Hours later...  Vanja still hasn't returned.

Another hour passes.

Then another one passes and the group wonders if they should go looking.  Vanja finally returns with a smile on her face and a bow legged walk.

Before you can interrogate her on what happened, Arnel appears and warns the group in a loud whisper.  "I think something is tunneling below us..."

"Something, you say?  Like a creature?"  Guile prepares himself for a fight while trying to identify the danger.

Perception 24

Aegnor says, "Stay alert folks.  It's pretty big if Arnel can sense that most likely."

Aegnor tries to get a sense of what Arnel believes to be happening underground.

Vanja certainly has a spring in her step upon returning. "A creature? Great! That's all I need to finish off my day well -- a good fight."

(OOC - did she get any answer from the minotaur about the scrag blood for Guile?) 

Guile settles quietly on his haunches and listens...  He remembers a raid from his childhood where a rival clan had burrowed into the caves, the sounds below bringing back these memories.  Many creatures with picks and hammers are directly below, perhaps just a few inches below the surface... 

Vanja: the blood has numerous uses, from potions of water breathing, rings of regeneration, periapts of health, etc. 

Arnel whispers to Guile, "What do you want to do about this? And why is Vanja walking bow legged?"

Guile replies to Arnel, "Find out where they're heading and then notify the guard.  I want eyes on where they are coming out.  The satyr's tale is for another time."

Guile looks about to assess the current defenses and where the tunnelers may be heading, thinking back to the secret passage in the temple-turned prison and the underground cave.

Vanja catches Arnel's whisper. She blusters, "What? The other lot had fun with the lizards a few days ago while I had a quiet night, and you're all acting like I'm weird for having an afternoon with a minotaur? Now come on, let's go find a fight!"

Aegnor says, "To each their own."  Smiles Aegnor.  "Is someone still resting or are we ready to go?"

"Ready as we can be."

Arnel nods at Guile's command and puts his ear on the floor and listens for a moment (perception: 15)

The elf moves to the other end of the room and listens there for a moment.  "I hear activity in this direction, ending at this spot where the digging is most noticable"  he points in the direction of the mine.  " Someone from outside trying to reach the mines?" Arnel wonders out loud.  He then starts heading out to notify the guards, per Guile's order. 

The group can now hear excited shouting from down below.  

Guile smiles when he starts talking about magic, "There are spells that can shake the earth and summon an earth elemental.  Alas, it is not yet within my grasp."  He pauses briefly,  "Let's cut off their route and see if we can cave them in.  Get as many men mounted as possible and gallop over their tunnel!"

There is a sudden shriek from down below, followed by many screams, the floor boards in the room start to buckle upwards.   Out of the ground an injured creature appears!

Creature's Initiative: 16

Party, roll your initiative!

Guile: 14

Initiative 5

"You HAD to mention summoning an Elemental, din'cha?"

init 17

"Yay! Just what I wanted! What a day."

Gildor Initiative:  16

Hostel and stable with road for your cul de sac.  (Rough picture).