Dav'eed will call back up the well, "All clear! C'mon down!"

Once the rest of the group is safely down, he will point out what he discerned. "The stink seems to be coming from the south, while the water flow must be blocked somewhere to the north of use based on the slight elevation increase. We were charged with saving townsfolk, so I think we should head south and see if we can find the creatures' hideout. If we can survive that, then we can investigate the northern area to see why the water isn't flowing...Good with that?"

Barring any other ideas, and if he gets an affirmation from everyone, the rogue will set off to the south, following his nose and hoping to discover what was going on down here. (Stealth: 21)

After making sure to gather the items left by the wintershields Tufts follows Dav'eed down the well. He breaths a sigh of relief when he drops into the tunnel below glad that it went better Than his last decent.

Once there he asses the situation. Coming to the same conclusion as Dav'eed he gives his support for the plan. 

"Keep light small. Follow smell smart."

Rothgar follows, moving as quietly as possible (Stealth: 4)

"Speaking of light, I'm probably best to carry it, but I don't actually have a torch, can anyone light one for me?"

Gonye otherwise follows. [[Stealth: 20]]

DM note: A Direction has been chosen, A Milestone reached: Please advance to Level 2

The darkness is thick and oppressive, containing a will of its own. Gonye and Rothgar are blind, standing close to each other as a torch is retrieved and lit. The guttering flame leaps to life, pushing back against the veil as the emanations dance off the walls creating movement where there is none. The mass of writhing beetles are attractied by the flame and start to chitter, migrating towards Gonye, leaving the mass of a half eaten once living thing. Little remains of the lump of flesh except a tattered red cloak and the remains of shattered armor. The corpse of a Wintershield.

Dav'eed takes the lead, keeping ahead of the flickering circle of light and moving Southward towards the emanation of the stench. The smell grows stronger as he picks his way over the tumbled rock and boulders. The water line indicates the river should be up to his waist or abdomen, but it is now a bare trickle flowing slightly downhill. The river has carved a meandering course, twisting to the right before cutting back sharply to the left. As Dav'eed rounds the corner, the barest of light dancing along the glistening walls from behind.

His earlier shout up the well, and the tinge of illumination in this otherwise dark cavern has alerted several of the Troglodytes in a small chamber ahead. The Trogs have spears out and at the ready, staring intently at the bend Dav'eed now inhabits. It doesn't seem they have yet seen his form, shrouded in the shadow of the wall. Three other beasts have joined them, dog like beasts, perhaps more rodent than canine, they sniff at the air and stand waiting for orders to rush forward.

The trickle of water feeds into a small standing pond, growing stagnant it smells of rotting vegetation, pads of algae and green scum float upon its surface. It will be difficult to move through it unobserved.

Dav'eed is located at the Yellow dot on the map. The other three are between 60- 100' back from his position. The light from the torch can be barely seen against the wall, alerting the Trogs of invaders to their terrain.

The red dots are the Trogs, The Orange dots are the 'dogs'. Nobody is surprised. They have not detected your true position but know you are there.

The distance between the 2 red dots (The trogs) is about 10' for reference.

Rothgar, seeing there is some distance, draws his longbow and knocks an arrow

Staying just outside the light at the back of the line Tufts keeps a watch on there rear flank. He waits for word to advance.

Dav'eed quietly retreats to the rest of the group and explains the situation in a whisper, drawing them back a bit to keep the light from showing around the bend in the passage. "OK, we found a scouting group, I think. Two trogs and three dogs around the corner ahead. I can take a shot at them and lead them back to the party here, where Rothgar and Tufts can block the passage and Gonye and I can engage with ranged weapons. I can step in if either of you gets injured or sick from the stench...but I bet we'll have to kill the dogs first. Gonye, be ready for ranged attacks as soon as I get them to come around the bend. Thoughts?"

 If everyone agrees, the rogue will sneak back to the edge, then shoot at the closest troglodyte (first red dot, about 50' away from the yellow dot. Because he hasn't been seen, he should attack with advantage and get Sneak Attack damage.) He will then take his move action to retreat 30' and his bonus Dash to move another 30'.

Attack: 22 Damage: 10

Rothgar agrees, unknocks the arrow, and draws his great axe. "Time for some payback." He reaches into his belt pouch for some string wax for his bow, wads it up and shoves it in his nose. "Hopes this helps some against the smell."

Gonye steels himself for the battle to come.

Quote from Ssymith >>

Lt. Charl returns after your short respite. The street is almost back to the way it was. fewer citizens, the night has descended. The Wintershield have lit every street lamp. Several are posted across the road but the others have already dispersed.

"I do hope you are feeling better. Another task is calling for my attention. As unfortunate as it is, we do not have the guards available to send." She pauses, the same long pause that you noticed with the Captain. "I need to know, will you. I collected these from the Medic before she left." Placing 2 vials of a greenish liquid and a rosy colored candy.

"Distillate of menthe and a curative" She looks intently at the four of you, "They will not survive long in the clutches of those beasts. But if we are quick enough they may still be returned unscathed." No matter the answer you give she nods curtly and rushes from the tavern.

 

 Tufts pulls out the vials of green liquid. After tearing a a couple of small strips of fabric from his bed roll he puts a little bit of the liquid on the cloth and ties it around his head so the treated part covers his nose. He hands the vials to the others for them to apply in their own manner. 

He gives notice of his readiness with a nod of He head and a low grrr. 

Gonye accepts the cloth and puts it on.

If Dav'eed reaches the party at the end of his 60' of movement, and if he has time, he will grab a treated cloth and tie it around his nose and mouth before taking aim with another arrow...

Dav'eed spots the ambush ahead, the Trogs paying more attention in the opposite direction. The 'dogs' sniffing about a growth of algae or other subtereanean vegetation, a type of sargasso. He heads back to report, Tufts suggesting and retrieving the vials of Distillate. The world blossoms into a hue of mint and fuzzy eyes as the vapors certainly block the stench but cause your eyes to water. (Gonye, Tufts, Dav'eed gain advantage on the first save against the Stench). With wax shoved up his nostrils, Rothgar finds it difficult to breath, forced to taste the air, the stench is even worse.

Dav'eed advances, leaning only as much as needed around the corner an arrow is loosed, thudding into the chest of a trog who yelps and grunts in pain. The dogs bay at the intrusion and charge, Dav'eed already backpedaling to his companions.

Your group has held your ground on the 'Island' in the middle of map 2. Tucked behind the bend, watching were Dav'eed started at (Yellow dot).

The dogs round the corner first, followed a step behind by the first Trog. Seeing the light of the torch around the corner, but nots its foes, it barks in a thick gravely sound, a growl as much as a command from the lead Trog. The dogs yelp at the command but return to the safety of the corner and back out of sight. The water splashes as they run back. The two groups protectively huddling to their respective corners, the trogs it seems are not allowed to leave their area, or are smarter than you think.

The 2 red dots on map one are 10' apart for reference.

Inititative

1. Your group<---Your turn, any order (You are on the 'Island' on the lower map)
2. The troglodytes and dogs

The middle of the Island to the yellow dot is 40'

Gonye says, "We're gonna have to take the fight to them, I think." as he moves forward.

Move and Dash to just behind the yellow dot, want to be in position to pop out and fire a cantrip next round.

Tufts across the river and into the alcove to the NW. He readies an attack should an enemy come within 10 ft.

Dav'eed moves (30') and Dashes (~10') to return to his original position, then uses his Cunning Action to Hide (Stealth: 15)

Rothgar will move to the bend, staying to the west of the curve (Stealth 5)

Perception check, Troglodytes: 16

Perception check, 'Dogs': 16

The four of you watch the troglodyte round the corner a step behind the three dogs. A wicked spear in his hand and ready. Immediately he commands the dogs to return and truns back the way he came, dissapearing around the corner.

You charge forward, Gonye carrying the torch, the only way he and Rothgar can even see in this infernal darkness. Dav'eed uses the guttering torch light, casting deep shadows in the rough cavern walls, he melds into the darkness. Tufts pulls up short and takes a ready stance deeper into a hollow of the rivers bed, a ways back from the others.

The Dogs emit a low growl, deep it barely registers, only feet away from you. The Trogs didn't retreat far, as they rush around the corner, the torch light revealing your position.

Two of the dogs follow the wall and snap at Dav'eed as they close, each attempting to flank the rogue and pull him to ground.

Dog one, snaping at Dav'eed: Attack: 22 Damage: 4

Dog two, snaping at Dav'eed: Attack: 15 Damage: 5

If the dogs hit, they attempt to knock Dav'eed prone: Strength save DC 11

The third dog and the Troglodyte Dav'eed spotted earlier (The one he didn't shoot) converge on Rothgar, working as a team to overwhelm the invading Barbarian.

Dog three snaping at Rothgar: Attack: 13 Damage: 3

Troglodyte spear thrust against Rothgar: Attack: 22 Damage: 5

If the dog hits, they attempt to knock Rothgar prone: Strength save DC 11

A second Trog, weaponless except for a useless bone with feathers barks a gravelly watery command, pointing the bone at Gonye. It stands across the water, against the norther curve, about 20' away from your group. Three motes of purple darkness form at its finger tips, they spin and race unerringly to impact with the poor wizard, the pressure knocking him back.

magic missile at Gonye : 2 5 2

Inititative

Rothgar, is in melee with a Trog: Stench. Any creature other than a troglodyte that starts its turn within 5 feet of the troglodyte must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of the creature’s next turn.

Rothgar has his nose plugged, forced to breath through his mouth and taste the stench, He has No advantage or disadvantage to the save.

1. Your group<---Your turn, any order (Rothgar, Gonye, Dav'eed are all close to the Yellow dot, struggling with the three dogs and a trog.)
2. The troglodytes and dogs (A Trog shaman is 20' to the North)