OOC > FWIW, I concur. Sneak Attack works when the Rogue has Advantage or an enemy of the target is within 5 ft of the target. In my IRL group we used to think it had to be that an enemy was attacking the target, but discovered recently that RAW states "You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 ft. of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll."  So, an enemy just has to be within 5ft of the target, not actually attacking the target.  Of course, in this case, since Hildi's attacks were at Disadvantage (to target the hand), he didn't get Sneak Attack damage. Doesn't matter, Crawling Claws have 2 hp. :)

Drusk: "We could explore more, but I think it might be a good time to go upstairs with our strange guest. It will get better medical care in the cottage  and we can tie it down securely if it is dangerous.

"I am out of spells, but on the surface I could use a 10 min ritual to cast Detect Magic on this being."

Vanja looks around furtively at the rest of the group as she kneels over the fallen figure, but nods at Drusk's suggestion of moving back to the surface.

"I think that might be the best option right now," she agrees, "though I also think we'll probably have to carry this one."

As she shifts to the side a bit to find a better position to help lift the strange person, she quietly focuses her attention on him while doing her best to avoid notice from the others.

*I hope you can hear this...if so, please respond.*

((OOC: Vanja is using her Mind-Link ability to try and communicate.  If the creature/being is conscious/aware enough to respond, it can do so telepathically directly to Vanja.))

Jorin shuffles through his pack, "Hmmm, axes, no...another axe, no...hammer, no..." He mutters a little more and then adds, "It does not look like I have any medicine..." 

About that time, Drusk mentions taking him upstairs.  "Ah, yes, that is a good idea.  Perhaps our top side companions can take care of him while we explore the rest of the basement."  With that, he'll attempt to heft the person/creature up on his shoulder.  Athletics: 18

Jorin, with Vanja's assistance and assurance that he's not doing more damage, hauls the body up and over his shoulder with no problem.

OOC > Just a note, Drusk's Medicine skill is better than Vanja's, and he's actually proficient in it, but Vanja was looking for something to do and I did it... :)

"So...shall we head back up then?" Vanja asks the group.

Hildigrim takes one last longing look north before following the group back south. He skewers the hand on the end of his rapier, sheathes his dagger, and picks up his shortbow as they pass through the blood room. "Sentient mold and a necromantically-enhanced hand below," the halfling comments, watching the hand bob up and down with each step. "Sentient bushes and slaughtered sheep above. This is quite some cottage our hostess has taken possession of."

Quote from Mingofaust >>

OOC > Just a note, Drusk's Medicine skill is better than Vanja's, and he's actually proficient in it, but Vanja was looking for something to do and I did it... :)

 (I was typing up a Medicine check, but realized that Drusk could be lazy.)

Drusk follows Vanja and Jorin. He (and Hildigrim) are watching around to make sure they aren't surprise-attacked on the way up.

(Edit after seeing post #388.) "Isn't it wonderful and exciting!"

"Do not forget the fine food and drink, ay Hildy?   Ts is, without a doubt, the most exciting thing I have done while on K'harn!" Jorin says with a loud laugh.

The group manages to get back to the entry without incident, carefully negotiating the two disarmed traps, and letting Mavis (Brinarei, now an NPC) and Criella know you were coming. The two of them help and you all hoist the unconscious, one handed creature up into the cottage. In the light (it is still day, you spent less than an hour down there, so sometime mid afternoon) you can tell it is a male half-elf, emaciated, dressed in rags, covered in sores, and of course, missing a hand. Near death, but alive.

You lay the half-elf on Criella's bed, which has been moved (it was on top of the trapdoor), and tell Criella and Mavis about what you found. "It seems well abandoned, then," Mavis says. "Just slimes and oozes left. And this poor soul," her unseen servant brushes his filthy hair out of his face.

Drusk: "That is premature to conclude that it is well abandoned, Ms. Brinarei. We only saw the entrance platforms and two store rooms. (And a blood-letting room, which no house should be without.) This poor sod stumbled from the northern passage, which we still need to investigate. We don't know if he was alone. And the entire southern wing is unexplored." (Drusk decides not to complicate the discussion by mentioning the secret door.)

To Hildigrim: "Are you going to leave that thing on the end of your rapier? It is putting a damper on my good mood."

Drusk begins the 10 minute ritual to cast Detect Magic. Would be good to know if the handy elf is under any curse magic.

"I thought it unwise to let it out of our sight," Hildigrim says, watching the hand continue to bob up and down on his rapier. He looks at Criella. "Do you have some kind of vessel we could use to contain this?"

OOC > You probably do know this, but just to be sure, the hand is dead. Not moving. If it is bobbing, it is doing so because rapiers are bouncy that way (which is probably what you meant). From a post further above, "Hildigrim pulls the rapier out, and the hand falls to the floor, lifeless."

Drusk completes his ritual casting. The scrolls Vanja is carrying are magical, but the unconscious half elf is not.

OoC - I'm not sure what is funnier, an undead hand bobbing around on the end of Hildigrim's rapier, or a dead-dead hand being bobbed around by Hildigrim on his rapier. lol

"Aye, Drusk, we do not know what else might be lurking down there.  Could be more like him or other things." Jorin pauses and frowns, "Although now that we have brought him up here with you, I am not sure it is good to leave you alone with him.  Shall we bind him before we go back down?"

Quote from Guiltysparc >>

OoC - I'm not sure what is funnier, an undead hand bobbing around on the end of Hildigrim's rapier, or a dead-dead hand being bobbed around by Hildigrim on his rapier. lol

 (OOC: What would be funnier is Ms. Brinarei pulling out furry handcuffs and a riding crop, saying she will tie up and take care of the captive while we are gone.)

Drusk: "Bind him to the bed frame. Even without the undead hand, it may take time for his mind to recover. And we don't want him to hurt himself while thrashing about unconscious."

OOC: Bouncy rapier is what I was meaning. And just because something "seems" lifeless or is lifeless at one time doesn't mean it stays that way. Hildigrim didn't want to leave the hand and then come back to find it gone later.

"I agree we should retrain him," Mavis says. "I fear Mortimer and I would be unable to keep him from leaving if he woke. Though he does look very weak."

OOC > I'm just hangin' waiting for you all to decide what you're doing. As I see it there are a few choices.

With the half-elf:

1. leave him (tied up or otherwise) and go do something else (see below)
2. heal him and wake him up
3. take him out back...

With yourselves:

1. return to the dungeon
2. rest (long or short)
3. give up, tell Criella she should move, and go back to Waterdeep

While Drusk is casting his ritual spell, Vanja approaches Ms. Brinarei.

"Ms. Brinarei, I know you've said you are but a beginner in the arcane arts, but..." as she speaks she pulls the scrolls from her bag to show the tiefling woman, "...we found these down below, and they seem to have some magic about them.  It's not the kind of magic I'm familiar with though...perhaps you might have a better idea about them?"