Ludolf looks down at Dandelion, first with surprise but then a smiling slightly as the mummified cat rubs against his leg, suppressing an urge to pick him up and pet him. "Those who get out of here alive will of course share any treasure we steal from this place, but maybe you should focus on the first to maybe live to see the latter." Ludolf mutters, giving Daventry an impatient look, motioning for the northern door.

(How large is the pool of blood by Cathbad? Am I supposed to keep track of his hp?)

Triäsa comes over to Cathbad as others are looking for treasure. "I can probably help a bit with those injuries, let me have a look."  (Medicine: 20, if needed. She tries to assess how injured he still is - after Daventry's help - and can cast Cute Wounds if needed)

Daventry shrugs. "Maybe that axe will make a difference for us in doing the first. I was always a fan of the Cara Loft penny books... If it weren't for raiding tombs, she'd never have found the right gear and clues to survive." She pause a moment. "Though she probably would've had a lot less tombs and caves collapse on her before making a daring escape..."

Loot secured, Daventry moves to Ludolf's Portal of Destiny while under his Withering Gaze of Impatience, and quietly takes a look for traps before opening it slightly to peer through.

Perception: 18

Stealth: 25

Ludolf keeps up his Withering Gaze of Impatience, looking to the others to come along, muttering something about junk fiction as he is reminded of Daventry's less than cultivated taste in literature.

Gunnar takes the ax and gives it a test swing. "Hm, interesting weapon and the balance is very good. Yes, this will be an excellent head chopper." He sheathes his sword and grips the ax ready to move on. (It is a +1 Battleaxe nothing too fancy) 

As for Maxx and Cathbad they hug now having a moment for reunion in the hallway. Maxx smiles, "I am happy we will get to die together Cat. That's reason enough to leaving the darkness of this room." Cathbad smiles with blood running down his face, "I got a bit more in me let's see if we can kill a few more snakes on our way out. Drink?" He holds out his jug and she takes a big swig. "If we get out of here you promise me you'll give up the wine? Maybe we can both be.... better..." She says almost hopefully, he simply nods.

At this point Triäsa comes to tend his wounds, unfortunately the bleeding persists for a bit before stopping on its own. "It's the thought that counts." He says with a bloody smile. Daventry's healing runs over him again closing the rest of his wounds but you can tell the man is hurt badly.

Silently the door to the next room opens and you peer inside. This warm, kidney-shaped room is dimly lit. Three circular pits of various sizes are sunk into the stone floor, each filled with a writhing mass of snakes. A familiar burly, heavily armored serpentfolk tends the pits he has not seen you yet. It appears to the serpentfolk warrior you met on the battlefield with Gehir The pits are 20 feet deep. 

Stepping back a bit from the door, Triäsa says, "Do we think we can take him out? You don't suppose he controls all those snakes do you?" She thinks about it for a moment. "Or is there some way to trick our way past without a fight?" 

Ludolf lets out a quiet tired sigh as he realizes the team could probably simply have gone the short route to this chamber. "I can't see how we can sneak past this one too but we should be able to take it out swiftly enough, hopepfully before it can make use of the snakes in those pits." Ludolf whispers, urging on a swift attack, ready to try to push the serpent guard into one of the pits. 

"Hmm. I'd bet the big snake won't be bothered by the pit full of his pet little snakes..." Daventry mutters. "I'd be more worried about him trying to throw one of us into the pits... But I agree. I'll try to draw him to us. You all stay close to the door, hidden, and be ready to attack him."

She slots her rapier in her belt and unwinds the whip.

"Ready? Wait until he's close and away from the pits..."

She slips inside the chamber, closing the door all except a tiny gap so that her friends can't be seen, and slinks towards the snake man, closing just close enough to whip it real good...

Attack 1:  To Hit 15/13 adv, 8 slashing damage

Attack 2: To Hit 23, 7 slashing damage

After the whip cracks out, she speaks to the snake. "Doesn't feel so good coming from the other direction, does it you bastard?"

And retreats to be away from the snake, and the pits, tossing the whip aside and drawing her rapier. (Move sent to you in discord)

Give me a stealth roll to see if he notices you on the approach

Seeing the serpentfolk warrior stand just at the edge of the large pit, Ludolf sees his opportunity and follows Daventry into the chamber, ending up by the eastern door, using the eldritch powers of his mind to drive a spike of psychic energy into the mind of the serpentfolk warrior, then using his mind over matter to push him into the pit.

Cast Mind Sliver, Int save 16 or 7 psychic damage and - 2 to next save 
Then Telekinetic shove, Str save 16 or be pushed into the large pit to become snake food.

Ludolf stealth:  19

The creature is taken completely off guard by Daventry and Ludolf's as they move like a cat into the room.

(He rolled a 21 perception but with PWT from Dandelion you are both OK. I'll give you those actions as a surprise round. Pardot and Triäsa can take a surprise round if they roll a stealth >21 incld'ing PWT. We will assume the actions all occur simultaneously No surprise round for minions though)

Daventry's whip catches nothing but air on the first attempt but as she quips the second blow lands squarely on the lizard's cheek. It hisses as Ludolf's mental assault is launched.  "Escaped your cell have you. Well Gehir isn't here to stop me from ripping your puny limbs from your body this time. You killed the best helpers I had in here it's time for a bit of fun."

Int Save: 12

Str Save: 11

Initiative:

• Serpent Warrior 12 (7)
• Daventry and Gunnar 17
• Ludolf and Cathbad 20
• Pardot 6
• Triäsa 7 and Maxx 16
• Dandelion 18

Ludolf continues his mental assault, then uses his mind over matter for another attempt to push the serpentfolk warrior into the pit of vipers.

Cast Mind Sliver, Int save 16 or 8 psychic damage and - [roll]1d4[/roll to next save 
Then Telekinetic shove, Str save 16 or be pushed into the large pit to become snake food.

(Triäsa Stealth: 15)

((stealth 23))

As the others sneak forward and do not hesitate to attack the jailer, Pardot does the same, sending a guiding bolt at it.

Attack: 11 Damage: 17 ((adv on next attack if this hits))

Pardot's bolt goes wide missing the mark. Before she can act the Warrior notes Triäsa's presence, preventing her from acting. 

Int Save: 18
Str Save: 19

The Serpent Warrior hisses at Ludolf's repeated attempts to get inside it's head. "You'll need to do better than that. I am not some common lizard."

Cathbad, Triäsa and Maxx are up!

Combat Tracker:

1. • Ludolf and Cathbad (23)
   • Triäsa and Maxx 
   • Serpent Warrior (7)
   • Dandelion (4)
   • Daventry and Gunnar
   • Pardot

    

Grabbing her lute, Triäsa beings to strum a series of chords, singing:
'Metal once formed
in forge's red heat,
remember that time
and scalding repeat.' 

With her song she casts Heat Metal on the armor of the Serpent Warrior. 
(14 fire damage; CON Save DC 15 or must remove armor, if doesn't all attacks and ability checks are at Disadvantage; may be continued each turn using Bonus Action) 

She stays back from the serpent and pits, making sure to keep others between her and her target.  

(NOTE - Cast at 3rd Level) 

Having some trouble reloading, Cathbad manages to ready his crossbow, and laying it across his forearm for support he fires a bolt at the serpentfolk warrior.
Light Crossbow: 12 Piercing: 7