Messy returns sometime later, Randy's not sure how it is on keeping time, but it wasn't so long that the ranger got worried. However, he was on high alert shortly before Messy arrives when one of his fungal mental pinpricks started moving towards them. It seems like Messy returning might have been a function of it getting full and returning when it could hold no more, as it waddles up at a slower pace, clutching a wad of dirty string and a bent lockpick in one hand, and a what looks to be a twig in the other hand, until a bit of fletching reveals it as a splintered back of an arrow.

It places its prizes on the ground in front of Randy, before opening its lid and divulging, a smooth rock, a stained sock, a molar that may have a bit of jawbone attached to it, a stub of a candle, a broken key, a very confused snail that tries to make its escape, only to be picked up by Messy repeatedly and placed back in the pile, a gold coin with a crust of blood on it, a small mushroom that Randy had been sensing, and the hilt of a rusty dagger.

Dornikal leans over the haul and shrugs,

"It's the thought that counts? Aye've seen worse brought back from a scouting mission."

Randy looks thoughtful.  He looks closely at the mushroom and the coin in particular. Investigation: 8

"Maybe bandits?  Looks like there's treasure if nothing else.  A lockpick implies a thief.  The arrow and blood imply a fight. Smooth rock: flowing water?" 

He looks at the others: "Well, I admit I'm curious now. " He holds up the coin "And it might be worth our time. What do you think?"

"I think we've dealt with much worse than whatever one cave may contain."

Randy isn't certain if the mushroom is safe to eat, and knows enough not to experiment with such. The coin is of a relatively recent make.

"Let's go then."

Dornikal pushes himself to his feet.

"Daylights burning."

Randy nods in agreement, gets out his bow and keeps an arrow knocked, but not drawn. He pulls his hood up securely. He tells Messy, "Climb into my pack, you can look and point, but don't make any noise." 

Stealth (Adv): 19

Messy nods and clambers up the pack, peeking out, with little metal arms gripping the back of Randy's hood as he shoulder's the pack and moves quietly through the undergrowth alongside the more worn path up to the cave. Eventually he needs to step more out into the open, but still makes it to the edge of the cave mouth without drawing any noticeable attention.

Randy checks for tracks.

Survival: 23

((Rolls didn't show, but via passive, Randy would only see tracks consistent with the hydra and Messy.))

Randy signals to the others that it appears to be clear.

Dornikal moves foward, squinting into the darkness and keeping to a wall as he pauses intermittently to listen.

Perception: 4

Dornikal gets distracted by the odor of the place, a reptilian musk with an underlying scent of death and rot.

Shaking his head and wrinkling his nose he keeps moving forward cautiously.

Randy will let those with dark vision go ahead of him before he takes out his lantern. He changes over to his rapier as well (since it's kind of hard to juggle a bow and arrow at the same time as a lantern).  He momentarily wishes that he  had the time get the night vision goggles, and grimaces with the thought that he's going to have to ask for a 3rd lens now.  Once the others are ahead a little bit, he lights the lantern and proceeds forward.

The tunnel of the cave is wide, one might say hydra sized, and extends back at an upward angle for a ways before sloping down and turning to the right. There are some assorted detritus along the walls, but most seems to be bits that fell off the beast's prey as it was brought back.

Dornikal continues in the lead, pausing periodically to listen and check the path before moving on.

The cave is pretty quiet as you descend further, and it opens up into a larger area. Randy can sense the fungal presence below the level of the cavern's floor, and farther back, where a soft bluish glow shines up though a hole in the floor. To the right is an area worn smooth in a hydra sized depression, with some assorted bits of past kills strew about.

Messy is tugging on Randy's hood and pointing around on the ground nearby. Tiny tracks are visible in some places, along with assorted detritus similar to what it proudly brought back to show you.

Randy looks closer at the tracks.

Survival: 21

Dornikal starts poking around in the mess of the Hydra's leavings.

Investigation: 5