Dungeons and Dragons, Saving the World 1 XP at a time.

You feel the simplistic parts fall just right as you get your lock picks and wenches and all other nefarious thieving tools set right, and suddenly the giant hunk of rocks swing inwards like a door, revealing a pathway as black as pitch deep into the mountain side.

Anastasia turned to her companions after the door opens. She finally cracked a genuine smile. "Ladies and gentleman, a pathway." she said. She had done her part to save Epsil. Now we just need to save that bastard.

"Yes, it seems to be our way in," Ritz states simply, trying to peer into the darkness. "We'd best be prepared for anything." That goes without saying of course.

Indeed, you did well Anastasia. Raven said, getting ready to enter.

Vorpalsheen gives a nod of approval and says

Alright pointy ears, no need to gloat. We got a mission so let's get it done. And I'll keep an eye out down 'ere. We Dwarves arr naturals in da dark.

(Yeah, you guys'll need torches and probably want to prepare yourselves for the first official Dungeon Crawl! It is pitch dark, so you need someway of producing Light (which, John, if you have it prepared it is a cantrip you have))

Raven enters, before casting Light on his hand. Let's hurry and find Epsil.

"Hey! I should be the one saying that, he's my companion!" Anastasia snapped, stepping in front of him.

Doesn't mean we can't worry about him, as well. Raven said, stepping up beside her, mostly cause he was holding the light source, and they needed to see where they were going.

"I hardly think that matters right now. Just be glad someone actually cares," Ritz is quick to reprimand, following closely behind with Erimis at her side.

Anastasia glared at Raven but allowed him to stay beside her.

(Okay: I have not finished the map yet, BUT, I do know it's a 5ft hallway you'll be walking through. What's the marching order you guys want to take?)




THis is where you enter, I will reveal the rest when we figure out where Raven is in the marching order, as he was the one who wanted to cast light.
and in LIGHT of that fact, would you still want to try stealthing, even if you are turning on the equivalent of a flashlight as you do so?

(Anastasia's going to demand to go first. She's very worked up about Epsil.)

(Hahaha, be wary of that . You may be good for traps and reconnaissance, but if you get ambushed...)

(Colin! No plots to murder my character! D:)

(Ritz is covering the rear with Erimis.)

(Don't worry I won't intentionally do so, I'm no Killer DM . BUT. The enemy will be somewhat intelligent. That means they will do more than stand there alone or not coordinate well.
So, do you want to cover the front, and stealth forward, and try to get the drop on foes, or have the Cleric take the lead since he has the most armor? (But with that less chances to get in Surprise Attacks, due to him being a noisy guy) )

(Given Anastasia's somewhat impulsive persona, she'll still demand to cover the front and stealth forward. Even though I don't like it. )

(Okay . Just keep rolling Hide and Move Silently, + Spot and Listen as you advance. You'll probably want to stay on the edge of the Light spell, so no one spots you easily. Something important: Elves have Low Light vision. The Light spell creates 20 feet of regular light, then 20 feet of Dim light. So you can see out for 40 feet. )

(Awesome.)

(Okay: So this is how I'm seeing the Marching order seeming to go, until John posts if there's any dissent from him:

At the helm: Anastasia, hiding a good couple of feet to the front. (probably a good 30ft+ away from the group.

Vorpalsheen standing infront of John

Then Ritz followed by Emris heading the back.


Also: Ritz, you seem to be the only caster with all their spell slots.
John is running on 0 levels, and Vorpal only has...2 left?

Also: Something worth noting Ritz, from here on in, you won't have to worry about Cure spells . That's Vorpals job. You're stuck with it for now, but next morning when you get a chance to re-select your spells, I recommend either Damage, straight buffs (Magic Fang, etc.) or Battle field control spells like Entangle.)

(John would insist one being as close to the front as he possibly could, so probably right behind Ana.)

(... Okay. She is kind of scouting though, so it's kind of tough to sneak behind her, and if you go out unarmored near the front...you are more likely to get attacked first. And, looking at Stats. You are squishy. Black Mage kind of Squishy. A Cannon of Glass. You have been warned. So are you sure you don't want to hide behind the party tank (Vorpal)? Like the Wolf fight. He drew fire, you plucked off shots from behind. Now, are you sure?)

(Ok, I'll be behind Vorpal.)

Okay, here's how the combat order looks. This is what you can see as you enter. Ana, when you get a chance to sneak around, You just have to Roll Hide and Move Silently. To "scout" use Spot and Listen. Searching for Traps and gems is, well, Search, and as you wander around I'll allow you to take a passive on it. (Take a 10) to show a general paying attention for these sorts of things.

Regardless, this is what you see when you get there, I tried to make the icons close to the text bubbles you use.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As you creep steadily into the cavern, on the edge of the light, you see 2 green, little creatures, their ears a caricature of an elf's, their size a joke towards halflings, and their shape looking generally off and angry.

You can tell the room expands more but the shadows hide most of it.
They seem to notice the flicker of new light into their dark little cave. A Cave which smells of sulfur and fire.

Roll Initiative!



- - - - - - - - - - - -

Meanwhile, in Prison.

You can't tell how long it's been. Your elven senses seem to be in withdraw. No sun, no wind. Not the faintest hint of fresh hair. Only a faint smell of brimsatone clings to the walls, and the halls, and seemingly forever.

The old mage sees the tired look in your eyes and says
What's troubling you? Tired of being chained up already? If it means anything, in about 10 minutes the blighters bring us some food, if it can be called that. Haha.

He says as he sits down, next to you, throwing a fatherly arm over your shoulder.

(Ritz gets 11 for Initiative. Erimis gets 17.)