(You know, the more I think about it the more it's looking like Casandra is really evil. Think about it, what "good" witch has a cauldron in their room. They ain't using it for rice cooking that's for sure. Only the "evil" ones use them for their nefarious spells. Also, she's trying to tempt our more "evil" companions with trinkets of value - sounds like more manipulation to me. Our next actions should be to truly find out her nature and to prepare for any fights. I might check out the cauldron to see if any human remain are inside.)

(Given the incoming Hags, Tanea would like to try that too, but that place is cold, so Shins would probably just freeze to death. :-( )

(I thought cauldrons get used regardless of "alignment". Well, there are a lot of things I don't know about DnD. From what little I've read so far, it's seemingly a gigantic universe.)

(EDIT: _Several_ toadstools. There might be even more than "just" 4 Hags?)

( I was referring to witches in general like the ones from Grim Fairy Tales (like Hansel & Gretel where the witch tries to bake the kids and eat them so that she can stay young). I'm not entirely familiar with DnD universe enemies. The most I know is from playing Baldur's Gate. I've never played the board games so most of what I've seen so far has been new to me.)

Captains Log Stardate 73319.8
The "kindred spirit", Cassandra, turned out to be a most beautiful elf. She was as captivating as she was graceful, however, something was off. The events of the Hag behind the Warded Door come to mind. That Hag had tricked me into opening the door by appealing to my good morality. How do we know Cassandra is any different using illusions and manipulation to do her bidding? In exchange for helping Cassandra defeat her sisters, she would show us the way out of this dungeon. I have my doubts about this entire ordeal. I'll have to get to the truth of this before her sisters get here.

I talk to Cassandra, "Excuse me. Why do you need "us" to defeat your sisters? You said yourself, your sisters power would know no end if they got your staff. Wouldn't it be just as powerful in your hands? Couldn't you use it to stop them from hurting you? And why give Tanea a dagger? She is a kind soul who wishes no harm to anyone. She would rather solve problems peacefully than resort to violence. Forgive me for being paranoid but your sister has already tricked us once by pretending to be a damsel in distress. What assurances can you give us that you're not like them?" As I speak, I proceed to inspect the cauldron to see what is inside. The thought of pushing an old witch into a boiling cauldron from the classic video game "King's Quest 2" comes to mind. I also examine Cassandra to see if I can see through any possible illusion spells. I rewire the inside of my phaser so that if it were to somehow be recharged, it would automatically overload it's powercells causing an explosion capable of destroying the Hag. Lastly if I can still act, I lay the painting on the ground and put Shins on it to see if he goes through it.

(Doc answered: 5 toadstools.)

(Just remembered that "Dispel Magic" is for the potential removal of a creature's magical barrier -and cancelling some negative effects-, nothing more. *sigh* Why do I always keep forgetting that?)

--------------------
Tanea, Halfling Shaman (female)
I take the time to properly greet each rat, stroking each's head while doing so. The affection emanating from them brings a soft smile to my face. But I also detect a sense of ... wanting? Strange ...
I look more closely at the tattoo on my left arm, the grass seems to be swaying. Does this place even have "normal" things?
I introduce myself to the two Drows and finally I get to know that Silent's name is Yeenwi and Guardian''s Strigon. They seem reluctant to give their names. Is there a custom I violated? Or is it just the threat of being in this ... place, whatever it is?
When I thank Roy for carrying Shins, he gives me a sideglance that I can't quite interpret. Slowly but steadily following the pathway to whereever it leads, I can't help but wonder, why I don't cower in fear from him. He did cast a webbing spell on those in the Main Chamber and he ... I still can't form the words for that. It is so very strange. Noone got hurt though and Origi was already dead. I can't help wonder, if the former is what passes as humour or playfullness for Half-Orcs. And the latter has me wonder about their ... burial traditions. Maybe food is scarce where they live? Of course they might just see other races as potential food sources. Does he still have food? I resist the sudden urge to glance at him. There could be something around us, waiting for a chance to strike.
And then we're there, in a clearing with an incredibly beautiful elven woman standing in it. BenKii, who is carrying Shins and the Bridge Painting, notices her beauty too. I introduce myself and BenKii asks questions. Cassandra speaks to all of us. ... Unfortunately what she says, doesn't make any sense. First telling us, we are save, then mentioning powerful Hags - calling them "my sisters"! -, who will be on their way here now, because we opened Cassandra's door, making this place the least save place we could be. Although she said, that we don't have much time, so maybe she meant that in regard to being safe here. Second: That staff she is holding is extremely powerful, but she needed to lock herself in here for 500 years, because she seemingly can't use it? And now that her protection is gone, because we opened that door, she needs us to save her? Third: A prophecy about Halflings? Whereever we may settle, we could get chased of by those owning these lands, because the gods didn't want us to have land of our own, and I'm supposed to believe they would agree on not just one, but _two_ of my kind to "play hero" in a prophecy? That is the weirdest thing I've ever heard. And if that wasn't enough already, there is number four: She offers me a bone dagger. ... A. _Bone._ Dagger. A dagger made out of some poor dead creature. For. _Me._ Which brings me to number five: What am I supposed to do with that? I'm no fighter. Even if, against all odds, I would be able to sneak up behind a Hag, I would still have to kill her in one strike, because I surely would die if I didn't and therefore never get a second chance. That's as close to proof as it can get, that this prophecy is nonsense. How would I kill _three_ Hags?
I look at the rats, now lying at Cassandra's feet. We were already in here at the time. What were they still wanting for?
I look back at the bone dagger in Cassandra's hands, "my sisters" keeps echoing on and on in my head.
I look at those five toadstools around the cauldron. What does she need those for, if she was all alone for 500 years?
All of this feels so very wrong.

Tanea, Halfling Shaman (female)
--------------------
58 - FlockeSchnee - Tanea - Halfling Shaman
1. Tanea is actually a little speechless and stares at the dagger (neither touching nor taking it). Can she make out what kind of bone/creature the dagger is made out of? If yes, she will blurt that information out to her companions, probably sounding horrified.
Tanea is also glad, that BenKii isn't speechless and will remain quiet while he talks/asks.
2. She watches Cassandra and the rats closely. a) While she is doing so, she looks for anything of note Cassandra might be wearing or that might be standing around. Something that may seem out of place perhaps? b) If Cassandra attacks, Tanea will cast "Dispel Magic" on her EDIT and of course try to evade/deflect attacks to herself as best as she can. Should the rats attack, Tanea will cast "Calm Animals" on them and if that doesn't work "Sleep", priority for sleep: - Those attacking her, because she has zero armour. - Those attacking BenKii because he is still (?) carrying Shins and or the painting and probably couldn't get into defense mode fast enough, having to put Shins/painting down first. - Those attacking Roy, because he is the next closest (?). - Those attacking Yeenwi/Strigon.
3. (Edit: Doc confirmed Dispel Magic should work on polymorphed creatures, so I will try it to see, if the rats are really rats or not.) Tanea casts "Dispel Magic" on one of the rats not in immediate sight of Cassandra, preferably behind her, but in clear view for Tanea, so she can see what happens, if something happens. Should it turn hostile (regardless against whom), she casts "Calm Animals" on it or/and if that doesn't work "Sleep". Should the rat, against all odds, turn out to not be a rat, Tanea casts "Dispel Magic" on the other rats as well (or rather as many as this Turn allows). _Unless_ Cassandra attacks the rat/former rat, then she will not use spells on the rat or other rats but rather "Dispel Magic" and "Sleep" on Cassandra. If Cassandra doesn't fall asleep, Tanea will attack her with her staff, because it's her fault the rat/former rat is in trouble.
4. If no attack happens (or anything else "depleting" Tanea's chance to act) and BenKii and Cassandra finished their conversation, Tanea tells Cassandra that she is no fighter and wouldn't be able to kill one Hag, let alone three. Not to mention that she prefers creatures alive and therefore can't take the bone dagger, because it's made of a dead creature. She also asks why Cassandra calls the Hags her sisters. All the while ready to proceed as stated in 2. b).

--------------------
No changes from starting equipment (Staff, 2x Heal potion).
5 spells cast (of 12): 1x Calm Animals (on Turn 2, already expired), 1x Heal (on Siegfried),
2x Protection from Elements (on Roy Jenks - Turn 8; on Siegfried - Turn 9),
1x Summon Ice Elemental on Turn 5 (ends end of Turn 9/beginning of Turn 10)
SINCE TURN 10:
19 spell casts available, none used; otherwise no change from before;
Ice Elemental vanished Turn 11; Recasting only for Turn 15 or later

Did Doc tell you that or are you just going by what happened in the other tunnels?

Dispel Magic works like this, depending on whether Doc is basing his game on 3.5e or 5e, or it might be modified version of the spell. You could try asking how does it work.

https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Dispel%20Magic#content

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/dispelMagic.htm

(Well, Doc didn't say "nothing more". I just assumed that's the only thing it's for (and cancelling some negative effects). I always forget what it's for, so I actually asked three times. The answers:
1. me: I'm guessing "Dispel Magic" might stop being entagled or asleep and protected from elements.
Doc: Correct about dispel magic.
2. Dispel magic is a spell to be cast on a target creature to remove magic protection, it will not dispell a ward.
3. Dispel Magic is for use on targeted creatures to removes some of their protective magic barriers. (I wanted to use it on the single red brick.)
So I have no Idea if it would work on transformed creatures or not (= restore their usual form). And I guess Doc can't outright answer that question, because it would be a major spoiler (or de-spoiler -? don't know, if that's the right word-).)

That's interesting, if Doc says it can't do anything else, then it probably can't. Just in case he was simplifiying it or forgot about Polymorph, you can just ask, "Does Dispel Magic also work on polymorphed creatures (to reverse the polymorph spell)?". Which doesn't spoil anything.

I just checked the previous posts and noticed he actually has Dispel Ward as a different spell, that makes sense why Dispel Magic can't do the same, by the way.

(Thank you. I shamelessly used your exact wording for asking him just now. I hope you don't mind.
I didn't realize back then, that those red marked places might be wards too. I thought wards would be called wards. That's why I asked about it - and because I forgot Dispel Magic doesn't work on things.)

Edit: Doc confirmed Dispel Magic should work on polymorphed creatures.

I Strigon, drow necromancer would like to ask Cassandra how she plans to fight her sisters or if she does not want to fight them, what tools, weapons, information can she give us that will helps us fight her deadly sisters and defeat them.

Roy glowers at Cassandra at the remark of "your dark nature takes over then this forest will be the death of you". Roy doesn't like being threatened. Then remarks, "Elves generally kill orcs simply because they assume they are orcs. That is dark in nature itself."

Ugh. Elves. Just as bad as paladins.

"How exactly can you help us in a fight against the hags? You've been locked in here all these years, and have not managed to remove them - Or return to the woods of the surface where you surely could have evaded them, or gained assistance in destroying them."

Current Actions Summary:

25 - BenKii - BenKii - Human Warrior
I talk to Cassandra, "Excuse me. Why do you need "us" to defeat your sisters? You said yourself, your sisters power would know no end if they got your staff. Wouldn't it be just as powerful in your hands? Couldn't you use it to stop them from hurting you? And why give Tanea a dagger? She is a kind soul who wishes no harm to anyone. She would rather solve problems peacefully than resort to violence. Forgive me for being paranoid but your sister has already tricked us once by pretending to be a damsel in distress. What assurances can you give us that you're not like them?" As I speak, I proceed to inspect the cauldron to see what is inside. The thought of pushing an old witch into a boiling cauldron from the classic video game "King's Quest 2" comes to mind. I also examine Cassandra to see if I can see through any possible illusion spells. I rewire the inside of my phaser so that if it were to somehow be recharged, it would automatically overload it's powercells causing an explosion capable of destroying the Hag. Lastly if I can still act, I lay the painting on the ground and put Shins on it to see if he goes through it.

58 - FlockeSchnee - Tanea - Halfling Shaman
1. Tanea is actually a little speechless and stares at the dagger. Can she make out what kind of bone/creature the dagger is made out of? If yes, she will blurt that information out to her companions, probably sounding horrified.
Tanea is also glad, that BenKii isn't speechless and will remain quiet while he talks/asks.
2. She watches Cassandra and the rats closely. a) While she is doing so, she looks for anything of note Cassandra might be wearing or that might be standing around. Something that may seem out of place perhaps? b) If Cassandra attacks, Tanea will cast "Dispel Magic" on her EDIT and of course try to evade/deflect attacks to herself as best as she can. Should the rats attack, Tanea will cast "Calm Animals" on them and if that doesn't work "Sleep", priority for sleep: - Those attacking her, because she has zero armour. - Those attacking BenKii because he is still (?) carrying Shins and or the painting and probably couldn't get into defense mode fast enough, having to put Shins/painting down first. - Those attacking Roy, because he is the next closest (?). - Those attacking Yeenwi/Strigon.
3. (Edit: Doc confirmed Dispel Magic should work on polymorphed creatures, so I will try it to see, if the rats are really rats or not.) Tanea casts "Dispel Magic" on one of the rats not in immediate sight of Cassandra, preferably behind her, but in clear view for Tanea, so she can see what happens, if something happens. Should it turn hostile (regardless against whom), she casts "Calm Animals" on it or/and if that doesn't work "Sleep". Should the rat, against all odds, turn out to not be a rat, Tanea casts "Dispel" Magic on the other rats as well (or rather as many as this Turn allows). _Unless_ Cassandra attacks the rat/former rat, then she will not use spells on the rat or other rats but rather "Dispel Magic" and "Sleep" on Cassandra. If Cassandra doesn't fall asleep, Tanea will attack her with her staff, because it's her fault the rat/former rat is in trouble.
4. If no attack happens (or anything else "depleting" Tanea's chance to act) and BenKii and Cassandra finished their conversation, Tanea tells Cassandra that she is no fighter and wouldn't be able to kill one Hag, let alone three. Not to mention that she prefers creatures alive and therefore can't take the bone dagger, because it's made of a dead creature. She also asks why Cassandra calls the Hags her sisters. All the while ready to proceed as stated in 2. b).

4 - sasuke12 - Strigon - Drow Necromancer
I Strigon, drow necromancer would like to ask Cassandra how she plans to fight her sisters or if she does not want to fight them, what tools, weapons, information can she give us that will helps us fight her deadly sisters and defeat them.

38 - ZyloxDragon - Roy Jenks - Half-Orc Battemage -- ( Protection from Elements )
Roy glowers at Cassandra at the remark of "your dark nature takes over then this forest will be the death of you". Roy doesn't like being threatened. Then remarks, "Elves generally kill orcs simply because they assume they are orcs. That is dark in nature itself."
Ugh. Elves. Just as bad as paladins.
"How exactly can you help us in a fight against the hags? You've been locked in here all these years, and have not managed to remove them - Or return to the woods of the surface where you surely could have evaded them, or gained assistance in destroying them."

Haven't taken turn yet:

76 - Lemon_Curry - Shins A'Hoy - Halfling Thief
74 - runnerex - Yeenwi - Drow Necromancer -- ( Death Armour, Levitate )

(note: if 74 - runnerex - Yeenwi - Drow Necromancer happens to act before the end of this turn then I'll edit this summary to include his actions.)

(I was asked by a fellow Goglodyte a few days back what else everyone could do to help Doc out with the game. I've had some time to think about it and I think I have a few ideas. If everyone would put their actions in bold, it would really help out for both me and Doc in locating everyone's actions. I noticed a lot of you already do that but some include their actions within walls of other text making it hard to locate. Another idea is to make a new post if you edited your original actions. I keep up regularly with all 4 threads and record your actions to a notepad then paste it all into the Summary. Unfortunately, this also means that if you go back and edit your actions, I may not see it so the new post helps inform me (and Doc) that you changed or updated your actions.)

(In short, put your actions in bold and I'll include those in my Action Summaries. Also, make a new post if you edited your original actions and that will be added to the next time I update the Summary.)

You have 5 turns left to escape.

** TURN 15 **

Western tunnel:

25 - BenKii - Human Warrior asks Cassandra why she needs your help to beat her sisters? If she has the staff isn't she powerful enough on her own? You edge closer to the cauldron to get a look inside. The smell of boiled vegetables rises to greet you.
You examine Cassandra *rolls dice* but see nothing out of place. You rewire your phaser before laying down the painting and resting Shin's on top of it (nothing happens).

Cassandra smiles at BenKii "My good Captain, my powers are of healing and imbuing positive energies into the world. I am no match for the destructive forces of my sisters. There is a spell active that prevents me from leaving while Gertrude still lives. She is the most powerful of the three Hags and the most evil."
"While I may share a mother with those abominations, I am no Hag and wish to simply return to my home."

58 - Tanea - Halfling Shaman mouth wide open, you stare at the dagger. *rolls dice* You are unable to determine what creature the bone came from.
Watching Cassandra closely you notice nothing remarkable that she is wearing.
You cast Dispel Magic on one of the rats behind Cassandra *rolls dice* nothing happens but Cassandra raises an eyebrow in your direction.
You tell Cassandra that you are no fighter and don't think that you could kill the Hag.
You hear a voice in your head "It is time little one, we all have to make sacrifices for the greater good. Do you think Gertrude will spare you and your companions when she gets here? Or what about your new four legged friends by me?" A rat lifts its head and twitches its whiskers at you.
Cassandra walks past BenKii and presses the daggers handle into your palm.

4 - Strigon - Drow Necromancer asks Cassandra how she will help in a fight against her sisters.
Cassandra regards you before replying "I can shield against many of her attacks and heal where it is needed. I do not possess the killing magics to take her down though."

38 - Roy Jenks - Half-Orc Battemage glowers at Cassandra but holds his questions having heard the answers he wanted from her conversations with the other party members.

Cassandra stands straight "She comes."
The rats hurriedly scamper into the trees.

With the crash of thunder and out of a cloud of acrid black smoke steps Gertrude, a stocky Hag as ugly as she is evil.

Gertrude looks around the clearing and cackles "So 'sister' tis the day of reckoning for yous!"
With no further warning *rolls dice* she casts an acid cloud over *rolls dice* Strigon.
*rolls dice* Cassandra quickly blurts out a spell and a slimy film covers Strigon protecting him from the acid.

With a snarl *rolls dice* Gertrude slams Cassandra with a lightening bolt, sending her crashing back into a toadstool.

25 - BenKii - Human Warrior with lightening crackling through the air, you see your phasers battery suddenly charge up.