Gameplay

In the circumstances, that's enough for me declare the combat over, ruling that the PCs will easily dispatch the remaining stirge.

The dwarves emerge bloodied but victorious, having avenged their slain kinsman.

Able to take a closer look at the unfortunate ancestor, you see he wears a suit of chain-mail links un-ravaged by time, and on the ground beside him is a finely-crafted battle-axe (+1 to hit). Inside his backpack there is a 50-foot length of rope, coins worth 50gp and three small stone discs engraved with runes.

Dalomdûmir and Sen Malor recognise these as clan Stormhammer craft; the discs are imbued by a rune-smith with a rune of power, and the magic is released when the disc is broken – such as being smashed with a hammer, or hurled to the ground. One bears the dwarven rune for treasure, one the rune for courage, and the last the rune for healing.

You can see the passage continues a short distance before bending to the right, presumably back towards the stair you came down on.

Ghardak hurls the healing disc to the ground. It strikes near Ulrich's feet, shattering with a momentary flash of white light that spreads quickly over the injured dwarf before melting away like mist.

Ulrich regains 5 hit points.

If there's anything else you want to do before pressing on, we can retcon that. When the PCs are ready to explore again, they see:

The stream-passage curves southward and exits into a high natural cavern, with a ceiling easily 40 feet or more overhead.

On the northern edge of the cavern is the stairway you used to enter this level.

The stream continues through the floor of the cavern and disappears under a low stone overhang to the south, while larger passageways exit to the south-east and the north-east.

You notice a heavy animal smell wafting from the north-east tunnel.

The north-east path leads to a large, high-ceilinged cavern. To the north, a 10-foot wide, square-mouthed tunnel shows that someone or something has been at work in these caves.

A strong gate of rough-hewn timber blocks a small passage to the northeast.

Three other passageways wind off towards the south.

The animal smell grows stronger as you approach.

As Ulrich carefully leads the way, his gaze is repeatedly drawn to a patch of the rock wall near the cavern entrance. Suddenly, the rock seems to come to life before his eyes – too late he realises that a reptilian humanoid was pressed against it, its skin camoflaguing perfectly against the rock.

It pounces into the middle of the party, claws lashing and teeth gnashing at Dalomdûmir.

You can see another of the creatures dashing towards the timber gate.

Dalo is down to 1 hit point

Begin Combat

Initiative!

The creature attacking Dalomdûmir continues its savage assault on the rune-smith but his companions throw body and shield in the monster's path, saving the beleaguered dwarf's life!

The troglodyte at the north end of the cavern fumbles with the crude gate. If not stopped it will be open soon. A low growl sounds from beyond the barrier.

It is now your turns!

Troglodytes have 14 AC and 9 hp.

Upon hearing the growls emanating from the gate, Freki and the wolves rush up to it, baying and snarling.

A throaty roar answers them, clearly recognisable as the sound of a bear.

Still to act:
-Ulrich
-Sen Malor