Nam continues to slowly make his way toward the bridge giving time for the others to catch up. He watches everything around the path using his dark vision.

Perception 19

With no idea that his ally below had stayed down there, Bezel merely continues cautiously along the chamber,  warily scanning the area, particularly the air above, as he follows the elvish man out front who seems to be moving with purpose. The tiefling will quickly locate the small bird-like creature and step to his/her side with a friendly smile and pat on the feathered shoulder.

[OOC] perception skill: 16

Lucina watches the group in front of her before anxiously looking around herself. She moves up a bit closer, holding the hand crossbow tightly in her hands ready to use. She moves up to where Nam is and says under her breath. "Do you see anything?"

Perception: 11

Lynistra strides across the bridge, confident that overtaking the next building will get them to a better strategic vantage point. "Come on, now. Whatever monsters are attacking seem to be keeping the drow preoccupied."

(Cross the bridge, come right up to the next structure.)

Bell smiles up to Bezel and takes his hand before pointing to where the dragonborn had crossed. "Let's get our stuff back, yeah? As a team!" With that she confidentially crosses the bridge hopefully with the tiefling in tow.

((I mean if the pace so far has been too fast, I certainly don't mind slowing down the pace a bit. This is my first PbP and I'm not sure of the usual pace of it. One or two posts a day is fine by me.))

Cobalt

Guard duty is meant to be quiet most of the time - and those who get stuck with guarding the Quaggoth Den are among the most unfortunate Drow. They find the Quaggoth noisy and smelly to say the least and it is oft the topic of conversation amongst bored guards. However the topic is much more dire amongst the two Drow manning this outpost. "No, YOU go out there!"
"Are you mad? Just because Ilvara would have us die so she might have some shred of glory does not mean I wish to help her gain that glory!"
"I'm gonna tell her you said that if you don't go out there!"
"And I will simply tell her you cowered inside a chamber pot!"
"You would not dare!"
"Oh? Then test me. Sanara you are every bit a coward you make me out to be."

... This feels like it might go on for a while. However you do spot a Drow Dagger and a Crossbow. It seems to be nearby and easily snatchable if you're quiet enough. You will have to actually go into the room though...

Nam/Bezel/Lucina/Lynistra

The group heads towards the tower in front of them. (10 on the Map) The Guard Tower is connected by rope bridges towards the slave pen and has a walkway alongside the priestess's tower. Those of you who rolled a 14 or above (Lynistra) hear someone commanding people in an authoritative tone inside the tower. Someone is in there issuing orders. The pathway along the side is relatively clear - save for another dead drow. This one appears to have died fighting but his body is perilously close to slipping off the edge. A massive hole in his chest tells that he died to one of the Chasme, rather than a Vrock. His weapons appear to have fallen into the water far below.

Eyes narrowing at their liberator, Eggbert retreats slowly, wary of the Drow, before joining the rest of the group at the bridge. His head turns in every direction, fearing an attack at any second.

Perception check: 7

Lynistra rushes to the drow body and starts taking out anything of value in the pockets and pouches. When armed with next to nothing, anything is preferable. One picked clean, she moves to the door to listen in further.

(Stealth check: 20. Perception/Investigation for listening in: 10+2 for Perception, +3 for Investigation)

Cobalt grabs the weapons, then gets back to his fellow escapees as quickly and quietly as possible. 

[OoC]: Just to confirm, it was a hand crossbow?

Nam follows the others across the bridge trying to be as careful as possible. Once across the bridge, he finds a low key position within the group. Still only feeling half himself without his focus, he doesn’t want to make himself a target. “What now? Do we just rush in and conquer by numbers?” He says quietly.

Smiling down at Bell as he allows the fascinating bird-creature to take his hand, Bezel is quite surprised when she proceeds to lead him forward towards the tower. The young warlock is even more surprised when Bell insists that they must retrieve their possessions before fleeing. Feeling the ache of a void within him where his burgeoning magic had recently dwelt, the still terrified tiefling is forced to nod sadly in agreement, muttering,'

"You are right, little one. We must be at our best if we are to escape this place alive."

Whispering furtively ahead to those who had taken a forward position amongst their little contingent, Bezel asks,'

"What lies ahead? Didn't that fellow in the cells say that our gear resides in a tower? Perhaps it is all in one of these... I think that to stand a real chance of getting out of here, we need to be at our strongest... which means getting our equipment back."

Lucina stays closer to the middle of the group, looking over at Bezel hearing his words and softly saying "I agree, we should see if he was telling the truth and work on getting our equipment so we have a much better chance at getting out."

Eggbert

A quick peek inside the tower shows that the Drow have taken up defensive positions. Two crossbows aimed at the doorway and another Drow with a more ornate helm stands bbehind them - shortsword at the ready. It looks like this tower is exceedingly well guarded due to the attack. Pushing past the guards here will be difficult without a plan.

Lynistra/Bell/Nam/Bezel

When Lynistra moves closer to the door, she begins to more clearly hear what the officer in charge is dictating. "Anything that moves through that door that isn't a drow is shot on sight! Don't hesitate to pull the trigger!" The guards appear well defended in this tower - their exact numbers is hard to differentiate from your angle.

Cobalt

Cobalt had picked up what seems to be a full on light crossbow. It appears this drow was using this to combat the more deadly creatures now infesting the outpost.

((OoC Using his dark vision, Nam will peak around the corner to try and see a target)).

[OoC]: Did Cobalt pick any bolts up?

When he reaches back to the other escapees, he asks "Is there anythin' that a stealthy dwarf wi' a crossbow can accomplish here?"

(Can Lynistra/Eggbert find any alternate accesses such as a low window or back door to the tower?)

Lynistra waves a hand for others to approach the tower cautiously and position alongside the door before sweeping the outside for another option. "Drow inside, ready to shoot. Let me check around back. If I can't find anything, I'll draw fire so you can rush in."

(Still want to pursue the alternate/surprise entrance idea, but failing that, Lynistra will wait until everyone's in position around the door, spring it open, then jump in front of the door to draw the first volley using the Dodge action and jump away.)

"Oi, dragonborn. Why don't ya pick up a fella's body and use it as a shield?" 

Cobalt is going to take up position next to one of the doors, still hidden (advantage vs enemies), and prepare to fire a shot at one of the drow archers as soon as the door is opened.

Prepared Light Crossbow Attack: 13 Damage: 5

[OoC]: Rolling now as I won't have chance for the rest of the day.

(( Nam will prepare Firebolt. No components are needed))

Nam begins whispering arcane words as he moves his hands like polishing and invisible ball as energy builds up between them.”Ready when you guys are”

Attack 16 damage 2 fire damage

Marty twirls the shortsword in his hand, "Yeah, let's rush 'em"

Quote from Barlow >>

(Can Lynistra/Eggbert find any alternate accesses such as a low window or back door to the tower?)

Lynistra waves a hand for others to approach the tower cautiously and position alongside the door before sweeping the outside for another option. "Drow inside, ready to shoot. Let me check around back. If I can't find anything, I'll draw fire so you can rush in."

(Still want to pursue the alternate/surprise entrance idea, but failing that, Lynistra will wait until everyone's in position around the door, spring it open, then jump in front of the door to draw the first volley using the Dodge action and jump away.)

 
As he hears Lynistra's brave but dangerous plan, Bezel gently releases Bell's hand with a reassuring smile, before quickly following the dragonborn fighter to whisper,'

"There's no need for you to leap in as a decoy. While I can't cast most of my spells without my gear, I can still manufacture a magical distraction at least. If I do this in the centre of the room, and then you attack from the rear while the others go in the front, we may be able to catch the guards between us with a surprise attack. What do you think?"

If Lynistra and the other escapee's agree, Bezel will siddle up to the wall and reach out in the direction of where the right side of the room would be, away from both the front door and back window (if Lynistra finds one) and then cast thaumaturgy twice, firstly to cause a sound like the rumble of ground splitting apart and then to cause the ground to tremor like a brief, small magnitude earthquake. Bezel knows that the tremors will not harm or even knock anyone over, but will hold concentration on the spell for a few moments, hoping to cause enough distraction for his allies to suprise the guards.

[OOC] While Bezel doesn't have his arcane focus, that just acts as a substitute for material components. As thaumaturgy and most of his other cantrips are V/S component spells only, he should be able to cast these DM verdict pending?