Hobbit plan #1
Bish Bosh, sorted!
I have the plan and here is the updated map.
Deor agrees with this, reviews Sleep nervously in his spellbook, and readies himself for the attack.
For the record, my spells loaded for today are:
C: Bee, Tie, Smokepuff, Firefinger, Warm, Distract, Change
1: Sleep, Magic Missile, Detect Magic
2: Invisibility, Web
Miron is fine with this, too.
Thanks, What Exit?, for the map.
The Hobbit plan is fine with me, so long as we have an Elf sneaking up and taking out any orc guardpost which might otherwise raise the alarm when the gates are opened from within.
Also, what’s the lined space in the 1pm region of the map?
The line region in the 1pm area was a huge high arching chamber that appeared to be the Great Hall with a raise throne and all. It is described in post 524…
*You travel at least another 700’ and the Orcs open a large tall double door (on the right or East side) that leads them to a large vaulted main hall of good stonework. It runs 70’ to a huge chamber that is roughly 100’ wide and 150’ long. The ceiling soars to a height of 60’. There are many tables in the huge chamber and a large ornate throne on the far side of the room.
In the room are a dozen orcs working mainly around the North West corner that appears to double as a kitchen. There are normal size doors to either side of the throne and a small door in the NW corner and another in the middle of the south wall.
One more note, the double doors you came through were about 300’ from two massive doors at the end of the passage that quiet probably lead outside. They Hobbits saw two well-armed Orcs on guard in the distance. There were many, many doors off the main very long hall.*
Ah, I see. I hadn’t realized it was that far removed from the rest of the warren. Thanks.
Fine by Ghân!
I think I just became the centre of attention. This is unusual for me.
Glad I’m invisible 
Ghân will load:
1st (7) : Detect Magic, Entangle, Faerie Fire, Speak to Animals *3, Predict Weather (already cast)
2nd (5) : Barkskin, Cure Light Wounds, Flame Blade, Heat Metal, Slow Poison
3rd (3): Neutralise Poison, Summon Insects*2
It is June 11th and according to Ghân’s Predict Weather the day will be clear and sunny and hot. It should hit a high of 84°
The party heads out by 7:30am and arrives near the hill fort by 8:15am. The Hobbits sneak up to the unguarded bat cave entrance and cautiously enter. The cave is in darkness and the Hobbits only hear the scurrying of insects and the occasional flutter of wings. It is too dark for them to navigate.
Meanwhile the party moves into position as Miron sneaks up to the covered watch station.
So we are completely unable to make it to the door even by following a wall?
Elfstan whispers, “I hope you can see more than I can.”
The cave is very rough and large, the floor uneven and the guano thick. After a very short distance, the darkness is complete.
Elfstan sighs.
“We should have thought of this. Do you want to go back out for a torch, or should I try to pull Sting an inch out of the scabbard and wipe a little very little of the grease paint off?”
Gwaelur waits for the hobbits report, ready to move at the first sign of danger, but otherwise a tad bored.
Thoroncir looks resolutely towards the orc-lair from cover, his longsword at the ready. He silently prays to Eru and the Valar for the courage and strength to do his duty.
*It’s always the little details.
Do it, once we hit the door, the passageway outside should have lit torches in it. If anyone starts to open the doors, sheathe it and we wait for them to come in.*
Elfstan removes his sword belt so he can hold Sting in front of him while still sheathed. He then slowly draws Sting stopping at an inch or if he sees light. If there is no light, he will wipe off a little of the grease paint, stopping when they have enough light to see there way to the door.
The Hobbits make their way through the bat cave by the soft glow of Sting. They work their way very cautiously into the finished areas. Elfstan covers Sting backup and sheaths it. The passages leading back to the common passages are empty. (This is going past where the animals were held).
In the hall that leads between the stairs up and the big main passages, the Hobbit keep close to the walls and listen at various doors. They hear some work in the smithy but little else. They sneak out to the Main Passages and down to the King’s chamber. The find a loud Orc argument going on, a large orc and two smaller orcs are arguing about the missing patrol that is now two hours late.
The large Orc, “The scouts made a break for it and should be tracked immediately and have their leader for Grilianch.”
Another Orc argues, “The stone men are getting too close and Grilianch won’t be able to protect them, it is time to leave the Mountains of Mordor. That Shaman is going to bring that half-elven Stone King down upon us. His men are already too near.”
The third orc interrupts, “I think those horse riders got Hrig and his lads”.
It goes on like this for a while with no more real information until the King slams down his huge maul, “Enough, I know Hrig, he would not run and his lads would not rebel. They knew they were not on the menu and would not be. This is some act by the humans or elves. I want scouts organized in two large parties of forty each and I want them scouring the country side looking for tracks and ready to attack anything weaker than them. If they are in any danger, high tail it back here, but find out who or what did this. I want the guards increased and I want this all to happen within the next half hour.”
The Hobbits move swiftly to Western observation blind. The orc hears the door open behind him and when he looks to see what is happening, Miron swiftly closes in an attacks. He hits once with his short sword and the orc survives. The Orc screams but the Hobbits doubt any are within hearing of the scream. Miron attacks again and hits twice and the Orc dies.
Elfstan hastily relates what was overheard to Miron.
