(Galben looks towards the group)

"A long rest seems best to recover our strength and spells."

The party returns to the Inn to take a long rest. In the morning, the party reconvenes just after first light in the common room of the Inn. Carp and his mother should be around shortly; are there other things you wish to do prior to that?

(Galben goes to the Lionshield to retrieve his silvered arrow and returns to the Inn)

OldMan asks Tolbin for a breakfast plate and a drink.  Dropping a few silver coins on the bar.

"Better load up with some food men.   This could be a long day."

Galben receives his arrow in exchange for payment. Food and drinks are served as Carp and his mother arrives. "Hello boys," Qelline says. "Hope you're having a nice morning. I've brought Carp around to show you where the tunnel is at, but again, he needs to come right home after showing you all. Please ensure he does so - he has a tendency to wander, especially given how excited he is to join you."

Carp draws a piece of crudely carved wood from his belt. "See!? I even made my own sword. I'm ready for anything that might come our way!"

Jake pats Carp on the head. "You're an energetic lady, aren't you! You stick close by our side, and don't wander off.  I hear there are orcs in the hills.  We don't want you to get gobbled up!" 

Jake turns to Qelline. "We'll take good care of your boy.  Thank you for loaning him to us."

(Bearkiller turns to Qelline)

"Yes, thank you. We appreciate all the help and hospitality you've offered. We'll keep an eye on him."

(Turns back to Carp)

"Carp are you ready to go?"

OldMan finishes his meal and smiles.  "Carp you are our temporary leader until we reach the tunnel.  Years ago I hired myself to an army garrison.  The leader of that group was a captain.  I hereby dub you Captain Carp. We await your command."  OldMan stands at attention and salutes.

(Galben finishes his breakfast and looks towards Carp and salutes)

"Oh Captain my captain" (putting his hand down he wipes his mouth)

Carp giggles giddily. "Well, then let's not waste any more time. I'll show you exactly where this tunnel is at! Bye, Mom!" And without waiting for anyone, he starts out the door and off on the adventure. Qellline just shakes her head, "See what I have to deal with!" She smiles at the group and heads out the door, presumably back to the farm. The party hurriedly finishes their food and drink and hustles after Carp.

"Alright, so we were playing in the woods over behind the farm. This way, I'll show you!" Wooden sword drawn, Capn' Carp walks confidently out in front of the group. You get a number of smirks and half-smiles from townfolk as you pass through the dirt streets of Phandalin. After a short five minute walk, you're on the edge of the town and Carp is leading you down a very old game trail, barely visible through the undergrowth of the forest as you enter the woods. "It's just up ahead here." Carp unnecessarily crouches in the undergrowth, skirting from tree to tree, and the party plays along. You can see the slope increasing to your left hand side as you head east along the old deer path. The slopes slowly turn to craggy outcroppings and eventually to what appear to be diminutive limestone bluffs. Eventually Carp stops, stooped down behind a large fallen oak tree that appears well advanced in its decay process. The party hunkers down behind the tree as Carp cautiously peers over the top of the log.

"Good. It doesn't look like anyone is here today. The coast is clear." The party double-checks Carp's assessment, but he appears to be correct. The group emerges from behind the log into a small clearing pressed up against the bluffs. Carp points to an opening in the rock face.

"It's just there. I haven't dared go in because my mom would kill me if whatever monsters lurk in there didn't, but that's the tunnel." Carp walks to the tunnel entrance and peers in. "Darnnit! It's too dark for me to see where it leads."

OldMan smiles and pats Carp on the head.  "Captain you have done well.  There are a couple of us with special abilities to see in the dark.  Perhaps we should take a peak inside first."

OldMan turns to Galben who also has darkvision.  "Shall we take a peak?"

Jake looks down at the excitable boy.  "Have you ever witnessed the practice of magic before? If you want, you can sit with me while I cast a spell."

Jake begins ritual casting detect magic in the clearing. "This takes about 10 minutes, but after that I'll be able to see any magic in this area."

Carp is excited at first, but after a minute or two quickly loses interest.

OldMan and Galban investigate the entrance to the cave looking carefully for any traps or signs of use.  

(Galben looks at Old man)

"I agree we should go in let's wait until Jake has completed his detect magic before we enter."

As soon as Jake finishes the ritual, he stands up and joins the others.  "Does anyone have a torch or lantern I can borrow?  It's awful dark in there."

OldMan takes a torch and his tinderbox out of his backpack and hands it to Jake.

Jake lights a torch and hand thr tinderbox back to OldMan. "Alright gents, lead the way.  I've got your back."

(Galben takes the lead, trying to be quite and stealthy. He has an arrow nocked readying an attack if something shows aggression towards the group)

(Stealth roll 8+5=13)

"I'll hunker down behind that old log to keep a lookout for you!" Carp says. Jake's ritual detects a faint magical effect emanating from deep inside the tunnel; however, it is not immediately clear from this vantage point what might be causing it. As the party begins moving into the tunnel with Galben stealthily leading the way, the darkness envelopes the group as they leave Carp behind on the "lookout".  After about 100 feet through the tunnel, you emerge into a larger space. A cold breeze fills this large natural cavern, carrying with it the faint scent of decaying flesh. A crevasse divides the cavern and is flanked by two rough stone columns that support the twenty-foot-high ceiling. Two arched wooden bridges span the chasm. Jake notices the faint magic emanating from the crevasse but the magic does not appear to be substantial or a danger to the party. As Galben steps further into the cavern, he senses a subtle mental shift, as if something tried "knocking" on the door to his mind's eye but the effect quickly fades and he is not otherwise harmed or affected.

Jake steps up next to the first bridge and peers over the edge of the crevasse, holding his torch high overhead.  How far down can he see?