((Krinix is here as well, just not really sure what we need to do))

The group is standing in a 20-foot wide tunnel beneath the ancient parts of Phlan. The ceiling is about 12 feet high, creating quite a lot of room. The walls are hewn out of stone, carved, not masonry. It's definitely dwarfish work, but even the dwarven stonework can't stand up to the relentless march of time, nor the ravages of nature as some tree roots have broken through the walls here and there and have dipped into the tainted water that runs down a channel in the middle of the tunnel. Globs of gelatinous, melted corpse are splattered here and there where the tortured, unliving survivors of Phlan's liberation continue their cursed existence as puppets to some kind of hive. The stinking, sticky goo that leaks out of the bodies of the parasites' hosts seems to react to water, bubbling up and forming a hardened crust within seconds.

It seems to be some kind of building material that the 'hive' has used to completely block the tunnel for whatever reason. For all the group knows, this blockage, which has a roughly latticework structure, could extend for the rest of the tunnel. It seems to be where the inhabitants cluster, and they seem to be particularly distressed by the presence of the lights that now disturb them, and the group has figured out that flame or frost, or any drastic temperature change, causes the crust to pop apart violently in a chain reaction, much like the grub parasites that they destroyed earlier. They've basically created a muck 'fuse' that now only needs water introduced to harden it and finally fire to 'light' the fuse and send a chain reaction right to the main hive where the whole structure will hopefully break itself apart.

It stands to reason that the trickle of tainted water flowing down the channel is only a fraction of how much water SHOULD be flowing in the tunnel and that the hive has essentially created an unnatural dam, grown over a period of time as the grubs claimed more and more victims trying to hide in the tunnels from Phlan's liberation forces and grew in sufficient numbers to create a hive.

While distance is a little hard to judge underground, given the direction the group traveled in the tunnel, it's even possible that they're under Phlan's old farmland whose soil was 'cursed' with a 'rust plague' many years ago and has stifled agriculture efforts since.

Hopefully, that refreshes some memories and clarifies what the group is doing and how they're doing it and why.

Also, it should be noted, that after being 'cured' the crust that forms doesn't seem to absorb water anymore. It's like that foam insulator you can spray.

Feareith gets as close as she think she can, before raising a shaky hand and summoning water to harden the 'fuse' so the others can use it.

Casting Create or Destroy Water creating enough water so that their fuse will work properly.

The water splashes along the floor, and any goop that the water touches bubbles and crusts up just like all the rest.

The creatures, who had been, up until that point, been more or less ignoring them since they seemed to be doing the same actions as them, slowly spreading muck about (though they were trying to cover up the lights) now have their attention on the group. There are dozens of them.

(Oh, forgot to ask, did Chroma take any of the Hillsfar emblems off the bodies or just left them alone?)

(I would say Chroma did, indeed, take some identifying marks from the bodies, such as the Hillsfar emblems.)

Chroma is immediately on her guard as the group is noticed. Sudden temperature changes seems to work, and she snorts, a curl of mist escaping from her snout. "That isn't good. I believe we will be swarmed if we fight," she whispers, prepared to unleash a volley of ice at the most clustered of the creatures.

((I think the fuse is ready now, right?))

Qiran nods.  They had overstayed their welcome.

"Let us withdraw, light the fuse, and make haste."

The fuse is lit, and the moment the creatures see the flame, they shriek and rush at the group. The fuse cracks and pops up the column of red crust violently behind them as they rush. There's a group of 6 of them that are the closest. One is an ogre, 4 are orcs, 1 is a goblin. The goblin is wielding two daggers and seems less .... overtaken by his parasites, snarling with a feral ferocity despite his small stature. One of the orcs is even still holding a banner of Tyranthraxus, using the broken end of it like a spear. It's tattered but still whole, even after all these years. It seems that something of these poor creatures remains even in their enslaved torment.

They'll be upon the group very soon. The fuse is crackling away behind them... does the group stand and fight to ensure the fuse reaches its destination or fall back?

Krinix will fire a bolt of flame at the goblin as he slowly backs away in an attempt to stay out of melee range, not fleeing outright.

initiative if needed 4

fire bolt Attack: 22 Damage: 8

The goblin is easily incinerated and the the fire bolts, its grubs popping and collapsing the entire body.

The rest of the group will get one chance to act before the remaining five will be within attack range. The ogre is bringing up the front, ahead of the orcs. It is massively infested with grubs and leaking fluids all over the floor.

Qiran continues to move, no longer at a full run.  He will cast Magic Missile, all targeting the Ogre, dealing 9 force damage.

"Good idea, lead them away but keep moving."

 Faerieth takes better hold of her quarterstaff as they all retreat.

Chroma retreats, still placing herself between the party and the approaching enemies. If possible, she will expend a use of her breath weapon to douse the enemies in frost, hopefully slowing down their approach and dealing some more damage.

((Secret roll))

3

The ogre's parasites get hit by the missiles first and then promptly pop once they come in contact with Chroma's frost. There are still a few parasites infesting its body however, keeping it upright.

Ogre takes an additional: 17 damage.

The infested ogre screams savagely and lashes out with all its fury, splitting open the wounds it suffered throughout its infestation. It throws itself at Chroma, bringing down both its fists. Since Chroma is covering her allies, initiative can be rolled after the ogre makes its frantic (special) attack.

Ogre attack: (With disadvantage, as most of the parasites controlling it are now dead) 8

In a gruesome display, Chroma deftly dodges its furious assault, so recklessly aggressive that one of its wrists breaks, leaving its hand dangling limply as it only strikes the floor in front of her.

Initiative--only the ogre is in range to attack. The orcs are still another turn outside of combat range.

ogre:6

Initiative! 12

Chroma’s breath weapon is a 15 foot Cone. If she can target more than one, she will.

Krinix will be backpedaling, shooting out more fire bolts as able, preferentially targeting the ogre if still up

Attack: 14 Damage: 3

Initiative for Krinix 21

The ogre used a special move to throw itself into combat range ahead of the orcs. They're some 24 feet behind it, and will be in hand to hand range on the next turn.

Additional damage on the ogre from fire: 2

Initative for Faerieth: 21

Qiran Initiative 16

On his turn, Qiran will continue moving, 30 feet, so long as he stays within 120 feet of the ogre, firing back more magic missiles for 11 damage.

(Basically, everyone gets to act before the ogre does)

Another one of the ogre's parasites pops and its movements become even more jerky and uncontrolled as it attempts to square off with Chroma.