"Unfortunately, I know little of nature so I do not know how to bypass the hedges. We might as well follow the maze and see what we find within."
Red checks the ground for tracks, per Ri's suggestion.
Ri and Red spots a number of tracks, which Red identifies as goblin and goblin dog tracks, all throughout the tunnels. Red also notices that something large was recently dragged through the tunnels to the east on its side.
You cramp down, except Esmerelda, and head east down the tunnel to the east. You move at half speed and travel 60' without issue.
The tunnel opens into a large cave-like chamber, where you can stand upright and lose the squeezing penalties. Above, the thorny canopy grows thin enough that tiny slivers of the sky above can be seen, while below, the ground consists of trampled dirt. To the west, the distant sound of sloshing waves echoes up from a hole.
From this chamber, there is a tunnel heading west and one continue going north, following the dragged trail. Which way?
Esmerelda felt a little bad that the tall ones had to cramp down inside the small tunnels, but the feeling went away quickly. When they reach, the cave, the sound of the waves intrigues her and she speaks up, "I think we should investigate west."
She had gotten caught on a briar or two even as she walked crouched low. When they emerged into a cave-like chamber, Rileth drew to her full height and stretched, seeing the extent of any injury caused by the thorny stems. The echo of the waves caught her attention until Esmeralda spoke. "I do not wish to contradict your choice, Esmerelda, but what of the trail to the north - where something large has been dragged? Should that not warrant investigation? Have you a reason for investigating west?"
"Well, since we know we need to reach an island off the coast, I assume she wants to move towards the sounds of the water, hoping to reach our goal. Can't say that I'm sure which way is right, but both have good cause. I'm good with either, really."
"I was merely curious to know what the goblins were dragging and whether it was worth investigating and resolving first. However, if you all wish to head north immediately, then so be it," Rileth responded without looking at Perri.
Red leads the party west to the hole, as he is curious about it.
Seeing Red elect to take the west tunnel, Rileth moved in behind him and moved as quietly as she could, keeping her eyes and ears open for signs of threat.
You take the tunnel west and it leads you to a literal hole in the ground about 10' wide. You hear waves below but even with torchlight, you cannot see how far below the water starts, but you know it is more than 40'. You do not see anything else of interest other than the hole. The tunnel continues west or you can continue back east and then north.
"Well, okay then. Not the shore. Some kind of cave? An overhang? I wonder . . .."
"Or maybe here's where the goblins got rid of their garbage. Nobody's diving down so let's continue the trail east and north." Red leads the party back toward the dragged trail.
You proceed NE down the tunnel and it heads into a musty-smelling chamber, covered with matted, wiry fur. Well-gnawed bones lie scattered about the floor, and a dozen wooden stakes have been driven into the ground near the northern walls. Tied to the stakes by their leashes are 4 goblin dogs, lying on the floor, not currently aware of you.
You can move past them if you wish, heading east down a tunnel, that ends in T-section heading N and S.
Red whispers to the party, "As ugly as they are, I don't feel right about killing dogs who are not attacking me. We should move past them." Red will head north at the next intersection if he makes it past the dogs without alerting them.
"Agreed. Animals aren't tied up by choice."
As Red and Perri agreed on allowing the goblin dogs to live, which worried Rileth somewhat yet not enough to argue the point at this time, Rileth stepped carefully and quietly around the dogs, following Red in front, hoping the goblin dogs would not pick up their scent as they passed.
Esmerelda follows the party's lead and leaves the dogs alone.
You pass by the resting dogs without issue and reach a T-section, where you see a passage north leads to some unmanned outposts and possibly a bridge and a passage south. As you are about to decide, Red and Rileth are not surprised by the appearance of a blue cougar with a orange line running down its back. It bares its sharp teeth at you, evidencing its clearly hostile intent.
At the same time, Shalelu screams out from the back of the line, "We got problems here..someone or something just cut the goblin dogs' leashes and they look quite hungry!"
Esmerelda's Round 1:
The oracle starts speaking in a strange language and you all feel a holy energy guiding the party and filling you with courage.
Bless fills your allies with courage. Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.
Round 1: Cougar
The cougar bares its teeth and launches at Rileth, covering the distance between them in a mere 2 seconds, as it bites her leg and trips her!
Perri doesn't even think about it, countering in Celestial.
Since he is towards the back, Perri turns and looses at the closest dogs coming up behind the group.
One of Perri's arrows lands, but the dog lives.
Round 1: Dogs!
Three of the goblin dogs rush up and attempt to bite Shalelu, who is last in line, but the elf's armor manages to keep her safe from harm. The fourth remains behind the line waiting its turn.
Round 1: Red
Red sees the prone Ril and springs to her rescue. He takes a 5' step and brings his greatsword down on the cougar! He pounds his sword on his shield, giving the cougar a healthy target.
The barbarian/ranger lands a powerful blow on the cougar, who screeches in pain! It is tough though and still alive.
Round 1: X
A ball of fire whizzes past Red's head and he turns to see 30' to the north, a goblin with a bulbous head, sharp teeth, and red beady eyes, wearing leather armor and a blue tabard, materialize from nothing, with a ball of fire in the palm of his hand. The goblin curses, apparently because he missed so badly.
Round 1:
Rileth attempted to put down the wounded, yet still threatening, cougar which had attempted to bite her, even with the new threat to the north.
However, her aim went awry and she missed the feline, much to her annoyance.
Round 1: Shalelu
Unable to move back, the elf ranger risks the AoOs and shoots the goblin dogs in the face. She deftly dodges their attacks and unleashes 3 bow shots in point-blank range, killing all 3 dogs in front of her!
We seem to be doing good in the fight and since nobody is wounded, Esmerelda delays, until someone needs her curative skills.
Round 2: Cougar
The wounded cougar bares its teeth and full-attacks Red, but it fails to penetrate the barbarian's defenses!
The warpriest continues attempting to dissuade the dogs he had been willing to let live.
Obviously, getting past the immediate reaction to being jumped, Perri settles in for some examples of relaxed target practice.
Red will bring his greatsword down on the cougar, landing a solid blow on the cat.