Jacq shakes her head at the offer of the candle. "Best keep those tucked away until we get a spellslinger to identify them properly."
She resheathes her sword, readies her bow again, and resumes her position watching the party's rear.
Nee shrugs in frustration at Silvash’ answer, clearly unsatisfied. While waiting for Meepo to answer, Nee casts an eye over the fallen elves and their ancient resting places.
"Go through passage, or through door" - Meepo replies - "Meepo does not know which way, never be in this part of tunnels"
Silvash moves toward the door and then the passage trying to see which might have more foot traffic.
Silvash's keen eyes spot the footprints of three or four humanoid figures wearing boots that have passed through this area heading North. Mixed among them are many smaller tracks, too indistinct for him to identify their origin.
Silvash points to the tracks and says "It looks like our targets went north and others did as well."
"The smart part of me says we just go north, and the dumb, curious part of me says, why didn't anyone try the door and what's behind there?"
Nee shrugs. And nods.
”I’m with Jacq. Some here seem to think time is of the essence. And I’m just as keen to find the missing people. Dragon. Lost…beings. But the young humans have already been lost *for days*, and I’m convinced that if we rush around, we’re going to die through haste.”
Nee indicates the door.
”There’s a door there. That may soon be at our back. I want to know everything possible about this…complex. And if we can find more safe redoubts, or more resources, even though it might create more risks that could kill us just as well, then…well…I’d prefer that. ”
Turning to Silvash specifically, Nee continues.
”And taking a few moments to make a decision on our next steps is not, in the scheme of things, denying the young folk rescue. If anything, it serves us to survive to complete that rescue.”
Silvash shrugs "You all seem to be in a big hurry. I'm just keeping us moving. You want to see what's behind door number 1? Ok." He then goes over and examines the door.
+1 traps
if needed
Silvash finds no traps on the door - it seems to be unlocked, but stuck.
Silvash tugs on the door and when it doesn't move he looks over his shoulder "It's stuck. Can somebody give me a hand?"
With some elbow grease, Silvash manages to force the door open — it groans and creaks loudly in protest, the sound echoing down the stone corridors.
The chamber beyond lies empty and lightless, home only to rat droppings, crumbled flagstone, and nameless dark stains sunk into the floor.
More concerning, though, is the sound from the northern passage: faint chittering, skittering, as if something has stirred at the racket — and is now on the move.
Actions?!
Temerith hears the sounds, probably rats? And readies his bow for when he sees them.
Lanliss sees Temerith nock an arrow, and he thinks that's a pretty good idea.
Jacq tries to identify the skittering sounds. Rodents or bugs? Or worse?
Definitely rodents, but maybe something else, something bigger...
Jacq's assessment is confirmed as a louder screech is heard, followed by several others in quick succession.
Suddenly, everything is silent again - the skittering and chittering completely stopped.
Temerith watches and waits, confused. "What could make a bunch of rats just go silent?"
Temerith's best guess is that a predator can make prey fall silent, when it approaches. Apart from that, he is unsure...