Thoroncir will nock an arrow in his longbow and peer in the direction of the singing. Is it in Westron or some other tongue?
“E. Count two, go for it”.
Mulligan immediately goes for it.
Why not. It’s too good an opportunity to miss :smack:
"One… two… "
Elfstan hurries after Mulligan… he hopes!
Why not, indeed? What could possibly go wrong?
At camp, Thoroncir recognizes the singing as mostly Westron with a few Sindarin words in the mix.
Mulligan swiftly follows the orc through the small tunnel, it is but 6 feet long and opens into a small chamber that slopes down into the hill. There is a orc in the chamber already and what looks like the remains of an orc’s meal of a small crooked table designed to present a level top in this slanted room. A small similarly designed stool accompanies the table. There are two torches lighting the smallish chamber. It is maybe 8’ long between tunnel and a strong oak door x 6’ wide with both the tunnel and the door being centered. The stone work looks old but well set. The ceiling appears to be in worse shape.
The two orcs talk for a bit after Mulligan gets into the room. This should have left plenty of time for Elfstan to make it in safely.
Mulligan hears the orcs talking about the watch being quiet and the fresh orc complaining about these damn noon watches. He was hoping for a cloudy day and does not seem to be in a hurry to take his post. With a sigh he says, “Well at least it is only a 3 hour watch.”
What do the Hobbits and the Camp do next?
First things first, listen at the door out of the chamber.
Time to decide how to open it without alerting anyone?
You listen to the door as the Orc that just came off guard duty gets himself a deep drink from the pitcher on the table and grumbles out loud about Grishma not leaving a snack for him.
You hear nothing through the heavy solid wooden door.
Are the orcs facing away from the door and can it be opened quietly?
Oh and can I hear Elfstan in the room?
The only orc in the room is sitting on the small stool and so his (exposed) back is to the door. The door itself opens out of the chamber. The door is 5’ high and 3’ wide.
As you listen for Elfstan, you hear hear the Orc gurgling down his drink and breathing. You do not hear the very quiet Elfstan.
Elfstan slowly makes his way around the outer edge of the room to the door. He listens intently and checks the floor for any signs of Mulligan. Most likely this door can be barred from the other side. He wonders if it is and how to find out without alerting this orc.
In the dust in the floor, quietly draw a little arrow pointing to me.
Then check the door over, oil the hinges and wait to see if Elfstan picks up on the signal
Elfstan sees the arrow in dust of the floor.
The hinges of course are on the other side of the door as it opens out of the chamber.
Both Hobbits can now hear the other’s soft breathing. They should be able to whisper very quietly.
The door seems to use a simple latch lever system to open the door. There is a 2" gap at the bottom of the door but the door fits in such a way to give no visibility to either side.
Excellent.
"Glad to see you catch up E. I’ll do the latch, watch the guard. Then we go in "
Well next is to carefully and silently open the latch and see if we can make our way further up and further in.
The latch lifts easily and quietly with a soft clunk. The orc appears not to notice.
You push the door open a crack. You see some dim light on the other side.
You push it open further and with your careful touch and listening attentively you know it will creak, you are not sure how loudly.
deleted
Elfstan watches the orc while sneaking glaces in Mulligan’s direction.
::Inward groan from Mulligan::
Is there enough room to slip through without opening it further or do we have to try something?
Mulligan decides there is no chance of slipping through currently.
At this point the Orc stands up, stretches and moves towards the door.
Elfstan hopes Mulligan heard the orc stand. He prepares to follow the orc through the door or support Mulligan if needed.
When the orc stands up, close the door and place the latch hiding the sound on the stretching and the chair moving and move to one side.
Thoroncir will look out from the concealed encampment and try to spot the approaching singer. He will say, “Look northward, Miron, my far-sighted Elven friend, if you please. What do you see?”