Quote from Kerrec >>

FYI, if you are carrying Ferriman, then you shield will have to be slung (not equipped).

 Also true, though possibly a smaller issue if I'm int he back (I'm assuming we're most likely to run into stuff int he front of the group, but who knows.  I'm guessing that's not guaranteed, but I'm at least still at 16 AC without the shield, and I can drop ferriman and equip the shield if we get attacked)

Quote from Quasimodal >>

I think Beegred has to be in the front, with his skill Natural Explorer (underdark favored terrain). *If* the party still gets all the perks of his ranger skills without him leading, then he could be moved around. While Sarith is pointing out landmarks to go to, Beegred will be micromanaging the path to reach those locations.

I will make a suggestion for a two-wide formation, to get the discussion going. If the party decides on something different, I'm fine with it. (Don't delay on my account; I'll agree with alternate suggestions.) From front to back:

1. Beegred - Narstin
2. Jimjar - Sarith
3. Ront (w/Ferriman) - Buppido
4. Tozer (w/Derendil) - Valthana (w/Stool)
5. Eldeth - Xilyrah

Notes:

• Re-organize after the next long rest. By then, Derrendil will be healthy, and Ferriman can be dropped as dead weight (pun intended)
• Ront won't want to carry the halfling. If he doesn't want to do that, he is more than welcome to be in front, fighting any monsters encountered... Given those 2 choices, Ront will be happy to carry the halfling in the middle of the party.
• I don't trust Ront or Buppido, which is why Tozer, Eldeth, and Xilyrah are behind them.

Works for me

If agreeing to the above, then 2 characters (good aligned) can make a persuasion check (with advantage for giving the choice of front line or mule) to make Ront carry Ferriman.

This should just be a formality.  My goal is to let the dice make the final decision, as much as possible.  Per the DMG:

So, asking Ront to be front line would be a DC20.  Asking Ront to carry Ferriman in the middle of the group would be DC 10.

Beegred will try to Persuade Ront that carrying the very light halfling while being surrounded by others is a much better marching position than joining Beegred in the front. (Xilyrah will have the best chance, but I don't remember who is Good-aligned in the group.)

Roll: 4 (If this is Intimidate, then add +2, and I'll have Beegred turn into a drill sergeant.)

Like I said,  a formality.

Beegred's marching order OK with everyone?

FYI: Eldeth has a perception bonus of +5

If you want to split your perception between front arc and rear arc, that's fine with me.  1 check + help for each arc.

I'm fine with this. It's pretty close to what I had in mind. Xilyrah isn't good-aligned so Beegred's roll should stand.

Narstin has +3 perception, as does Beegred.  So if we're both in front it doesn't matter which of us actually rolls.  Unless we'd rather replace one of us two with Eldeth for the better perception

If the Perception rolls involve dangers from the Underdark, then Beegred has +5 (Natural Explorer proficiency)... If the ranger abilities (can't get lost, normal speed over rough terrain, etc.) still apply from the back, then Beegred can be swapped.

We do want someone in back alert for anything catching up to us, although it doesn't have to be Eldeth. I think Eldeth wants to be behind Ront, given their animosity.

Natural Explorer

You are particularly familiar with one type of natural environment and are adept at traveling and surviving in such regions. Choose one type of favored terrain: arctic, coast, desert, forest, grassland, mountain, swamp, or the Underdark. When you make an Intelligence or Wisdom check related to your favored terrain, your proficiency bonus is doubled if you are using a skill that you’re proficient in.

While traveling for an hour or more in your favored terrain, you gain the following benefits:

• Difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel.
• Your group can’t become lost except by magical means.
• Even when you are engaged in another activity while traveling (such as foraging, navigating, or tracking), you remain alert to danger.
• If you are traveling alone, you can move stealthily at a normal pace.
• When you forage, you find twice as much food as you normally would.
• While tracking other creatures, you also learn their exact number, their sizes, and how long ago they passed through the area.

My implementation:

• To gain the benefits from "difficult terrain", you'd have to be (also) navigating.  Sarith could lead you in the correct direction, and Beegred would guide the group through the terrain.
• As for not getting lost, only Beegred would not get lost.  The group would depend on him.  He will always be able to backtrack to where you've already been.
• Beegred's Passive Perception will still apply even if he is occupied with another task.
• And double proficiency for Intelligence or Wisdom checks

Quote from Kerrec >>

Beegred's marching order OK with everyone?

 

 Aye

Is Sarith familiar with the layout of this southern passage (that is blocked by darkness)? If we walk in, do we have to worry about pitfalls or guard posts, or is it a relatively simple hallway?

Quote from Quasimodal >>

Beegred will check if the lamp (leaning against the wall) has phosphorescent moss inside. If so, he will take the lamp (and give it to Narstin later)

This was my thought as well.  If it's got phosphoresent moss inside, I can cast light for us.  If it doesn't, we can theoretically just bring the lamp with us as a source of light for those that can't see int he dark.

Bad situation in post 654 of the main thread. I'm guessing these guys are tougher than our entire party, but they will summon reinforcements if we don't attack 1-on-1.

Is it okay to assume that Xilyrah has been translating all of these conversations said to the whole group? In particular, I'm wondering about post #35 in the jail cell, where Sarith asks if Jorlan has to watch Shoor spending time with his ex-girlfriend.

My suggestion:

After we get the translation for post 654 from Xilyrah, Beegred will attack Shoor first. He isn't going to last long, but he does have a crossbow with the drow-poison bolts. If we get Shoor poisoned, there is a chance of success for the group.

But... I'm hoping that boldaslove1970 has Xilyrah do some fast talking. Say thanks to Jorlan for the metal wire to free ourselves from the cell. (Maybe he and Shoor will start fighting right away.) Also mention to Jorlan that it would be a shame if Shoor were accidentally killed while prisoners were escaping, as Mistress Ilvara would be all alone. No one would be able to tell which of Shoor's death wounds came from prisoners, and which from Jorlan... The entire group can pile on Shoor at that time, and hope that Jorlan helps out (instead of summoning help).

Agreed. I doubt Jorlan will cry a tear at Shoor's demise. Well, let's see what our high-charisma half drow can do. 

Xilyrah is a boss! Nicely timed natural 20.

I hope the rest of you are ready to join the party after Beegred's shot. The water is fine.

Roll initiative.

Initiative - Beegred: 5, Sarith: 14, Ront: 13

Initiative for Eldeth: 5 | for Jimjar: 19

Initiative...

Xilyrah: 8

Buppido: 20

Narstin Initiative: 18