Aeleth, witnessing Torrga's injury and Lola's failed attack against the Growling Goblin, feels a surge of determination to protect his companions and end the battle swiftly. He decides to use his shortsword and dagger to attack the Growling Goblin in close combat.
Shortsowrd Attack: 13
Dagger Attack: 17 Damage: 3 (piercing)
With a swift and precise movement, Aeleth draws his shortsword and dagger and lunges forward, aiming for the Growling Goblin's exposed side. The goblin, caught off guard by Aeleth's sudden attack, raises his scimitar in a hasty defense, blocking the shortsword... but not the dagger!
Aeleth's dagger attack strikes Growling Goblin, causing him to whimper in pain, his resolve waning as he faces the formidable elf.
Torrga utters a short prayer to Marthammor Duin and her wounds close almost completely, healed by the divine power of her faith! Meanwhile, she brings her warhammer down on the Grinning Goblin, aiming for his collarbone.
The goblin, made imprudent by the fact that he had seriously injured the dwarf, already felt victory in his grasp... instead he receives the heavy metal head of the cleric's warhammer right in his collarbone. The bone breaks, as the goblin lets out a heartbreaking cry of pain and collapses to the ground. He died. Grinning Goblin will never grin again.
"Damn elf!" the goblin who is fighting Aeleth growls, barely (and badly) pronouncing the words in Common tongue "How can a wizard fight so well?" and tries to surprise him with a scimitar slash to the legs.
The suddenly falling blade surprises the agile elf, who jumps away... but not so quickly as to avoid the blade kissing his skin! However, the goblin notices with amazement that the elf's skin has become much harder than normal, as if he were wearing robust armor. The scimitar is deflected and fails to shed the wizard's blow.
Seeing Grinning Goblin shot down by Torrga's warhammer and Growling Goblin unable to hurt the wizard he is attacking, Trembling Goblin completely loses courage and throws his shortbow at the feet of the now dangerously close dwarf, then raises his hands and says to her: "I surrender! Spare my life! It wasn't my idea!"
"Hey, take it out on me!" Meanwhile, Lola becomes furious when she sees Growling Goblin ignoring her to fight Aeleth. The powerful she-warrior brings down her fearsome Greataxe towards the goblin's head.
But her fury causes the warrior to attack with too much haste, the heavy blade completely misses the target and sticks to the ground. "Damn bad luck!" she growls as she laboriously frees the weapon.
The goblin, outraged by Trembling Goblin's surrender, turns on him sharply, shouting: "Coward!" and shaking his fist in the air at him - in doing so, he moves out of the way just as Merric releases the arrow, which then misses him and passes by him, near the back of his head.
With the Trembling Goblin surrendering and Growling Goblin momentarily distracted by Merric's missed arrow, Aeleth seizes the opportunity to strike. He once again uses both his shortsword and dagger, delivering a pair of swift and precise attacks.
Shortsword Attack: 19 Damage: 7 (piercing)
Dagger Attack: 18 Damage: 2 (piercing)
Aeleth's shortsword strikes first, finding its mark with a resounding clang against Growling Goblin's scimitar. The goblin, caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, stumbles backward, his grip on his weapon faltering.
Before Growling Goblin can recover, Aeleth's dagger flashes forward, piercing the goblin's exposed flank. The goblin cries out in pain, his body crumpling to the ground as life ebbs away. The battle is finally over, the goblins defeated by the combined might of Aeleth, Torrga, Lola, and Merric.
Aeleth sheathes his weapons, his expression grim but relieved. He has faced danger and emerged victorious, his skills and courage proving invaluable in the face of adversity. He turns to his companions, their faces bearing a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
Torrga returns towards Aeleth and Lola, pushing the only surviving goblin, the one who surrendered, ahead of her: "Come on, walk" she orders him in a brusque tone.
Meanwhile, Merric approaches as well.
The goblin, now surrounded by all of you, looks at each one's face in turn, as if searching for traces of pity. "It wasn't my idea!" he tries to justify himself "I'm just a victim of circumstances! My companions led me astray! I gave up, didn't I? Let me go away alive..."
"This little bastard is the only one who can tell us what happened to my cousin Gundren!" Torrga growls "Let's threaten him to make him tell what he knows!"
"Threaten him?" Merric makes a threatening face "I say we torture him... we will be more sure of getting truthful information! This one, together with his fellow goblin scoundrels, wanted to kill us... he deserves no mercy!"
"But he gave up!" Lola objects, indignant "How can we harm a defenseless enemy who has surrendered? What honor would there be in this? Let's rather make a pact with him... Let him tell us what he knows, in exchange for his freedom".
All three, realizing that they have slightly different opinions on what to do, turn to Aeleth spontaneously, as if they had agreed to ask his advice... "Aeleth, what do you say we should do?" they ask in chorus.
Aeleth carefully considers the goblin's plea for mercy, Torrga's desire for information, Merric's vengeful proposal, and Lola's sense of honor. He understands the strong emotions driving each of their opinions, yet recognizes the need for a balanced solution that aligns with his own values.
He steps forward, his gaze meeting the goblin's fearful eyes. "Fear not, little one," he begins, his voice calm and reassuring. "We have no intention of harming you, for we are not like those who seek cruelty and bloodshed. However, we require information."
Aeleth then turns to Torrga, acknowledging her concern for her missing cousin. "Torrga, your desire to find Gundren is understandable and admirable. We will do everything in our power to aid your search," he assures her.
He then addresses Merric, acknowledging his anger but offering a different perspective. "Merric, while your anger is justified, resorting to torture would taint our souls and make us no better than the monsters we fight. There are other ways to glean information without resorting to such barbaric methods."
Finally, Aeleth meets Lola's gaze, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Lola, your sense of honor is to be commended. We must treat those who surrender with compassion and respect, even if they were once our enemies," he states firmly.
He then outlines his plan, one that seeks a middle ground between the proposed options. "We shall offer a pact to the goblin," Aeleth declares. "We shall grant him his freedom in exchange for truthful information about Gundren's whereabouts and the events that led to this ambush. However, we will make it clear that if he deceives us or attempts to mislead us, his freedom will be revoked, and he will face consequences for his actions."
Aeleth believes this approach allows them to garner vital information while upholding their values. It demonstrates compassion for a surrendered foe, respects Torrga's priorities, and offers a less callous alternative to torture. The final decision, however, rests with the group, and Aeleth awaits their response with a hopeful heart.
"Thanks Aeleth..." Lola smiles, in a captivating way "I'm really starting to like you, you know?"
In the meantime, however, the goblin prisoner is quick to speak up - evidently, having heard Aeleth's proposal, he wants to accept it before the others can have worse ideas: "Deal! Mingu accepts! Mingu tells everything! Gundren Rockseeker has been captured ! Klarg's orders, not Mingu's idea! Mingu couldn't disobey... Klarg is the leader of the gang Mingu is part of! He's stronger than us goblins... because he's not a goblin, he's a Bugbear!"
Noticing that no one seems about to kill or beat him, Mingu, although still a little trembling, continues more calmly: "And anyway, King Grol ordered it from Klarg, so not even Klarg could refuse. King Grol is the chief of all the Cragmaw tribe, including Klarg's band. He dwells in Cragmaw Castleabout, about twenty miles northeast of the Cragmaw hideout, in Neverwinter Wood".
"Klarg received a messenger goblin from King Grol a few days ago" Mingu seems more and more confident. "The messenger told him that someone named the Black Spider was paying the Cragmaws to watch out for the dwarf Gundren Rockseeker, capture him, and send him and anything he was carrying back to King Grol. Klarg followed his orders. Gundren was ambushed and taken along with his personal effects, including a map. The dwarf and his map were delivered to King Grol, as instructed. The dwarf's human companion is being held in the Cragmaw hideout, in the 'eating cave'. The Cragmaw hideout has been established by Klarg's band so it can easily harass and plunder traffic moving along the Triboar Trail or the path to Phandalin. If you want, before you let me go, I'll guide you to the Cragmaw hideout... it's close... so you might be able to free the human who was with Gundren!"
"Gundren is my cousin..." Torrga mutters, not too satisfied "I would rather free him before Sildar..."
"But the Cragmaw hideout is near!" Merric replies "And if we manage to free Sildar, we can also count on his help to free Gundren!"
"Aeleth?" asks Lola "Up until now you have always been a great help in making the right decisions... What would you prefer to do?"
Aeleth listens intently to Mingu's account, his expression thoughtful. He is grateful for the goblin's willingness to cooperate, and the information he has provided is crucial to their next steps.
"Torrga's desire to rescue her cousin is understandable," Aeleth begins, addressing the dwarf's concern. "But Merric raises a valid point about the strategic advantage of securing Sildar's assistance first. His knowledge of the area and his connections could prove invaluable in our efforts to locate and rescue Gundren."
Turning to Lola, Aeleth acknowledges her trust in his judgment. "Your faith in me is heartwarming, Lola," he says with a gentle smile. "I believe the best course of action is to accept Mingu's offer to guide us to the Cragmaw hideout. We can rescue Sildar, gather more information about Gundren's whereabouts, and then devise a plan to bring him safely home."
Aeleth's decision is met with nods of agreement from Torrga and Merric. Lola's eyes sparkle with admiration for his wisdom and leadership.
"Thank you, Aeleth," Torrga says, her voice laced with gratitude. "I appreciate your understanding and your willingness to help me find my cousin."
"Indeed," adds Merric, his gruff demeanor softening slightly. "Your decision is a sound one, Aeleth. Let us waste no time and follow Mingu's lead."
With a renewed sense of purpose, the group turns to Mingu, who is eagerly awaiting their response. "Lead the way, Mingu," Aeleth instructs. "We will follow you to the Cragmaw hideout and rescue our friends."
"Just one thing, Aeleth..." Lola seems to worry "In foiling this ambush, I saw that you used your magic several times... Do you need to take a breather, before we get guided to the hideout? It's likely that we will have to fight once there..."
Aeleth appreciates Lola's concern for his well-being and acknowledges that his magical reserves are depleted. He recognizes the importance of being prepared for the upcoming challenges, especially with the possibility of combat.
"You raise a valid point, Lola," he admits. "I have indeed expended a significant amount of my magical energy during this encounter. A short rest would allow me to replenish my resources and ensure I am at my full potential when facing the Cragmaw tribe."
With the group's agreement, Aeleth finds a secluded spot and settles down for a brief respite. As he immerses himself in the arcane knowledge contained within his spellbook, his mind resonates with the intricate patterns of magic, slowly but surely replenishing his depleted spell slots.
After an hour of focused study, Aeleth rises from his meditation, feeling refreshed and invigorated. His magical energy has been restored, and he is ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
"I am ready to proceed," he announces to his companions. "Let us follow Mingu to the Cragmaw hideout and secure the rescue of our friends."
The group sets off once more, their resolve strengthened by Aeleth's renewed power and their shared determination to fulfill their mission. As they venture deeper into the dense forest, guided by Mingu's knowledge of the terrain, they brace themselves for the dangers that await them within the Cragmaw hideout.
Mingu guides you to a trail that is hidden behind thickets on the north side of the road and leads northwest.
Torrga steers the wagon away from the road and ties off the oxen: "The wagon can't follow this narrow trail..." she explains, "We'll get it when we get back from the hideout."
The trail leads five miles northwest and, thanks to Mingu's directions, you avoid two traps that the goblins had placed to defend the area: first a hidden snare, then a hidden pit. "See, you were right to make a deal with me?" boasts the goblin "Mingu is a good guide!"
So you reach the Cragmaw hideout without incident! There is a cave that slopes steeply upward. The entrance is at the foot of a good-sized hill, and the caves and passages are inside the hill itself. A shallow stream flows out of the cave mouth, which is screened by dense briar thickets. A narrow dry path leads into the cave on the right-hand side of the stream. You'll need to cross to the east side of the stream, if you want to reach the dry path.
Mingu lowers his voice: "Do you see those bushes, on the east side of the stream?" he points to the dense briar thickets "There are usually two of us there, two goblins, hidden, on guard... But they are usually distracted, because so far no one has ever come to attack the hideout! So, if you advance while hidden, maybe you can surprise them! Now, I've done my part, right? Can I leave?" he is still trembling, a bit, but there is hope for mercy deep into his pleading eyes...
Aeleth acknowledges Mingu's helpful guidance and confirms his readiness to follow the rest of the plan. "Mingu, your assistance has been invaluable in leading us to the Cragmaw hideout," he says with a reassuring tone. "You have kept your end of the bargain, and we will honor ours. You may go now, and we shall proceed with our mission."
Mingu's face lights up with relief, and he bows gratefully before scurrying away into the undergrowth. The group turns their attention to the cave entrance, their senses heightened as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
Aeleth, ever the strategist, assesses the situation carefully. "We should approach the hideout with stealth and caution," he advises his companions. "The goblins may be unaware of our presence, so we must use this element of surprise to our advantage."
He then suggests that they split into two groups: Torrga, Merric, and Lola will take the dry path on the right side of the stream, while he will lead the way through the dense briar thickets on the east side. This will allow them to approach the hidden goblins from two directions, increasing their chances of catching them off guard.
The group agrees to Aeleth's plan, and they carefully make their way towards the cave entrance. Aeleth moves swiftly and silently through the thickets, his senses alert for any signs of movement or danger. He knows that the success of their mission depends on their ability to surprise the goblins, and he is determined to execute the plan flawlessly.
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The halfling's aim this time is ruined by frustration and haste and the arrow narrowly passes the goblin, missing him.
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth, witnessing Torrga's injury and Lola's failed attack against the Growling Goblin, feels a surge of determination to protect his companions and end the battle swiftly. He decides to use his shortsword and dagger to attack the Growling Goblin in close combat.
Shortsowrd Attack: 13
Dagger Attack: 17 Damage: 3 (piercing)
With a swift and precise movement, Aeleth draws his shortsword and dagger and lunges forward, aiming for the Growling Goblin's exposed side. The goblin, caught off guard by Aeleth's sudden attack, raises his scimitar in a hasty defense, blocking the shortsword... but not the dagger!
Aeleth's dagger attack strikes Growling Goblin, causing him to whimper in pain, his resolve waning as he faces the formidable elf.
Torrga utters a short prayer to Marthammor Duin and her wounds close almost completely, healed by the divine power of her faith! Meanwhile, she brings her warhammer down on the Grinning Goblin, aiming for his collarbone.
Torrga's Healing Word: 8
Torrga's Attack: 12 Damage: 8 (bludgeoning)
The goblin, made imprudent by the fact that he had seriously injured the dwarf, already felt victory in his grasp... instead he receives the heavy metal head of the cleric's warhammer right in his collarbone. The bone breaks, as the goblin lets out a heartbreaking cry of pain and collapses to the ground. He died. Grinning Goblin will never grin again.
"Damn elf!" the goblin who is fighting Aeleth growls, barely (and badly) pronouncing the words in Common tongue "How can a wizard fight so well?" and tries to surprise him with a scimitar slash to the legs.
Attack: 16 Damage: 7 (slashing)
The suddenly falling blade surprises the agile elf, who jumps away... but not so quickly as to avoid the blade kissing his skin! However, the goblin notices with amazement that the elf's skin has become much harder than normal, as if he were wearing robust armor. The scimitar is deflected and fails to shed the wizard's blow.
Seeing Grinning Goblin shot down by Torrga's warhammer and Growling Goblin unable to hurt the wizard he is attacking, Trembling Goblin completely loses courage and throws his shortbow at the feet of the now dangerously close dwarf, then raises his hands and says to her: "I surrender! Spare my life! It wasn't my idea!"
"Hey, take it out on me!" Meanwhile, Lola becomes furious when she sees Growling Goblin ignoring her to fight Aeleth. The powerful she-warrior brings down her fearsome Greataxe towards the goblin's head.
Lola's Attack: 9 Damage: 15 (slashing)
But her fury causes the warrior to attack with too much haste, the heavy blade completely misses the target and sticks to the ground. "Damn bad luck!" she growls as she laboriously frees the weapon.
Round 3:
Initiative 21: Scarred Goblin (dead)Initiative 19: Merric
Initiative 18: Aeleth
Initiative 12: Torrga (1 Damage)
Initiative 7: Growling Goblin
Initiative 5: Trembling Goblin (surrendering)
Initiative 3: Grinning Goblin (dead)Initiative 0: Lola
Merric leans out of the wagon again and directs a new arrow at Growling Goblin, aiming for his chest.
Attack: 15 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll. (piercing) + Unable to parse dice roll. (sneak attack) = 0
The goblin, outraged by Trembling Goblin's surrender, turns on him sharply, shouting: "Coward!" and shaking his fist in the air at him - in doing so, he moves out of the way just as Merric releases the arrow, which then misses him and passes by him, near the back of his head.
A Friend Of Mine:
With the Trembling Goblin surrendering and Growling Goblin momentarily distracted by Merric's missed arrow, Aeleth seizes the opportunity to strike. He once again uses both his shortsword and dagger, delivering a pair of swift and precise attacks.
Shortsword Attack: 19 Damage: 7 (piercing)
Dagger Attack: 18 Damage: 2 (piercing)
Aeleth's shortsword strikes first, finding its mark with a resounding clang against Growling Goblin's scimitar. The goblin, caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, stumbles backward, his grip on his weapon faltering.
Before Growling Goblin can recover, Aeleth's dagger flashes forward, piercing the goblin's exposed flank. The goblin cries out in pain, his body crumpling to the ground as life ebbs away. The battle is finally over, the goblins defeated by the combined might of Aeleth, Torrga, Lola, and Merric.
Aeleth sheathes his weapons, his expression grim but relieved. He has faced danger and emerged victorious, his skills and courage proving invaluable in the face of adversity. He turns to his companions, their faces bearing a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
Torrga returns towards Aeleth and Lola, pushing the only surviving goblin, the one who surrendered, ahead of her: "Come on, walk" she orders him in a brusque tone.
Meanwhile, Merric approaches as well.
The goblin, now surrounded by all of you, looks at each one's face in turn, as if searching for traces of pity. "It wasn't my idea!" he tries to justify himself "I'm just a victim of circumstances! My companions led me astray! I gave up, didn't I? Let me go away alive..."
"This little bastard is the only one who can tell us what happened to my cousin Gundren!" Torrga growls "Let's threaten him to make him tell what he knows!"
"Threaten him?" Merric makes a threatening face "I say we torture him... we will be more sure of getting truthful information! This one, together with his fellow goblin scoundrels, wanted to kill us... he deserves no mercy!"
"But he gave up!" Lola objects, indignant "How can we harm a defenseless enemy who has surrendered? What honor would there be in this? Let's rather make a pact with him... Let him tell us what he knows, in exchange for his freedom".
All three, realizing that they have slightly different opinions on what to do, turn to Aeleth spontaneously, as if they had agreed to ask his advice... "Aeleth, what do you say we should do?" they ask in chorus.
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth carefully considers the goblin's plea for mercy, Torrga's desire for information, Merric's vengeful proposal, and Lola's sense of honor. He understands the strong emotions driving each of their opinions, yet recognizes the need for a balanced solution that aligns with his own values.
He steps forward, his gaze meeting the goblin's fearful eyes. "Fear not, little one," he begins, his voice calm and reassuring. "We have no intention of harming you, for we are not like those who seek cruelty and bloodshed. However, we require information."
Aeleth then turns to Torrga, acknowledging her concern for her missing cousin. "Torrga, your desire to find Gundren is understandable and admirable. We will do everything in our power to aid your search," he assures her.
He then addresses Merric, acknowledging his anger but offering a different perspective. "Merric, while your anger is justified, resorting to torture would taint our souls and make us no better than the monsters we fight. There are other ways to glean information without resorting to such barbaric methods."
Finally, Aeleth meets Lola's gaze, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Lola, your sense of honor is to be commended. We must treat those who surrender with compassion and respect, even if they were once our enemies," he states firmly.
He then outlines his plan, one that seeks a middle ground between the proposed options. "We shall offer a pact to the goblin," Aeleth declares. "We shall grant him his freedom in exchange for truthful information about Gundren's whereabouts and the events that led to this ambush. However, we will make it clear that if he deceives us or attempts to mislead us, his freedom will be revoked, and he will face consequences for his actions."
Aeleth believes this approach allows them to garner vital information while upholding their values. It demonstrates compassion for a surrendered foe, respects Torrga's priorities, and offers a less callous alternative to torture. The final decision, however, rests with the group, and Aeleth awaits their response with a hopeful heart.
"Thanks Aeleth..." Lola smiles, in a captivating way "I'm really starting to like you, you know?"
In the meantime, however, the goblin prisoner is quick to speak up - evidently, having heard Aeleth's proposal, he wants to accept it before the others can have worse ideas: "Deal! Mingu accepts! Mingu tells everything! Gundren Rockseeker has been captured ! Klarg's orders, not Mingu's idea! Mingu couldn't disobey... Klarg is the leader of the gang Mingu is part of! He's stronger than us goblins... because he's not a goblin, he's a Bugbear!"
Noticing that no one seems about to kill or beat him, Mingu, although still a little trembling, continues more calmly: "And anyway, King Grol ordered it from Klarg, so not even Klarg could refuse. King Grol is the chief of all the Cragmaw tribe, including Klarg's band. He dwells in Cragmaw Castleabout, about twenty miles northeast of the Cragmaw hideout, in Neverwinter Wood".
"Klarg received a messenger goblin from King Grol a few days ago" Mingu seems more and more confident. "The messenger told him that someone named the Black Spider was paying the Cragmaws to watch out for the dwarf Gundren Rockseeker, capture him, and send him and anything he was carrying back to King Grol. Klarg followed his orders. Gundren was ambushed and taken along with his personal effects, including a map. The dwarf and his map were delivered to King Grol, as instructed. The dwarf's human companion is being held in the Cragmaw hideout, in the 'eating cave'. The Cragmaw hideout has been established by Klarg's band so it can easily harass and plunder traffic moving along the Triboar Trail or the path to Phandalin. If you want, before you let me go, I'll guide you to the Cragmaw hideout... it's close... so you might be able to free the human who was with Gundren!"
"Gundren is my cousin..." Torrga mutters, not too satisfied "I would rather free him before Sildar..."
"But the Cragmaw hideout is near!" Merric replies "And if we manage to free Sildar, we can also count on his help to free Gundren!"
"Aeleth?" asks Lola "Up until now you have always been a great help in making the right decisions... What would you prefer to do?"
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth listens intently to Mingu's account, his expression thoughtful. He is grateful for the goblin's willingness to cooperate, and the information he has provided is crucial to their next steps.
"Torrga's desire to rescue her cousin is understandable," Aeleth begins, addressing the dwarf's concern. "But Merric raises a valid point about the strategic advantage of securing Sildar's assistance first. His knowledge of the area and his connections could prove invaluable in our efforts to locate and rescue Gundren."
Turning to Lola, Aeleth acknowledges her trust in his judgment. "Your faith in me is heartwarming, Lola," he says with a gentle smile. "I believe the best course of action is to accept Mingu's offer to guide us to the Cragmaw hideout. We can rescue Sildar, gather more information about Gundren's whereabouts, and then devise a plan to bring him safely home."
Aeleth's decision is met with nods of agreement from Torrga and Merric. Lola's eyes sparkle with admiration for his wisdom and leadership.
"Thank you, Aeleth," Torrga says, her voice laced with gratitude. "I appreciate your understanding and your willingness to help me find my cousin."
"Indeed," adds Merric, his gruff demeanor softening slightly. "Your decision is a sound one, Aeleth. Let us waste no time and follow Mingu's lead."
With a renewed sense of purpose, the group turns to Mingu, who is eagerly awaiting their response. "Lead the way, Mingu," Aeleth instructs. "We will follow you to the Cragmaw hideout and rescue our friends."
"Just one thing, Aeleth..." Lola seems to worry "In foiling this ambush, I saw that you used your magic several times... Do you need to take a breather, before we get guided to the hideout? It's likely that we will have to fight once there..."
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth appreciates Lola's concern for his well-being and acknowledges that his magical reserves are depleted. He recognizes the importance of being prepared for the upcoming challenges, especially with the possibility of combat.
"You raise a valid point, Lola," he admits. "I have indeed expended a significant amount of my magical energy during this encounter. A short rest would allow me to replenish my resources and ensure I am at my full potential when facing the Cragmaw tribe."
With the group's agreement, Aeleth finds a secluded spot and settles down for a brief respite. As he immerses himself in the arcane knowledge contained within his spellbook, his mind resonates with the intricate patterns of magic, slowly but surely replenishing his depleted spell slots.
After an hour of focused study, Aeleth rises from his meditation, feeling refreshed and invigorated. His magical energy has been restored, and he is ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
"I am ready to proceed," he announces to his companions. "Let us follow Mingu to the Cragmaw hideout and secure the rescue of our friends."
The group sets off once more, their resolve strengthened by Aeleth's renewed power and their shared determination to fulfill their mission. As they venture deeper into the dense forest, guided by Mingu's knowledge of the terrain, they brace themselves for the dangers that await them within the Cragmaw hideout.
Mingu guides you to a trail that is hidden behind thickets on the north side of the road and leads northwest.
Torrga steers the wagon away from the road and ties off the oxen: "The wagon can't follow this narrow trail..." she explains, "We'll get it when we get back from the hideout."
The trail leads five miles northwest and, thanks to Mingu's directions, you avoid two traps that the goblins had placed to defend the area: first a hidden snare, then a hidden pit. "See, you were right to make a deal with me?" boasts the goblin "Mingu is a good guide!"
So you reach the Cragmaw hideout without incident! There is a cave that slopes steeply upward. The entrance is at the foot of a good-sized hill, and the caves and passages are inside the hill itself. A shallow stream flows out of the cave mouth, which is screened by dense briar thickets. A narrow dry path leads into the cave on the right-hand side of the stream. You'll need to cross to the east side of the stream, if you want to reach the dry path.
Mingu lowers his voice: "Do you see those bushes, on the east side of the stream?" he points to the dense briar thickets "There are usually two of us there, two goblins, hidden, on guard... But they are usually distracted, because so far no one has ever come to attack the hideout! So, if you advance while hidden, maybe you can surprise them! Now, I've done my part, right? Can I leave?" he is still trembling, a bit, but there is hope for mercy deep into his pleading eyes...
A Friend Of Mine:
Aeleth acknowledges Mingu's helpful guidance and confirms his readiness to follow the rest of the plan. "Mingu, your assistance has been invaluable in leading us to the Cragmaw hideout," he says with a reassuring tone. "You have kept your end of the bargain, and we will honor ours. You may go now, and we shall proceed with our mission."
Mingu's face lights up with relief, and he bows gratefully before scurrying away into the undergrowth. The group turns their attention to the cave entrance, their senses heightened as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
Aeleth, ever the strategist, assesses the situation carefully. "We should approach the hideout with stealth and caution," he advises his companions. "The goblins may be unaware of our presence, so we must use this element of surprise to our advantage."
He then suggests that they split into two groups: Torrga, Merric, and Lola will take the dry path on the right side of the stream, while he will lead the way through the dense briar thickets on the east side. This will allow them to approach the hidden goblins from two directions, increasing their chances of catching them off guard.
The group agrees to Aeleth's plan, and they carefully make their way towards the cave entrance. Aeleth moves swiftly and silently through the thickets, his senses alert for any signs of movement or danger. He knows that the success of their mission depends on their ability to surprise the goblins, and he is determined to execute the plan flawlessly.