Kip's Lost Mine of Phandelver

Game Master Kip84

Roth sighs. "Shall I scamper gently across? Do you think it would hold me up?"

Only if the need arises. Better to find a means of safe passage for all of us. Felicia says, thankful for Iago's sharp eyes.

I've made some adjustments to the map on Roll20 adding in the wall sconces that are supposed to be there... everyone should be able to see much better now.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
disadv: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Iago beckons for the scouts Roth and Ràgh to move forward. As they've already found one trap Iago feels it would do well to search for others.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Roth nods to Iago and moves forward, his bow out and nocked.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Disadvantage: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Arvhil forges ahead making for the second bridge across the gorge.

Felicia follows the group, looking about for any creature leaping out or dangerous traps.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Ràghnall keeps an eye out from the back.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

So close...

This northern bridge seems sturdy enough, and certainly hasn't been tampered with in the same way as the southern one.

To the north (on this side of the chasm) you see that there's a room of sorts that opens onto the natural cavern. It has been finished with dressed stone block walls and a flagstone floor. Several barrels are stored against the walls there, along with a number of crates, straw for packing, and tools.

Across the crevasse two lit passages of worked stone lead to the west...

As the party stands at the bridge, deciding whether to inspect the area to the north, or cross the bridge and head west first, Iago 'hears' a sly whisper of a voice in his mind!

"What do you do here? You are not one of the Red! The Relic of Amaunator you seek is not here, beneath the manor! You should leave or I will eat you for the Glasstaff!"

Iago whispers to the others, There is something here... I can hear it talking into my mind... It knows we are here... and my purpose... It's reading my mind! Do any of you hear it..?
Iago indicates with a fan hand signal for the party to spread out behind him, ready for attack. He brings his shield up and readies his mace.
He speaks quietly now addressing the sly whisper, Show yourself demon. You shall not eat me this day, nor any of my friends. The light of Amaunator reaches here to these dark places.
Ready mace strike and shield of faith

Felicia looks to Iago.

Voices inside his head? I know I can pull that particular trick off, but what else could do that? Is there another of the Old One's servants here? I wonder what they could teach me... she thinks as she fans out behind Iago, clutching her crystal in one hand, the feel of eldritch energy coursing through her body causing her heart to speed up.

Roth frowns and looks around, raising his bow. "Are you sure? I don't hear anything."

"Oh, I'm sure I could eat you once I extracted you from that metal case! You don't say why you are here but I can tell you've come to take my treasure! Not even Glasstaff, hahahaa, knows of it but you... YOU, You, you seek to bring the Red ones to justice! But they feed me plump bodies, better than the rats and crawling things I lived on before they came!"

Iago continues to hear insane ramblings in his head getting louder and more frantic until they suddenly cut off!
Iago Con Save : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
It feels like a wave of putrid energy washes through Iago, but the stout cleric is able to withstand it!

"How! How did you survive my power!" Iago hears the now high pitched and feverish voice scream in his head as a naked humanoid being leaps out from behind a stone pillar and charges forward leaping onto the bridge in front of Iago!

It's skin is tough and scaly, it has elfen ears but it's face holds only one giant eye in the centre with a mouth below, lips pulled back and full of sharp teeth!

1d2 ⇒ 1
Iago's readied mace Strike! : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Iago swipes his mace at the Beast! But his aim is thrown off momentarily by the things disgusting visage!

It swings its elongated hands at Iago, hoping to gauge through the man's flesh with its horrible clawed fingers!

Claw 1 : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Claw 2 : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Iago manages to block one of the racking hands with his shield, but the second hand rips through his skin drawing a red line of blood, as it gets through the clerics chainmail!

Initiative: Round 1
Creature
PCs <-----------------------------------

The bloodied Iago retaliates with his mace, swinging it upward trying to catch the thing in it's armpit but missing again. He chants the sacred rite of Amaunator to call the protection of his god upon himself, hopefully proof against this thing's claws!
Mace: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
I cast shield of faith as my bonus action raising my AC by 2 for ten minutes...
I've used this creature in one of my games...

"In the immortal words of my late Auntie Tewksbury: ARGHHHHH!" Roth shouts and steps five feet to the NE.

I can't see the thing on Roll20. If I can see it, I'm firing! Arrow to the knee: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 19 for 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (3) = 12 damage!

Felicia stares at the creature for a moment.

I can speak into minds too, fiend! It's an interesting trick. Let's see how you like MY voice!! she shrieks into the beast's mind, adding a discordant whistling line underneath her words.

Casting dissonant whipsers. DC13 Wisdom save for half damage and no forced movement. On a failed save, take full damage and immediately use your reaction to move as far away from me as possible.

If it fails and has to move, it still provokes OAs since it uses its reaction to do so.

Spells: 1/2 slots (first level)

Dissonant Whispers Psychic Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 3) = 10

Ràghnall casts Hunter's Mark on the creature and fires a readied arrow.

"Couldn't just have been another bugbear, could it?" he mumbles as he releases the arrow.

Assuming he can see it.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Longbow Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (5) = 11

By the gods, back to the hell that spawn you creature!", the paladin yells as he swings his flail at the creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Sorry for the long delay between posts. It's been a hectic week.
I've updated the map, everyone should be able to see the enemy now, I'd forgotten to move him to the token layer...

Iago
Action: Attack Creature: Miss, Bonus Action: Casts Shield of Faith.
Iago swings his mace but the horrid creature dodges to the side! Then as the cleric chants a shimmering field settles around him, the power of Amaunator protecting him!

Rothwillian
Move: 5ft NE, Action: Attack Creature: Hit, for 12 Damage!
Taking a few steps to get a clearer view of the foe, Rothwillian releases an arrow that flashes past Arvhil and Iago and stabs into the creatures thigh! Everyone 'hears' a wailing in their heads... "Aaarghhh! " as the creature writhes with pain!

Felicia
Creature Wis Save : 1d20 ⇒ 15
Action: Cast Dissonant Whispers: 5 Damage. Unlucky :/
Felicia speaks into the creatures mind and suddenly its eye becomes a little bloodshot and locks with hers!
You know many secrets of the arcane as well!! I shall save you for last and rip them from your mind! Ha ha hahahaa she hears its insane whisper in her mind...

Ràghnall
Bonus Action: Hunters Mark, Action Attack creature: Hits for 11 Damage
Ràghnall whispers a short spell, which seems to increase his focus on the Creature he fires an arrow directly into its side! Blood dribbles from the wound as you all once again hear it scream in your minds. It's long rogue flails about inside its toothy maw and it begins to growl gutturally.

Arvhil
Arvhil hits with his Flail for 7 Damage
Arvhil swings his flail stepping to the side of Iago so he can reach the creature, his flail slams into the right side of the creatures head and there's a crunching sound as it's jaw breaks punctuated by another scream in your minds!

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Creature
Disengage action, move 30' away.
Broken and bloodied the creature carefully steps back from the melee and runs behind the pillar it came from...
No more fighting! I won't tell the Red of you presence and I won't eat you, you can pick one treasure from my collection! No more fighting!"

Initiative: Round 2
Creature
PCs <-----------------------------------

Arvhil hesitates for a moment while he adjusts his senses to determine if the creature is evil or not.

If evil Arvhil will attack, if not he will take a step back, but stay wary of the creature.

Iago follows but does not attack the creature. He is curious but prepared for trickery and keeps his guard up. He quietly chants the healing words of his god and is briefly enveloped in a golden aura, the claw wounds from the creature visibly healing.
cure wounds on self: 1d8 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 3 = 8
You should judge those you attack more carefully. You don't stand a chance against my company. Is this your home? You mentioned Glasstaff. Where is he? Iago calmly but menacingly questions the creature as he follows it.
Sorry gang remind me- The characters know Glasstaff is the leader of the Redbrands?

@Arvhil, Paladin's no longer have the ability to 'Detect Evil'. Instead they have Divine Sense, an ability to sense beings that are Celestial, Fiend or Undead. You can also sense desecrated or consecrated areas. The Divine Sense ability takes an action to use so if you did this round you wouldn't be able to attack (unless you have a way to attack as a bonus action.

You can make your own judgement on whether or not the creature is evil. Perhaps assisted by an Insight check. (it seems it has no qualms about eating sentient creatures...)

@Iago, Yes the group had discovered that the leader of the Redbrands was known as Glasstaff.

The creature tries to keep the pillar between itself and Iago as he approaches. Cowering the creature replies, Yes Yes this is my home, I was here before the Reds, before Glasstaff, survived on crawling things and rats!
Glasstaff is that way The creature points to the north He's always coming and going from that way...

Sorry, I remember that now! Forgot it was more of a being type than if it is evil or not.

Arvhil distrusts the creature and feels it would be better to destroy such a fiend, but as the others are willing to stay their weapons, Arvil does the same....for now!

Roth lowers his bow, but keeps an arrow nocked. Just in case...

Interesting. You attack and then when bested offer your treasures. Why should my friends stay their weapons? You said you would rip secrets from my mind. Tell us, why do you cower here? Why do you suffer Glasstaff? she screams into his mind, calming as she gets to the end of her thought.

The Beast crouches even lower and licks its wounds as it replies telepathically to Felicia

" I made a deal with Glasstaff when he found me here, he brings me pink fleshies to eat, while I guard the bridges... but you are too strong I will die if I keep fighting you! So we make new deal! I give you ONE treasure from my collection and you let me live! "

Iago stands over the pitiful creature vaguely aware of an exchange taking place but having no idea what is being said or done. He curiously eyes first the beast and then Felicia. Holding her gaze with raised eyebrows he silently asks
Do you want me to do anything?

So this - thing - says that Glasstaff made it a deal when he found it. Glasstaff brings pink fleshies and it guards the bridges. We're too strong and it'll die if it goes toe-to-toe with you lot. It wants a deal, one piece of its treasure and its silence to Glasstaff and the Reds so long as we let it live. She says aloud to her friends.

I'm not in a bargaining mood, kill it and take all the treasure or placate it and let it live so we can take one. It matters not to me. It's breaking its deal with Glasstaff to offer us one. Untrustworthy at best. I leave it to you. she snarls, turning her back.

Iago, perhaps letting it live is good. Figure out the best treasure but be wary. If it tries something, kill it. Otherwise, set the fear of crossing us in his mind. she mentally whispers into Iago's head.

"It should die for it is evil! It preys on people and such actions should not go unpunished!"

Arvhil pushes past the others towards the creature, raising his sword.

"Defend yourself beast!"

Arvhil will wait for it to make the first attack, then slaughter it (I hope!!)

Good Arvhil! Stay your sword!

Having grown a little more accustomed to having Felicia talk directly into his brain Iago had listened and was moved by Felicia's words. He put a broad arm across Arvhil's chest to hold him back a little and stooped to speak to the beast.

Lead us to your treasure and be quick but understand that we will not spare you from any pain should you cross us. The god of my good friend here, indicating Arvhil, will take your eternal soul in his mighty fist should you try to trick us or harm us again.

The big cleric was wary about thought and deed remembering that the creature had seemingly read his mind when they first encountered it. However he truly meant what he said to the beast, the force and focus of his highly trained mind projecting the strength of his intent. If his mind was being read now one could be sure the Turm would follow through with his threats.

The Beast grows more and more agitated as Felicia talks and as Arvhil steps forward raising his sword it retreats, hissing, its long tongue flicking in its sharp toothed maw as it backs away!

Iago's words do a little to calm it, but it scampers down into the darkness of the crevasse. All is silent except for the drip of water...

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

"It is there, under the northern bridge. We cannot just leave it here to prey on the villagers!"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"Also in the southwestern passage I think we will soon have a visit from some goblins..."

As Arvhil points out the goblin on the southwest passage you all hear a small, short yelp, followed by the pitter patter of running feat and a door slamming shut...

The walls of the crevasse are rough with plenty of hand and foot holds it seems easy enough to climb...

No Ability check is required to get to the bottom of the crevasse

Iago is torn between discovering what treasures the beast has and preparing for the inevitable onslaught of the greenskins. Quickly checking that his divine defenses are still operative he again hefts mace and shield for the coming battle.
The beast and his treasure will have to wait until we have dealt with whatever new threat is coming! Do we take the fight to them or wait to do battle here at the bridges? the big cleric calls to the others.
I can take the lead if you'd like with the highest AC (shield of faith). I don't like having that creature at our backs though

Sounds good to me...either at the bridge, or we bottle-neck them at the entry to the cavern works for me.

Gripping his sword, Arvhil looks back at the strange creature, unwilling to leave it at their back as they battle the green skins.

Push on, I'll keep my eye on the creepy creature. I'll try staying tight with you as we advance. Felicia says as they start moving towards the green skins.

Assuming the goblin had run off to warn or rally some of its kin, Iago and Arvhil move to the Southwestern passage while Felicia hangs at the back of the party to watch out for the strange beast should it return.

Looking down the passage Iago, Arvhil, Rothwillian and Ràghnall see that the passage returns to a brick and mortar style of construction here. A wall sconce burns here illuminating the passage, which turns to the right after about twenty feet and has a wooden door on the left hand side. All seems quiet... ...

Ràghnall looks around carefully and checks the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"Nothing seems unusual here, but be careful anyway."

He keeps his bow readied in anticipation of being wrong.

Roth, respecting Ragh's professional experience, but always happy to help, also checks the door over his shoulder. Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Iago moves carefully down the passage looking for nasty goblin traps. He stops at the door on the left to listen and to see if it is locked.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Arvhil keeps pace with the cleric, his flail at the ready as he scans the passage and door.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

As the group approaches the door, being wary of traps and listening for any sign of Goblinoids everyone hears a thud of something heavy hitting a flagstone just beyond the door and then a gruff voice "Shac!" then a heavy whisper "Shh Groklax, A dec daan agaan kec okherthaan."

Ràghnall recognises the language as goblin though the speakers sound more like bugbear or perhaps Hobgoblins.

The hallway also turns to the right and ends with another door 15ft to the north. Rothwillian and Iago hear the sound of dice falling in a table and the muffled laughter of men coming from that door...

Ràghnall whispers and motions for everyone to stay quiet, "They know someone's outside. Be ready for anything."

He draws an arrow aimed at the door as quietly as possible.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Felicia has kept pace with the group, gripping her crystal in one hand. She pauses as they get to the door. If an enemy pokes their head out of the door, she will immediately speak into its mind.

Iago silently signals back towards the others indicating that they should bust into the southern door on the count of three. Then he'll wait until everyone is in a position to enter the room before he opens the door and moves in. He also signals 'beware' at points to the door to the north.

I don't know how to best do this but I'll shield rush at first and try to shove them back so the rest of you can enter after me. Someone will need to guard the other door as well. My shield of faith is still active so I'll draw some heat. No Bel Akaman this time we'll try to be quiet as possible

His eyes silently ask Have you got my back?

Arvhil give a curt nod to the priest as he readies to break into the room. Shield up and flail in hand, Arvil tenses to strike as soon as the door is breached.

Iago swings the door open to find three bugbears ready and waiting!

Two of the Bugbears are poised to attack, and react quickly as Iago opens the door swinging their morningstars, the third seems to be picking his Morningstar up off the ground!

Bb1 Vs Iago : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Bb2 Vs Iago : 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 2 = 13

Two morningstars clash off the Cleric's shield as he raises it preparing to charge into the room!

Iago, if you still intend to shove your way into the room make a Str (Athletics) check Vs Bugbear 3 : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7!

Initiative: Round 1
Bugbears
Pc's <-----------
@Raghnall: Technically you beat all the enemies in initiative so you can have advantage on attack rolls this round.

Room Description:
This barracks contains four roughly built wooden bunks, with heaped-up blankets and dirty dishes scattered about. A strong smell of unwashed bodies and rotten meat fills the air.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Ràghnall spies a small goblin in the room under one of the beds and makes a mental note of it.

He casts his hunter's mark on the third bugbear and fires an arrow.

Hunter's Mark

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Longbow Attack Adv: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Longbow Damage (Favored Enemy): 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + (4) = 15

Shield Rush!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Iago rushes into the room intent on making room for his allies to enter or get a clear shot. For once the big cleric does not give his battle cry as he forcefully smashes into the Bugbear knocking it off its feet!
If possible without drawing an AOO Iago will try to move one step further into the room

Quick as a flash Ràghnall pulls back on his bow string and lets his arrow fly, it slams home into the bugbear's (3) shoulder! The Bugbear grunts with pain just before Iago slams into him shield first, pushing him back and knocking him Back onto one of the wooden bunks!

Still to act: Rothwillian, Arvhil, and Felicia