Barty's "Lost Mine of Phandelver"

((OOC: What level of exhaustion we are taking about here? :) ))

OOC: You're not certain, but Nemean and Roland probably have an idea of how long Nundro has been here without food or water.

Ah, so ye know about Tharden then. I'd've told ye later, but as well ye know if yer gonna stay. Would've been a shame to leave 'is boots, but I ken they're yours now. You can 'ave me 'andaxes fer now, but yer likely t' find something more to yer likin' around 'ere.

As well as the boots, Thulgrim offers Nundro two handaxes and the rest of his waterskin. 

Nemean let out a laugh, “.Imprisoned here by the Black Spider for two ten days and he’s looking to fight?! HA! This one truly is a Rockseeker, eh?” He chuckled as he watches the dwarf slowly spring back to life as he benefits from the party’s healing. 

“Where to next? Shall we try to enter the barricaded room from the west side?”

Finna worked with enough dwarves before to understand where Nundro's stubbornness came from, but in this case she had to at least try: "Nundro, if you truly want to help you need to recover first. Take it from someone who knows a bit about healing. Let us finish what we started and wait with the folks in the wagon. That wagon needs protection too, by the way, it's not like you will be useless in there. Truly, there is no need for heroic overcomes, we can manage."

She was not absolutely sure about it (that they will manage) but so far they survived, yet, loosing Nundro in a fight even she would consider a bad omen. 

Finna Persuasion: 13

Nundro waves Thulgrim away. "Nay, 'is boots are better left with ye. Were it not for ye I'd be as good as dead. Ye've earned 'em. I'll take yer axes though," he says, and nods to Finna, "And yer offer. I'm with ye 'til we get to the wagon, then."

He looks again at Thulgrim, staring hard at his clansman. "But ye'd better rid this place o' the nasties, and I'd better be seein' it again with me own eyes afore I'm dead."

OOC: Where to next?

I went to remove Thulgrim's rations but it looks like that's already been done. Only 1 day of rations were needed, in case there were any more than that.

"Dwarves are truly incredible in their resolve. Shall we check out the eastern wing? There may yet be something to revenge yourself on in this cave." Roland chimes.

Thulgrim gives Nundro a hearty slap on the back as they share their gear, and then turns to the others. I'm with Nemean. I'd rather we checked tha' locked room afore we go further east. Don't want no beasties creepin' up on us from be'ind.

(Yes, I removed 1 day of rations for that purpose.)

“Lets make sure we clear the locked room, and the area to our south. Then we can make our way over to the the northeast corner of the cave and explore the eastern wing from north to south.” Nemean draws a crude map in the dirt with his Scimitar as he speaks, slashing lightly as he crosses out the various sections.

Thulgrim is having trouble keeping his voice down at this point, despite the reminder looks from Roland and Nemean, as he chats animatedly to Nundro about recent events.

Since Nundro agreed to return to the wagons, Finna did not see much need to clean up something right away, but others suddenly decided to push further. "We can check that room on the way out - I mean, out now, to bring Nundro to the wagon. Then we can return and finish the east side. Though, I would bring Nandro back first and then clean up the rest of the rooms here and the east wing - the man is standing only on his own stubborness."

"Don't underestimate the strength of a dwarf, lass," Nundro rasps. He takes a couple practice swings with Thulgrim's axes for good measure, and it soon comes to light that he was telling the truth; he's no fighter. His heavy breathing betrays the extent of his exhaustion. "Say, ye...ye got any more o' that water?" he asks.

OOC: We've had a few different ideas tossed around. Once the first one is confirmed, I can advance.

Roland offers a waterskin to Nundro. "I think checking the room on the way to the wagon sounds good." he says to Finna in agreement.

(I think the consensus is the barricaded room from the west side.)

As the party cross the main room and ascend the steps on the south-west side, Thulgrim has a look down the west-bound corridor before turning south...

(just to clear out that black patch under the throne room - hopefully

OOC: Cool, that's what it seemed like, but wanted to make sure that was the case since Roland had suggested east.

With Nundro in tow, you return to the large cavern to the east. As you cross the stream that tumbles into the rift below, you see that it exits from a small passage, no more than 4 feet high. Ascending the southern set of steps, Thulgrim peers down the corridor, noting that the tunnel ends in a partially excavated rock face, but turns to the right shortly before that end. A short distance to the south, down another set of stairs, you reach an intersection.

Ahead of you, the corridor ends in another unfinished rock face. To the west, a fishy odor wafts your way from a still pool of dark water that fills a large cavern that Nemean and Roland have seen before. To the east, you see a closed stone door, set with iron handles and hinges.

Full Map:

OOC: We missed the spot!

Finna shared some water with the dwarf.

"Nundro, would you mind stay here by the stairs with me in case something is rushing from there the same time as from the door? Would hate to be surrounded."

Finna did not try to trick Nundro - not exactly. After all, there was a patrol not long ago, so the threat was real, though, hopefully the chances of it were slim. And she really would hate to loose someone they just saved.

OOC: Where did our fallen comrade go down in here? I'm a bit lost.

(I was thrown off by the dwarven accent at first, I thought that Nundro refused to head back to the wagon, but now I see he offered to head back instead of adventuring with us. May as well check out this room we’re right in front of first and then that last little space to our north, and then drop off the dwarf outside before tackling the east wing.)

Nemean grips his scimitars and waits by the door, ready to barge in.

(OOC: Not sure what our marching order is, but...)

Gripping his large axe is one hand, Thulgrim tries the door to see if this too is locked or barricaded. If so, he again attempt to open it by brute force...

Strength check: 18

(...and that's how it's done! DM, please don't tell me that it was unlocked anyway...)

OOC: Nimble fell in the tunnels in the southwest of the map.

And fortunately (but unfortunately) for Thulgrim...

Thulgrim steps to the door, preparing his shoulders for another assault on the wooden barricade. Assuming this side is also locked, he tries to open the door, and much to his chagrin (because boy, was he prepared to bash the door down this time), the door is unlocked, and swings open.

Old stone bunks line the walls of this barracks, which is lit and heated by a glowing iron brazier in the middle of the room.

Across the room is another door, this one blocked by a barricade made from the remains of a wooden table. Spread throughout the room are five hulking bugbears, who seem to be in the midst of a discussion, but are now looking your way.

A bugbear in the back halts the discussion with a single outstretched hand. He steps forward, shoulders stooped and back hunched with age, but he maintains a strength and fierceness that commands respect...and fear. For Nemean, it is like looking into the faces of his former companions. The bugbear looks past Thulgrim and locks eyes with the tabaxi. "Well, pup," he growls in Common, surprisingly well spoken for a bugbear, "Isn't this a surprise."

"That you're 'ere means Targor's dead. Might explain why his hobgoblins never arrived. Might explain why we ain't seen the Black Spider in days, too." King Grol, the fierce old bugbear who thwarted the Phandalin Four, smiles wide. "Looks like you brought some new friends; you'd best hope they hang around longer. I know not to leave you alive this time."

Behind him, the rest of the bugbears hold morningstars and shields at the ready.