“Perhaps you all wait outside while I sneak inside and get the lay of the land?” Zeds suggests even as he is reflexively searching the bodies for anything of interest.
Zeds straps on the best of the four shortswords and distributes 11sp and 3 cp to everyone. He quickly scans the religious text and then passes it over to Sterling. "Religion is your thing, right? And maybe just hold on to in case it is relevant later?"
If nobody is objecting Zeds is going to stealth into the cave rather than us all barging in like a rhino in a windchime store... He advises them to give him 15-20 minutes if they don't hear anything before they come in to rescue him. "Maybe check out that cart of meat? Junior may like that... But, you know, someone stay close in case I am yelling for help earlier than that?"
Zeds enters the cave and hears the dripping of water from stalactites. The area 1 and 2 are brightly lit from the sun outside. There is no sign of anyone here in the first area. The ceiling is 15ft high.
(Based on the map I imagine Zeds would hug one of the walls through area 1 starting into area 2. Does area 3 sit higher or lower? If lower then Zeds would stick the the far walla and explore down to the passage that leads to area 12 and 13, glancing into those two areas if it seems safe but not delving further in alone. Back to area 2 he would peer out into area 3 to see if there were people around, if not he'd explore further. Maybe as far as area 4 if he's not seen any people he's had to hide from yet. Even if no people seen I think he'd decided he pressed his luck enough alone and go back to the group and explain what he has seen so far... Not trying to do too much here and I fully get you may want some rolls or Zeds may need to hide of something before all this happens...Just trying to give a quick map of what he would do if no interference to save time?)
Area 3: The entrance to the cave ends here at a 10-foot drop-off. To your right, broad steps are roughly hewn into a natural stone ramp. The cavern below is carpeted with a profusion of fungi ranging from a few inches high to nearly as tall as a human adult. Two paths lead through the fungi: one on the right and one on the left.
Zeds immediately sees 2 cultist guards in area 12.
A sleeping cultist in area 13. There are crates and several gold coins scattered throughout the area.
When Zeds returns, his eyes would light up when he mentioned the sleeping man in the room with the gold coins. "We need to take advantage of the sleeping guards." He would whisper intensely. 'These are the same people that attacked an entire sleeping village... I am sure we are out numbered in there so we need to take advantage where we can."
"Silence is key. We want to take as many down as quickly but more importantly silently as possible," Zeds suggests. "And we want to try to keep a clear path out. We may need to run and flee at any time as we're not entirely sure what is in there..."
Otherwise, Zeds will lead the rest in. He will try to hug the south wall to area 2. When approaching the forking of the passage he will signal the others to stop while he tries to peer ahead into area 12 and the guards he saw in there. He will be waiting for a time when their backs are turned so that he can signal the party to rush quietly past and head to area 13 where there was sleepers. Hopefully we can take them out quickly and silently...
Standing still looking out into the corridor? I'm supposing so but want to be sure before we try any tomfoolery to distract them from looking away from us :)
“Perhaps you all wait outside while I sneak inside and get the lay of the land?” Zeds suggests even as he is reflexively searching the bodies for anything of interest.
Loot
Zeds straps on the best of the four shortswords and distributes 11sp and 3 cp to everyone. He quickly scans the religious text and then passes it over to Sterling. "Religion is your thing, right? And maybe just hold on to in case it is relevant later?"
If nobody is objecting Zeds is going to stealth into the cave rather than us all barging in like a rhino in a windchime store... He advises them to give him 15-20 minutes if they don't hear anything before they come in to rescue him. "Maybe check out that cart of meat? Junior may like that... But, you know, someone stay close in case I am yelling for help earlier than that?"
Stealth roll: 13...
Stirling will cast guidance on Zeb before he stealth in.
Grab a short sword and give it a few test swings then sit down to see if he can read the text
Stealth w/Guidance: 15
Zeds enters the cave and hears the dripping of water from stalactites. The area 1 and 2 are brightly lit from the sun outside. There is no sign of anyone here in the first area. The ceiling is 15ft high.
(Based on the map I imagine Zeds would hug one of the walls through area 1 starting into area 2. Does area 3 sit higher or lower? If lower then Zeds would stick the the far walla and explore down to the passage that leads to area 12 and 13, glancing into those two areas if it seems safe but not delving further in alone. Back to area 2 he would peer out into area 3 to see if there were people around, if not he'd explore further. Maybe as far as area 4 if he's not seen any people he's had to hide from yet. Even if no people seen I think he'd decided he pressed his luck enough alone and go back to the group and explain what he has seen so far... Not trying to do too much here and I fully get you may want some rolls or Zeds may need to hide of something before all this happens...Just trying to give a quick map of what he would do if no interference to save time?)
Area 3 is lower.
Area 3: The entrance to the cave ends here at a 10-foot drop-off. To your right, broad steps are roughly hewn into a natural stone ramp. The cavern below is carpeted with a profusion of fungi ranging from a few inches high to nearly as tall as a human adult. Two paths lead through the fungi: one on the right and one on the left.
Zeds immediately sees 2 cultist guards in area 12.
A sleeping cultist in area 13. There are crates and several gold coins scattered throughout the area.
Let me know if Zed heads down the roughhewn steps into area 3
Krackle would move to the entrance of the cave after pocketing the coins. he would look inside but not follow.
Ironthar would drink a potion from Goldhand.
4+2 = 6 hp
Fungi, eww. Zeds will return to the others and share before wading through the fungi…
When Zeds returns, his eyes would light up when he mentioned the sleeping man in the room with the gold coins. "We need to take advantage of the sleeping guards." He would whisper intensely. 'These are the same people that attacked an entire sleeping village... I am sure we are out numbered in there so we need to take advantage where we can."
Seeing ironthar drink the potion
"Are you ok? Why did you not say you needed healing?"
“Save your healing when I’m downed and can’t drink from a bottle.” He says to the cleric.
“Let’s get this done quietly if can. We’re lucky these one didn’t alert the ones inside.”
The party can head in when ready.
"Silence is key. We want to take as many down as quickly but more importantly silently as possible," Zeds suggests. "And we want to try to keep a clear path out. We may need to run and flee at any time as we're not entirely sure what is in there..."
Otherwise, Zeds will lead the rest in. He will try to hug the south wall to area 2. When approaching the forking of the passage he will signal the others to stop while he tries to peer ahead into area 12 and the guards he saw in there. He will be waiting for a time when their backs are turned so that he can signal the party to rush quietly past and head to area 13 where there was sleepers. Hopefully we can take them out quickly and silently...
The 2 guards are standing still and not patrolling. You can try to distract them in some way.
Standing still looking out into the corridor? I'm supposing so but want to be sure before we try any tomfoolery to distract them from looking away from us :)
Yep standing still