Chapter One, Part One: Fires over Brinestump

[Lotofsnow]

While the party debates the direction they should take, Faraway scans the ground for tracks. Assuming he finds any, he attempts to discern their nature and which tunnel they tend to follow.

Perception 1d20+6 : 10 + 6, total 16
Survival 1d20+10 : 13 + 10, total 23

[Phil]

Owen defers to the druid when entering the cave.  He doesn't want Faraway to get too far ahead, but knows that the druid's training and relationship with nature give him far better ability to notice environmental dangers.  He nods to the big man and falls into step behind him and off to the side a bit.

[TheTick]

Faraway sees the drag marks that he's been tracking continue to the east, while there are other animal tracks you can make out on the western path.  Something was dragged in there too, but you reckon it wasn't as big as the track you've been following.

[Lotofsnow]

"The tracks go to the east tunnel. We should follow them, I think."


Faraway waits until the rest of the party is ready before forging ahead.

[Phil]

"Very well."  Owen responds, in a hushed voice.

[Porteiro]

"Yes.  Let's follow the drag marks" Jeddy says.

"Unfortunately, the powers of the night sky have not given me any powers to create a light.  Horcrust, is that something you can do?"

[TheTick]

The close walls and low ceiling seem to constantly grab at clothes and weapons, until the tunnel widens a bit further in.  There is a stream running along the eastern edge, about three feet deep at it's deepest point.  A short distance in, the stream crosses the path, and the smooth rock makes it perilous to cross.  Owen nearly falls, flat but Faraway catches him.

The tunnel widens out into a cavern, with a pool catching the water from the stream.  To the west is another tunnel, which splits just a few feet in - one branch leading north, and one to the west.

The squares that have water in them will require Acrobatics checks to cross if under duress, just a heads-up.  Let me know if you want to inspect the cavern or try one of the branches off the western tunnel.

[Lotofsnow]

Faraway again searches for the tracks they had been following.

Perception 1d20+6 : 7 + 6, total 13
Survival 1d20+10 : 17 + 10, total 27

[TheTick]

Though harder to see around the water, you can still make out the drag marks heading into the large cavern.

[Lotofsnow]

"The path continues into the cavern. However, I am apprehensive about leaving so many passageways behind us. S'Vith, would you take up the rear guard? Your infravision may spy lurking threats beyond the range of even Horcrust's light spell."

[SteveRogers]

"Would be my honor, your majesty."  S'Vith makes a quick formal bow; his beard drags across the wet floor.  Then he chuckles, "Good to plant a wise a eye looking behind as we venture towards. . . Well, we don't know what we venture towards."

S'Vith moves to the tail of his group and hazards a deep glance into the depths behind them with his keen dwarf eyes.

Perception Roll 1d20+7 : 6 + 7, total 13

[SpamHead]

Rolled 1d20+1 : 10 + 1, total 11

OOC: Yeah I can cast light, it's 0-level so I'll just carry a glowing rock with me evrywhere :)

[TheTick]

The cavern proper is finally large enough for the tallfolk to walk comfortably upright.  The stream empties into a pool here, about 5 to 6 feet deep at it's deepest point. (let me know if you intend to inspect it, and roll a perception check) There is another tunnel that leads away to the north, but the trail you are following goes through a tunnel at the western end of the cavern.  The other major feature of this room are the skeletons - four you can see, wearing tattered armor that is again of unfamiliar manufacture (no swords though).  If these skeletons are animated, they as yet show no sign.

[Phil]

"I do not wish to leave any skeletons at our back.  I say we break these into pieces before moving on."

Owen will move to do so, if no one objects.

[Lotofsnow]

"Agreed."

Faraway sheathes his sword and draws the wooden practice club. He steps forward to shatter the bones with Owen.