1.2 - Cragmaw Cave

Alexander Simonnet Natalis de Bertier du Puy, scion of the du Puys of Amphail and environs had a deep love for fauna of all kinds. Was his family not reknown for centuries as breeding the finest horseflesh in the North? Was he not beloved of all canine, feline, ovine, bovine, caprine, and even leporine residents of the farms and homes of his youth? Certainement! Then why was he, not retreating, but slowly returning to his fellows with an ever-so slight quiver in his normally rock-steady hands? It wouldn't be the slavering jaws, the rank breath, the evil yellow glare emanating from those two, rather large, noticeably hungry wolves, would it? No, of course not. He merely wanted to inform Nelly and Igrem. Yes, that was it. Of course! He did make a point of checking just how well the wolves seemed to be chained and if he could ascertain just how long a reach they had, as he carefully made his way to his companions. Maybe we can engage their attention with some nice, fresh, dead goblin flesh, he ponders.

Alex, you can certainly try. The wolves are chained and won't pursue.

Someone should light a torch and roll Naturecraft. If you spend the extra time retrieving the goblin meat (which you just got rid of) the DC will be significantly lower, but you run the risk of patrols or someone entering or leaving the cave seeing you as you do that.

Igrem lights up a lantern, and approaches his companions before the entrance of the cave where the wolves are attached. "Are you sure you want to continue further? I would hate to be caught between hostile goblins and hungry wolves further down the tunnel..."

While the others fiddle with a torch, Nelly retrieves one of the dead goblings and drags it with her. By the wolf den, she throws in the corps and a moment later throws in the other corps aswell.

Live by the wolf, die, and feed the wolf.
They are busy now, let's rescue our folks

Alex watches bemusedly as Nelly drags the goblin-flesh and throws it at the ravenous wolves. Of course, he watches from a distance.

Nelly, for a moment, nothing happens.

Then the wolves react—but not as expected. They barely spare the bodies a glance. Instead of falling on the meat, both beasts surge forward, chains snapping taut with a harsh metallic rattle. Their snarls deepen into something more agitated.

Moreover, from deeper within the shadows, a third shape shifts. Another wolf steps into view, and it doesn’t go for the bodies either.

All three strain against their chains now—focused not on the dead goblins, but on you.

Nelly retreats from the room, trying to be non-treathening
Worth a shot she mutters to her self.

You retreat.

"Well, that went splendidly", Alex remarks to Nelly and Igrem. "I guess the wolves are full up to their snouts with goblinflesh. It must taste rather awful, come to think of it." Alex contemplates on whether the group can sneak by single-file without getting mauled. "We may be able to just move past them. However, if we do find ourselves in a jam, someone may release the wolves and add to our general misery. No one has any alcohol on them, do they?

Duck it! Lets just move past that entrance and move on. Leave wolfs chained up in there with the goblins

Nelly takes point and swiftly moves past the wolf entrance. Quickly out of sight again.

"I have a bad feeling about this..." says Igrem, agreeing with Alex that the three companions could end up between the hammer and the anvil. Still he follows, his lantern in hand.

Alex watches as Igrem and Nelly rush ahead into the dark. I guess I'll take up the rear guard. I hope they can be somewhat quiet, he thinks amusedly. Sidling carefully past the ravenous wolves, Alex slowly follows the pair, hoping that they don't bump into anything nasty. Like tripwires or deadfalls. He watches his steps carefully, knowing that goblins like to spice their lair with surprises.

Nelly slips past the wolf den at a quick, steady pace. Behind her, the wolves thrash and snarl, chains clattering against stone, but the sound fades as she pushes deeper into the cave, boots splashing softly as the shallow water spreads across the cave floor.

The cold seeps through the leather, but the slow current makes it easy enough to ignore.

Only a few steps farther in, the passage divides.

To the left, a set of rough but clearly carved stone steps climbs upward about five feet into a side passage. Unlike the rest of the cave, this direction shows signs of use—faint, flickering torchlight spills down the steps, and the air feels warmer, touched by the scent of smoke and humanoids.

To the right, the main tunnel continues northward, following the stream deeper into darkness, where the only sound is the quiet flow of water and the hollow echoes of the cavern.

Well, friends, I think we should stop here a moment and let me sneak down this side tunnel and see what is there, Alex whispers to Nelly and Igrem.I am very worried that if we continue, we will find ourselves the meat in a goblin sandwich. Thoughts?

"None." whispers back Igrem, a bit tongue-in-cheek. "Feel free to go ahead."

Nelly nots to Alex.
Again, she stands ready to rush in if he gets into problems

Alex regretfully lights a torch, being that otherwise, he's likely to fall prey to anything. One of these days, when I get a few more coppers, I will need to invest in a hooded lantern he thinks. Being as stealthy as he can holding a flaming brand, Alex proceeds carefully, ready to cover or douse the torch at a moments notice.