1.2 - Cragmaw Cave

As Alex listens to the fracas above, he feels a wave of energy wash over him, similar to the ambush at the dead horses. Igrem needs to bottle that stuff and sell it. It's better than a double espresso! Awash with vim and vigor, Alex climbs up to engage the remaining goblin who is focused on Nelly [Action 1: Move to Q7 upper level]. Taking advantage of the goblin's focus, Alex skillfully inserts his sword between the goblin's scrawny ribs [Action 2: Attack. Vicious Opportunist - setting die roll to 6 so crit plus sneak attack. Will roll for exploding damage and assume crit].

The remaining goblin is fully fixated on Nelly. It never sees Alex emerge from the shadow at its flank. Not until it’s too late.

Taking advantage of the goblin's focus, Alex skillfully inserts his sword between the goblin's scrawny ribs.

The goblin’s eyes go wide in disbelief as Alex withdraws the sword. For a heartbeat it sways, arms twitching uselessly, then it collapses onto the bridge planks, joining its kin in death.

Whew. That was close. But I think we may have gotten them all before the goblins to the west were alerted, Alex whispers to Nelly and Igrem. He continues, if you check for valuables, I will try and sneak down this corridor and see what these three were guarding. Stay quiet, who knows what lies ahead, and we know around five goblins and three wolves lie behind! Alex concentrates on calming his racing heart and coming off the adrenaline high. Ensuring that everything that could clink or clank is tied down or muted, he slowly creeps eastwards to ascertain what, or who, the goblins were guarding. He listens carefully for any noise, not knowing what the party would face next.

Igrem slowly climbs the wooden bridge and helps search the goblin corpses, trying to do as little fuss as possible, while keeping an eye on Alex.

Nelly ways one of the goblins short swords in her hand before she discards it.
I don't understand why they can't take care of their gear?

Are anyone hurt? Nelly uses a little of her magic to mend the would in her arm. She is still soar but she is not leaking blood anymoreLets find our people...

Alex, you move slowly along the eastern passage, placing each step with deliberate care. You path opens into a broad cavern.

Roughly half the chamber is taken up by two large pools of dark water. Small gray fish dart lazily beneath the surface, their pale bodies flashing in the dim light. High on the eastern wall, a narrow waterfall spills down into the nearer pool, its steady cascade feeding the water that eventually drains westward.

Low fieldstone walls have been stacked across parts of the cavern to form crude dams, holding the pools in place. The water laps quietly against the stones before slipping through gaps and continuing its journey out of the cave.

Torchlight flickers from iron sconces set into the stone walls, casting uneven shadows across the wet rock.

Near the pools stand three goblins.

They appear to be on guard duty—but at the moment their attention is anything but disciplined. The creatures crouch near the water’s edge, occasionally jabbing crude spears into the pools in clumsy attempts to spear the small gray fish. One of them grumbles irritably while another laughs quietly at a failed attempt.

The sound of the waterfall fills the cavern, its constant rush making it difficult to hear anything beyond the immediate area.

A small passage (Y11) leads south from this chamber.

Igrem, in addition to 3 crude and jagged shortswords, you find 5 gold pieces and a bundle of 4 javelins. There is nothing else of note with the goblins.

Alex slowly and quietly looks over the carven with an eye to the tactics needed to handle this new group of foes.

Alex, the waterfall’s steady roar gives you cover for sounds, but it also means you must rely more on sight than hearing.

From your vantage point, the cavern has three clear exits. One is the passage you currently occupy to the northwest, where you entered. Another leads west, back toward the bridge area where Igrem and Nelly wait. The third is the passage opening to the south, its darkness swallowing whatever lies beyond. There is nothing else.Your eyes move across the chamber, measuring angles and opportunities. The floor of the cave is uneven, broken by a few natural stalagmites rising like jagged stone teeth. Three in particular stand out as useful cover: one near U5, another at V7, and a third farther off at W9. Each could conceal someone crouching low, offering protection from arrows or javelins if things turn loud and violent.

The goblins themselves remain near the pools, their attention still focused on stabbing at fish and bickering among themselves. None of them have yet glanced toward you.

Alex slowly backs away from the cavern and retraces his steps to his companions. He carefully describes the tableau to Nelly and Igrem. I think if we are careful, we can get the jump on the from a ranged persepctive, certainly. Sneaking all the way up to melee range may be more difficult. What say you two? Are you both sufficiently recharged and refreshed?

Igrem pockets the coins, but leaves the weapons as he does not want to encumber himself (and would not know how to use them well).

He nods at Alex. "That's a grim path we are going through. Have you seen any signs of prisoners?"

Nelly kneels down in the small hallway, allowing the others to shoot over her. When they get here, she will stop them

Nothing as of yet, Igrem, Alex whispers. Alex looks at Nelly. You're going to have to get closer than that, I fear, he whispers.