“I don’t know guys… I’d rather go around. The pools and the pit the plants came out of are just tweaking my danger sense.” Petcan eyes the rocks warily. 

Tempe "Yes those can be dangerous" He looks around for a friendly looking animal before continuing.

There is an animal or two about. The nearest is a small white-crowned sparrow on a low branch that is warily watching you all. It's nest is probably nearby.

Good idea. Zenodor volunteers Irraxan for the task of scouting over the hill. He's tiny, stealthy ( +5 stealth), can polymorph into a bird to blend in, and can make himself invisible. (And if anything goes wrong, he can't truly be killed as he can just be resummoned at the next opportunity)

All great options. Which are you using? (changing into a bird to blend in won't work if he's invisible etc.)

Irraxan will be invisible as his default option. Best for a stealthy scouting mission. He's also supposed to try to be stealthy (i.e. be quiet, don't land on a branch that will bend down, don't drop stuff, etc)

Tempe cast speak with animals as a ritual then asks the small white-crowned sparrow " We have no intentions of hurting you or your brood. Would you please help us avoid and dangers. To us?" He points to the group.

"Big tentacle animal come from sea. Eat small animal. Run and hide. Be safe."

The small white-crowned sparrow flits off in a frenetic, darting flight that is soon lost among the branches of nearby trees.

Tempe looks a little worried "Seems something large with tentacles from the sea, hunts here. Thats what the bird said."

Randall:

”Then we should definitely mark it on the map and take the longer route to avoid it for now.  Good work, Tempe,” responds Brother Randall, thankful for the wisdom and capabilities of his new companions.

"That doesn;t sound great indeed, I guess the long way around is the best way. Should we wait till Irrazan is back?"

Irraxan can see that there is nothing of any particular interest on top of the hill, no natives or large animals, maybe the odd bird flitting from tree to tree.

I guess no news from the hill is good news. Zenodor recalls Irraxan by the usual trick (dismiss without range limit into pocket dimension, re-appear within 30ft as action). 

(I love that instant return after recon trick.)

The wind has picked up a little, not quite a gusty or blustery day, but not a mild one. Your cloaks and outer clothes ruffle slightly in the wind until you reach the tree line. The wind ceases to be a problem as you reenter the woods and begin circling around the hill. it is also considered dim light under the canopy of the trees.

About halfway around, almost exactly opposite the shore is a man-made cave entrance. It has smooth, straight sides seven feet tall that end is a perfectly rounded arch. Nature could never reproduce such an easily recognizable entrance of worked stone. The entrance is dark suggesting there is no one inside, or at the very least no light sources.

Zenodor, having read enough stories of heroes in his youth, recognises an ominous cave when he sees one. He suggests we tool up (prep, reload, cast any advance spells), and then explore the cave/building. Zenodor will cast Armor of Agathys near the entrance before the exploration starts, in anticipation of danger. He will also cast "Detect Magic" every 10 mins [at will, thus making it pretty much permanent until he does somethig else] while while exploring  - just in case there are some magic surprises/creatures/objects.

Zenodor will ask Irraxan to stay reasonably, close but ahead of the group - in the hope that he might provide advance warning of any creatures or ambushes. Irraxan, being an Imp, can of course see in darkness - even if there was magical darkness. [OOC: Familiars are crazy useful and very often underestimated]

OOC: Does everyone have Darkvision or equivalent? Then we wouldn't need to use torches which may give away our position and alert whatever is inside.

Also, I can't recall who, but isn't someone in the group permanently lit up? Which could be a problem if we're trying to be stealthy.

Randall:

Pulling out his glowing mace Lightbringer, Randall says, “I am not one for much stealth, and I require light to see my way.  Perhaps I can stay towards the back and let stealthier ones scout ahead”.

"I can be stealthy, but can't see in the dark so that will be a problem. Also, I'd like to imbue my weapon, but than it will shed bright light for 20ft. However, if someone has a way to give me darkvision I'll choose another imbue method."

Bow says; 

One thing you can all guess about the nature of the cave before entering is that it was either built by the natives or by other visitors to the island.

Tempe uses his first wild shape to summon his wildfire spirit in the shape of a fairy dragon. High and far enough away to cause no harm to his companions then it hovers close to him "Someone mention the need for light?"

Bow imbues his weapon with rite of dawn taking 5 and ensures all his clips are full.

"Zenodor it seems your imp is the only actual stealthy of us, including being able to see in the dark?"