Chapter Five: In The Dark
Our would-be heroes settle down to sleep, completely out in the open, in a dark mysterious cave they know is full of enemies. Perfect!
They’re shaken awake by Grimlocks, but before they can get dragged off, Zola slices the hands off her Grimlock (named Jerry) before rescuing Scram. Scram attempts to fire off a firebolt at his Grimlock, but misses and resorts to hiding behind a rock. Prya uses her last spell slot to heal Zola, who is clubbed by Jerry’s friend, Gary the Grimlock, but is herself wounded by a final Grimlock, Barry.
Scram attempts to help with another firebolt, but misses again, and Zola puts an end to Barry’s life with her sword. Soaked in blood, the three vow to not let that happen again, remaking their camp in a stealthier spot amongst the crystals.
Before bedding down, the three examined the Grimlocks and discover a one-eyed smiley face tattooed into one of their wrists. As they sleep, Zola briefly awakens and sees another Grimlock sniffing around and examining the dead bodies. They’re unable to locate the hidden party, but are now officially aware that their base has been infiltrated.
The next morning, the group takes on the fortress, seeing now that it bears the same one-eyed smiley face.
A plan is hatched for Scram to sneak ahead and create a distraction using his Minor Illusion spell (a swarm of rat noises), but Scram is spotted by the fortress guards. The situation deteriorates further as Plan A is scrapped and an improved Plan B (run for your life) is enacted. Utilizing the crystals as cover, the party pulls back to hide as the castle sends out a search party of six Grimlocks. Hatching a new new plan, Prya and Zola unabashedly approach the fortress and confront the guards atop in a one-on-one duel, while Scram attempts to infiltrate across the drawbridge and into the fortress.