Lost Mine of Phandelver - Session 5 - To Kill a King

Reidoth led the party through the deep forest in order to attempt to recruit help against Morlag from a village of Firbolg that he knew.  They were only able to recruit one Druid, a blue skinned Firbolg named Vendel Beechriver, and his pet lizard, Kronch.

New party member: Vendel Beechriver, Firbolg Druid, 3rd-Level

The expanded party. with the additional help of OneShoe, assaulted the castle by essentially going through the front gates.  Several small skirmishes ensued with the goblin guards, some of whom were not paying much attention to their duties.  

The party also had to fight through a mess hall of goblins that were led by a creature dubbed "Goblin Ramsey" for his tendencies to curse and throw items at his workers, and the party.  Ultimately these were also defeated and the party liberated a former church of Palor from its Goblin want-to-be priest and his two Goblin acolytes.  The party also faced a Grick, but happen to make quick work of this threat as well, despite not having magical melee weapons.

The party also freed a trapped OwlBear and killed some Hobgoblin guards before entering the chambers of King Groll, self-appointed ruler of the castle. 

The party fought hard against this massive old Hobgoblin King and defeated him, although Marigold was downed in this encounter.  Reiner was barely able to save the fallen rogue with a potion of healing that stopped her from bleeding out, while Innil kept the boss busy with an arrow to the throat.  

Vendel was also critical to their success in this fight, as he shape shifted into a wolf, and totally neutralized the wolf of King Groll.

After the King was defeated, OneShoe, who never managed to land an arrow in the entire battle, put his foot atop the body and lifted the painted wooden crown onto his own head before declaring he was "King OneShoe!" much to the parties amusement.

The levity was short-lived, as the slave girl captive they had freed was actually a Doppelganger, who rushed over to kill the unconscious Gundren.  Luckily Reiner and Innil managed to both pin her to the wall with a javelin and an arrow between the eyes.

The party then continued to Phandalin to recruit more help against the spider mother, and to return Gundren to Sildhar for healing.