Act 1, Scene 4: "Eroding the Wetrocks" (Main Game Thread)

[Chris1234]

Linar again retraces known ground at a normal walking rate [360'/round], so about 60' south to near the west wall before reverting to the more cautious pace [120'/rounnd] usually adopted when dungeoneering .

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If and when Linar catches up with colleagues holding light sources, he tries to indicate with a holding gesture and a point to the gound then further pointing at the light source, then him and his eyes, that he wants them to hold back until he is out of range of their light source.

Moving on, swords in hand, the scout follows the righthand (west becoming north) wall for a look round the corner to the west and, if nothing threatens he glances to the tunnel on his left (which heads off to the east). Keen to not silhouette himself against the party's incoming lightsource (and to stay ahead of the group's clanking), if the tunnel seems to continue west Linar cuts across to the south wall and, after a backwards glance to the eastern tunnel, explores westwards.

Seeing any foes that are not not in striking range causes him to slip into maximum stealth mode (MS/HS).

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Linar has: Sign Language [20], if relevant

[Jenara]

"I have bad feeling. Something wrong." Katten announces to the others as she walks to the passages leaving her thoughts unsaid she continues on.

[TristenC]

[my internet keeps fucking up, something to do with mcafee being a piece of crap. typed a long response, lost all of it. here is the short version, sorry for the inconvenience]

Katten leads the others through the short series of chambers to where she dispatched the Ash Priest. They find a few goblin bodies and a pile of cold ashes.

Linar checks West and sees the familiar passage moving northwest. Moving East he sees Katten and the others as the begin to arrive. Turning before his infravision is spoiled by the torch, he continues northwest to find a squarish chamber. Two paths leave the area, one West (which he recognizes as the dead end where they found the captives the day before) and one South.

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[Chris1234]

Putting away a short sword and pulling out his bow Linar calls back in elven (just loudly enough to be heard by the nearest following elf), "A 90' start ahead of the chainmail would be good. Otherwise meet back here on slow count of 40*," [*4 rounds] and he then bustles south [360'/r] until he can't hear the chainmail behind him (so 90' clearance) when he reverts to the more careful exploratory pace [120'/r] while making use of available cover along the right hand (west) wall..

If nothing significant/untoward, he puts away the longsword and nocks an arrow, planning to scout southwards for another slow count of 10 [1 round] moving at the same careful rate [120'/r].

[Jenara]

(Katten is looking for the narrow passages and columns she found previously.)

[Nocturno]

Nocturno complies keeping distance.

Elden follow quietly. Keeping his gaze away from the torch.

[TristenC]

[the columns and/or small passages they discovered before they have passed now. They are empty. Big red circles on the map]

[Jenara]

Moving on quickly, she delves into the as yet un explored section before her.

[Chris1234]

Linar continues.

[Squirrellord]

Clearly nervous and out of his element, Jordek nevertheless sticks close to big man walking with him.

[TristenC]

[chris, it's not exactly what you described movement wise, but the essence is preserved. the armored ones stayed back 90 feet and the stealthy ones have moved forward to the next potential decision intersection. It can be hard to parse everything appropriately when you post several rounds of specific movement in one go]

Dellinanth hears Linar's request and communicates wordlessly to Indendien. He then whispers the message to Nocturno, who complies while Katten hustles to the front as well. The male wood elf moves somewhat between the scouting Felz and Drow and the rest of the group as the others take up ranks around the light. Indendien encourages Dran to keep pace with her rather than Katten; which the young pup reluctantly does.

Moving forward the scouts find the passage extends due south before curving to yet another small naturally formed chamber with a high ceiling ending in an almost 30 foot high peak in the dim above. Passages move off to the East and Southwest, each potentially branching into yet more tunnels...

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map incoming

[Nocturno]

Nocturno will fall to the rear and avoid looking towards the torch.

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Elden will stay to the front if the rear group.

[Jenara]

"You go left, I right. No attack." Katten suggests, "I worry for friends. For captives." She adds showing a moment's weaknesses.

[Chris1234]

"Ask them to wait here. See you back here on slow count to *forty," acknowledges and elaborates Linar quietly before heading off eastwards as directed.
He does the usuual: skirting the northern wall for cover and scanning round to take maximum advantage of his excellent infravision.

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* Two rounds out, up to two rounds back.

[Nocturno]

Nocturno waits watching behind the group.

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Elden waits with the torch bearer.