Dreams Into Journey

"Let's continue on."  Lia says, glancing around.  "We don't want to stir up any more of these if we can help it."

Oswin and SD will move in line and follow along at the end of the group.

(I will skip ahead some, considering I use RNG a lot in this campaign, who knows if another encounter is going to happen. I don't want our new players to wait too long.)

After couple of days of travel, the ruins are in sight. It is a two-story temple-like structure that looks like is beginning to crumble under its own weight the dimming light of day

As you approach, sounds are heard growing louder as you approach. The closer you get, the clear it sounds. A battle is occurring!

As you get to within 40 feet of the entrance, a heavily weathered stone door, it bursts open with two figures quickly rushing out and bracing it shut!

What you initially take to be a very tall kobold is actually a somewhat short dragonborn. His scales appear metallic, perhaps yellowish, but a combination of naturally scraggly looks, and the recent conflict he's obviously seen, make it difficult to identify his real color. His clothes are similarly dirty, with pants that may have been patched at some point in their lifetime (though they are long overdue for more), his shirt is bound to his form with straps where it's visibly too loose, and the shortbow strapped to his back is liberally coated with long-dried blood.

As he notices your group, a nervous, toothy grin hits his face. "Hey! Uh, you guys aren't jerks, or like, bandits, are you?" He lets out a single, anxious laugh. "Either way, please don't kill us! Or, I guess wait until the monsters are done! By the way, there are monst-- ACK!"

The stone door lurches against the figures' weight, but settles closed once more.

"Help?!" calls the dragonborn. "Please?!"

Oswin will send SD forward to help brace the door, "No, we're not bandits, though sometimes jerks. Whats going on?"

 "Jus' takin' a bit by surprise tha's all!" answers the burly dwarf next to the dragonborn. "We jus' was askin' fer some ale from our neighbors 'ere, an' they mus' be out!" he says with a grin. "Nasty buggars, too!"

"What are we facing here?" Lia asks as she stays a bit back from the door.  "How many and what sort of creatures are behind the door?"

"I'd say 'lots' and 'scary,' respectively," says the dragonborn. "Didn't get a good look. Not much light in there, except, y'know, the eerie blue glow coming from deep inside. Ruins, am I right?"

He has a pained expression for a moment. "Not sure how much longer we can hold this. If you have anything to prep before a fight, now's the time."

OOC: Any chance we recognized what was attacking us? Perception: 17

Valentia, the blonde human cleric in chain mail, steps forward, saying with a straight face. "Now, now, no need to be so scared. I'm sure we can fight them... If we work together. Are either of you injured? I could provide some aid, or just help in combat the way I see I can."

"Scared? Ha! Jes a strategic regroupin' if ya will. What with tha way e'en tha earth jes be disappearin' right from under ya! We be needin' ta inspect this place fer strange things. So yer help is much appreciate!"

Oswin will move in front of the door, readying himself for whatever comes out, "Ready when you are." 

Initiative: 12 (I assume its coming, if there's a chance to prepare an action for when they open, he will cast faerie fire.)

The dragonborn nods to Oswin. He glances to the dwarf, similarly braced against the bucking stone door. 

"When this opens, I'm lighting up the hallway. Watch yourself, Big J." Then he turns to the rest of the party. "Ready, all? 3, 2..."

Smallfry will ready his action to breathe fire when the door opens, aiming to hit as many enemy targets as possible with the 30 foot line. Unless anyone interrupts, I'll open the door as soon as the DM allows it.

Initiative: 8

Smallfry and Jororic had a short encounter with them, so they did get a good look at the creatures, they even took down a couple of them while managing to avoid damage. They were humanoid with a mishmash of animal features; some of which made no sense where some parts sprout from (e.g. crab claw on a leg, alligator jaws, squid tentacles).

After a short, tense moment of getting slightly acquainted, the two parties agree to unite their efforts to push through the monsters just beyond the door. After a short rally, Smallfry signals their counterattack by counting down.

Roll remaining initiative.

Creatures: -1

???: 12

Lia initiative: 14

Given the opportunity to prepare, Valentia also would, immediately using False Life on herself for 5 temporary Hit Points. (If possible, I'd like to know if she really does have the time, or if I should probably wait for my turn. In the latter case, I won't be casting it at all.)

Initiative: 8

 With a hand axe in each hand, Jororic prepares himself for the coming melee. 

Initiative:  14

Resolving preemptive strikes

Jojorin throws the door open and the assault begins! As soon as the door is open Smallfry jumps in and lets loose a jet of flame that crosses clear across the room

Creature 1 Dex save [DC 11]: 11

Creature 2 Dex save [DC 11]: 2

Creature 3 Dex save [DC 11]: 9

Damage: 8 fire damage

The strange anatomies of two of the closest abominations caused a strange stumble in them that allowed them avoid the brunt of the flame. But one further back did not have the same fortune and falls.  (11 fire damage and dead on one that failed, and 5 fire damage on the two that succeeded).

Oswin follows up by creating an area of colorful flames near the back of the large room. Two of them were enveloped in highlighting light.

Creature 7 Dex Save [DC 14]: 7

Creature 8 Dex save [DC 14]: 10

The light takes hold of both of them, making them glow with an ethereal light, making them easier to see in the dim light.

After the first strikes were thrown, a look into the room reveals a large number of shambling monsters that have a mix of humanoid and animal parts. A dim, bluish light is seen pulsing in another room in the back. More than that, they see only one felled creature, while the two that Jororic and Smallfry killed before the rendezvous are standing again!

Initiative order:

1. Jororic - Sword
2. ???
3. Lia - Flame
4. Oswin - Cog / Steel Defender - Mech
5. Valentia - Scales
6. Smallfry - Dagger
7. Creatures

Map:

 Jororic can take his turn.

"By tha beard! These things ain't natr'l!" Jororic exclaims as he throws his hand axes at U 10 (attack: 13 Damage: 10 T 11 (attack: 26 Damage: 6)

After throwing the hand axes, he steps into the room, in front of Small Fry (if the abominations are down) while drawing his battleaxe.

(OOC: Not sure if drawing is too much for this round or not, but if so, that's what I'd like to do :-) )

 Even though Jororic doesn't know what these monstrosities are, he knows they need to die as he throws his hand axes at the ones nearest to the entrance as he moves. Both axes make their mark and crumble into lifeless heaps (7 slashing damage to U-10 and 10 slashing damage to T-11, both dead)

???'s turn

The light beyond the walls pulses more brightly for a moment

DM screen:

The smoldering corpse of the creature Smallfry nearly immolated slowly rises, although it looks a lot worse for wear (It is standing at Q-12).

Oswin, Smallfry, Lia and Valentia can take their turns.