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Dax merely shrugs and follows the group.

Molly

Molly determinedly follows the group through the rubble and up the stairs.

She swallows back her growing fears that they may be doomed to never find Penelope. The valiant pursuit she had envisaged is proving far from straightforward and the seemingly random warren of Dwarven architecture grows ever more daunting to her. The probability of finding the right path to reach Penelope appears vanishingly small. Perhaps, the only way forward is indeed to search at random until they find her or some clue to her whereabouts. It isn't heartening but at least it's a way for them to progress.

Come on. Keep going Molly, she tells herself. Have courage. Keep at it and we will find her in the end.

Sorry...thought I had posted already. Busy week.
Cy
"So am I to take it that we will be squeezing up that stairway? Hard to see that the villains chose that path...It will certainly be easier for the small folk...Let's see if I can manage it."
Cy finds a spot near the rear of the march order as they proceed forward.

Sorry for stalling.

Geoff grunts and walks over to the stairway, helping to move rubble if needed. He then readies his bow and moves back into the back third of the party, creeping up the steps while using the rubble for concealment and cover.

Twiddle, seeing nothing to suggest that anyone has passed this way recently (but nothing to suggest that they did not, either), abandons the investigation of this rather boring room and heads back to the only obvious exit: the rubble-strewn stairs leading up. Everyone else follows his lead.

Finn retrieves a lantern from his pack, lights it, hands it to Twiddle, and begins clearing rocks from the stairway. When he removes a rock from a pile on the second step, he uncovers a nest of five cobras! The cobras raise their heads apprehensively, but do not appear to be poised to strike. Yet.

Actions!

-----
Status: Finn (½1): 5/5; Grond (F1): 7/7; Twiddle (½1): 4/4; Molly (½1): 3/3; Cy (C1): 2/5; Geoff (T1): 4/4; Iliro (E1): 6/6; Dax (D1): 9/9
Light Sources: Torch (Geoff): 2 turns; Torch (Dax): 2 turns; Torch (Molly): 2 turns; Lantern (Finn, carried by Twiddle): 24 turns

Finn

Finn freezes and remains as still as he can. Softly, "Everyone back up slowly. We have some nasty snakes in front of us."

Once it is clear behind him, Finn will try to slowly back up. If attacked he will do his best to avoid getting bit.

Dax backs up back down the rubble strewn stairs. "I heard snakes er good eantin but I aint wantin ta mess with cobras."

"Pesky snakes."

Geoff backs away slowly, and if the snakes seem content to ignore the party then he tries heading up the other stairs.

Twiddle also retreats from the cobras, and if happy to try the other stairs.

Molly

Molly backs up and then slowly draws her bow. If she can, she aims at the cobra nearest to Finn. If it goes to strike and she has a line of sight that she can fire along without hitting Finn, she will let fly. Otherwise, she will let him take his chances with the cobra. She figures he'd rather not get bitten by a snake and shot with an arrow at the same time.

Cy

Cy hisses and then lets out a harsh whisper, "Snakes! Why does it always have to be snakes!"

He also backs away.

Our heroes back away from the snakes and head for the other stairs up. Fortunately, no snakes appear under the rubble of the more southerly stairs and you ascend without incident.

At the top of the 30' stairs, you find yourself at the southeast end of another large stone room. The far wall is 50' in front of you; the north end is 90' to your right. Simple wooden but sturdy-looking doors stand in the north and south walls, with two similar doors in the west wall. A metal-bound door is in the middle of the west wall.

The far end of the hall is lit by a torch carried by a shaggy-looking man in shaggier-looking furs. He has curly hair and a curly black beard. A sword and a hand axe hang at his side, and a shield hangs on his left arm. At his side stands a mule laden with lumpy bags and packs.

"Oh!" he exclaims, dropping his torch in surprise. You stand there a moment, gaping, both surprised to find the other here. "Are you...I mean, who are you?"

Map: -----
Status: Finn (½1): 5/5; Grond (F1): 7/7; Twiddle (½1): 4/4; Molly (½1): 3/3; Cy (C1): 2/5; Geoff (T1): 4/4; Iliro (E1): 6/6; Dax (D1): 9/9
Light Sources: Torch (Geoff): 1 turns; Torch (Dax): 1 turns; Torch (Molly): 1 turns; Lantern (Finn, carried by Twiddle): 23 turns

Geoff Wolfbutcher steps forth heroically.

"I'm Geoff Wolfbutcher, I'm here to rescue you. Oh wait, you're not—have you seen Penelope?"

Dax stands looking gruff puffing out his chest and holds his weapon in one hand raises an eyebrow and says "Dax be me name an who are ya?"

Cy

"Really Geoff? You thought that was her?" Cy reaches down and notices the blood still seeping from one of his wounds. He sighs and takes a small sip from one of his wineskins.

Finn

"I am Finn, what are you doing here?"

Twiddle nudges his nearest companion, and whispers, Five'll getcha ten that he's got body parts in the sacks. Love gone wrong, like as not.

He moves counter clockwise 50' and lowers his spear defensively.We don't want no trouble, buddy. We're just looking for real estate in a quiet neighborhood.

"Penelope?" answers the bushy haired fur-clad man, clearly not recognizing the name. "Can't say as I've had the pleasure." He gives you an odd look, not understanding why some of you are stifling reactions to the word "pleasure" as applied to Penelope.

He listens attentively and with growing confusion as you introduce yourselves. "The name's Montague Falstaff," he replies. "Purveyor of fine wares from lands far and exotic. If you need fine silks or rare spices, I'm your man!"

"So...none of you are named Skeeter, then?"

Geoff Wolfbutcher

"I wouldn't be caught dead with a name like Skeeter. That bastard's got a lot of 'splaining to do once we catch up to him." Geoff's eyes narrow as he scrutinizes the trader. "What've you got to do with Skeeter, anyway?"