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

(Moot since the first two rolls were the highest, but Elyria was specifically distracting Troll 4 in this round.  I am presuming casting the illusion on Troll 1 is taking place the next round - which is after Flynt's turn.  So no advantage this time.)  

Both of Flynt's attacks hit Troll 1 and it is looking very hurt now. 

(I believe Elyria took her action for the next round above, distracting Troll 1.  Now Aurelius is up.) 

Round 6

In a virtual repeat of Aurelius' previous turn, he will (bonus action) move the hex spell to Troll 1 (disadvantage to STR ability checks).  With a squeeze of his knees, he directs Lady to charge at the brute, passing to the right (L13) whereupon he savagely swings his flame tongue longsword at the troll's misshapen head.

First longsword Attack: 24 Damage: 11 + 9 fire damage + 1 necrotic damage 

Second longsword Attack: 22 Damage: 10 + 6 fire damage + 1 necrotic damage 

If the troll dies, the paladin will ride to J8 and stop there.  If the troll survives, Lady will disengage and gallop to P20 or thereabouts.

Both of Aurelius' attacks strike Troll 1 and it too falls to the ground dead.  Riding Lady he continues to J8. 

Troll 2 again tries to get loose from the Rope of Entanglement.  (DEX Save: 2)

 It again fails and is still stuck in place.  

(Flynt is up.  I will post a map update in just a moment.) 

Map Update: 

Flynt breaths a sigh of relief as troll 1 gasps its last breath. He cautiously approaches the restrained troll. Arelious and Elyria watch as the man along with everything he is wearing suddenly grows in size to match the trolls large stature. Leaning over the beast he growls in giant in an attempt to intimidate the creature, "I give you your life. Take it and flee. If you remain,or you return, you die."  Flynt then grasps one end of the rope of entanglement while leveling his now medium crossbow sized hand crossbow at the beasts head. He speaks the word "Accumsan". and the troll is released. 

Intimidation: 22

Troll 2 takes a moment looking at the suddenly larger Flynt.  As he sees his companions lying dead across the forest floor, once the rope is loosened.  He runs off very quickly away.

(Before combat ends, if anyone wanted to, they could get parting blows in, which might extend combat. Otherwise, the troll disappears, and combat is ended.)  

Elyria ignores the fleeing Troll and quickly flies down to Aurelius' Blink dog. "No, no, you brave thing." She says and tries to revive it with her woodland magic.
Cure wounds: 6

Aurelius also quickly rides over to where his companion fell, leaping down from his steed, and kneeling by its side.  He sighs, "Another fallen comrade.  I have seen many over the years.  It never gets easier...  I never even knew her name."

Glancing at Flynt, he remarks, "I hope your mercy does not come back to haunt us.  I fear that its nature is too strong to overcome, and if not us, it will find some weaker opponent to murder and devour. Perhaps even our Harengon friends."

After seeing to the remains of the blink dog, Aurelius will proceed into the trolls' den, searching for anything of value.

Investigation, assuming assistance from his comrades 23

(10, 16, 4, 5)

When Elyria gets to the blink dog, her spell has no effect.  It appears the creature is already dead. (As a companion NPC I allowed for death save rolls.)  

Aurelius moves into the cave and finds mostly refuse, a few rotting animal carcasses and bones.  In one corner though, you find what seem to be humanoid bones. Nothing is left save a small scroll case.  Inside is a roughly drawn map. There are a number of landmarks marked to navigate by.  (With the crude map you get a +2 to survival rolls to try to find your way towards the center of the forest.)  

Elyria embraces the Blink dog in her arms, crying profusely over this needless loss of life. As Aurelius returns from the cave she carries the body of the Blin dog to a beautiful copse nearby and puts it to rest there, kneeling by it for a while, praying to the spirits of the forest to welcome this brave soul.

After saying goodbye to the Aurelius' Blink dog Elyria starts moving again. Assuming Aurelius shows her the map she uses it to plot a good course to the center of the forest.
Survival: 19 +2 from help + 2 from map (I think :-) Aelric Spotting from above: 16

Quote from Oberon99 >>

Elyria embraces the Blink dog in her arms, crying profusely over this needless loss of life. As Aurelius returns from the cave she carries the body of the Blin dog to a beautiful copse nearby and puts it to rest there, kneeling by it for a while, praying to the spirits of the forest to welcome this brave soul.

After saying goodbye to the Aurelius' Blink dog Elyria starts moving again. Assuming Aurelius shows her the map she uses it to plot a good course to the center of the forest.
Survival: 16 +2 from help + 2 from map (I think :-) Aelric Spotting from above: 8

 (Aelric really cannot spot from above. He can fly ahead but if out of line of sight he must make a Survival roll himself to return.) 

(Ok, Aelric stays close by Elyria then :-)

(slight clarification- Aurelius searched the cave after he and Elyria laid the dog to rest.  And yes, he shares the map's contents with the rest of the party)

Aurelius searches the bodies of the fallen trolls, and afterwards builds and lights a pyre around each one, to ensure they stay dead.  He then strongly suggests they take at least a short rest to tend to their wounds and recoup, "S’il vous plaît."

Elyria reluctantly agrees to a short rest although she realizes it is likely necessary to face further threats.
"You did well." She says to Aurelius and Flynt as they find a place to regain their strength. "The Trolls, I underestimated their ferocity." She adds and looks down. "I hope I'm not leading us all to our doom. I'm afraid I must move on though." She finishes as you rested shortly, setting off towards the center of Gwyllinwald.

Quote from rob88scps2 >>

 

Glancing at Flynt, he remarks, "I hope your mercy does not come back to haunt us.  I fear that its nature is too strong to overcome, and if not us, it will find some weaker opponent to murder and devour. Perhaps even our Harengon friends."

 

Flynt simply shrugs, "It was just. I'll not slay a bound enemy and neither will you." he says flatly. "I gave it the choice to continue the fight or to flee. It chose to flee and just as we won't slay a bound combatant we'll not slay one that has chosen to no longer engage. The only actions I control are my own, What it does and who it meets is its own responsibility. I will not tarnish my honor based on the unknown future."  Before any argument can be made Flynt saunters off recoiling his magical rope. He pays his respects to the fallen, and helps with the search of the lair all in silence. He doesn't speak up until the topic of rest is broached. "That fight took a lot out of me. I could use a rest." 

(So we're having a short rest then :-)

Aurelius replies, "I'm sure that will be of great comfort to the widow and children of its next victim, to know that their father was sacrificed for your honor."

He completes his short rest in silence, and by the end seems to have regained his composure. (now almost full hp and about half spell slots left).

He does walk over to Flynt and say "I apologize for my rudeness earlier.  The loss of my friend is no excuse for uncivil behavior. I fear the stress of worrying about whether our other comrade is alive and reachable is wearing on me."

He then wonders how they will proceed around the cliff.  His compatriots can fly, but he cannot.

(5)  

You all rest for a bit, giving you a chance to recover.  You don't really see anything during that time.  There are sounds of birds calling in the distance, but nothing out of the ordinary.  Sozi and Acorn make their way back to you, also paying respects to their fallen companion.  

When ready to head off again, Elyria believes you would be able to follow the cliff to the left and get around it.  So following her direction you proceed through the forest. 

(11)

After about another 2 hours, you reach a spot where the trees momentarily break, revealing a quiet clearing measuring seventy-five feet across.  This seems to match up with the map you found, indicating you are making progress to the forest center.  

"We're getting closer boys. I hope you are ready to face more challenges, I fear those Trolls was not the reason Lady Sylmare decided to send me here instead of some loyal servant." Elyria says as she moves swiftly through Gwyllinwald, nearing it's center, she thinks.

"Might be a good idea to stick to the edge and not venture out into the open," suggests Flynt.