Judging by the remaining bedrolls in two of the 4, it suggests that whomever was here, and the Pathfinders seem a likely choice since this is where you were dropped, that they left in a hurry. The odds of them making it to the city seem slim.
Arthur points to a rocky area about half a mile away. "I'd bet my left nut they went there, especially if they had camels."
The would be Pathfinders make there way to the rocky area, it takes a good 10 minutes to arrive and after another x10=10 minutes a small entrance to a cave is discovered. The light from the sun reveals about 40 feet back, it appears the cave goes even deeper, though it becomes utterly black.
Seif-al-Din casts a few spells , and pulls out a small pebble, throwing it into the air. It immediately bursts into flame, and starts to orbit his head, shedding light like a torch.
Drawing his weapon, he locks it into his gauntlet, and cautiously moves forward into the depths of the cave.
Arthur takes off the massive bastard sword from his back, and with a bark lights the blade on fire. "I'll take point." He growls, heading inside.
"Churley can scout ahead. I have magic eyes can see in dark. I also very sneaky. Maybe I sneak up."
The sneaky goblin, falls back into his heritage and crouches down n the center of the group.
Map up
Before long the scouts come back and announce that there is larger campsite inside, filled with crates, with a large burning bonfire in the center, and a path leading deeper into the cave past it
Arthur motions ahead. "By all means Churley." He narrows his eyes as the primitive sneaks off.
Kixzik will follow next to Zephyr, figuring that she is an appropriate distance from the front end fighters.
He will cast Mage Armor on himself in order to be more secure.
A subterranean entrance to a cave? Most invigorating. Thankfully I have created an alchemical concoction that allows my human eyes to see in the dark. He splashes water from his waterskin on his face.
Sadly it only works on alchemically readied individuals such as myself.
to check out the camp to see how many and if they went further in, or if there was some attack.
it would seem 3 regularly are here, more perhaps have been around. All the crates are locked, the fire suggests that people are coming back
"Looks like they aren't done with this camp yet. We can set up to watch or ambush them."
"Why we ambush them? We not know they bad. Maybe watch and learn. We hide."
Kixzik sits briefly and thinks about what to do.
If we are to ambush them I think we can setup quietly.
Kixzik seems to meld into the shadows, patiently waiting for his enemies. He keeps his cognatogen to hand just in case.
"I said ambush, not kill. I have no problem with just watching."
So everyone want to hide behind a crate or something? Happy to let you all take 10 on stealth. Put yourself where you would like to be on the map please, and tell me how long you will wait.
Take 10 on stealth gets me a 28.
4 humanoids wander back into the camp. They look fairly tough.
They do no see anyone.
Kixzik cocks his ears to see if he can hear any conversation amongst the four.
They do not look like the missing 4.
...shame they didn't make it. But what are you going to do right? the man with two swords says.
the halfling replies Well not our problem is it? What do we have for dinner?
there is a non-commital grunt and they make their way towards the fire.
Don't suppose there is any of that lizard meat left is there?
I have no idea. I guess I can go check the crates The half orc w the ax says
Kixzik continue hiding.
Interesting, they don't seem overly hostile. I wonder if we could barter for information about the people that "didn't make it," as that might be our missing Pathfinders.
Unfortunately if either I or my grammatically challenged friend were to come out of hiding we might provoke a negative psychological response. Hopefully our large compatriots will call out for survivors of the abandoned campsite.
Kixzik's hands twitch with the need to make a note.
Mental note: derive a formula that temporarily alters the energy inherent in living brain of subject to communicate with other nearby subjects. Formula to be called "Mental Communication Realizer Mark I".
The human with the Falchion speaks, I figure we better wait for Lesath he is always upset if we aren't on "guard" when he returns. she makes air quotes as she says that, and everyone rises and leans against a crate, with the weapons "sort of" at the ready.
The halfling pulls a wine skin off his side and takes a drink and tosses it to the human with two blades.
I figure he should be back soon enough. He says and tosses it to the half-orc
Never know with that one. Lets give it 20 minutes then we eat and he can go to Asmodeous! They all laugh
Asmodeus? Are they devil worshippers?
Note to self: situation dubious. Given previously explored dimensions of cavern and point of origin of intruders, likely this "Lesath" is outside, possibly procuring provisions from town in distance.
Kixzik would dearly love to be writing a note.
Due to this fact, very likely discovery of larger compatriots concealed in entrance imminent. Odds of Kixzik experiencing melee combat...high...due to disposition of forces. Falchion-to-goblin height ratio unacceptably even, must determine how to avoid death by sword.
Churley, being somewhat unsure if these are good or bad people, just keep watching.
Naughty naughty! If you are looking at this you take negative energy damage
They continue to blather on, nothing of import, everyone roll me a perception please.
The RNG does not like you guys
the other party wins the initiative.
After 5 minutes of waiting suddenly a voice right behind Zephyr cries out
AMBUSH! TO ARMS! And a rapier plunges toward her
for
begin init-which as i said they won
Then the elf steps next to the three of you in the hall and is a whirlwind of flashing rapier
on Zephyr for
on Arthur for miss
on Seif for
The human with the falchion immediately casts a spell and goes invisible.
the human with two short swords draws them and moves
The half-orc in robes takes to the air and moves toward the sound of the combat, after casting fly
The halfling with the bow roars and double moves forward.
GO