Sword Coast Rambling

Serak: Standing couched before the bridge, Serak makes sure the coast is clear before stepping out into the open. Standing above the sleeping goblin, he slashes at the goblin's throat with his rapier. 

Attack(Advantage): 16

Damage(Auto-Critical Hit): 14

Zyltris strength (athletics): 7

Syna strength (athletics): 3

Beetle strength (athletics): 9

Zyltris and Syna share the rope between them as the paladin below grabs the lower end. There is a sudden jolt as Beetle starts to climb, which nearly threatens to pull them both over the cliff face. The rope begins to swing wildly as the paladins boots fail for grip, the weight of his armour and his difficulty seeing in the dark make it impossible for him to climb

Beetle swings helplessly below, while the two elves struggle together to pull the rope upwards. Grunts and moans can be heard from both ends of the rope. Arms length at a time they pull Beetle upwards, eventually dragging him onto the ledge. The trio collapse onto the dusty stone floor after their effort.

Beetle rolls over laughs a little and looks at his friends..."Quite a journey there...we never take the easy way do we..."

The goblin lookout breathes his last and passes peacefully in his sleep. Serak wipes his blade and crosses the bridge quietly. Turning the corner he finds himself at a cliff top overlooking his fellow adventurers his fellow adventurers. Together they manage the last climb effortlessly and take cover behind a set of crates outside the feast chamber.

OOC: Serak gains 50xp for dealing with the goblin lookout singlehandedly.

The goblin eating chamber is a hive of activity, split across two levels. Dancing firelight illuminates both levels with an exciting dance of oranges and yellows. On the first lower level, a large fire crackles in the centre of the floor. Around the fire, five goblins sit eating their meals, talking loudly amongst themselves. The air is hazy and filled with the smell of smoke, cooked meats and unwashed goblins. A natural staircase leads to the upper part of the chamber but what lies there is hidden from view.

Beetle talks quietly to his companions, “Anyone see the prisoner? According to the captured goblin he should be here? Possibly on the upper level?”  Beetle looks around again... “Five goblins here, if our intel was correct there are  5 others somewhere else, 1 being the bridge guard.”

Serak: Signaling to the others down below him, Serak motions that he is moving forward toward the dinning hall to find a vantage point overlooking the goblins. Checking that the bolt is clear of the slide, Serak raises his crossbow and moves cautiously, exploring the upper level.

Stealth: 11

Perception: 20

Zyltris rather sheepishly grins and thanks the group for assisting in his venture. He then begins to prepare for the obvious fight, pulling back out his Morningstar and shield

OOC: thank you for running this today

Syna  moves cautiously to a partially covered position and scans the hall

Perception 20

Crouched behind a large wooden box just inside the chamber, Beetle and Zyltris ready themselves for a fight. Syna peers over the crate, observing the room closely

Around the fire place on the western side of the cavern, the five goblins sit on three empty crates, laughing and talking amongst themselves. Two goblins are armed with short bows, the other three bear scimitars on their hips. Cooking above the cracklin fire, a wedge of fresh flesh from a recent victim. 

Beside a boulder on the edge of the upper floor, sits an old human, bound and gagged. He looks ragged. Dark red blood lines his face, crusting his head. He is starved and very weak. As Syna watches, another goblin approaches the prisoner - he counts six goblins in all. The goblin on the upper level, slaps a fist across the prisoners face and lets out a cruel laugh, saying something in goblin. Around his neck, the goblin carries a small elegant pouch. 

Something grabs Synas attention. Climbing the stone steps to the second level, Serak has managed to sneak past the eating goblins...

“So 6 of them, this is going to be a little tricky.  We might be able to get a surprise attack in but if we don’t down at least 1 in that attack it will be a bit hairy.” Beetle scans around looking for the biggest, meanest, and possibly most dangerous goblin. “ Do goblins have casters? I suppose it’s possible so what do you guys make of the .”

insight 12

Arcana 4

“Maybe if we could draw a couple away towards the bridge?”

Beetle then holds he sword and shield ready and says a quick prayer to Tyr, "My Lord, please lead me and my companions through this encounter, grant us your favor so our strikes and spells ring true and carry us through this."

Thinking back to his monastic training in the north, Beetle doesn’t seem to recall any lessons about magical goblins. However it was a very long time ago, and he more than most knows that not all lessons taught in the classroom are true.

Glancing around the room, there is clearly only one goblin in charge in this chamber. He stands away from the others in the upper portion. A confident swagger follows wherever he goes. 

OCC: with the fire as a center point, how many are within 20ft?

OOC: I’m not 100% sure but according to the map the whole area around the fire is 15x10 or maybe 15x15 so I would venture to say any on the lower level are within 20 ft of the fire probably even more like 5/10 ft of it, but again I’m not 100% on that.

Syna says, "I can call forth plants to entangle them, but we must be more than 20ft away to escape ourselves. Perhaps in the area just at the top of the stairs."  (OCC: Added red mark)

Beetle ponders the situation, “That could work to slow some down, they do have bows though so it could hinder us getting to them quick enough while they just fire away with bows.  However I am not fully familiar with the spell you will be using if it actually tangles them so they cannot act then that is a different story.”

Syna replies, "It will entangle them, unless they be strong or lucky.  And over time, they may break free.  I do have a different spell, which may hurt many, but I fear to may hurt our former employer."

“The decision is yours my friend, you know your spells and abilities better than any.  I will react to whatever the situation doing my best to keep them off everyone else while we eradicate them from this plane.”

Syna calls forth his will and power with the words, "pidnimit lozy kruty i utrymuyte" and raises his hand and staff horizontally to release his power (at the red marked spot)

Scimitar Goblin NE Bench Strength Saving Throw: 10
Scimitar Goblin W Bench Strength Saving Throw: 11
Scimitar Goblin S Bench Strength Saving Throw: 6
Shortbow Goblin W Bench Strength Saving Throw: 5
Shortbow Goblin S Bench Strength Saving Throw:3

vs Syna spell save DC: 13

OOC: Just need to check what Serak is planning at this point. Right now he is probably in the vicinity of your spell target spot. If he is still there when Syna casts he is probably going to get caught in the vines and need to roll a strength save as well. I'll roll initiative for now too.

Beetle Initiative: 21
Serak Initiative: 5
Syna Initiative: 12
Zyltris Initiative: 12

Goblins Initiative: 4

 Combat Order:

1. Syna
2. Goblins
3. Serak
4. Zyltris
5. Beetle

 This will also be a surprise attack on the goblins. First round of combat is free.

The ground at the top of the stairs bursts suddenly, long thorny thicket vines burst forth from the stone. Within seconds they entangle three of the goblins by the fire. The struggle in vain to free themselves. Panicked screams fill the chamber as thorns scratch their skin. Two other goblins swipe their weapons at the encroaching vines as they quickly rise to their feet, leaping away to safety. The vines spread quickly and engulf the area. Passage through this part of the chamber will be difficult while the spell is in effect. 

Syna stands, brandishing his staff and calls, "moroz i snih" aiming at Goblin #2 (Scimitar Goblin W Bench) for 5