Exteri scans the treeline for danger. What kind of creature could do something like this?

[Perception 6 ]

15 Stealth

Raul will take up a stealthier position in a nearby bush or tree hole after hearing about these needle holes now very aware of his gelatinous frame.

Dorgarag looks around the path to see what he can learn.

1. Does is seem like cows frequently wander around here?  Or was this one likely apart from its herd?
2. Does it seem like the cow was attacked here?  Or does it seem like it was bleeding and alive while it walked here and then died because of the wounds?
3. Are there footprints or animal tracks that could indicate an attacker?

 Perception = 7

Exteri: You scan the tree line but find no immediate danger.

Raul: You successfully hide yourself behind a nearby tree. No one notices the ooze slightly quivering with fear of being poked.

Dorgarag: You passed farms coming here, but this is past farther than any farm. Based on the blood trail and the cows tracks, it looks like the cow was chased here. You see other tracks heading in the direction of the Sunless Citadel, but you can't make out what made them.

Burntends bbqs the cow and after waiting for the others to explore, he turns to the group “Nothing unexpected. We know danger awaits at the Citadel but so does destiny.”

"Thanks Burntends," Exteri says.

Exteri is too nauseous to eat the barbecue. He's not stranger to livestock being slaughtered, but this is something else.

He turns to Raul. "Are you going to want to eat the fruit if we find it, to reverse what those wizards did?"

The Old Road passes to the east of a narrow ravine. At the road's closest approach to the cleft, several broken pillars jut from the earth where the ravine widens. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most lean atop sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the dark depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine.

A sturdy, knotted rope is tied to one of the leaning pillars on this side of the ravine.

What do you want to do?

“ Tis true Exteri. My most desired wish is to regain my true draconian majesty. I yearn for the rough touch of scales and claws once again. To hear of a remedy has lit a fire inside me stronger even than any breath weapon.”

Raul would like to check the integrity of the rope and pillars to see if it may provide a way across

Halberd in hand, Amnezia strides confidently behind Raul as they move to inspect the pillars. His gaze is sharp, ready to react to any hidden dangers that may lurk in the shadows.

"Oh, that makes sense Raul," Exteri says. "I've yet to hear of a person who ate the fruit and who is still around the village though. It would have been good to meet one of them."

Exteri will rifle through his adventuring pack for his rope, and will tie it to the pillar on the party's side of the ravine without a rope. He will attempt to use his mage hand cantrip to tie the other end of the rope to a pillar on the other side.

While Burntends cooks some beef, Dorgarag pulls out a small notebook, pen, and ink, and makes some very small drawings of the patterns of needle holes he sees.  Then he packs those things away again carefully.

Despite only two hours having passed since his double breakfast, Dorgarag eats some barbecue.  He then cuts off some of the most well done pieces and stores them with his mess kit and rations.  Again he feels self-conscious about the impression he's making on the others.  He suspects they have not gone hungry often.

When the group arrives at the ravine with the pillars, he joins Raul and Amnezia in looking at the rope and the pillars.  He pulls and pushes on them a bit to see whether he thinks they would hold party members in a descent.  Perception = 17

Raul: The pillars are worn and broken, and graffiti in the Dwarvish alphabet covers most of them. You do not understand what the graffiti says since you can not read Dwarvish. The rope tied to one of the leaning pillars hangs down into the darkness of the ravine. Judging by its good condition, the rope couldn't have been tied there any longer than three or four weeks ago. From the edge of the ravine, older and weathered handholds and footholds can be seen carved into the cliff face.

Amnezia: You stand ready to react to any hidden dangers. Make an investigation or survival check, your choice.

Exteri: You tie the rope to an upright pillar and send it across the ravine via your mage hand. The rope makes it 30 ft across before disappearing. The untied end of the rope falls down limply. Your mage hand disappeared around 10 ft from the other side of the ravine.

Dorgarag: After confirming that the rope is strong and the pillar it's tied to is sturdy, you turn your attention to the graffiti. You can read these Dwarvish scrawls, it appears to be written in Goblin, a language that uses the same alphabet as Dwarvish. The inscriptions are generic warnings and threats against potential trespassers.

Burntends stands back to let the more experienced members of the group check the ropes. He is excited to see that the rope is still here and is evidence the prior party at least made it this far. He will wait and let someone else choose what to do as leadership is probably a bit beyond him at this stage. 

he will turn to Raul

”Which of these others seem most fit to make life and death decisions? I don’t think it should be you or me. I am inexperienced and you are a self professed  fool.” 

Dorgarag stiffens when he sees the mage hand disappear before its intended destination.  

"What happened?" he asks.

Amnezia's eyes dart around, searching the darkness for any signs of movement or danger. With a steady hand on his weapon, he remains alert.

Survival = 8

"Just the range of the magic ended. I can't get the rope across," Exteri tells Dorgarag.

Exteri pulls the rope back up from the pillar, and begins to put knots into it so it too can be used to descend into the ravine - and ascend back up at need.

"Looks like we're going into the ravine. That's probably where our missing adventurer's went so it's for the best. You can speak Goblin?"

Burntends realizes Exteri is the leader he needs and turns towards him. "I'm ready boss! Let's go save those kids." 

He steps forward, strapping on his shield and checking his scimitar at his side. He casts goodberry and hands out 2 sweet tasting berries to everyone in the party cautioning them to save them for dire circumstances.

Amnezia: Your scan of the area reveals nothing of note.

Raul will follow Burntends forward

”My foolishness is merely a sign of good breeding. It’s is the noblesse oblige to live a life that leaves onlookers miraculously stunned upon its wake.”

Exteri will nod at Burntends, too afraid to speak and risk a quaver in his voice. He'll begin descending into the ravine.