The new torch does not actually light a fire. It is not hot enough to light a fire.
Which passage/room will the party be starting with and where will Mulligan and Miron be standing rearguard? Will anyone else stay with them?
Deor notices through Folca that 2 Men and 2 Dwarves have been escorted to the Grave Door by an Elf. They wave hello to get Deor’s attention. Miron notices the same thing via his Ring *Aiwendil *and Swiftwing.
Deor will pass this along to the party. Since we can’t have been surrounded yet (unless our worthy Dwarves missed a trap door in the area, and that seems unlikely!), maybe a hobbit would like to run back and greet them?
Considering that Thoroncir’s sword is glowing for undead. Elfstan will keep his new sword out while scouting with the glow willed on. He will continue to use Sting when necessary for light. If it comes to a fight, which sword is in which hand will depend on the enemy. For now though, he will be trying to avoid combat. He will certainly create havoc in other ways though if the opportunity presents itself.
Thoroncir would prefer, as ever, to be on the front line and not standing guard elsewhere. He agrees with Hraesig’s proposed plan of action (post 177).
Miron will gladly do so and it might work better as he is visible.
He returns a few moments later with the two Men and two Dwarves. They are a Man of Dale named Gellin in banded armor and using a two handed axe. Sten of The Anduin Valley who is in ring mail with a small helm and has a crossbow and broad sword. The Dwarves are familiar to most of the party. They are Jari & Víli from Aglarond and companions to Gimli in your first adventure. Víli in particular is well known to Gwaelur and a bit of a friend. Víli was the dwarf closest to poor Náliwho died.
The will stand rear guard with Miron and Mulligan and they are here to help out arriving late from the west side of the pass.
Oh, good to see Jari and Vili again! I’ll rest easier knowing they’re at our backs. And likewise good meet Gellin and Sten!
They’re both welcome.
I am happy that the exploration is in competent hands and I do not see the need to oversee officiously. A good captain knows when to trust his sergeants and specialists. Please carry on. 
Welcome, Redshirts! 
Gwaelur acknolwedges the arrival of the others. When there is an opportune time he will approach Vili and Jari and greet the more appropriately saying…
"Vili my friend! How is Nali’s family, did they get the money our party sent to them?
I would also like to take a moment to introduce you to someone who was once a great mentor to me. I am sure you remember me telling you tales of Bitur, well this is he!
Bitur, my old friend Vili from Aglarond. You should also meet Jari who fought with us once before as well. Gentelmen, you should both also meet Hraedsig, I have not known him long, but he seems a fine fellow.
Who are the humans you brought with you friends? A man of the Dale and one of the The Anduin Valley, how come you to be traveling with these folk?"
Ok, enough idle chat. Back to the sweep.
Addressing the dwarves:
“It is a pleasure to meet friends and former companions of Gwaelur. If one can be judged by the company one keeps, I have no doubt that you are as fearless and trustworthy as he. Welcome!”
Addressing the man of the Dale:
“Greetings. I apologize for not being familiar with you. I know a good number of the men of the Dale, however, most of them are of the older generations–those who fought with my kin. I haven’t ventured out from Erebor very often since those days, so most of the younger Men I know are those that have visited us in the mountain. But your people’s deeds are well known amongst my kind, and I am proud to have you guarding our backs.”
To the Anduin Valley guy:
“And to you, I bid welcome as well. I apologize, but of your kind, I know the least. Though, judging by the people you associate with, I have no doubt in your bravery and capability in battle.”
Please someone pick a passage or door to start so I don’t have to. 
Víli & Jari can both report that Nali’s parents were touched by the generous gift of the strangers to their son. They are proud he at least died with honor and received such an honor. In fact Víli was asked especially to thank the Elf Gil-Gandel for the song of mourning. Víli regrets he could not do it honor but even spoken it was touching and deeply felt and very well received. Gil-Gandel will always be honored in their house.
After returning to Aglarond they came north with a group of about 80 Dwarves but went via Bree and despite their haste never caught the main group of Dwarves. They found out that Gwaelur was here and the others they had been with before and volunteered to risk the Grave Door.
Gellin is a Sr. Sgt. in the Army of Dale but does not recall Brin at all. It is mutual. He fears the dead but not the goblins. He also has worked with Dwarves often and is well respected by them. He was late arriving from Dale and asked to assist in one of the smaller units.
Sten is normally a town guard at Old Ford Town and has some crossbow bolts that are quite good against undead. He asked for a job that would have a higher reward as he has some hopes of retiring to his own farm outside the town.
(Not [COLOR=“Red”]Red Shirts I hope, just rear guards that will free up most of the players to take frontal positions in combats.)[/COLOR]
Deor votes for left. He likes going left; he’s a lefty and feels like if he had to, he’d rather strike left with his staff. He feels these reasons are as good as any other reason, though he’d flip a coin if he had one on him.
The party heads to the left chamber using torches and lanterns and glowing swords and baubles. Mulligan might as well rejoin them. Miron stays with Víli, Jari, Sten and Gellin.
Elfstan’s sword still does not glow a warning of undead. Sting still glows and glows strongly until Elfstan wills it off not wishing to be so noticeable while invisible. The room is roughly 65’ wide and 95’ long. On the south wall about 15’ to the east of the passage in is a small 5’ wide passage to stairs going down. The room is well hewn but creepy. There are some horrific scenes of sacrifice and mayhem on the walls. It does not appear to be goblin work but human. It seems likely that this room and several of the others seen were made by men of the dark years and not goblins at all.
There are many goblin bones on the floor and some large ugly spiders. Their hideous bodies are about 2" across. The spiders withdraw from the light of Gilraen’s bauble. They are not use to such bright lights. Ghân does not recognize the species but Bitur recognizes them as Dark Weavers, a slightly poisonous* spider that mainly relies on it strong thick webs. Some Dwarves and Goblins had the skill of spinning this spider’s silk into strong lines. They are common in tunnels of the Misty Mountains from Gundabad all the way down to even Moria itself.
The only thing of real significance is the narrow stairs heading down from the south wall. Does the party go down or head to the next room/passage?
Back to join the other party members leaving the other 5 behind.
I would suggest checking the next room out instead of heading down the stairs.
Perhaps we can rig something up which will alert us if someone comes up the stairs, just in case.
I support Mulligan’s plan. If he can rig up a little trap for the stairs we can check out the next room and be sure it is clear before heading down ourselves.
Hraedsig agrees with that plan, preferring to finish one level off before exploring another.
I concur. One level at a time. Clear it, secure it, then move on.
Gilraen, “I think Miron carried a variety of odds and ends on that poor horse of his. Perhaps he brought enough in to rig up some traps.”
Mulligan goes back to check and Miron rigs up a trip wire that should set off a loud noise. He doesn’t have much else on him.
The next passage runs nearly 200’ and is 8’ wide. Elfstan’s undead detect begins glowing about 170’ up the hall. It opens up into a large T-intersection that runs 50’ left and right and is 12’ wide. They both open up into chambers with the south walls running on and the north walls open.
So there are undead nearby again. The rear guard is far back at the moment. Over 200’.
No need to panic about the undead just yet, but be aware of who to look out for if the trouble starts: Thoroncir, Gilraen (naturally); Gwaelur, Ghan; Bitur, Deor. The rest of us will be free to act as we see fit until we can assume a fighting formation - naturally we want as much heavy iron between the enemy and our “firepower” as possible.
Let’s make sure to get Hraedsig up near the front lines if we’re fighting undead- he’s got the best combination of “take it” and “dish it out” we’ve got against undead. Again, I’m casting only if the situation looks dire or I see enemy spellcasters.