Midnight: Peril in Arbordale

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Dane Swift

Dane sighs and his shoulders slump a little, "Alright, sure. Wondering the woods looking for horrible abominations all night sounds like great fun." Then he pulls shut his cloak agianst the cold, although he keeps sword in hand. "Who's leading the way?"

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

"Since we are here, maybe it is a good idea to see if we can find anything else of importance. If nothing sticks its ugly little head out then we should get some rest. I will check the other side of the clearing for tracks, who will accompany me?"

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

Thrarn is able to locate tracks on the opposite side of the clearing and with the help of Elidur, are able to follow them. They lead out of the wooded area and continue to the north. The tracks are hard to follow and it takes quite a bit of time to keep the trail. It is difficult to tell what or how many different sets of tracks are present but they do indicate a small group of people obviously travelling together. At least some of the tracks were made by a very large, bare foot.

After nearly two hours of tracking whatever made these particular tracks, the group comes to an area of high, jagged hills. The trail continues towards the hills and becomes even more difficult to follow. They stick to a winding path into the hills and eventually seemingly end abruptly. Looking around the area, the group at first sees nothing except for wind and snowswept hills. Then, what appears to be a cave mouth is spotted by Darius. It is slightly concealed but visible once it is pointed out. It lies about forty feet above the group. A narrow path leads up towards it.

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

"Well, it looks like we finally found something. Is everyone up to going into that cave tonight? We have not rested to regain our strength and who knows what lies within that cave. Perhaps we should set up camp here and come first light, we will enter the cave."

 

[Keia]

"We've been up half the night tracking these creatures," Darius commented. "I would prefer that the first time I slept, it was in a real bed. But I understand if the rest of you need some rest. It would give me some opportunity to help anyone who was injured."

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Dane Swift

"I think we should just press on while we still have surprise on our side."

 

[maddmic]

Kuknar shakes his head. "I would rather see what we've been tracking now. I would hate for us to set up camp and then be surprised ourselves in the morning. That being said, I can see well in total darkness , so I would volunteer to go into the cave first to see what we're up against if you all wish."

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

Well then, I think it has been decided. We will go into the caves now. Kuknar, after you" Thrarn states as he gestures toward the cave opening.

 

[Mirth]

[norther]"Good thing, too,"[/norther] Elidur mutters as the group makes its way toward the cave after Kuknar. [norther]"I have a heavy doubt than many of you could survive a night outside in a Dornish winter."[/norther]

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

Kuknar takes the lead and follows the path up the hill to the entrance to the cave. He slips inside to take a look with his darkvision, while leaving the others outside.

Carefully moving inside, he can see that he interior is small but not cramped. There are many smaller side caves and alcoves scattered around the main cave. There are no lights and Kuknar sees nothing moving inside.

Suddenly, from his right side, Kuknar is hit by a large club, more like a rough-hewn log. He is knocked sideways into the wall to his left, grunting in pain. (OOC: 15 points of damage) Turning to his right, he sees what appears to be an ogre, except the ogre is obviously not well. It is suffering from multiple open wounds and the skin of one cheek hangs limply below its chin. It was apparently hiding inside a hollowed out alcove near the entrance to the cave.

Outside the cave entrance, everyone else hears the grunt of pain and the sounds of combat.

OOC:
Suprise round is over so we'll move to initiative:
Darius 23
Dane 19
Alhadrial 17
Ogre Fell 16
Elidur 9
Kuknar 8
Thrarn 6

Kuknar and the Ogre Fell are about 30 feet away from the rest of the group. I might try to get a map of the cave entrance area up shortly. Actions?