Huttmoff bows stiffly to the new arrival. "Greetings, Hilke, may the light shine upon you. Are you to join us on this mission?"

Then, his stomach begins to growl. "I'm still new to town, any idea where we can get a bite to eat?" 

Hilke Mornivul

"And may the dawn find you renewed."  The black-haired woman has a serious look to her.  Around her neck is an amulet showing a stylized depiction of the sun rising. Dressed in chain mail, she has a warhammer at her belt and a round metal shield with a symbol matching her pendant on it. "Yes, the Captain said you had been in the depths and were going to return to investigate further. He asked that I join help you, a task I gladly accepted." 

Hilke is relatively short, at just a bit over five feet tall.  Of slim build, she does have an athletic look to her.  Although the tabard she wears is relatively unornamented, it seems to be made of fine cloth. As is the cloak that she wears. "As for breakfast, the barracks here serves a simple meal - a bit of porridge and bit of ham. You'd best hurry though, the sun has already risen and the day begun."  

Dav'eed accepts the ring from Zelaerys, promising to use it for their "best interests." (I didn't see the actual name of the ring anywhere...is it a ring of dimension door? Also, he took a thin gold ring off of a trog shaman...not sure if it is magical or just worth some gold =) 

In the morning, he happily greets the newcomer to their cause. "Good morning and well met, Hilke! I am Dav'eed, kind of the scout for this group. We are glad to have someone from the Guard with us! Although I recommend you leave any fine clothing behind - we're travelling back down under the ground and will likely get really dirty - although hopefully not as smelly this time!" Dav'eed wears leather armor and carries a dagger, a rapier, and a shortbow. Dav'eed is of average height and girth, with the pleasing figure of a half-elf that can pass for either side of his lineage. But if you look closely, and really study his face, you'll see vibrant green eyes, pale freckled skin, a lithe frame, and the grace of a large hunting cat. 

With a grin, he claps the newcomer on the shoulder and finishes with, "Now, about that breakfast..."

(I simply added the Cape of the Mountebank and renamed it Silver Ring in the customization. This way you get the associated spell in your spell book.)

When Hilke arrives at the barracks, she finds Zelaerys, a tall halfling, just finishing his preparations for the day. He stands near his cot, the morning light casting a gentle glow over his figure. His chainmail armor, meticulously maintained, gleams faintly in the light. Around his neck hangs an amulet bearing the symbol of Yondalla, and his deep blue eyes, almost seeming to emit a soft, otherworldly glow, reflect a readiness for the tasks ahead. His dark hair is neatly kept, and his expression is one of calm focus.

As Hilke steps in and introduces herself, noting the urgency of breakfast and the day's new task, Zelaerys looks up with a warm, welcoming smile. He nods in acknowledgment and responds with a voice that carries both kindness and a hint of determination. "Good morning, Hilke. I'm Zelaerys. Thank you for the reminder. I shall be quick. It's a pleasure to meet you." He quickly secures his belongings, making sure his gear is properly in place, and prepares to follow Hilke to the breakfast area.

The ring from the shaman has no inherent power, it is just a thin banded ring.

Entering the mess hall, the room only contains a few guards, working through the last remnants of breakfast. A table on the far side still contains a display of now cold fare. Slices of ham with baked apples. A pot of beans slowly congealing into a pasty mess. What ever is left will be re worked for lunch. The guards, sitting hunched and whispering together a t a table look up as you arrive. One of them elbows another and nods in your direction. They continue to speak in hushed tones, dropping them even lower upon your entry.

A hefty young man, his face lighting up in a simple smile places a dish back on the table, ready to clear the meal he decides to wipe his hands and retreat to the wash basin.

There is no great send off. The guards eventually leave, the Captain never shows. You make your way to the Stinky house. The odor has mostly faded, just a silent cavity of darkened rooms. A pair of guards, a man and woman, a different pair from yesterday still greet you with familiarity. As you approached, it was evident they were busier watching the street than the building. You don't suspect any body went down to guard the portal. "Were told ya might be headin back down. No noise or motion has been detected" The woman says, a thick drawl making it difficult to understand her.

To Dav'eed comment about her clothing she replies, "I'm sure I can manage with what I have." Then turning to the halfling she says, "Good to meet you Zelaerys." She seems to ignore the clap on her shoulder from the half-elf and leads everyone to the mess hall. She sits down with them, even though she had already eaten. "Now, I don't believe I caught your name sir," she says, addressing the goliath. 

Breakfast complete, Hilke accompanies the group out to the guarded house. "This is where we head down beneath ground?" she mutters, mostly to herself. She casts a glance over to the other three. "Normally I don't mind leading the way, but it would seem you all have a better idea of where we should be heading. Shall we get moving?" 

Dav'eed eats the cold meal and chats with the others, small talk to get to know them better. Favorite childhood memories, places they had been, things they had seen, and so on. The food, while cold, was pleasant enough, but more importantly would fuel his body for the day ahead.

At the entrance to the tunnels, the rogue acknowledges the guards and thanks them for the report. Normally he would inquire about the activities on the street, but he needed to stay focused on the task at hand. And so, without any fanfare or hesitation, Dav'eed leads the group down into the tunnels and back to the open area where they discovered the portal. Like yesterday, he would suggest that he scout ahead, although not quite as far this time since they didn't anticipate troglodyte troubles - and his nose would let him know in plenty of time if there might be!

As the group stands at the entrance to the sewers, the dank air and ominous darkness ahead, Zelaerys takes a deep breath and addresses his companions, his deep blue eyes glowing with determination. "Friends, as we prepare to descend into these sewers, remember why we are here. We are not just venturing into the unknown for ourselves, but for the town that depends on us. The mysterious portal and the disturbance in the water reservoir threaten the very lifeblood of this community. Surely, our path will be fraught with danger, but it is a path we must walk with purpose and honour. The strength of Yondalla flows through us, guiding our steps and fortifying our resolve. Every step we take into the darkness, every obstacle we overcome, is for the safety and future of those above who count on us. Let the love and protection of Yondalla guide your hand and steel your heart. Together, we will uncover the truth behind this mystery and return water to the town. Be brave, be vigilant, and know that we do this not alone, but with the Great Mother's blessing upon us. Onward, into the sewers, to find answers and bring light to the darkness! Together, we will prevail!" Mindful about the darkness in the sewers and -presumingly- Hilke‘s inability to see, Zelaerys lights a torch and holds it up while following Dav‘eed. It hasn’t been very long ago that he couldn’t see in the dark himself but, thankfully, darkvision was one of the many perks of Yondalla‘s favour for him. As they proceed through the tunnels, he remains constantly in contact with Dav'eed, through arcane [spell]message[\spell]s and relays all information from the scout to the others and vice versa.

(Zelaerys uses the Inspiring Leader feat and everyone gains 5 temporary hit points. See below for details. For the post, I took the liberty to add torches to Zel's inventory and paid for it. I assume we could have passed a shop on the way to the sewers but I felt it wasn't necessary to narrate it. Please, let me know if I should not do that.)

Back in the room, before leaving, Huttmoff looks startled that he hasn't introduced himself to Hilke, these social interactions take so much thought... The hulking Goliath, towering at seven and half feet shrinks down as his shoulders hunch down. His words falter: "Err...hello...I am Huttmoff. Nice...ah..err... to meet you. Good to...er....I mean....have you along."

Huttmoff follows the rest of the group to the tunnel entrance. Periodically glancing around behind them to make sure no one is following, or giving undue attention that would strike him as odd. (Perception: 15)

As Zelaerys begins to light the torch, Huttmoff places a massive hand on the halfling's shoulder, pausing him before he strikes. "Wait, before you use that, I may have something that can help." He then meditates for a brief moment, connecting himself to Lathander, and the sun's ability to penetrate even the darkest of holes. He then nods, and blesses Hilke & Dav'eed, using his Eyes of Night ability granting them 300 ft of darkvision for the next hour.

Dav'eed feels new strength and confidence surge through his body with Zelaerys' blessing - like he had rested an extra day in the forest! Huttmoff's blessing extends the half-elf's range of vision a remarkable amount. "Wow, Huttmoff - I can see almost all the way to the Underdark now! And Yandalla's blessing has removed all of the fear and stress from yesterday, Zel. Thanks to both of you!" 

The street is quiet, still early the bustle of traffic has not reached its daily crescendo. No body is paying you any attention. The odor has faded, the building no longer remarkable or interesting, that was yesterdays distraction. Descending into the house the floor supports given way beneath, the floor tilts into the dark below. A very simple ladder, drift wood lashed with dry seaweed leads down ward.

The chamber remains as you last saw it. The Troglodyte bodies tossed to the higher ground. The motion of rats erupts as they dash along the walls embrace, seeking spots of cover from your intrusion. With this vision granted by Lathander the passage is easily followed. The limiting factor it seems is simply the distance ahead, before it turns or curves around a bend. Dav'eed takes the lead, with no need for a torch the four of you make quick time. The passage winds back and forth, walls covered with a lichen, lending a rich earthy scent, reminiscent of the deep woods. The cocooned Trog still hangs from the ceiling, the spider has not returned.

From a good distance back, the flash of deeper dark, an explosion of amber, a release of the weave. Several blasts, the light emitted from the spell creating a flash in the distance. "Your spells will fail before our blades wizard, you should flee" some one ahead yells out. Around the next curve or two was the cross roads, the river bed running below an ancient sewer system. The voice, the explosion of the weave, the battle must be coming from there.

A booming reply can be heard, clearly from the wizard by the size and power of the command "Return what you took, or I will teach you with finality"

They are not far ahead, maybe 150-200' but the winding river bed prevents you from observing what is happening in the passage ahead. You would have to get closer, to discern what is truly going on, but are you prepared to become embroiled.

Hilke tells Zelaerys, "I certainly appreciate Yondalla's blessing." And then thanks Huttmoff. "Vision in the dark will be quite useful."  She then continues after the others. 

Hearing the sound of skirmish ahead, Hilke quietly urges the group to increase their pace. "But let's try to hide our presence from them. Perhaps if we listen, we'll learn more about the dispute." 

Zelaerys follows Hilke’s advice and tries to move silently and intends to avoid that his armor catches any light (stealth: 6). “I’m unsure that this will work, it’s really hard to be silent with this chain,” he laments. “I’d rather go in and ask them to explain themselves. We act with the authority of the guard. Perhaps, I could stay back if we must be silent.”

Dav'eed concurs that it would be better to observe from the shadows first to see what was happening ahead of them, and sneaks ahead to get a quick look before the others follow: (Stealth: 16 in game log)

"I'm not very quiet myself," Hilke says. "Dav'eed can hopefully get closer. And with the commotion they're making, hopefully they won't notice our approach."  She moves a bit more slowly as they get nearer the sounds, letting the scout move ahead and see what he can first. 

The passage winds sinuously through the rock, a snake twisting to reach its tail. The rocks and pebbles beneath your feet crunch, each one revealing a story of floods and currents from eons past. The water has left its imprint on the walls, now lichen and molds cling to the rocks. The drip of water a constant companion. The flash of fire and arcane arts erupts from the passage ahead. As your group creeps towards the tumult the passage widens. Before you, still some distance away your vision enhanced allows you to view from the safety of the dark.

A woman in dark cloak, a staff lifted high by her side sends bolts of energy into the dark. A fire erupts to the side as daggers clang off a near invisible blue flash of her arcane shielding. As quickly as it starts the burst of spells and flash of daggers end. The woman strides to a still form retrieving something from its person. Suddenly she looks up in your direction, the flash of energy once again coiling about her intertwined fingers. "Declare your selves or end like your brethren" You don't think she has seen you, but is certainly aware of your presence.

With the woman clearly aware of their presence, Hilke does as Zelaerys had proposed and simply moves to reveal herself. "If you are referring to those you just fought with, they are not our brethren."  She keeps her attention on the dark-cloaked woman, though she can't help but wonder as to the condition of the others. 'Did she kill them?' she wonders. "We are investigating down here under authority of the guard. Was something stolen from you?" 

Huttmoff senses Hilke's move as sound and immediately moves to loom behind her, his hulking frame filling much of the passage. He follows her lead and keeps him voice to himself. But he is intently watching the newcomer, trying to get a sense of the wizard. She is clearly angry, and violent, but is she evil? Or is she just defending herself? Huttmoff does his best to get a read on her reaction to Hilke.

Insight (let me know if you want a different roll, I just didn't want to slow down the game): 5

Dav'eed remains silent and hidden in the shadows, bow drawn and ready to release a 2-foot shaft of pain at the magic user if she attacked his new friends! He observes her motions, focusing on her shoulders and chest, remembering his master's teaching about distractions, feints, and how the upper torso usually broadcasts a person's intended actions...
(Do you want a new Stealth roll, or can I keep the last one?)

Zelaerys takes a deep breath, the light in his eyes glowing with determination. He steps up next to Hilke, his chainmail clinking softly in the dark. He raises his hand in a peaceful gesture, speaking clearly and calmly to the woman. "I am Zelaerys, a cleric of Yondalla. We mean you no harm and whoever you ended were not our brethren. We are here to investigate the disturbance affecting the town's water access. Who are you, and what is your purpose here?" His voice carries the strength of his faith and the sincerity of his intentions, hoping to defuse the tension and find common ground with the mysterious woman.