CH. 2: Bear in Mine

[HorizonsDream]

"It sounds like you might be over thinking this," Kendra says as she follows after Darga.

[djhyland]

Darga nods in agreement. "She's right," he says. "We got a job ta do. Sooner er later, we got to look down all these tunnels, so it don't matter which one we go down now anyway. As long as we know as much about what we're gettin' inta, anyhow."

[mgbevan]

"If only kobolds were civil enough that we could call an 'inhabitants of the mine' meeting and negotiate their relocation through a diplomatic medium..." Gregeddin chimes longingly with enthusiastic sarcasm as he follows Kendra and Darga.

[JadedDM]

"Right ho, Bear so you know what goes on in this level?"

"Nay, lad, I never ventured beyond the first level myself. I know this level even less than the last one. If only the mine foreman hadn't been the first to be killed," Bear laments. "He'd be mighty useful right about now."

Darga carefully checks for traps, but finds none, and hopes that means it's safe and he just didn't overlook anything.

The party takes the western path, and follow it for three minutes before reaching another intersection. This one consists of a western tunnel that seems to open into a chamber, and a southern tunnel that extends beyond the range of anyone's infravision or light source.

===========

Darga checks for traps [20] (1d100): 53, fail.
Darga detects stonework traps/pits/deadfalls [3] (1d6): 6, fail.

[djhyland]

Looking down both tunnels, Darga shakes his head and mumbles, "More tunnels, more tunnels. Let's go ahead ta that chamber, then go back ta the tunnels again when we're done."

Darga creeps ahead down the western tunnel, eyes wide and walking stick at the ready. Not only could there be traps, but more kobolds...or worse!...could be waiting in the chamber, ready to attack him! But if there are, he'll do all he can to ensure that he won't be taken by surprise.

(OOC: Darga is checking for traps and rolls a 19 (20 needed)! Just in case he misses one, he rolls a 1 (1--3 needed) to detect any stonework traps. Things are looking up!)

[JadedDM]

Darga's careful forethought pays off. Just up ahead, he discovers a pit trap covered with a tarp and some dirt. Had he or anyone else in the group blundered ahead, they likely would have fallen right into it. There is room to circumvent it by hugging the walls around the pit itself.

[djhyland]

Darga carefully pulls the tarp away from the pit. Although that certainly won't remove the danger, he nods in satisfaction that his companions will be able to clearly see it. "Be careful! Maybe it'll be tight, but if ya stick close ta th'wall, ya can get 'round this thing without fallin' in."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin comes over and peers at the pit "ugh, that could have been unpleasant. I give thanks to the keen eyes on ya'" smiling at the dwarf.

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra follows after the gully dwarf, hugging the wall as she looks down into the pit.

[JadedDM]

Once everyone has safely bypassed the pit, Darga takes the lead again as their scout. As he approaches the chamber to the west, he suddenly hears a noise emanating from within it--it sounds like someone or something grunting with mild pain.

[djhyland]

Darga holds up a hand in warning to the others. "Somethin's in there. Sounds like there's someone hurt..."

Darga warily enters the chamber and looks about. While he's concerned that there might be someone in there that might need his help, he's also aware that this might be another sort of trap...

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra allows Darga to investigate for the moment, deciding now is a good time to be quiet.

[Haahque]

"Aye, let's take a closer look." Haahqae follows, staying out of sight as best as possible.

(Move Silently (55%): 80
Hide (50%): 46)

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin feels a little lost as he cannot see if hear anything. But after the pit he knows to trust the scouts

[JadedDM]

Darga and Haahqae sneak forward, trying to remain silent and stick to the shadows. Peeking inside the small chamber, they are suddenly assaulted by a terrible odor. It seems that someone or something has been using this chamber for a toilet. Indeed, there is someone in there now, squatting in the corner doing just that. Its back is to the party and its strained grunting is effectively masking the party's approach.

Haahqae, the more worldly of the two, recognizes the creature from the many books he's read. It's a slig--said to be a crossbreed of a lizardman and a goblin. It's about six feet tall (when standing), with a tough, horny and hairless hide of a dull orange color. A blunt, vestigial tail extends from the slig's spine, quivering and throbbing with effort.

Unfortunately, Kendra--who is still carrying her lantern, decides to follow after the scouts. When she comes in range, the light floods into the chamber, alerting the slig. It quickly looks over its shoulder, revealing its narrow, slitted eyes, pointed ears with large earlobes, thin snout, and huge mouth filled with sharp fangs. It hisses and quickly stands up, reaching for a nearby spear.

==============

(Actions and Initiative?)