“Let’s give this door a listen.”
The door opposite the torch to be clear.
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Listening at the dirty ash covered door, Elfstan hears nothing. He does notice that it feels damper down here and there are far more spider webs, though they are small.
If the door is dirty and covered with ash, are there signs of use?
There are some signs of use near the handle. It does not look as gritty.
“What do you think, Mulligan? I wonder where the ash is coming from?”
I have to say, I’m diggin’ the mental image of these two Hobbits tiptoeing around together, one invisible and the other devoutly wishing he could be, too! 
What’s more amusing is the co-ordination between the pair of us, seeing as we are both invisible. 
*Careful Elfstan, we do not want to be leaving ash trails about this lair. Let’s open it carefully and see what we have.
One should keep watch while the other opens the door, which would your prefer?
*
(Not to interrupt, but a quick interlude: )
Loathe to give up his cover, Miron is content, for the moment, to creep as close to the stranger as he feels he is capable without seriously compromising his concealment.
So ensconced, he draws an arrow from his quiver, loosely pinching it against the string in case he needs to draw and fire quickly. He apparently took hunter safety classes, however, as he keeps the arrow pointed towards the ground and concentrates on the stranger, attempting to find anything unusual or particularly telling from his position.
“Agreed. It just wouldn’t do to leave Hobbit tracks and hand prints all over.”
How about our DM just has us take turns listening and opening doors? That way we both get to put our skills to use. So whoever didn’t open the last one can open this one.
Yes indeed, EH, we are both invisible. I agree on the mental image. Like I said before… what could possibly go wrong?!
The door pulls open. The hinges creak a bit, but not too much. A short distance beyond the door is a rock fall but it would be possible for the Hobbits or even small orcs to scrabble over it.
Do you try to go over it in the poor lighting or head down the main long passage?
“I’m stumped. Why would a used door end in a rock fall like this? I’m starting to feel like we’re either on a wild goose chase or there will be something we don’t want to meet on the other side of the rocks. Unfortunately, I am kind of curious…”
My mistake. I thought one was invisible and the other just had a gray cloak and was being sneaky.
I think you have left your new guest hanging at the moment. What’s next?
DM, does Ghân know that high level characters with high Intelligence can naturally Detect Invisible? (Because that would explain how he ‘saw’ Missee, but didn’t know her colour)
Since Hodwain appears to be a Beorning, Ghân will introduce himself and mention Druid training under Radagast.
Hodwain replies to Ghân, “You have me at a disadvantage. I know neither what a Druid is or who Radagast might be. Though I appreciate the fact you are a friend to animals and trees. I am myself a friend to most animals and trees.”
Does Thoroncir perceive that Hodwain’s reaction to the cup of water was reluctance to admit that he was thirsty, distaste at the water’s condition, or something else?
Hodwain was looking sheepish not reluctant. He was embarrassed about sniffing the water first to ensure it was potable.
Hey guys, I might’ve had a neat idea: if we’re able to work out the exact circumstances of the sacrifice/feeding before it takes place, it might be possible for us to get to whoever they’re going to offer up. This won’t work if the victim is an innocent, but if they use an orc, and if Miron could find a strong paralytic agent, we could try administering it to the victim shortly before the vampire comes, in the hope that feeding on tainted blood would transfer some of the poison’s effects to the vampire. That is, of course, if we end up fighting with it, which is a situation I’m all for avoiding.
ED: Hmm, according to my List O’ Herbs, we might have a chance of finding Klytun around here, which’ll induce catatonia for 1-10 days.