VI. Return to the Tree Cave (Day 7)

[drpete]

Rainey follows the others down into the cave. He picks up the fire beetle gland as he passes, glad to have a reliable light source.

[Zhym]

Keebler and Tippin follow along in position.

[dmw71]

Pursuit
Junius continues to follow the trail of blood, which begins to dissipate as they enter the larger cavern with a fire pit, which is now extinguished. The trail has the wounded goblin -- not in sight -- leaving the cavern out the exit on the opposite wall. The blood trail continues to become less noticeable.

Trail.jpg (160.79 KiB) Viewed 1695 times

Junius leads the group through this exit on the opposite wall. The passage continues straight, but a branch off to the left presents itself after 10-feet.

Direction.jpg (88.86 KiB) Viewed 1695 times

There are a few traces of blood that appear to continue forward. No sounds are heard coming from either direction.



Actions?


---
Possessions Left Behind

• Latest List

---
Date: 26 Februarius, Year 7102
Time: 13:19 (Sunrise: 06:28, Sunset: 18:18)
Temp: 64F (69F topside)
Conditions:

• Cool
  Damp

Light Sources:

• Fire Beetle Gland (AdaRue) (Extinguished: 26 Februarius @ 18:37)
  AdaRue's Lantern (AdaRue) (Extinguished: 27 Februarius @ 10:16)
  Mila's Lantern (Mila) (Extinguished: 21 Februarius @ 13:31 -- 16:51)

Known Conditions/Spells in Effect:

• None

Character Status

• Mila | MU: 1 | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 5 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Shield)
  Keebler| : Elf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 6 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (19) | Spells: 1st: 1, 0 (Sleep)
  Tippin | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Short sword, Shortbow (18)
  Junius | Dwarf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 10 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Scimitar, Sling (10), Shortbow (18)
  AdaRue | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 5 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield | Weapons: Staff | Spells: 1st: 1 (Protection from Evil)
  Canun | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Mace, Sling | Spells: 1st: 1 (Light)
  • Nelly | Mule: 2 hd | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 18 | AC: 7 | HP: 9 | #Attacks: 1 (kick or bite) | Damage: 1d4 or 1d3 | Morale: 8 | Carrying: 0 pounds | Max Load: 400 pounds
  Rainey | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 10 | HP: 3 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Charm Person)
  Hastin | Fighter: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 7 | Armor: Splint Mail, Shield | Weapons: Long sword, Javelin (3)

The Lost or Fallen

• Tom | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 5/4/3 | HP: 5-4 = 1+3 = 4-5 = -1 | Armor: Chain, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Handaxe, Shortbow (16), Dagger
  Omdog | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 3-4 = -1 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Quarterstaff, Dagger | Spells: 1st 1, 0
  Watts | Thief: 1 | Mv: 90" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 8/6 | HP: 5-1 = 4-3 = 1-5 = -4 | Armor: Leather, Dex -2 | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (11)

Marching Orders

• Scout:
  • Keebler
  5-foot:
  • Junius
    Hastin
    Tippin
    Keebler
    AdaRue
    Mila
    Rainey
    Canun
  10-foot:
  • Junius & Hastin
    Tippin & Keebler
    AdaRue & Mila
    Rainey & Canun

Rolls

• None.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Shield and (lit) lantern in hand, AdaRue follows Hastin forward, pausing at the tunnel to the right, keeping watch in case anything emerges.

It's the right tunnel that leads to the stairs, correct?

[dmw71]

It's the right tunnel that leads to the stairs, correct?

The branch leads to a long, winding passage that eventually leads back to the original entrance point.

Continuing forward leads the group to the room with the well, where the candelabra was discovered, and also to the room where the skinned wolf and goblins were left, which further led to the set of stairs going down.

[onlyme]

Junius makes sure the team is following. He will push forward, hoping to catch the bleeder before he can raise the alarm.

[Rusty Tincanne]

good thing we made that map last time. AdaRue stays in line, following the others toward the stairs.

[Zhym]

"I am concerned that we may be running toward an ambush," says Keebler. "We should proceed carefully."

[dmw71]

Pursuit
Junius bypasses the branch off to the right and continues to lead the group forward down the current passage. The trail of blood continues briefly, but quickly disappears. The dwarf reaches the end of the corridor which bends to the left, which leads to the room where the group earlier defeated and skinned the wolf, leading to the stairs down; or continues straight, through the still open wooden door, into the room with the fountain.

No sounds are heard coming from either direction, and there are no obvious tracks hinting at which direction the wounded goblin may have gone.

Intersection.png (315.2 KiB) Viewed 1671 times

Actions?


---
Possessions Left Behind

• Latest List

---
Date: 26 Februarius, Year 7102
Time: 13:20 (Sunrise: 06:28, Sunset: 18:18)
Temp: 64F (69F topside)
Conditions:

• Cool
  Damp

Light Sources:

• Fire Beetle Gland (AdaRue) (Extinguished: 26 Februarius @ 18:37)
  AdaRue's Lantern (AdaRue) (Extinguished: 27 Februarius @ 10:16)
  Mila's Lantern (Mila) (Extinguished: 21 Februarius @ 13:31 -- 16:51)

Known Conditions/Spells in Effect:

• None

Character Status

• Mila | MU: 1 | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 5 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Shield)
  Keebler| : Elf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 6 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (19) | Spells: 1st: 1, 0 (Sleep)
  Tippin | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Short sword, Shortbow (18)
  Junius | Dwarf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 10 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Scimitar, Sling (10), Shortbow (18)
  AdaRue | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 5 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield | Weapons: Staff | Spells: 1st: 1 (Protection from Evil)
  Canun | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Mace, Sling | Spells: 1st: 1 (Light)
  • Nelly | Mule: 2 hd | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 18 | AC: 7 | HP: 9 | #Attacks: 1 (kick or bite) | Damage: 1d4 or 1d3 | Morale: 8 | Carrying: 0 pounds | Max Load: 400 pounds
  Rainey | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 10 | HP: 3 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Charm Person)
  Hastin | Fighter: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 7 | Armor: Splint Mail, Shield | Weapons: Long sword, Javelin (3)

The Lost or Fallen

• Tom | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 5/4/3 | HP: 5-4 = 1+3 = 4-5 = -1 | Armor: Chain, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Handaxe, Shortbow (16), Dagger
  Omdog | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 3-4 = -1 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Quarterstaff, Dagger | Spells: 1st 1, 0
  Watts | Thief: 1 | Mv: 90" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 8/6 | HP: 5-1 = 4-3 = 1-5 = -4 | Armor: Leather, Dex -2 | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (11)

Marching Orders

• Scout:
  • Keebler
  5-foot:
  • Junius
    Hastin
    Tippin
    Keebler
    AdaRue
    Mila
    Rainey
    Canun
  10-foot:
  • Junius & Hastin
    Tippin & Keebler
    AdaRue & Mila
    Rainey & Canun

Rolls

• None.

[onlyme]

Junius will quickly check the room straight ahead, remembering it should be a fairly small room.

[dmw71]

Pursuit
Junius quickly scouts the room straight ahead and confirms it to be vacant, and in the same condition it was left. He relays the information to the rest of the group, then proceeds to lead them down the passage to the left.

The dwarf advances forward and becomes painfully aware of how the majority of the group are now metal-clad adventurers and incapable of moving silently; yet, he moves with a practiced caution. After approximately 45-feet -- when the light from AdaRue's lantern reaches the entrance to the chamber beyond -- the dwarf halts the progress.

While no sounds are heard coming from ahead, a pungent odor is detected escaping the open area beyond... almost certainly the stench of decay from the goblins and skinned wolf stacked on far side off to the right.

Wofl.jpg (82.6 KiB) Viewed 1659 times

Actions?


---
Possessions Left Behind

• Latest List

---
Date: 26 Februarius, Year 7102
Time: 13:21 (Sunrise: 06:28, Sunset: 18:18)
Temp: 64F (69F topside)
Conditions:

• Cool
  Damp

Light Sources:

• Fire Beetle Gland (AdaRue) (Extinguished: 26 Februarius @ 18:37)
  AdaRue's Lantern (AdaRue) (Extinguished: 27 Februarius @ 10:16)
  Mila's Lantern (Mila) (Extinguished: 21 Februarius @ 13:31 -- 16:51)

Known Conditions/Spells in Effect:

• None

Character Status

• Mila | MU: 1 | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 5 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Shield)
  Keebler| : Elf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 6 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (19) | Spells: 1st: 1, 0 (Sleep)
  Tippin | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Short sword, Shortbow (18)
  Junius | Dwarf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 10 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Scimitar, Sling (10), Shortbow (18)
  AdaRue | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 5 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield | Weapons: Staff | Spells: 1st: 1 (Protection from Evil)
  Canun | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Mace, Sling | Spells: 1st: 1 (Light)
  • Nelly | Mule: 2 hd | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 18 | AC: 7 | HP: 9 | #Attacks: 1 (kick or bite) | Damage: 1d4 or 1d3 | Morale: 8 | Carrying: 0 pounds | Max Load: 400 pounds
  Rainey | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 10 | HP: 3 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Charm Person)
  Hastin | Fighter: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 7 | Armor: Splint Mail, Shield | Weapons: Long sword, Javelin (3)

The Lost or Fallen

• Tom | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 5/4/3 | HP: 5-4 = 1+3 = 4-5 = -1 | Armor: Chain, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Handaxe, Shortbow (16), Dagger
  Omdog | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 3-4 = -1 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Quarterstaff, Dagger | Spells: 1st 1, 0
  Watts | Thief: 1 | Mv: 90" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 8/6 | HP: 5-1 = 4-3 = 1-5 = -4 | Armor: Leather, Dex -2 | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (11)

Marching Orders

• Scout:
  • Keebler
  5-foot:
  • Junius
    Hastin
    Tippin
    Keebler
    AdaRue
    Mila
    Rainey
    Canun
  10-foot:
  • Junius & Hastin
    Tippin & Keebler
    AdaRue & Mila
    Rainey & Canun

Rolls

• None.

[Bluehorse]

Mila

Keeps her eyes scanning the floors, ceilings, and walls, looking for any new signs of activity since they were last here.

[Rusty Tincanne]

AdaRue whispers someone ought to throw the fire beetle gland into the cave;she pulls it from her pack and hands it forward. She plugs her nose against the smell.

[onlyme]

Junius looks back and confirms that everyone is ready. He continues toward the room.

[dmw71]

Pursuit
From all appearances (and smells), the ahead is seemingly in the same condition in which it was left. Once everyone is ready, Junius slowly begins to lead the group into the chamber.

Off to the right, where the strong smell emanates from, is where the bodies of the skinned wolf and the goblin corpses were left previously. Also out of sight, in the far left corner, is the exit which led to the spiral staircase heading down.

Cavern.jpg (176.32 KiB) Viewed 1624 times

A few notes:

• I know the pace is slow and deliberate, but it is intentional. If I just blitz through all areas where there are no ambushes or traps; then stop the group only when those risks exist, it will be an obvious queue to the players. Therefore, whenever there is a decision to be made, I will almost certainly leave that for the players to make.
• Rainey currently has the fire beetle gland, so I left it in his possession for the time being.

Actions?


---
Possessions Left Behind

• Latest List

---
Date: 26 Februarius, Year 7102
Time: 13:22 (Sunrise: 06:28, Sunset: 18:18)
Temp: 64F (69F topside)
Conditions:

• Cool
  Damp

Light Sources:

• Fire Beetle Gland (Rainey) (Extinguished: 26 Februarius @ 18:37)
  AdaRue's Lantern (AdaRue) (Extinguished: 27 Februarius @ 10:16)
  Mila's Lantern (Mila) (Extinguished: 21 Februarius @ 13:31 -- 16:51)

Known Conditions/Spells in Effect:

• None

Character Status

• Mila | MU: 1 | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 5 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Shield)
  Keebler| : Elf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 6 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (19) | Spells: 1st: 1, 0 (Sleep)
  Tippin | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Short sword, Shortbow (18)
  Junius | Dwarf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 10 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Scimitar, Sling (10), Shortbow (18)
  AdaRue | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 5 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield | Weapons: Staff | Spells: 1st: 1 (Protection from Evil)
  Canun | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Mace, Sling | Spells: 1st: 1 (Light)
  • Nelly | Mule: 2 hd | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 18 | AC: 7 | HP: 9 | #Attacks: 1 (kick or bite) | Damage: 1d4 or 1d3 | Morale: 8 | Carrying: 0 pounds | Max Load: 400 pounds
  Rainey | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 10 | HP: 3 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Charm Person)
  Hastin | Fighter: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 7 | Armor: Splint Mail, Shield | Weapons: Long sword, Javelin (3)

The Lost or Fallen

• Tom | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 5/4/3 | HP: 5-4 = 1+3 = 4-5 = -1 | Armor: Chain, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Handaxe, Shortbow (16), Dagger
  Omdog | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 3-4 = -1 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Quarterstaff, Dagger | Spells: 1st 1, 0
  Watts | Thief: 1 | Mv: 90" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 8/6 | HP: 5-1 = 4-3 = 1-5 = -4 | Armor: Leather, Dex -2 | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (11)

Marching Orders

• Scout:
  • Keebler
  5-foot:
  • Junius
    Hastin
    Tippin
    Keebler
    AdaRue
    Mila
    Rainey
    Canun
  10-foot:
  • Junius & Hastin
    Tippin & Keebler
    AdaRue & Mila
    Rainey & Canun

Rolls

• None.

[Zhym]

"So much for sneaking into the goblin lair unannounced," sighs Keebler. "Perhaps we should wait for them to come to us instead of walking into a trap?"

[drpete]

Rainey shrugs.

"True enough, though speed can probably still help. Should we toss the gland down the steps?"

Rainey heads over to the stairs, to illuminate that area of the room.

[onlyme]

Junius checks with the others and proceeds down the stairs.

[Rusty Tincanne]

For thoroughness, AdaRue peaks in on the corpses before following the others. She grows self conscious of her new armor as she clanks her way over.

[dmw71]

Descent
There is some brief discussion about the next course of action before Junius begins to lead the group down the spiral staircase leading down. Before catching up with the others, AdaRue steels herself for the stench as she takes a moment to peek in on the corpses, which are a week older but otherwise are unchanged.



Continuing here: VII. Tree Cave - Level 2.


---
Possessions Left Behind

• Latest List

---
Date: 26 Februarius, Year 7102
Time: 13:24 (Sunrise: 06:28, Sunset: 18:18)
Temp: 64F (69F topside)
Conditions:

• Cool
  Damp

Light Sources:

• Fire Beetle Gland (Rainey) (Extinguished: 26 Februarius @ 18:37)
  AdaRue's Lantern (AdaRue) (Extinguished: 27 Februarius @ 10:16)
  Mila's Lantern (Mila) (Extinguished: 21 Februarius @ 13:31 -- 16:51)

Known Conditions/Spells in Effect:

• None

Character Status

• Mila | MU: 1 | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 5 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Shield)
  Keebler| : Elf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 6 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (19) | Spells: 1st: 1, 0 (Sleep)
  Tippin | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Short sword, Shortbow (18)
  Junius | Dwarf: 1 | Mv: 90/30 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3/2 | HP: 10 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Scimitar, Sling (10), Shortbow (18)
  AdaRue | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 5 | Armor: Banded Mail, Shield | Weapons: Staff | Spells: 1st: 1 (Protection from Evil)
  Canun | Cleric: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 4 | Armor: Banded, Shield | Weapons: Mace, Sling | Spells: 1st: 1 (Light)
  • Nelly | Mule: 2 hd | Mv: 120/40 | THAC0: 18 | AC: 7 | HP: 9 | #Attacks: 1 (kick or bite) | Damage: 1d4 or 1d3 | Morale: 8 | Carrying: 0 pounds | Max Load: 400 pounds
  Rainey | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 10 | HP: 3 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Dagger | Spells: 1st: 1 (Charm Person)
  Hastin | Fighter: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 4/3 | HP: 7 | Armor: Splint Mail, Shield | Weapons: Long sword, Javelin (3)

The Lost or Fallen

• Tom | Halfling: 1 | Mv: 60/20 | THAC0: 19 | AC: 5/4/3 | HP: 5-4 = 1+3 = 4-5 = -1 | Armor: Chain, Shield, Dex -1 | Weapons: Handaxe, Shortbow (16), Dagger
  Omdog | MU: 1 | Mv: 120" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 9 | HP: 3-4 = -1 | Armor: Unarmored | Weapons: Quarterstaff, Dagger | Spells: 1st 1, 0
  Watts | Thief: 1 | Mv: 90" | THAC0: 19 | AC: 8/6 | HP: 5-1 = 4-3 = 1-5 = -4 | Armor: Leather, Dex -2 | Weapons: Longsword, Longbow (11)

Marching Orders

• Scout:
  • Keebler
  5-foot:
  • Junius
    Hastin
    Tippin
    Keebler
    AdaRue
    Mila
    Rainey
    Canun
  10-foot:
  • Junius & Hastin
    Tippin & Keebler
    AdaRue & Mila
    Rainey & Canun

Rolls

• None.