Ryndar lets D take a sizable lead before following behind, arrow already knocked in his bow.

As you all move away from the bat cave and before Daerthe scouts ahead, Snigbat reappears at your side. “Boss Hark is in his chamber through this northwest passage. You go about 25 feet, then passage opens to his area. He knows you are here. I heard Blik report that you kill ogres and some goblins. So Hark hides, hopes to ambush you. He has giant rats, two bodyguards, and Blik. There is also southern passage, about 50 feet, curves around to enter Hark’s cave from south. I could go that way, so we attack from two directions. Or, I just get big idea. I go in from south, announce that you leave with villagers. Hark relax a little, then you come in from north! What you think?”

Bearamble will only advance with the majority of the party. Upon hearing about giant rats, he sniffs the air to see if he can confirm their presence.

Sniff Perception: 23

Regardless, his bear instincts cause him to hunger for a chunk of rat.

The scents in this cave are a smorgasbord of goblins, ogres, minerals, and guano, as well as that of his own party and the villagers. But somehow, Bearamble's bear nose is able to pick out the smell of rats from the northwest and also that of raw torn flesh, suggesting that they have been feeding recently.

Daerthe nod and instead begins to sneak down the way the goblin suggested. She will stop short and wait for the others to catch up.

Helena will continue along. She is not great at this sort of thing, so will follow the expertise of the others, some of whom she considers rather skilled at such. She would let them decide how best to approach, and if it is wise to allow this goblin to aid them or not.

Sphyboe has decided to follow the goblin 'Snigbat' since she doesn't trust her yet. Thus, she will attempt to move carefully and maintain a close distance from her while taking the Northern passage.

Dexterity: Stealth 10

“So what do you think? You like my idea? I go south, announce that you left with villagers, then you all attack from north passage?” asks Snigbat. “Or you have better idea? We work together, come up with best plan. But we probably need to be quick, before Hark sends someone out to check.” (She saw Daerthe’s nod, but isn’t sure if you are all on board.)

"Seems a reasonable plan, the element of surprise is always beneficial." Ryndar replies, keeping a critical eye on the goblin, looking for signs of deception.

Insight: 21

"Works for me." Helena says with a nod. She tucks more of her chestnut hair behind her ear as she glances around. "Do you know if there will be light in this place with the Boss goblin, or will we need to bring our own?"

Ryndar can tell that the goblin is feeling excited and nervous. She seems eager for your help in overthrowing their current leader, but also a little scared. You don’t sense any deception. She tells Helena, “Goblins don’t need light, so we don’t have. If you need light, that might be problem, tip off Hark that you coming. Can you sneak in without and then just use when you ready to attack? I let you figure that out. Give me a little time to get to Hark from south. You get in place from north. You hear me tell him that you gone, then wait a little for him to come out of hiding. Then when you light up room, we all attack, yes?” She starts to edge toward the south, but slowly in case you have anything else to say to her before she goes.

Helena nods then turns and moves to follow the drow.

The goblin trots toward the southwestern side of the main cavern to put the plan into action.

(Please read spoiler)

Daerthe will keep the 26 for Stealth.

Initiative: 15

Helena rolls are in game log: Stealth 12, perception 6, initiative 21.

Helena will hide her light and follow the others by feel more than anything else.

She will go to the north passage.

Bearamble will make movements to take the lead through the northern passage, but will acquiesce if someone wishes to go in front of him.

Stealth: 8

Initiative: 20

Sphyboe does not want to expose her location when she will attempt to follow Snigbat. She will stash the dart inside her pouch, then she'll move forward with a clandestine mission. She personally believes that she might not be able to move stealthily, and Snigbat may find out that she's being followed. If Snigbat is really trying to help the party, she should not be bothered by her presence.

Initiative: 4

Stealth: 10 (previously rolled value)

Ryndar will lead through the northern passage, since bramble doesn't have darkvision and we could use the bear's form to help mask the light.

Stealth: 22
Initiative: 21

The plan sounds like it makes sense to Essie, so she follows the others through the northern passage. She's a little worried, given her low magic, but she grips her staff and follows her friends. Making sure that Helena sticks close so she can help guide her along.

Stealth: 9

Initiative: 12

As Daerthe leads the group like a shadow through the passage, she sees one goblin straight ahead - not Snigbat. The rogue darts quickly into another side passage that leads to an empty chamber less than 10 feet in either direction. It gives her a good place to hide while waiting for Snigbat to do her part. Meanwhile, Ryndar moves up just to where a curve hides him from the chamber that lies about 15 feet ahead. Bearamble squeezes in behind, followed by Essie who is helping Helena along. In the southern passage, Sphyboe stays a little behind Snigbat, and any noise she makes is masked by the goblin who isn’t trying to be quiet at all.

You have timed it well. Just as you take these positions, you hear Snigbat’s voice ring out. “Boss! You can come out now! The intruders left with the villagers. But not before your pets got their fill, right?” And she laughs heartily.

“You’re sure they’re gone?” another slightly deeper voice asks. “Zukluk! Go check that she is right. And Blik, you coward! Go along, too. Follow to make sure they have gone all the way back to Nightstone. Then report to me.” Since you are all hiding in the passage, you can’t see the source of this voice. You assume that this is Boss Hark and he doesn’t seem too far away within the chamber ahead.

(See spoiler for initiative order)