Sword Coast Rambling

OOC: Yeah it gets fiddly tabbing between windows on mobile! 

Your speed is 40ft now so you have loads of movement to stand on glasstaffs southern side

Zyltris will try to catch and block him from getting away

OOC: Where would you stand for this Zyltris? Would you be making a ready action to grapple if Glasstaff ran your way?

Just Serak left after that I think

Serak: Recovering from his embarrassing fumble, Serak picks up his crossbow as he makes his way through the door. He then moves south, blocking the doorway out of the lab.

Finally, he then shoots a bolt at the wizard.

Attack: 7 Damage: 9

OOC: Almarath, Seraks movement won't allow him to get to the south door. He'll still have to get past Syna in the east room which will leave him about 5 foot short.

Edit: Zyltris could make it to the south door to block the exit. Or Serak could if he used his Dash action and forfeited his attack roll...

I’ll block the door with my movement and ready a grapple if he runs at me

OOC: I'm showing, with Brots gone he'd make it. Moving diagonal only costs 5ft right?

Edit: Never mind, that is Beetle. He'd still make it though, unless you can't move diagonally through a door. I'll just end as close to the door as possible and shoot.

OOC: Brots isn't in your way.

If you're in the top right square of the wizards room youd take a 5ft diagonal step SW. Then West 15 feet (20 including getting past Syna who moves after you). That'll put you at 25 feet on the other side of the door, leaving you 5 foot movement left. 

Unless your counting diagonal movement through the door? But that'll be blocked by the wall.

Edit: No problem! I've had a look in the PHB and it says diagonal movement is fine, provided theres no wall, object etc intersecting the corner. Its on p.192 if you wanted to have a look.  I'll move you SW after the door, Zyltris will still have the door blocked and youll get an opportunity attack if the wiz heads out the east door again

As the wizard flees, Brots follows through the door after him. As Glasstaff takes up a position in beside the alchemy table, the gnome scoots himself into a nearby corner. Brots inhales deep and slowly as he notches an arrow, takes aim and fires across the room.

Attack: 24 
Damage: 10 

The arrow crunches into Glasstaffs shoulder, the wizard letting out a frustrated yell. "You little imp! You'll regret that!" He reaches for the arrow with his blood free hand and snaps the shaft off close to the wound, wincing as he does so. Once more the wizards staff shines as a magical aura envelopes him.

As Glasstaff pulls at his new piercing, Serak bursts into the room, crossbow in hand, face reddened with embarrassment. Heading towards the southern door, Serak raises his crossbow and fires at the wizard, cornered behind the alchemy table.

Attack: 7 

The bolt sails swiftly through the air towards the wizard. As it nears its target, the bolt collides with a burette filled with bright green liquid, ricocheting off across the table. A thin trail of green smoke pours slowly from a hairline crack that quickly spreads through the glassware, filling the surrounding air with a harmless foul smelling fog. 

Syna, still in his wolf form, charges through the still open door and circles around the room. Cornering the wizard behind the alchemy desk, he crouches down, stalking slowly forward. Snarling he prepares to pounce. In a sudden burst of movement he launches himself forward, jaws first, towards Glasstaffs uninjured hand. 

Attack: 17 

Sensing the impending attack, the dark bearded wizard swings his arm away just in time. Syna lands heavily on the stone floor, sliding past his target. A quick scattering of claws and the wolf rises again to its feet, licking his lips in anticipation.

In the confusion, Beetle suddenly appears, cornering the wizard once more. With a determined look on his face, he reaches a strong hand out to grab at Glasstaffs flailing arm. 

Beetle Grapple Roll: 24
Glasstaff Dexterity Contest Throw: 10

Grasping the ermine cloak firmly, Beetle pulls the wizard tightly against him. Glasstaff lets out a frustrated grunt as he struggles against the paladins grip. 

With the wizard trapped, Zyltris makes his way across the room, blocking the southern exit and preparing himself to tackle the wizard should he break free.

Struggling against Beetles grip, Glasstaff simply turns and faces his attacker. Waving his bloody hand smoothly in the air, gesturing towards the paladin. Their eyes lock together , deep in trance. "My dear Paladin, things would go much more smoothly if we could all get along. I can be quite... CHARMING if you let me."

Beetle Wisdom Saving Throw: 19
Spell Save DC: 13

Much to the wizards disappointment his spell is ineffective. Despite his quarries struggling, Beetlejuice manages to maintain his strong grip. Surrounded, cornered and with all exits blocked, Glasstaff senses his position weakening with each passing second. He calls out to his attackers, "My good gentlemen, it appears we have got off on the wrong foot here. Perhaps we can deescalate this little conflict? I'll promise to come quietly if you can agree to spare me." 

OOC: I’ll end the conflict here if you accept Glasstaffs surrender. Otherwise we can continue on another round

OOC: I'm fine with ending it I wanted to capture him and bring him to Seldor anyhow...

"Quick guys, while I have him tie his hands and gag him for now." Beetle calls out.

Serak: Approaching the wizard, Serak draws his rapier and lunges toward him. However, instead of stabbing the man, he attempts to skewer the rat clinging to his shoulder.

Intimidation: 10

Attack: 15 Damage: 4

Serak: While Zyltris and the others tie up the Wizard with his rope, Serak leans forward with a grin and whispers, "Conflict deescalated."

A dark shadow crosses Serak's face for an instant as he says, "Glad to see you're finally being reasonable. Now, where were we... Ah, yes!"

Pressing the tip of his rapier against the wizard's throat, he says, "Where is Iarno, or would you truly have us believe you are he? Fallen far from the flock, have you? I supposed Sildar will confirm your identity soon enough."

Now, how are Halia and the Townmaster involved in all this? Why does she want these documents? Where is Morthen's family? I have little patience left for these games. Now talk!"

Intimidation: 14

Once the wizard is tied up, "A moment please Serak..." Beetle take him aside "I know you want answers and I won't stop you but try to be quick about it don't forget we need to find those missing people still somewhere in here, we haven't found bodies yet so they still may be alive and in dire need of help."

After that Beetle leaves Serak to do what he has to and goes back to the room they found the wizard in and starts to search around while waiting to move on...

Perception 11

OOC: We can't leave him here or he might escape. We can't take him back to Sildar until we know about Halia and the Townmaster. They might just let him go. I  guess we could drag him with us until we finish the dungeon. Or use him as a human shield. lol

OOC: Agreed, but I don't honestly think Halia is involved in this....she is probably into something, maybe a faction agent for some group but I don't think she is involved in this really...the townsmaster on the other hand may not be directly involved but was allowing it which in Beetle's eyes is just as bad.

With a shriek the steel of Seraks Rapier plunges cleanly through the mangy rats tiny body. The skewered rat wriggles in pain before disappearing into nothingness. Glasstaff jumps at the sudden attack, sure that the blade was intended for him. He begins to shake slightly as the grinning Serak leans in menacingly and whispers, "Conflict deescalated."

While the others busy themselves tying and binding the prisoner, a dark shadow crosses Serak's face for an instant. In a business like voice he says, "Glad to see you're finally being reasonable. Now, where were we... Ah, yes!"

The rapier appears again forcing a squeal out of the black bearded wizard, its tip pressing into his whiskered throat. Serak begins his questioning, "Where is Iarno, or would you truly have us believe you are he? Fallen far from the flock, have you? I supposed Sildar will confirm your identity soon enough."

Trying to distance himself from the blade as much as he can, Glasstaff splutters out, "Deescalation my boy! There is no need for this aggression." He gulps in a deep breath of air as he squirms. "I promised to come quietly, the least you could do is hold up your end of the bargain. I see you have seen through my little ruse, however I must disappoint you. I am indeed Iarno Albrek, Grand Wizard of the Lords Alliance of Neverwinter." A sudden flash of realisaion flashes across the wizards face, "Sildar is here? By all means we should head to him. I have much to report."

3

 Iarno pauses for a moment, deep in thought. If Sildar is involved with this party then surely the game is up. Resignedly he continues, "I am sure Sildar will have told you of my mission here. I'm sorry to say that Miss Thornton is not involved, she simply does not have the connections to be of any use to me - and documents? I'm afraid I don't know what she would want with any documents of mine? In regards to the townmaster? HA! To say he was "INVOLVED" is a stretch indeed. He is a cowardly fool. If being weak and easily manipulated means he is "involved" then yes he is guilty as well. But I really wouldn't give him so much credit."

Seraks Insight (Wisdom) Roll:  15
(OOC: Bit of a strange problem with this. The post ended up duplicating itself. Original roll was 18)

A bead of sweat trickles down the wizards cheek and is lost in the dense forest of black whiskers. His voice breaks slightly as he continues answering the bards questions. "The woodcutters family is entrapped here in the slave pens. The men thought that Morthen needed to be taught a lesson, I'm afraid they can be a bit unruly if they get angry. You'll find his daughter and grandchildren there. Although I can't guarantee they'll still be alive when you get there."

Heading back to Iarnos chamber, Beetle starts to look around, starting with the papers thrown across the floor. Most of the documents appear to be old invoices and orders from apothecaries, alchemists and trade houses from outside Phandalin. One trader in Neverwinter, another in Triboar. Regular enough ingredients and supplies for the wizards workshop. Papers in hand, Beetle suddenly notices a darker coloured sheet with a thick texture hidden amongst the mess. 

The letter reads:

The paladin keeps hold of the letter for later and heads over to the chest at the bottom of Glasstaffs bed. The sturdy wooden chest is unlocked and opens easily. Inside Beetle finds the pick of the redbrands loot from the last few months. 

180 silver pieces, 130 gold and a silk pouch containing five carnelians, two peridots and one pearl. Beneath the valuables are two tightly scrolled parchments - a scroll of charm person and a scroll of fireball.

Beetle returns back into the room where Serak is interrogating the wizard..."Here Serak this may interest you..." he hands him the letter from the Black Spider.

"I also found this stuff in there," Beetle shows the group the 2 scrolls, the jewels and the coins.

He then looks at Iarno..."So tell us about this Black Spider!"

OOC: Everyone can add 36 silver and 26 gold to their sheets, I guess the gems can go into the party treasure until we can sell them off for coins and if anyone wants the spell scrolls just say so but until then they can go into party treasure scrolls of charm person and fireball

Syna resumes human form.  "Ahh, what an experience!  What senses has the wolf!"  Looking at the mangled hand, "Alive and bit less of a Wizard, but we can't have you losing the hand" 

At the first opportunity, Syna will clean and bandage with hand.

Medicine:14

Glasstaff clenches his hand tightly as Syna bandages him. This druid is certainly powerful a great asset to his friends.

 “Thankyou my dear boy. I see you have truly grasped the power of nature. I sense a bright future for you indeed.”

Helplessly tied up the wizard wriggles round again to face Serak and Beetle. He notices the dark papered letter in the bards hand.

“I see you have found the letter from my friend the Black Spider so I need not pretend  any longer.”

”The Black Spider and I have been friends since I met him through a contact of the Lords Alliance. A very powerful Drow Wizard, much more so than I. He, like your friend Gundren is searching for The Forge of Spells”

”When I arrived in Phandalin, he agreed to send a host of bugbears and mercenaries to tie the population down. But we have largely managed without the beasts. Im sure you’ll meet him soon. This little village is far too important to him for me to be held for long.”

Even imprisoned the wizard is defiant, although he struggles no longer. A thin smile crosses his face, utterly convinced that a rescue will come soon