The remaining four party members move into the cave, one after the other. Gruxx starts marching, making quite a bit of noise, but HDP points out that if he takes smaller steps, he'll make less noise.
Ian, you can hear the others approaching, but you know what to listen for, so you're pretty sure those you're watching won't. In fact, neither the dark elf nor the bugbear turn in your direction. You don't hear anymore sounds other than the occasional word related to keeping watch and the sounds of effort coming from out of sight in the rift ahead.
The party is together. I should probably get a party order since the tunnel is single file before anything further happens.
Glynquinal takes the time to cast Light, on one of his daggers, and gives it to Gruxx. He covers it with one of the shirts from his pack to hide some of the light so their position isn't given away.
Nudging Gruxx, he offers him the light source. Then he returns to the rear.
OK, I'll put HDP between Glyn and Gruxx. So, this is where you are:
The white lines help you know where the square boundaries are. You have to follow the curve of the cave, so only the full squares may be used (no diagonals). Also, since you'd be able to distinguish between the walls of the larger space and the rift that you can't see much of, I made the rift gray.
Ian will tell ask Gruxx and Rock to go and attack the bugbear, while Glyn and Ian and HDP attack the dark elf. Ian tells Gruxx that it would be nice if we could capture the bugbear or the dark elf and ask questions, but if its one life or another, Ian would rather keep Gruxx and Rock alive. HDP will cast Minor Illusion across the rift of a sound like rocks falling in the cave to mask their approach and keep the bad guys attention diverted the other way to so the party can sneak up on the other two.
Hopefully that lowers any sort of DC for stealth.
Ian will move up quietly towards the dark elf, attempting to gain the element of surprise. If they are alerted to his presence, he will attack with the rapier. If they are not alerted, he will hold until Gruxx and Rock are in position closer to the bugbear.
Ian Stealth. 24
HDP will be staying in the tunnel, letting the others pass, then use his crossbow to aim at the dark elf, to cover Glyn and Ian.
Glynquinal to Ian, "It's a bold plan. Let's see if we can pull it off." Then he readies himself for what he expects to be an interesting fight loading his crossbow.
Gruxx will take the lighted dagger and hold it in his hand covered up. He will start to move up. Once he hears the Rocks fall Gruxx will unveil the dagger so that he an Rock can see and move forward. If Gruxx sees the Drow he will be going for it.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
136
OK, you manage to make all of your verbal plans without either of the guards hearing you. This is what I'm hearing you say you're going to do:
1. HDP is going to magically create the sound of falling rocks on the other side of the rift. He would need to be 10 feet into the larger space to do this since it only has a 30-foot range.
2. Ian will move to the elf and either attack if he's discovered or wait for Gruxx and Rock to reach the bugbear.
3. HDP will move back to the small tunnel to attack with his crossbow.
4. Glyn is attacking from where with his crossbow?
5. Once he hears the rocks, Gruxx will move to attack the elf.
As the elf and bugbear are not aware of your presence, they will be surprised and therefore will not action in Round 1.
Ian, you're up (how apropos)! If you want to attack with advantage (hidden), you either need to attack from where you are or roll a stealth check at disadvantage and move at half speed to try to sneak up on them for a melee attack.
HDP's stealth: 23
The remaining four party members move into the cave, one after the other. Gruxx starts marching, making quite a bit of noise, but HDP points out that if he takes smaller steps, he'll make less noise.
Ian, you can hear the others approaching, but you know what to listen for, so you're pretty sure those you're watching won't. In fact, neither the dark elf nor the bugbear turn in your direction. You don't hear anymore sounds other than the occasional word related to keeping watch and the sounds of effort coming from out of sight in the rift ahead.
The party is together. I should probably get a party order since the tunnel is single file before anything further happens.
Glynquinal will cover the rear, and take up the last position.
Gruxx will be third so that he has a light source in front of him when the time comes.
Glynquinal takes the time to cast Light, on one of his daggers, and gives it to Gruxx. He covers it with one of the shirts from his pack to hide some of the light so their position isn't given away.
Nudging Gruxx, he offers him the light source. Then he returns to the rear.
Rock will get between Ian and Grux
OK, I'll put HDP between Glyn and Gruxx. So, this is where you are:
The white lines help you know where the square boundaries are. You have to follow the curve of the cave, so only the full squares may be used (no diagonals). Also, since you'd be able to distinguish between the walls of the larger space and the rift that you can't see much of, I made the rift gray.
What do you want to do now?
Ian will tell ask Gruxx and Rock to go and attack the bugbear, while Glyn and Ian and HDP attack the dark elf. Ian tells Gruxx that it would be nice if we could capture the bugbear or the dark elf and ask questions, but if its one life or another, Ian would rather keep Gruxx and Rock alive. HDP will cast Minor Illusion across the rift of a sound like rocks falling in the cave to mask their approach and keep the bad guys attention diverted the other way to so the party can sneak up on the other two.
Hopefully that lowers any sort of DC for stealth.
Ian will move up quietly towards the dark elf, attempting to gain the element of surprise. If they are alerted to his presence, he will attack with the rapier. If they are not alerted, he will hold until Gruxx and Rock are in position closer to the bugbear.
Ian Stealth. 24
HDP will be staying in the tunnel, letting the others pass, then use his crossbow to aim at the dark elf, to cover Glyn and Ian.
Glynquinal to Ian, "It's a bold plan. Let's see if we can pull it off." Then he readies himself for what he expects to be an interesting fight loading his crossbow.
Gruxx will take the lighted dagger and hold it in his hand covered up. He will start to move up. Once he hears the Rocks fall Gruxx will unveil the dagger so that he an Rock can see and move forward. If Gruxx sees the Drow he will be going for it.
Stealth: 6
13 6
OK, you manage to make all of your verbal plans without either of the guards hearing you. This is what I'm hearing you say you're going to do:
1. HDP is going to magically create the sound of falling rocks on the other side of the rift. He would need to be 10 feet into the larger space to do this since it only has a 30-foot range.
2. Ian will move to the elf and either attack if he's discovered or wait for Gruxx and Rock to reach the bugbear.
3. HDP will move back to the small tunnel to attack with his crossbow.
4. Glyn is attacking from where with his crossbow?
5. Once he hears the rocks, Gruxx will move to attack the elf.
What is Rock doing?
Rock is going with Grux to take down the bugbear.
Glyn will attack from as close to Ian's current position as he can get once the party train starts moving into action and the space becomes vacant.
HDP will move out far enough to cast his spell, then stay there (vs moving back to the tunnel) and use his crossbow to cover Ian.
According to his post, Gruxx is going after the elf.
This is true. Gruxx is going for the Drow.
Should I just start combat, roll initiative, and let everyone do whatever they want?
OOC: I think that's where we're at right now. Ready to get this shindig going.
I like the sound of that!
Yes
49 51
Round 1: Ian, elf (surprised), HDP, Rock, bugbear (surprised), Glyn, Gruxx
As the elf and bugbear are not aware of your presence, they will be surprised and therefore will not action in Round 1.
Ian, you're up (how apropos)! If you want to attack with advantage (hidden), you either need to attack from where you are or roll a stealth check at disadvantage and move at half speed to try to sneak up on them for a melee attack.