Whoops, looks like we cross-posted. Sorry I didn't get a chance to check for posts yesterday afternoon. I suppose we should use my roll for the second door then?
Arda quickly works on the second lock, nervously eyeing the stairs as well.
"Hopefully we should be able to take them, but if we get swarmed and it gets too ugly, then I say we torch their supplies so they can't ambush anyone else, k? Only if it comes to that, tho."
Arda looks up from working on the second lock. Growing up on the streets, this wasn't her first time hearing that while working on a lock. She remembered her mentor and took a deep breath. Then abruptly standing up, Arda pointed at the bugbears, "There you idiots are! What in the hells did you do with the key?!"
She was never very good at talking her way out of things, but maybe someone better at it could join in. If nothing else, it could maybe buy them some surprise.
Guess that might need a Charisma check? Gulp. Glad Marcus is closer to them. ;)
Well looking there, Nob. This little lady is lying through her teeth she is, one says as the other studies your faces.
I don't know, Ron. She is one of the elementy types, even if they ain't hooman.
Well fine, I have been missing me wine since the ogre incident... Tell me, why do you need the keys and why ask me? Ron asks angrily, but he still doesn't attack.
"Little lady?!! And you call me a liar? You insolent worm! We were sent for but received no welcome - only you two useless creatures. Now assist my... minions, or your flesh will feed the... Dread Arda!" Arda glares at them intently. Then her skin and clothing darken and crack for a moment, before she crumbles into a swarm of hundreds of beetles. The mass skitters along the wall to line up with Marcus before stopping.
Arda worries that this was not one of her best plans, but readies her new crawling form to scurry towards the one called Nob. Several beetles start to scurry up and then back up to rejoin the mass as if it is eager to attack the bugbear and is barely held in check.
Wild shape into swarm of beetles. This probably isn't one of her better plans, but it was something. Should I do another Cha check for the next side of the conversation or not?
Male Mountain Dwarf Cleric (War) - 3, AC 18 HP 21/[21] Init + 0 Inspiration 1
While Arda has the bugbear's attention, Grimm slips back into the room and gathers up a few of the cloaks with the "eye" motif. He puts one on and then slips the others to the rest of the party.
Not too sure if I need a roll or anything for that, but if I do just let me know!
I think Charisma makes the most sense, you are intimidating them.
During the exchange of words Grimm quietly passes out the cloaks to the rest of the group. It fits Grimm relatively fine, Marcus very well, and Glyph terribly - but they at least make you look more normal.
Aw, s**$, Ron, Nob says with a facepalm, No way someone like that just wonders in here. Let's just go back to the warren.
Ron snorts, You're too soft Nob, just like Pa says. Have you seen anything but hoomans and them elemental-ly types? Ain't no doorfs that belong down here.
Male Mountain Dwarf Cleric (War) - 3, AC 18 HP 21/[21] Init + 0 Inspiration 1
Grimm moves up beside Arda, wearing the cloak and gives the two bugbears a flat stare.
"Mistress let us report the diligence of these two guards to their superiors. I am sure they would be aptly rewarded for their treatment of such an important visitor!"
Assisting Arda's CHA roll...I think that this will give her advantage??
Yay, it worked! With no bonus, Arda was hoping if she turned into a pile of bugs, she could both be intimidating and make someone else who is better at it do some talking. ;)
You hear some shouting in the darkness from the bugbears before you hear a loud *WHOMP* and the sound of keys jingling as something falls to the floor. Ron and Nob curse loudly as they go through a locked door and slam it shut behind them.
Male Mountain Dwarf Cleric (War) - 3, AC 18 HP 21/[21] Init + 0 Inspiration 1
Grimm will be right behind the gnome with his weapons at the ready. He is also still wearing the cloak he got from the armory. I suggest the others should also be wearing one too. You never know!!
The door is unlocked, but the shuffling noise to the south grows and is accompanied with low moaning sounds. Grimm is the first to notice humanoid figures moving haphazardly and slowly.
It doesn't take much for Glyph to turn around and see a horde of zombies shuffling out from behind torture equipment and broken down cells into the open. He quickly counts ten but hears more than that many moving around.
It appears the gnolls' interaction with them has sparked their interest!
The zombies are easy to strike, but hearty as it takes the combined efforts of Arda, Glyph, and Marcus to bring one down while Grimm summons the will of his God to drive fear into their being.
Zombie Wisdom Save:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11
The remaining zombies retreat in a stumbling motion, tripping as they move to the rear wall of the chamber.
It takes a few rounds for Arda to squeeze under the doors near the zombies, but after investigating the four doors to the west her swarm forms the shape of a big question mark on the floor.
Arda does notice a stone looks like it juts from the wall slightly in one of the chambers. She is not able to move it in her current form.
Grimm notices something is off about the torture chamber making up the eastern part of the room. Most of the equipment has been used recently, but is wiped clean. But there is still a haphazard mess of red splotches to the south.
There is no sign of which direction the Bugbears went in.
The zombies are still cowering, but Grimm knows he can only hold them back for another half minute or so.
The four doors to the west open easily. Aside from the one stone there is nothing but trash in any of these cells.
The door to the north is unlocked, but isn't the one the bugbears took. You would have seen them exit through that door. When one of you tries it it gives resistance, as if something is in the way of the door but not blocking it.
The door is barred by clutter and trash, but not something that causes great strength to overcome. As Grimm and Glyph shoulder the door together the haphazardly tossed gear and broken furniture give way, tumbling out of the door's path with a clatter.
The noise is a sudden burst in the otherwise quiet dungeon, and as the underground falls silent once more you here a deep grunt come from behind the door to the northeast as you hear something move.
Grimm, you notice that the doors here are completely unlocked (the bolts are on the inside of the room) and all the items here are damaged and useless - and all appear to have been tossed to the side of the room you entered in. The doors are still well-maintained and the hinges greased.
Something seems to have notice your movements, what do you do?
