Thoroncir is ready to proceed, and without saying so out loud, hopes that our worst foes are now behind us. He was hard-pressed to defeat the nameless wraith, even with the able assistance of his gallant friends and the inspiring song of his true love.
The Sword and Cloak radiate Evil and Magic when Ghân detects for magic.
Gwaelur was healed by Gilraen and Ghân’s needs 9 Goodberries to heal the rest after some herbal aides.
With the detect magic up; Ghân can quickly locate all the magic stones, bolts and arrows expended. Mulligan has had 2 of his stones destroyed. Gwaelur recovers both of his bolts. Ghân also locates a magic long sword and a magic medallion. Neither are evil.
A bonus, but (barring the small chance that I can tell anything about either of them from inspection) they’ll have to wait until we can Identify them.
I’ll take a look too, but I doubt it. Even though they’re not evil, it’s still probably best not to touch them; even good magic can have terrible consequences, and there’s not sense risking it.
If I am to lose bullets, it is best to lose them against that Wraith than anything else.
Given that the swords are dim we should be safe for the moment, but I agree with Gwaelur and we should push on.
If we want me to scout ahead, I am willing to do so.
Until we are out of this cavern, with its many surprise attack routes on the sides and even above, I think we should stay together. The chances of you being separated from the party and overwhelmed are too great.
Ghân is very confident in Mulligan’s ability to scout undetected and suggests that her being a short distance ahead will help us avoid ambushes.
Would Elfstan like to team up in some way?
For reference, Ghân has these spells left:
41st (eg Detect Magic)
52nd (eg Cure Light Wounds)
33rd (eg Summon Insects)
24th (eg Dispel Magic)
Yes, if Mulligan’s willing, let her sneak ahead a bit. She’s a scout par excellence, and even a few seconds’ warning of an attacking foe is better than none.
No problem. I’m not going to be that far ahead after all.
Maybe 40 or so feet and besides I’m not going to let the party let me out of their sight.
Oh and I can probably run faster than anything down here as well. 
The company forms back up, hopeful that the worst is done. With high hopes Rüdan leads them to the mines and where he expects the Goblins to be holding out. He will give warning when we need to go to stealth mode for surprise.
—Elfstan Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Sten Rüdan Thoroncir
Dwarf Dwarf Dwarf Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dwarf Gilraen Gil-Gandel Bitur -----------------Mulligan
Hraedsig Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Ghân Deor Brin Gwaelur
Dwarf Dwarf Dw Dw Dwarf Dw Dw Dw Dw Dwarf Gellin Jari Miron Víli
Is this order OK? Any other prep?
The rest of the party (and Mulligan herself) knows Mulligan’s abilities better than I do, so if they think it’s a good idea, it’s fine with me.
And I’m ready to roll, aside from being a touch lonely back here. “Hey, what’s your name, there, Mr. Dwarf?”
I think Ghân is shorter than Deor, so I’m happy to stand in front of him:
- his spells have longer range than me
- I have more chance of survival :eek:
Marching order otherwise looks fine to me. Onward!
As you say - we still have plenty of shots in our locker, and after the latest enemies, a few dozen orcs should be no more than pleasant exercise.
The marching order looks fine to me.
If there is enough light from the party lanterns, Mulligan will use the dim glow from them to guide her way, otherwise she will have her Dwarven Bullseye Lantern out and be looking ahead, to the sides, above, below until Rüdan gives word to be even more stealthy than usual.
—Elfstan Dwarf Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Sten Rüdan Thoroncir
Nolí Dwarf Dwarf Dw Dw Dwarf Dw Dw Dwarf Gilraen Gil-Gandel Bitur -----------------Mulligan
Hraedsig Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Dw Deor Ghân Brin Gwaelur
Karfi Dwarf Dw Dw Dwarf Dw Dw Dw Dw Dwarf Gellin Jari Miron Víli
Ghân and Deor switch places. Hraedsig at least learns that Nolí and Karfi are the two Dwarves he is marching next to. They are both hammer and war shield users and scarred vets of more than one Goblin war. They both wear tough Dwarven Plate armor and full helms.
Karfi fought in the battles of Dale and held a retreat when the armies of Dwarves and Men retreated into Erebor. He saw King Dain fall but could not get to him.
Nolí has worked as a merchant and merchant guard. He knows the lands from Ered Luin to Rhûn and down to Aglarond and Minas Tirith. He is younger than Karfi but has seen more small actions. Brigands, beasts, goblins and trolls he has helped to defeat.
Mulligan uses her lantern in scouting ahead, stopping to listen often.
The company marches about 3000’ with the wide way sloping down and zigging back and forth in its descent. Sting stopped glowing quite a while back so the company must have left a pocket of goblins behind.
Mulligan has heard something and turns off her lantern. Gil-Gandel halts the march and moves 50’ ahead as Mulligan sneaks down the tunnel. She goes about 150’ to another switchback and starts seeing a glow ahead. When she turns the corner, she sees a few dozen goblins, well armed with a defensive wall set up on the far side of their encampment. They seem to be arguing over something but she cannot make it out.
Time to let the others know what I can see.
I certainly don’t intend to take on a dozen goblins by myself 
Is the defensive wall between Mulligan and the goblins or on the far side with Mulligan coming in behind them?
The wall is on the side away from Mulligan and the party.
Once I’ve got the news update from Mulligan, I’ll sneak down and take a look for myself. If the rest of the party hear a blast on the horn, they’re to come and join the fun at the best rate possible commensurate with good order. 
I wonder what they are defending themselves from??
Time to go in closer and have a listen…with Gil-Gandel’s permission of course.