Once again Nyli feels the momentary confusion as the ray hits but again shakes it off. Muttering under breath she lashes out with her blade, feeling it bite deep.
Shortsword 22 to hit, 15 damage (5+10 sneak attack). The spectator drops like a stone - dead!
The bite of Skeleton B’s sword further enrages Dunkin. He tries to bite the bag of bones but it doesn’t phase it (4+5=9, miss), and following with a swipe of his massive paw misses again (1+5=6, miss)! Thankfully, he see the Spectator fall to Nyli’s deft blade.
The spectator drops to the floor and immediately begins melting into bubbling goo. Chase is able to shake off the paralysis only after he is splattered with the (harmless) slime. What remains of the spectator's "blood" on Nyli's shortsword evaporates into foul-smelling fumes along with the rest of the spectator's body. Before long, all that remain of the aberration are its teeth and its four eye stalks, now withered and twisted.
With Bear-Dunkin unable to find purchase on its fleshless form, the skeleton continues to flail about, but (I assume) you all take care of it swiftly.
On the east wall of the crypt, the door which the spectator destroyed hangs in pieces from its hinges. Beyond, you find a final room:
OOC:
The skeleton missed its last attack. The chance you don't bring it to 0 HP immediately is very low (though you have been rolling pretty low this fight), so we are exiting initiative order. You can still roll to attack the skeleton if you want, or else assume you hit on a final attack to finish it off.
With the last skeleton taken care of, Nyli cleans her blades on a scrap of cloth she pulls from its remains and sheathes them.
"It's ok, we're here to free you." She looks behind her "Dunkin, stop frightening these poor souls." She turns back "It's ok, he won't hurt you, now let's sort out these locks." She pulls out her thieves tools and starts opening the locks while talking to the prisoners. "I'm Nyli. I'm not sure if you recognise me, but I've been to Phandalin before. I'm a friend of Sister Garaele." She stops talking for a second as a lock springs open. "The dwarf is Chase" she looks at Dunkin "and that is Dunkin, who's only a bear some of the time." Another lock springs open.
The locks click; the cell doors swing open. The four prisoners step out into the hallway. "Thank you, Nyli, and Chase, and Dunkin," says Mirna. "I promise to reward you for this kindness someday. There's this emerald necklace back in—" She stops talking to grab the two children gleefully running straight toward Dunkin. It seems having a life-sized teddy bear does much to turn their spirits around. The mother holds her children close.
While the prisoners change from the rags they were wearing back into their normal clothes, the dwarf, Grista says gruffly, "Yeah, thanks. We don't got time for dilly-dallying. Those no-good, red-caped scoundrels kicked me out of my own bar, said they were going to burn down Phandalin, and they never paid their tab! I'm gettin' outta town before they come back!"
OOC:
Nyli's thieves tools check is sufficient to break the prisoners out of their chains as well.
Despite the map, there are no more rooms to explore in the basement of the manor. Grista will refuse to go back into town, and offers to escort the Dendrars to her cousin's mining camp up in the hills. Chase and anyone else who looked closely at the claims map in the Phandalin Mining Exchange would know of Grista's destination.
"Good luck on your travels, and stay safe. Once it's safe in the village we'll send word." Nyli looks at Chase and Dunkin. "I guess it's time to go and sort out the other Redbrand problem."
"Grista, is there any way for us to get in to the pub without being noticed? Maybe a side door, or a delivery door?"
Dunkin soon finds a potion of healing in his pack and quickly scarfs down the red liquid (+8 hp). At Nyli’s suggestion he raises his head in the direction of the Sleeping Giant then looks towards the Stonehill. “We should get reinforcements,” he thinks, “Gundren, Sildar …”
Dunkin/Brown Bear then lowers a shoulder to Chase. “Perhaps it’s time to ride into battle, Master Dwarf,” he thinks.
Whether or not Chase mounts up, Dunkin begins a slow amble towards the Sleeping Giant and the Redbrands with his keen nose raised for hidden ruffians (Perception=16).
Nyli looks at Dunkin "I'll make my own way and see what's ahead of us. Plus, they're less likely to notice me with you two lumbering about." With a wink she disappears out of the door and heads for the Inn.
"There's three ways into the Giant: the front doors, the kitchen door, and the pantry door," Grista tells you. "I never seen 'em use the kitchen door for anything."
OOC:
I actually had a picture of the skeletons:
Across the Street
Nyli returns to town before Chase and Bear-Dunkin. She has 1 minute to act before the other two are inevitably noticed. As she approaches, she hears a soft whistle: Sister Garaele and Sildar are signaling her while hiding behind a tree across the street from the Sleeping Giant Taphouse, both fully armed and armored. If Nyli confirms she notices, Sister Garaele subtly raises her mace and mimes smashing the Sleeping Giant Taphouse. Chase and Bear-Dunkin notice the two when they arrive a minute later.
The Sleeping Giant Taphouse
Two human ruffians linger on the covered porch of the Sleeping Giant Tavern, one perched on empty ale barrels and the other leaning against the wall. All the shutters on the first floor are closed, and the only obvious ways in are through the double-hinged half size saloon doors in the front, the pantry door in the back, which has been propped open, or the kitchen door on the side, which is closed but unlocked.
If Nyli enters, she would see:
The interior of the ramshackle taproom as busy as a beehive. Nine more Redbrand thugs are inside: six humans, two halflings, and a half-orc with an eyepatch, all wearing swords of different sizes. They are engaged assembling improvised incendiary devices from the bottles of alcohol at the bar and on a table off to the side.
A dozen spears rest against the wall opposite the door. Three bugbears test out the spears by seeing who can throw them the closest to a terrified goblin without hitting it. So far the goblin has not been injured.
OOC:
Even with a natural 20 perception by the Redbrands, Nyli still wins the contested check and remains unnoticed. She can reach the kitchen unseen, but it is impossible to spend more than a few seconds in the pantry, basement, or main room of the Sleeping Giant without someone seeing her (unless Nyli uses some creative method to do so).
A fully-armored dwarf riding a grizzly bear is quite the intimidating sight. Bear-Dunkin and Chase can each make a DC 14 Charisma (Intimidation) check to scare the guards at the front door into leaving their post. Alternatively, one of you can make the check with advantage. On a successful check, you can have them retreat into the sleeping giant taphouse or just run away for 1 minute.
All the red circles are incendiary devices. If ignited, they explode and deal 5 fire damage per round for two rounds to every creature and object within 5 ft., and ignites flammable objects in that range.
Map:
Please describe how and from where you want to approach the Sleeping Giant, if you are ready to approach.
For the purposes of combat, we will pretend that the compass rose on the map is correct. (The front door is supposed to be south-facing.)
As Dunkin come into view of the inn, the two guards in front run away in fear (Intimidation=17). Seeing Nyli setup to flank the ruffians, Dunkin decides a frontal assault is just the ticket. Setting his feet (and hoping Chase has a good grip) Dunkin accelerates and bursts through the front door, Ruffian ‘F’ is soon buried in a mountain of ursine pain (bite=6+5/damage=5, claw=1+5/miss).
OOC:
I assume the ruffians AC=11 (light armor) for the attack. I wasn’t sure on the DEX mod. Obviously correct me if I’m wrong.
The two ruffians guarding the front door yelp in terror as Bear-Dunkin and Chase charge at them. They leap to the side just as Bear-Dunkin bursts through the doors. Dunkin pins Ruffian F against the bar, but the ruffian's armor protects their body from Dunkin's claws and teeth.
They also see the following inside:
Nine more Redbrand thugs are inside: six humans, two halflings, and a half-orc with an eyepatch, all wearing swords of different sizes. They are engaged assembling improvised incendiary devices from the bottles of alcohol at the bar and on a table off to the side.
A dozen spears rest against the wall opposite the door. Three bugbears test out the spears by seeing who can throw them the closest to a terrified goblin without hitting it. So far the goblin has not been injured.
Meanwhile, Nyli slips into the kitchen with ease, followed by Sister Garaele and Sildar. They wait for Nyli's signal to take action. She finds the kitchen empty of people. There is a hot stove with a pot of boiling water, a few wooden countertops with unchopped vegetables and salted fish. Ahead in the next room, Nyli sees disorderly shelves of food and a lone Redbrand (K) in the pantry
OOC:
Repeating some of the description above
The Redbrands have AC 14 with their studded leather armor.
The Redbrands will take action in the next round so I would suggest making this round count.
I do not enjoy running ally NPCs, so if two of you are willing, please take control of Sildar and Garaele. Their stat blocks are listed below.
With all the Redbrands distracted by Chase and Dunkin, Nyli and Sister Garaele launch surprise attacks from the side. Nyli sends an arrow through K's throat and they drop like a stone. She quickly moves back outside, out of site. Meanwhile Sister Garaele casts sacred flame at the goblin, and moves back alongside Nyli hoping to stay unseen.
Nyli
Shortbow 19 Damage 17 (8+9) Ruffian K - Dead Bonus action Hide (Stealth 24)
Sister Garaele
Casts Sacred Flame at Droop. Req Dex save 12 to avoid 4 damage. Attempt to hide Stealth 12
OOC: I've rolled for Sister Garaele on Nyli's sheet using the basic dice button
Once again Nyli feels the momentary confusion as the ray hits but again shakes it off. Muttering under breath she lashes out with her blade, feeling it bite deep.
Shortsword 22 to hit, 15 damage (5+10 sneak attack). The spectator drops like a stone - dead!
OOC: Wis save 15
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Portia Thornleaf - Halfling Rogue
The bite of Skeleton B’s sword further enrages Dunkin. He tries to bite the bag of bones but it doesn’t phase it (4+5=9, miss), and following with a swipe of his massive paw misses again (1+5=6, miss)! Thankfully, he see the Spectator fall to Nyli’s deft blade.
The spectator drops to the floor and immediately begins melting into bubbling goo. Chase is able to shake off the paralysis only after he is splattered with the (harmless) slime. What remains of the spectator's "blood" on Nyli's shortsword evaporates into foul-smelling fumes along with the rest of the spectator's body. Before long, all that remain of the aberration are its teeth and its four eye stalks, now withered and twisted.
With Bear-Dunkin unable to find purchase on its fleshless form, the skeleton continues to flail about, but (I assume) you all take care of it swiftly.
On the east wall of the crypt, the door which the spectator destroyed hangs in pieces from its hinges. Beyond, you find a final room:
OOC:
The skeleton missed its last attack. The chance you don't bring it to 0 HP immediately is very low (though you have been rolling pretty low this fight), so we are exiting initiative order. You can still roll to attack the skeleton if you want, or else assume you hit on a final attack to finish it off.
With the last skeleton taken care of, Nyli cleans her blades on a scrap of cloth she pulls from its remains and sheathes them.
"It's ok, we're here to free you." She looks behind her "Dunkin, stop frightening these poor souls." She turns back "It's ok, he won't hurt you, now let's sort out these locks." She pulls out her thieves tools and starts opening the locks while talking to the prisoners. "I'm Nyli. I'm not sure if you recognise me, but I've been to Phandalin before. I'm a friend of Sister Garaele." She stops talking for a second as a lock springs open. "The dwarf is Chase" she looks at Dunkin "and that is Dunkin, who's only a bear some of the time." Another lock springs open.
OOC: Dex 21 to open the locks.
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Portia Thornleaf - Halfling Rogue
Dunkin ambles is over to the children, promptly rolling over and wiggling like a big puppy, hoping the children giggle (Charisma=11).
The locks click; the cell doors swing open. The four prisoners step out into the hallway. "Thank you, Nyli, and Chase, and Dunkin," says Mirna. "I promise to reward you for this kindness someday. There's this emerald necklace back in—" She stops talking to grab the two children gleefully running straight toward Dunkin. It seems having a life-sized teddy bear does much to turn their spirits around. The mother holds her children close.
While the prisoners change from the rags they were wearing back into their normal clothes, the dwarf, Grista says gruffly, "Yeah, thanks. We don't got time for dilly-dallying. Those no-good, red-caped scoundrels kicked me out of my own bar, said they were going to burn down Phandalin, and they never paid their tab! I'm gettin' outta town before they come back!"
OOC:
Nyli's thieves tools check is sufficient to break the prisoners out of their chains as well.
Despite the map, there are no more rooms to explore in the basement of the manor. Grista will refuse to go back into town, and offers to escort the Dendrars to her cousin's mining camp up in the hills. Chase and anyone else who looked closely at the claims map in the Phandalin Mining Exchange would know of Grista's destination.
"Good luck on your travels, and stay safe. Once it's safe in the village we'll send word." Nyli looks at Chase and Dunkin. "I guess it's time to go and sort out the other Redbrand problem."
"Grista, is there any way for us to get in to the pub without being noticed? Maybe a side door, or a delivery door?"
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Portia Thornleaf - Halfling Rogue
Dunkin soon finds a potion of healing in his pack and quickly scarfs down the red liquid (+8 hp). At Nyli’s suggestion he raises his head in the direction of the Sleeping Giant then looks towards the Stonehill. “We should get reinforcements,” he thinks, “Gundren, Sildar …”
Dunkin/Brown Bear then lowers a shoulder to Chase. “Perhaps it’s time to ride into battle, Master Dwarf,” he thinks.
Whether or not Chase mounts up, Dunkin begins a slow amble towards the Sleeping Giant and the Redbrands with his keen nose raised for hidden ruffians (Perception=16).
Chase takes Dunkin’s que and mounts up. (Awesome)
“Time to wake the Sleeping Giant. Kill a few redbrands this anarchy cannot continue.”
Wise as a serpent and sly as a fox.
Nyli looks at Dunkin "I'll make my own way and see what's ahead of us. Plus, they're less likely to notice me with you two lumbering about." With a wink she disappears out of the door and heads for the Inn.
Stealth 24
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Portia Thornleaf - Halfling Rogue
Chase readies his warhammer and shield on the way.
Wise as a serpent and sly as a fox.
Tresendar Crypt
"There's three ways into the Giant: the front doors, the kitchen door, and the pantry door," Grista tells you. "I never seen 'em use the kitchen door for anything."
OOC:
I actually had a picture of the skeletons:
Across the Street
Nyli returns to town before Chase and Bear-Dunkin. She has 1 minute to act before the other two are inevitably noticed. As she approaches, she hears a soft whistle: Sister Garaele and Sildar are signaling her while hiding behind a tree across the street from the Sleeping Giant Taphouse, both fully armed and armored. If Nyli confirms she notices, Sister Garaele subtly raises her mace and mimes smashing the Sleeping Giant Taphouse. Chase and Bear-Dunkin notice the two when they arrive a minute later.
The Sleeping Giant Taphouse
Two human ruffians linger on the covered porch of the Sleeping Giant Tavern, one perched on empty ale barrels and the other leaning against the wall. All the shutters on the first floor are closed, and the only obvious ways in are through the double-hinged half size saloon doors in the front, the pantry door in the back, which has been propped open, or the kitchen door on the side, which is closed but unlocked.
If Nyli enters, she would see:
OOC:
Map:
Please describe how and from where you want to approach the Sleeping Giant, if you are ready to approach.
For the purposes of combat, we will pretend that the compass rose on the map is correct. (The front door is supposed to be south-facing.)
Max Chase does indeed intimidate as he and Dunkin bear down on the Ruffians.
Intimidate 23
Chase also touches Bear-Dunkin with guidance.
Wise as a serpent and sly as a fox.
Nyli lets Sister Garaele know that she's seen her, and then moves to the side of the Inn and tests that the side door is unlocked.
Once she knows she can get in that way she readies herself for the fight, and waits for Chase and Dunkin to make their entrance.
She also signals to Sildar and Sister Garaele that there's another way in.
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Portia Thornleaf - Halfling Rogue
As Dunkin come into view of the inn, the two guards in front run away in fear (Intimidation=17). Seeing Nyli setup to flank the ruffians, Dunkin decides a frontal assault is just the ticket. Setting his feet (and hoping Chase has a good grip) Dunkin accelerates and bursts through the front door, Ruffian ‘F’ is soon buried in a mountain of ursine pain (bite=6+5/damage=5, claw=1+5/miss).
OOC:
I assume the ruffians AC=11 (light armor) for the attack. I wasn’t sure on the DEX mod. Obviously correct me if I’m wrong.
The two ruffians guarding the front door yelp in terror as Bear-Dunkin and Chase charge at them. They leap to the side just as Bear-Dunkin bursts through the doors. Dunkin pins Ruffian F against the bar, but the ruffian's armor protects their body from Dunkin's claws and teeth.
They also see the following inside:
Meanwhile, Nyli slips into the kitchen with ease, followed by Sister Garaele and Sildar. They wait for Nyli's signal to take action. She finds the kitchen empty of people. There is a hot stove with a pot of boiling water, a few wooden countertops with unchopped vegetables and salted fish. Ahead in the next room, Nyli sees disorderly shelves of food and a lone Redbrand (K) in the pantry
OOC:
Monsters Round 0:
Allies:
Map:
OOC I'll Take Sister Garaele
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Portia Thornleaf - Halfling Rogue
Chase swings his warhammer at ruffian E
action attack 20 7 damage
Sildar aims and fires his heavy crossbow at Ruffian K
Attack: 12 Damage: 10
Wise as a serpent and sly as a fox.
With all the Redbrands distracted by Chase and Dunkin, Nyli and Sister Garaele launch surprise attacks from the side. Nyli sends an arrow through K's throat and they drop like a stone. She quickly moves back outside, out of site. Meanwhile Sister Garaele casts sacred flame at the goblin, and moves back alongside Nyli hoping to stay unseen.
Nyli
Shortbow 19 Damage 17 (8+9) Ruffian K - Dead
Bonus action Hide (Stealth 24)
Sister Garaele
Casts Sacred Flame at Droop. Req Dex save 12 to avoid 4 damage.
Attempt to hide Stealth 12
OOC: I've rolled for Sister Garaele on Nyli's sheet using the basic dice button
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Portia Thornleaf - Halfling Rogue
With Ruffian ‘F’ pinned, Dunkin makes another unsuccessful attempt to claw (12) and bite (8) his way through the man’s armor.
OOC:
What’s with these dice! Sorry, team. Ugh.