B'Reh follows closely behind Vira, her sharp eyes scanning the corridor ahead while her ears half-listen to Kenna's enthusiastic chatter. The young corvum's words about color-shifting slimes and their strange reactions to different elements are intriguing, but B'Reh finds herself struggling to truly understand the drive behind such dangerous research.

She furrows her brow and glances back at Kenna. "I hear your excitement, but I must admit, I don't fully understand it. These slimes—they're hostile, dangerous, even mindless. What is it about them that compels you to take such risks? To enter a cavern like this alone, knowing what lurks inside...it’s beyond my comprehension."

Her tone is measured, curious but also tinged with disapproval. "Is it just for proof? Or do you believe these slimes hold some secret that could truly aid the Rhythm and those who live by it?" B'Reh keeps her pace steady, her focus split between their surroundings and Kenna's response, trying to reconcile the young corvum’s reckless determination with her own instincts for survival.

"The Wood has been suffering. I'm not sure where you all came from or what you've heard, but there have been tales of the Grove expanding, of fires cropping up and destroying perches and homes all along its borders. If I could just study this shifting slime a bit closer, maybe figure out how it adapts so quickly to avoid being hurt by things like fire, then perhaps other researchers or even the Tenders could use that knowledge to help the forests around the Grove adapt."

As the young researcher finishes that thought, Vira hears a faint squishing sound from far ahead in the tunnel.

Vira narrows her eyes, her grip tightening on her weapon as the faint squishing sound echoes from the tunnel ahead. She raises a hand to signal for silence, her feathers ruffling slightly as her instincts kick in.

"I think I hear the slime up ahead," she whispers, her voice low but firm. She moves cautiously closer to the sound, keeping her eyes peeled.

Perception: 14+2 guidance= 16

B'Reh gestures for Kenna to move up slightly but keeps a protective arm ready to guide her back. Her voice is hushed but firm. "Kenna, I think Vira's found another one of your shifting slimes. Be ready to collect your sample as quickly as you can. Let us know the moment you're done so we can handle the creature before it becomes too dangerous." She then grips her spear tightly, her sharp gaze scanning the tunnel as she steps forward to follow Vira. "Stay close, but stay safe," she adds quietly to Kenna, her tone carrying both urgency and caution as she prepares for what lies ahead.

"Okay," Kenna says softly, pulling an empty vial and a small pocket knife from another pouch on her belt and following Vira alongside B'Reh.

Passive Insight 10:

 Vira sees two branches appear in the tunnel before her, and is able to discern that the squelching sound is coming from the left branch. She also determines that there are actually two separate sources of the noise from that branch, but both sound much smaller than the shifting slime from earlier, and perhaps even smaller than the sticky and caustic slimes, though she can't be positive.

"Two of them," she murmurs, keeping her voice low. "Smaller than what we’ve faced so far, I think, but we can’t take any chances." She glances back at Kenna, noticing her unease. "Kenna, don't worry. We’ll cover you."

Persuasion: 9 + 4 guidance= 13

Her golden eyes narrow as she focuses on the left branch. "We’ll take the left path."

Vira makes her way cautiously down the left path, trying to move stealthily.

Stealth: 22

"We are right here to protect you." Aric says in trying to comfort Kenna

B'Reh notices Kenna's nervousness and gives her a small, reassuring nod before whispering, "Stay close, but don’t worry—we’ve got this. Though, if there's anything on your mind, please do speak up."

She keeps a careful distance from Vira, mindful not to disrupt her stealthy approach, though inwardly she questions whether the slimes would even notice such tactics. With her spear held firmly, B'Reh remains ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble, positioning herself to quickly back Vira up if needed.

"I've just...I've never actually collected a live sample before. I know the principles, that if you can slice at a slime with something like a knife or an axe then they sometimes split into two living pieces, I'm just not sure if I can be quick or accurate enough to do it without someone getting hurt," the young corvum says at B'Reh's prompting. However, with Vira and Aric's words of encouragement, her resolve seems to be strengthened, and she follows closely beside B'Reh. 

Vira moves forward, a small ways ahead of the group, which is moving along less stealthily behind her, until she nears an opening to a cavern. The chamber is quite long, but fairly narrow, and near the opposite end about 75 ft. away are two small slimes of the same shifting iridescent colors as the large one from earlier. They don't seem to notice Vira at the moment, but the group is quickly approaching her from behind.

Vira motions for the group to stop, turning her head just enough to address them in a low whisper.

"Two of them, same kind as before, but smaller. They haven’t noticed us yet." She glances back at Kenna, her expression serious but calm. "Kenna, this is your chance. We’ll keep them distracted, but you’ll need to act fast to collect your sample."

B'Reh halts abruptly, raising a hand to signal the others to stop and gestures for complete silence. Turning slightly, she steps aside to let Kenna move past her. Lowering her voice to a soft, reverent murmur, she holds her holy symbol and offers a quiet prayer (Guidance for Sleight of hand or Stealth?). "May the Rhythm guide your hand, Kenna, and steady your heart in this moment." She follow the young corvum with concern and determination, her spear held at the ready in case anything goes wrong.  

Aric circles around to help with the distraction; staff at the ready. He nods when in position.

Kenna begins to creep forward, with two strig and Brynlee at her back. Aric begins to move along the side of the chamber, slightly ahead of the others. In the relative darkness of the chamber, only B'Reh and Vira can see far enough to immediately see the slimes react as Aric approaches them from about 60 feet away.

[[ I guess I'll go ahead and do initiative for this even though it's not a true combat? Just seems like the best way to resolve actions and possible complications. Unfortunately won't have a map for this but it's a smaller one so should be fine. ]]

Initiative Round 1

[[ 30 ft. wide 80 ft. long chamber. Aric is on the left wall, about 55 ft. from where the slimes are near the other end of the chamber. The rest of the group is at the center of the chamber about 70 ft. from the slimes. Aric and Brynlee can see the entire party and 30 ft. ahead and behind them as if it were bright light and the rest of the chamber as dim light, B'Reh and Vira can see the whole chamber as if it were bright light, and Kenna can see the whole chamber as dim light. I'm actually not quite sure how dim light combat is typically handled, but for now let's say you must make a free perception check (at disadvantage) on your turn to see the target of the attack/spell/ability check/help action if they are in an area that is dim light for you.

Edit based on cyreon's helpful clarification and some further thought on what makes sense: scratch the whole perception check thing just make your attacks as normal since Vira basically pointed out the two slimes as y'all entered the chamber so everyone knows where they are and would be able to pick them out in the dimly lit cave without much trouble. ]]

[[ Players' turn. Concentration: B'Reh ]]

B'Reh grips her spear tightly, standing firm in the center of the chamber as she watches Kenna creep forward. She keeps a sharp eye on the young corvum, ready to intervene if necessary. Whispering another soft prayer, she renews her focus on Kenna, prepared to offer further guidance should her previous blessing fade and help her in her efforts where possible in the mean time.

"I will stay close, Kenna," she mutters under her breath, her voice calm and steady. "If you need steadier hands or a moment’s support, I am here."

She trusts Vira, Aric, and Brynlee to handle the distraction and keeps her attention fixed on ensuring Kenna’s safety and success. Her posture remains defensive, her spear ready in case the slimes show any sign of hostility.

[[ Not sure if you asked for this... Light conditions: For people without darkvision:

1. Regular light = no problems

2. Dim light = disadvantage on perception, but no effect on attack rolls or on combat generally other than perception checks

3. Total darkness = can’t see opponent, therefore disadvantage on attack rolls and won’t be able to target opponents with certain spells that require you to see the target.

Darkvision just shifts this one step down, so in dim light you’re fine, as if in category one, and in total darkness you’re in category 2, disadvantage on perception but no other effect on combat.]]

Vira stealthily moves over next to Aric, readying her axe to attack when the slimes gets too close.

Stealth: 7

Bonus Action: Rage

Readied action: Attack a slime when they get within 5 ft of her or Aric

Before Aric has time to react, Vira is in front of him ready to fend off the slimes. Brynlee hangs back behind B'Reh and Kenna, ready to fling a blast of lightning energy as soon as Kenna has her sample. Aric draws his crossbow and does the same with a bolt.

The slimes move slowly across the cavern, but remain focused on Aric and Vira, even as they draw close enough to likely sense the others as well. They make it 40 ft. so that they are within 10 feet of Vira at the moment Kenna acts. The young corvum dashes quickly over to the slimes, pocket knife flashing, and attempts to gather a sample into her vial (sleight of hand 14 + 1 guidance for a 15). With a quick slash, she lops off a small chunk of the slime's body, which she catches neatly in her vial before quickly corking it. "I got it!" she shouts.

At the sound of her shout, two attacks come flying towards the slime, first a crackling blast of lightning from Brynlee (15 to hit for 6 lightning damage), which causes the slime to turn a vibrant yellow color, then a crossbow bolt from Aric (22 to hit for 10 piercing damage), which sends the slime melting to the ground, allowing Kenna to back up slightly without drawing an attack. Just one small slime is left 5 ft. away from Vira.

Initiative Round 2

[[ Players' turn. ]]

Vira immediately springs into action as Kenna retrieves the sample and the slime gets close enough. With a roar she swings her greataxe at it with all her might, ready to strike again immediately should the slime not fall.

Reaction: Greataxe to hit 14, damage 14

Strength save: 24

Action (if needed): Greataxe to hit 12, damage 16

B'Reh keeps her spear held ready but turns her attention to her holy symbol, murmuring a brief prayer under her breath to prepare Toll the Dead in case the remaining slime survives Vira's strikes. Her sharp eyes remain fixed on the battle, but her voice carries over to Kenna with a firm urgency. "Kenna, is this all you needed? Can we leave now and return to the village?" Her tone is calm but edged with authority, a clear desire to conclude this dangerous errand and bring the young corvum to safety. "We’ve risked much to get you this sample. Let us not tempt the Rhythm's balance further by staying longer than necessary." Her voice softens slightly, a touch of compassion creeping into her words. "Please, tell us if our task is complete."

With a swing of Vira's axe, the second slime melts to the ground beside the first. Kenna quickly finishes backing away back towards B'Reh and Brynlee, gently cradling the large glass vial in her hands with a tiny bit of slime still moving around inside. "Yes yes yes! Thank you all so much! I've got to get back home as soon as possible to run more tests." The corvum happily tucks the vial into a special pocket of her backpack, and looks back at the tunnel from which your group came. "I assume you all came through the northern entrance to the caverns since you came from the same tunnel as me? That route is faster through the Fields, but we may be closer to the southern entrance by this point."

[[ Basically just let me know how you all want to exit the caverns and make your way back to Winnowing Reach! Whoever is navigating the caverns will need to make a survival check to lead the group back out to the swamp. Going back the way you came will also require another group stealth check for the rotted struts or a controlled tunnel collapse like you attempted earlier. ]]

B'Reh nods thoughtfully, lowering her spear now that the danger has passed. She listens to Kenna’s enthusiasm, her voice steady and calm. "We came through the southern entrance originally," she explains, "but avoided entering there because there were no signs of your passing. We fought several slimes near that entrance before making our way around to the northern route. If you think the southern exit is closer now, I trust your knowledge of the caves and the region."

She glances at Vira, who seems poised to take the lead. "Vira, if you’re navigating us through the caverns, allow me to offer a blessing for clarity." B'Reh raises her amulet, whispering a prayer to infuse Vira with divine Guidance.

Turning back to Kenna, her tone softens slightly. "Let us move swiftly, but cautiously. We may encounter more slimes near the southern entrance, and your uncle is anxious for your safe return."