Dav'eed nods at Huttmoff, then looks at Hilke. "Well, Hilke - shall we follow the tunnel to the water source first and then clean up the other issues afterwards?"

(Hilke Perception: 12)

Hilke had readily agreed with the others to continue and leave the goblin-like creators for later. "The water was our primary mission here after all."

A bit later as they consider whether to continue, she suggests, "If we turn back I'm not sure how else we'd figure out what's happened. Is a risk, but one will have to take I think."

(Huttmoff Perception: 18)

Before he even consciously realizes what is happening, all the of the hair on Huttmoff's body begins to rise in unison, as the air seems to fill with electricity for him. Huttmoff suddenly launches into action as he sees a black mass of sludge surge into the air, "Zelaerys!" he shouts as he points to the space above the halfling's head. He tries to jump into action. He moves as quickly as he can to get right next to Zelaerys and cast Word of Radiance targeting the sludge. 

(Zelaerys Perception 16)

As Zelaerys kneels to assemble his pack, the flickering torchlight casts shadows over the worn leather and sturdy fabric. He tightens the straps, ensuring everything is in place for the journey ahead. He hopes they arrive soon at their destination, because he burned nearly through half of his torches and they will not to return, most likely the same way. While he contemplates the mission, the sounds of his companions and the distant trickle of water create a moment of quiet amidst the cavern's uncertainty.

Just as Zelaerys pulls the final strap taut, a sense of unease prickles at the edge of his awareness. The air feels different, heavier, as if charged with a silent warning. He glances around, his keen eyes catching the unnatural ripple in the dark stagnant puddle beside him. The sludge, previously still and unassuming, begins to shift and heave and it slowly rises. His heart pounds in his chest as the realization hits him—this is no ordinary puddle. The fresh light of the newly lit torch flares, casting a harsh glow over the black sludge as it surges upward, ready to crash down upon him. In that instant, the warning shout from Huttmoff reaches his ears, and Zelaerys instinctively rolls to the side, eyes wide with alarm, as he prepares to dodge the unknown threat.

(Missed it last night! Dav'eed perception: 22)

The rogue instantly detects the strange movement, calling out to Zelaerys while drawing his rapier out to stab at the ooze before it is even fully formed. (Attack: 23 Sneak attack damage: 7) "Stab it or pound it, but don't slash at it," he calls to the group. "I learned that some of these oozes can split into multiples that still attack!"

Looking back the way you came, you decide to head on, following the growing stream of water and ignore the smaller dry tributaries branching off.  Zalaerys bends to light the torch when the puddle next to him erupts. Throwing himself back from the surging pudding. Dav'eed, rapier flashing out in a quick motion lunges, sinking the blade hilt deep. Little substance to create resistance he nearly thrusts his hand in. Too close, the sludge splashes onto his arm, the exposed skin burns as if on fire, his clothing smoking wherever it was coated.

Huttmoff takes a quick step back, a word of power splitting his lips. The weave twirls about the large black mass, a flash and pop as it zips about rapidly then erupts coating the thing in radiance. Hilke startled fails to react, stunned by the suddenness she just stares at the monstrosity.

Like a wave rising, building, towering over you at the beach,. The entire puddle heaves upward lurching forward it crashes down over Zalaerys...

Black sludge engulfing Zalaerys: Attack: 14 Damage: 6 plus  5  Acid damage 

Dav'eed needs to take 4 Acid damage as it splashed when he struck it. 

Inititative

1. Your group<---Your turn, Any order
2. Black sludge, is spreads into a large pool, reaching for you in all directions, it seeps towards your feet...

Like a towering wave at the beach, the entire puddle heaves upward, lurching forward to crash down over Zelaerys... but misses. Zelaerys dodges out of the way just in time, narrowly avoiding the ooze's attack. Observing his companions engaged in combat and holding their own, he finds strength in their determination. With a silent prayer to Yondalla, he taunts the creature by stepping closer, almost touching it. Yet, he remains on high alert, every sense attuned to the ooze's movements, ready to evade its next attack.

Action: dodge

Seeing Zelaerys step up to act as decoy, Dav'eed moves around to the other side of the ooze, stabbing as he goes. His flowing movements are more like a dance than a brawl - wind whipping willow branches. (Attack: 16 Sneak attack damage: 10) He then uses his cunning action to disengage from the thing, moving 20' away. "Back away from it if you can - we can attack at range and probably be protected from its acid..." the rogue says as he moves.

Huttmoff's adrenaline spikes, and then recedes as the familiar rhythm of battle is joined. He is tremendously relieved as he see Zelaerys dodge nimbly out of the way. His mind races, and he reaches for his mace, but thinks better of it, as he views the acid sticking to Dav'eed. He nods to Dav'eed's advice, and instead casts another instance of Word of Radiance before backing away with his movement, readying his light crossbow as he moves.

Hilke heeds Dav'eed's advice and backs away from the black mass.  Quickly she offers a prayer, "Lathander, may you bring your light to this place and bless my companions."  She casts Bless to target Dav'eed, Huttmoff, and Zelaerys. (add d4 to attack rolls and saving rolls) 

As the wave of sludge crests than crashes where Zalaerys had been standing it splashes and spreads into a thin sheet. Dodging the attack Zalaerys, bravely does not flee, standing defiant, inviting the creature to attack he draws its attention from his allies, almost.

Dav'eed dances in again, his rapier thrusting, and sinking into the black goo, what holds it together, there is no resistance to the jab. It quivers and shrinks from the attack but splashes from the impact. Dav'eeds arm burns, his rapier smoking. The metal is pitted, wisps of smoke trailing upward from the damaged steel. Putting some distance between himself and the pudding he sheaths his damaged blade.

Words become power, become light when imbued with the faith of the devote. A mote appears, flashing into the center of the ooze, a sudden blast lighting the goo from the inside a ripple runs across its surface. As Huttmoff tries to back away a thin tendril lashes out at him. 

Hilke backs away slowly, drawing power from her god, a boon upon her allies.

Black slime Con save against Word of radiance: 4 (Whats the DC and Damage?) 3

The Slime takes the bait, the proximity of the Halfling to much to pass up. It crests over his head and crashes down to engulf the short man.

Black slime engulfing attack against Zalaerys: Attack: 9 Damage: 4 plus 5  Acid damage.

Black slime attack of opportunity against Huttmoff: Attack: 10 Damage: 4 Plus 10  Acid damage.

Dav'eed has been burnt again by the splashing ooze, taking 4 Acid damage. His Rapier is also damaged suffering a -1 attack and damage penalty.

Initiative

• Your group<---Your turn, Any order
• Black sludge, It spreads, surrounding Zalaerys, cutting off all exits

Zelaerys gulped when the creature surrounded him. This wasn't what he had in mind when he decided to draw the creatures attention, so that the others could finish it. How could one creature surround a person? That isn't fair! He continues to dodge incoming attacks but he realises that he might be out of luck soon with no ground left for him to evade incoming attacks. 

Huttmoff is gratified that his magic appears to have done some damage to the slime, but focuses as the slime tries to attack him, sliding just out of its reach. He sends a prayer of thanks to Lathander as he is kept safe.

Then, focusing on trying to hurt this creature before it can do damage to Zelaerys, he aims his light crossbow and lets a bolt fly.

Attack (with Bless): 3 +Bless: 3. Damage: 1 (piercing).

 (So sorry about forgetting to include DC and damage! My bad. Huttmoff's spell DC is 12, and you were right, it is 1d6 radiant damage.)

Hilke sees the damage this black sludge does to Dav'eed's rapier. She figures there is little point of destoying her warhammer.  At least so long as she can help it.  She grabs one of her javelings, throwing it at the largest bulk of the creature as she can identify.  'Guess I can spare some of these,' she thinks. After throwing it, she tries to back up even farther from the thing.
(Javelin Attack: 17, Damage; 4)

"Damn..." Dav'eed curses softly, "that hurt! And I've had this rapier for years! Guess it's time to upgrade..." He sheathes it and pulls his bow off of his back, moving a bit further away without losing sight of the ooze.  (Action - switch weapons. Move - up to 30' without losing sight of the ooze.)

OOC-It doesn't take an action to switch weapons. As part of an attack a character may unsheathe the weapon as a free item interaction.

Quote from description above- The metal is pitted, wisps of smoke trailing upward from the damaged steel. Putting some distance between himself and the pudding he sheaths his damaged blade.

Meaning you have an available-free item interaction- to retrieve the bow on this turn and still attack

(Awesome - thanks - here's the attack, then =)

With a little distance between himself and the acidic ooze, Dav'eed lines up a shot to avoid hitting Zelaerys but maximize damage to the creature. (Attack: 10 (maybe...) Sneak attack damage: 12)

Unfortunately, his foot slips on loose rocks as he stops and turns, throwing his aim off...

Stumbling back a few paces Huttmoff fumbles with his crossbow, pulling the trigger to early the bolt shatters against the floor sending fragments in every direction. Zalaerys squirms as the ooze encircles him, the small patch of ground growing smaller and smaller. It begins to seep over the Halflings boots. Looking about desperately Zalaerys tries to leap over the pudding, dodging its engulfing attack. The amorphous creature rises up to meet the small man in flight.

Hilke, backing up hurls a javelin, it sinks into the being sending ripples of displeasure like tiny waves. An arrow slices through a rising pseudopod, splashing part of the thing across the room. The tendril jerks back from the impact but doesn't slow its upheaval.

Black slime engulfing attack against Zalaerys: Attack: 10 Damage: 3 plus 6 Acid damage

If Zalaerys is struck, the bulk of the slime rushes over him, engulfing the halfling and pulling him back to the ground. If it misses, Zalaerys lands 10' away, just outside the slimes oozing form. 

Engulf. If a slime engulfs a Medium or smaller creature it is grappled by it. The engulfed target is blinded, restrained, and unable to breathe, and it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw at the start of each of the slimes turns or take 4  bludgeoning damage, and 4 Acid damage. If the slime moves, the engulfed target moves with it. The slime can have only one creature engulfed at a time.

His heart beating like a drum, Zelaerys sends a quick prayer to Yondalla for her obvious support. She must be here with him if not he can't explain how he managed that jump. Finally not surrounded, he re-evaluates his tactic and feels that it would be better to stay well away from the ooze. It doesn't appear to be that fast and perhaps they can outmanoeuvre it. He disengages entirely and moves 30 feet away, ideally in the opposite direction as some of the others. "Keep shooting at it! And stay clear of it! It almost devoured me!" he calls out a warning to the others.

Huttmoff stares in horror as the slime creature nearly swallows Zelaerys up. His urgency increases as his concern for his halfling friend ramps up. But then he is amazed as the little fellow deftly dodges and dives out of the way. His concern starts to grow that Zelaerys won't be able to keep it up forever, but for now all he can do is keep to the plan.

He will make sure that he stays in range of his crossbow, while staying out of the range of the creature, and let fly another bolt: Attack: Attack: 20 Damage: 6 (add Bless to the attack: 3)

He yells to Zelaeyrs, "Keep it up! You are keeping this thing at bay, we'll finish it off for you!"