Aazel ask the villagers enjoying a lunch. The directions he gets are vague, but it's soon clear why as the blacksmith can be both heard and seen by the clanging of metal on metal, the dark billowing smoke from it's rooftop.

A tanned-skinned, dark-haired dwarf is seen finishing up on a fine longsword, "Ah, half-urk! Heard ye were with the band a' heroes... Had te see it, I s'pose. What can I do for ye?"

Aazel explains who he's looking for and Osor gestures over his shoulder somewhere quickly going back to his work, "Melyne's Farm, ye can' miss it!"

=========

With Bart leading the way, he sees nothing but look dark hallway. The stone is smoothed all around, creating a stable tunnel with a ceiling low enough for him to be conscious of it. There seems to be gaps in the walls every few feet to imply there were once lamps here, but there are no signs of traps. Now there is just darkness, silence and a chill in the air...

If you wish to proceed further, Wulcrath, Khazan and Bart please roll a Stealth check.

========

While Daffafle waits for Aazel to get back, Alysa has continued tending to the shrine, and brought the halfling a tea and a raspberry conserve sandwich.

After a moment, the sun's sun's influence dipping in an out due to the cloud, with a gentle breeze and birdsong floating on the air.

This is all interrupted for a very strange echo coming from the darkness of the shaft - was that a clanging of metal? She is not given time to think as there is a strange hum from underground. Turns out to be flapping. Screeching and flapping of many wings.

A jet of screeching bats erupt from the hole in the ground, flying around seeking what disturbed their slumber... and homing in on the halfling.

Daffafle, please roll Initiative.

Bart continues... stealth 9

Wulcrath does his best to stay quiet in his armor, crouching down and taking note of his surroundings.

Stealth - 9

Initiative-4

Scrambling to her feet, the halfling almost draws her swords from muscle memory. With a split second of thought, she maneuvers one hand to rest on her arcane focus, a dark red crystal shaped similarly to a feather.

“A little help here, Lucky!” Daffafle calls to the raven.

lucky initiative 21

Khazan gives his best attempt at dwarfish stealth

Stealth: 10

Aazel heads as quickly as he can towards the farm. He had hoped that he could collect the others and be back quickly, but this was taking too long.

(Oh Aazel... lol)

Aazel walks with determined strides into the farm. At the sight of a lone Half-orc striding through a peaceful village, and with the owner away, the guards stand firm blocking the way. A sound reason would be needed for them to let you through...

Aazel please roll a Persuasion check.

=========

Slinking through the darkness, Bart and Khazan make out the path splitting to the left or carrying on. Wulcrath is left struggling. As they approach, a hunched figure limps into sight with dry snarl, it looks the source of light in a place that's drowned in darkness for so long. It lumbers in for the attack!

Wulcrath, Khazan and Bart, please roll Initiative.

=========

The Swarm of Bats flicker around before diving in and attacking Daffafle with bites!

Attack: 9 Damage: 2 (piercing)

You only feel their teeth catching your leather armour, but not enough to pierce it and cause damage.

Bart Initiative 8

Persuassion: 15

Aazel sees the guards ahead and can tell that they are reluctant to let him pass. while he is still about 20ft out he slows down and starts to talk to them. "Good day! I am trying to find my friends. A dwarf, a half-elf and a dragonborn. You haven't seen them have you? The blacksmith said they had headed in the direction of the farm." Aazel points beyond the guards. "We were part of the rescue the other day and we were hoping to help the local authorities figure out what is going on. I need to catch up with them to talk about my meeting with the priest of Pelor."

Wulcrath almost falls over as he hears the creature growl nearly yelling out in surprise as takes a sharp anxious breath, pulling the hammer from his belt and holding the Torch out in the creatures direction, hoping to spot it before it gets too close.

Initiative - 18

Their guard eases as one of them leads Aazel through the picturesque ground and into the grand, yet quiet farm house. They reach the guards at the front door who explain where the other went in the house. Outside the bedroom door, there are further guards who open the door to grant the half-orc access...

Only to see a dissipated illusion revealing a trap door, which has been ripped off, and a 5-foot wide shaft into darkness and the three of the party missing!

With a sudden bout of inspiration, Lucky flies in the face of the swarm with a mighty caw, taking the help action. 

Daffafle mutters in the arcane, crystal focus glowing slightly as a blast of dark energy (eldritch blast) hurtles towards the swarm.

10 Damage: 1

The unlucky Lucky will attempt the help action again, flitting among the swarm with pecks and caws.

 Khaz Initiative 9

The Swarm of Bats relentlessly attack!

Attack: 22 Damage: 5

=========

Initiative order: Wulcrath, Khazan, Bart, Ghoul.

With Bart and Khazan in front, the Ghoul has its eyes on Wulcrath 20ft. away.

Wulcrath looks to Khaz and Bart and then back to the creature as an idea presents itself in his head.

"I have an idea, Get behind me!"

He plants his feet, lowering himself to the ground a bit, and gets ready to dodge any attacks from the creature in the meantime.

Action - Dodge

With a cry of frustration, Daffafle summons another dark bolt of energy, firing at the bats with Lucky's help. 

Attack: 24 Damage: 6

(assuming bats are still alive)

Lucky swoops and dives among the bats, pecking them, rather pleased with his last results.

Khazan moves 5ft and goes behind the dragonborn.

 "Better be a good idea. That umgak hammer of yers ain't gonna do much."

Takes off his backpack and grabs an unlit torch to use as an improvised weapon.

As a bonus action he rages.

Bart runs behind Wulcrath and starts to light a torch.