Ghân asks* Fang if he can smell anything behind the rock.
*use his natural Speak to Animals, else the spell…
This is like when there’s “a tree with low branches” or “A room with a rug on the floor” in Zork, isn’t it?
I haven’t posted new spell loading choices, so I’m assuming that I’ve got Invisibility, if either Gil-Gandel or Mulligan wants it for an hour or two of scouting. In any case, Folca will overfly the area at high altitude, checking out the rock and surrounding area from all available angles.
Having heard too many old stories about the Fellowship, Deor is naturally assuming that Gwaelur is looking for secret tunnels.
Gwaelur gives his best estimate and feels that the rocks are solidly in place and too large for a trap. It would probably take a great camouflage of the bottom and still need 2 strong trolls to move that lump.
Fang smells orc but faint, may he approach closer seems to be his question to Ghân. Ghân feels pretty sure about this. Through Folca’s eyes you see the large rocky outcropping is laying long shadows behind it. The trail appears to peter out here.
So Gil-Gandel and Mulligan prepare to proceed. With or without fang is my question and how far back does the party wait?
Ghân would really prefer it if Fang didn’t go scouting.
Fang looks disappointed but hangs back. Does the party fade into the greenery or stay on the path?
Gwaelur suggests getting off the path until the scouts come back. It makes no sense to stay out in the open.
That’s fine by Ghân.
Is there enough greenery for an [COLOR=Blue]Entangle?
I assume I made my natural Speak Animals roll…[/COLOR]
Is there enough greenery for an [COLOR=Blue]Entangle?
I assume I made my natural Speak Animals roll…
Yes & Yes [/COLOR]
So Gil-Gandel and Mulligan carefully approach the outcropping. They go slowly and in full stealth mode. Gil-Gandel leading, both making full use of the shadows.
Ah-ha, Gil-Gandel thinks to himself, a cave entrance and a trail that needs no tracker to follow.
Thoroncir stays put, looking around carefully, his longbow at the ready.
Cave entrance? Make the usual checks for sentinels outside the cave, rendezvous with Mulligan, once all is clear slip quietly into the entrance to see if we’re about to get bounced the moment we go in, and if there is no-one on watch, call up the party and, once again, get Gwaelur front and centre for his opinion on the cave.
Then assume cave order, with Gwaelur near the front - a short Dwarf with a loaded crossbow is not an ideal rear-guard when there’s not much room to snipe over or round the people in front, we want his axe, shield and armour where they will do the most good. Also I want Theogrim where he can put that dreadful sword into action as early and as often as possible. Brin, having done his work for now, goes as general back-up and archery support as opportunities arise.
Those with an interest can decide what to do with the animals and birds. I should think Fang can find some cover and the raptors can roost nearby. Moose is bright enough to know what to do for his own safety.
Mulligan? Let’s go play. Rest of the party about a round’s worth of movement behind us, and try to keep the racket down.
Sounds good - you go left, I’ll go right, meet in the middle.
Deor, don’t worry about Invisibility at this point in time, I can always regret it later 
Hopefully, anything large can go straight past us as it did last time.
I would suggest leaving them outside nearby and tucked away somewhere safe.
Playtime indeed, let’s see what we can find.
Ghân listens carefully to the captain. He will keep Fang by his side (warning him there may be combat).
Ghân checks with Deor where Folca is going to be, then wakes the Invisible Brownie and sends him to a safe looking roosting spot.
Gil-Gandel and Mulligan approach the cave entrance. It is about 6’ high and 7’ wide. They cautiously approach. The cave turns steeply to the left and downwards. There is the light hint of smoke in the air rising from the cave. Gil-Gandel moves slowly and using his cloak and the shadows peers around the corner and looks down. Just ahead is a large spider, its body is easily 2 feet across. Gil-Gandel stops, looking beyond he sees the passage is about 10’ wide and descends on smooth worn steps in a slight spiral to the left.
Large Spider :eek:
I’ve heard too many stories, I’d be a snack to them <shiver>
What is interesting is the hint of smoke rising from cave behind the spider. I would guess we have found a back entrance guarded by something which most things would not go near.
Except the orcs clearly went in this entrance. It looks well used in fact.
Due to its venom, I always feel it best to take on spiders from as much a distance as possible. Brin, however, has no experience with spiders.
Oh great, the Orcs have their own personal WatchSpider
Due to its propensity for eating things smaller than it (including me), I always feel it is best for other people to take on spiders from as much a distance as possible.
Spiders don’t really eat small creatures; it’s more of a desiccation type thing. Hope that makes you feel better.