Chapter One: A LMoP Adventure

The Herr Doktor Professor confers with Sildar ...

OOC: Also backreading the previous posts ...

"We should rescue Grunden," the Herr Doktor Professor says, "but Sildar believes that our friend and employer -- as well as his map to this mine -- have been taken to a place called Cragmaw Castle.

"Sildar says that someone in Phandalin may know the way to Cragmaw Castle. As I see it, we have two options: return with Sildar to Phandalin and find someone there who will lead us to the castle.

"Or we can continue to press the fight against Yeemick and his tribe, in order to force the goblin to surrender the route to the castle. I, too, would prefer this option.

"However, we must also consider the wishes of Sildar. Having been a prisoner for so long, he may wish to leave for Phandalin as soon as possible -- and take Rock along with him. I would hate to enter battle without the dragonborn at our side."

The Herr Doktor Porfessor clicks his heels and bows in the direction of Rock.

"Your immolation of that wolf was awe-inspiring," he tells the dragonborn. "If I am able to learn spells of illusion, I will recreate that scene with magic in every tavern from here to Waterdeep."

OOC: As an aside, DDP, did we get xp from this fight? HDP could learn a new spell if he levels up.

Rock looks at Sildar,

"We should find the missing Dwarf and Gruxx needs to fill his bag, I think it would be best if we did not have enemies at our back. Plus the dead tell no tails, anyone else need to eat, I have lots of smoked wolf left." 

Rock says

"Those that need to rest should, as we have death to deal out"

Listening and nodding, Sildar finally says, "I'm not sure where Yeemik and his right hand may have run off to. It's possible they are still in the caves. It's also possible they have escaped and are running for Cragmaw Castle." He seems to consider the options presented, then grins. "For simple delivery folk, this is quite an adventure you're considering. Are any of you skilled trackers?"

Turning to Sildar, Glynquinal tells him, "I am not well skilled in that area, but Ian may be able to offer help. While we were willing to deliver goods to help a friend, we would be worthless as friends if we didn't do something to see him returned safely."

Gruxx pounds his chest, "I am skilled in tracking beasts.  Goblins are nothing more than that."

OOC: Tracking is based on survival. The higher your survival, the better chance you'll be able to track a creature. Rangers can receive some bonuses for tracking certain creatures. Gruxx and Ian both have +2 on survival, so they are equally good. Glynquinal, in looking for this information, I see you've never actually chosen a background. You need to do that!

OOC2: Is everyone or at least a majority of you choosing to try to follow the goblins if they have left the cave?

OOC: background chosen.  Glynquinal is willing to escort Sildar away from the cave is that is his choice though Sildar had expressed an interest in recovering his armor and weapons first.

OOC:  Yes, let's explore the rest of the cave to try to find Sildar's stuff/track goblins.

Yes

The party searches the caves for living creatures and Sildar's equipment. They find neither, which would indicate Sildar's equipment was probably taken at the same time Gundren was and that Yeemik and Bayak escaped the cave during the remainder of the fight ... after released the wolves, of course. Sildar arms himself with a scimitar in the meantime. When Sildar sees the boxes and crates of supplies marked with the image of a blue lion, he finds it interesting. He says it kind of looks familiar, but he can't place the emblem.

Searching the bodies, the party finds eight scimitars, eight shortbows, and 24 arrows.

Glynquinal noting his quiver is quite full nods to Ian, "My quiver is pretty full Ian, do you want the arrows we picked up?"

Ian will take the arrows, and he will also retrieve hisbow that he dropped earlier, and his weapons which he dropped when he fell unconscious. He takes a moment to spit on the wolf that caused him to fall.

To his friends, Friends, I cannot thank you enough for keeping me alive. I would be proud to fight with any of you, should a battle arise. Lets head to Phandalin to see if we can find someone to take us to Cragmaw Castle, and perhaps we can get paid for delivering the goods as well.

"Friends, " Glynquinal says, "we have a healing potion left from what we found in Klarg's chest. Who wants to carry it?"

Gathering up his pack again, Glynquinal readies his gear for traveling.

Ian says to Glyn Based on how susceptible I am to the enemies blade, I should probably hold onto that last potion,...as long as no one objects...

Laughing, Glynquinal takes his pack off, and retrieves the second and last healing potion from the chest. Handing it to Ian, "Stay the hell away from wolves will you?"

"We should finish our rest before proceeding on this adventure," says the Herr Doktor Professor, eyeing his bedroll with longing. "It would not do to arrive at this Cragmaw Castle exhausted, leaving us easy prey for our foes.

He returns to the party's sleeping area and lays down to rest.

Gruxx nods to HDP, "Yes, a rest is definitely needed."

Sildar looks impatient at the mention of a rest, but then nods. "You're probably right. A rest would do us some good."

Everyone beds down, resuming the previous watch order.

OOC: Everyone should add 275 XP, so Rock should have 275 XP and the other four should have 400. Hit the long rest button and the first four will be at level 2, so make sure you edit your character sheet and either bump your current class to level 2 or add another level 1 class. It would be great as you continue to think ahead what you're going to do when you level up next. If you're planning to multiclass, or if something significant happens as you progress through your current class, the story will make more sense if we see that progression prior to it happening. For instance, if you've never once mentioned that you have a spellbook on you, why would you wake up one morning with a spellbook and several spells already learned? I realize it's magic, but if you're able to talk about having a spellbook previously and how you're trying to master some spells ahead of time, it will help the story make more sense.

Nothing else of note happens overnight and you all wake up in another 7–7.5 hours refreshed and at full health. (Now, THAT'S magic!)

What's next?

OOC: Now at level two, and with a rest, do I need to roll here for added HP in the new level? or just let you know if I decide to take the default number?