The halfling's aim turns out to be good and the arrow penetrates the hide armor, inflicting a slight wound, which however bleeds.
Finally Lola arrives, with her Greataxe raised as if it were an oversized butcher's cleaver, and lowers it suddenly in a powerful slash towards the cruel boss.
Stunned by the previous storm of blows, the bugbear opens his eyes wide as if paralyzed as the heavy blade of the mulatto warrior descends on him and hits him full on! The armor tears, as does the flesh underneath, while some bones in the ribcage break...
The leader spits blood, miraculously still alive, but by now it shouldn't take much to finish him off!
With the bugbear reeling from the combined assault of his companions, Aeleth recognizes the opportunity to end the battle swiftly. He decides to unleash another Fire Bolt, hoping to capitalize on the bugbear's weakened state and secure their victory.
Aeleth focuses his arcane energy once more, channeling it into a fiery projectile that streaks towards the bugbear. The bugbear, still disoriented from the previous attack, struggles to evade the incoming bolt.
(Fire Bolt Attack Roll: 1d20+6 = 17)
The Fire Bolt strikes the bugbear with unerring accuracy, its searing heat penetrating the bugbear's defenses. The impact sends the bugbear sprawling to the ground, his body convulsing in pain as the flames consume him.
The bugbear lets out a final, agonizing cry before his body falls silent, his life extinguished by Aeleth's potent magic. With the bugbear defeated, the faithful wolf continues to fight!
Torrga tries to take him out with a warhammer strike to the sacrum!
This time the cleric of Marthammor Duin seems guided by the inspiration of her god and the heavy metal head of the warhammer hits hard, breaking the sacrum of the beast.
Merric smiles smugly, abandoning his shortbow and launching himself at the wolf to finish him off with his own shortsword...
The wolf, on the ground in pain from the dwarf's brutal blow, doesn't even see death coming in the form of a halfling shortsword... The steel breaks his heart and the wolf, with a final yelp, closes his eyes once and for all .
With the bugbear and his wolf companion defeated, the group has emerged victorious from the encounter. Their teamwork, strategic planning, and Aeleth's potent magic proved to be a formidable combination, overcoming the challenges they faced within the Cragmaw hideout.
As the dust settles and the echoes of battle fade, the group takes a moment to assess their surroundings and their next course of action. The large cavern, now eerily silent, bears the marks of their recent conflict, but it also holds the potential for further exploration and discovery.
Now that you have time to look around again, while the warm blood of the bugbear and the wolf, fallen side by side, mixes and spreads on the uneven floor of the cave, you have the opportunity to discover that most of the sacks and crates of (probably looted) provisions that are piled up in the south end of the cave, are marked with the image of a blue lion - the symbol of the Lionshield Coster, a merchant company with a warehouse and trading post in Phandalin.
Hidden among the supplies you also easily spot a treasure chest! In fact, considering how the bugbear treated his subordinates, it is reasonable to think that he wanted to keep the valuable objects all for himself and as close to himself as possible...
Or you could explore the large opening that leads north, down a set of natural stone steps, the roar of falling water echoing from beyond - the same opening from which Bald Goblin and Broken Tooth Goblin had exited shortly before, once the bugbear had finished to have fun at their expenses.
What would you rather look at first? The exit, the supplies or the chest?
Given the group's objectives and the strategic advantages they hold over potential threats, it would be most prudent to prioritize exploring the large opening that leads north. This would allow the group to gain a better understanding of the surrounding area, potentially identify any potential threats, and gather valuable information that could inform their next course of action.
While the sacks and crates of provisions marked with the image of a blue lion and the hidden treasure chest might offer valuable resources, the immediate priority lies in understanding the layout of the hideout and determining the extent of the goblin's operations. By expanding their knowledge of the environment, the group can make informed decisions regarding their next steps, including whether to secure the supplies or investigate the treasure chest.
Exploring the northern exit would also allow the group to establish a foothold in another part of the hideout, potentially creating a secondary base of operations or setting up a safe passage for Sildar's rescue. By diversifying their presence within the hideout, the group can increase their chances of success and maintain a strategic advantage over the goblins.
Therefore, venturing into the northern passage should be the group's immediate priority. This exploration will not only provide them with valuable intelligence but also expand their options for securing Sildar's safe release and disrupting the goblin's operations.
The large opening that leads north, down a set of natural stone steps, gives access to a cavern is half filled with two large pools of water. A narrow waterfall high in the eastern wall feeds the pool, which drains out the western end of the chamber to form the stream that flows out of the cave mouth below. Low fieldstone walls serve as dams holding the water in. Two smaller passages lead west. The sound of the waterfall echoes through the cavern, making it difficult to hear; in fact there are 3 goblins (different from those who were with the Bugbear before) who are chatting among themselves and apparently have not heard anything about the battle that has just ended.
In this cave, however, there were no sources of light before you arrived, so the goblins notice the light of the torch, the torch that Aeleth's Mage Hand is still holding just in front of Lola to allow her to see. The goblins group together close to each other, two drawing a scimitar, a third, further back, nocking an arrow to his shortbow.
They seem very surprised to see you coming from that passage and finally one of the two with the scimitar, a goblin with two rough copper earrings in his left ear, asks you, in Common tongue: "How did you get from there?"
With the three goblins startled by the sudden appearance of the group and their unexpected knowledge of their location, Aeleth recognizes an opportunity to gain the upper hand and neutralize the threat posed by these new adversaries. He quickly decides to utilize his magical abilities to subdue the goblins without resorting to violence, a strategy that would minimize bloodshed and preserve the group's resources.
Aeleth's eyes narrow as he focuses his arcane energy, channeling it into a spell that will temporarily incapacitate the goblins, giving the group an opportunity to regroup and assess the situation. He utters the incantation for Sleep, hoping to lull the goblins into a deep slumber.
The goblins, already suspicious of the party, upon seeing Aaleth begin to gesticulate and pronounce arcane formulas to cast the spell, try to act first and attack!
The bugbear has barely finished writhing in pain from the magical flames before the dwarf is on him, delivering a powerful warhammer blow.
Attack: 9 Damage: 3 (bludgeoning)
The bugbear suddenly crouches in a fetal position, moving its head just enough to prevent the cleric's mighty warhammer from smashing it.
Merric meanwhile takes aim and shoots an arrow at the monster's hairy torso.
Attack: 14 Damage: 5 (piercing) + 2 (sneak attack) = 7
The halfling's aim turns out to be good and the arrow penetrates the hide armor, inflicting a slight wound, which however bleeds.
Finally Lola arrives, with her Greataxe raised as if it were an oversized butcher's cleaver, and lowers it suddenly in a powerful slash towards the cruel boss.
Attack: 25 Damage: 12 (slashing)
Stunned by the previous storm of blows, the bugbear opens his eyes wide as if paralyzed as the heavy blade of the mulatto warrior descends on him and hits him full on! The armor tears, as does the flesh underneath, while some bones in the ribcage break...
The leader spits blood, miraculously still alive, but by now it shouldn't take much to finish him off!
A Friend Of Mine:
With the bugbear reeling from the combined assault of his companions, Aeleth recognizes the opportunity to end the battle swiftly. He decides to unleash another Fire Bolt, hoping to capitalize on the bugbear's weakened state and secure their victory.
Aeleth focuses his arcane energy once more, channeling it into a fiery projectile that streaks towards the bugbear. The bugbear, still disoriented from the previous attack, struggles to evade the incoming bolt.
(Fire Bolt Attack Roll: 1d20+6 = 17)
The Fire Bolt strikes the bugbear with unerring accuracy, its searing heat penetrating the bugbear's defenses. The impact sends the bugbear sprawling to the ground, his body convulsing in pain as the flames consume him.
(Fire Bolt Damage: 1d10 = 8)
The bugbear lets out a final, agonizing cry before his body falls silent, his life extinguished by Aeleth's potent magic. With the bugbear defeated, the faithful wolf continues to fight!
Torrga tries to take him out with a warhammer strike to the sacrum!
Attack: 13 Damage: 10 (bludgeoning)
This time the cleric of Marthammor Duin seems guided by the inspiration of her god and the heavy metal head of the warhammer hits hard, breaking the sacrum of the beast.
Merric smiles smugly, abandoning his shortbow and launching himself at the wolf to finish him off with his own shortsword...
Attack: 13 Damage: 7 (piercing) + Unable to parse dice roll. (sneak attack) = 12
The wolf, on the ground in pain from the dwarf's brutal blow, doesn't even see death coming in the form of a halfling shortsword... The steel breaks his heart and the wolf, with a final yelp, closes his eyes once and for all .
A Friend Of Mine:
With the bugbear and his wolf companion defeated, the group has emerged victorious from the encounter. Their teamwork, strategic planning, and Aeleth's potent magic proved to be a formidable combination, overcoming the challenges they faced within the Cragmaw hideout.
As the dust settles and the echoes of battle fade, the group takes a moment to assess their surroundings and their next course of action. The large cavern, now eerily silent, bears the marks of their recent conflict, but it also holds the potential for further exploration and discovery.
Now that you have time to look around again, while the warm blood of the bugbear and the wolf, fallen side by side, mixes and spreads on the uneven floor of the cave, you have the opportunity to discover that most of the sacks and crates of (probably looted) provisions that are piled up in the south end of the cave, are marked with the image of a blue lion - the symbol of the Lionshield Coster, a merchant company with a warehouse and trading post in Phandalin.
Hidden among the supplies you also easily spot a treasure chest! In fact, considering how the bugbear treated his subordinates, it is reasonable to think that he wanted to keep the valuable objects all for himself and as close to himself as possible...
Or you could explore the large opening that leads north, down a set of natural stone steps, the roar of falling water echoing from beyond - the same opening from which Bald Goblin and Broken Tooth Goblin had exited shortly before, once the bugbear had finished to have fun at their expenses.
What would you rather look at first? The exit, the supplies or the chest?
A Friend Of Mine:
Given the group's objectives and the strategic advantages they hold over potential threats, it would be most prudent to prioritize exploring the large opening that leads north. This would allow the group to gain a better understanding of the surrounding area, potentially identify any potential threats, and gather valuable information that could inform their next course of action.
While the sacks and crates of provisions marked with the image of a blue lion and the hidden treasure chest might offer valuable resources, the immediate priority lies in understanding the layout of the hideout and determining the extent of the goblin's operations. By expanding their knowledge of the environment, the group can make informed decisions regarding their next steps, including whether to secure the supplies or investigate the treasure chest.
Exploring the northern exit would also allow the group to establish a foothold in another part of the hideout, potentially creating a secondary base of operations or setting up a safe passage for Sildar's rescue. By diversifying their presence within the hideout, the group can increase their chances of success and maintain a strategic advantage over the goblins.
Therefore, venturing into the northern passage should be the group's immediate priority. This exploration will not only provide them with valuable intelligence but also expand their options for securing Sildar's safe release and disrupting the goblin's operations.
The large opening that leads north, down a set of natural stone steps, gives access to a cavern is half filled with two large pools of water. A narrow waterfall high in the eastern wall feeds the pool, which drains out the western end of the chamber to form the stream that flows out of the cave mouth below. Low fieldstone walls serve as dams holding the water in. Two smaller passages lead west. The sound of the waterfall echoes through the cavern, making it difficult to hear; in fact there are 3 goblins (different from those who were with the Bugbear before) who are chatting among themselves and apparently have not heard anything about the battle that has just ended.
In this cave, however, there were no sources of light before you arrived, so the goblins notice the light of the torch, the torch that Aeleth's Mage Hand is still holding just in front of Lola to allow her to see. The goblins group together close to each other, two drawing a scimitar, a third, further back, nocking an arrow to his shortbow.
They seem very surprised to see you coming from that passage and finally one of the two with the scimitar, a goblin with two rough copper earrings in his left ear, asks you, in Common tongue: "How did you get from there?"
A Friend Of Mine:
With the three goblins startled by the sudden appearance of the group and their unexpected knowledge of their location, Aeleth recognizes an opportunity to gain the upper hand and neutralize the threat posed by these new adversaries. He quickly decides to utilize his magical abilities to subdue the goblins without resorting to violence, a strategy that would minimize bloodshed and preserve the group's resources.
Aeleth's eyes narrow as he focuses his arcane energy, channeling it into a spell that will temporarily incapacitate the goblins, giving the group an opportunity to regroup and assess the situation. He utters the incantation for Sleep, hoping to lull the goblins into a deep slumber.
The goblins, already suspicious of the party, upon seeing Aaleth begin to gesticulate and pronounce arcane formulas to cast the spell, try to act first and attack!
(OOC: Initiative rolls for all needed)
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth's Initiative: 22