Rowane nods at the gnome and then smiles at the rest of the group. So where too?
"Yep. Good plan. Acids and fires, then back to the kobold caves."
As they're leaving, Huc turns to the town's priest, "We've picked up a few cuts and scrapes, father. You think you could fix us up?"
Acid and alchemist's fire are both available.
"It's a win for everyone, really, father. It helps us, the town ... and it'll help your fellow Abadaran stay alive, too."
He looks over at Rowane with a look that plainly says, a little help here?
"If you do not mind. It does sound like a fair trade. They are doing us a considerable favor by handling these pest after all."
Lady Eupaphenia nods graciously. "But of course." She raises the gold key of her office over you and calls upon the power of her patron to restore the party.
Huc gives both men an appreciative handshake. "Much thanks. I guess we're off."
on their way out of town, Huc tries to talk the local merchants into giving a discount .. on account of them doing city business and all.
Huc walks back out into the street, giving the merchant a scowl as he pockets his new flasks. "He could have just said 'no'" He marches towards the edge of town, ready to vent his annoyance on the kobolds, "I say let's do this."
Temperance follows suit and purchases his own vials. "Throatburn whiskey would be better," he says wistfully, and trudges after Huc and the rest.
"Rowane, you speak the language of kobolds? If there was some way for us to hear them from afar, we would have an advantage." The monk steeples his fingers, thinking while walking, and nearly stumbles from the simultaneous actions.
"Ha! Ain't that right," Huc barks before looking over at Rowane, "No offense, man."
He considers as he marches, "but seriously, Rowane, our plan was just to sneak in there and basically ambush them. You have a better plan? Or something else you'd rather us try?" He shrugs, "So far they've been pretty much trying to kill us on sight. Protectin' the town has pretty much required us to do the same to them."
"No, I do not have anything to add. Like I said before, I usually deal with trades and merchants. I would rather try to talk and negotiate, but I doubt that would be of use since they have been attacking on site. So, I say we stick with what has be\e working so far.
You return to the lake edge, a fifty-foot-wide stretch of shore strewn with boulders and other remains of the mining operation that used to be here. Rowane, the other three party members know that there are two entrances to the lair here. Previously you entered the northern opening.
Huc frowns, "Welp, they know we're comin'. Two were hidin' and watchin'. There," he points at first one place, then another, "... and there."
He looks over at Arien, "So .... then we go in hard? Or quiet? I'm good either way."
"Well they do know we are coming. Two scouts just went back into the lair after they spotted us"
Huc gives the newcomer an appraising look, "You have sharp eyes, priest." He gives a half-grin, "You'll do fine here."
Then he readies his axe and waits or everyone's input on the plan.
Huc watches it land, "North, it is." He sets off in that direction, ready to take point unless Arien wants to scout ahead.
"We should go in together, but check for traps. I don't think it's stealth, but deliberation, that we need," says Temperance, in a rare show of complete clarity. "The moss on the stone is covered by an early snow."
Given the desire for togetherness Huc leads the team into the north cave entrance. "Same as before. Give me fifteen feet or so in case they have traps ready."
With a final command for Fynn to take defend the team, he marches in.
Temperance stands ready to follow, especially if the path leads to low tunnels, in which case he and Fynn can take point.
When Master Temperance offers, Huc slaps his forehead. "Yah, your size and eyes would be good for up-front." He looks down at his mutt, "Fynn, defend him."
Then the big woodsman falls to the rear-guard position.
Rowane takes his crossbow and loads a bolt into the slide and racks it back.
"I am ready as I am ever going to be. Just ask me if you want me to light the way."
You reenter the northern access and proceed in, past the empty rat kennel, to the well room. There's a tunnel leading east that you haven't been down yet. It turns south after only a few tens of feet, and even Master Temperance can't see any further--there's no light at all down there.
"Who has a light?" says Temperance. "Fynn and I will continue to lead. Fynn can smell them, can he not?"
"I can illuminate any item you like. It is actually quite any easy trick"
"On my sword, Rowane. Fynn and I will lead the charge. Any buffs you have are appreciated," says Temperance, again startlingly lucid. His large gnome eyes drink up the small amount of light in the tunnel.
The brave gnome and the heroic hound advance through the narrow tunnel. Shortly after the passage turns south, it opens out into a large chamber . Fynn is unhappy about something, although Master Temperance can see no kobolds at ground level.
Straw is scattered across the floor of the large cave; the ceiling is a full twelve feet above you, with three ledges eight feet up. The dominant feature of the cavern is a five-foot wide trench across it, with a single five-foot-wide natural stone bridge across it. From where you are, you can't see the bottom of the trench.
Fynn's warning alerts the party that something may be up, but no one has any targets until kobolds leap up from concealment on the ledges and send a hail of sling bullets down at the gnome!
Round 2:
Initiative Order
Party
Kobolds
We should go ledge to ledge--all that straw conceals traps, I'd wager. Hup--" says Temperance, accepting a set of woven half-elven fingers as a stirrup for vaulting up to the ledge.
Once up there, Temperance slashes at a kobold.
Rowane steps forward and levels his crossbow at a kobold at the far west corner and pulls the trigger
Round 2 (ongoing):
Initiative Order
Party (Arien, Master Temperance, Rowane acted)
Kobolds
Even with Arien's help, Master Temperance is unable to manage the jump. Rowane's accuracy with the crossbow is as it was expected to be.
Huc moves forward and tries to help lift the gnome up onto the ledge. ”Fynn, defend!” he grunts as he works.
Huc puts his shoulder into it and manages to get Master Temperance up into the fight, where the gnome misses. The two kobolds on the ledge with him drop their slings, snatch up spears, and stab fruitlessly at Master Temperance. The others focus their attention on the tallest target not in a fight and send a fusillade towards Huc. Only two hit .
Round 3:
Initiative Order
Party
Kobolds
Huc drops his axe as he draws out his sling, into which he pops a stone.
Fynn continues his defensive stance, growling menacingly at the little attackers.
"Now'd be a good time for those legendary crossbow skills, Rowane."
Round 3 (ongoing):
Initiative Order
Party (Huc acted)
Kobolds
Huc prepares for a sling duel with the kobolds, while Fynn growls defiance.