Tobin:

”Well, this won’t do at all,” says Tobin.  Weaving a powerful spell, he attempts to dispel the wall of stone and backs out of the Pagoda!

( Dispel Magic cast at 5th level )

"Well, it smells awful in here and that is about it." Varan shouts back. He will take the time to get the scimitar off his backpack and heft up his shield, "Well, guess now is as good time as any to try this weapon out." and then wait to see what happens.

Action: Equip the scimitar and shield, bumping his AC up to 17.

The walls of stone vanish, as Tobin dispels their magic. You all can see Bazavur, outside the pagado, looking in.

Varan equips himself.

Aiwin and Soar are up.

(And Tobin backs out of the pagoda and behind the others, since the wall came down).

Aiwin makes his way out of the pagoda with his bow drawn waiting to see what happens.

OOC:
Movement: Full movement out of the pagoda

Action: Hold attack action, he will release an arrow at any hostile action taken against the party.

With the walls gone, Soar's initial reaction to take her rage out on the kettle disappears. She looks quickly at the spot in the ground where the man disappeared, notes it, and then follows Aiwin out of the pagoda, away from the steam and keeping her eyes on the spot on the ground where the man disappeared.

She readies an eldritch blast at anything hostile that appears, even if it's the kettle.

"Thanks, Tobin, that was an odd trick. Anyone have any guesses what happens next?" Soar says, eyes still watching for anything hostile.

Round Two:
Bazavur
Tobin and Varan
Aiwin and Soar

Aiwin moves away, and Soar remains. The kettle continues to emit steam, now clearly with a noxious green tinge, but it dissipates in the air.

Bazavur is up.

“I knew something didn’t feel right.” Bazavur moves to destroy the kettle. (To hit:18 damage: 9 slashing)

Tobin:

Keeping his distance, Tobin uses his magic to grab the air and direct the noxious gas away from them and into the far hedges, trying to dissipate it with his Gust spell.

Bazavur attacks the kettle. It's very clear as he does so that the face on the iron kettle contorts in fury and indignation at this assault; it does give the impression of being alive.

Tobin blows away the foul-smelling steam, though the kettle still emits it.

Varan is up.

Varan follows Bazavur's lead and takes a swing at the kettle too.

Action: Attacks the kettle, Attack: 13, Damage: 8

Varan, you hit the kettle, damaging it severely.

A creature emerges from the ground, where the man previously sank down. It looks nothing like the man you just saw:

He looks very angry, and alien, and earthy. Any of you can attempt a Nature or Arcana check to recognise this creature. He says something, tone furious and clipped, accompanied by a growl, though in a language that I don't think any of you understand (Terran). It does carry a huge maul much like in the picture, and it attacks Varan first: 24 against AC for 23 points of bludgeoning damage. Varan, please make a STR check (not save), DC 18, or fall prone.

STR check: 14, Varan gets the wind knocked out of him and is flat on the ground.

Tobin:

Now that he can actually see the Dao, Tobin tries to recall more information about their capabilities (Arcana 17, Nature 23 -- what he learns he will share with the others).  Suspecting fire might be useful against earth, Tobin conjures a Flaming Sphere behind the Dao and slams it into the creature, trying to damage it with fire (DC 20 Dexterity save for half, 11 Fire Damage).

After casting, he moves to the north to put a bit more distance between himself and the dangerous creature.

The creature attacks Varan again, this time with advantage: 29 against AC, 19 points of bludgeoning damage.

The creature then burrows down into the ground; Soar and Varan can take Opportunity Attacks if you wish.

Aiwin just stares at the creature as it appears trying to assess what it is.

OOC:
Perception check: 19 (rolled in game log)

Aiwin, this is a dao, a creature from the elemental plane of earth, a powerful genie and ferocious warrior. They are famed for their greed; it is either trapped here, or it stands to gain from being here.

Need Opportunity Attacks from Soar and Varan if they want, or confirmation if not.

Varan is on the ground, so he won't use his reaction.

Soar strikes with her blade, but misses.

The creature has now burrowed down into the ground, or rather it seems as though the ground has swallowed it without being disturbed. It is somewhere below, but you cannot say where.

Aiwin and Soar are up.