Barty's "Lost Mine of Phandelver"

Thulgrim has never been one to back down from a fight, but he knows he isn't at his fighting best, and doesn't want to jeopardise the others by rushing unprepared into battle. He looks at Nemean for confirmation as he prepares to throw a handaxe...

(OOC: DM, can we get a ruling on whether we can get benefit of short rest and use Hit Dice? Decision here depends on whether Thulgrim is on 8 HP or not)

Actually, Finna was with them - but she had to take time for transformation, because in her human form she was blind in dark tunnels of the dungeon. Giant Wolf Spider-Finna was following the group by the ceiling (she become quite accustomed to it).

Roland follows, trying to keep well hidden behind cover and shadows.

Stealth: 27

OOC: Yeah, can I roll hit dice for the rest? 4hp won't take me far.

Stealth: 3 (in case we do decide to attack. I think if we are still on our current health I'll suggest going back inside and closing the door)

OOC: I've never had that question come up before, but it looks like short and long rests are meant to be mutually exclusive in 5E for balancing purposes. I found this tweet in Sage Advice that confirms that, so unfortunately Thulgrim and Roland are still pretty beat up. 

I'll give some more time for Nemean's input and for the group to quickly discuss now that we know where HP stands.

OOC: Does not sound very logical, but if they say so, guess so be it. Then Finna would be very much against anyone going after bugbears in the first place.

OOC: Maybe we should get in the habit of taking a short rest immediately before each long rest. :D Would be particularly good for Nemean. Two bugbears doesn't sound like much, but they can dish out some damage. Unless anyone is really confident, I'd probably suggest we finish our long rest.

OOC: You actually did kind of do that implicitly. Because it wasn't quite nighttime yet, you were waiting in the storeroom for a few hours for night to fall and sleep to take you, so I'm okay with saying that constitutes a short rest even though it wasn't explicit. If anyone would like to roll their hit dice, they may do so. Once those rolls are in, we'll continue.

Sweet. I can't remember what HP I was on, but I think it was about 8. Correct me if you know otherwise.

Hit Dice rolls, starting from 8 HP

Roll #1: 9  =15. Not enough yet.
Roll #2: 9  =27. Not bad, but go one more.
Roll #3: 15  =37. That should be ok

Assuming we go ahead with combat, here's an initiative roll: 17

Nemean holds up his finger to his lips at Thulgrim, and nods at Roland, encouraging him to take the first strike, as soon as Roland makes his attack, Nemean prepares to charge in and pounce upon his prey. His body goes still except for an occasional twitch of his tail as he stands with his companions ready to strike. 

Hit Die 1: 3

Hit Die 2: 8

OOC: Short rest definitely goes a long way for Nemean, he can go for quite some time without a long rest if I play my cards right. 

So, I definitely think we can take down two bugbears before a long rest, especially if we have the jump on them. Not sure how to best take advantage of Roland's abilities, but I figure Nemean would know it makes sense to let the Assassin strike first. 

OOC: Much appreciated. Am I close enough to strike the bugbears?

Hit Die 1: 3

Hit Die 2: 3

Hit Die 3: 8

 Roland returns Nemean's nod, drawing his rapier and short sword he creeps through the shadows, darting between pillars as he closes in on the bugbears.

Spider-Finna Health: 16

Initiative:

Round 1 Order:
Bugbears (surprised)
Players <=====

Placement:
Roland is approaching the bugbears.
The rest of the party is 50 feet away from the bugbears.

OOC: Roland's first strike will be at advantage (and an auto-crit) because the bugbears are unaware of the party's presence, and he is striking first.

Finna moves (on the ceiling) after Roland to be ready to jump on the target at the first opportunity.

Roland jumps out from behind a pillar, both blades in hand he stabs viciously at the nearest bugbear.

Attack: 25 Damage: 7

Attack: 19 Damage: 4

Sneak Attack: 6

Thulgrim draw a second handaxe. He will approach the bugbears (30') and throw both (range 20'), but only if it doesn't ruin Roland's surprise attack.

Handaxe #1: Attack: 10 Damage: 6
Handaxe #2: Attack: 8 Damage: 5

Nemean rushes to close distance with the bugbears and unleashes a flurry of cuts.

Attack: 26 Damage: 8

Attack: 20 Damage: 8

OOC: Thanks to Roland's "Assassinate" feature, since the bugbears are surprised his hit is an automatic critical. His attack that hits deals an extra 1 damage and an extra 8 damage for sneak attack.

Assuming a bite attack for Spider-Finna.

DM Screen:

Bite vs. Bugbear: 18

Morningstar vs. Roland: 13
Morningstar vs. Nemean: 17

Roland's steps are silent despite the speed at which he moves, and in a few short strides he is right behind a bugbear, jamming his swords toward its back. The first cut is stopped by the hide armor worn by the creature, but the second slips into its hip as it feels his presence. With a roar of surprise, it takes a massive swing with its morningstar that the rogue easily dips beneath.

Nemean and Finna are on the second bugbear before it can react: Finna drops from the ceiling, rolling off of the bugbear to cut off its path. While it backs away from her, Nemean slices twice through its armor, drawing blood before leaping back on his toes to avoid the range of a downward swing.

Thulgrim's handaxes miss their mark, falling between the pair and skidding to a halt ten feet past them.

Round 2 Order:
Bugbears
Players <=====

Placement:
Roland is engaged in melee combat with one bugbear.
Finna and Nemean are engaged in melee combat with the other bugbear.
Thulgrim is 20 feet away.

Tracking:
Nemean is lightly wounded.
Roland is lightly wounded.
Thulgrim is lightly wounded.

Both bugbears are wounded.

Thulgrim has thrown 2 handaxes.

Grunting in frustration at missing with both axes, and determined to fulfill his blood oath on these arrogant goblinoids that dare infest his people's mine, Thulgrim hefts his greataxe and charges down the corridor. Using his boots to leap as high as the ceiling will allow, he brings his heavy blade down on the largest bugbear he can see, not saving any energy or balance for subsequent defense...

Reckless Attack: 25 Damage: 12

(oops - forgot advantage for Reckless Attack) 26

OOC: It will be ironic if these bugbears get killed without Thulgrim even getting a hit in. He might have to still go hungry... LOL

OOC: Am I adjacent to my comrades, or am I in a position to perform an acrobatic tumble in order to get to what Roland would understand is an advantageous fighting position?