Crom nods at Mit'l, "We're still in pretty good shape - let's press on. I think there's still a couple of caves we haven't explored."
Crom walks out of the cave and surveys the remaining unexplored caves.
"I'm game for more..."
As you move further on....
You move further down the ravine, and Horster easily spots two orcs shadowing your group.
Two other cave entrances are easily discovered that you have not visited. One at the exact middle of the 'horseshoe' ravine and one opposite the minotaur cave on the horseshoe that is farther along to the leftward side of the bend.
"think those two orcs at the maze were trailing us as well? Weat need to do some interrogating ..."
"My guess is they're scouting us and reporting back to their chieftain. If we go after them, we'll start a war with the orcs. Just keep an eye out, and don't forget they're always right behind us."
"I'm going to enjoy killing those orcs."
Crom looks at both caves and shrugs, "The middle cave is as good as any."
Horster peers in the cave and sees nothing but a huge cave that is about twenty feet wide made of formed and cut stone. It is much nicer than the other caves.
One of the two orcs shadowing your group makes a loud whistle that is only faintly resembling a bird call. A party of orcs seems to be moving to your side of the ravine.
"I fear they mean to shadow us until we've been battered around a while, then pounce on us. I think this...arrangement has only delayed the inevitable."
"I agree Kelgan! We may want to lure them into a trap of our own, before they get a chance to spring theirs!"
"So, what's the plan? Should I scout around this cave or are we planning a surprise for our orcish friends?"
"Let's scout the cave. If they follow us into the cave, let's kill them. We don't want to fight them in the open."
Horster has a look around the cave, aware of possible traps.
Morgan moves forward, just behind Horster, with her bow out, ready to loose an arrow at the first sign of danger.
Are you going to watch the orcs or continue inside?
"Crom, I'd prefer fighting the orcs in the open where I can see them. Although, I see your point about bottling them up inside a cave... I just prefer dashing about with my blade with the sky above me."
"I'll kill those stinking orcs where ever you want."
Crom moves into the cave after Morgan.
"So let's kill 'em before entering the cave. Better than being attacked from both sides."
"We could let them follow us in, then leave a false trail for them to follow; preferably into a room full of orc-eating monsters," Morgan replies with a crooked grin.
"I like that ... kill one bad and weaken another ..."
"You boys stand here in the entrance, like your trying to decide which way to go. Horster and I will scout ahead. He goes left, I'll go right. We'll look for the nearest cavern with something nasty in it, and sneak back. Sound like a plan?"
Crom nods, "Yes, let's do it."
It is completely dark in the cave. As you watch the orcs, they seem to be relocating to the minotaur cave. They are bringing a massive amount of equipment to their new home. Their main concern seems to be managing their migration, and some children and young ones are moving with them.
"Can you put one of your magical lights on this?" Morgan asks Mit'l, presenting the buckler strapped to her arm. "I don't want something nasty sneaking up on me in the dark."
Zoop! Done.
"My thanks. Time for me to work," Morgan says as she skulks quietly down the south passage, looking for signs of the cave's inhabitants.
Taking Morgan's lead, Horster approaches M'til, "A light on my rapier would do nicely too, if it's not too much of a problem..."
He proceeds to sneak down the northern passage, using his size to his advantage.
Ozmund casts a light spell on Horster's rapier.
"There you go! Good hunting."
The scouts explore the tunnel left. There are two rooms branching off left and right of this tunnel and a cave in at the end..
To the right the passage extends on for a while.
Do you explore farther in? You are about fifty feet in each way?
Morgan moves to the intersection, carefully looking as far as she can down each without rounding the corner.
"Left?"
Morgan's light faintly illuminates twelve emaciated skeletons lying on the ground to the right in temple garb with an evil Snake holy symbol. His light illuminates 8 shambling figures to the left who are slow, but notice his presence.
Morgan
Zombies
The rest of the party waits near the first intersection.
Morgan rushes back to the group.
"Zombies! A lot of them, and they're coming this way! she says in an intense whisper.
Horster, upon hearing Morgan return, sheathes his rapier and draws his bow, arrows at the ready.
"What kind ... Fast or slow?!"
"I didn't stick around to count their paces. But if they were fast, they'd be here with me, right?
Crom readies his axe and moves towards the zombies, "I hate the walking dead almost as much as I hate orcs. I'm going to kill me some undead."
Crom readies his axe and moves towards the zombies, "I hate the walking dead almost as much as I hate orcs. I'm going to kill me some undead."
"Right beside you, brother! Muamman Duathal loves a wanderer, but its a blasphemy to wander past the end of your journey!"
"Right behind you as always!"
The zombies advance down the hall. They seem to be moving slowly with an unnatural shamble.
Party up
Ozmund points at one of the walking dead, and an azure dart flies from his hand to strike the creature.
Magic Missile -
"Whoa ... what are we doing out here?! back into the narrow tunnel, we don't want to take them all on at once ... look, I put little x's where I think we should all be standing!
Horster nocks an arrow and lets loose at on of the front-line zombies .
He then backs up, ready to fire again.
Crom nods at Mit'l, "Aye, let's 'em in front of us."
Crom moves to AY81 and awaits for the zombies to advance.
Morgan moves into the second rank, bow at the ready.
"Good Idea."
Kelgan moves back, forming the usual shield wall with Crom.
Morgan stands ready, watching the slow march of the rotting corpses approach.
"This has got to be the foulest cave we've entered yet!"
The zombies seem determined to walk down the wide passage.