DMs note: Different traps have different skills DMs can use. This particular trap, I like to use Sleight of Hand because disarming it requires finger dexterity. If you look on your sheet, that gives a +4. Some DMs do straight Dexterity but I like to be more specific.  

Also, since only Spry mentioned that he was going to the trap, I'm going to make a DM decision and assume Shy and Chotec stay on the other side of the bridge, and are therefore safe from the trap.

(Spry works on getting the trap disarmed with his Thieves Tools. After a few moments, a couple of clicks are heard and Spry has a knowing look on his face: This was a bad click. Spry jumps up and tries to get out of the way as a Scythe comes out of the slit up on the roof and comes swinging right at him!)

Spry, please give me a Dexterity Saving Throw. (That's a +4 for you)

Spry hears the clack of a triggered mechanism, followed immediately by the sickening swish of a blade slicing through the air. Instinct takes over...

"Cripes!" 

23

(Spry manages to hit the deck and narrowly avoid getting sliced to bits by the swinging blade! The Scythe swings back and forth along the length of the bridge a few more times, before stopping in the middle. The party quickly takes the opportunity to safely cross the bridge as the mechanism above creaks and whirs, resetting the blade.

As you reach the other side of the bridge, you see a slightly open door. You all peer thru it, carefully.)

Everyone please give me a perception check and a preemptive Initiative roll please.

Perception: 10   

initiative: 3

Perception : 1

Initiative : 22

DMs note: Guess I'll roll for Shu

Perception: 10

Initiative: 4

(Spry tries to look thru the door but gets something in his eye and is temporarily blinded. He has to rely on his teammates telling him what they see.

Chotec and Shy look thru the open door. 

As you peer inside, you see a large Bugbear, a kind of super Goblin, who may be the leader. He looks pretty tough, with thick furs and armor, and a giant Warhammer over his shoulder. Next to him, a regular Goblin in robes stands before a makeshift altar, chanting words that appear to be part of a ritual. You adjust your angle and see that there is a bored patrol Goblin standing about on the right side of the room, not really paying much attention. His arm appears to be in a sling: He is injured, you're not sure by what. As you make one final adjustment, you see that on the far left corner of the room, a small girl is squatting in a small cage, her dirty, tear-stained face covered in dirt and mucus. She sobs softly, as if she has been crying for hours and hours and is just about cried out. 

"Don't stop", bellows out the Bugbear at the Shaman Goblin (in common), "we're so close. Soon, this place will become a proper temple for the Goblin God, and we will consecrate it... with the blood of the innocent! Nothing will stop us!"

The Bugbear lets out an evil laugh as the Shaman Goblin continues to chant and perform the ritual.

What do you all do?

*Chotec whispers what he saw ti Spry* "Hmm. a warrior a mage and a long-range fighter. They are a balanced force. Taking them by surprise could be our only chance of victory. Attacking the weakest link could be the best idea but i feel like there should be more goblins in a cave like this. Believing that we have to fight only three would be foolish. Maybe we could use that trap to our advantage? Take the girl and run bait them into it."

"I like the idea, but how do we get over the trap, and clear of that swinging guillotine?" Says Spry, rubbing his eyes,

"I assume the cage is locked, but if you could carry the whole thing, I've got a stink bomb and some ball bearings, which could hold up those goblins for a few moments."

"But how do we get past the trap?"

DMs note: I'll try not to interfere and let you all play it out, but here's a little something.

(You all look thru the door again and survey the situation further. After a few moments you are sure that there are no other Goblins or enemies in the room besides the 3 you have already seen. Hmmm...)

Here's a rough idea of how the room is laid out: 

"Can you not rig the trap to trigger when you want it to? Now that you've seen it, it could be easier to do. And of i distract the enemies while you sneak and open the cage so she can't be used as a hostage."

"So I get the girl, and you get the goblins? Yes I think I prefer it that way round actually." Says Spry, looking rather more cheerful.

"Ok, let me take another look at this trap, and I'll be ready for that pendulum of misery if things go south."

[OOC: Hopefully that will give me advantage if I fail to set the trap again? Please, kind DM?]

"Shy, maybe you could make yourself useful and help Chotec with the goblins?"

"Unless you have a better suggestion?" He adds testily.

[OOC: I'm afraid I'm on a quest IRL, and have left my computer at home, so having to write these posts on a mobile browser. The mob version of the website doesn't give me a dice roll option, so I hope you won't mind if i roll a d20 and +4 Sleight of Hand and +2 Proficiency, then report it like the honest Rogue that I am.]

Rolling on setting the trap...

18

DMs note: I'll take the good roll as you getting an idea.

(Spry looks over the trap again, then gets an idea. He runs over to the rocky cliff area and grabs a few medium sized rocks, then jams them under the plate so that the trap won't get triggered. He passes over it a few times just to make sure. The rocks hold. This way, if needed, all he needs to do is remove some of the rocks and the trap should trigger.)

Chotec, can you please give me a clearer idea of what your plan is? Are you going to run in and attack? Or are you thinking something different?

I was planning on something like rushing the goblin on watch and having the other two keep their attention on that side of the room so spry can sneak to the girl. Then once Spry and the girl are running towards the door i would retreat there and lure the goblins to the trap.

DMs note: Chotec, does 'rush the goblin' mean attack? If you rush in, the Bugbear will likely see you but you would likely be able to get 1 attack before they roll Initiative.

Spry, you mentioned the stinkbomb a couple of times. That's actually a homebrew item I like to use for fun in my campaigns. Just so you know what effect it would have mechanics-wise, if you use it the enemies affected will have disadvantage on their next 2 rolls. That includes Initiative if you use it before they roll it. You wouldn't be able to get all of them, you could get the Goblin or the Bugbear/Shaman combination.

What do you all do?

"Spry if you give Shy those stink bombs of yours he can throw them at the start of the fight towards that shaman and bugbear. I will sprint to the goblin on watch attacking it and gaining the other's attention. Spry will then sneak to the cage during that time free the girl and escape over the trap. Then i and Shy will both disengage from combat and run through the trap and Shy will activate it. If any problems happen we improvise and the worst case scenario is we have to fight all three of them. Is this plan good or do you guys have any suggestions?" 

DMs note: Since you all had most of the day to object if you didn't like the plan, I'll assume you all are for it. 

(The following occurs very quickly: The group prepares and gathers at the door. On the signal, Chotec opens the door and rushes towards the injured Goblin! Right at the same time the Bugbear starts to yell out, Shy throws the Stinkbomb right at the Bugbear and Shaman! The vial breaks and a foul-smelling odor fills the room, but mostly concentrated on the platform where the Bugbear and Shaman stand. They are coughing and dealing with their eyes. The Bugbear starts yelling.)

"We're under attack! Shaman, don't stop! I'll take care of these fools!"

For DM:

(Spry rushes over to the cage where Bess is trapped. He's going to have to pick the lock if the plan is going to work.) 

DMs note: Chotec, please roll an attack on the injured Goblin. After that we will be starting based on Initiative, which means Spry will get a chance to pick the lock on his turn.

Attack: 19 Damage: 5

initiative: 5

( i have great weapon fighter so i can re-roll 1's on damage dice right? I'll re-roll both)

1:st  2

2:nd 4

+3

(Chotec uses his Greatsword to absolutely demolish the injured Goblin, cleaving him in almost half! The Goblin didn't have a chance. The Bugbear roars in anger as he sees his minion fall so easily.

Spry, you're in front of the cage where Bess is locked up. She looks scared and backs away from the entrance. You see it is a pretty standard lock. If you're trying to pick the lock, roll a d20+6.