The Beginning: Zigil-Dûm

A great hall, the walls lined with floor to ceiling carvings of ancient dwarven heroes. In the middle, pillars rise up two by two, an ornate carpet in-between. At the end of this path, a raised platform overlooks the splendor of the room, with in the middle, the throne of the mighty city of Zigil-Dûm. Upon this throne sits the great king and legendary hero: Oscar Brightshield.

Some very troublesome news has reached the ears of King Brightshield. He has requested to call upon the bravest amongst his subjects to investigate. Just now, they arrive before him.

King Brightshield

With a booming voice, the king speaks. "Who of my noble subjects has heeded my call? Who is it that appears before me?"

Waving enthusiastically, and bowing theatrically, Gunderson introduces himself:
"Gunderson Dwarvenbanger, your lowness."
A brief flash of flame erupts from his fingertips when he says his name, as he ignites a piece of flash paper.

“And, ummm, me! Your highness sir! For I am Erlanger Dungrath, at your service.”

Looking to also be impressive, Erlanger removes his pistol from its holster, aims it up, and pulls the trigger.  The explosion creates a deafening sound that echoes the great hall while small ceiling debris rains down on Erlanger’s stetson.

With a heavy thunk, a rather young-looking dwarf clad in perfectly polished shiny heavy armor sets down his massive battle hammer.
He drops down to one knee and removes his helmet. In a heavy, loud voice he answers.

Darann wrote:"My liege! I, sir Darann Flashheart have come to answer your summons!"

Behind him, there stand 3 skinny halflings, all dressed in identical simple uniforms. One of them is holding a long pole with a banner depicting balanced scales resting on a Warhammer.
Another is laden with household items. The third is holding a shield and a variety of weaponry.

Darann wrote:"I am ready to serve you, my king. In whatever capacity required!"

Aside from the three dwarves who have introduced themselves, a burly barbarian stands next to them. His solemn silence speaks for itself.

King Brightshield

King Brightshield nods in approval. "This truly is the best of the best from this mighty city!" He strokes his beard as he looks each and every one over one more time. "As you must have noticed, the miners have stopped digging. Last night, there was a rumble in the new shaft, and none who were digging there, have returned. I have sent a patrol of guards to check it out. They didn't return either. I have summoned the best of the best here to bestow upon them the task of investigating the new mineshaft. I am certain you will not fail the good citizens of this fine city."

Drannar Grumbles beneath his breath "I bet it's goblins. Those dirty, filthy creatures are always digging tunnels and stinking up the place".
He stands up and lifts his Warhammer above his head.

My king! These fine dwarves and I will venture down into the mines. We will sniff out whatever vile creatures have dared enter our realm, and we will crush them!.

Drannar waves his Warhammer above his head to emphasize the amount of force he will use to crush his enemies.
He then turns towards his companions and yells.

For Tyr, for Zigil-DUm, FOR THE KING!

Thrazar bows as low as he is able.

"Your highness, Thrazar Axestone at your service. I am ready to coat my blades with the blood of all who oppose you."

That's right, King Brightshield, we will hunt down whoever, or whatever is causing the rumble! We will find what stopped our good brothers from working,

Erlanger says while patting Drannar on the shoulder.  He stops and holds up his hand and asks with apprehension in his voice,

Quick question though, how new were these guards you sent down?  New recruits?

Erlanger holsters his pistol, stands up a little more straight, and musters some bravado back in his voice,

Not that it's a big deal. The four of us can handle this with no problem.

Yes, of course. That’s what I figured.

Erlanger looks to his fellow dwarven adventurers to make sure they are ready and says to King Brightshield,

if there is nothing else, I believe we are ready to investigate.

There is a brief flash of flame and a cloud of non-magical smoke appears surrounding Gunderson. When the smoke clears, Gunderson is no longer in the great hall. When the others leave the hall, they find Gunderson waiting for them in the next room, juggling idly.

Drannar motions at the 3 halflings standing behind him and says.

Alright boys, we're moving out

The first halfling carrying the banner stomps it on the ground 3 times. They then follow Drannar single file as he begins walking to the door. Right before exiting the hall Drannar turns around and takes a deep bow towards the king.
The halfling carrying the banner did not expect this move and bumps into Drannar almost knocking him to the ground. Drannar throws him a stink eye but says nothing.
As he exits the hall Drannar turns towards his dwarven companions.

To the mines we go then, We will take care of those filthy Goblins and be back in time for lunch, or maybe dinner, definitely in time for dinner!

Thrazar sees the vanishing act Gunderson puts on and hopes he doesn't disappear when the action starts.

Let's keep track of the kills, lads. Loser buys a round of ale.

Everyone quickly makes their way to the mines, and further to the new mine shaft. From the tunnel, a faint red glow can be seen. A soft bubbling can be heard, and the smell of sulfur and ashes fill your noses. As you step in, a dry heat surrounds you. It fills your hearts with joy. The lava river discovered here is sure to allow the city to expand further, providing heat and forge fire to new districts. From time to time, the tunnel opens up on one side or another, allowing for a view of the fiery stream, lazily bubbling along far below.

Several flights of stairs lead you lower and lower, as the heat gets more and more intense. Eventually, you're walking alongside the meandering magma. Now and then, between the bubbling sounds of the hellfire, a faint chittering and giggling can be heard. As you get further and further, these sounds grow louder and more frequent, until you reach a bridge across the lava, and across from it emerge a handful of goblins. They look at you, then at each other. Screeching excitedly, they jump up and down and charge! There's no way to go further to the end of the tunnel, but past the bridge and these goblins.

Please roll for initiative.

Having said goodbye to his halfling servants at the entrance of the mine, Drannar is heading down the shaft. He only brought his heavy maul for this expedition, no way will he need the extra protection of his shield.
As they walk along the river of molten rock, Drannar starts sweating profusely. His heavy plate armor makes him feel like he's sitting in a tiny oven.

Hearing the faint chittering and giggling, his pulse rises and he can't suppress a smile. He takes his maul from his back and puts it on his shoulder, ready for action.

Seeing the goblins, Drannar immediately charges forward, lifting his maul high above his head, ready to strike down on the goblins.

I knew it! Every stinking time it's stinking Goblins stinking up the place! Stand fast companions! We will make them wish they never crawled out of their dirty little holes!

Code:

Initiative roll: 19

Looks like your instincts were right.

Erlanger unholsters his pistol and loads a bullet.

Initiative: 14

Thrazar sees the goblins ahead and pulls out his warpick in anticipation of quickly getting some action.

Initiative: 7

You look fat in that outfit of scraps of cloth!

Gunderson calls out to the nearest Goblin, as he unsheaths his rapier.

Vicious Mockery: 1 damage and disadvantage on next attack. Wis save for all

Unable to make it all the way to the goblins, Drannar stands at the ready to attack any goblin that comes into range of his mighty maul.

Code:

Holding action: attack
8 to hit, 10 dmg

Erlanger steps out from behind Gunderson and aims his pistol at the goblin across from him. Once in the sights, Erlanger pulls the trigger, anticipating the powerful kickback of his weapon.

*click*

Gods damnit! Stupid thing jammed again.

Roll: 1 + 4. [Crit Fail]
This is a misfire and, on my next turn, if I want to use the pistol again in combat I have to roll a tinker check [DC is 8 + misfire score (1)]. On a success, it's fixed. On a fail, it's broken and I must wait until after combat to mend it.

Thrazar steps up next to Drannar, ready to attack any of the goblins that step forward.

Thrazar sees a goblin advance on him and takes a swing with his war pick.

Attack roll-17
Damage-5

With the wall of stout dwarves now separating Gunderson from the threat of goblin scimitars, Gunderson begins to feel a little bit braver and moves forward a few steps as he continues to spew hate towards the goblin in the back.

Hey, little weakling goblin in the back. Afraid of a little combat? Go home to your mommy where it's safe!

Gunderson may be doing a little bit of projecting...

vicious mockery for 4 damage. Wisdom save DC 12

Drannar grumbles between his teeth "Stand still you little shit" as he puts his heavy iron boot on the toes of the goblin in front of him so he can't move away.
He then lifts his maul over his head as high as he can and drops it down on the goblin's head while screaming in his face.

DIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Code:

attack: 16
dmg: 9