Barty's "Lost Mine of Phandelver"

Cinis didn't say anything, though he longed to berate the half-orc for leaving them alone. He instead blamed himself for his failure to keep the team safe. 

There has to be something I can do to help more. To be stronger, to be... better.

Cinis' thoughts went that way for a while as he went about readying himself to leave the cave system.

Nemean gave a groggy groan and and stretched a bit. He was still fairly banged up after his fall, which unfortunately he could remember quite vividly. 

“Boy Sildar, you are sure lucky we came along and saved you from those goblins... What would you do have done without us, eh?” He chuckled a bit and then winced while clutching his side.

After a moment he then turned his head to the ground “Klarg got away... which means we are no closer to finding Gundren and no nothing of this Cragmaw Castle...” he lamented quietly.

"It was a daring rescue nonetheless", Sildar responds, "Certainly worthy of a reward. I have contacts in Phandalin...if we can make it there I can fill your pouches a bit, and if you'll humor me I would like to fill you in on what exactly is going on here. They were targeting Gundren, and I don't like the implications. His brothers were supposed to be meeting us in Phandalin as well and they may already be there."

"Let's head to Phandalin, then. How far is this cave from town?" Cinis said, focusing on reality once more, if only for a moment. 

I can't let them down again... We got lucky this time, we can't count on that to save us again.

"We were close to a day away when the goblins ambushed us." Sildar says.

OOC: If we're ready to travel, establish a marching order (front, back, and middle ranks). If traveling before Bob regains consciousness, someone will need to carry him.

"Let's rest a bit while Bob recovers. Looks like he took a pretty bad hit. We'll head out once he's on his feet." Cinis said. His commanding tone was back, but he was still uneasy. He left the others and went back to the room where they had first seen Klarg. He looked around for anything of value before sitting and taking a rest.

Perception: 15

Short Rest: 8

Argos leans back against the cave wall, sips on his waterskin, and takes a short rest.

Hit Die: 13

OOC: Awesome, back to full health. That's probably the most useful hit die roll I've ever made.

Nemean rests and licks his wounds. 

Hit Die: 5

"Sildar, I still don't understand... why would Klarg be targeting our poor friend Gundren? What is it that's going on in  Phandalin anyway? Are his brothers in danger... Are WE in danger?"

Tarok takes a draft from his waterskin and tries to recover from his chase.

Hit Die: 12

Klarg's room is a wreck when Cinis returns to it. The supply crates in the southern end of the room have disintegrated from the flames, leaving behind nothing but ash. Goblin and wolf blood stains the cavern floor where the corpses lie. There is nothing of use where the supplies used to be, but tucked in the northeast corner is a treasure chest.

During a short rest, Bob awakes. "Welcome back to the land of the living", Sildar says.

In response to Nemean's question, he says "We are all in danger if we don't find Gundren and his map. Someone in Phandalin may know where Cragmaw Castle is. I can fill you in more along the way. Are we ready to go?"

OOC: Wow, 3 max hit dice, nice rolling!

Cinis surveyed the destruction and made his way over to the treasure chest and inspected it for traps. 

Investigation: 21

If he finds no traps, he will open it to see what is inside.

(Ooc: where are those rolls when we're in combat? )

OOC: Lol no kidding.

The chest is untrapped and unlocked, and contains a large amount of coins, some potions, and a jade statuette of a frog with tiny golden orbs for eyes.

600x - Copper Pieces
110x - Silver Pieces
2x - Potion of Healing
1x - Jade Statuette

OOC: All have received 120 cp and 22 sp. The potions and statuette are up to you.

"I'd like me one of those healing potions, if nobody else objects."

Argos grabs one of the healing potions, questioning the others rather they object to him taking it or not.

Cinis was transfixed by the jade statuette. 

"I'm just gon..." He began, grabbing the statue and trailing off as he walked away with it. 

"Welp, if we're all done looting, we should probably head out. Everyone ready to move?"

Argos heads to the exit of the cave, waiting for the others to follow. When everyone is ready, Argos will take the lead back to the main road (unless someone else wants to, then Argos will take the 2nd place in marching order).

OOC: There is still 1 Potion of Healing up for grabs.

With everyone rested and conscious, the journey to Phandalin begins, Argos leading the way. All is silent along the goblin trail, with no further signs of the cave's inhabitants. When you reach the Triboar Trail, the wagon is undisturbed, although the oxen are a bit restless. 

OOC: Exploring the Cragmaw hideout and defeating Klarg and his allies completes the second story milestone. Each character has received 275 XP, which is enough for all to reach level 2. Check your character sheets and Manage Levels to receive your level 2 benefits, then add the following rolls to "Rolled HP". The character sheets should automatically add CON modifiers to the health rolls.

Argos: 6
Bob: 1
Cinis: 2
Nemean: 10
Tarok: 2

Great work so far everyone, let's keep going strong. There is around a day's worth of travel to reach Phandalin (it is late afternoon currently). Take the next 24 hours for some free roleplaying, ask questions of each other and of Sildar, and talk about your new abilities if you'd like. Lastly, determine the marching order; sounds like Argos is leading the way, which means we still need a middle rank, back rank, and one or two driving the wagon.

 Before we leave, Argos grabs the extra health potion that nobody else seems to want. As we walk, Argos feels himself making a connection with nature, and suddenly he feels better and even feels the flow of magic through him.

OOC: I wanted to take the average hit points instead of rolling, but I guess you already rolled for me so whatever.

Cinis left the cave a little shaken. He still clutched the jade statuette in his hands, but his eyes were haunted and he looked... guilty. 

What have I done? It will help. I'm sure of it.

Cinis exited the cave and followed behind the rest of the group, occasionally staring at the statuette in his hand.

OOC: Sorry 'bout those low rolls friends. I have a vendetta against fixed amounts - not enough variety in 'em. Here's hoping we see some green at level 3.

Quote from BartyMcDougal >>

OOC: Sorry 'bout those low rolls friends. I have a vendetta against fixed amounts - not enough variety in 'em. Here's hoping we see some green at level 3.