As you approach the site of the ambush, the crows fly up into the trees, where they caw raucously at you for interrupting their meal. The carcasses of the horses smell foul and are already beginning to bloat. A cursory examination shows that they've been partially and inexpertly butchered, with wide swaths of meat stripped off their ribs and legs. Taniwha sniffs at the air, but the stench of dead horses overpowers the jungle cat's nose.
The wagon has been largely but not completely burned, and there is clearly less than a full load's worth of goods in the back, so at least some of the cargo has been looted. Nothing weapon-like shows amongst the charred ashes, so the crate of weapons are probably included among the stolen merchandise.
Near where the wagon lies, a narrow trench has been dug across the road, which was then apparently covered with a bit of canvas. It's apparently what the horse stepped in.
Suddenly, the crows go silent. There's a single yipping noise to the west side of the road, like a person speaking during a loud party when there's a sudden lull in the conversation.
[sblock=GM]I've put you about where I think you would be according to your posts. Maui went to the wagon, Marcus followed him, and everyone else approached more cautiously. Alvise is about 20 squares off the north end of the map.
Green squares on the map are brush and are difficult terrain. Brown circles are tree trunks. The trench in the road (grey squares) is also difficult terrain. The wagon and horse corpses can be used for cover. If for some reason you want to move across them, they're extra-difficult terrain (3 squares per).
You cannot see any gremlins yet, but you're sure you heard one.
This is the surprise round. Everyone gets
one standard action.[/sblock]
[sblock=Map, Surprise Round]
[/sblock]