With the passing of Klednir back to his plane, the rest of the party retreats south.  Nothing seems to follow you.

(What do you do now?)

Katerielle looks at the others for a moment. "Sorry I was insistent on leaving, but I remember a description of something similar to that thing. What I remember is basically the soul of a mage is magically tied to it and they usually go mad with time, but retain their spell ability. That means it could be much more powerful than us, especially going in without being prepared to take it on. For now though, how about we circle to the north. There seemed to be a hall going west so maybe a way to get back if needed."

Katerielle mentions to the group.

"You lead and I'll follow"

Unless someone objects Katerielle will have the group follow the north wall to the next opening to see what we see. If she is going to be up front with Elila, she puts away her bow and pulls out her shield and scimitar.

(Will update tonight if no one objects by then.)

(Map updated).

The party retreats and heads up the central northern path from the mead hall where they fought the ghouls.  They climb some stairs and find themselves to the west of the room with the Flameskull.  Further to the west, a door stands closed.

Katerielle will whisper to the group, "It looks like that skull is still floating around out there. Let's go west through that door and see if we can get further north. Maybe we can get to that water flow canal that looks dry and sneak past the skull in it."

(Who tries the door?)

Kit will try to listen through the door, then quietly check if its locked. 

7 Perception

Kitryn moves up to the door, placing her ear against it.  All Kitryn can hear is the maniacal laughter of the green flame skull in the room behind her.  Looking at the door itself, it doesn't appear to have a lock.

Elila will try to open the door and peek inside.

Perception 9

"It's a dor."

Elila saunters up to the door and tries to open it.  It doesn't.  Something on the other side is keeping it shut.

I'm sure everyone speaks toad and understands when Leek asks if anyone is strong enough to break through... For those who don't speak toad : "Croak croak croak croak croak?"

 "OK, we try it together!"

Making the presumption that we will help each other, we'd get STR roll with advantage, yes? Open door slam!

OOC: I'll let Leak make the roll because I'm rolling like trash.

(Yes, make a STR (Athletics) roll.  With advantage from the help someone else provides. IE: group check, 2 rolls.  1 with advantage or two separate)

Katerielle will assist someone, if she is needed, to give them advantage. Or you know simply some rousing encouragement. "Go, go, yeah, yeah, sis boom bah!" She will whisper.

Elila STR (Athletics) roll with help (advantage): 23

Elila stares down the door, flexes and with one massive full body kick, slams the door open, sending the junk used to barricade it from the other side flying across the room.

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.

Five bugbears lounge around in the room, surprised by the entrance of the party.

INITIATIVE (Bugbears are surprised):

• Elila: 21
• Katerielle: 15
• Kitryn: 3
• Leek: 6
• Rindelk: 9
• BB1: 20
• BB2: 12
• BB3: 14
• BB4: 11
• BB5: 7

Initiative order:

1. BB1: 21
2. Rindelk: 18
3. BB4: 18
4. Leek: 16
5. Elila: 16
6. Katerielle: 16
7. BB5: 8
8. BB3: 5
9. Kitryn: 3
10. BB2: 3

The bugbear on the far bed sits up and is surprised to see a large goliath Elila standing in the doorway.

(Bugbear 1 can't act during his turn due to surprise, but now that his turn has passed, he can now use a reaction.)

(Rindelk's turn)