Vayle identifies that the horses belong to Gundren Rockseeker and Sildar Hallwinter, and that the saddlebags have been looted. Nearby lies an empty leather map case with two letters scrawled on it "G.R.". He remembers the old dwarf taking about a map. This is not good. He looks around for clues of where the Goblins come from. Survival: 20

Since the Goblin he tied is still unconscious, Vayle explores the area around to have a better idea of what is happening. The inspection of the area reveals that the creatures have been using this place to stage ambushes for some time. A trail hidden behind thickets on the north side of the road leads northwest. He recognizes that about a dozen goblins have come and gone along the trail, as well as signs of two human-sized bodies being hauled away from the ambush site. He decides to go back to Simon, as he sees that the Goblin is now awakening. It is time to have a better idea of what is happening here.

"Hey there Simon. How you doing now? Looking much better. Hey, listen here is the deal." Vayle does a quick summary of what he has found so far. "I think that little guy's friends may have captured Gundren and Sildar. We should ask him for more information. "Maybe you could do the talking here?" Simon looks at the Goblin. "I can give it a shot."

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Simon approaches the now almost conscious Goblin. "I surrender, don't kill me!" it screams. "We are not going to kill you, if you tells us what you are doing here. Why did you attack us." Simon looks back at Vayle, then continues. "What happened to Gundren and Sildar, a Dwarf and a Human. They are our friend. What did you guys do with them? Answer trustfully, and we will not kill you. I promise."

Persuasion: 10

"Klarg is leader, Klarg is strong!! Klarg is a bugbear! Klarg wanted the dwarf and the map." Screams the Goblin. "Ok, where is this Klarg? Can you take us to him? We need to help our friends." Simon senses he is making progress.

Persuasion: 7

"The cave, our cave. Klarg is there! Yes, Grubnur can take you to the cave." Says the Goblin, now in a calmer manner.

"Ok Grubnur, what can you tell us about your cave? How many of you are there? Who's Klarg?" Simon sensing he's getting the hang of this, and he asks for more detail.

Persuasion: 20

Simon has the great idea of showing Grubnur some of his rations. The Goblin takes some jerky, and he asks us if we happen to have some ale. Simon takes a cup and fills with ale from one of the kegs. That makes Grubnur very happy. We take some time to eat, since we are also hungry.

"Well, we have about two of these of us." He shows us both of his open hands, so we figured he means twenty. "Our leader is Klarg. He is a Bugbear, a mean bugbear. The Dwarf and Human, taken to cave. Grubnur don't know what happen to them." The Goblin tells us as we eat. "King Grol, he is chief of the Cragmaw tribe. Grubnur is part of Cragmaw tribe." He shows a pendant with serrated teeths.

"Did you say that Klarg is mean? What do you mean by that?" Simon gives me a wink.

"Hummm..." Grubnur seems to be afraid to expand on the topic.

"Listen Grubnur, we are friend right? We will protect you. You can tell us." I am a little surprise by Simon's confidence.

"Klarg don't treat Goblins nice. Yeemik is second, and he don't like Klarg." The Goblins has an idea. "What if you help Goblins with Klarg? Grubnur take you to speak with Yeemik. Yeemik can tell you about the Dwarf and the Human."

Simon and Vaylek look at each other, and they determine that their new "friend" is most likely telling the truth. "Sure, we can do that." I say to all. "But we need to clean the road of those dead horses, and move this wagon off the road."

After moving the dead horses to the south of the road, and the wagon to the north of the road, we let Grubnur lead us to his cave. While on the way, Vaylek tells Simon that he did an excellent job getting information.

Following the goblins’ trail, you come across a large cave in a hillside five miles from the scene of the ambush. A shallow stream flows out of the cave mouth, which is screened by dense briar thickets. A narrow dry path leads into the cave on the right-hand side of the stream.

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"There!!" Grubnur points to the entrance to the cave. "Grubnur take Goblin friends to cave!" He says very proudly. "Wait here, clear way I will." Before they can react, the Goblins walks towards some thickets to the east of the entrance. We hear two surprise Goblins speak with our Friend for a moment. "Have a spell ready, just in case Simon." Vayle readies his bow, also just in case.

Without even a chance to knock an arrow, Grubnur happily comes back to the group. "Grubnur clear the way. We go to speak with Yeemik. Follow me." Vayle also senses some confidence growing in their new little friend. He notices that there are two confused Goblins behind the thickets. Good thing Grubnur is on their side.

Just inside the cave mouth, a few uneven stone steps lead up to a small, dank chamber on the east side of the passage. The cave narrows to a steep fissure at the far end, and is filled with the stench of animals. Savage snarls and the sounds of rattling chains greet your ears where three wolves are chained up just inside the opening. Each wolf’s chain leads to an iron rod driven into the base of a stalagmite.

"Worry not about the wolves. Follow Grubnur." Vayle takes a quick peak inside the dank chamber and he spots three very hungry wolves.

The main passage from the cave mouth climbs steeply upward, the stream plunging and splashing down its west side. In the shadows, a side passage leads west across the other side of the stream.

Grubnur takes Vayle and Simon to the side passage. "I cannot see in the dark." Says Simon. "Hold on to my hand, I think we don't want to attrack unwanted attention."

In the shadows of the ceiling to the north, you can just make out the dim shape of a rickety bridge of wood and rope crossing over the passage ahead of you. Another passage intersects this one, twenty feet above the floor.

As we cross to the western side of the stream, Vayle see a rickety bridge. (Perception: 11)

(Simon Wild Surge: 7, 5)

Vayle notices that there is a Goblin guarding the bridge, but it is not paying attention to them at the moment. Once in front of the western passage, Vayle notices that it is choked with rubble and has steep escarpments going up about 20 feet. "Grubnur show how to get up to our den." Grubnur expertly shows us how to get up the top, and he comes down to help. Vayle helps Simon from the back.

Vayle Athletics: 20

Simon Athletics: 16

Vayle also expertly makes to the top of the passage. Simon on the other hand, with Grubnur and Vayle's help, he manages to get up as well. Once they are all at the top of the passage, it leads to another passage that goes north east, and south west. There seems to be some light from a fire coming from the south west direction. "Wait here. Grubnur speak with Yeemik first."

Vayle and Simon takes a break while waiting, but it doesn't take very long for Grubnur to return. "Come, Yeemik see you."

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This large cave is divided in half by a ten-foot-high escarpment. A steep natural staircase leads from the lower portion to the upper ledge. The air is hazy with the smoke of a cooking fire, and pungent from the smell of poorly cured hides and unwashed goblins.

Vayle approaches the goblin leader, Yeemik, determined to negotiate for the release of Sildar. Yeemik, a wiry and cunning goblin, eyes you cautiously as you approach, his hand resting on the hilt of his crude weapon. He speaks with a raspy voice, laced with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

"Who... who are you? Why you come here?" Yeemik's gaze flickers between you and the bound captive, Sildar, who looks worn and bruised. Vayles gives Simon a gentle nudge.

"What? Oh, right. Uh hum. We are here to rescue our friend, the human that you now hold captive. We understand that Klarg does not treat you well, and if he is gone, you would be the new leader of the Goblins here. Perhaps, we can come to an arrangement. We help you deal with Klarg, and in return, we would like to ask you to release our human friend. Once that is done, we will leave your cave." Says Simon, still feeling good with his persuasive skills. (Persuasion: 18)

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Even Vayle, for some reason, was moved by the speech. "You defeat Klarg, I give you this Human, and I become the new boss. Correct?" Yeemik makes sure he understands the terms. "As long as we have Sildar, we will leave this cave, and yes, you Yeemik, will be the new boss of the Goblins here." Simon reiterates. "Deal!"

Vayle whispers to Simon. "Can we get info on this Klarg, and also maybe some help?"

"Oh yes! Ohh mighty Yeemik. In order for us to success, perhaps you can tell us more about Klarg. Also, can you spare some of your people." Simon points the five Goblins by the fire.

"Klarg is a Bugbear, and he is very strong. He is on the other side of the cave. Oh, he has a large wolf with him, he calls her Ripper. You can take Grubnur with you, he seems to be very fond of you. He will also, call the Goblins by the twin pools, clearing the way for you to go to Klarg. Now, go and do as you promised." Yeemik moves closer to Sildar, in case we do not take his deal.

Vayle motions to Simon and Grubnur to move out of the cave. The party passes by the passage, and move north east. Grubnur tells Vayle and Simor to way before the rickety bridge, as he crosses it.

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. The sound of the waterfall echoes through the cavern, making it difficult to hear.

There are three Goblins guarding this area, and Grubnur goes to them and they follow him back. They give Vayle and Simon an inquisitive side eye, and they pass them on their way to the Den. "Pool cave is clear. Ahead is Klarg's cave." The party crosses the bridge, and Vayle tells Grubnur and Simon to wait by the other side. He will stealthily go ahead and investigate.

Stealth: 19

Klarg Perception: 17

Ripper Perception: 17

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Sacks and crates of looted provisions are piled up in the south end of this large cave. To the west, the floor slopes toward a narrow opening that descends into darkness. A larger opening leads north down a set of natural stone steps, the roar of falling water echoing from beyond. In the middle of the cavern, the coals of a large fire smolder.

Vayle returns after scouting ahead. He opens his hand and there are ten berries on his palm (Goodberry). He gives two to Grubnur, telling him not to eat it, he then gives four to Simon. "These are Goodberries, only eat them if you are hurst. ok?" Grubnur nods, Simon acknowledges. "Good, here is the plan. Grubnur, you go to the entrance to the cave, and tell the two Goblins in there that Yeemik needs to see them. Once they are out of the cave, tell them to go back to the den. Come back and stay behind us. If any of us goes down, put one of the berries into our mouth, ok? Simon, there is one big Bugbear, and a large wolf. I will try to get the wolf out of the fight first, so you will need to hit Klarg with your best spell. Then I will engage the big guy. Hopefully, we will not have to deal with the wolf." Vayle looks at Simon and Grubnur. "Understood?"