"I hate parasites" Roland calls through gritted teeth. He lashes out with his rapier and short sword, trying to catch one of the flying pests.

Attack: 10 Damage: 8

Bonus Attack: 27 Damage: 7

Nemean cries out a high pitcher howl as he lunges forward with his shiny new scimitars.

Scimitar Attack 1: 11 Damage: 7

Scimitar Attack 2: 12 Damage: 7

Greataxe vs. Stirge: 23 Damage: 15

Blood Drain vs. Nemean: 13 Damage: 7
Roland HP Loss: 4

Thanks to Finna, old wounds heal as Roland's blood begins to drain, and the rogue returns the favor by skewering the nearby stirge attempting to lodge into her. Thulgrim cleaves the stirge pestering him, but Nemean's opponent flits tantalizingly away from his blades before burying its nose into his collabone.

Round 2 Order:
Stirges
Players <=====

Placement:
Two stirges remain.
One stirge is attached to Nemean.
One stirge is attached to Roland.

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

< oops, target no longer valid >

(OOC: All good, happy for Thulgrim to be auto-piloted from now. Peace out!)

Finna will test new scimitar: Attack: 10 Damage: 10

Nemean will run up next to Roland and use his free arm to attack the stirge attached to him. He will then position himself so Roland can more easily strike the stirge attached to him.

 25 Damage: 7

Roland nods to Finna and Nemean. "My thanks, comrades." He then attacks the Stirge with his blades.

Attack: 27 Damage: 11

Bonus Attack: 14 Damage: 6

Sneak Attack: 10

OOC: Thanks again, Zorg, it was great to have you aboard! Feel free to pop back in for any final comments with Nundro once the party is out of the mine, but if not, then Thulgrim will be safely left behind to guard it.

Nemean easily tears through the stirge flapping about Roland's person, but as he turns to allow the rogue a clear view of his own attached predator, Finna runs her scimitar through its neck, dropping its torso to the ground and leaving its head still stuck to him.

The temporary exertion ended, the party can see the final obstacle to departing the mine before them, gazing into the ropes in the lower tunnel that will take them back to the entrance discovered by the Rockseeker brothers.

OOC: Each character has received 25 XP for defeating the stirges.

Nemean examines the wound where the stirge had bitten him, and licks the blood from his fur. He steels himself and begins to scale the final obstacle to exit the mines. “Onward to Phandalin!” He cried out once he reached the surface and saw the wagon and their comrades.

Past a simple rope climb and dusty mining equipment, the party steps out into the evening light. The sounds of Nundro's snoring can be heard from well within the entrance. The exhausted dwarf wakes with a snort and a huff, but he is tempered by Thulgrim's statement. "Ye keep yer eyes open for invisible beasties now, ye hear? I'll tell Gundren the mine's in good hands for now, and we'll be gettin' some more folks over here in a hurry, I promise ye." He clutches hands with his clansman for a moment before resting his head on his hands and refreshing his snoring state.

"Masters!" Droop shouts. The goblin grabs the reins of the wagon with a fervor, asking, "Droop can drive? We go now?"

Tochi steps forward to clasp your hands as well. "As my former master used to say, a fish that swims upstream must reach the end, else it be washed back to its former place. Has the mine truly been freed of its dangers?" he asks.

“Yes Tochi!” Proclaimed Nemean proudly, “Wave have restored the mines to the watchful stewardship of the Rockseekers clan. Let us return to Phandalin to Sildar and that scum the black spider. We can finally reunited Gundren and Nundro. Ah, but sadly we cannot linger in that lovely town for long... our services are needed elsewhere, right Finna?” Nemean was full of excitement as they rode back to Phandalin, but he soon tuckered out and curled up into a ball in the bag of the wagon as Droop piloted the wagon.

"Yes," nodded Finna, "Reidoth is waiting. There were no messages, though. My guess is the dragon is still in place, but we must hurry."

DM Screen:

The wagon rolls throughout the foothills, leaving the darkened tunnels of Wave Echo Cave behind. The snoring of Nundro Rockseeker keeps the party alert and awake throughout the evening, and the rough frontier town of Phandalin comes into view, the torchlight from the clustered houses lighting the way in the darkness of the night.

Phandalin Known Locations:
Stonehill Inn (Inn/Tavern)
Barthen's Provisions (Adventuring Gear)
Edermath Orchard
Lionshield Coster (Weapons/Armor)
Phandalin Miner's Exchange
Alderleaf Farm
Shrine of Luck
The Sleeping Giant (Tavern)
Townmaster's Hall
Tresendar Manor

Nemean suggests that they first make their way to check in with Sildar at the Townmasters Hall, and then make their way to Stonehill tavern, to reunite the Rockseekers and enjoy a hot meal and a soft bed.

Finna agreed - if for whatever reason Reidoth did not want to send message to the mines, he could leave some here in town, and most likely in those two places.

The Townmaster's Hall is dark inside, but the soft glow of a candle seeps through the windows when the wagon rolls up to the small building. A tired and haggard looking Sildar Hallwinter answers the door. The human's wide smile contradicts his wild stubble and bagged eyes.

"Everyone, good to see you back safely," he comments, gazing upon the party. "Where is Thul--" he starts to ask, but assuming that Nundro's loud snoring is the other Rockseeker clan member, he waves the rest of you inside.

"Tell me then, how went your second excursion?" he asks.

OOC: Ready to advance once a response or action is posted.

"A great success old friend!" Nemean warmly greets Sildar, and pas him on the back. "We have found and returned Nundro Rockseeker and can reunite him and Gundren. The mines are now cleared of all the undead and the remaining thugs of the Black Spider. There was also an eyeball monster guarding the Forge of Spells which we dispatched with, and the forge itself is as real and powerful as the tales suggest. Look! These are the same blades I wielded by your side, see how they shimmer now with magical power! They were enhanced by forge. The Rockseekers can now take stewardship of the mine, it is a proud day for Phandalin!" He pauses for a moment as his excitement diminishes a bit, "How are things here? Has the Alliance come to claim their prisoner? He hasn't been giving you any trouble has he? And I trust Harbin has been staying out of your hair?"

"You found Nundro!" Sildar exclaims, his excitement quickly tampered by the realization that Nemean's use of the word "reunited" could mean two very different things. "Did he meet the same fate as Tharden, then? Or is he alive and well?"

The human warrior listens intently to the explanation of the Forge of Spells, but casts a curious eye over Nemean's blades. Unfortunately, it appears the lingering magic of the Forge is only temporary, as their magical sheen has worn down to their previous state.

"Things here have gotten interesting. Gundren will be thrilled to hear of your success. I have been here all hours of the day awaiting the Lords' Alliance. When I manage a few hours of sleep, it is in front of the door to the cellar, and with an alarm attached. Our friend the Black Spider remains below. He talks a lot for a man that will spend the rest of his life in prison, but has spoken little of value. Speaking of which, Harbin stays out of my hair for the most part. He wants nothing to do with dangerous work," Sildar explains.

"As for the Lords' Alliance, they sent a party from Neverwinter to travel quickly and light. They...arrived...but met with complications. You will want to speak with Nix at the Stonehill Inn," he nods to Finna as he finishes.

"Do hope this "complications" have nothing to do with the dragon," answered Finna without a hint of hope in her voice, though. "Thank you for the news, we shall be going then. It might be urgent."