TOR2: Onwards to Combe

[silverfoxdmt73]

Hugh and Periwinkle move ahead of the others, carefully keeping off the rockier parts of the hillside as they make their way towards the cave entrance.

Having found some low growing bushes to conceal their presence, Periwinkle puts her hand on Hugh's shoulder in a mix of alarm and excitement. Carefully, the young hobbit points to a small shape by the rocky cave entrance, previously shrouded in shadow - a goblin!

OOC

Periwinkle got a Feat Success on her roll and has spotted a goblin sentry guarding the cave entrance. The goblin hasn't noticed anyone approach and may well be asleep in the shadows by the cave entrance.

[Jon]

Periwinkle tries to judge how many goblins such a cave could possibly harbour, by looking at fresh tracks leading in and out of the cave mouth, the size and putrid state of nearby garbage piles and so forth, and also the state of the goblin; is it armed, and how, does it look strong and healthy or weak and/or sickly? How big is it? Does it have any injuries and if so of what kind? is there any mark of a tribe or other allegiances or affiliations anywhere on the goblin or elsewhere, like a symbol or flag? Then she gestures to Hugh, pointing towards where the others are waiting.
Let's go back and tell them.

OOC

She failed her scan-roll, maybe Hugh will have more luck

[Wbweather]

Hugh whispers to Periwinkle. "Yes, we should go tell the others. Give me one second though, I thought I saw something." He stares intently at the opening of the cave looking to see if something really did catch his eye or if his nerves were just getting the better of him.

OOC

I would like to do a Scan as well, since it is a favored skill. Also, are we doing the rolls or is our fearless LM rolling for us?

[Jon]

Periwinkle gives a thumbs up.

OOC

You can make the skill check on roll20.net if you want to roll yourself

[silverfoxdmt73]

Hugh can see that the goblin, with it's large pointed ears and crooked hooked nose does appear to be sleeping in the entrance to the cave, having settled in the part still shrouded in shadow from the overhanging hillside. It cradles what looks like a wicked looking spear in it's arms. It is dressed in a makeshift leather tunic and boots, but besides that Hugh cannot see any emblems or other distinguishing features.

Around the entrance are scattered bones, ribcages and other detritus, large enough to be sheep or cattle perhaps. This would appear to be an old troll hole, something that can be found all over these hills.

[Wbweather]

“Do you see that fellow sleeping there in the shadows?” He points for Peri’s sake. “ Let’s go back and talk with the others about what to do. At least we have an idea what we are dealing with. The question is, how do we deal with it. I wish we knew how many there were in that cave. We could watch a while and see I suppose.“

[Jon]

Periwinkle nods and whispers; "Maybe someone in the village knows how big these caves are, then we can make a guess on their maximum number at least. I can stay here and keep an eye on things while you go back and tell the others. I'll make a sound like a crow three times if something's up. If you want me to come back, you can make a crow-sound three times. Or you can stay and I'll go back, if you prefer."

[silverfoxdmt73]

"I'll go." Whispers Hugh, turning to head back up the hill to the others.

Crouching down he makes his way up the hill, but when he gets around halfway up the slope he slips on a loose stone and sends a few pebbles clattering down the slope noisily.

Periwinkle can see the goblin wakes with a jump, quickly grabbing it's spear and looking around the area by the cave entrance. It doesn't appear to notice the hobbit in her concealed position, nor does it come out of the shadows to look up the hill, or else it would surely see Hugh. It takes a minute or so to scan the area, but appears to be happy that nothing untoward is about to befall it.

Awake and alert it goes back to guarding the entrance to the cave.

[Jon]

Periwinkle hunkers down behind the bushes and crawls under some large ferns, making herself as small ass possible, all the while both trying to keep the goblin in sight and preparing to make her best caw sound should the others approach.

[Wbweather]

Hugh was intently focused on getting back to the others, perhaps too intently and failed to see the loose rock that tripped him up. Looking back to see the goblin sentry raise a spear, he prepares to run in the opposite direction of Peri so that he can draw attention away from her. His heart pounds so loudly that he is certain the creature can hear every beat like a big bass drum. Then the goblin seems to decide there is nothing to worry about and heads back to the shade. Still shaking, Hugh continues up the hill watching every step closely until he reaches the others. Once there, he tells them about what he and Peri have seen, about his slip and then asks them what they want to do.

“Peri is still down there. I don’t think she’s in any trouble, but my accident may have alerted the goblins more than it seems and Inwould hate for her to be discovered by them.”