[D&D] The Lost Mines of Phandelver

[Don't panic]

I have to assume that the goblin on the bridge who scuttled away - far too fast for any of us, even the most fleet of foot - to catch - may have warned the others and triggered the release of the barriers on that dam.

And again, perhaps it is just as well that we failed to scale the wall to climb up that chute when we were in the wolves chamber, as it would have brought us straight to Klarg, which would have been something of an unpleasant surprise.

Well, for now, I think some further rest for Master Veit and Master Hallwinter may be appropriate.

if we had fought Klarg without the goblins on our side, it would have been way harder.
even with warhim and wartgutter out of the picture, the two slave goblin would have attacked us instead of Klarg, and the wolf would have attacked us instead of the goblins. plus Klarg would not have had the wounds from warhim and wartgutter. a huge difference.
[doublepost=1459785594][/doublepost]

Maybe there is a secret passage hidden behind the waterfall though. There is one behind 53% of waterfalls regarding an action-adventuresque context!

worth giving it a look

 

[Scepticalscribe]

if we had fought Klarg without the goblins on our side, it would have been way harder.
even with warhim and wartgutter out of the picture, the two slave goblin would have attacked us instead of Klarg, and the wolf would have attacked us instead of the goblins. plus Klarg would not have had the wounds from warhim and wartgutter. a huge difference.
[doublepost=1459785594][/doublepost]
worth giving it a look

Actually, I agree completely with you. I had merely sought to tease it out as a sort of mental exercise……..

That is more or less the conclusion I had arrived at - that it was just as well that our encounter with Klarg took place later, rather than earlier.

 

[ravenvii]

while Veit is resting, i borrow one of his handaxes and go out by the normal path (around by the pool and under the bridge, i go in the thicket just outside the cave, where i look for suitable wood to fashion into a pair of clutches for Sildar.
then i go back to klarg's room, measure the clutches on Sildar, finish them and give them to him. then i put the handaxe back.

> i am afraid these will have to make do for now, Ser Sildar.
it' is going to take a while before we get to Phandalin.​

[doublepost=1459745217][/doublepost]

how much experience have we gained?

You trek to the blind, and using the handaxe cut away wood from the briars. You return to Klarg's chamber and fashion a crutch.

*** CHECK ***
You need to fashion a crutch. This ia a relatively easy task, so I'll call it a 5.

Bartholomeus: 2
*** CHECK ***

Unfortunately when Sildar leans on one of the crutches, it snaps in two, sending him sprawling. He refuses to try the second crutch. "You are very kind sir, but I suspect your skills are better used elsewhere," he said not unkindly.

>>> no experience yet, pipe down. I'll give it out once you finish this story milestone.
[doublepost=1459789552][/doublepost]

@ravenvii, Can you please make a loot list of what we can carry from the cave including weapons. How many days is the town away by foot ?

>>> You could theoretically carry one crate or sack plus chest per person. However, you won't get far, as Phandalin is a little over a half day's journey away. But one of you have carpenter's tools and a skill in said tools. Jus' sayin'. Put your thinking caps on!

 

[Don't panic]

>>> no experience yet, pipe down. I'll give it out once you finish this story milestone.

thought we did.
i go and check behind the warterfall,
if nothing is there, i go by the entrance where we had piled some of the goblin's weapons/armor and some at a time i bring them back to Klarg's chamber. then do the same for the rest of the weaponry in the hideout.
finally i count how many swords, shields and bows and arrows and other weaponry we have retrieved in total.

 

[ravenvii]

Hallwinter expressed distress at the news of the destruction of the wagon. "You have rescued me from certain death within those caverns. When we arrive at Phandalin, I will pay you 50 gold pieces as a token of my gratitude. As for the provisions, they belong to Barthen's Provisions, a merchant in town. He will surely be disappointed to hear of the news, but surely he will understand that the journey is no means guaranteed to be safe."
[doublepost=1459790337][/doublepost]

thought we did.
i go and check behind the warterfall,
if nothing is there, i go by the entrance where we had piled some of the goblin's weapons/armor and some at a time i bring them back to Klarg's chamber. then do the same for the rest of the weaponry in the hideout.
finally i count how many swords, shields and bows and arrows and other weaponry we have retrieved in total.

You search the small waterfall falling down from the secondary dam. You notice that you could damage the second dam enough to cause another flood. And beyond the dam, the waterfall is unreachable without some exertion and risk on your part.

>>> Do you investigate further or let it go?

 

[twietee]

I mumble, half asleep:
>I'll need a new shield as well.

Any remarkable item on Kharg? Not necessarily prescious, more like somthing that will prove that we took his head (without being too literal here).

 

[Don't panic]

Hallwinter expressed distress at the news of the destruction of the wagon. "You have rescued me from certain death within those caverns. When we arrive at Phandalin, I will pay you 50 gold pieces as a token of my gratitude. As for the provisions, they belong to Barthen's Provisions, a merchant in town. He will surely be disappointed to hear of the news, but surely he will understand that the journey is no means guaranteed to be safe."
[doublepost=1459790337][/doublepost]
You search the small waterfall falling down from the secondary dam. You notice that you could damage the second dam enough to cause another flood. And beyond the dam, the waterfall is unreachable without some exertion and risk on your part.

>>> Do you investigate further or let it go?

ii wait until everyone else in our party is out of the flood's way and then take Klarg's morningstar and knock down the second dam.

 

[twietee]

Any idea what these pools were made for? Also, I take it that the passage on the lower level, along the stream, leads nowhere but up here?
[doublepost=1459790564][/doublepost]Btw. we should rest. Put the bodies in the next room and put up a hammock or two. Or five.

 

[ravenvii]

ii wait until everyone else in our party is out of the flood's way and then take Klarg's morningstar and knock down the second dam.

You take the two-handed morningstar and return to the rock dam. You swing the morningstar, and the impact shakes your body. You swing once again. Then again. Upon the fourth impact, the dam begins to weaken, and the water took over, tearing apart the dam with a rumble, and the contained water flooded the passage going to your left with a roar.

You stand there until the pool has emptied. The stream is now roaring along unimpeded.

 

[Don't panic]

You take the two-handed morningstar and return to the rock dam. You swing the morningstar, and the impact shakes your body. You swing once again. Then again. Upon the fourth impact, the dam begins to weaken, and the water took over, tearing apart the dam with a rumble, and the contained water flooded the passage going to your left with a roar.

You stand there until the pool has emptied. The stream is now roaring along unimpeded.

do i see anything of interest now?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

You trek to the blind, and using the handaxe cut away wood from the briars. You return to Klarg's chamber and fashion a crutch.

*** CHECK ***
You need to fashion a crutch. This ia a relatively easy task, so I'll call it a 5.

Bartholomeus: 2
*** CHECK ***

Unfortunately when Sildar leans on one of the crutches, it snaps in two, sending him sprawling. He refuses to try the second crutch. "You are very kind sir, but I suspect your skills are better used elsewhere," he said not unkindly.

Perhaps Master Claus - who has no small skill in woodworking - might fashion a crutch or two for Master Hallwinter.

>>> no experience yet, pipe down. I'll give it out once you finish this story milestone.

thought we did.

We did when we discovered the hideout initially.

I daresay that more may come our way when we leave it.

Any idea what these pools were made for?

I surmise that they were essentially crude dams constructed to hold water until it was needed to flush away unwanted and uninvited intruders. Such as ourselves.

Hallwinter expressed distress at the news of the destruction of the wagon. "You have rescued me from certain death within those caverns. When we arrive at Phandalin, I will pay you 50 gold pieces as a token of my gratitude. As for the provisions, they belong to Barthen's Provisions, a merchant in town. He will surely be disappointed to hear of the news, but surely he will understand that the journey is no means guaranteed to be safe."

Ah, that will no doubt come as welcome news that we shall not be out of pocket as far as expenses are concerned and that we can turn this adventure to some small advantage.

Some scrolls, parchment, pens and ink would be rather useful, - as indeed would grappling hooks and ropes……as we have learned.
[doublepost=1459791415][/doublepost]

>>> You could theoretically carry one crate or sack plus chest per person. However, you won't get far, as Phandalin is a little over a half day's journey away. But one of you have carpenter's tools and a skill in said tools. Jus' sayin'. Put your thinking caps on!

Yes, indeed. I believe that the fact that Master Claus has no small skill in woodworking should allow for the construction of some chests that could be carried, perhaps with poles……..
[doublepost=1459791514][/doublepost]

if nothing is there, i go by the entrance where we had piled some of the goblin's weapons/armor and some at a time i bring them back to Klarg's chamber. then do the same for the rest of the weaponry in the hideout.
finally i count how many swords, shields and bows and arrows and other weaponry we have retrieved in total.

Or, you could also cross reference with my inventory………and we could verify the numbers of weapons.

 

[ravenvii]

do i see anything of interest now?

Well, waterfalls are always interesting to look at, but beyond that, no.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I mumble, half asleep:
>I'll need a new shield as well.

Yes, we can add that to the inevitable shopping list for when we arrive in Phandalin.

Btw. we should rest. Put the bodies in the next room and put up a hammock or two. Or five.

Ah, @ravenvii, at what point does Master Veit (@twietee) recover sufficiently to partake in witty repartee with the rest of us? Has he rested enough for it to be said that his health has been restored?

You take the two-handed morningstar and return to the rock dam. You swing the morningstar, and the impact shakes your body. You swing once again. Then again. Upon the fourth impact, the dam begins to weaken, and the water took over, tearing apart the dam with a rumble, and the contained water flooded the passage going to your left with a roar.

You stand there until the pool has emptied. The stream is now roaring along unimpeded.

*For once, my usual more expressions of abstract distance and deep contemplation of challenging intellectual or philosophical matters, or wry detachment, or baffled disdain are all shed.*

Instead, I smile with genuine and unguarded pleasure at the sight of Ser Bartholomeus energetically wielding that monstrously vicious weapon, the morningstar, busily doing something more constructively destructive than when Klarg wielded it, namely wrecking the second dam, and remark: "Well aimed, my friend. One might almost think that you are taking considerable enjoyment - even pleasure - from this activity."

do i see anything of interest now?

Yes, I confess to some curiosity as to how this may be answered.

Well, waterfalls are always interesting to look at, but beyond that, no.

Ah, so, then, that answers this query……...

 

[twietee]

I know that the shields made by goblins are totally inferior to those made by dwarven blacksmiths - but before I shell out coins that i don't have I think one of those that we found will do.
[doublepost=1459795355][/doublepost]And thanks for looking at the waterfall for me, Count.

 

[ravenvii]

>>> I'll say that 2 hours has now passed since the battle. One more hour before Veit awakens. With a headache that might or might not be worse than the morningstar-bashing itself.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I know that the shields made by goblins are totally inferior to those made by dwarven blacksmiths - but before I shell out coins that i don't have I think one of those that we found will do.
[doublepost=1459795355][/doublepost]And thanks for looking at the waterfall for me, Count.

Master Veit, you will have coin - and not just from your share of Klarg's chest, but also because Master Hallwinter will pay us ten gold pieces a head as a token of his boundless gratitude.

>>> I'll say that 2 hours has now passed since the battle. One more hour before Veit awakens. With a headache that might or might not be worse than the morningstar-bashing itself.

Ah, excellent. I look forward to it, and to discussing the contents of the two healing potions we have discovered with Master Veit (@twietee), and to surrendering them to you.

Now, if Master Claus (@Plutonius) were to be asked (or might volunteer) to demonstrate his considerable skill in wood working, firstly, it might be possible to ensure that he will he able to craft for Master Hallwinter a pair of crutches that he can actually be able to use, - though Ser Bartholomeus's efforts were most praiseworthy - and secondly, might also seek to make a few crates for us to transport some of these goods.

>>A word, Ser Bartholomeus, (@Don't panic) if you please. Let us ensure that our respective numbered totals for these weapons tally.

And, should we wish to dispose of some of these subsequently in a market place, perhaps a spot of cleansing Prestidigitation may serve to improve the price we might hope to obtain…….hence, as we have some time at our disposal, I shall apply a cantrip of Prestidigitation to these weapons so that they will shine for when they are ready for sale.

Meanwhile, doubtless, it may take Master Claus some time to put together a few crates, and whittle some crutches for the unfortunate Sildar Hallwinter.

Likewise, even though Master Viet may awaken with a splitting headache, I imagine that he and I both will need some time of rest, meditation in order to recover our respective spell slots. I assume (@ravenvii) that this time will be granted us...

 

[Plutonius]

Any idea what these pools were made for?

Judging by how they were used, a trap.
[doublepost=1459802676][/doublepost]

But one of you have carpenter's tools and a skill in said tools. Jus' sayin'. Put your thinking caps on!

True .

@ravenvii, Orders: When I get back, make a crutch for Sildar Hallwinter. Then see what I can make to transfer the loot back to town. A wheeled pull cart ?

Say to Veit (@twietee) when he wakes up: Here, have what's left of this tobacco (it's almost all that I grabbed). It seems to aid in your healing and makes you yourself feel better but, I have to admit that it did nothing for me and it tasted terrible.

 

[ravenvii]

Judging by how they were used, a trap.
[doublepost=1459802676][/doublepost]

True .

@ravenvii, Orders: When I get back, make a crutch for Sildar Hallwinter. Then see what I can make to transfer the loot back to town. A wheeled pull cart ?

Say to Veit (@twietee) when he wakes up: Here, have what's left of this tobacco (it's almost all that I grabbed). It seems to aid in your healing and makes you yourself feel better but, I have to admit that it did nothing for me and it tasted terrible.

Scoffing at Bartholomeus' 'handiwork', you return to the blind and get to work.

*** CHECK ***
Crutches are easy, yo. 5 will do it. You have +2:

Claus: 11
*** CHECK ***

You test the crutches on yourself and confirm they are good. Setting them aside, you begin working on a pull cart large enough to carry all the sacks and crates, plus the treasure chest and the equipments taken from the defeated foes.

*** CHECK ***
This is a much more difficult task. A 15 will do it. You have +2:

Claus: 17
*** CHECK ***

After about a hour, you have something that will do -- barely.

>>> @Plutonius what do you do? Also, @twietee you are now awake, with 1 hp.

 

[twietee]

It seemed to me the goblin setting up the trap was rather surprised to see us - as did all the others we encountered so far (except the three on the bridge), otherwise I would have thought the same. Anyway, doesn't matter.
[doublepost=1459803835][/doublepost]@ravenvii do I have to wait for the others or can I already start resting? I'll prepare the same spells as before.

> Having a slight headache guys, probably smoked and drunk one too many. Time to hit the hay. *snores deeply*

 

[Don't panic]

It seemed to me the goblin setting up the trap was rather surprised to see us - as did all the others we encountered so far (except the three on the bridge), otherwise I would have thought the same. Anyway, doesn't matter.

the only one who saw us was the second one on the bridge, the one we fought on the est tunnel after the flood.
he probably was surprised that we didn't get washed away.
once we disposed of that one and his two buddies (presumably those operating the dams), there was noone else alive who knew of our presence.

---------------------
@ravenvii, can we have a tally of the total "loot" including weapons and shields? also an estimate of what is the total volume/weigh of it and what would be necessary to carry it all (e.g.: a two-person crude stretcher, a pack mule, a wagon), and what we can just carry in our backpacks an in Master Fletcher's cart?

speaking of shields, a goblin shield might not be as pretty as a dwarven one, but it is just as effective. obviously Master Frostbeard can do whatever he pleases with his money, but it seems to me that for the time being, a new shield is an unnecessary luxury.
i myself am going to stick with what we found here, until our finances become significantly better.

i think in the morning we should pack whatever we can comfortably carry -and most likely sell in Phandalin- and leave here the rest for a return trip -possibly after we contract a prize for the recovery of the Lionshield goods.
Another possible source of income is the wolves' hides. So i go to work on the one from Klarg's pet wolf.

meanwhile, there should be plenty of arrows recovered from all the goblins, so I up my total to 20. archery is not my thing really, but they have much more range and shots than javelins!

after that i start dragging all the goblin corpses from the caves to the blind outside, where i make a pire

 

[ravenvii]

the only one who saw us was the second one on the bridge, the one we fought on the est tunnel after the flood.
he probably was surprised that we didn't get washed away.
once we disposed of that one and his two buddies (presumably those operating the dams), there was noone else alive who knew of our presence.

---------------------
@ravenvii, can we have a tally of the total "loot" including weapons and shields? also an estimate of what is the total volume/weigh of it and what would be necessary to carry it all (e.g.: a two-person crude stretcher, a pack mule, a wagon), and what we can just carry in our backpacks an in Master Fletcher's cart?

speaking of shields, a goblin shield might not be as pretty as a dwarven one, but it is just as effective. obviously Master Frostbeard can do whatever he pleases with his money, but it seems to me that for the time being, a new shield is an unnecessary luxury.
i myself am going to stick with what we found here, until our finances become significantly better.

i think in the morning we should pack whatever we can comfortably carry -and most likely sell in Phandalin- and leave here the rest for a return trip -possibly after we contract a prize for the recovery of the Lionshield goods.
Another possible source of income is the wolves' hides. So i go to work on the one from Klarg's pet wolf.

meanwhile, there should be plenty of arrows recovered from all the goblins, so I up my total to 20. archery is not my thing really, but they have much more range and shots than javelins!

after that i start dragging all the goblin corpses from the caves to the blind outside, where i make a pire

>>> I've been bad at keeping track of that stuff, so I don't know. But the pull cart is strong enough to carry it all, so don't worry about weight for now. When you all finish up and leave the hideout, I'll do experience/level up/ask you for help on tallying up the stuff. But to start with, I know you took with you a few stuff from the ambush, and killed 13 (IIRC) goblins since, and they all have a scimitar, shield and shortbow. Plus I forgot to mention that Yeemik (the leader you killed) had a pouch with 3 golden teeth and 15 silver pieces.

 

[twietee]

speaking of shields, a goblin shield might not be as pretty as a dwarven one, but it is just as effective. obviously Master Frostbeard can do whatever he pleases with his money, but it seems to me that for the time being, a new shield is an unnecessary luxury.

That's basically what I said. ?

Anyway, after one of the party members filled me in with the occurrences after I've passed out I will search for a 'cozy' corner in Kharg's chamber and finally rest.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

That's basically what I said. ?

Anyway, after one of the party members filled me in with the occurrences after I've passed out I will search for a 'cozy' corner in Kharg's chamber and finally rest.

And, give that those goblinoid weapons are now gleaming (actually, gleaming quite a bit more than our own weapons, if truth be told, thanks to the cantrip of Prestidigitation), I shall quietly meditate for a number of hours, channel and focus my thoughts, replenish my spell slots, and ruminate on the meaning of life, death, laughter and learning.

But not before I have handed over to Master Viet Frostbeard (@twietee) the two potions of healing which I found in Klarg's chest.

 

[Don't panic]

>>> I've been bad at keeping track of that stuff, so I don't know. But the pull cart is strong enough to carry it all, so don't worry about weight for now. When you all finish up and leave the hideout, I'll do experience/level up/ask you for help on tallying up the stuff. But to start with, I know you took with you a few stuff from the ambush, and killed 13 (IIRC) goblins since, and they all have a scimitar, shield and shortbow. Plus I forgot to mention that Yeemik (the leader you killed) had a pouch with 3 golden teeth and 15 silver pieces.

fair enough.
should we settle for a dozen of each (sword, shield, shortbow, plus x arrows) in usable conditions?
Including the stuff we already took for ourselves [i have a shield, a scimitar, a shortbow and 20 arrows -which i can pass in part to Portia or Claus if we don't have enough-].

I put the Morningstar back into the weapon's pile.
Following Syllin's treatment, they should all be nice and shiny, and should bring us some decent coin in town

after i skinned wolf #1 (did it work?) i resume the cleanup of the caves, dragging out the corpses to the pyre, including that of Klarg, if someone lends a hand
[the beast is heavy as heck! btw, is his armor worth keeping?]
[doublepost=1459805806][/doublepost]

And, give that those goblinoid weapons are now gleaming (actually, gleaming quite a bit more than our own weapons, if truth be told, thanks to the cantrip of Prestidigitation), I shall quietly meditate for a number of hours, channel and focus my thoughts, replenish my spell slots, and ruminate on the meaning of life, death, laughter and learning.

But not before I have handed over to Master Viet Frostbeard (@twietee) the two potions of healing which I found in Klarg's chest.

Since Master Veit is asleep, i'll take one of the potions, and i think Master Fletcher or Portia should hold the other one.
it makes no sense for Veit to keep them, since he can already heal.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

fair enough.
should we settle for a dozen of each (sword, shield, shortbow, plus x arrows) in usable conditions?
Including the stuff we already took for ourselves [i have a shield, a scimitar, a shortbow and 20 arrows -which i can pass in part to Portia or Claus if we don't have enough-].

I put the Morningstar back into the weapon's pile.
Following Syllin's treatment, they should all be nice and shiny, and should bring us some decent coin in town

after i skinned wolf #1 (did it work?) i resume the cleanup of the caves, dragging out the corpses to the pyre, including that of Klarg, if someone lends a hand
[the beast is heavy as heck! btw, is his armor worth keeping?]
[doublepost=1459805806][/doublepost]

Since Master Veit is asleep, i'll take one of the potions, and i think Master Fletcher or Portia should hold the other one.
it makes no sense for Veit to keep them, since he can already heal.

Granted, those who lack medicinal skills may benefit even more from possession of healing potions, agreed.

However, let us await the awakening of Master Veit, and then have our cleric - who is most learned and rather skilled in this area - comment on them, for, I think he might be best qualified to adjudge on their qualities as he can offer suggestions as to where they should be apportioned.