OOC: Free everyone and run back west, and take either the north or south route (hoping that it flanks around the east way we just took)?  Sounds good to me.

Quote from Ceekay77 >>

Quote from o_Merlin_o >>

OOC: how big/heavy are these cages?  Could we theoretically tip them over and/or shove them aside?  Or, is the only way out of them….through them?

Shrek’s starting to rage a little bit, but works to calm himself down before he goes all out in barbarian rage mode uselessly. Once cool, calm, and collected, he attempts to pry the cage bars apart again-

Athletics w/Olaery’s help: 19

 

They are pretty heavy, but with a decent effort you lift one up high enough for someone to get out. If you want, place a few rolls (5) in a row to attempt it. I'll give advantage based on Fr'reona pushing up as 'help'

Shrek rampages and quickly attempts to lift up the cages to get everyone out and to the safety, heading back west out of this trapped area:

• Attempt 1: 22
• Attempt 2: 18
• Attempt 3: 21
• Attempt 4: 16
• Attempt 5: 11

“To the west, quickly!”  Olaerys leads them back the way they came once they are free, looking back over his shoulder frequently.  

Battered by his near-miss with the cage, Melchor nods his thanks to Shrek and Olaerys for freeing him. ‘Thank you. I see we need to be more careful in here.’ he says as he stumbles along the corridor. ‘I think we need to expect incoming enemies…’

He looks for an out of the way perch for Glimmer to watch the doorway behind them…

 Perception: 15

Shrek rampages through the cages, freeing everyone. Back at the fork, you can go south, or north. Glimmer is able to find a nook in the ceiling to hide and watch. She communicates to you that it smells really foul to the south.

Swamp dweller Shrek appears to be sniffing the air to the south, when a warm smile appears on his face. “Smells like home!” he whispers to the gathered group.

“Which way we go?”

Shrek cups his hand around an ear and animatedly listens down both the north and southern routes, attempting to see if he can hear any approaching footsteps (of the expected incoming enemies that Melchor mentioned).

Perception: 7

Shrek doesn't hear anything

Olaerys says, "Let's go north, follow me!"  He heads north but moving a little slower now, looking for traps, examining the floor and the walls as he goes.  

Perception :  19 

As you go north the tunnel turns and opens into a larger room. Approaching it, you hear squeaking sounds and smell what you can only describe as death

OOC: Sounds like we just hit the cultists “experimentation” chamber!

Shrek cautiously pokes his head around Olaerys (whom he has been following), and then whispers into his ear “Should we jump into room to surprise bad guys?”

Olaerys turns around and looks at Shrek, gives him a thumbs up.  He looks around the room as it opens to see what is visible, what could be causing the odor.

As you enter the room, you see 5 giant rats feasting away on a pile of rotting corpses

“Just say the word and we can head in there and clear them out” Randall whispers.

Olaerys nods and says "Let's go!"  He readies his battle axe and prepares to get down to business.

Shrek readies his halberd, and jumps out into the room and makes for the closest rat he can see.

OOC: Surprise round?  If so, here's my attack.  If not, next round!

Attack: 16 Damage: 8

OOC: Ya, I'll grant a surprise round.

The tunnel opens into a square room that reeks of decaying flesh. Three human corpses, reduced to little more than bloody bone and sinew, are sprawled in the room’s center. Five oversized rats root among the bodies, stopping to chew flesh they’ve pulled free. 

Too occupied with their meal, they don't notice the 'intruders'. Shrek swings hard and cleaves one in half, killing it outright.

Olaerys slices at a rat with his battle axe -

Attack: 14 Damage: 6 

Randall moves into the room, avoiding the flashing blades of Olaerys and Shrek.  Still needing light to see, he spends his surprise round setting his lantern down in a corner (where it hopefully won't be disturbed) and then drawing his spear, ready to attack next round. 

If any rats go before him in initiative, and attack either Olaerys or Shrek, Randall will use his protection fighting style to try to deflect the attack with his shield, imposing disadvantage on the first attack against one of his allies within five feet.

The 2nd rat is staggered by Olaerys blow, but remains up. 

Initiative (post Melchor):

Rats: 16

Melchor: 5

Shrek: 7

Olaerys: 18

Randall: 12

Olaerys takes a second swing at the rat he hit earlier, attempting to put him down.  "Disgusting!"

Battle axe :  Attack: 18 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.