Golwing will certainly have an open eye in the back of the caravan. Perception: 11

Gruno takes his place in the rear wagon with Flax and Golwing, any mirth in his demeanor gone as now that he is on the job he takes things much more serious. As they set along he keeps his eyes active, scanning the sides for anything that might be a threat to the small caravan. 

Active perception: 15
Passive perception: 11

The morning air is crisp but eventually gives way to a warm spring morning, a few clouds trace their way across the sky. You move along well traveled roads for an hour or two before turning down much bumpier less used paths. You pass several travelers heading towards Sundabar, the occasional greeting but most seem to leave such a large and well guarded caravan alone. Shortly before lunch you crest a hill and see a large tunnel opened up into the side of the small mountain range in front of you. There are several dwarves moving carts in and out of the tunnel. it seems to be quite a large opening. 

The carts pull up to a space off to the west that has a few tents erected. The others begin to climb down and empty the supplies and such out of the wagons. Flax gathers you all up. "We'll have a bit o lunch then head inside after. I've been told its about 3 hours to the place they want to excavate. Our job is to keep the others safe. Not sure what's gonna be inside this structure so keep your wits about you." 

Anvil watches the dwarven miners for several moments before finally hitching his shield into place.

His eyes go dim momentarily, then his free hand traces the emblem on his shield. Bright light springs forth from the front of the shield.

(Casts Light on the shield).

Anvil then draws his mace and enters the tunnel, waiting for the expedition to get started.

"OH.. seems our war forged friend here is eager to get underway!" Flax muses as she leads the rest of you to one of the tents where tables have been setup. There are several people in here eating already, looks like the workers might eat in shifts. You all get food, mostly dwarven dishes, and find some empty table space. 

Gaetana whistles as they come over the crest with the large tunnel in view, "Now that is a tunnel."  She makes herself at home enjoying the lunch and when she hears it is going to be 3 hours to their destination, she asks "Are we to stay with our charges while they are excavating?  If so, how long do we plan on staying down there?  I'm wondering if we want to pack up some of this food to take with us?"  Seeing that Anvil passes up his food, she takes a little bit of his share as well.  

"I'm not sure how long they plan to stay but some of the porters will be carrying provisions. And yes we will be with them just in case they run inta something..... unpleasant." 

"Better just be read since we're on not-high alert," Sulfas states as he slings his axe off his shoulder and into hands, taking a moment to make sure his Periapt  is still around his neck, "If at any point I go down, try to get me up. If you leave me behind, I will get up and hunt you down," He then heads for the food. 

Getting people back on their feat is the main reason i am here. I'll try my best. Just dont take reckless action

“Well, isn’t this light-hearted dinner conversation.  Sulfas, we won’t be leaving you anywhere”.   Gaetana leaves the tent, gets her gear on and ready and joins Anvil.  “Let’s get this party on the road.”

Finishing his meal, Gruno steps out and walks up to Sulfas and looks him in the eyes with a determined look. "I failed protecting someone in my past, I have vowed not to ever let it happen again. You have my word, I have your back friend."

With a nod, he checks his gear over and heads over by the cave to wait for the rest.

A short time after your meal the group is ready. You see Maxwell leading 3 others to the head of the group. Another human man not quite as old as he but up in years, a dwarven man his black beard braided in a double braid, and and elven woman with long golden hair tied into a neat tight line down her back, her age indiscernible. Along with those 4 there is a company of about 15 others carrying various packs  and pulling a few smaller wagons loaded with gear. 

Maxwell stands in front of you all "Thank you all for joining us on this historic trek in the underdark. The structure we've uncovered hasn't been touched in hundreds if not thousands of years, if the markings are to be believed"  he says looking down to the dwarf who puffs his chest out a bit. "Lets go make history" 

He then turns and heads into the tunnel. 

Anvil looks Maxwell up and down.

"Additional information for this job is required," Anvil says. "We are to protect the four of you, yes? The 15 porters are expendable or to be protected as well? What about the object you have discovered? That can be damaged in protecting you? If not, what are the priorities? Are the porters to be protected over the object?"

He walks along for a moment, tilting his shield so the light gets directed to the sides.

"Should not one of us take the lead? Or is this a safe route to where you are taking us?"

He chuckles a bit "My wondrous friend, by all means protect our lives over anything else in here" he waves back to everyone "All of us." He seems to get almost giddy now "The thing we are going to isn't an object, per se. It seems to be a structure of some kind, its purpose is unknown to us yet but we will uncover its secrets. So far there has been little resistance, a few stray kobolds and the occasional giant centipede. Some of the porters also have martial training, but nothing near your skill levels. The 6 of you will be accompanying those of us going into the structure while the rest will help protect our camp. 

“Warforged, you’re sure full of questions aren’t ya?  But yes, good to know that people are what we are guarding.” She turns to Maxwell and friends and remarks, “Shall we get going?” 

"Yes, I am not a mind reader so I ask questions," Anvil says, then after a pause he adds a single word. "Human."

"Just point me at what I need to kill and pay when we're done," Sulfas added his one cent with a shrug.

The tunnel leading into the underdark itself isn't enormous. You can all easily walk thru most of it, but its evident why you left the carts and such behind. About 45 min into traveling the tunnel emerges into a much larger cavern. Its unclear if it was constructed or formed naturally, but plainly its old. The path you now travel is leading downward, as you traverse deeper underground. The temp is cool and the air has a very earthy tinge to it. 

I like that smell, it reminds me of home.

Are we carrying torches or is it bright enough to see?

(Anvil casted light on his shield)

"I can see now why I haven't been down here before.  I definitely feel more at home amongst the trees.  Let's keep a move on, our charges are anxious to get to their site." Gaetana says impatiently.