Chapter 3.1: Away to the Caves:

[PyroArrow]

Boc just finds the tracks of the 2 Wolf Spiders scurrying around in the general area of the battle, is all he can tell.

[imswayze]

Garbonzo tips his cap to those who dealt those spiders such a nasty fate. Trindon looked impressed as well. The spiders were dead before either one of them had a chance to take an attack!

They are both now on alert while the others are searching the encounter area for anything of importance.

Garbonzo to All: "Well done gents!! I hope all of our enemies fall so easily!! It looks as though we may have all but reached our destination. Should we sneak a small scout party toward the caves entrance to see if it is guarded?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Strombrow "I was thinking it would be good to scout the caves. Alright the stealthiest two go scout the caves see if they are guarded."

[PyroArrow]

The Stealthiest being the Druid & the Ranger???

[GreyWolfVT]

I dunno I was looking to be leading and bossy rogue, druid ranger w/e people that don't clank and make a loud noise would be wisest.

[PyroArrow]

Trindon (clothing), Garbonzo (leather), Boc (Studded leather), can pretty much all sneak up closer, without clanking.

[GreyWolfVT]

if they are willing then yes lets have them go.

[PyroArrow]

God Willing.

[MonkeyWrench]

The Stealthiest being the Druid & the Ranger???

I have no problem scouting with myself.... Shall I go?

[GreyWolfVT]

Yes get both of yourselves and head out

[MonkeyWrench]

Seeing the way the group decision is heading Boc speaks up first, "I'll go with whoever wants to come along."

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Durgan steps forward and looks towards Boc, nodding his head and begining to head out without saying anything further.

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Both Boc and Durgan head forward to scout out the caves and surrounding area. They stick to the forest and move as quietly as they can.

[Pulpatoon]

Linos takes this time to clean and dress his spider bite, recruiting the assistance of whichever Cleric has the best medical skill.

[GreyWolfVT]

Strombrow will be on the lookout for the scouts to return and for anyone or anything that might come at the rest of the group. "Be alert one never knows what might try to attack us next. Also I'm going to watch for the return of our scouts."

[PyroArrow]

Both Boc Maxima & Durgan reach the rim of the Caves of Chaos without incident & this is what they see while crawling out from the trees & thicket & lying on their bellies:

The dark forest you have been passing through has been getting more dense, tangled & gloomier than before. The thick, twisted tree trunks, unnaturally misshapen limbs, writhing roots, clutching & grasping thorns & briars all seem to warn & ward you off, but you have forced & hacked your way through regardless. Going through the dark forest that presses close to either side brings you at last through the thick belt of trees & now the strange growth has suddenly ended - you have crawled out of the thicket onto the rim of a ravine-like area.

The walls of the ravine rise rather steeply on either side to a height of around 100 feet or so, you guess - dark, streaked rock mingled with earth. You have no doubt you can climb them, but you'd need both hands. Clumps of trees grow here & there, both on the floor of the ravine & up the sloping walls of the canyon, which could hide almost anything up to & possibly including a giant.

A narrow stream, likely the Goblinwater, trickles down the center of the ravine, forming great muddy puddles in several places, its source hidden in the trees that cluster at the west end of the ravine. The opening to the east appears to be about 200 feet wide. The ravine runs at least 400 feet eastward, to where the western end you are near rises in a steep slope.

Here & there, at varying heights on all sides of the ravine, you can see the black mouths of Cave-like openings in the rock walls, crude paths leading up to them; more perhaps, hidden by the trees. The sunlight is dim the air is dank, there is an oppressive feeling here - as if something evil is watching & waiting to pounce upon you.

There are bare, dead trees here & there as well, & upon one a vulture perches & gazes hungrily at you. A flock of ravens rise croaking from the ground, the beat of their wings & their cries magnified by the terrain to sound loud & horrible.

Amongst the litter of rubble, boulders, & dead wood scattered about on the ravine floor, you can see bits of gleaming ivory & white - As a chill wind blows into your face you feel sure that you have in fact discovered the famous Caves of Chaos, where many an adventurer has sought fame & left only his or her bones behind!

[imswayze]

Garbonzo takes the moment to take a serious stretch and a slash. He stands drooling over his new bow for a minute. He gets uncomfortable with the silence and says to Stormbrow, "What do you suppose we were looking at back in the clearing, Storm?...with all those siege devices? I wager they were prepping to raid Guido's Keep, wouldn't you?"

Trindon drops his javelins. He then takes a slash as well. Then begins to stretch out and limber up, doing what resembles Tai Chi. He is working on weaving his body through the forest while remaining quiet. He is focusing hard on balance and breathing.


(Pretty sure Garbonzo has chainmail & a shield. Should chain cost more than 75gp? Maybe. It's pretty easy roll up enough starting $$$ to get a fighter his chain, and thus an easy 5AC.)

========================================
Dungeon Master:
Garbonzo does have Chainmail & shield listed in his Equipment list!

[MonkeyWrench]

Boc and Durgan look out over the open area leading towards the caves, seeing no creatures there. Boc looks over at Durgan, "I'll head back, let them know what we found. Stay here and watch for anything new or come back with me?"

Durgan replies, "I'll stay here, make sure nothing comes in or out of the cave while you bring the rest of the group."

Boc then heads through the bramble, keeping quiet, until he is a good distance from the edge and then heads through the forest normally to lessen the time the Druid has to wait.

[GreyWolfVT]

Garbonzo dismounts and takes a serious stretch and a slash. He stands drooling over his new bow for a minute. He gets uncomfortable with the silence and says to Stormbrow, What do you suppose we were looking at back in the clearing, Storm?...with all those siege devices? I wager they were prepping to raid Guido's Keep, wouldn't you?

Trindon dismounts and straps his javelin to the horse. He then takes a slash as well. He gives the horse a pet for a minute, and then begins to stretch out and limber up, doing what resembles tai chi. He is working on weaving his body through the forest while remaining quiet. He is focusing hard on balance and breathing.


(Pretty sure Garbonzo has chainmail. Should chain cost more than 75gp? Maybe. It's pretty easy roll up enough starting $$$ to get a fighter his chain, and thus an easy 5AC.)

Strombrow "I stated that very idea myself. I think they were either preparing to raid the keep or attack us here at the caves. I still have an unsteady feeling about this."

[PyroArrow]

Boc Arrives back to the others with nothing more than scrapes & scratches from the various plant life.

[GreyWolfVT]

Strombrow "What did you see Boc? Was it all clear?"

[PyroArrow]

The Time of day when Boc Maxima returns to Stormbrow is around 5:43pm
The sun will set around 7:54pm. The Moon is Waxing (89.6% full) tonight (April 11, gametime) & was visible since 4:33pm & will set around 4:43am.