Act 1, Scene 1: "Through the Undergrowth" (Main Game Thread)

[Jenara]

"I thank you. Your blessing kind." Katten speaks quietly as she moves to collect her sword and set about restringing her bow. "We go south, Big Boss south." Her words are almost shaky as she keeps Dran at her side, all the while considering sending him back to the surface.

When the party is ready she leads them South as the Goblin told her.

[Nocturno]

"Yes let's" Nocturno will straighten his armour and draw his long sword.

[TristenC]

Katten offers the cleric heartfelt thanks. Motioning for Dran to stick close, the ranger leads the party south. Nocturno readies his sword and follows, Van and Elden bringing up the rear as the human sticks close to the Illusionist to guide him in the dark. Another area opens to the southeast, but along the path west lie a trio of dead goblins; one looking as of it had been smashed flat by a massive hammer.

Moving westward, a powerful stench blasts them from the south making their eyes water briefly. The cavern opens to a partially squared-off room with narrow passages East and West. A large column rises to the ceiling. The source of the odor quickly becomes evident as Katten spots a lizard-like creature laying in a motionless heap on the ground. Near the body stands Linar, looking into an area slightly southwest of the new chamber.

[The symbols on the weapon don't resemble those on the stone Nocturno found. They are consistent with druid markings and nature magic.]

[Jenara]

Approaching the Drow with her bow once again at the ready Katten shakes her head. (Does she know what the creature is?)

"You head off alone.." she shrugs still nursing the wound that stains her fur. "Where Bull one?"

[Chris1234]

"No. I covered his back. Went west," replies Linar.

[Jenara]

"Boss to the South." She responds, leaning down to the body, her keen nose blasted with the smell. Looking to the end of the cavern she recalls what the Goblin had said. "Bull man go right way." She adds. "We go too." She closes the dead creatures eyes.

[Nocturno]

Nocturno will do a once around the room, nose cringing. Wondering if he should be horrified of the creature or feel sorry for it.

Then he will follow Katten.

[Chris1234]

Without another sound Linar heads out to the west, arrow nocked.

[TristenC]

The body looks to be that of one of the strange lizard-men that live underground. Katten and Nocturno have heard of them, but never seen one. They use powerful stench as a defense. This one is chained to the nearby column and bears many signs of long term abuse. It is emaciated and frail looking, and has apparently died from a single knife wound applied with great strength. A hard-worn pick-axe lies near it. Nocturno circles the room, finding only that the walls are freshly and sporadically worked; probably by the deceased prisoner. The chain itself looks to have been once good quality and human make. It bears many marks suggesting attempted escape; some quite fresh.

Linar readies his bow and heads off west, soon catching up to the Minotaur. Katten closes the pitiful creatures eyes and follows. Where is everyone? And what is that stink? Elden asks Vanidur.

The Drow and Feliz find that the passage opens up into another chamber. In the far corner stands a short stone table covered in some dark stain, and a strange design marked on the wall behind. Along the south wall sit bowls, earthen pots and small waterskins. The adjacent corner nearer him is piled with bones and bits of animal rubbish.

Another hall continues westward to an apparent intersection. No sound can be heard beyond...

[Jenara]

"He was prisoner, look out for others." She speaks softly to Linar. "Big Evil." Katten mumbles to herself, rounding the corner she hugs the wall and glances to the passage to the north, holding the wall. Motioning to the Drow to follow the Minatuar.

[Nocturno]

Nocturno will stay a good 30' back unless asked to stay further back. Or summoned forward.

[Jenara]

Kattens bow is at the ready with an arrow notched. She tells Dran to stay back.

[ausie]

Garroth nods to Linar and Katten as they arrive behind him and leads westward again, through the new corridor, hunching over with daggers in his hands..

Garroth remains silent, and expecting company - as soon as he passes through the narrow section to the west, (approx 20 feet west north west of his current position) he angles south west about 10 feet to allow passage and line of sight for Linar and Katten's arrows..

[Chris1234]

As soon as Garroth is halfway across the chamber, unless anything hostile shows, Linar flits across, as swiftly and silently as the shadow he's trying to emulate, glancing {120' infravision} to the south and then to the north as he goes before blending in with the western edge of the cavern.

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{OOC: Unless anything hostile shows up, aiming to move south and behind Garroth until the big fellow goes into the west tunnel and then to take a position 5 squares from Linar's current icon and 2 squares to the south and then HS.}

[Sol Mazer]

Van will scope out the passage to the east of him (the one that runs SE). Trying to get a better sense of this cavern system. Staff at the ready.