You hear dripping and some air movement. Not anything else. However, I'll hold onto that perception check to continue listening if you want to pick a direction to move toward.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I hear nothing that seems useful in picking a path." In making his next quick decision, Val fails to account for the middle path and flips a coin onto his wrist. "Chance says this way." He points in the chosen direction and leads his cousin that way.
The path to the right makes an immediate U turn back in the direction they just came from. The path has a noticeable decline. Ahead is another sharp turn to the left. As they are approaching the turn, Val begins to hear something. He softens his steps and slows as he tries to understand what he's hearing. It sounds like ... breathing. Slow, deep breathing of something of a good size.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Val turns slowly to face his cousin and brings his lips close to Evy's ear as to minimize the volume of his whispered words: "Something big seems to be sleeping just ahead. It could be the owlbear or, in case I just happened to find my newest lucky copper, it could be the Thessalhydra instead."He pauses for a moment and then whispers some more: "Either way, we would only be inviting all cave residents to a fight should we engage with whatever is ahead right away."
Val sniffs the air, hoping whatever scent the creature emanates gives him a hint of whether it is of the furry or scaly type:
"Given what we heard before, I'd have to associate this smell with the owlbear. Do you think we can block this passage somehow? If not, let's just backtrack and follow the leftmost tunnel. Agreed?"
This tunnel is also 10 feet across and almost as tall (in an arch). How would you like to try to block it? Or do you just want to go straight across to the "left" passage?
Backing up and going to the "left" passage is Val's vote as well, now that he sees Evy already moving that way. He'll be sure to slowly overtake his cousin, such that he is the first one into the other passage.
Still listening, Val leads into the left tunnel. He can see that it opens up 10 feet ahead. He reaches the smaller cave. It is about 25 feet round. There is another tunnel heading "north" (if you just went west). You hear nothing of interest ahead.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Still walking carefully, Val enters this 25ft round chamber and looks about attentively. Is the chamber empty? Are the walls formed of natural rock? Does it smell like anything in particular in here?
Val, everything you've seen appears to be either natural or carved to look natural. You do detect the lingering scent of that awful odor the troglodyte emitted.
'I guess troglodytes are better than an owlbear', Val thinks to himself. He glances at his cousin, takes note of her silent gesturing, and keeps moving cautiously forward. His blade is unsheathed.
You hear dripping and some air movement. Not anything else. However, I'll hold onto that perception check to continue listening if you want to pick a direction to move toward.
Evy shrugs and looks questioningly at Val. She didn’t hear anything.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"I hear nothing that seems useful in picking a path." In making his next quick decision, Val fails to account for the middle path and flips a coin onto his wrist. "Chance says this way." He points in the chosen direction and leads his cousin that way.
-> Flipping a coin (Left: 1; Right: 2): 2
The path to the right makes an immediate U turn back in the direction they just came from. The path has a noticeable decline. Ahead is another sharp turn to the left. As they are approaching the turn, Val begins to hear something. He softens his steps and slows as he tries to understand what he's hearing. It sounds like ... breathing. Slow, deep breathing of something of a good size.
Evy stops as soon as Val slows, and she waits for him to act.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Val turns slowly to face his cousin and brings his lips close to Evy's ear as to minimize the volume of his whispered words: "Something big seems to be sleeping just ahead. It could be the owlbear or, in case I just happened to find my newest lucky copper, it could be the Thessalhydra instead." He pauses for a moment and then whispers some more: "Either way, we would only be inviting all cave residents to a fight should we engage with whatever is ahead right away."
Val sniffs the air, hoping whatever scent the creature emanates gives him a hint of whether it is of the furry or scaly type:
-> Val's perception or survival check: 19
Furry and feathery.
"Given what we heard before, I'd have to associate this smell with the owlbear. Do you think we can block this passage somehow? If not, let's just backtrack and follow the leftmost tunnel. Agreed?"
Evy quietly nods, and turns to leave as quietly as she can.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
This tunnel is also 10 feet across and almost as tall (in an arch). How would you like to try to block it? Or do you just want to go straight across to the "left" passage?
I was thinking straight across. Evy would like to keep the owlbear in play, if possible.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Backing up and going to the "left" passage is Val's vote as well, now that he sees Evy already moving that way. He'll be sure to slowly overtake his cousin, such that he is the first one into the other passage.
Evy waits for him at the intersection, so he can go first down the new corridor.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Still listening, Val leads into the left tunnel. He can see that it opens up 10 feet ahead. He reaches the smaller cave. It is about 25 feet round. There is another tunnel heading "north" (if you just went west). You hear nothing of interest ahead.
(Is there a big mound of vegetable refuse in the middle of this small chamber?) ;)
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Still walking carefully, Val enters this 25ft round chamber and looks about attentively. Is the chamber empty? Are the walls formed of natural rock? Does it smell like anything in particular in here?
-> Perception check: 12
Evy will pause at the threshold, also listening and looking. Perception: 6
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
No mound here. :)
Val, everything you've seen appears to be either natural or carved to look natural. You do detect the lingering scent of that awful odor the troglodyte emitted.
Evy has thoughts, but doesn't want to speak out loud. If Val looks back at her, she'll shoo him onward.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
'I guess troglodytes are better than an owlbear', Val thinks to himself. He glances at his cousin, takes note of her silent gesturing, and keeps moving cautiously forward. His blade is unsheathed.