((Peeked at Eku's stat block, she can become a grung if she needs a non-flying form with a climb speed!))

Got-ipede peers into the pit, trying to determine if there is anything dangerous down there. (blindsight 30 ft if that matters)

He's ready to scurry across the wall to get there, but looks around at Evo and Alton in what might be an 'expectant' manner, if a centipede could convey such things.

((That all sounds good @Klein with Eku and positions etc. Thanks))

Phillip is very happy with progress! He’s totally happy to scout up the chimney pipe ((is that what it’s like?)) and see what’s there, when we get there. Maybe all the climbers can check it out first? But for now we need to get across the pit...

Phillip could climb down and up, or just jump across, but we need to get everyone across. He’s keen to know if Gotur can sense anything down there with blindsight.

If the pit looks clear, all Phillip can offer is a) help, and/or b) he could build a couple of sets of ice-stairs, down and up, using his decanter of endless water and his shape water magic. He’ll suggest that to the party.

((edit... Wow! Eku can become a Grung?! If Phillip ever saw that he’d flip out! lol, nice!))

If there are no objections (and if Gotur’s centipede-senses don’t pick anything up), Phillip will cheerfully start making the ice-steps.

He stands at the top of the near edge of the pit, and poors water from his decanter of endless water over the edge and into the pit. As it falls, he uses Shape water to make the water form into huge, wobbly, watery steps ((within a 5x5ft cube)). He then freezes them solid.

The steps are 5ft wide and each tread is 1ft high and 1ft deep. 5x huge, solid, ice-steps coming half way up the pit-wall on the near side.

He then leaps over the pit (25ft long-jump from standing), and does the same thing on the other side ((I think his spell allows him to hold two of the persisting effects (2x frozen steps) at the same time)).

He then leaps back to help anyone else down and up, as needed (the climb now only being 5ft from the top of the steps (I think! If that all works!))...

Alton eyes the pit warily. He is not too excited about either jumping across of climbing down and back up. Like everyone else, he waits for Got-ipede to return with information, but other than that has nothing constructive to offer.

(@Grwobert— That’s awesome! Alton would most likely be in favor of taking the ice steps)

((yep, Eku can totally change into a grung! Couatls are pretty bad ass actually. Maybe it will happen sometime :) ))

Ok, the ice steps are a great idea! Phillip cheerfully builds them as described! 

Got-ipede, you don't sense anything in that pit. 

You can now all cross the pit then without making any roll. I think given the 5ft remaining, along with Got-ipede and Phillip's help as they cross that this will not require rolls from anyone. 

Eku says telepathically to Evo "Everything ok in there? Let me know when you ascend to the second level and I will do the same. There are no sign of the pterafolk out here."

As for the chimney up to level 2 -> it’s a 90-foot climb with plenty of handholds but several tricky, twisty spots. An athletics check is required to ascend it for characters who require it. (Evo and Alton only, right?)

Assuming either Phillip or Got-ipede ascend to the second level to scout, I have added that map to the google sheet so you can see what it looks like. Eku would've told you where she saw the stirges, and they have been added to that map. (Action map tab)

Eku would also explain to Evo that it looks like the way up to level 3 is by using a ladder outside of the second level cave. You can see it on the map on that northwest ledge. Eku isn't going to fly up to the 3rd level yet until a plan is made as she doesn't want to alert the pterafolk. 

Maps are updated! Stirge also added to bestiary tab. 

Phillip comes back down the chimney and suggests the whole party climb up, as Eku has said there are a fair number of stirges to contend with!

He’ll attempt to help the non-climbers, by talking them through the tricky sections and even lending a gloved hand, where need be (hopefully granting advantage on the climbing checks?).

Got-ipede will scuttle up, and check out the area. 

((The passage to where the stirges are is 5 ft, and that's the only way they have to get in to the western chambers where we are coming up? How long as it taken to get us all up here? Deciding if I want to drop form to be able to cast some spells. Got-ipede is a fighting form only in a pinch.))

((OOC: is that what he has? Just a ‘pinch’ attack? ;-)  ))

((Technically a bite. :P))

Alton’s Athletics check (made with advantage due to help): 8

Evo's climb athletics also with advantage due to help: 14

Got-ipede, it does indeed seem that the only way the stirges could get to you is through that west passage. I'm thinking the climb up the chimney will take 15-20 minutes for everyone. You like are much faster. I could be totally off on this, so let me know if that doesn't feel right. It's 90 feet with plenty of handholds but several twisty spots. 

Evo makes it easily, Alton slips a few times but makes it as well likely using Phillip's help. Alton probably makes the climb closer to 20 minutes. 

So you are now all on the second level, with Eku also moving up after confirmation from Evo that they made it. 20 minutes later. Eku starts to move closer to where the party will exit to get to the next ladder to the next level. She telepathically says to Evo  do you see the stirges yet?

What might be next? Azaka is still getting used to the spiderclimb and getting her bearings as she reaches the top of the chimney. 

Maps are updated. 

Sorry, that 20 minutes doesn't include the first climb. I think in total with the climbing and talking between levels along with the pit work and ice stairs by Phillip, you'll be coming up on the 1 hr mark basically right after you get to the second level.

Azaka looses spiderclimb. Got has 1hr left on wildshape, right?

It's approx. 10pm

((also we’d have to think about darkvision expiring on Phillip and whoever else)),

 Gotur debates before dropping his form to be able to communicate. 

"We want to fight the little buggers, or want me to cook 'em? I can't do much in centipede form, and Azaka's getting due for a refresh anyway.", he whispers.

Evo look and listens for the stirges once he gets up.

Perception: 22

"Let me know when ye can't see any more lads and aye can give ye all another round of my Lady's sight."

Gotur thinks of the flying menaces sticking their mouthparts in his flesh like over grown mosquitoes, and that makes up his mind. He mutters over his staff briefly, a few pale flowers sprouting and forming a seed pod that drops some white seeds in his waiting palm in a matter of seconds. He slips forward carefully hoping to catch them by surprise, mutters and tosses them into the air, where they swirl towards the waiting stirges, swirling up into a shaft of pale moonlight, blocking off the entrance the chamber full of stirges.

 ((For some reason I was thinking it was 5ft diameter, it's 5 ft radius! Even better! ))

((will it effect us too? Would it be better move it further in to leave us a gap past it and the ability to look in and snipe through?))

((edit... sorry I hadn’t realised they were coming out into the corridor already! Eek! Scratch what I just said!))

Evo winces at the light but figures it is probably the quieter option. He moves up with Gotur in case anything manages to get to him.

((At least it's only dim light!))

Gotur will back up so if anything does slip through, it tastes dwarven steel first.