We’ll have an excellent chance to raid while the two scouting parties have left- eighty orcs gone is a huge advantage for us. As I see it, we have two options- get inside and hide for half an hour, then continue attacking, or hide outside, wait for the parties to leave, then attack. I suppose we could also take out the scout parties individually, but that seems like a lot of work for little gain, if our goals lie within the cave. I vote for hiding within the observation blind or tunnels, if the hobbits can get us hidden away quickly enough. I’ve got two more Invisibilities for those of us who don’t hide quite as well, if it’s necessary.
Works for me. Let’s send one of our helpful birds with a written message and a map for the Gondorian cavalry, asking them to come ASAP. We can defend the orc-lair against the two returning orc raiding parties, or the cavalry will smite them while they’re still out on open ground. Unless we’re feeling feisty enough to take them all on by ourselves? Maybe Hodwain can really show us his Beorning stuff…
Miron happily agrees with the plan. “Looting will be more dangerous,” he observes, “As we’ll still have a major force to contend with after we assault the complex. We will have to consider this after we’ve secured the lair, but might we consider making the exits look like the site of a ritualistic slaughter? Perhaps if the scouts think that the vampire has turned on them, they’ll elect to abandon their lair and travel elsewhere, giving us the chance to wait and ambush them when they stop to rest.”
Sound plan Deor. I think it would be best to get inside and hide as well then attack after the scouting parties are out and too far away to come back quickly.
I am not the best at hiding, but it is the amount of noise I make that is more a problem than anything. I don’t think that spitting up is a good idea though. Does anyone have a good solution to that problem? The orcs will likely hear me from a long ways off.
The group quickly makes it way up the hill avoiding coming into view of the other watch stations. The room immediately inside is actually too small for the party. At least some will have to spread into the hallway.
Thoroncir is willing to go out into the hall unless someone more stealthy would like to do so.
We might even consider going deeper; I’d expect this room to be a guard station.
*Elfstan, scouting duty time, time to guide the party onwards.
Give the Orcs enough time to get out of here. Oh and expect a couple more guards here shortly.*
What is the plan for handling the extra guards?
Are we in the room with the custom table and chairs?
Yes
“How about Mulligan and I go scout out to where the passage branches left and right in arcs? If any guards come up the passage to this slanted room, the main party kills them. If they run, Mulligan and I will stop them. Once the extra guards come or 30 to 45 minutes is up, we can proceed.”
Each Hobbit carefully goes about 10 minutes down opposite halls. The passages curve around and are dark. What will the Hobbits use for light?
**Carrots ** 
Thoroncir says, “I have a small Dwarven-made oil lamp, if either of you would like to borrow it.”
Hullo? Hobbits or Elves, what do you want to do?
We don’t use light sources, we get to sit in the dark for the next half hour or so, with the only light being that from the guard area behind us. When the sentries come, we will see the torches in advance, a low whistle to the rest of the party should give advance warning. Miron and Gil-Gandel wil be at the door listening for the Orcs sentries coming up. Our job, as already pointed out, is to stop them getting away if the group is unable to deal with them quickly enough.
I would expect 2-4 Orcs as reinforcements, which should be stoppable by the party. Do remember though, that if they run, aim high.
We wait 30 mins max, after that we move and start raiding the system.
Everyone ready?
Then lets go. 
“I’m ready,” murmurs Thoroncir, his mailed fist clenching on the hilt of his sword. “Let them come and taste our steel.”
It is still June 11th and now 9:00 am. The day is expected to be clear, sunny and hot. It should hit a high of 84°
The Hobbits, Elves & Rangers in the small passages running left and right from hall with the torches leading between the door of the small sloped room and the room with the stairs down. The rest wait in the hall with the torches. Folca is keeping guard outside. The Elves both wait about 45’ from the intersection just beyond the light in the dark halls, one to each side. The Rangers are about 30’ and The Hobbits are about 15’. In the lit hall in a shadowy area about 25’ back, Gwaelur, Hodwain, Thoroncir, Renee, Deor, Ghân and Fang wait.
The party waits about 10 minutes and the door opens from the room with the stairs and an Orc comes running out leaving the door open. He is past the Hobbits very quickly and practically runs into a thankful Gwaelur. A quick strike from Axe and shield makes short work of this orc messenger who was unarmored and small. Barely a squeal escaped. They pass the body back to be stored in the guard room and then head down the stairs. Hoping to get to the throne room as swiftly as possibly, the quickly move towards it.
Are there any side trips desired or does the entire party of 12 + Fang head to the throne room?
I would hazard a guess at no side trips and straight to the throne room.
With luck the Warren will have been emptied apart from a few. I doubt we will find any sleeping Orcs, although it may be worth swinging past the smithy if we still hear the sound of activity in it.
The only other thing to do is make sure that the guards at the main gates do not manage to raise an alarm to the parties outside, otherwise we could get squeezed.