Knowing of the ways of Hobbits and mushrooms, Sir Thoroncir has no objection, but feels the party should soon press on.
Oh well, if any of the mushrooms are edible, then make a note of it, so if needs be they can be used for meals later on.
After that, time to scout ahead to the far right and take the first corridor past the door, using a bulls’eye lantern to lead the way and the party 20 or so yards behind.
A very quick search by the Hobbits, Mage/Alchemist, Healer and Druid yield a small supply of edible mushrooms and one type useful for healing and even a little of one type potentially useful for certain mind altering affects around a safe camp fire.
The party moves on to the next pair of passages. As they approach Sting glow grows in brightness. The room has some light in it and there is the smell of both decay and fresh air coming from the rooms. The room is uneven but large. Roughly 75’ x 110’. As the party follows Mulligan in they find more mushrooms and many odd crags in the walls. No evil is detected and no undead is within 100’. Sting is glowing brightest when the party is near the East wall. There appears to be a small vent in the ceiling with some light and air coming through. A different variety of mushrooms grow here. All appear to be edible.
Hmm, what is on the other side of the East wall I wonder? Do the passages lead us to the other side of that wall? Also, does anyone have a good idea of where that vent leads to aboveground?
I wonder if the vent is big enough for perhaps a small hobbit, such as myself, to crawl through and see where it leads.
Although I may need a hand getting up to it and if there is anything nasty in there, I think I will pass.
The vent may be big enough but it looks slimy and moldy and just seems to lead out. It is in the center of the room and 10’ in the air.
Slimy, mouldy, I think I will pass.
Have search round the room, just in case anything of interest can be found.
Otherwise, time to head down the last passage on the right. One I suspect, and frankly expect, to have Orcs or Goblins down it.
“Orcs, you say? Lead the way, Mulligan.”
So just Mulligan and Hraedsig then 
Thoroncir looks offended. “Where you go, I go also, my friends!”
The party moves off to the last passage. As Elfstan first checks without a light, she sees a the glow of a wavering torch on the south side of the room. She heads back to the party and halts them.
I think that is meant to be Mulligan, not Elfstan.
Let the party know there is a torch ahead and to give me a minute or so to see if I can spot anyone in the chamber ahead.
Mulligan resumes her checking after the ref sheepishly admits to his mistake. I did write she at least.
She sees a single torch is just inside the passage leading to another stairway down.
For a moment, I thought Elfstan was keeping secrets as well.
To the party, “Wait here a moment, I am going to head down the stairs and see how far I can get before it becomes too dark or if there are further torches and doors down below.”
Mulligan heads down the steep stone stairs about 20’ to the landing. She see the dim light of another torch a good 40-45’ away. She heads down hugging the wall and dead quiet and sees a single Goblin peering out from the north side the lower landing.
The rest of the party cautiously begins to check out the large room. It appears it have been recently used as a barracks room. There are pads for 30 goblins and it looks like the room was hastily evacuated. There is actually a supply of torches in the room. At least 50.
Hraedsig will grab a couple of torches, just in case.
Looks like it’s time to go down a level. A tactical question for the party: we encountered a similar staircase on the other end of this level. It makes logical sense to conclude that it connects with the same lower level as this one does. I’m concerned about that route being used for either escape by these vermin and/or a way to sneak up and behind us. Do we want to:
- Post some folks over by that stairwell so we will not be caught unawares?
1a. Reposition our current rear-guard (which is at the gate, IIRC) to that stairwell? - Split the party to approach this lower level from two directions at once?
- None of the above, just keep going?
I would advocate 1 or 1a. Given the success of the shield wall, I don’t think 2 is a good idea, but thought I should mention it anyway.
1a, I’d say. Let the NPCs do it.
Checking with **Miron **who is in charge of the guard, “If you are heading down, I like our current position near the door opposite the two passages heading back out. We’ll light a lot of extra torches and hopefully see them coming from far off and shoot many before they get to us. I would like to keep at least Brin. I could try sending for help from the Elves outside. A few more bows to support the 4 guards would help. It would be good to get my extra trap gear and lay down a more thorough trap in the hall from the west stairs. What do you think?”
Brin, “Well if you can get Elves I might as well stay with the party.”
Gellin, “Try and get the elves, torches and traps.”
Gilraen, “The odds are that the passages will branch again down below. We will never have a great rear guard. But the one Miron suggest appears to choke off the gate from inside at least and gives us some potential help within the range of a loud noise or swift feet.”
Mulligan returns and relays what she has seen down below.
I think it would be worth trying to take the watcher out to surprise whatever Orc forces are down there.
And if I get it wrong, all they will see and hopefully pursue is one lone hobbit.
So do I try and take him out?
I’d say yes, and thanks for the offer!