[D&D] The Lost Mines of Phandelver

[Scepticalscribe]

All: Count and Veit, let's ignore the chute and please lead the way down the other passage. We might have been heard so time is of the essence. Lead on now.

Agreed, but with one caveat. Two, actually.

The first is that those wolves - chained though they were - were clearly guarding something. Presumably something that the goblins may have been considered worth guarding. They weren't guarding access to the passage way, and they weren't guarding hordes of goblins, who, one assumes would have been more than perfectly capable of defending themselves.

And the second is that there appears to be - what has been described as some 'a source of light of some sort' - coming from that hole. Is that worth investigating further?

 

[Don't panic]

The wolves were not necessarily guards ( there were guards outside already) but this could just be the doghouse, or stables if they were used as mounts.
I ddid ask raven to search around, for valuables, with no apparent result other than the garbage chute.
@ravenvii , can i do a check specifically for secret passages?

As far as investigating the light from above, well, we tried.
So far we haven't been able to get our skinny butts higher than a couple feet

That said, i am fine with going the other way around

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The wolves were not necessarily guards ( there were guards outside already) but this could just be the doghouse, or stables if they were used as mounts.
I ddid ask raven to search around, for valuables, with no apparent result other than the garbage chute.
@ravenvii , can i do a check specifically for secret passages?

As far as investigating the light from above, well, we tried.
So far we haven't been able to get our skinny butts higher than a couple feet

That said, i am fine with going the other way around

There are a few things I feel we ought to recall to mind:

Firstly, a quick reminder of what our foul-mouthed goblin captive actually said to us when we questioned him.

While he reminded us that the captives - including Gudrun Rockseeker, and Salidar Hallwinter- and maps - had been taken to the Castle, he suggested that what he had described as 'loot' - whatever that ambiguous term means - had been taken here, to the hideout. Which means that it is, more than likely, well guarded.

He was also keen that we not take the time out to examine or explore this hideout - his exact words, if memory serves, were 'please ignore stupid little hide out', and he attempted to argue that it was not guarded (well, it was, as we know, but not terribly well, by two dicing guards), but that a warm and sanguinary welcome would await us, should we venture a visit.

The route here was quite well protected by traps, and guarded (fleetingly) by guards. And somewhere in the vicinity, we can expect to encounter a party of around twenty (well armed and probably quite motivated) goblins - our captive mentioned that the hideout is home to a number of around 20 goblins.

I am not sure that this is merely a holding pen - or what Count Lochaber has charmingly described as a 'doghouse' for wolves: Wolves like dens, and seek them out. There would be no real need to restrain them by means of chains.

Besides, these wolves have been trained not to eat goblin flesh, and I would wager that they have also been trained not to attack goblins and to possibly take instruction from them.

That means, that - to my mind - they are most likely guarding something. However, I harbour doubts that they guard goblins - who are more than perfectly capable of guarding themselves. I suspect that they may be guarding something else.

 

[Don't panic]

There are a few things I feel we ought to recall to mind:

Firstly, a quick reminder of what our foul-mouthed goblin captive actually said to us when we questioned him.

While he reminded us that the captives - including Gudrun Rockseeker, and Salidar Hallwinter- and maps - had been taken to the Castle, he suggested that what he had described as 'loot' - whatever that ambiguous term means - had been taken here, to the hideout. Which means that it is, more than likely, well guarded.

He was also keen that we not take the time out to examine or explore this hideout - his exact words, if memory serves, were 'please ignore stupid little hide out', and he attempted to argue that it was not guarded (well, it was, as we know, but not terribly well, by two dicing guards), but that a warm and sanguinary welcome would await us, should we venture a visit.

The route here was quite well protected by traps, and guarded (fleetingly) by guards. And somewhere in the vicinity, we can expect to encounter a party of around twenty (well armed and probably quite motivated) goblins - our captive mentioned that the hideout is home to a number of around 20 goblins.

I am not sure that this is merely a holding pen - or what Count Lochaber has charmingly described as a 'doghouse' for wolves: Wolves like dens, and seek them out. There would be no real need to restrain them by means of chains.

Besides, these wolves have been trained not to eat goblin flesh, and I would wager that they have also been trained not to attack goblins and to possibly take instruction from them.

That means, that - to my mind - they are most likely guarding something. However, I harbour doubts that they guard goblins - who are more than perfectly capable of guarding themselves. I suspect that they may be guarding something else.

Actually I meant that just the first room ( (where we are now) could be a doghouse, obviously not the entire hideout, i fully exoect to encouter several goblins in there, as well as the Sildar guy in the esting room ( if still alive) and the loot they got from their robberies

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Actually I meant that just the first room ( (where we are now) could be a doghouse, obviously not the entire hideout, i fully exoect to encouter several goblins in there, as well as the Sildar guy in the esting room ( if still alive) and the loot they got from their robberies

My recollection is that our captive goblin - when we interrogated him, or questioned him - mentioned that both Salidar Hallwinter and Gudrun Rockseeker had been taken to the structure he called Cragmaw Castle, but that what he described as the loot had been taken here.

He was also keen that we not take the time to investigate this hideout, which I think interesting.

Of course, it is possible that he may have been lying on both counts - but, somehow, I don't think that he was.

Needless to say, I didn't mean that the entire hideout would be a 'wolf kennel', or 'dog-house', - that seems unlikely given how much trouble - traps, distance, chains, water, wolves, a few guards at the entrance - they went to when building and planning the place, but my point is that this particular room, while it housed chained wolves, may have served as a bit more than a doghouse, or wolf kennel. It is possible that they were placed here to guard that entrance above them.

 

[Plutonius]

Agreed, but with one caveat. Two, actually.

The first is that those wolves - chained though they were - were clearly guarding something. Presumably something that the goblins may have been considered worth guarding. They weren't guarding access to the passage way, and they weren't guarding hordes of goblins, who, one assumes would have been more than perfectly capable of defending themselves.

And the second is that there appears to be - what has been described as some 'a source of light of some sort' - coming from that hole. Is that worth investigating further?

Reply to Syllin: As stated earlier, these wolves might be the goblin's mounts and are probably not guarding anything. As far as the light above, there is probably a room above but we have tried multiple times unsuccessfully to climb the hole. It's time to leave or explore further.

My recollection is that our captive goblin - when we interrogated him, or questioned him - mentioned that both Salidar Hallwinter and Gudrun Rockseeker had been taken to the structure he called Cragmaw Castle, but that what he described as the loot had been taken here.

Reply to Syllin: You are the only one who understands their language. If you think we should leave here and head to Cragmaw Castle we should do so immediately. We can finish traveling to the town, drop off the cargo, ask about Cragmaw Castle, and then head there. We value the keen intellect of elves and will leave the decision up to you. I do not want to waste any time here if the prisoners are elsewhere. Please give us your decision on what the group does.

Reply to the Count and Veit: If we are going to stay in this hideout, please give the orders to lead us down the other tunnel. Otherwise, we are not moving from this wolf room.

 

[twietee]

> I thought we went to this hideout because we (rightfully) didn't trust the goblin and thought he was probably trying to deflect ? Who knows if this castle is existing after all.

Since we are here after all I think we should investigate this area and proceed along the stream (that's the main passage, right?).

Portia, if you like you can carefully scout ahead, if not I would go myself.

 

[Plutonius]

> I thought we went to this hideout because we (rightfully) didn't trust the goblin and thought he was probably trying to deflect ? Who knows if this castle is existing after all.

Since we are here after all I think we should investigate this area and proceed along the stream (that's the main passage, right?).

Portia, if you like you can carefully scout ahead, if not I would go myself.

Say to Veit: Portia can not scout without light and if she carries a light source, she will be automatically seen in the dark (I.e. She can't currently sneak). It will have to be you and the count up front until we get to a lit area.

You lead and we will follow.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Reply to Syllin: As stated earlier, these wolves might be the goblin's mounts and are probably not guarding anything. As far as the light above, there is probably a room above but we have tried multiple times unsuccessfully to climb the hole. It's time to leave or explore further.



Reply to Syllin: You are the only one who understands their language. If you think we should leave here and head to Cragmaw Castle we should do so immediately. We can finish traveling to the town, drop off the cargo, ask about Cragmaw Castle, and then head there. We value the keen intellect of elves and will leave the decision up to you. I do not want to waste any time here if the prisoners are elsewhere. Please give us your decision on what the group does.

Reply to the Count and Veit: If we are going to stay in this hideout, please give the orders to lead us down the other tunnel. Otherwise, we are not moving from this wolf room.

Our goblin captive stressed that the captives had been taken to Cragmaw Castle as ordered by the King and those who had purchased the King's resources (the Black Spider), but that what he called the 'loot' had been dispatched to the hideout.

He also strongly advised that we not explore the hideout, a recommendation that we decided to forego in the interests that we find out something further about the situation.

Now, while I do indeed speak the tongue, I cannot completely attest that the foul-mouthed creature was telling the truth, but I do not believe that everything he said was a lie; when blades are held to your throat, it is difficult to lie effectively and to sustain that lie. I believe that there is a fair degree of truth in what he told us, perhaps, cleverly spliced with a degree of tactical misdirection.

> I thought we went to this hideout because we (rightfully) didn't trust the goblin and thought he was probably trying to deflect ? Who knows if this castle is existing after all.

Since we are here after all I think we should investigate this area and proceed along the stream (that's the main passage, right?).

Portia, if you like you can carefully scout ahead, if not I would go myself.

I think the Castle exists; however, we chose to head here first to see what could be discovered by way of further information, and perhaps………..for some, the lure of some spoils may also have been a factor when taking this decision.

 

[twietee]

ok, that's what I thought. @Count > Ready to go? I think we should proceed slowly with me up front and you close behind. Let's hope we find Gundren in here!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

ok, that's what I thought. @Count > Ready to go? I think we should proceed slowly with me up front and you close behind. Let's hope we find Gundren in here!

Master Frostbeard, for the fourth time, if the captive goblin spoke truth, we will not find Master Gudrun Rockseeker here, although that does not prevent us from harbouring hopes that it may be otherwise.

What we will find, I suspect, are about a score - in the old manner of reckoning, or counting, that is, approximately 20 in our modern usage - of goblins, armed and waiting goblins, if fortune does not smile upon us.

 

[Don't panic]

>syllin, i alao believe that most of what the gobln told us was true. And although Gundren has likely been - like the little monster said- been wisked away to the Castle, his companion - a knight!- is been held here, being readied for supper.
We can't in all conscience leave him to such an horrific fate!
Besides, he might have good information for us, as might any of the high-ranking foul creatures we might encounter temporarily.

Further, the presence of loot was undoubtely mentioned by the foul traitor, and we shan't be remiss and dismiss such piece of intelligence. I mean, ... Erhm... how are we going to fund our noble rescue quest otherwise?

Syllin, if you have an alternative plan in mind, please state it clearly. Occasionally, your elucubrations are not readily accessible to those of a lesser scholarly extraction.

Otherwise, since this filthy garbage dumpster has so far frustrated two of our most valiant climbers, we should follow Master Frostbeard suggestion, and further explore this coven of goblinoids by direct way

And if Master Fletcher does not wish to walk in front, i shall escort our cleric myself, although i would suggest the light be moved to my scimitar, or i shall be quite readily walking blind

 

[ravenvii]

The wolves were not necessarily guards ( there were guards outside already) but this could just be the doghouse, or stables if they were used as mounts.
I ddid ask raven to search around, for valuables, with no apparent result other than the garbage chute.
@ravenvii , can i do a check specifically for secret passages?

As far as investigating the light from above, well, we tried.
So far we haven't been able to get our skinny butts higher than a couple feet

That said, i am fine with going the other way around

You search the room closely, searching for any secret passages or anything interesting.

*** CHECK ***
You're looking pretty closely, but the chamber is relatively simple, with the rubble at one end and the stairs at the other, with the stalagmite close to the center of the room, and the unfortunate wolves at the top of the stairs, so I'll give this a DC 5. You have a +3 for Perception, so you only need a 2:

Bartholomeus: 7
*** CHECK ***

You confirmed to yourself that there are absolutely no secret passages or anything of that sort in the cave chamber. What is obvious to the eye is all there is to the chamber.

 

[twietee]

> hmm, is it pitch black in here? I'd prefer to scout without a light source if possible. What about I go first then? You stay behind but within 25-30 feet range max.

 

[ravenvii]

> hmm, is it pitch black in here? I'd prefer to scout without a light source if possible. What about I go first then? You stay behind but within 25-30 feet range max.

You leave the chamber and begin to walk down the passage as the cave becomes darker and darker. Eventually it becomes too dark for one without darkvision to see effectively. You continue down the passage, being able to see with the benefit of your darkvision, and pause at the second opening.

The main passage from the cave mouth climbs steeply upward, the stream plunging and splashing down its west side. In the shadows, a side passage leads west across the other side of the stream.

In the shadows of the ceiling to the north, you can just make out the dim shape of a rickety bridge of wood and rope crossing over the passage ahead of you. Another passage intersects this one, twenty feet above the floor.
​

You also spot a goblin standing in the middle of the bridge. Fortunately for you, the goblin did not spot you in the darkness.

 

[Plutonius]

To everyone: It's too dark for me to shoot the goblin on the bridge and Portia can't see to sneak up on it. The goblin may collapse the bridge if he sees us and I don't think Veit and Syllin can sneak up on it. The only action I can see is either a magic missile spell (can't miss) or a sleep spell from Syllin.

 

[twietee]

> Sleep sounds good but would mean one lost spell slot for syllin.

we could try to lure him down here (he's above us, right? not really sure i completely got the picture from raven's description) but we won't know how he will react. For example with my cantrip with which i can cast a minor wonder. or syllin tells me a good curse and 'come here!' in goblingook which i will utter (with thaumology?) while hidden like the rest of us. something that just makes him curious and won't result in code red immediately. once he's down here we can bully him..

If that doesn't work Syllin can still send him to sleep.

We could also try the other passage along the stream, but I fear that it doesn't lead us somewhere interesting.

Thoughts?


Oh, another alternative could be to do as the count mentioned before: I cast light on his weapon (scmitar?) so that he is blinded. We then could either engage from distance (but would likely lose our arrows and such if we miss) and claus and I for example bum rush the fellow and send him down the stream.

@ravenvii how noisy is the stream?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Are we sure we wish to expense a spell slot - I have but two - which is a sleep spell on one solitary Goblin?

The point about the sleep spell is that it is very useful to numb a large room of antagonists; as it spreads out, it starts with the weaker of them, and gradually works up to the stronger, which means it is rarely complete successful in inducing a happy state of soporific slumber, but it does serve to thin the ranks of those actively ranged against us, removing them form the fray for a time.

I would be loath to expend this spell on only one goblin unless there was no there choice, as this is a spell that might be more usefully employed against a larger number which I believe that we will undoubtedly face.

And, yes. Consulting my records (in my memory and in my notes) it appears that while Gudrun Rockseeker has indeed been spirited away to Castle Cragmaw, his human companion, Silidar Hallwinter, may well be - and hopefully will be - found here. My apologies for misunderstanding the import of some of what we learned.

 

[Plutonius]

Are we sure we wish to expense a spell slot - I have but two - which is a sleep spell on one solitary Goblin?

The point about the sleep spell is that it is very useful to numb a large room of antagonists; as it spreads out, it starts with the weaker of them, and gradually works up to the stronger, which means it is rarely complete successful in inducing a happy state of soporific slumber, but it does serve to thin the ranks of those actively ranged against us, removing them form the fray for a time.

I would be loath to expend this spell on only one goblin unless there was no there choice, as this is a spell that might be more usefully employed against a larger number which I believe that we will undoubtedly face.

And, yes. Consulting my records (in my memory and in my notes) it appears that while Gudrun Rockseeker has indeed been spirited away to Castle Cragmaw, his human companion, Silidar Hallwinter, may well be - and hopefully will be - found here. My apologies for misunderstanding the import of some of what we learned.

Reply to Veit and Syllin: We probably get one shot at this before the goblin might cut the bridge and will sound the alarm. Do not worry about using a spell slot if you decide it's necessary. You two are the only two who can see so it's up to you to decide what we do. We are waiting on you two to come up with and implement a plan. What do we do @twietee and @Scepticalscribe (discuss a plan between you two).

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Reply to Veit and Syllin: We probably get one shot at this before the goblin might cut the bridge and will sound the alarm. Do not worry about using a spell slot if you decide it's necessary. You two are the only two who can see so it's up to you to decide what we do. We are waiting on you two to come up with and implement a plan. What do we do @twietee and @Scepticalscribe (discuss a plan between you two).

No; we all need to have some input, here, Master Claus, (@Plutonius), as both your esteemed self and Count Lochaber (@Don't panic) are warriors, and the talented Rogue, Portia, (@Moyank24) has stealth and cunning. Granted, yes, Master Veit (@twietee) and I have some magical skills, which both complement one another's skills, and differ from one another, and may also slightly overlap, and yes, we both have the enhanced sight afforded by Darkvision. However, we, each, all of us, here, have skills that may need to be put to use.

Moreover, I want Count Lochaber's input, too.

The description of the setting where we find ourselves is very unclear, @ravenvii, and - although my Darkvision gives me a pretty clear view, I actually cannot envisage where we stand vis-à-vis the stream or the bridge or the goblin, or, indeed, the cavern.

To recap, as I understand it; we are in a darkened (presumably) wide cavern, which climbs steeply upwards - north - were we to continue along its path. Between us and the other side of the cavern - west - flows the stream, which pours from the north, tumbling towards the original opening where we slaughtered the two goblins who guarded the hideout. An opening - a further opening - to the west is visible on the other side of the stream (west).

Ahead of us, - and presumably above us? - in the shadows to the north, is a 'rickety bridge of wood and rope'. I assume that we ail have to cross that in order to gain entrance to the opening on the other side.

@ravenvii, how high up is the bridge? How far is it from where we are? Where is the goblin on it - and where is the goblin vis-à-vis ourselves inn terms of distance, and angle of elevation? Is the entrance to the bridge level to the passage way we are on, or is well above our heads?

And - that last sentence - "Another passage intersects this one, twenty feet above the floor" - I confess that I don't understand that at all as I cannot even begin to envisage what you are attempting to describe.

Re the sleep spell, as I suspect that we may need it for a larger number, I am loath to use it for a spell slot that will take me several hours to recover and replace - on one person.

My instincts would be to seek more information from @ravenvii, discuss what options each of us would recommend here, and - if possible - advance a little closer to have a better chance of success.

 

[Huntn]

Yes, cantrip can be used at will (within reason), without using any slots. Spells use up slots regardless of combat.
Recently, the elf wizard in our campaign used prestidigitation during the 4 extra long rest hours to clean and shine up the looted weapons from a battle to ready them for sale at a premium.

8 hrs is a full recharge and 4 hrs half a charge? Spell recharging really puts the brakes on adventuring, if you think you might need them offensivelor have a healing safety net.
[doublepost=1457876768][/doublepost]

No; we all need to have some input, here, Master Claus, as both your esteemed self and Count Lochaber are warriors, and the talented Rogue, Portia, has stealth and cunning. We all have skills that may need to be put to use.

Moreover, I want Count Lochaber's input, too.

The description of the setting where we find ourselves is very unclear, @ravenvii, and - although my Darkvision gives me a pretty clear view, like I actually cannot envisage where we stand vis-à-vis the stream or the bridge or the goblin, or the cavern.

To recap, as I understand it; we are in a darkened (presumably) wide cavern, which climbs steeply upwards - north - were we to continue along its path. Between us and the other side of the cavern - west - flows the stream, which pours from the north, tumbling towards the original opening where we slaughtered the two goblins who guarded the hideout. An opening - a further opening - to the west is visible on the other side of the stream (west).

Ahead of us, - and presumably above us? - in the shadows to the north, is a 'rickety bridge of wood and rope'. I assume that we ail have to cross that in order to gain entrance to the opening on the other side.

@ravenvii, how high up is the bridge? How far is it from where we are? Where is the goblin on it - and where is the goblin vis-à-vis ourselves inn terms of distance, and angle of elevation? Is the entrance to the bridge level to the passage way we are on, or is well above our heads?

And - that last sentence - "Another passage intersects this one, twenty feet above the floor" - I confess that I don't understand that at all as I cannot even begin to envisage what you are attempting to describe.

Re the sleep spell, as I suspect that we may need it for a larger number, I am loath to use it for a spell slot that will take me several hours to recover and replace - on one person.

My instincts would be to seek more information from @ravenvii, discuss what options each of us would recommend here, and - if possible - advance a little closer to have a better chance of success.

And - that last sentence - "Another passage intersects this one, twenty feet above the floor" - I confess that I don't understand that at all as I cannot even begin to envisage what you are attempting to describe

I would presume this means that the passage (the party is currently standing in? ) is large/tall enough that a cross passage opens into it, but 20' up the side of a wall? A possible avenue to explore, if it's reachable, or another direction from where a threat could emerge.

 

[Don't panic]

the main passage seems more like a large north-south tunnel, rather than a vast roundish cave, with the the stream tumbling down on its west side and a climbing path along it, direction north.
across the stream from where Veit is now, on the west-side, there is the smaller tunnel entrance described before (the wolfhouse was on the east side of the main passage, and 10-20' more downstream, closer to the exit.
further ahead, Veit spied the rickety bridge, 20' up above, with the temporarily distracted goblin.
The bridge crosses the main large tunnel and connects two additional smaller tunnels on either side, cut into the sides of the main entrance approx 20' high (the other passage above).

all suggestions seem viable to me:

- magic missile has a high chance to succeed, since it is a certain hit and deals 3d4 damage (all 3 magic missile would be directed at the same goblin)
- sleep is almost certain to work, with its 5d8 roll. it would also target any other creature that might be there but we do not see. however, if none is there and depending on how far the bridge actually is from Master Veit, he could be next, so in that case he should step out of the 20 feet range of the spell effect (he might already be far enough, considering the goblin is high). Syllin is immune to magical sleep so that is not an issue. And syllin, remember that if you use the sleep spell here, you don't lose it, you just use up a slot, you can still use sleep again later on with another slot.​

the drawback here is they both use a spell slot, which could be more useful late. That is true, but it is a call that our magikers will have to make over and over again, given the scarcity of spell slots. it's intrinsic to play a magic wielder.

- casting light on the goblin scimitar (or, better, on the bridge rail in front of him, so he there is no check for it) could also work. And since than Master Fletcher would shoot the goblin as a well-lit target, from the dark, the shot could have advantage (up to @ravenvii). this would save the slot, but the success is less guaranteed, as Fletcher would need to roll at least a 4 on the d8 (+3), to kill the goblin o the spot.
in this case the sequence would be: snuff the light off the sword of Master Fletcher, who quietly moves up to Veit and gets ready to shoot his bow, Veit flashes the light in front of the goblin, Master Fletcher shoots, lights goes off again.
not sure if this can be done stealthily with more than one shooter at range ready to take advantage of the surprise.
​

@ravenvii , can we coordinate surprise attacks? for example, could Veit and Syllin be next to each other, count down 3-2-1 and unleash their ranged attack cantrips on the goblin which would be hit by both, before having time to react?

if we are to use a spell, i think sleep is a better option than magic missile in this context.
if we have surprise or advantage in our attack, then i think we can get him without consuming the spell slot, although i do not think we can get him alive. we need to kill him from range before he has time to communicate our intrusion.

​

 

[Huntn]

the main passage seems more like a large north-south tunnel, rather than a vast roundish cave, with the the stream tumbling down on its west side and a climbing path along it, direction north.
across the stream from where Veit is now, on the west-side, there is the smaller tunnel entrance described before (the wolfhouse was on the east side of the main passage, and 10-20' more downstream, closer to the exit.
further ahead, Veit spied the rickety bridge, 20' up above, with the temporarily distracted goblin.
The bridge crosses the main large tunnel and connects two additional smaller tunnels on either side, cut into the sides of the main entrance approx 20' high (the other passage above).

all suggestions seem viable to me:

- magic missile has a high chance to succeed, since it is a certain hit and deals 3d4 damage (all 3 magic missile would be directed at the same goblin)
- sleep is almost certain to work, with its 5d8 roll. it would also target any other creature that might be there but we do not see. however, if none is there and depending on how far the bridge actually is from Master Veit, he could be next, so in that case he should step out of the 20 feet range of the spell effect (he might already be far enough, considering the goblin is high). Syllin is immune to magical sleep so that is not an issue. And syllin, remember that if you use the sleep spell here, you don't lose it, you just use up a slot, you can still use sleep again later on with another slot.​

the drawback here is they both use a spell slot, which could be more useful late. That is true, but it is a call that our magikers will have to make over and over again, given the scarcity of spell slots. it's intrinsic to play a magic wielder.

- casting light on the goblin scimitar (or, better, on the bridge rail in front of him, so he there is no check for it) could also work. And since than Master Fletcher would shoot the goblin as a well-lit target, from the dark, the shot could have advantage (up to @ravenvii). this would save the slot, but the success is less guaranteed, as Fletcher would need to roll at least a 4 on the d8 (+3), to kill the goblin o the spot.
in this case the sequence would be: snuff the light off the sword of Master Fletcher, who quietly moves up to Veit and gets ready to shoot his bow, Veit flashes the light in front of the goblin, Master Fletcher shoots, lights goes off again.
not sure if this can be done stealthily with more than one shooter at range ready to take advantage of the surprise.
​

@ravenvii , can we coordinate surprise attacks? for example, could Veit and Syllin be next to each other, count down 3-2-1 and unleash their ranged attack cantrips on the goblin which would be hit by both, before having time to react?

if we are to use a spell, i think sleep is a better option than magic missile in this context.
if we have surprise or advantage in our attack, then i think we can get him without consuming the spell slot, although i do not think we can get him alive. we need to kill him from range before he has time to communicate our intrusion.

​

This highlights a critique of the game rules. While Initiative order may serve in a brawl to keep actions orderly, there are situations where a group should be able to make their own imitative order for a planned coordinated response. There are also situations where one character would instinctively assist another and indeed their assistance might be required immediately and not 6-30 seconds later. I wonder if there are allowance in the rules for such spontaneity?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Thank you for your valuable exposition and input, Ser Bartholomeus. Despite my Darkvision, I now have a somewhat better sense of the special dimensions and the spacial elements of just exactly where we are.


Given that the bridge is well above us - quite apart from the goblin on guard - connecting two tunnels (now that makes sense) how do we actually get to it in order to be able to cross it, which is what I assume that we will have to do, although that will lie in the future?

Reading your post, @Don't panic, I get the strong sense that you seem to have a marked preference for a magical solution to this task.

Are there any viable non-magical solutions?

Secondly, @twietee, perhaps @Don't panic's suggestion of joint action 'ranged' cantrips might have some validity, and might be worth considering.

My concern with using the Sleep Magic Slot for now is that when we are face to face with a roomful of armed vengeful goblins, our chance of lulling a considerable number of them into slumberland - which might e a more useful application of that spell - will have passed, if the spell is use now.

Meanwhile, my lesser concern is that it will take a number of hours of rest and recovery for me to be able to access two magical slots again.

Now, a question: Can I use the Sleep spell twice - i.e. can it - the same spell - be used in each of my two spell slots, or must I use two different spells?

 

[Don't panic]

just a clarification, the goblin appears to be on the bridge