"Pity" Beldarion rubs his chin. "But I know that feeling. Sometimes one wishes for a change, an easier life... It's not that I regret anything, or seek some sort of redemption. Simply, suddenly you feel tired..." Beldarion stays silent for a moment. "But my adventuring days aren't over yet (as long as I can get out of here alive). Maybe some day we can meet in some tavern and drown all the memories and remorse in some good dwarvish mead. But let's focus on getting out of this place first."

My proposal for what we should do. I'd very much like feedback on what everyone thinks; don't want to feel like I'm "solo"ing this, but do think we should put down our actions before too long, and so far only Aslain has done so. (And me and Beldarion partially.)

Sulibor sends his Ogre with Aslain's lit torch along the right side of the room, and then follows the main party in the back. He will command the Ogre that when it sees a Beholder coming for it, it should take shelter behind the pillars, and then move back, trying to lure the Beholder into following him. If he hasn't been seen by the beholder or isn't being followed by the beholder, but hears an explosion, it should move to the center of the room and then back to the right, in a stronger attempt to draw the Beholder's attention.

Sulibor also recasts the expiring Magic Shields (Beldarion now, me next turn, himself the turn after). A Magic Shield on Aslain now to help him if Cicatrix notices him would also be good, and on Kip and Triock if he has the spell slots to spare?

If we engage the Beholder in combat, and it floats too high, Sulibor should cast Levitate on Beldarion and Triock so they can actually engage it in melee. (Possibly also on me, since my axe is a lot better than my bow? Lowest priority, though, so only with plenty of spell slots!)

Aslain keeps his fire swords sheathed as long as we haven't been noticed by the Beholder (not necessary if they don't give light) and takes point along the left side of the room, scouting for traps. Primary objective should be to gain the mirror back from Cicatrix, through theft or violence.

Beldarion and Triock keep their fire swords sheathed as long as we haven't been noticed by the Beholder, and follow a distance behind Aslain, taking care to move quietly and standing still so as to not give Aslain away if/when he makes an attempt at Cicatrix. I have very little idea about Triock's magical abilities, so if there's anything to assist there, that'd be very good to know!

Og'rialt and Kip follow after. If Cicatrix comes within range, and if it's clear that Aslain for any reason won't succeed in attempting to steal the mirror, then everyone with ranged attacks will shoot at her as soon as Aslain is away from the immediate vicinity of Cicatrix (Aslain with bow, Og'rialt with bow, Kip with sling, Dunward with darts). The explosion from Kip's sling is certain to draw the Beholder's attention, but I hope we can override that with the Ogre, and otherwise we'll just have to be certain to grab that mirror as swiftly as possible.

Once we see Cicatrix, we'll also see her dire wolf, which Beldarion and Triock could engage.

If we obtain the mirror, I don't know if it's bound to me, or if anyone can defeat the Beholder with it. I'll attempt to get clarification there.

If we don't notice Cicatrix, but notice the Beholder going to investigate the torch from the Ogre, we'll have to make a choice between attempting to ambush it, and attempting to continue sneaking past. Really want to hear people's opinions on that!

If Cicatrix has drawn the beholder's attention before we reach her, I'm also uncertain what to do, but we can probably strategize that next turn, still. We should probably wait for it to kill her, distract it while staying in the cover of the pillars, and grab the mirror?


That'll be very useful once we engage the Beholder in combat, as it'll allow Kip, Beldarion and Sulibor to see clearly! I think your character has plenty of reason to cast it once you've moved up the stairs and see this dark hall here. As I suspect we sadly both lack telepathic communication, I don't think I can direct you as to where/when would be most useful exactly. *g*

I will do as you wish, I do not have much time at the moment, but I will start with recasting the shield on Beldarion in this turn and you on next. I need to count the spells I casted so far as I do not wish to be left without any in a case of emergency. I do not have objections against the casting Levitate in this or next turn if the need arises (I was also thinking about that) as Beholders have high resistance to magic attacks if I am not mistaken.

I agree with your plan, I believe...
Personally, I'd avoid engaging a Beholder.
I think Aslain should sneak ahead and try to get to Cicatrix unnoticed (backstabbing her or just stealing the mirror back will be his choice) while the rest of us try to follow him, remaining out of sight thanks to the darkness and the pillars (maybe Og'rialt and Triock could lead the way, to avoid us bumping or tripping blindly). We can use the ogre as a distraction.
If Aslain is in need of backup, we help him.
If the Beholder (or whatever it is) attacks us, we defend ourselves but try to get past it in any case.
If the Beholder notices Cicatrix and attacks her, let her serve as a distraction while we pass.
Our priority, in any case, should be crossing the chamber unnoticed, imho.

Oh nice, didn't realize you had a bow, too! That means we'll only need one levitate to all be able to engage the Beholder in some way if it comes to that!

Time to update actions then, my part is easy:

II. Upon reaching the archway. Beldarion sheathes his sword, and follows Triock carefully, hiding in the shadows and behind the pillars when possible. He keeps his hand on Waihyra's hilt, though, ready to draw it if an enemy falls upon the group or if Aslain finally catches the slippery drow and needs some reinforcements.

Roark exits the room with the witches and walks up the stairs.
"Wow, it's dark in here. I can't imagine what navigating this room would be like for a human. I'll help my companions out a bit. DARKNESS, BEGONE!"
If he can make it there in one turn, Roark walks into the dark room a few paces and casts daylight

You're still downstairs, a full turn behind us as you didn't take any actions for turn 15; you first have to make your way to the back of the room, head up the stairs, etc before you even see this dark room. :)

I'm okay with the plan laid out. Track down, steal or kill, and if beholder shows up, all-out group attack (if we can make it attack the drow, even better).

"Everyone, quiet... you march as light as an elephant. Remember, the drow is really cunning and hides in the shadows."

22 - Kip - Halfling Brigand

I also think we're best off avoiding the monster if possible.

Kip follows his party into room, attempting to keep very quiet.
If the eye monster spots us, he will duck behind a pillar and launch a shot into one of the far corners ahead, in an attempt to distract it.
If he sees Cicatrix fleeing from Aslain, and Aslain is not in immediate pursuit (ie not close enough to tackle her), he will shoot his sling at her.

41 - Zayd ibn Yassin - human Ranger

After climbing the staircase, he decides to trust his ranger sense and choose the path where he'd sense safer.