[KAUAI]The Rod of Seven Parts: Of Hexes and Gems

Maelicent intrepidly treks forward along the northeastern passageway until the tunnel reaches its terminus at a rock wall and shallow cave some 25 feet to the east. Looking south, Maelicent quietly scans a new southbound tunnel and spies a cave tooth in time to see the beastie scuttle across the ceiling and round a corner perhaps 35 feet distant.

[sblock=Maelicent]The red arrow on the map indicates where the cave tooth went. If you think Maelicent would fire at it, he can take a shot. The tunnels and caves in here look fairly extensive, and the drip of water has grown louder the farther east Maelicent has trekked. By the quality of the echo, it sounds like there's a larger cavern somewhere near. The last time Maelicent shot a cave tooth, it made a pop and the shards of calcified shell clattered to the floor.[/sblock]

The walls of the southern tunnel are smoother than tunnels Maelicent has previously encountered in this area. The dirt on the floor is packed, same as the others however. The ceiling in the southern-leading tunnel is made of rock and Maelicent can tell that there might have once been stalactites hanging but they've all been chipped off or broken away. Only ragged bases of mineral hang from the ceiling.

[Sblock=OOC]Just to be clear, I didn't intend Maelicent to wander all the way down the northern tunnel, only "to the entrance of the north-eastern tunnel". Sorry, I should have said which square he was going to, in this case B6. He was then going to continue counter-clockwise around the room's central pillar and back out the entrance. Either way though, Mael would shoot any cave-teeth he spotted. BTW, how fast do these critters scuttle along the ceiling?[/sblock]

Spying the slow-moving cave tooth, Maelicent pulls back his arrow and lets the projectile fly. With a crunch and an ensuing spray of hard shell, Maelicent hits and splatters the cave tooth for 5 points of damage. The tooth, what is left of it, immediately drops with a thud to the packed dirt floor of the tunnel some 40 feet distant.

Map amended, have a look.

Chev and Voadam hear what sounds like another cave tooth shattering somewhere to the north in the dead air of the tunnels beyond. No sign of Maelicent.

Smiling with grim satisfaction, the Gudwulf warrior draws and nocks another arrow as he continues his systematic search of the crystal cave. Slowly creeping along, Maelicent completes his circuit around the central pillar as he makes his way back towards his allies at the cavern's entrance.

OOC: Heading towards E2 via B3; continuing to advance in 10-ft. increments while taking 20 to Spot (Spot +7).

Taking his time but not seeing anything in the crystal cavern other than semi-translucent crystal and the patches of already noted moss, Maelicent at length and by degrees makes his return to the others.

Maelicent slowly releases the tension on his bowstring as he passes through the penumbra of Voadam's torch light. "Got tha third one. Tha caves go on an around fer a bit. Could be more of em about; tha place might not be any safer when we git back tomarow... or tha damned things mighta learned ta keep clear outta our way by then." The goblin offers his giant-kin allies a malicious smile.

Stepping back to where the first cave tooth shattered on the floor, Maelicent lightly kicks its remains with the tip of his boot. "Heh. Nothin there I'd care ta eat. Damn useless critters..." The goblin spits upon the dead cave tooth and then walks through the group's ranks to lead the way back towards the surface. "Mayhaps I can go git one o the rabbit carcasses ta clean an eat."

"Odd fellow you are, Mael. Can't say I've ever really had the chance to talk with a goblin." Chev says as Mael leads the way back. "Some rest before we head further down would be welcomed. I can take first watch."

"Maelicent, could you tell which way the decay scent is coming from, which tunnel ahead? Brakkus, would you grab my dart on the way back. I don't want to set off the moss by going in any further with the torch."

Gamad

Gamad limps back after Mael and curse quietly everything he could think about.
The companions could hear his grumbling about the dirt, the rod, the rock creature, his stained cloth and Dter.
Do not disturb the pool.
The dwarf calls after the goblin.
We shall rest near the cracked cliff.