Are the doors in this place solid, or do they have grills that could be looked though?
Also, what kind of opening mechanism do they have, simple latches or something more complicated?
Renee says, “Surely we must offer a share of the camp to this stranger. I would not trust him with a watch, but we should protect him.”
In the Orc Fort, the door are solid with wide gaps top and bottom to allow some airflow. The gaps are usually around 2". So far every door has had simple latches. None had locks.
Since Elfstan is in front of Mulligan, he will try to get a quick glance in the room before commiting to following the orc through.
If it still looks safe, he will enter with the orc and move to the right to hopefully allow Mulligan to pass through as well. From there he will need to make a quick decision on what to do next based on what he sees.
If it seems unsafe, he will step out of the direct path through the door and try to stop Mulligan outside by whispering a quick, “stop”, using the noise from the nearby activity to obscure the sound.
This door opens up into a huge arched passage. 20’ high in the center and 30’ wide. It runs north and south of the door and there are other orcs using the hall. It runs for hundreds of feet in both directions and is well lit.
I think we’ve followed this orc long enough. Elfstan tries to stop Mulligan so they can huddle up and plan some more exploration.
“The teachings of Este are admirable indeed, my lady,” says Thoroncir with a smile and a slight bow. “I thank you. And perhaps I am mistaken, my friend Ghan, or overly trusting, but I sense no particular evil or danger in Hodwain. Miron, what say you? Does he appear to be of the race of Men?”
Your average Elf could sense a fake human from different respiration, skin tone, etc., couldn’t he?
“In any event,” Thoroncir continues, “I will gladly inquire further of him, if the party wishes it. What would you have me learn? I have made no commitment to permit him to stay, nor told him of our errand here, but merely warned him of the dangers in this area, as perforce was my duty as a knight.”
Great Minds Think alike. 
I was wondering how to stop you so we could look at these other doors.
Renee suggests, “Perhaps I or Ghân should go Detect Magic on Hodwain. I could bring Missy with me if I go. She would probably not be deceived if he were the Vampire itself and Fang should be able to sense some other oddities. Ghân caution seems fitting, but let us not be so cautious as to endanger the man’s life. I would also like to hear something of his mission to Minas Tirith. It is my city of course.”
Miron is probably too far to tell what Thoroncir wishes to know and he is still carefully keeping an eye on Hodwain and so protecting Deor.
The Hobbits should whisper their plans to each other and let me know what is next. If a map is needed I can rough up what you have seen so far and post it tonight.
Thoroncir will accompany Renee or Ghan back out to see Hodwain, protecting either or both of them from any foul play, and will also bring the traveler a cup of water.
It would be early afternoon or so by now, am I right?
It would be early afternoon or so by now, am I right?
A short bit after 1pm according to post #319.
Do you want those whispers in thread or out? A map would be excellent if you have one. I was just thinking that I was going to need to get some graph paper.
However you want to do it. I will hand scribble a map based on my map and then scan it and post it tonight.
A map would be good.
Let’s check out these doors , one at a time. Listen at the latch, look under the door.
Work out who is where and what is in each. I think we already past a smithy somewhere.
Keep the whispers in-thread, please. I think we’d all like to know what’s going on in the orc-lair.
Elfstan begins to nod in agreement and then catches himself.
Ok. Let’s take turns examining doors and keeping watch.
I need to clarify, are you searching the doors of the huge, wide and tall hall or the smaller passage between the stairs and the main hall?
Working backwards from the door the Orc has just gone through, so reversing down the 8’ High, 8’ Wide, 550’ long passgeway.
Making sure we cover all the doors on the way back, from side to side, so crossing the passageway if necessary.
Ack! I hope you have a lot of time.
The passage is quiet (except the hammering near the last door) and has a total of 8 doors.
How do you want to check each door?
It seems pretty quiet in this hallway. Maybe we should check the big hallway?
Quick listen at each doorway, you take left, II’ll take right, see you at the end in 5 mins.Then we check out the bigger hallway.