He nervously looks at the others. "I'm not sure we should split up... Nephira, if you want to go through the Goblin's route, let's all go together."

"I agree.  I like the idea of knowing what I am getting into, but if you get swarmed, it is better for you to have us at your back."

Is there anything the chained wolves seem to be guarding?

The goblin said they dammed this stream which way is the water flowing in or out?

If the eating cave is #3 Caledon thinks it’s where Sildar is being held and wants to go that way.  (But if Nephira wants to sneak a look he is willing to wait)

Nephira, hearing Caledon asking about the wolves, turns to look. "If someone wants to check it out, I'm happy to wait. Personally, I don't feel like getting any nearer to those curs than I need to." She looks back up the supposed path to the Eating Cave. "As for coming along with me... You both have a fair point. Gods know I've gotten myself into trouble in the past."

She turns back to them. "Just do me a favor and hang back a bit. Movin' quiet through the dark is what I do best. I don't need anyone clattering at my heels, waving glowy bobbins around."

[Anyone may roll an insight check on the wolves to get a read on their temperament / likelihood of biting the hand that feeds them]

Nephira - Are you now moving towards the passage marked #3? (Split the party??? *Chuckles in evil DM*)

[Those remaining in the Kennel may roll Investigation Checks]

Not wanting to step foot in the wolf pen, let alone stay with them, he nods to Nephira and watches as she slinks away down the small corridor. Hoping that she returns quickly.

Caledon will go into the kennel and look about.

insight investigation 12

Quote from petessius

Nephira - Are you now moving towards the passage marked #3? (Split the party??? *Chuckles in evil DM*)

(No no no. Not splitting. We decided we're all going together. I'm just taking a forward position, past of range of their light spells, so I can take advantage of my Darkvision and Stealth as I scout. No more than a single Dash action away... maybe like 50' ahead.)

Latimer nods to Nephira.  "I'l try to stay a good 30-60 feet behind you, and we can try to block the light from giving away your position.  Just be sure to yell if you need us running!"

I'm on board with pursuing #3.  Meanwhile, I will make an insight roll to see if I can tell much about the wolves demeanor.

Caledon - You notice rough writing on the wall along with child-like drawings of a goblin feeding a wolf, a goblin threatening a wolf with a big stick, and lastly a goblin riding a muzzled wolf. It seems to depict how goblins train wolves and - likely - is to remind any dim-witted goblin how it's done. 

In the far corner of the room, you see a steep fissure. The narrow opening in the wall leads to a natural chimney that climbs upward. At the base of the fissure is food rubbish that’s been discarded through the opening above. You can faintly hear a deep voice speaking: "...orstep, eh? Klarg say-..." The voice is hard to hear. [Perception Check to see if you can hear what is said]

Cressel - You watch Nephira fade into the dark. [Perception Check, as you wait]

Nephira - You peer into the darkness of the unused passage. You can see the way is choked with rubble (you might say it is 'difficult terrain') and has two steep escarpments leading up to a dark tunnel beyond. It would be a fairly easy climb, but you would need to watch out for loose rock. Falling would be… unhealthy.

 [Do you attempt the climb, scout out the main passage further, or return to your comrades?]

Latimer - You notice the wolves seem grateful for the food and would be happy for more, but as Caledon investigates the room, you notice the wolves shrink back from him… and the sleeping goblin he carries. You believe the wolves will not harm your party, and in fact seem confused as to whether you are with the goblins or not. You are safe in this room with these creatures, so long as you do not hurt them.

[Do you interact with the wolves, join Caledon at the fissure to listen, or something else? Perception Check, if you listen]

 He can't help bouncing on his feet, waiting for Nephira to return.

Caledon hears Klarg name and he almost growls... 

perception 13

Nephira returns and reports back what she's found, giving the wolves the stink-eye as she appraoches. "The gobs probably have an easier time of it than we would. Especially dragging the dead weight, but still not out of the question if we can think of something creative." She notices Caledon listening at the wall. "What'd you find?"

Cressel - The stream sounds loud in your straining ears, but you manage to hear the distant, muffled echoes of something heavy being dragged over stone, followed by several whispers in goblin-speak. Somewhere, deeper in, there are goblins. And they are whispering. 

Caledon - "Klarg says it's washing day. Be quick like or Klarg's gonna stomp on all ya heads and send ya down the trash hole. Like this!"

You hear something crashing before an empty cask of ale comes tumbling down the garbage chute, smashing to bits and throwing debris far into the kennel. The wolves shrink back. [Dex Save DC 10 to avoid the splinters. (No damage on a success, 1 point of piercing damage on a fail)]

When you return to listen, you hear the voices, but too quiet now to overhear. 

Dex Save 6.  A chunk of wood right in the wrist, couldn't have happened if it was planned, but random chance is pain.

Caledon comes close to Nephira and whispers what he's overheard, "A shortcut to face this Klarg, afterwich it's possible the gobs here may scatter.  What did you find?"

Whispering to the others, "I-I can hear something heavy being dragged."

As the party discusses what they know, more sounds echo through the cave. A rock is dislodged and clatters down a slope. A hammer strikes stone. A goblin curses and is hushed by other goblins. The ears of the three wolves draw back, their fur stands on edge, and they whine softly.

There is no safe hiding place in a goblin's den. At least... not for long. 

[You have discovered a route to Klarg and the shortcut to the Eating Cave. What would you like to do?]

Nephira ducks out of the way of the crashing barrel, listens to the others and takes note of the sounds coming deeper in the cavern and the reaction of the wolves. "That's not good. We need to move. Follow me. I know what I'm doing." As she says this, she looks between the two passages and whispers under her breath, "Eenie, meenie, miney..." then books it for the previously scouted passage up toward The Eating Cave.

Heck with it... I'm just gonna do all the rolls I can imagine you might need.

Pinning his ears back against his head he'll start counting up to ten as Nephira goes through the opening to the Eating Cave.

As he gets to three, he covers his lighted orb as best he can while allowing a ray or two to light the way for him. He then bounces after her, unable to wait any longer.

Caledon follows Cressel the best he can.

Stealth 14 phew!