Bob nods.

"Alright. If we're going to do this, we do this smart. Let's head up the Northeast passage, here, and be ready for anything. They probably have more goblins with those short bows, so we should be ready for ranged attacks. Tarok, can you handle taking point?" Cinis announced, adding the question to the eager half-orc at the end. 

I have a strong feeling this is going to end poorly for us. I really hope I'm wrong.

"Here." Cinis said as he handed Yeemik's short sword to Sildar. "Just in case."

Quote from Krilantis >>

Bob nods.

"I can handle taking point if we have a short rest I think. I lost a bit of blood back there yanking that arrow out. I should be ok, but it wouldn't hurt to put some of the fluid back." he says, taking a swig from his waterskin.

"Maybe Sildar would like a meal too? I can't imagine the goblins fed you well." he says, offering the warrior some of his rations.

Nemean relaxed his posture and sheathed his scimitars. "A short rest would be welcome. If we rest, I can go up front with Tarok, or... if we want to be sn-n-n-ahhh..." he interrupted himself with a deep yawn, his accent thickened, and he set down his gear as he continued "if we want to be sneaky, I could also use my longbow... get the jump on the... how do you say... "big bug bear"."... his voice trailed off into a soft purr and he made himself comfortable on a nearby rock. 

Second Wind: 2

"Gundren seems to be a good man, friend of Sildar and friend to the family of Argos. I hope he's fared better than this poor wretch" he said gently ribbing Sildar and smiling.

His then turned to his friend and asked inquisitively "Do we want to take this Klarg alive, make him talk? Does he know the answer to this riddle? Will he tell us of this "King Grol" and why he has waylayed our poor Gundren? 

"Easy, Nemean. The man has been through a lot. We'll him rest. And I think a bow would be a great idea. Have you every seen a bugbear? They're enormous." Cinis said to Nemean, sitting back against the cave wall. 

This kid was going to fight a bugbear close up... he's insane. I'm no coward, but I'll be by the exit, just in case. 

Tarok gets out some rations and shares a serving with Sildar. He takes some time to wrap both their wounds with cloth as best he can.

Short Rest Recovery: 7

Medicine: 19

Nemean smiled and turned to Cinis. “No we don’t have these Bug-Bears across the sea in Maztica, but I take it they’re more bear than bug then? Ah, Fearun is such a fascinating place... either way I expect we’ll be able to kill it, with blade, with bow, or with that handy fire of yours.”

"I am grateful, friends", Sildar says, accepting his share of the food. "This was humiliating...defeated by goblins..." he mutters to himself. "Let us not tarry long. They obviously wanted Gundren's knowledge, so I do not doubt that he is still alive...but that doesn't mean they care for his well-being."

OOC: How long of a rest would you like to take? Benefits of a short rest are obtained between 1 and 4 hours. Also, if you are using hit dice to recover during this rest, go ahead and roll them.

OOC: I guess 1 hour since we are still quite desperate to find Gundren, stopping only out of necessity?

As the group rests, Argos keeps a keen eye on both the entrances into this area. He has his longbow equipped and is ready for any trouble.

Damn, I hope we find Gundren. We really need to hurry it up and take care of that bugbear, and hopefully we'll find Gundren alive.

OOC: An hour short rest it is then. Not that it really matters for me, since I haven't even been so much as touched by a goblin during this adventure so far.

"Well, are you feeling up to going after that bugbear now, Sildar? We could get you a bow from one of these goblins so you don't have to get too close if you can use one." Cinis said, standing up and stretching his legs. Sitting for so long made his joints ache. 

It must have been all those years marching. I can't sit still without hearing a new creak or pop anymore.

"It's not my heavy crossbow, but it will do..." Sildar says as he picks up a goblin's shortbow and a few of their hastily created arrows. "The last time I saw my gear it was with the bugbear." He doesn't look much better after an hour's rest, but he can at least stand on his own two feet again. His grim determination belies the many wounds he carries.

OOC: The short rest is complete. Time to establish a marching order! Who is leading the way up the tunnel to the northeast, who is in the back, and who are the four in the middle rank?

"How about you hand back at the rear, Sildar. Tarok can take the front since he's the only one of us without a bow or magic. Sound good, fellas?" Ignis says, looking at each of the individuals in turn. 

It's almost like I've got my old squad back... I just wish I were fit to lead them.

"Sounds good, I'll fall right behind Tarok."

I can't wait to teach that bugbear a lesson.

Argos stows his longbow and unsheathes his two shortswords. He takes the 2nd spot in the order, right behind Tarok.

Tarok takes the lead, marching along toward the other side of the cave as indicated by Sildar, with his great sword at the ready.

Perception: 6

Cinis hangs back with Sildar, moving behind Nemean and Bob. He keeps his eyes and ears open for anything, especially any goblins that might be trying to flank them. As an afterthought, he casts Thaumaturgy to make his eyes glow a fiery red and to make his voice three times as loud. He might be able to scare a goblin into running away with the added effect, though he doubted it would do anything to a bugbear.

Perception: 20

(OOC: Wow. Must be the fire-eyes that made him go completely blind in the cave.)

OOC: Not sure what's up with the dice roll, let's try again.

Perception: 13

Nemean stands up and stretches, and lets out another yawn. Next he equips his bow and takes a position alongside Bob, and readies himself for a confrontation with the Bugbear.

The northeast tunnel takes you around to the bridge you had seen earlier, which crosses over the stream and path you had been on. After crossing the bridge, you enter another tunnel that opens up into a larger room.

This cavern is half filled with two large pools of water. A narrow waterfall high in the eastern wall feeds the pool, which drains out the western end of the chamber to form the stream that flows out of the cave mouth below. Low fieldstone walls serve as dams holding the water in. A wide exit stands to the south, while two smaller passages lead west (one you are entering from). The sound of the waterfall echoes through the cavern, making it difficult to hear.

Three goblins guard this cave. The noise from the waterfall has masked your approach, but upon seeing Tarok standing in the opening to the tunnel, they shout and grab their weapons.

Initiative:

Argos: 13
Bob: 19
Cinis: 3
Nemean: 13
Tarok: 13
Average: 13.4

Goblin 1: 18
Goblin 2: 21
Goblin 3: 3
Average: 14

 One goblin immediately takes off into the exit to the south, while the other two take defensive positions side-by-side to prevent the group from passing. One points its scimitar at Tarok and shouts "You die now! Klarg eat!"

Turn 1 Remaining:
Players (in any order)

Tracking:
Tarok leads the group and is 10 feet away from the goblins.
Argos, Nemean, Bob, Cinis and Sildar, in order are 5 feet back from each other.
The third goblin is out of sight, through the southern exit that is 20 feet behind the defending goblins.