Barkas does a studder step as T’laren asks him the question, nearly losing his balance.  “Gundren?  Is that one of the Rockseekers?  I’ve no idea.  Is that him?  Glory be.  Is he ok?”  Barkas rubs his head.  “I have no idea where he has anything.  All I saw was the inside of a sack over there, that bathroom, and a really mean looking club.  Thas it.”  

He looks over at Droknin considering him, smiling.  “Yes, absolutely.  I’ll join up with you and let’s get out of this forsaken place.  I’ll be glad to see it receedin behind me.”  He turns and looks quickly, to see if he sees anything that catches his eye, anything that old Grol might have dropped, or any hidden treasures before they flee.

Perception : (Nat 20! + 5) = 25

T'laren rapidly fades to a translucent, grey image of himself as he swaps into the first room the party entered, bow trained on the doorway that he'd tied a rope across the bottom of. He'll hold position there until the others join him on their way to the exit.

Barkas, you take five minutes to carefully search the room.  While you didn't see where any valuables were kept, your ears do more than frame your face, and it turns out all that time locked in the bathroom wasn't for nothing.  You are able to quickly identify that you heard the sound of coins rattling near the old bugbear's bed.   

In your search you find the following:

• Hidden under Grol’s bed mattress is a stitched leather sack containing 220 sp, 160 ep, three potions of healing, and a sturdy copper scrollcase containing an ancient map.  The map is covered in dwarven, gnomish and arcane runes.
• King Grol himself had no coinage on him and his large set of hide armor is both dirty and well-perforated after the fight.  Lying on the floor beside him, however, is a black iron morningstar with an unwholesome, oily appearance.
• There is a dead woman dressed in red robes and covered in tattoos.  She has a heavy book in her belongings, locked with a clasp in the shape of harpy.
• In the hall are two hobgoblin guards, deceased. Both are clad in chainmail armor with longswords fallen at their sides, all of goblinoid make.
• There is an old wolf lying on the floor, badly hurt but not dead, its shallow breathing barely noticeable.

Barkas pulls these things out, hearing the satisfying clink of coins and he shows and gives them T’laren and Droknin, saying “Lookie here!”  He also distributes a potion of healing to each of them, but he is most interested in the copper scroll case and ancient map.  Seeing the worried attitude of T’laren, Barkas decides to take just 30 seconds to look at the map and not study it like he truly wishes to do.  He unfurls it and quickly looks at the Dwarven runes, tries to see what it is depicting and if it has anything to do with where they are currently.  After he has looked quickly, he rolls it up fast and puts it back in the case, storing it away.  “I have a thing for maps.  After we get somewhere safer, I need to tell you about my Star map.  I wasn’t able to foresee you, but there is so much it tells me.  I could sit and look at, study and sniff a map for hours...”  He explains, with a somewhat bashful look on his face, like his one true weakness has already been exposed.  

Barkas points out the other findings to his companions, not really showing an interest in the other items, the morning star and the spell book.  He does kneel by the wolf, saying “Was this wolf attacking you, was he working with Grol?”  He puts his hand on the back of the wolf, feeling his breathing, trying to sense if he is near death.  

Medicine : 20

Barkas, glancing at the map before you roll it back up, you see a depiction of the Sword Mountains.  Examining the wolf, you see it is quite old, and also quite injured from battle.  You surmise, however, that left on its own it will eventually recover from these injuries.  It is currently unconscious.

Droknin, the unconscious dwarf shifts and snores on your shoulder, but does not waken.  

T'laren, there is no intrusion or imminent sign of danger near the exit.  Both Keashirryl and Garrin linger there just inside the secret entrance, clearly anxious to be out of here yesterday.  "T'laren," Garrin whispers, "have your doppleganger go and see what is keeping those two.  We're not here to stay for tea."

The shadowy version of T'laren enters the king's chamber and silently holds his hands up at them, before gesturing to the door.

Droknin takes the potion. "I am sure there will be no need for it, but much appreciated any way." He thanks Barkas, but he really doesn't see the need for silly human potions. He nods to the exit to indicate that this is a good time to leave the castle.

Barkas finishes gathering up the things he found and nods to Droknin, following and ready to leave this place, glad that he is making it out alive.  “Let’s getouttahere.”

The party quietly exits back through the secret, canvas covered flap in the wall of the keep.  

As they step out into the night air, they become aware of a commotion near the front entrance.  Multiple voices, a half dozen or more speaking goblin, are raised, some of them shouting.  You think, but cannot be sure, that you hear the voice of little Droop among them.  

You can try to make for the cover of the northern tree line.  If so, we will need Stealth checks from everyone.  Otherwise, you can wait to see what happens - or try something else if you have other ideas.

T'laren nods his head towards the trees.

Droknin Stealth: 4

In no shape to take on a crew of goblins, Barkas looks to run.  “Head for the tree line, and hide!”  Barkas steps forward pausing, then starts to pulsate and his body changes, warps and moves, changing form.  Soon you see a black panther before you, look at you for a second, and then it dashes 100 feet for the tree line, fast as it can.  

Stealth : 12

T'laren Stealth: 10

T'laren is a bit taken aback by the dwarf turning into a panther, but heads for the trees.

Garrin Stealth:  14

Keashirryl Stealth:  2

As the party crosses the field surrounding the ruined castle, making for the cover of the forest, they get a better look area outside the front entrance.  Even in the gloom of dusk, they can see that there are now six hobgoblins gathered here.  You can see the three in chainmail who had earlier left to pursue Garrin's familiar.  They are joined by three more, clad in studded leather and wielding long bows.  Around their feet mill four goblins, Droop among them.  One of the hobgoblins in leather has two wolves by the leash.

Unfortunately, the Leonin barbarian and the tiefling cleric are just not built for avoiding attention.  Droknin's white fur practically glows in the twilight, while Keashirryl's chainmail makes a racket no matter how slowly she tries to move.  You are just feet from the tree line, when a voice calls out in Goblin, and then immediately after in Common, "Halt!  Stop right where you are!"

The three hobgoblins in chainmail begin walking in your direction, while two of those in leather draw their bows.  The last, the speaker, holds the leashes of the wolves tight as they slaver and strain in your direction.  He doesn't release them... yet.  They are roughly 90' away from you right now.

[What do we do?  Fight?  Flee?  Negotiate?]

[Bark Panther is probably already in the trees but the rest are still in the open.]

Bark-panther climbs part of the way up a tree and watches, staying motionless, but ready to run.  

Droknin gently lowers the Dwarf to the ground, and steps in front of him. He takes out the King's head, and displays it in front of him. "Your King is dead. Perhaps there is a new leader amongst you. Our quarry is not with you, for we have found what we came here for."

Intimidation: 7 (if necessary)

[Droknin, I think the severed head is enough to let you roll that intimidation check with advantage.]

Intimidation (crossing fingers!!!): 16