Ash: You find a hall that opens into a large room. Before that, to the north, is a door.

Map:

Ash creeps to and listens at the door. Perception: 7. He checks if it is locked. Stealth: 19

Ash: You hear nothing and the door is locked.

Ash picks the lock with his thieves' tools: 5; he gives up and heads back, telling the others what he sees.

Kristofferson: "Let's move ahead to the large room. Maybe we'll find a key for the room. On the way past, give me a crack at that locked door." Thieves' tools: 11; stealth: 9

Ash leads the way. Stealth: 21 (+luck)

Badger hangs to the back. Stealth: 0 (-armor)

Six cracked marble pillars line the walls of this hall, at the north end of which stands a nine-foot-tall statue of a dwarf seated on a throne, a mighty stone warhammer across his lap. Large emeralds gleam in the statue’s eyes. The dust and debris covering the floor has been swept to one side, and a campsite of sorts now spreads in front of the statue. Half a dozen bedrolls and packs are neatly arranged around a rough-built fire pit. A wooden table stands on the west side of the room between two pillars.

Two bugbears stand by the table, flanking an elf dressed in black leather armor and robes. He clutches a black staff with a carved spider at the top and frowns as he sees you. One of the bugbears raises his morningstar, but the elf holds out a hand to have him lower it. He then smiles. "Well this is a surprise. I have had minions out hunting you for the better part of a week and here you stand in my chambers. A right talented little group of adventurers you've proved to be. Well? How can I help you?"

Map:

Ash takes a few slow steps north to separate from the others a bit, glancing around the chamber. Perception: 11

Badger steps forward to take Ash's previous position. "We are the Quote Unquote Fantastic. We are here by the patronage of Sir Sildar Hallwinter of the Lord's Alliance to find and verify the safety of the Rockseeker brothers. Do you know anything about their whereabouts?"

Kristofferson steps west and south to stay near Badger. He also looks around the chamber. Perception: 13

Ash & K: You see nothing more than what's already been described.

The elf watches Ash move towards his camp, but remains in place and smiling. "Yes, the Quote Unquote Fantastic. I have heard of you, as I said. I had you ambushed by the Redbrands and attacked by the Cragmaws. A marvel that you killed Grol and Vyerith, but a pity you couldn't save the dwarf, Rockseeker, I forget which one died. I imagine Vyerith's brother will want a word with you before this is all said and done."

"But enough history. Let's talk future. Yes, I know where the remaining Rockseekers are. Yes, you can take them. That is, if you help me. I've had a rough time finding my way to a certain chamber in this mine. If you escort me there, I will hand you the key to the Rockseekers' prison and you will be free to leave with them."

Ash looks at the statue. Can he identify it?

Badger: "Let us see that they are unharmed."

K: "What troubles have you had and what makes you think we can help?"

Ash: You cannot recognize the subject of the statue.

The elf replies: "You will see them in good time. Trust, friend. Let us operate on trust."

He looks at Ash. "That is Dumathoin, the dwarven god of mining. I'm sure you've heard the little histories of this mine and the dwarves who worked here. And you've heard of the power this mine holds and the power it can grant to those that control it. Together, you and I can leave this mine with more power and riches than you can dream. All it takes is an act of help based on trust."

K: "You've identified us and now the statue. What of yourself?"

Badger: "You tell us to trust you after killing Gundren Rockseeker, trying to kill our friend Sir Hallwinter, and trying to kill us? You'll forgive me for laughing if I wasn't so angry."

The elf bows subtly. "Apologies. I am Nezznar, the Black Spider."

"As for these accusations—I am innocent. I only waylayed Sir Hallwinter for trying to interfere in my operations. Grol killed Rockseeker without my orders. And I have only requested that you be diverted from me and the mine. On that count, I have failed, as you are here, proving to me your skill and worth. Hence, my offer."

"Now if you decline, so be it. Turn around and leave. What say you?"

You sense his patience waning.

Ash finally speaks. "Fine! We'll admit it. We're here for the Rockseekers, sure, but we're really here for gold to send home to our families. If you'll pay us a thousand gold, we'll help you. Rockseekers be damned." If K or Badger protest, he'll interrupt them and give a glaring, angry look.

Badger is shocked. "Ash no."

Ash: "The Rockseekers have only gotten us into more and more danger and nickel and dimed us along the way, trickling silver and gold into our pockets. If Nezznar here is more generous, then I'm willing to help him."

Badger scowls and mutters. "Silver and gold." It dawned on him that Ash is lying.

Ash deception: 5 (even with advantage with help :( )

Nezznar looks at Ash and simply grins. He then looks passed Badger and looks annoyed. Then a look of realization comes to his face. He snaps his fingers. "Kill them." The bugbears step in front of Nezznar and wield their morningstars and two giant spiders climb out of their hiding spots on the ceiling 20' up behind the columns.

Initiative:

• Nezznar, the Black Spider - 21
• K - 18
• Ash - 17
• Badger - 11
• Giant spiders - 7
• Bugbears - 5

Nezznar casts mage armor on himself.

K channels his Ki forward through a Fist of Unbroken Air at Nezznar: 14 bludgeoning and prone, or STR DC 12 save for half damage and not prone.

Nezznar strength save: 3. He takes full damage and is knocked prone.

Ash runs to the north of the bugbear and slashes away (7 & 17 to hit, 6 piercing)

Badger runs to flank the north bugbear with Ash and uses his wand against him (12 force)

The giant spiders shoot webs, one at Badger, one at Kristofferson: 9 & 6 to hit; both fly over your heads and stick to the walls behind you.

The bugbears swing their morningstars at Badger (16 miss, 24 crit, 19 piercing) who isn't able to dodge both at once.

Nezznar casts invisibility on himself. You no longer know exactly where he is in the room.

Map:

K runs forward to flank bugbear 2 with Badger and swings at it with his quarterstaff (19 to hit (+flank), 11 bludgeoning) and punches it (22 to hit (+flank), 6 bludgeoning)

Ash slices at bugbear 1 (8 & 12 to hit (+flank)) but misses both. He snarls in frustration, but also hoping to get his attention.

Badger shoots 3 magic missiles at bugbear 1 (11 force).

Both spiders regain their web attack and again shoot them, this time at Ash and K. (8 & 5 to hit, both miss again)

Bugbear 1 is dead.

Bugbear 2 whimpers that Nezznar has disappeared and his mate has fallen. He swings his morningstar at Badger (18 to hit) but it clanks off of Badger's armor.

Nezznar has acted out of sight.