Into the Mines...To Kill Orcs!
Montego looks directly into the eyes of Farkus.
"We will be killing a lot of orcs here today. You are prepared for that right?"
Farkus swallows and nods.
"Yessir."
Montego looks to Dorin next.
"Right?"
"Damn straight!" the Dwarf replies.
"Been killin' fraggin' Orcs all me life."
Looking back to the entrance again Montego nods at the elves.
"Lets see if today is a good day to die, friends."
With bow ready and a stick in hand, the ranger leads enters the cave mouth, peering into the darkness as he creeps forward.
Cassius turns to the folk from Fort Critwall, and says,
"Here we go. If we say run, back up and get out."
Dorin snorts.
"Just do yer job, Elf, and leave me ta do mine, savvy?"
With bow ready, the archer follows Montego inside.
"This isn't a trap, right? That Farkus kid looks kinda orcish, you know?" he whispers to the ranger. He gets no reply because Montego is too busy concentrating and allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness and gloom of the cave.
( Dude, you may need a light...being human and all 
)
Cassius is followed by
Dorin, Farkus, then the two soldiers,
Clint, and
Rusty, who has a lantern with the wick turned low so as to give off just enough light to not stumble and fall in the darkness.
The unusually pensive
Adelphocleas is next, with
Kranston behind him wielding his quarterstaff, then
Sai who had planned to go in last
"and make sure nothing comes in behind us." But, as the multi-talented Elf readies his sword and shield,
Muldgarr says,
I will go in behind Sai, I don’t have any issues with the dark. I rather like it. He gives his companions a wry look, hefts his sword, and enters the cave.
- cave tunnel.jpg (104.17 KiB) Viewed 195 times
The company has to duck slightly, and Adelphocleas more so, to enter the cave, but once inside they find the ceiling to be around 10' high. Dorin runs his hands along the wall, grunting in approval.
"This be Dwarven handiwork," he murmurs, as the tunnel opens up, nearly wide enough for two abreast; although some prefer to walk in a staggered order to give room for fighting...when it comes.
Adelphocleas snatches the lantern from Rusty and holds it high above their heads, giving Montego and the soldiers a bit of light to see the ground ahead, while not spoiling the dark vision of everyone else. Rusty thinks about saying something, but upon seeing the look the centaur gives him, he thinks better of it and returns to watching his step.
The deeper the group moves into the tunnel, the worse the smell. It's a mixture of Orc stank and wet dog...it's nearly eye-watering unpleasant, and the company finds breathing through the mouth helps...but not much.
About 80' feet in, Montego raises his hand and the company halts. At the edge of the lantern's light, there is a break in the wall to the right, while the tunnel continues on straight ahead. The smell of wet dog is a lot stronger at this junction...
Actions?
