Sword Coast Rambling

Zyltris Bardic Inspiration Modifier: 1

OOC: First, I'm cool with the way things went. Random dice keep things interesting.

However, from the way I read Minor Illusion, in order to get an Investigation check against my spell DC, the goblin must spend a round checking out the illusion. I was assuming he'd take his eyes off the cave entrance to do this and we'd have at least one round to cross the stream together, even if he beats my spell.

That'd be more or less a surprise round while we cross. Zyltris then spends first round climbing and uses his free item action to lower a rope, while we delay action to climb up at end of round one. Goblin pulls lever on his action, but we're all up by round two. That is how I was picturing this going.

OOC: Yes I agree also the randomness of the dice rolls is what makes it interesting...on another not just a heads up if you haven't seen it but we won't be able to post for a few hours today, think from the time I am posting this we have roughly 2 1/2 hours and then won't be able to post again until later this afternoon or maybe evening, they didn't give an end time that i've seen for the maintenance.

OOC: No no, that makes sense. Stands to reason that he would look around to check the noise first rather than just blindly trusting the bridge. I've read the ordering wrong there too, I'd assumed that Zyltris had gone on ahead and the group were waiting for a successful climb/rope before they caught up. I'll change those events around to fit that in.

Amarok tries to calm the snarling youngster.

Fenrir strength check: 2

Once more Fenrir pulls hard at his chain, but this encounter and his starvation have taken its toll. The spike fixing him to the cave floor holds firm for now.

Amarok makes his way out of the chamber. His ears prick up as sunlight touches his long black face. A twitch of his nose and he disappears instantly back into the wild.

Syna turns to the young wolf, now wheezing quietly on the floor. Starved of air from pulling on its chain and energy from its lack of food, it's a pitiful sight. He approaches the wolf quietly, casting aside his staff and drawing his scimitar.

The strike is fast and direct. The wolf breathes his last.

Syna kneels over the dead wolf and removes its collar, "May you run free in the next realm."

Then looking sadly at his companions, "Let us move further into this cave, away from prying eyes and search for other ways of ascent."

At the entrance to the wolf chamber, the band regroup. Serak approaches Zyltris and casts Bardic Inspiration on him.

”We’re counting on you my friend. Be strong!”

The bard carefully glances into the cave depths and casts Minor Illusion. Further up the dimly lit path, the sound of a creaking bridge grows louder. Weak wooden boards groan. Ropes snap.

Goblin investigation check: 16 vs Serak Spell Saving throw 13

The slow lapping water splashes gently against the path as the party creeps forward. The path begins to climb steeply. In the shadows of the ceiling to the north, above them the dim shape of a rickety bridge of wood and rope crossing over the passage. It creaks and groans wildly.

Goblin stealth check: 18
Zyltris Perception (Wisdom): 5
Serak Perception (Wisdom): 10
Syna Perception (Wisdom): 18
Beetle fails the perception check due to the extreme darkness

High above, Syna spots the Goblin hiding on the bridge, trying to find the source of the sound. As the group take cover in the safety of the western passage, the goblin has regained himself and resumes his lookout duty, assured in the safety of the bridge.

The steep western passage towers above them. It is a steep and treacherous climb. Two rough, boulder hewn cliffs, separated by a ledge of very loose looking smaller stones. The ledge is perfectly balanced and appears as if it could collapse any moment. 

OOC: Made it eventually! Ignore the dice manip pop ups, ive just copied the raw numbers from earlier into the previous post to keep it all together and unchanged until crossing the stream. That ended up being much more of a mess than it should have been! Everybody stands in the shelter of the western passage.

Syna informs his companions, "The youngster knows no other life than this, he will not be silent and will be a danger to any he meets."  Sadly, he looks at Landrae.  "A sound dear sister as I strike down this poor beast."

Syna sets his staff aside and draws his scimitar.  Giving the nod to Landrea he strikes.

[OCC: I am guessing, I would have advantage on this attack]

Attack: Attack: 20 Damage: 9

OOC: Just want to point out as well that I’m happy to continue this set piece without getting stuck in to any combat for the time being. Assume the goblin hasn’t seen you cross and the cave wall blocks his vision of the western passage. However as he’s back on watch duty again after the spell, he is likely to notice any movement, light or noise etc below him

Kasian, I’ll update the above post to keep it all in order.

Syna:

Assuming the wolf is dispatched...

Syna kneels over the dead wolf and removes its collar, "May you run free in the next realm."

Then looking sadly at his companions, "Let us move further into this cave, away from prying eyes and search for other ways of ascent."  Putting action to words, he moves deeper and takes in the general layout of the cave.

Perception: 13

Zyltris begins his climb up to the fire pit, roe at the ready.

Athletics 24

Beetle watches Zyltris climb and awaits the rope to be lowered, hoping he can make the climb with no issues...

Zyltris stands at the bottom of the first of two perilous climbs. He begins his ascent, hands gripping tightly to the slippery wet rock surface, rope looped tightly around his shoulder. A large boulder juts out ahead of him blocking his path. A quick grasp at a nearby handhold and he swings effortlessly by. Only a few loose pebbles slip away under his feet to the ground below.

After about 13ft of climbing he reaches a long steep scree slope. The ground here is loose and unsteady. Ahead of him the second of the two cliffs leading to the glowing fire orange passage above. Zyltris steps forward onto the escarpment, lightly placing his feet very carefully. Each footstep sinking slightly into the stony ground. Suddenly, a small section of stones beside him roll away and off the cliff behind. The elf is quickly surrounded by the deafening sound of stones sliding over stones, the floor begins to slide away behind him. In an instant he is sliding with them towards the sudden long drop of the cliff behind him.

Zyltris Dexterity Saving Throw: 15
Zyltris Strength Saving Throw: 19

A split second later, Zyltris is over the edge of the cliff. The party below, alerted by the noise of the landslide, moved aside to safety. Above, a dust cloud surrounds where Zyltris once stood. As it clears, it reveals the elf, hanging on to the cliff edge by his fingertips. (Zyltris injury roll) 2 Minor cuts to his arms but otherwise uninjured.

He pulls himself up. The ledge now cleared of the dangerous debris. Throwing a thumbs up to the waiting party below, he quickly drops the rope for the others. 

Goblin Stealth roll: 4

On the wooden bridge, the goblin has noticed the landslide and sneaking off to raise the alarm.

“That made quite a bit of noise,” Beetle says stating the obvious, “we might have some company soon, or ge pt washed away if we don’t get up there fast”

Serak: Keeping a watchful eye on the goblin while Zyltris attempts the climb, Serak looks up and steps out of the way of falling debris. Turning in the direction of the bridge, "Best laid plans and all that.... I should have just done this to begin with I suppose... " Pulling a bit of sand from his component pouch, the bard castsSleep - Target: Goblin 

HP Effected: 29

Serak than stalks forward through the cave, heading under the bridge and seeking the way up to it. He has one minute to dispatch the goblin before he awakens and raises the alarm. 

Sneak: 19

On the bridge above the goblin collapses into a deep sleep. The bridge swings gently as he hits the wooden boards. While Beetle and Syna watch Zyltris lower the rope, Serak has disappeared.

Serak:

Once the rope is lowered Beetle urges Syna to climb and will wait to climb next.  Beetle takes a quick look around for Serak, not sure where he went he waits another moment or 2 before climbing the rope up

Sun's take the rope and begins the long climb

Zyltris strength (athletics) check: 20

Syna strength (athletics) check: 20

Zyltris wraps the rope around his waist and holds it tightly as Syna hauls himself up. His hands burn slightly as the wood elf puts his full weight onto the long rope. Quickly putting hand above hand, Syna makes light work of the climb and the pair soon stand together on the ledge. Glancing over the edge and wiping his brow sarcastically, Zyltris throws the rope down again for the paladin patiently waiting below. It is his turn next to climb.

Meanwhile, Serak has quietly snuck through the pool room and onto the wooden bridge above Beetle. The sleeping goblin stirs, but doesn’t wake yet. On the other side of the bridge, the dim glow of firelight, flickering up the walls

Once Syna is up the rope comes down again, Beetle grabs it and starts to climb to where is companions are.