prevents Aelric from seeing the ground from high up in the air. He can scout ahead but is limited to line-of-sight for vision.  For exploring the forest, the rules are slightly adjusted - to simplify, you cannot give HELP but instead the bonus the average of the two character's bonus plus 1.  For practical purposes that means leave the Survival rolls to Elyria!)

(4) 

After traveling about 2 hours through the forest, from seemingly out of nowhere, a sheer cliff rises from the floor of the forest.  Thick creeper vines cling to the cliff's rocky sides, nearly concealing the presence of a gaping cavern entrance set at its center. As you come to this spot Aelric returns to Elyria after you had not seen him for several minutes. (If scouting ahead of the group, Aelric will have to make a separate Survival check to be able to find the party again.) 

"Keep a good lookout boys, we might be getting close." Elyria says to Flynt and Aurelius as the sheet cliff comes into view.
Elyria cautiously goes closer to the cave entrance, trying to discern if that would be the way to reach the mushrooms and the amulet.
Survival if needed: 8

(Aelric would not fly further ahead than being able to find Elyria easily again. Has Aelric anything to report?)

(is there any way around or is the cavern the only way to proceed in the direction we want?)

(9)

(Elyria seems to think that the most direct path would be straight over the cliff.  But it seems like you might go either direction and get around this formation.  You have no idea where the cavern might go really - but if you could pass straight through that's likely the fastest route. Aelric has nothing to report besides the cliff and cave, which you discovered about the time he found his way back to you."  

"So gentlemen, any preferences, around, over or through?" Elyria turns and says to Flynt and Aurelius.

"Well, mushrooms like to grow in the dark, right?  I would vote straight ahead.  Cautiously, of course.  Also, if Sylmare or Leilatha have any spies following us, we might lose them underground."

(Flynt would try to attune with the armor as we rest. I should have included that but I didn't know if he was going to give it up or not. Otherwise he's simply following along.) 

(Again - attuning to a magic item is separate from identifying it.  During the long rest you could do both.  So once identified you can choose to attune or not if that is even needed. I'm presuming this was what Flynt intended.) 

After focusing on the Studded Leather Armor, Flynt learns that it has the following properties: 
- The armor grants +1 to AC
- While you are transformed by an effect that replaces any of your game statistics with those of another creature, you have a +1 bonus to melee attack and damage rolls, and you retain the benefits of this armor.
- As an action, you can use the armor to cast polymorph on yourself, transforming into a giant owl while retaining your Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. This property can’t be used again until the next dawn.
- The armor requires Attunement to use the later two properties
- You sense the item may have deeper magic that is not accessible currently

(Again, Flynt may also Attune to this if he desires.) 

(18)

As the party is speaking, you hear rustling coming from within the cave, as well as a few grunts. 

"Okay Aurelius, let's go for the cave then." Elyria says and nods. "You better take point now." She adds, nocking an arrow to her elven long bow, ready to follow the others into the cave.
Stealth: 19 Perception: 24

(OOC Aurelius has darkvision, but isn't particularly stealthy unless a spell is involved (full plate armor).  What do you think about Aelric scouting ahead in the cave?)

Elyria, a bit reluctantly, sends in Aelric to take a peek into the cave, Elyria using the owls vision for a moment to see what the rustling and grunting is about.
Aelric perception if needed: 23

(Flynt will attune to the armor. He'll leave his breast plate with the Haregon as repayment for their generosity. Does this armor have a name so I can find it in the inventory. ) 

Flynt moves to the left side of the cave entrance. His hand cross bow drawn and ready. He peeks around the corner in an attempt to also catch a glimpse of whatever originated the sound.

(it's Hide of the Feral Guardian)

Quote from rob88scps2 >>

(it's Hide of the Feral Guardian)

 Yep, that is it!  But you don't know about the other properties - yet. 

Aelric flies inside the cave and Elyria sees through his eyes.  It doesn't take much effort to see the source of the noise - trolls.  In fact, there are 4 of them.  One appears to be talking and motioning to the others, pointing towards the entrance to the cave.  Well, and towards the owl now.  

From the glance you got, the cave is one fairly large chamber with a high ceiling.  There are a couple dark corners, but you are pretty sure there are no other exits.  

Seeing the owl, the trolls are now rushing for the cave entrance.  

(Roll for initiative.) 

(13, 15, 21, 4)

(Yeesh, you'd think they'd never seen an owl before...)

Aurelius initiative: 5

Would they be exiting the cave single-file?  Since Aure's initiative is before theirs, I don't suppose he could javelin them while they're all in a row?)

Elyria initiative: 18

(Aurelius - I would say you could hit 3 of the 4 with you shot - 1, 3, and 4.  Map below. I just randomly placed you all on the map.  I figured you were relatively close to the cave entrance, which is covered up by the trolls.  Troll 4 is technically still in the cave but you can see them all at this point.)