Rav yawns, cleaning off his blade, I guess, if no one needs any healing, I'm going back to sleep.
Scram takes the opportunity to thoroughly search the bodies.
Raiden drags the bodies and bits a ways from camp, after Scram has had a good search. Continues what hopefully is a now-quiet watch.
Zayless helps Scram and Raiden.
The orcs were not carrying anything but weapons but a search around the area they came from produces two burlap sacks containing a few dead rabbits, a and what looks like a bloody explorer’s pack. There is also the carcass of a young doe. It seems these orcs were foraging.
The backpack has all of the normal items plus a small money pouch containing 14 gold.
Scram drags the juicy venison back to camp for breakfast, sizzling up some meaty nibblets.
No sorry. Greataxes all around. If you want to have purchased a Shortsword back in town, that is fine. No need to penalize you for not realizing a rule.
Anton ritualistically cleans his blade, keeping an eye out for any further enemies.
Well at least we start the day with a decent breakfast.
Everyone heads back to thier respective bedrolls and catch a few hours of rest. The morning is cold and grey skies threaten rain. Strangely enough, you may be looking forward to a cramped dark cave to get free of thie miserable weather bearing down on you.
Anton and Scramsax lead everyone up the Stone Tooth to the hidden entrance. The opening remains undiisturbed since found yesterday. Inside the cave seems to stretch on into darkness and a winding passage.
Got a torch, but prefer not to be first. Maybe 2nd or 3rd in marching order.
Uriah isn't in the front, that's way too dangerous. He also isn't in the rear...because that's where "they" attack from...
Safely in the middle. That's where Uriah can best lead the party from...
Rav will take point if Zayless casts light on his pendant.
Scram huddles up near the middle as well.
Anton takes rear guard, careful to ensure the group never gets too spread out.
Casts light for Ravvek. Moves to the back to watch Sashah's back.
Raiden does his best to stay stealthy
With the order established, the party heads to not the tunnel. Ravvek uses his shield to push the brush aside revealing a fissure in the stone. The initial opening is about five feet wide and opens up some once inside. The light spell provided by Zayless illuminates a tunnel that is tough ten foot wide. Wider in some places and more narrow in others, the tunnel seems to be roughly worked. Certainly not the handywork of dwarves.
Once everyone is in, Ravvek moves forward trying not to make too much noise. After fourty feet the cave opens up into a larger chamber. This natural cavern stretches ahead into darkness, cavern walls to the left and right can be seen however and seem to have exits heading both directions. The cave opening on the left however seems blocked by a large wall made of fallen timbers, similar to the orcish cell from elsewhere in this complex. A makeshift door in the timber wall stands open, heavy breathing and snorting can be heard from within. A creature of some sort can be seen in the dim shadows off to the side of the door apparently trying to hide.
The rest of the group is just now walking in. The description was for Ravvek as he walks in. The group has one round of actions to decide what they want to do. In case anyone is going to initiate combat immediately, roll for initiative.
Though it remains sheathed, Anton keeps a hand on his blade, watching for any threat.
Ravvek shines the light on the hiding creature to illuminate it.
Raiden reaches for a hammer, holding it in anticipation but not threatening to throw it. Yet.
Sashah sighs, "You are outnumbered. Tell us vat ve vant to know and ve pass."
Scram elbows Sashah and pretends to have a grunty orc voice, which is surprising coming from his small package "Quiet prisoner! Enough of your jokes." rapping on the door "You there, open up, your doorknocker fell off!"
As Ravvek shines the light onto the creature, it blinks and raises it’s scaled hand to block the light. As Sashah speaks, your attention is drawn to the open doorway next to the creature.
You notice now a strong animal smell. The light casting shadows into the pen, you see a dark form fill the doorway that must be the source of that smell. As the light shifts, the form rears up and bellows. You all realize that the creature is a large bear, and it doesn’t seem happy to see you when it charges out of the door toward you.
Initiative
Anton, Ravvek, Raiden
Bear
Uriah, Sashah
Reptilian
Zayless, Scramsax
Ravvek's eyes go wide, S&#$S*&#S#&$! EDIT: Oops!
The paladin whispers, Try to knock it out... it isn't evil... WE are in the wrong here...
Gritting his teeth, Rav, feels sick to his stomach as he draws his blade.
Raiden aims a swift hit at the bear's head as he hears Ravvek whisper. Sorry mate, it's him or us. Hey you there in the corner! Hands out!
Less than eager to home the bear, Anton leaves his sword sheathed and springs forward, unleashing a blur of punches and kicks.
The bear charging ahead into the party, it’s momentum almost unstoppable. Ravvek and Raiden being up front deal heavy blows to the beast while Anton springs forward using his martial skill of pressure points to finally bring down the creature.
Anton gracefully sidesteps the collapsing bear.
Thank the gods, Ravvek mutters as he checks to see that the beast is still breathing, Does this go further in?
Sasha takes a step back, away from the giant pile of fur.
It's a bear, we can always make it dinner so it's not wasted. Raiden looks around for the other creature. . Now where did ya go? he says, narrowing his eyes into the dark corners.
Ravvek looks up at Raiden, It yet lives and we are not in need of meat yet. Let us instead focus on finding out if we have to go up the stair into the gaping maw of orcs or if we can find another back door...
The paladin smiles, While eating it would be part of the natural order, we came into its lair. It's like barging into someone's house and beating it to hell. By man's law we would be in the wrong. I hold no ill will towards this magnificent creature. In fact, I hold respect for its strength and hunting prowess...
Zayless is amazed that this is a discussion. "Nurse its wounds when it is no longer trying to kill us."
Holding up one of the bear claws "Aha, here's why it was so easy to defeat...it was bear-handed. Get it?" he waves with the limp hand.
There is an audible groan at that joke... Gods dammit, Scram...
Rav still can't stifle the grin completely as he inspects the cave to see if it actually has an entrance to the complex above...
"Sorry, Ravvek. Don't let it become a bear-ier to our friendship." he offers, deadpan.
Scram, do you have kids? Rav shakes his head while he pinches the bridge of his nose. Because you certainly have your dad-jokes ready...
Nodding in understanding "I was married once. Sadly, my wife was unable to bear any children."
In a quiet voice, Please stop.
This conversation is unbearable. He grins.
Seeing the bear, Uriah mentions something about “hearing a sound behind us” and ducks back into the cave you came from to “check it out”.
The creature next to the pen darts out of the light. You see it trying to duck behind a rock but it is too big to hind behind the rock and you see it clearly.
Watching the creature curiously Anton is caught unaware as he is attacked from behind. His first hint of danger was a horrible stench that fills his nostrils.
for
Ravvek’s search for a way to an upper level bears no fruit.
Zayless blasts the creature attacking Anton.
What IS that smell? Rav jumps in surprise as the creature attacks Anton, I guess we aren't done yet!
Scramsax stops his contagious shenanigans abruptly and steps hard down on the reptile's tail with both boots while simultaneously stabbing it in the back as hard as he can.