In the narrow passage there are 3 doors to the south and 5 to the north.
The Smithy is on the south side and the easternmost.
At the central door on the south side Elfstan hears some snoring.
At the westernmost door he hears nothing.
Mulligan starting on the north side hears nothing at the first four doors and meets Elfstan at the westernmost north side door. They hear nothing but the door appears to have been used more regularly than the others.
Elfstan tells Mulligan what he heard.
Should we have a look in this one?
Here is the rough map so far.
Ghân and Fang will emerge from the hide and do (respectively) a Detect Magic and a sniffing on the stranger.
Ghân carefully asks Thoroncir if he can detect evil thoughts or intentions.
Ghân cast the Detect Magic and then approaches the stranger Hodwain. Thoroncir, Renee and the invisible Missy also approach. Deor is of course there and Miron is observing from a bow distance.
(Does Brin or Gwaelur venture over?)
Hodwain’s Hugh Sword, the large covered object over his left shoulder, his hat, boots and cloak all radiate magic and he radiates a strange magic himself. However the magic he radiates is a natural magic akin to Radagast’s or Ghân’s own.
Fang sniffs and barks out that he smells bearish and Missy has no reaction to him.
Hodwain replies in wolfish, “Indeed, I am bearish. In fact am a relative of Beorn himself though I rarely advertise as much.”
Then in rough Sindarin he says to Renee, “My lady, I did not expect to meet one of the fair folk here, nor one so fair. Why does your cat hide itself from our sight?”
Then in simple Westron to Ghân, “Are you perhaps one of the fabled and mysterious Druadans that so ably assisted and taught the earliest fathers of the Edain?”
He continues, “This is a strange bunch indeed that you have here, do have any Dwarves or perhaps even a Hobbit?”
I still think it’s wise not to reveal too much, even if he is apparently a Beorning.
Deor grins. “Curiosity, mostly. We suspect he feeds at night. What errand brings you to Minas Tirith, and who gave you those vague directions?”
Hodwain to Deor, "I feel I can trust you lot, if you mean ill, than the enemy has become far more sophisticated and guileful then in the past.
My father gave me the directions that he had from his father. I was born in the East, beyond even Rhûn. He had no real map and my father had never even been as far West as Rhûn. We have had word of an old ill-spirit causing grief in the East and in Rhûn and I volunteered to deliver the message. I fear no orc or even an army of orcs, but a vampire is something else to consider. What can you tell me of this vampire?"
Renee explains most of what she knows and suspects about the vampire after correcting Hodwain that she is not an elf but we have companions that are.
Hodwain, “Why lassie, you are but a young slip of a girl, but surely you must be at least among the half-elven?”
Renee, “That is a common mistake about some of us Dunedain descended from the nobility of Numenor and the Princes of Dol Amroth in particular. Are you descended from Beorn himself?”
He replies, “No, but from his father.”
**Deor ** the man of Rohirrim, though you are no lawful knight like your brother, you still feel this man speaks true and is trustworthy. **Thoroncir ** also finds him fair and not foul.
Fang likes him, though Missy is indifferent, but then she is a cat. 
Thoroncir, looking around at his comrades, sees that there is general acceptance of Hodwain. He hands the traveler the cup of water with a smile and asks, “How is it that you can see my lady’s feline companion, Hodwain? Your vision must be keen indeed to descry an invisible cat.”
What Exit?, nice map of the orc-lair. Very clear.
glee, Thoroncir has no supernatural/magical ability to “detect evil thoughts or intentions.” He was just going on his intuition.
I need to get back into the action. I will go forward.
Why Not. No sounds from beyond, so lets open it up and take a look.
Hodwain answers Thoroncir, “Well I cannot see the cat, but she is there on Renee’s shoulder. I can’t really explain how I know it. It is not like I can tell you what color she is.”
Hobbits: Which door did you want to check?
Thanks EH, I lost too much detail on the scan, so I had to doctor it up in Paint.
I think we are at the well used door and will be checking the door with snoring after that.
Yes, the well used door.
The Hobbits quietly check the door out for traps. Neither find any. The door is not locked.
The passage behind is again an 8’ wide passage that is 8’ tall. It goes a few feet and then angles to the left (North West). It is mostly dark, there appears to be a torch somewhere around another bend. The passage must run 200’ before the bend. There appears to be torch holders along the wall with torches at the ready.
Ghan explains to Thoroncir: I was reluctant to reveal our mission, numbers and concealed camp to strangers based only on intuition. We don’t know, for example, if the Vampire can charm us.
Also we are here with Riglo (and reinforcements if needed) to destroy a specific evil. If a traveller wishes to wear outlandish clothing and wander without clear directions, we should be wary of being drawn in!
Ghan excuses himself from the traveller and informs the party about the magic items and what Fang learnt.
He suggests that the stranger explain himself in full (where he’s going / what he knows about the Vampire / what powers he has etc), because we are here ‘officially’ and he isn’t.
However if the stranger’s story seems completely reasonable, we can offer to help him; either with simple directions or by enlisting him.
Come on Elfstan, the passage awaits, let’s go.
By all means, pose those questions to Hodwain, or the Sea-Knight will be glad to. Whichever you please.
What Exit?, does he drink the cup of water? Could Miron amble over to take a closer look at him?
Sorry I missed the water. I will leave Miron wandering over up to **Omi no Kami **. He is back.
Hodwain thanks you for the water, takes a quick sniff, looks slightly embarrassed and takes a deep drink.
Meanwhile, the Hobbits head down the passage about 200’ It slopes down, probably about 50’. They turn a corner and the passage heads north again and levels off. Their is a torch on the left about 25’ down and a door opposite it. The passage runs maybe another 100’ it looks like but it is hard to tell as there are no more torches.
Can do. Do you want me to approach openly, or stealthily? If he’s a druid, he’d probably have little trouble making me…
I’m a sucker for closed doors.
Come on Elfstan, a closed door awaits. 
