The monotony of the tunnel finally comes to end with sounds and a sight: the flicker of firelight and the sounds of something - distant, loud music? - ahead.

The detritus of the outdoors has grown thicker here – dried grass, leaves, patches of soil, a few small insects.

Tuuli gets everyone's attention by tapping on shoulders ahead of her, then motions to herself, then makes sneaky walking fingers, then points down the tunnel. She moves to the front of the group, and then, facing everyone, she motions with a hand to stop. She crouches next to Lucky and communicates silently, whereupon the young cat lies down, tail flicking.

Then Tulli continues ahead, hopefully by herself, trying to be quiet, her senses attuned to the tunnel ahead of her.

Stealth (igl): 14

Perception (igl): 13

(Oof, those could have been better.)

Pax moves to follow at a distance but is resolutely blocked by Lucky. One does not just step over a cat that lies in the middle of a passageway. He waves at Tuuli's retreating back then bends down to scritch Lucky. "You will warn us if she gets into trouble, won't you Lucky?"

Tuuli creeps ahead of the party.

The light is further away than it first appeared, but Tuuli eventually discovers that the tunnel exits in a wide natural pit of some sort, with bent trees growing out of one side. The other side is equipped with old scaffolding made of rusty metal and weathered wood. Moonlight is beaming down from above. Two old women cook something on a spit over an open fire at the bottom.

A cacophony of distant horns can be heard playing music somewhere above, together with the noise of a raucous crowd.

The two women do not notice Tuuli. It is nighttime.

Zartan sends his bat just behind her and on the ceiling out of site. 

Lucky leans into the scritches.

Tuuli backs away as quietly as she can, to return to the others.

Stealth igl: 25

"What did you find?" Aranor asks Tuuli as she returns. He keeps his voice low, barely above a whisper. "Any sign of the giant cursed owl?"

Tuuli whispers, even though there’s quite a distance to the opening. She tells the group everything she saw, then she adds, “It will be hard to get us all there unnoticed,” she glances at the clankier party members. “And I’m not sure the women are hostile, so there are a lot of unknowns. Any ideas?”

Zartan suggests just walking up. He volunteers since he can jump away (race skill). 

“Yes, there are many unknowns. But we do know that we cannot go back. Someone must go out there. Perhaps fang can scout the opening a bit more before we commit?” Walt looks towards Zartan and he cracks a toothless grin. “Otherwise, I’d be careful out there friend. Owls have been known to have quite the appetite for rabbits.”

Zartan shutters at Walt's comment then smiles a toothy grin. "Since it's outside, could I borrow the magic item for protection from the disease?" 

Zartan sends his bat out to scout the area and stay high and quiet. 

”I don’t think it will help you much, unless those women are diseased undead. As we’ve learned the this Sereno is not a disease. But, if it makes you more comfortable, I would gladly offer it up.”

Despite offering the amulet to Zartan, Walt appears reluctant to give it up so readily. “Though I must admit I am worried about being exposed to those abominations back there. If I turn into one of those things…you all must promise to…I…I don’t even want to think of that.” Walt slowly removes the amulet and offers it to Zartan.

"Good point" he hands it back and starts walking towards the end of the tunnel.

Bendrak smiles jokingly at Walt. "Don't worry, I'll make it quick. Assuming they don't get to me first of course!"

First, Zartan pass his torch to someone. Next he will fumble his way forward till about 80' being as stealthy as possible. He will then send Fang out for recon (looking thru his eyes)

Fang's Perception: 11

Zartan's Stealth: 13

Fang silently darts out of the tunnel, unnoticed, and finds himself in a smoky hole perhaps 100 feet deep and approximately the same in diameter. It looks relatively natural, like a cenote, or perhaps it's just part of a long-abandoned mining operation long reclaimed by nature. One steeply-sloped side has trees and green shrubbery growing out of it at odd angles. On the other side is a patchwork of ancient scaffolding and newer makeshift timbers that look climbable - indeed, a young man is currently near the top, climbing up and over an old iron rail protecting one edge of the vertical drop. Sounds of crowds and music can be heard above. The two women are not alone. A second campfire is off to one side, and a handful of humans are sitting around, some in hidey holes dug into the rocky soil. They look impoverished, wearing little but rags. 

Pax turns off his headlights and extinguishes the torch Zartan handed over. He indicates to the others to extinguish their lights also and that those with darkvision should lead the others. If the others move forward, Pax follows, coming to a stop alongside Zartan around 80 feet from the tunnel exit. Should Zartan share what Fang sees, he considers for a few moments. This was most unusual. Nothing outside this tunnel would indicate those people have anything to do with the goings-on in the mine behind them. It seemed like they were merely the homeless seeking shelter and safety wherever they could. But it would be dangerous to venture outside, but it sounds like The Night of the Remembered festival is in full swing. He whispers to the others with darkvision, "Can any of you see any tracks in this tunnel? Anything to indicate someone moving in or out?"

Tuuli swings her crossbow around and fits a bolt to it, following the others, one hand on the wall to stay steady in the dark. Lucky pads along silently behind her. She approaches where Zartan stops and waits, quietly.

Zartan says in a whisper "OK, keep hidden and keep me covered." When we are all ready, he walks out. Once a bit out of the tunnel he calls out to the two ladies and says "Hello"