Chapter 7: Cave of the Macabre Heads

[GreyWolfVT]

Mort "Sounds metallic potentially something in plate armor."

[Dizlexus]

Mort "Sounds metallic potentially something in plate armor."

Does it get nearer?!

[GreyWolfVT]

Mort "I heard a metallic clanking like I said could be something moving towards us or away."

[Pulpatoon]

In the flickering torchlight Lutha tries to catch Idonea's eye as she stealthily relocates to the back, to give her a friendly micro-'aha-I-see-what-you're-doing'-smile/nod, completely oblivious that he is one of her targets of suspicion

Idonea narrows her eyes in frustration. That Lutha is on to her! Which, of course, only makes her more suspicious of him.

[MonkeyWrench]

Maya, calling to the trap seekers in a hushed tone, "So what do we do? Do we advance on the sound or do run away? The others are waiting."

[Pulpatoon]

Ewat whispers over his shoulder to Maya, "Patience."

[PyroArrow]

Dungeon Master:

Sister Opal in a hushed tone:

"Yes, It seems no matter which cave we choose there is going to be a fight, you think the Hobgoblins are going to just hand us over the merchants if we just show up?"

"Of course it is better when the occupants don't know we are there, however this cave & the niche, Mort & Mr. Choe just probed is an obvious indication the cave dwellers already

know we are here & are just waiting."

[GreyWolfVT]

Borum "Might as well take the fight to em then. Unless a more militant mind has a better idea. I can't do all yer thinkin for ya all."

[Pulpatoon]

Idonea whispers scornfully: "I believe there is a sound military strategy that goes something along the lines of "Fight the enemy." There might have once been one that went "Fight whoever lives in any old random cave," but the adherents to that strategy didn't live long enough to spread it around.

"We entered this cave to look for hob-sign, so that we might complete our mission, correct?"

[PyroArrow]

Dungeon Master:

Sister Opal:

"You know what there are some Hobgoblin Heads in the Niches here!

[MonkeyWrench]

Maya, being the one with the most military background, speaks up. "As partially disrespecting as everyone's comments have been, they aren't without merit. Borum, you are our leader, you choose how we act and are in charge of keeping us in form and together. Since you are asking for suggestions here is mine, he have someone with infravision scout ahead, not half the group, just one person being quiet; have them gather any information about the enemy, strength, numbers, type, anything they can gleam. The rest of us can hang back and prepare for a fight, the ones staying back can check for traps and the like so we are not taken unaware during the fight." She continues on, "Once we know at least something besides "I think it sounds like plate armor" on the enemy we can form a strategy, such as luring the enemies here where we can ambush them, or laying down arrow fire to take some out and then retreat past the corner to let them come to us to engage in melee, these are just two examples of things we can do, but we need that information first."

Victor is currently giggling still about the comments made by everyone, between breathes he manages to say, "Oh.. yes... yes.. let us just.. ask them nicely! Hahahaha!!"

[GreyWolfVT]

Borum "Alright Wexley can yah take a look for us to and report what yah can see?"

[Nordbo]

Maya, being the one with the most military background, speaks up. "As partially.....

Wolfram proudly chimes in: "And survival often depends the possibility to withdraw from the killing zone the way you came in. If we're in for an ambush, who monitors that the 'back door' isn't suddenly closed ?"

[MonkeyWrench]

Maya, being the one with the most military background, speaks up. "As partially.....

Wolfram proudly chimes in: "And survival often depends the possibility to withdraw from the killing zone the way you came in. If we're in for an ambush, who monitors that the 'back door' isn't suddenly closed ?"

As Maya continues on speaking to Borum, Victor casually points to Wolfram and says in a hushed tone so he does not interrupt anyone, "That'd be you Wolfy, Everyone needs a good guard dog! Hehehe"

[Dizlexus]

Maya, being the one with the most military background, speaks up. "As partially.....

Wolfram proudly chimes in: "And survival often depends the possibility to withdraw from the killing zone the way you came in. If we're in for an ambush, who monitors that the 'back door' isn't suddenly closed ?"

Mr. Choe acts

Choe will be moving to the rear.

BUT FIRST!

He fires an arrow into the fabric covered niche.

Choe takes a position in the rear as he is no front line fighter. From the rear, Choe will protect the exit.

[PyroArrow]

Dungeon Master:

Mr. Choe Fires the arrow into the Grey Cloth backed empty niche, as he moves to the back of the marching order.

All that happens is that the arrow is now sticking about halfway though the grey cloth.

This leaves Mort & Ewat still in the corridor.

[GreyWolfVT]

Mort peers out to see in the direction of the noise if he can see anything the news that the skulls are that of hobgoblins is a strange twist.

[Baramoor]

Wexley lifts an eyebrow at being requested to go deeper into the tunnel alone, then shakes his head in the negative.

We know this isn't the cave we are looking for. Best to retreat. I can't hide in shadows against those who can see in the dark and they likely are going to spot me coming before I see them.

Again, he ponders the actions of some of the group as he sees Mr. Choe shoot an arrow into a curtain-covered niche and then retreat. Some argue about actions when they should be alert for ambush and providing cover and some simply milling about.

Think it best to just take this all outside where we'll be on even footing with whatever is coming up from the depths. Such said, Wexley turns and makes his way back along the wall and out of the cave, careful to take the prepared path between the laid caltrops to avoid injury

Another day, another cave, perhaps we'll find the right one....or at least be in the open for a fight vs. being bottlenecked

[Dizlexus]

Mr. Choe

Gives Wexley a stern look and says:


What You talkin bout Wexley?

Choe moves back to the front, gets his arrow from the niche, lights a torch and proceeds to do the rogue's job.

He attempts to move silently while checking for traps. He moves west, toward the sound.

Move Silent
[1d100] = 53fail
Detect traps
[1d100] = 34fail

[Baramoor]

Shrugging at Mr. Choe's erratic actions, Wexley continues to move along the left side of the cave and past the rear guard party members heading for the cave mouth