Act 2, Scene 2: "To Crush the Wetrocks" (Main Game Thread)

[Chris1234]

"With pleasure. Lead on.."

[TristenC]

Jordek creeps into the cave behind Katten and Linar so quietly they only detect him as he draws within the last few feet. So, I'm keeping the clankers back for now, but what do we know? What is next? It is difficult to follow a plan from 50 to 100 yards back with no communication. The Forest Gnome advises.

[Chris1234]

Linar looks back at Jordek, "Inside it can be less, read 90 feet instead of yards. We're following an individual that followed a group. The group were orcs and bugbears. We'll be going somewhat slower so you should be able to shuttle back and forth." He pooints to the tunnel they will be following, the largest of the three paths. "If there's another choice or tunnel, we'll either wait ot leave a chalk arrow low on the left."

[Styrius]

Findalsip states to the "clankers": "We need to catch up to the rest of the party they see to have disappeared".

[Jenara]

Katten pauses at the junction, her eyes scanning the ground for any signs of passage.

Simple [1d20]=6

[Chris1234]

As Katten pasuses Linar listens for telling sounds.

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OOC: Detect Noise 50% [1d100]=15

[TristenC]

Katten finds traces of what seem likely to be orc boots and small snatches of hair now and again that Linar identifies as 'Bugbear'.

Meanwhile, Jordek keeps a relay between the 'sneakers' and the 'clankers', though he pants at the Drow (in the back of the "sneakers' " line at one point, My short legs weren't built for this...

They follow the passage Linar is familiar with some 40 yards to the next split: A man-sized tunnel leading up a little, and a narrower crawlway down.

Linar recognizes the lower half of the intersection as leading eventually (1 day+ of travel with more branches) to the underdark. He is not familiar with the upper path.

Meanwhile Jordek reports nearly breathlessly to Fin, Nocturno and Bull the recent findings.

Bull recalls he was told of caverns near here (by Sundered Dwarves north of the Rift) that may hold the secret to his mentor's murder; and that Signa had indicated a Drow named Linar (Chris' character) might know the way.

Linar recalls that he had a scrap of paper with Dwarven Writing; and that Bull at least speaks Dwarven.

[Tracking check Katten/ and Observation check Linar]
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[Jenara]

Ability Check [1d20]=12 Pass.

[TristenC]

The trail continues down the wider passage Linar is unfamiliar with. After another 60 yards or so Linar detects the sounds of conversation just out of earshot...

[Chris1234]

Gently gaining Katten's attention Linar taps his ear and points ahead indicating that he's heard something significant ahead. Miming a pair of fingers walking and a mouth talking he tries to convey it's conversation he's heard. Finally the drow stows his bow and draws his longsword, tapping that and then with a finger drawn across his thoat and pointing ahead tries to silently show he intends to assassinate a bugbear or orc guard. Tapping Kitten's bow, he suggests she might give him cover. He sneaks forwards.

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OOC: Elven surprise would apply -4 to foes' surprise roll.
Stealth 85% [1d100]=83
Move Silently and Hide in Shadows are both 85%

[Jenara]

Katten notches an arrow, training it on Linars path.

[TristenC]

Jordek arrives, seeing the pair being stealthy and the pantomime. He gestures back down the hall towards the others with a quizzical look

[Styrius]

Being surrounded by solid stone once more Findalsip feels a sense of calm and assurance envelop him. Not a complete calm but one that will s much better than what he has felt since being outside of caverns. Being he is still away from his village he blends with the rocks as much as possible. He keeps an eye behind the group alert for ambush.

[TristenC]

Nocturno and Bullock fidget in the back near Fin. Jordek holds up a rock and mimes throwing, If stuff goes sideways I'll huck this at you. The forest gnome then moves back towards the others.

Linar creeps forward cautiously. The unfamliar passage widens a little farther on before opening into a wide, somewhat circular space. He catches conversation in Orcish... Not find it yet, Gribblin. Lot of cave to search. You want faster, you help.

A grumbling hiss answers the report. Don't forget who is in charge here, Tark. And who we all serve. The 'old Dwarf Tomb' must be found.

Creeping forward enough to peek around he finally lays eyes on the group. No less than a dozen orcs stand or sit in different areas of the wide chamber (abt 30 ft diameter). Speaking near the middle of the chamber are two bugbears addressing one of the more well-armed orcs...

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one square is 5 feet. The small token to the left is Fin, the small token in the middle is Jordek.
Bull and Noct are with Fin far back to the left

[Jenara]

Katten follows behind, her bow ready, an arrow notched as she finds a place to observe.