The way to Monster Hill is a rough path leading out of the valley wherein Gruntal lies. It leads through wooded hills up and down and around obstacles. As you progress along the path through the woods you notice a change. Slowly, but steadily the woods seem to get darker, more eerie. The sounds of animals start to change, from the normal natural sounds you'd expect to more creepy, strange noises. Then, after perhaps an hour and a half of hiking you see it. The Hill. There appear to be some kind of ruins, just a few stones atop one another, really, atop the hill. Then you see two entrances, one a natural cave, the other a worked corridor. What do you do?
As the hike progressed, Lan began to reveal more and more about himself. First he afixed twin daggers to his pouch belt. Next, he donned a simple chain shirt as they moved further into the darkening forest. Finally, he slipped a simple oak bow across his back. When they'd reached the end of their trek, Lan took a simple leaning stance against a nearby tree.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen. You've lead me here. I'm sure your continued guidance will see us through."
With a bit of a smirk, Lan took out a piece of dryed jerky and began to chew on it idely as he awaited the group's decision.
Roakrak, prior to heading out, had stopped by the Militia HQ . Not inside very long, he returned with a chain shirt on, a simple staff in hand, and a small bag on his back, clanking slightly. I've been allowed to accompany you all.
As the ragtag group travels down the path, he keeps an eye on everyone, but finds nothing readily objectionable. Well, it would appear we have two readily available choices. Will it be the cave or the passage? Even with the danger of traps and such, I have a feeling that the passage may be a better choice for us.
Roakrak also taps his staff on the ground, and the end lights , shedding light as a torch. I also have a lantern with oil, if anyone would like to carry it.
"I vote cave! Creepy ways are usually more fun."
Ranorel watches the others prepping as they walk.
"Strange, why keep weapons and armor packed away? What if we had been ambushed?"
He pats his armored coat and adjust the earthbreaker draped across his shoulders.
"Humans, I'll never understand them."
"Either way is fine with me" Scorn says as she adjusts her gloves.
As they traveled Honey walked alongside Zaggle occasionally dropping out to go find food or attack a squirrel. . Zaggle used his Bardiche as a walking stick and to pole vault at random times such as a kid would do with a sturdy stick.
"The Cave of course, at least I would fair better there, but it shall be a vote!"
As they depart Alexander, begins flipping through some notes and muttering to himself. "Oh yes, mustn't forget about that... hmm, but what about this one...Ahh that's right." Zendra is following close behind and when she hears the question she says,"Hmm, the cave would be my choice, but since I must watch over Master Alexander, he might prefer the other entrance."
Well, it appears that the cave is the general consensus. I have no problem with that choice.
"Hurray! I love a good cave dive!"
Zaggle pulls out a rope with knots tied into it and a grappling hook and ties them together.
Honey comes back to his master and puts a dead squirrel next to his feet.
"Honey! The creatures of the forest are ours friends just like the creatures of the earth!"
Zaggle Sighs and digs a little hole for the squirrel away from the group.
"Aw, i was hoping to eat that."
"not really, just seems like a waste to not use it."
Zaggle ducks into the forest and returns some moments later.
Survival:
"Here, if you're hungry have some berries."
Lan could only shake his head in disbelief. What have I gotten myself into...
All of a sudden Alexander looks up from his notes, "Did someone say cave, oh my! Surely there must be an easier path than that. I'm not as young as I used to be." He looks around at the group and then peers around the area.
The roguish figure rubs his chin as he stares at the hill. "Perhaps the little halfling is right. There's susposed to be a number of places to explore in this labrynith isn't there? Who's about I take a look around, see if I can find some more 'options' for us?"
With that, Lan begins to move about the foot of the hill, not wanting to get close enough to provoke something, but close enough to get a better look for more enterances.
"While caves are not something to be avoided by default, you must all know a the last group of adventurer's to have entered the cave were all captured by a group of kobolds and ransomed for a hefty amount of gold. An amount no one I know is going to pay for me at the moment."
"Thank you Zaggle. Kobolds huh, well lets see if we can see another way in."
Very well, I suppose.
Roakrak, too, will take a cursory search.
"And so we have decided! Where else can we go in?"
Onnam noticed that the group started to look around instead of heading straight into the hill by one of the two obvious entrances. He observes the trampled tracks to see where they head.
"To make sure we enjoy every aspect of this expedition I propose we follow these tracks to see where they lead. Who can tell me what kind of creatures have walked here?"
While addressing the group with his question Onnam reaches to the morningstar hanging from his belt. At the last moment he seems to change his mind and takes a javelin from his back instead. He then checks his wrist sheat to ensure his dagger is in place.
"oh, a trail. what kind of creatures are we dealing with here?"
After a quick bite, Lan begins to pick his teeth clean with a simple wooden toothpick. He watched idlely as the group makes it's decision. "Hope you gents and lady decide on something simple. I never did like clever monsters."
"Hmmmm..."
Zaggle studies the tracks over Ranorel's shoulder.
Taking on a more sturdy tone, "If we're all so worried about which way to go, perhaps you chaps would perfer a scout head down some of the options to see if theres anything interesting down there? Mayhaps one of us adept at sticking to the shadows?"
"Lan, that's an excellent idea. Why don't you show us how one sticks to the shadows, that might come in handy once we venture inside. There should be another entrance on the northern side of the hill."
Onnam points with the javelin in his hand in the direction of the tracks.
"The rest of us will be right behind you"
"Hey! These are horse tracks. Maybe another party recently came to dungeon dive, or maybe there are bandits ahead!"
Zaggle motions at the footpaths and continues to stare.
"Bandits, oh my!" Alexander looks flustered for a moment, then composes himself. "I mean, uh... Nothing can stop us from getting into the Hill!" Zendra just smiles at him and looks at the rest of the group.
"Bandits! Lets see if they're still in the area, maybe we'll get lucky and be able to walk in their wake through the dungeon."
"Assuming of course they are bandits."
"Whatever the case, we should figure out which entrance we're going to use. Are we going to use one of these two, or are we going to use the northern entrance Onnam mentioned?"
"May I suggest we take a small tour around the Hill, this way you can familiarize yourself with the outside of the Hill and its surroundings. Although I can understand anyone eager to go inside, in that case we should enter by that worked corridor to avoid the kobolds. For now at least."
"Uh, yes... let's explore outside first.", he smiles nervously.
Lan simply followed behind mutely. Awaiting whatever fireworks this paticular path brings.
"A plan we can all agree on! Good!"
Zaggle puts on an excited smile and begins the exploration process.
Attempts to follow Zaggle quietly.
As the group rounds the hill, Onnam notices that he's feeling a bit tense. Not knowing what to expect he carefully examines the north entrance.
"Well, here we are. Let's see if there's any surprises here and then move inside, shall we?"
While looking at the entrace, Onnam puts the javalin back with the others on his back and takes the morningstar hanging from his belt.
If there's nothing of note to notice, Onnam will lead the group to the entrance
following Onnam's suggestion
Before reaching the enterance, Lan took up a more careful posture, trying to stick to the shadows and sneak behind the rest of the group.
Roakrak keeps behind everyone else, keeping an eye out, but not use to trying to be stealthy.
Alexander glances around at the entrance, then gulps nervously, but follows nevertheless.
Scorn enters with the rest of the group keeping an eye out for trouble.
Perception
Zaggle follows suit humming a happy tune with his Bardiche on his shoulder.
Alarmed by the approaching horses, Onnam quickly dashes inside and heads to the passage on the right hoping they can hide there as the horses and any riders pass by. When he started to move, Onnam whispered to the rest of the group:
"Quick, follow me!"
As he enters the passage, Onnam tries to see if there's anything unusual or er even dangerous in their hiding spot.
Continuing with his shadow sulking, Lan moved to follow Onnam's lead. "Better get ready, this might turn ugly., he grumbled to himself.