Ruven stares down the bugbear as it passes by, emotionless, mainly focusing on the lizard and preparing to cast a spell through it if necessary. Once the bugbear is out of sight, he slides his weapon out and has it at the ready as well, holding it behind his leg, eyes closed, listening through the lizard's senses.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Ready to DM and chew bubblegum. And I'm alllll outta bubblegum.
Kellen Rivian(Level 12 Lore Bard)- Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8)
Ruven Gilrel (Level 4 Bladesinger)- The Shattered Obelisk
Jurgen dimly sees the bugbear vanish through the double doors to the west.
Boona edges north to the edge of the stream. She can see where the water tumbles into the rift and flows north. She also gets a glimpse of worked stone to the north. (A wall?) The rocks below are a jumble of broken debris, as if the floor of this cavern had collapsed long ago.
"Rumkk is getting The Spider, yes. Nezznar is the Spider,” explains the drow. "But you are misrepresenting yourselves, I think. You are not here on your own accord. You have an employer. But perhaps you might find Nezznar's terms a little sweeter? But I won't speak for him. He'll be here shortly, I expect. He'll have questions for you, and perhaps some answers as well. Be patient."
I’m curious. What makes you think that I’m not here by choice? I’ve lived my life with purpose and intent. Trust me when I say that I am here by choice.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
Quinn wipes the smirk off of his face, locks eyes with the drow and he slowly walks 10 ft towards the drow.
”To be quite honest, this is rather personal. We’ve lost a few friends on our journey. But, not quite as many the lot of you. I’ve lost track of how many of you folk that we’ve put down.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
“It seems that I must deal with you myself," rings out a voice from the north, on the other side of the stream. "A pity it must end this way.” You see nothing but shadows.
"I am Nezznar the Spider. I am curious about you, though. What are your allegiances? What are your interests and goals? Tell me more and perhaps we can come to terms."
Bryony turns toward the direction of the voice, squinting at the shadows to try and make anything out.
"We're friends of Gundren Rockseeker," Bryony says, somewhat of a defiant tone creeping into her voice. "Our allegiance is to the town of Phandalin. It's my home."
The drow nods knowingly at Bryony. One of the bugbear guards nods a subtle yes to Boona.
Boona steps into the edge of the stream, squinting northward. She feels like she should be able to see the source of the voice. Either it's invisible, or it can throw its voice, she concludes.
Bryony sees nothing as she makes her declaration.
The new bugbears cross the intersection, again staring sourly at the back of your party.
"Thank you. That's very helpful," replies the voice. "Phandalin is quite a promising town."
The voice continues in Goblin. For those of you speak Goblin:
Okay - go ahead and kill them now. Maybe keep the giantess - she looks useful.
A reminder of Initiative, should a fight break out...:
Vhalak cooly walks up to Bryony and Quinn, his eyes fixed on Quinn. "Goodbye, Rockseeker goon." Then he swings his thin fists, twice, at Quinn's head, ignoring Bryony. Vhalak: Slam Attack #1 vs. Quinn: 20. Hit: 9 bludgeoning damage. Vhalak: Slam Attack #2 vs. Quinn: 21. Hit: 9 bludgeoning damage.
Then a second drow appears suddenly in the shadows across the noisy stream – a drow dressed in black leather armor and robes. He clutches a black staff with a carved spider at the top, which he now points at Boona.
"You look strong," observes Nezznar. "Why don't you stay put."
A mass of thick, sticky webbing blasts out of the end of the staff, filling the section of the cave where Boona stands with adhesive goo. Boona: Make a DC 15 Dex Save to try to dodge it.
Bryony, Quinn, and Ruven may all act. (And Boona should make that save.)
(Absolutely!)
"Why would you think we're working for anybody?" Bryony asks. "What does the Spider want anyway? Who does the Spider work for?"
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf - Lvl. 4 Halfling Rogue (The Shattered Obelisk) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan - Lvl. 10 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick - Lvl. 4 Aasimar Paladin (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Selene Albion - Lvl. 12 Human Ranger (In-Person Homebrew Campaign) ♦ Phaerdra Tor'viir - Lvl. 3 Drow Wizard (Exandria Sandbox Campaign)
Ruven stares down the bugbear as it passes by, emotionless, mainly focusing on the lizard and preparing to cast a spell through it if necessary. Once the bugbear is out of sight, he slides his weapon out and has it at the ready as well, holding it behind his leg, eyes closed, listening through the lizard's senses.
Ready to DM and chew bubblegum. And I'm alllll outta bubblegum.
Kellen Rivian (Level 12 Lore Bard)- Ghosts of Saltmarsh (cbaer8)
Ruven Gilrel (Level 4 Bladesinger)- The Shattered Obelisk
Jurgen dimly sees the bugbear vanish through the double doors to the west.
Boona edges north to the edge of the stream. She can see where the water tumbles into the rift and flows north. She also gets a glimpse of worked stone to the north. (A wall?) The rocks below are a jumble of broken debris, as if the floor of this cavern had collapsed long ago.
"Rumkk is getting The Spider, yes. Nezznar is the Spider,” explains the drow. "But you are misrepresenting yourselves, I think. You are not here on your own accord. You have an employer. But perhaps you might find Nezznar's terms a little sweeter? But I won't speak for him. He'll be here shortly, I expect. He'll have questions for you, and perhaps some answers as well. Be patient."
Boona dug into her pouches and pulled out some salt pork ration offering it to the bugbear, " What you got? Swap?"
Bugbear #2 stares back at Boona silently, squinting at her curiously. It doesn't answer her question.
Bugbear #1 reappears down the hall to the west, accompanied by two more bugbears.
"You, human," says the drow to Quinn. "What is your name? I am Vhalak. I sense you are not a cavern-dweller by choice."
Quinn stands after tending to his wounds.
“My name is Quinn.
I’m curious. What makes you think that I’m not here by choice? I’ve lived my life with purpose and intent. Trust me when I say that I am here by choice.”
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
"No, you're no slave, no. You may choose your employers, but you choose nonetheless..."
One of the approaching bugbears holds up a finger to Vhalak, then grunts (in Goblin):
(For those of you who understand Goblin:)
"He comes soon."
"The Spider will be here momentarily," adds Vhalak. "How much are you being paid, may I ask?"
Quinn tilts his head and smirks at Vhalak.
“Of course you may ask. But I’d rather not say.”
Quinn wipes the smirk off of his face, locks eyes with the drow and he slowly walks 10 ft towards the drow.
”To be quite honest, this is rather personal. We’ve lost a few friends on our journey. But, not quite as many the lot of you. I’ve lost track of how many of you folk that we’ve put down.”
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
History check: 11
Does the name Nezznar sounds familiar? Specifically wondering if Quinn can determine the racial origin of the name.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
"Nezznar" doesn't ring any bells for Quinn.
“It seems that I must deal with you myself," rings out a voice from the north, on the other side of the stream. "A pity it must end this way.” You see nothing but shadows.
"I am Nezznar the Spider. I am curious about you, though. What are your allegiances? What are your interests and goals? Tell me more and perhaps we can come to terms."
Boona squints towards the entrance putting the rations away then turns to the taciturn bugbears, " Bosses Boss?"
She doesn't really expect an answer and steps in between the two bugbears as she tries to make out who is at the door.
Bryony turns toward the direction of the voice, squinting at the shadows to try and make anything out.
"We're friends of Gundren Rockseeker," Bryony says, somewhat of a defiant tone creeping into her voice. "Our allegiance is to the town of Phandalin. It's my home."
Perception - 6 :(
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf - Lvl. 4 Halfling Rogue (The Shattered Obelisk) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan - Lvl. 10 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick - Lvl. 4 Aasimar Paladin (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Selene Albion - Lvl. 12 Human Ranger (In-Person Homebrew Campaign) ♦ Phaerdra Tor'viir - Lvl. 3 Drow Wizard (Exandria Sandbox Campaign)
The drow nods knowingly at Bryony. One of the bugbear guards nods a subtle yes to Boona.
Boona steps into the edge of the stream, squinting northward. She feels like she should be able to see the source of the voice. Either it's invisible, or it can throw its voice, she concludes.
Bryony sees nothing as she makes her declaration.
The new bugbears cross the intersection, again staring sourly at the back of your party.
"Thank you. That's very helpful," replies the voice. "Phandalin is quite a promising town."
The voice continues in Goblin. For those of you speak Goblin:
Okay - go ahead and kill them now. Maybe keep the giantess - she looks useful.
A reminder of Initiative, should a fight break out...:
Jurgen 23
Boona 18
Bugbears 18
Bryony 11
Drow 10
Nezznar: 8
Quinn 6
Ruven 4
What would Jurgen and Boona like to do?
Jurgen has been watching, quietly, from the side, not wanting to disrupt or take 'the plan' off course. He is ready to act as needed.
D&D since 1984
( As Boona has no idea what the Drow said she will simply remain where she is.)
The bugbears jump into action, beginning a systematic execution of these intruders.
Bugbears #1 and #5 assault Jurgen with their oversized morningstars:

Bugbear #1: Morningstar Attack vs. Jurgen: 21. Hit: 13 piercing damage.
Bugbear #5: Morningstar Attack vs. Jurgen: 22. Hit: 12 piercing damage.
Another attacks Draco:
Bugbear #6: Morningstar Attack vs. Draco: Unable to parse dice roll.. Hit: 18 piercing damage.
#2 goes after Bryony:
Bugbear #2: Morningstar Attack vs. Bryony: 11. Hit: 14 piercing damage.
#3 goes after Quinn:
Bugbear #1: Morningstar Attack vs. Quinn: 7. Hit: 6 piercing damage.
#4 holds its Morningstar ready to strike Boona if she tries anything. "Don't move," it growls.
Bugbear #4 action: Ready.
Bryony may act next!
Vhalak cooly walks up to Bryony and Quinn, his eyes fixed on Quinn.
"Goodbye, Rockseeker goon." Then he swings his thin fists, twice, at Quinn's head, ignoring Bryony.
Vhalak: Slam Attack #1 vs. Quinn: 20. Hit: 9 bludgeoning damage.
Vhalak: Slam Attack #2 vs. Quinn: 21. Hit: 9 bludgeoning damage.
Then a second drow appears suddenly in the shadows across the noisy stream – a drow dressed in black leather armor and robes. He clutches a black staff with a carved spider at the top, which he now points at Boona.
"You look strong," observes Nezznar. "Why don't you stay put."
A mass of thick, sticky webbing blasts out of the end of the staff, filling the section of the cave where Boona stands with adhesive goo.
Boona: Make a DC 15 Dex Save to try to dodge it.
Bryony, Quinn, and Ruven may all act. (And Boona should make that save.)
Boona Dex Save- 7