The tall Tiefling looks to the young girl in the cage with concern, but gives her a warm smile. If the cage has a keyhole, then Sechirehime will nod to Jasper, and search the goblins' remains for a key. Investigation: 8 if needed.

(After trying to soothe the frightened girl, Jasper goes over to the dead Bugbear and quickly locates the keys, as well as 2 GP. He then walks to the middle of you all and casts Twilight Sactuary. All of you feel slightly stronger and a little healed (if you're hurt). 

Zalmanni looks around the room and is drawn to the statue at the top of the stairs. He walks over to the statue and looks it over. It depicts a knight, his sword in front of him pointing at the ground. He seems vaguely familiar. You think it looks like that guy on the mural, the leader guy... you know, the guy... but you can't remember his name. Maybe it'll come to you if you think about it long enough.

On the base of the statue, you notice a small plaque with an inscription that reads:

"If you are to keep this, you must first give it to me."

What do you all do?

“I found keys!” Jasper shouts. “He rushes over to the cage and unlocks it. “Are you hungry Bess?” Jasper reaches around to pull a ration from his pack. “Take some water as well.”

Seeing the the girl is tended to, Zal continues to study and contemplate the statue, particularly the saying on the plaque. While going over it in his mind Zal looks for anything that might be a receptacle of some sort to take whatever needs to be given.

Investigation: 18

(Zal searches, but does not find any type of drawer or receptacle. It's just a statue.)

“Well, let’s get Bess back to her father. In case we run into any surprises on the way back, who wants to ensure her safety while the rest of us deal with the surprise?”

“Yes, I agree, we need to leave before we are trapped or attacked. I’ll keep Bess safe and away from harm if the rest of you want to take the lead.”

”Allow me to heal you Zalmanni.”  Jasper casts cure wounds on Zalmanni.  11

”Bess and I will follow behind.”

Sechirehime goes over to look at the statue and considers what ritual the goblins were performing in the room. She asks Zalmanni if he thinks Bess was intended to be used as some sort of terrible sacrifice, and if he found any clues as to what sort of powers the goblins might've been trying to gain from such a ritual.

“Yes, she was to be an unwilling participant in the ritual.... to provide,” Zal’s face clouds with disgust, “the blood of an innocent. There’s an inscription on the statue that says, ‘If you are to keep this, you must first give it to me,’ buggered if I know what that means. Let’s get Bess back to her father and then, if we want, come back here and investigate further.”

“Yes, let’s head out the way we came.”

DMs note: Ok, unless anyone decides to do anything else I'll close this out in about 6-8 hours.

(Satisfied that you've done all you can, you all decide to head back.

You trek briskly, already somewhat familiar with the woods and no longer having to worry about tracking. It is late in the evening, around 8 or 9pm when the party arrives back at the north edge of town near Rickard's property.)

"Bess! My sweet girl!"

(Rickard runs and meets you all outside of his gate just as you clear the woods. He has obviously been waiting near there, hoping to see you all return.

"Papa!" Bess cries, as they run and embrace each other, both shedding tears of joy. The sight of the big, burly Blacksmith crying over having his little girl back brings joy to all of your hearts. After letting them have their moment, Rickard thanks all of you, shakes all of your hands, and bids you all to allow him to take you back to the Tavern so that you may rest.

"They did it! They saved my girl!" Rickard shouts as they enter the busy Tavern. The townspeople are all excited, cheering, clapping you all on the back, congratulating you all and Rickard for getting his daughter back. Willfred shakes all of your hands and offers you all whatever you wish to drink or eat, on the house. Jack the Serving Boy hugs Bess and holds back tears as well. The entire tavern proclaim you heroes and surround you, eager to hear your tales of heroism and how you saved Bess. And, yes, you do get paid. $$$ :)

DMs note: Guys, it was a pleasure, I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for playing!

Thank you Stiffkick80 for running this one shot. It’s crazy we won the last encounter in one turn. Zal and Sechirehime getting massive kill hits and my critical on the bugbear. I feel if any one of those failed, probably would have played out differently.

Again, Thankyou very much!

Thanks for hosting! It was really great! Have fun with all future games!

Yeah, that Guiding Bolt Crit was just brutal. Made my big bad look like nothing. Oh, well. Hope you guys enjoyed!

It was a fun first PbP thanks for running it. 

I mist admit i had fun, but when it comes to moving character and dice rolling i may have my flaws. When it comes to the end i shall apologize for my inactiveness to join this and i felt that i have disappointed everyone including the DM who is willing to wait and the whole team's support. I am happy to have a team like this uwu

You didn't disappoint anyone, Mika. I hope you had fun :) We were glad to have you with us.