I. Entry

[AleBelly]

As the blood from Tavari's head properly redistributes itself to the rest of his body, he smiles. "Much obliged! I've been slinking and hiding from these creatures ever since the earth swallowed me up! I assume that's how you got here too? Anyway, I'm glad you stumbled upon me. Who knows how long I would have hung there? Speaking of which, what's a trap doing down here in place like this? Must be some smart rats " he chuckles.

He looks around. "Well, there I go, blabbering again. I'd be happy to join you. I'm a crack shot with the bow, but just learning how to use this", gesturing towards his short sword. "I can see without torch down here so I can scout ahead for you human folk and even fire off some arrows before they have a chance to bite."

To Kernodle he says "I have no medicine, but perhaps this will help!" Tavari pulls out his wine skin, takes a healthy draught and offers some to the others. "Perhaps this will clean out the wound? I'll pour some on there if you like."

Finally, Tavari will recover his intact arrow from the dead rat with a look of distaste on his face. "North, then? I'll scout ahead if it pleases you. I owe you my freedom, after all."

[onlyme]

Kernodle gladly takes a sip, and then he poors a small amount on the puncture wound itself.
Thank you kindly. Say, what direction were you headed? did you come in from that way as he points to the north , or the way we stumbled through?

He'll get ready to head north.

[spanningtree]

Well met Tavari, it appears we are all in the same boat. Luken will say with a smile helping him down. To the north it is, be careful. He will prepare to head north, sword/shield at ready.

[onlyme]

Kernodle will follow, figuratively licking his wounds. (obviously not wanting to lick rat saliva, literally)...happily giving up his lead in line until he feels a bit less pain.

[AleBelly]

Thank you kindly. Say, what direction were you headed? did you come in from that way as he points to the north , or the way we stumbled through?

"Well, Mr. Kernodle, sir, I believe I came the same way you did. Well, at least I entered this...cavern...the same way you did. I dodged a rat or two and a fire beetle on my way. Nasty things, those are, but they do give themselves away with those garish lights of theirs. Hard for them to sneak up on anything, I would think...I wonder how they catch anything to eat? Speaking of eating...oh dear, I am sorry. I think the excitement is getting to me. I'll be off to look over the north passage. I'll keep my bow at the ready."

[Alethan]

Abelard examines the dwarf's wound from the vicious giant rat and stifles a chuckle as he washes it clean with a bit of sour wine from the halfling.

"Not much more we can do here," he says, eying the tiny abrasion from the teeth. It appears as if the teeth almost didn't even break the skin.

[dmw71]

After introductions have been made, Tavari recovers his intact arrow from the dead rat while Kernodle tends to his wounds.

"North, then?" the Tavari says, almost rhetorically. "I'll scout ahead if it pleases you. I owe you my freedom, after all." With that, the diminutive halfling disappears into the northern passage.

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[onlyme]

Now that there is a qualified lead, Kernodle will resume his sweeper role at the back of the line, keeping an eye for things sneaking up behind them.
He will attempt to usher the rest of the group behind Tavari.

[spanningtree]

Luken will move close to the entrance of the north corridor and listen intently for anything.

[AleBelly]

"The passage ahead snakes around for around 100 feet, followed by another open area that's then leads east" huffs Tavari as he returns to the group, catching his breath. "Only problem is, the passage leads downwards a bit. Unless I was dangling upside down for too long, we need to be going upwards. Are there other paths to explore? If not, we can continue this way, as I didn't see anything of a dangerous nature..."

[spanningtree]

Luken will lean back against the cavern wall as he listens to Tavari. Back the way we came there was one passage that we could have made more progress on but there were some rats that would have to be overcome. My thoughts are we try this passage anyway. Pointing to where Tavari just came from. Even if it goes down a bit it may go back up in time.... we are here, lets take a look.

[onlyme]

Kernodle feels the pain from the massive skin prick as he is reminded of more rats.

Yes, maybe down is safer and takes us to way the out. better that than those vicious creatures.

[Alethan]

Abelard nods in agreement. He is ready to move forward.

[AleBelly]

"Very well, very well. As Poppy Quimbas used to say, what goes down must go up." Tavari pauses and blinks, with a slight look of puzzlement on his face, then shakes his head as if clearing his head.

"Follow me! The passage will eventually head south, then yield to a big open area. It seems very foolish indeed to just rush in there. When we reach it, would one of you be willing to step up and toss one of your light sources in there, then quickly retreat behind me? My bowstring will be ready to deal with any nasties attracted by the movement."

Tavari looks at his new companions hopefully.

[spanningtree]

I can toss one of the fire beetle glands, not a lot of light but better than nothing. Luken will say with a smile. He'll sheath his sword and sling his shield. Draw his crossbow and move out with the others.

[dmw71]

The group, being led by Tavari, feels like they're walking in a circle, at least until the wrapping stops and the passage turns due south. This southern turn is brief, and also marks the area of descent the halfling described. The group creeps forward 10 feet or so, shifts back to the west slightly, then south again before the passage begins to angle southeast.

After 15 feet or so in this southeast direction, Luken passes the Tavari and carefully tosses the beetle gland further down the corridor in front of them. The gland illuminates a small area at the point in which the passage turns due east.

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[AleBelly]

"Many thanks, Luken!" whispers Tavari as he pats him on the shoulder and moves in front. Tavari will wait for 30 seconds to see if the light attracts any activity. If not, he'll walk forward, pick up the gland, toss it back to Luken and scout carefully ahead, bow at the ready.

[AleBelly]

Tavari returns down the passage until he's in earshot of the party. "This heads northeast for about 80 feet then opens up. Shall we do the same plan?"

If the party agrees, Tavari will participate in the beetle gland approach to the open room.

[spanningtree]

This seems to be a good way to proceed. Luken will say as he approaches. He will toss the gland as far as he can. He actively checks the ceiling if he can see up far enough. Be careful and try not to get to far ahead, that has already proven deadly. If you can't see us we can't see you. He will say with a smile and pat back.

[onlyme]

Kernodle looks back to make sure nothing is coming up behind them. He will continue following the crowd.