Lost Mine of Phandelver

Garet becomes sad as he looks deep into Marcon eyes but he nods in agreement "d...deal" next he steps back and gets his things ready in silence 

Marcon's shoulder sag in genuine relief in Garet's acceptance of the request. Though he knew to be heavy burden to lay down on another, and for a moment looked a touch guilty, for better or worse, the ex-farmhand had little time to think further and maybe renounce his words, he's startled from grim thoughts in the cluttering of Gundren's weapon. Fearing the worst almost immediately, he turned sharply with fist balled up in raised and ready to take down some sneaky threat, only to be taken aback by the dwarf.

So much so, in fact, that even the thought to interrupt in some impassioned denial never took root. Just as he's about to reply, Vanzaren's question throws him off for a second. But after a moment or two, he grimaces in understanding, glanced over to Gundren, then back to Vanzaren. "If you're asking what I think you're ask'n, it's... 'cause it happened before. I was younger then, and... I don't remember all that happened, mind you. But, when I came back to my senses, my knuckles were bloody and those other kids..." He pulls or tries to pull a hand free to rub at his head. But even if not able, he still shuddered at the thought.

"... After that Ma pulled me aside to -- Wait, wait, wait! What am I doin'! We ain't got for all this! Just... Ugh!" He groans, then turns to Gundren. "Look. Gundren, I.. I appreciate.. I-I... I ain't try'na ta--!" He huffs and shakes his head. "All I can promise is to do my best. To listen 'n keep things together that is. And I'm sorry if that isn't an answer noone wants to hear, but it's all I can give in good conscience right now. "

Rigel wakes from his rest just as Marcon finishes his speech. A stretch and a yawn precede a hardy head shake meant to rid him of the last remnants of sleep. The ranger rises to his feet and begins to sort through his various pouches and pack redistributing items here and there. 

He notes the slight tension in the room and in an attempt to redirect and calm any ruffled feathers he addresses Gundren. "So I know you didn't get to explore much but do you at least have any ideas of what we might be facing down here?"

Gundren releases Marcon hand and walks back over and bends down to pick his weapons back up off the ground. "Back when this world was still forming, this spot sat at the intersection of not two or three, but four ley lines, creating a unique and powerful rift in the Weave that supernaturally twisted the rock here into what became known as Wave Echo Cave. About five hundred years ago, me father's clan made an agreement known as the Phandelver’s Pact with a gnomish enclave by which they would share the magically-imbued ore they found here. Some while later, human spellcasters allied themselves with me Da's dwarves and the gnomes to bind the energy into a great forge called the Forge of Spells, where magic items could be crafted. Things went swell for a couple centuries, but a powerful force of orcs backed by evil mercenary wizards swept through the North and laid waste to everything. They attacked Wave Echo Cave in order to seize its riches and magic treasures. The battle destroyed much of the cavern, and many if not all of those who were here to fight it. Orcs, dwarves, gnomes, humans, who knows what else died here...and since then, their bodies, weapons and other possessions just been layin' around...soakin' up magic for the last couple centuries. So, to answer your question sonny, I'd say there'll probably be a bunch 'o undead stuff crawlin' around down here...still pissed about how they died, no doubt, and lookin' fer some fleshy punchin' bags like ourselves to take it out on...in other words, we're gonna have some fun today boys!" Gundren claps his brother on the back, seemingly eager to go find whatever evil still remained in the cave.

"We all make mistakes Marcon," Van says grimly. "And we all have to find a way to make up for it. Just next time find a healthier outlet than staying up for days on end. Now let's go save a young boy. And if along the way we get a chance to see Isolde again well, I think I have a way to deal with her."

"Ye hear that boy?" says Gundren to Marcon, "Let's turn that anger ye got pent up inside ye against all the nasty stuff we got down here. It'll be like turnin' a cat loose on a bunch o' mice! Can't wait to see it meself. Yer gonna make yer momma proud, ye hear? Now, enough blabberin', let's go find that boy! Which way then?"

"Well since you mentioned a forge let's return to that one we passed. Maybe with more experienced eyes we can get an idea of where to go next." Suggests Rigel as he finishes organizing his pack. "Perhaps I can pick up a trail."

(2 more yes votes and we go.?

"I weren't stay up 'cause of-..." He sighs, held his head, and shook it a bit. "Nevermind." Marcon muttered, before then look over to Rigel with a raised brow. He opens his mouth and starts to say something, only to hesitate for a moment. "I... gotta bad feeling 'bout going that way. But if ya'll really wanna, we're gonna have to see about fashioning these folks some spears real quick, seeing as we ain't exactly get rid of that floating skull from last time."

"Okay gear up and we'll go. Garet maybe you can lone Sildar your crossbow and you can use the wand."

Ronk rests his spear on his shoulder as he readies to leave with the others and thumps Marcon on the back - maybe a bit too hard due to the gauntlets. "I'm glad you drank that potion and I didn't have to pry your mouth open." His eyebrows go up as he remembers something. "Oh! If someone needs a sword, I have one I haven't used... Well, for a while, I guess."

"Who wants a Scimitar?" Van asks, holding up his scimitar.

"I," says Sildar in response to Vanzaren's offered blade. He takes it from the wizard and thrusts it a few times into the air as if trying to get a feel for weapon's weight and balance.

"Enough jaw-jackin'," grumbles Gundren. "Everybody, 'cept one, done slept, ate, and armed themselves...we gonna do bugbear yoga next? It's time to get with the killin'! Now, if'n we're to be headin' to th' forge, it's across the chasm to the east, then south...that much I know. Now let's go!"

"Agreed." says Rigel. He leads the group from the room. Back to the forge.

The others follow the ranger back out of their shelter room and then to the east. The fire that was burning in the throne room had gone out, all that left were the remnants of bugbear and spider bodies - a stack of charred, smoldering husks. Without a light source, Marcon, Garet and Sildar would have to keep a hand on the shoulder of the man in front of them in order to find their way through the hallways, which were shrouded in complete darkness.

Instead of traversing the rushing underground river, Rigel led the party south to the bugbear barracks and then east towards the forge...which had been their path the first time. They passed by the bed where they left the injured bugbear, and where Marcon claimed to have later found him dead. Though the linens were soaked in blood that was barely dry, no body was to be found.

Rigel held up a silent, halting hand to the rest of the party as he approached the eastern door of the barracks. The door was standing open, and through it the ranger could see a small, human sized skull, wreathed in green flame and floating in the center of the chamber about 50 feet ahead of him. He saw no sign of the zombies that had attacked them here the day before.

(OOC: Roll stealth, perception or other skill checks, if desired.)

Prior to any departure Marcon had at least taken a few moments to replace the dying light of his torch with that of a freshly lit lantern. Not... that he hadn't trusted the others to act as decent enough guides, but if things had popped off along the way, the trio were more a liability being blind than any light drawing some attention to the group as a whole along the way. Though once they reached the barrack western doors he'd hooked the lantern to his belt and draw down the hood to help limit the light(5ft dim).

So short of someone drawing attention to the missing bugbear, Marcon isn't of mind to draw attention to it. "So what's the play? We gonna try and spook it away again, or ya'll got some other solution for dealing with a flying skull?" Marcon whispered to the others while almost skyrim crouching in his effort to be sneaky.

-Stealth: 4. 

"Ambush it then Hit it hard and fast." Replies Rigel. "Let's take positions on either side of the door then I'll lure it down here. Those of you with ranged weapons take a place on the other side of the room." Once everyone is in position he'll make his way twenty feet out of the room down the hall towards the skull.

"As good a plan as any I s'pose. Though, I still got uh.... mnn... bah, it don't matter. Let's just get this carriage a rolling." Without another word of contention, Marcon shifted the lantern about so it sat more behind him, and thus better shield the light, then made to position himselfby the southern end of the door as instructed by Rigel. If either Vanzaren and Ronk appeared more eager to take the door spot, then he'd instead fall to the western door and break out the heavy crossbow.

Garet grabs tight his mace and shield and prepares sacred incantation to turn undead

OOC: Ready action Channel Divinity: Turn undead if undead are not dead and in the fighting mood

The party begins to spread out in response to Rigel's forming plan. Marcon and Ronk take up positions on either side of the door while Vanzaren and Garet fall back to the middle of the room and begin to prepare their spells. Gundren and Nundro form a barrier in front of Vanzaren while Sildar sets up in the small alcove in the northwest corner of the room and begins winding and loading the crossbow.

Seeing that everyone looked to be in place, Rigel ran down the hallway toward the large bellows, stopping about 20 feet past the door. The flameskull continued hovering in place, seemingly  unconcerned with Rigel's presence, if it had even noticed him at all.

(OOC: I'll throw out another request for Stealth rolls, last chance before Rigel potentially pulls aggro...)

Rigel, Hew in one hand and an untransformed Rod of Lordly Might in the other, stalks another 5 feet down the corridor. He begins rapping the rod against the wall as he does. "Hey! You there! Floaty! Think you and I have some unfinished business!" Says Rigel loudly. He continues to advance 5 feet at a time taunting the skull until it takes notice. Once it does he will make his way back to 10 feet inside the room while never turning away from the entity.