The Smith & The Forged (Grey and Smith)

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

A wave of laughter, and the mixed smell of pipe smoke and ale washes over you as you open one of the double doors that leads into The Wayfarer's Rest. Or it would if you were there, but instead of a warm and welcoming Inn the only thing you see before you is a gigantic hole in the ground a hundred feet across. Encircling the hole, about ten feet from the edge is a massive pile of sandbags. The sandbags keep the boggy wetness of the Marshlands from pouring over cusp and down onto the operations below. There are a few outbuildings, all of which are also surrounded by sandbag walls. The buildings include a thirty foot tall archers nest, a sorting and smelting facility, a barracks, a workshop and a storage building.

As you approach a cry rings out from the Archer's nest and it seems like you'd kicked an ants nest for all the movement that occurs. A trio of burly men with the look of mining folk head into the buildings and several bigger men in armor with weapons ready take their places. The archer's train their sights on you and everything comes to a stand still.

[mrinappropriate]

The trek across what was left of his homeland would have finished off any regular soldier, but I wasn't a 'regular' soldier anymore. "How long have I been walking?", I thought to myself. I knew that I should have dropped from exhaustion long ago, but fatigue is a vague memory now. Whatever they had done to me left me feeling a sort of numb all over, like when a limb is half asleep but you can still control it. I could feel the pressure of my feet hitting the ground, but the textures seemed to be lacking detail. The smells in the air were also muted and seemed to have a metallic hint to them. It reminded him of walking past the or smelters with the sent of hot stone and raw ore being processed.
Something else had troubled me. Shortly after starting into the swamp, I had heard the noise of something dragging behind me. When I turned and found that what I thought was a small vine caught on his foot turned out to be a couple inches thick and was attached to a substantial decaying log about 12 inches in diameter and 8 feet long. He had barely even noticed the added weight.
On the bright side, I had been in the swamp so long now and was tired of wiping and pulling all of the slop off of my armour. It turns that I could just leave it without feeling the burden.
Leaving the swamp plants on my armour is probably what kept those lizard folk at bay. I probably looked like a lumbering swamp elemental or at least something they didn't want to mess with. I ran into the first of them a half a day after entering the swamp. It looked like a small hunting party out to gather food for the rest of their tribe. They traveled so silently through the swamp that I'm not really sure how long they had been following me before I spotted them. Once they realized I was ignoring them they gave up on trying to hide from me. A couple of them would leave, and then more would come. It appears I am quite a sight to be seen. It wasn't long before what appeared to be their entire village was out to have a look at the strange swamp beast.
Some of the smaller ones would try to get a closer look, but they didn't get far before one of the elders would hiss at them and they would retreat back to their idea of a safe distance from 'The Beast'. The whole spectacle lasted for a little more than an hour before the crowd started to dwindle and head back to wherever they came from. Some of the last to leave appeared to be adolescents. A couple of them were poking and whispering to one of the larger in their group. I recognized their behavior right away. This poor guy was going to be taunted until he would finally agree to challenge 'The Beast' and prove how brave he was. I could tell by their small hunting bows and spears, and by their awkward courage that they didn't really pose a threat. As soon as he started to advance I couldn't help but laugh on the inside.
"I'm going to have so much fun with this", was all I could think.
The closer he got, the more his confidence seemed to waiver. "Not quite yet..." after a few more steps he raised his small hunting bow at me and drew back an arrow to his jaw, now.
I snapped around to face him head-on and let out my best growl/roar. It was so good he fell back and his arrow soared up through the canopy, ricocheted a couple times, and was lost. Before the poor kid could get to his feet his friends were already at a dead run back to the village. The kid was quick though, it wasn't long before he had caught up to them and was starting to pass them.
I couldn't contain my laughter anymore and it echoed through my helmet with a strange deep throaty rumble that I hardly recognized. "What have they done to you..." was all I could think as the surprise of the sound hit me.
I kept walking as my mind tried to piece together the events that led to this point.
What had happened to me after I volunteered for the Immortal Soldier program? “Let's face it, if I hadn't volunteered, I would have been voluntold.” Infantry always goes first, whether it's battle or experiments. The only ones who get it worse for experiments are the prisoners, but no one would have been foolish enough to put them into something called ‘Immortal Soldier’.
How did I end up under all of that rubble?
Who whispered, “Duty calls.” just before I woke up under that rubble?
Who was that poor unfortunate bastard that was crushed by the rubble when I climbed out? To be honest, he didn't suffer long. The stone slab that I pushed over getting up crushed his lower body right up to his ribcage. Was the look of fright on his face from knowing that he was going to die, or was it the sight of the new ‘Immortal Soldier’ armor?
They told me that once I was in my new armor, the mere sight of me would be enough to make our enemies turn and run.
Huh, I've been in this armor for days and still haven't had a look at it myself…
Just as the thought popped into my mind, the yelling of voices pulled me back into the moment.
An archer in the tower is pointing at me while his partner is yelling back into the camp.
“What kind of soldier walks through unknown territory without paying attention to where he's going? A dead one.”
I'm not sure how I got here but it sure looked like a busy place. This was definitely some kind of mining operation. There is a gigantic hole in the ground with sandbags surrounding the entire circumference trying to keep the waters from the swamp out. There are buildings on one side with similar rings of sandbags. I can tell that one of the buildings is the sorting and smelting building because of the loaded carts going in and empty ones coming out, and the heavy smoke coming out. Another smaller building with a smoking chimney must be the workshop. The colour of the smoke reminds me of the weapon forges. With this many people one of the other buildings must be a barracks.
As that thought finishes, the doors on one of the buildings pop open and burley armed men rush out to see what all the yelling is about.
“Now I've really stepped in it.”
“I guess it's time to put this new armor to the test.”
“Judging by how far I am from the archers nest I'm pretty sure I'm just out of range, and it'll take their men some time to cover that ground.”
I take my shield off of my back, shake the swamp muck off and slam the bottom edge into the ground so that it stands up on its own. Then I pull my large Warhammer out of its holster, clean it off and check to make sure the grips won't slip in my hands. Once I'm happy with the feel I place the gray hammer on the ground behind my shield and lean the handle on the top edge.
Now that those are out of the way I start to pull off the tangled vines, tree moss, mud, and whatever else I had picked up on my journey through the swamp. The heap of debris was almost as tall as my shield by the time I finished.
“Well, these odds certainly don't appear to be in my favor. No point in kicking the hornet's nest a second time. If I'm going to get stung, I'm going to get stung.”
I sit down next to my hammer and shield so that they can be brought ready in an instant, and wait.
If I charge into the lot of them, then I'll have to deal with the archers raining arrows down on me too. Better to just relax and wait for the fight to come to you.

[DM-Delfon]

Hearing the call to arms Smith makes his way toward the commotion. He doesn’t run like many of the armoured men around here are doing. There is little to profit from running into an unknown situation. He also doesn’t take his time, not wanting to miss out on an opportunity.

He follows the direction of fire established by the archers and takes up a position behind the line of guards, ready to tend to their wounds as needed. “I offer my services as a healer for hire. If this gets bloody, I will keep you on your feet, and we can settle up after. Do an of you wish to opt out of my services?” While he listens to their answer, he observes the Swamp Ogre maybe? ’Why is it just standing there? Is that a shield?

Once the Golem (?) is finished pulling all the swamp detritus from itself it no longer looks like a swamp ogre. ’I wonder if that’s a Shield Golem!?’ the gears begin to turn in Smith’s head. As the creature sits down, Smith pushes through the arms men. “Excuse me gentlemen, I believe I can handle this.” Smith carefully approaches the sitting creature, stopping about twenty feet away, “Hello there, are you able to converse?”

[mrinappropriate]

The three men that line up in front of the rest look like they could be a challenge if they all attack at the same time. Then a fourth works his way out of the crowd to stand behind the three.
The armor on the fourth man appears to be of better quality than the rest, and he is wearing some sort of amulet around his neck. Is it a mark of rank or possibly some sort of religious talisman, it's really hard to tell at this distance.
I watch as the fourth man leans forward slightly to talk to the three in the front. It's too far to hear what is being said, but the three in front seem to nod in agreement to whatever is said to them.
A commander or advisor then… He's a little small to be a grunt.
A moment after I've squatted down in preparation for the battle the fourth man pushes one of the three in front out of the way, shades his eyes and appears to be trying to get a better look….?
“What is he doing?” I ask myself.
The fourth man turns back to the three and places his hands on the shoulders of two of the men in an apparent gesture indicating that they are to wait where they are. The fourth man spins back to face me and begins his approach. He appears to be very confident in his walk.
As he approaches the symbol on his amulet catches me by surprise. “Great, a War Priest.” What I've heard is that War Priests are some of the most dangerous in battle, virtually bringing the fallen back from the brink of death to continue to fight or calling down holy fire to burn their enemies. If he is the one in command here, I hope they're not hostile.
The “War Priest” comes to a halt about twenty paces away and starts to talk to me.
“If by “converse", you mean talk, than yes.”

[DM-Delfon]

Smith nods, and moves forward again. He approaches slowly, so as not to alarm the metallic soldier. He comes to a stop again when their is a gap of only five feet between them. He stands at his ease, seemingly unconcerned that you stand a foot and a half taller than he does. "Good day to you." He begins smoothly enough, "My name is Smith Artificer." He touches his chest as he says this, "What do you wish to be called?" Assuming you provide your name, he continues, "May the blessings of Waukeen favour you Master Hammer." He seems to be appraising you while he speaks, whatever his assessment, he continues, "I've not seen someone of your race before around here." The word race comes across with the inflection of a question, rather than part of his statement, "What brings you to the Sinkhole on this day?" He pauses for a moment, then seems like he remembered something and interjects over your response, "Oh! Do me a favour would you? I will keep my hands from my weapon and shield if you do. I don't really want the fellows behind me thinking that you mean me harm."

[mrinappropriate]

Once the “War Priest” has confirmed that I'm intelligent enough to string some words together, he closes the gap cautiously, but ensures that there is still enough distance remaining between us that he would have time to react if I meant him harm. When he stops, he seems to relax a bit. Is he relaxing now that he knows I can talk or is he trying to look relaxed to put me at ease…?
The “War Priest” offers a greeting, indicates that he is known as Smith Artificer, and then inquires as to my own name.
My name...what is my name…? How can I not know my own name? A slight panic rushes over me, what have they done to me? I quickly and discreetly scan the area looking for something that might trigger a memory and find my eyes coming to rest on the warhammer.
“You can call me Gray Hammer.” The words came out of my mouth before I realize what I'm saying.
“Wah-keen” The word triggers a memory. The goddess of fortune. Now I recognize the amulet. Smith might be a commander, but more likely a soldier of fortune.
“The kingdom I called home lies beyond the swamp, a few days travel.” I tell Smith as I point in the direction I've come from. “As for ‘What brings me to the sinkhole', I don't know…”
Apparently I make the others nervous.
I take a small side step away from my shield and hammer to put the others at ease. I then sit on my heels and place my hands in my lap. The position resembles something like meditation, but will allow me to easily roll behind my shield and hammer if the situation changes.
I continue explaining my situation as I take up this new position.
“I awoke about a week ago to find that my home had been decimated. I started wandering, looking to see if there was anything or anyone left. I came into the swamp a couple days ago and just kept walking. I assure you that my happening upon this sinkhole is purely by chance.”

[DM-Delfon]

Smith smiles at the fellow, "Greetings and well met Master Hammer." He steps closer, hand extended to shake. If there is confusion related to that ritual, Smith will explain the process, "Ah, I see. This is a Human ritual of greeting. It shows that you have no weapon in your hand when meeting someone." He points to the appropriate hand, "Just raise that arm, yes. Now, you just gently grasp wrists, and move with me here. There." Smith nods, "It seems like you're from another time and place." Smith waits for Gray's response, then continues, "I believe you will need a guide in Human lands to avoid..." He pauses here, choosing his next word carefully, "Misunderstandings. I will make you a deal, yes? You travel with me, and defend me from harm. For this I will explain Human customs, and keep you from accidentally getting yourself into trouble. Perhaps one day we will explore your homeland and try to figure out what happened to your people. Would you like that? Additionally, we will split the value of anything we find evenly. Sound fair?"

[mrinappropriate]

As I recount my journey to Smith I can watch as the tension seems to leave him, and he casually closes the gap between us. This time the greeting seems warmer and more sincere.
As Smith approaches and extends his hand towards me, I rise taking a small step back to maintain an arm's length of distance between us. As Smith explains the gesture I follow his instructions, first showing him that my hand is empty before I gently grasp his wrist.
“These lands and creatures are strange to me. I would greatly appreciate having a guide.”
I would also rather have a ‘War Priest’ guarding my back than facing him in battle.
“I welcome your offer to assist in helping me in finding out what happened to my home.”

[DM-Delfon]

Smith nods as if the whole matter has been put to rest, "Well that's settled then, partner." Smith goes on to give a very brief explanation of the major laws that might get him into trouble. Murder, assault, and theft he pays a few extra minutes on. "For the rest, we will cross those bridges when we reach them. Are you ready to interact with your first Human settlement?" Assuming you agree, Smith leads the way toward the row of guards, "Now this is a mining operation for the most part. It is rather well guarded to protect the valuable ore that they draw out of the ground here." Smith steps in front of Gray Hammer, not that he would be able to protect his towering companion, but it's the thought that counts. Raising his hands to get the guards attention, he slowly lowers his hands to indicate that the guards should lower their weapons. As he reaches the row of guards, Smith calls out, "All clear boys. This here is Master Gray Hammer. He's new to these parts, and I'm going to take him to see Master Biggs."

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

The guards watch cautiously as you both approach, seemingly concerned about the great metal man before them but they relent after a tense moment. 4 of the guards make a square around both of you as they lead you into the Hole and right to the front door of Brigg's office. A knock on the door and an annoyed "Come in!" and your allowed in, the four armored men entering with you. The dwarven man before you seemingly engaged by the papers at his desk looks up and cocks his head. "Whats all this then?" He demands, clearly a man used to receiving answers before their stuck in front of him. If Smith attempts to speak he waves a hand to silence him and speaks over. "I knows about you, Smith" He says treating your name like an annoyance just to speak. "I wanna know about Iron Man here" He says pointing to the metal man.

[mrinappropriate]

I recount my story to the Dwarf as I did to Smith. As I finish, I look to Smith to confirm his side of the agreement that we had reached.
I think about asking questions but decide that it would be best to wait and follow Smith's lead.

[DM-Delfon]

For his part Smith just stands there at his ease, simply nodding when the giant metallic man looks to him for confirmation. Once the story comes to it's conclusion, Smith looks to Biggs, "So have you a task that needs doing around these parts?"

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

"Guard Duty Or Clean out" Biggs says plainly. "If it be guard duty you see, just find a likely place topside and make sure none of those Scalies can damage anything or kill any of the miners. For some reason they keep sending their sick and their frail at us to test our defenses. If it be clean out, than you want to head into the door with the bells on it. Something is living in there, and it killed two miners last week. There's also shaft 15 but that is quarantined till we can clear out the Myconids that're there. However..." He says and looks up and down the metallic humanoid before him. "You might be just the one for the job assuming those spores can't get in your armoring" He seems to consider it and then looks at Smith appraisingly before seemingly dismissing the idea altogether. "So, what'll it be?"

[DM-Delfon]

Smith nods, "One of the Lizard Folk from the last attack broke through the line. He didn't go for the miners or attack the flanks. He just threw himself into the sinkhole, odd that. You say they keep sending their sick and frail, have any managed to break through the line before?" When he hears about the door with bells, he pipes in, "If there is something killing miners, perhaps we should take care of that, but first I'd like to know if those Myconids are dangerous? We could deal with that problem as well." Looking to his new companion, he asks, "What would you like to do?"

[mrinappropriate]

I gently pull Smith aside so we are not obviously overheard by the others. I lean down to whisper Smith, "My appearance has caused a bit of a stir in the camp and these men seem very uneasy around me. Perhaps we should try the path where my appearance is least likely to frighten the workers in the mine."
"Your people and culture are also rather foreign to me. I think that some time away from others may give the camp time to settle a bit. I think taking care of whatever is behind the door with the bells would help to win them over."
"It would also allow me to test out this new armor." I think to myself.
"Yes, keeping them alive sounds like a good place to start."

[DM-Delfon]

Smith turns to Biggs, “looks like we will be taking care of the problem behind door number...” He trails off for a second before adding weakly, “Bells?” Then he shrugs, “Before we do though, what can you tell me about what’s in there?” Smith steps forward, holding onto his own elbows behind his back, “and more importantly, what’s in it for us?” The mercantile gleam in his eye is unmistakeable. “By Waukeen I do not work for free.”

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

Biggs harrumphs to himself and lowers his head back to his papers. "Cave in and flood trapped some aquatic monster down there, and wounded it. Wanted to starve it out but some of the miners have made a game out of splashing around near it and got themselves killed" He growls at that and mutters something in dwarven. "Your reward is 20gp for the creature's head" With that the dwarf waves you both off.

[DM-Delfon]

Smith has been in business a long time, and he knows better than to try and negotiate with an angry Dwarf. For this time Smith will let Biggs off without having to deal with a master merchant. "You hear that big guy? We have a task to perform." Smith gestures to the door. "After you my friend." Once outside Smith walks along side Gray Hammer, gently indicating the way to go as they walk. "Remember all the stuff I just said about murder? Well we're about to go into a cave and kill something." Smith smiles into Gray Hammer's confusion, "Killing and murdering are different, even though the end result is a body on the ground." Smith thinks for a moment to see if he missed any key points, "In this case we have been hired to remove a threat to the miners. This threat is to be killed because it murdered some miners. Do you see the difference?" Smith adds extra stress to the words he wants to draw attention toward.

[mrinappropriate]

"Yes."
In mid-stride I turn to face Smith.
"A couple of miners went down into the mine, provoked a trapped and wounded creature, it lashed out and killed them while trying to defending itself, and now we have to go down there and murder it."
I turn away from Smith and continue in the direction we were walking.

[DM-Delfon]

Smith nods, "Yes exactly." After a moments pause, "No, wait. Well, you're not wrong I suppose." Smith shrugs, "End result is that we're being paid to kill this creature to protect the miners." Smith walks in silence until they reach the door to the mine shaft in question, "I suppose we've only been hired to remove the threat. We don't actually have to kill the creature. We could just knock it unconscious, and remove it from the mine." Glancing up at Gray Hammer, "How does that sit with you, Partner?" After he answers, Smith gestures toward the door, "After you."

[mrinappropriate]

As we head for the entrance to the mines, I turn my head slightly towards Smith.
"The little man said that the beast had become trapped after a flood and cave-in. Perhaps we just need to let it out?"
"If it's not a threat, then it should just leave and we can follow it to make sure no one interferes with its passing."
With a shrug, and finishing with a pat of the hammer at his side, "If it remains a threat, then we will deal with it."
I duck through the door and head into the mine. "How well do you know these mines?"

[DM-Delfon]

Smith is forced to walk faster than he would like to keep up with the larger beings stride, but he knows he doesn’t have overly far to go so he bites back any complaints. The exercise will do him some good honestly. He’s starting to get a little sought around the middle.

“We could let it out I suppose.” Smith says with a shrug as they make their way down the ramps to the mines, “Though I suspect that the miners would want some justice for their fallen companions.” Smith shrugs again, “I will let you lead this endeavor, using the gifts bestowed upon me to aid you.” Smith stops abruptly, “Can you be healed with magic? I suppose if things get hostile we will find out soon enough.

As Smith follows his companion into the mine he calls upon the Coinmaiden to Light his way, channeling the magic into his mace, “As to the depth of my knowledge of this place, this is my first time here.” Sliding his arm into the straps of his shield, he grasps the handle and makes ready for whatever is to come.

[mrinappropriate]

Grey Hammer slows to a halt.
"If you haven't been inside the mine, and this is my first visit, perhaps we should find a map of the mine and possibly someone willing to be a guide?"
Grey Hammer turns back to face Smith and the doorway they just passed through.

"What do we know about the creature we are facing?"
"Is there someone here who has seen it first hand?"
"Do we know what it is?"
"How big is it?"
"How did it attack the men who encountered it?"

Running a large hand over his smooth head reminded him that he no longer had hair to run his fingers through while he was thinking. The shock of realization causes Grey Hammer to pause and stare blankly at the hand that is now his hand.

"I've been so preoccupied with my current condition that I almost walked blindly into a situation that I know next to nothing about."
"Perhaps it would be wise to gather some more information rather than stumbling blindly into the dark abyss."
"There is an old saying that the officers used to tell the over eager recruits, "Nothing gets you killed faster than running into battle with your eyes closed."

"What do you say?"
"Shall we gather some information, rather than running into battle with our eyes closed?"

[DM-Delfon]

Smith lets out a long, low whistle, "That was a whole lot of questions my friend." Smith holds up his mace, using it's brightness to shed light deeper into the mine shaft. "I have as much information as you do regarding this situation. We both had the same briefing from Master Biggs." Smith thinks for a moment, "Let me give your questions a go though. Mine shafts tend to be pretty straight forward, so I don't think a map will be needed." Smith pauses to adjust a strap on his scale mail, "It doesn't much matter what the creature in question is, if it's hostile we put it down. If it can be reasoned with, then we do that." Smith shrugs, "It killed some miners, so it's likely not going to be overly friendly. There might have been other miners in the group that was attacked, so I suppose we could ask around." Smith smiles then, "I'm confident that we can handle anything that comes up. I don't know if you've looked at yourself recently, but you're kind of imposing." Smith looks down into the mine shaft again, "How about we walk into this brightly lit abyss" He holds up his mace for emphasis, "Slowly and carefully with our eyes open? After all, the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get out of this place and back to somewhere more comfortable."

[DM-Boneyard Ben]

You, exit Brigg's office and descend the hanging mines, wooden floor boards creaking with you every step. There's lots of activity; people and carts brush passed you ascending the path ways. The miners themselves are friendly enough but give you a wide birth, obviously off put by the large metal man.

You arrive a short while later to the door with the bells on it. A guard stands at the entrance and after stating your intentions he nods and lets you two in. After entering you hear the bar slam on the other side and the guard informs you that if you want back out just slam the door twice, pause and then once more.
A carved tunnel spreads out before you and a chill takes you. The kind of chill from knowing your in a place with something but you don't know what.

With your preparations done you head down the tunnel. Soon enough you make out the sounds of... Crunching? Its hard to say but with few other indicators you head toward the sounds and the tunnels end till you eventually find where the tunnel collapsed. And there hunched over the bodies of what you assumed once was the pair of miners is a grey skinned humanoid with dagger-like fingers and foot-long tongue curled around a femur. It looks to be too... Caught up, in its meal, it hasn't noticed you two yet. What do you do?

[DM-Delfon]

Their conversation had lead them farther down the mine shaft than Smith had realized. Raising a finger to his lips, Smith quietly shushes his metallic companion. Gesturing down the tunnel toward the creature, Smith mumbles, "So what do you think of old Dagger Fingers, Big Guy?" Smith examines the creature, trying to see if he can recall any information about such a thing from his past experiences, before he shifts his mace behind himself to shield the creature from the light, and avoid drawing it's attention. "It seems pretty intent in chewing on those innocent miner corpses." Smith says pointedly, "This seems to be more your area of expertise." Smith pats his companion's hammer, "I will follow your lead."

Rolls:
19+
Arcana 7=26
History 6=24
Nature (untrained) 3=22

[DM-Delfon]

Results of Knowledge checks:
The creature before you is a Merrow, a large amphibious monstrosity. They are known to speak abyssal and aquan. These savage monsters snatch and devour unwary prey, hauling drowned corpses back to their underwater grottoes to feed. These creatures are known to be coastal bullies sent by the Prince of Demons. Most examples of these creatures are wholly evil.

[DM-Delfon]

Smith touches his companions shoulder, gesturing him back away from the creature. “That there is a Merrow. Terrible creatures. They hunt and kill people regularly. We should end this creature’s life, thus saving all of it’s future victims.” Smith looks saddened by this, but quickly straightens. “Watch out for it’s claws and teeth.” Smith gestures Forged forward again, only to stop him again. “My question is, why is it still here? Why didn’t it swim back through the water at the bottom of the tunnel?” Smith shrugs, “I guess we will find out once it’s dead.”

Roll init.
Merrow 8
Smith 6

[DM-Delfon]

(We did the following combat outside of Vethedar, so I've posted the results here as a single post instead of a back and forth.)

Initiative!
Grey Hammer 10+0=10
Merrow 7+0=7
Smith 5+1=6

With the creature still focused on it's meal, Grey Hammer charges forward. Upon hearing the pounding footfalls of the chainmail clad warforged, the creature snaps it's head up and shouts something guttural that Grey Hammer doesn't understand. Without pause, Grey Hammer slams his warhammer down across the creatures shoulder. The creature hisses in pain, trying to raise up to it's full height, but seeming to lurch a bit to the left before remaining hunched. Smith places a hand on Grey Hammer's back, and repeats what the creature said in his best imitation of the creature's voice, "It said 'How dare you interrupt my meal.'" It sounds almost nothing like the creature, but gets the translation across. A few more intoned words from Smith, and the area around the Merrow is briefly illuminated by a shower of radiant gold coins. The coins vanish as they hit the creature, the wall or the water, but where they impacted the creature round welts bubble up upon it's flesh.

Surprise Round Mechanics:
Grey Hammer Attack:
11+4(Str)+2(Prof)=17, Hit
Damage:
4+4(Str)=8
Merrow 38hp remaining.

Smith Perform Check (Impersonate Merrow) 7+1=8.
Smith casts sacred flame, dex DC 14.
Merrow Dex Save 6+0=6, fail
2 radiant damage.
Merrow 36hp remaining.

Grey Hammer presses forward, the water now half way up his calf. The Merrow twists and lunges to bite Grey Hammer, but a war hammer smashes it's face aside. Off balance from deflecting the Merrow's bite, Grey Hammer fails to get his shield up in time and the Merrow's claws rake across his torso. The beast spits out a few teeth, and another guttural phrase as it looks at Grey Hammer's wound, "What are you?" it demands in Abyssal. Much to Grey Hammer's surprise, more guttural noises come from behind him as Smith responds in Abyssal, "By the grace of the Coinmaiden, we are the end of you." The only word Grey Hammer understands is Coinmaiden. Not because there isn't an Abyssal translation for the words coin and maiden, but because Smith refused to utter one of his deities titles in that foul language. Smith continues to intone, and a golden glow emanates from inside the claw marks across Grey Hammer's torso as half the wound knits itself back together.

Round 1 Mechanics:
Grey Hammer Attack:
14+4(Str)+2(Prof)=20
Damage:
5+4(Str)=9
Merrow 27hp remaining.

Merrow Multi Attack:
Bite 8+6=14, miss
Claw 19+6=25, hit
Damage: 1+3+4=8 slashing damage
Grey Hammer 7hp remaining.

Smith casts Cure Wounds:
Grey Hammer gains 1+3=4 health.
Grey Hammer 11hp remaining.

Grey Hammer leans into his shield, driving back the Merrow's claws as they take another swipe. His warhammer slamming down onto the Merrow's head, driving it into the water. In spite of the grievous wound the Merrow keeps it's focus, lunging forward it snaps it's wide mouth around Grey Hammer's knee. Teeth sinking into calf and thigh alike. Damage critical warnings flood through Grey Hammer's systems, and Grey Hammer glances back at Smith to check if this is still the right course of action. "Hang in there big guy, another couple hits from that hammer of yours and the fight will be won. Worry less about attacking, and more about defending yourself though, this is the last of my healing." As soon as Smith finishes speaking, he begins to intone the healing prayers once more. Again a golden glow can be seen, this time around the damaged knee as the wounds lessen as before.

Round 2 Mechanics:
Grey Hammer Attack:
13+4(Str)+2(Prof)=19, hit
Damage:
7+4(Str)=11
Merrow 16hp remaining.

Merrow Multi Attack:
Bite 13+6=19, hit
Damage
6+4=10
Grey Hammer 1hp remaining.
Claw 3+6=9, miss

Smith Medicine Check: 18+5=23
Smith casts cure wounds:
Grey Hammer gains 3+3=6hp
Grey Hammer 7hp remaining.

The Merrow sees how damaged Grey Hammer is, and presses it's attack. Claws bounce off of Grey Hammer's shield and teeth gnash at open air as Grey Hammer steps back out of reach. Now over extended, Grey Hammer smashes the Merrow in the back with his warhammer with a satisfying crack of ribs breaking. Smith intones, and those radiant golden coins shower down toward the Merrow, but the creature sinks below the surface of the water and avoids them entirely.

Round 3 Mechanics:
Grey Hammer Attack:
17+4(Str)+2(Prof)=23, hit
7+4(Str)=11
Merrow 5hp remaining.

Merrow Multi Attack:
Bite 5+6=11, miss
Claw 6+6=12, miss

Smith casts sacred flame, Dex DC 14
Merrow rolls a nat 20. No damage.

As the creature resurfaces, Grey Hammer is there with a massive overhand swing of his warhammer. The impact causes the Merrow's skull to cave in and it collapses, slowly sinking below the surface of the water.

Round 4 Mechanics:
Gray Hammer Attack:
8+4(Str)+2(Prof)=14, hit.
2+4(Str)=6

Merrow -1hp, dying.

You both gain +225 Experience each!

Upon further exploration illuminated by Smith, Grey Hammer finds that half the Merrow is trapped beneath a massive chunk of rock. Seems one of the miners that the Merrow killed managed to collapse part of the cave down upon the creature before it tore him apart. With a bit of work Grey Hammer manages to safely shift the stones. A through examination of the area reveals what is left of two miner corpses, mostly loose bones and chunks of meat. It is impossible to tell which gnawed on bones belong to which corpse. There are two mining picks, and a large sized harpoon in the water. The fifty feet of rope attached to the harpoon is waterproof, and made from tightly woven sea weed. The Merrow was also carrying two Aquamarine gems worth fifteen gold each. A simple gold band was lodged between two rocks, likely one of the miner's wedding ring. There was also a pouch containing ten silver protectors.

(The Harpoon is designed for a Large Sized character, so it deals 2d6 instead of the standard 1d6. A medium sized character attempting to wield the weapon has disadvantage on their attack rolls while doing so. See the DMG, page 278 for details.)

[DM-Delfon]

As soon as the creature falls, Smith cheers, "Well done my good man, well done!" Clapping the much larger man on the shoulder. "That was a little close for comfort, but we managed." Glancing down the the blood dripping from the warhammer, "If I ever upset you, please do me the kindness of warning be before you get to the point of using that thing, eh?" Smith laughs, mostly just talking as the jitters take him from the adrenaline wearing off. "Let's see if this thing brought anything interesting up from the deep, eh?"

With the work of gathering the spoils behind them, Smith divides the coins and gems into two equal piles. One Aquamarine and five silver protectors each. "That pile is for your Grey Hammer. These items have value in the city, which I will teach you about when we get there." Smith picks up the simple gold band. His eyes look sad as he adds, "This I think we should return to the miner's family." He gestures toward the harpoon, "That thing is far too big for me to even try to wield it. If you want it it's yours, although I am interested in the rope that's attached to it." Lastly Smith points to the mining equipment, "Biggs will likely claim that equipment as belonging to the mining operation."

With his own portion of the loot safely hidden away on his person, Smith slings his own glowing weapon and illuminates one of the miner's picks instead. Gathering up the mining equipment, Smith says, "If you can manage to drag that Merrow out of here, I think that will be proof enough. Besides, it will make quite a stir." Smith laughs again.