OoC: Heh, yeah, he wasn't actually following the couple; just headed that direction since it seemed the least conspicuous place to go after dinner (and I guess also happened to be the way to the cave). I got the insinuation the first time :-)

Can Darvin tell whether there's someone who's in charge in front of the cave? Also how far apart are the leadership tent and the cave mouth? Close enough that folks around the tent would see/hear what's happening with the kobolds?

They're far enough out of earshot that you don't think it will be an issue a bit later into the night, but that while everyone is up and about you may have some issues. You don't see any upper brass hanging around. The most you see is a couple cultist guards scattered around the tent, watching the entrances.

Darvin plays the "sightseer" for a few minutes trying to get a little bit of a feel for the kobolds' routines, then wanders off to find an out of the way spot, perhaps a cluster of trees or bushes, where he can stay out of sight until it gets darker and the activity in the camp thins out. Lacking any means of communicating directly with Skiaceq and Valji, he hopes that they can see what he's doing and reach the same conclusion: wait until it's quieter, then try to make their way into the cave. As he waits he keeps an eye to the sky in case Skiaceq flies near enough for him to use an illusion to throw his voice into the aarakocra's ear.

Valji is enthralled with the flight. It turns out to be very lucky that he tied himself to Ski, since there are several moments when the gnome forgets that he is dangling ahundred feet in the air with no way to keep himself up there on his own! He occasionally looks around for Darvin, just to keep an eye on the man.

Perception: 12

Darvin finds a lovely corner alongside the wall, directly in the path Skiaceq had been flying along, but hidden amongst the rocks from the rest of the camp. It doesn't take too long before the Valji catches sight of him, managing to find Darvin through his Gnomish glee.

Make a group stealth check at advantage to attempt to hide in the rocks until night.

Stealth: 14 

Mini-Stealth: 5 ('cause he's a gnome =)

OoC: Sorry I’ve been pretty busy the past week.

Stealth: 10

It would be hypocritical of me to call you out for being busy... Methinks you're good. Lol

There is a flurry of activity following dinner, cultists gathering bits of the camp together, apparently readying to leave for some unknown location, but leaving tents and bedrolls out for a good nights sleep. Kobolds bring various odds and ends out of the cavern, taking them in wheelbarrows further into the camp. Skiaceq remembers having seen horses and wagons in the direction. After a couple hours, dusk gives way to night, and the sounds if the camp seem to die down. Sounds of snoring waft over from the tents, the only motion in the camp coming from the night guard around the command tent and the various guard posts closer to the entrance of the camp.

"Alright, looks like this is the best chance we're likely to get," Darvin whispers. "Shall we?"

(Did we complete a short rest? Assuming we had at least an hour to hide out...)

Valji spends the time between landing with Skiaceq and their push into the caves studying his spell book. It helps to calm him after the exhilarating flight! As they prepare to enter, the wizard uses his arcane focus to help him cast mage armor on himself. "OK! Let's do this thing!"

Skiaceq lowers Valji deftly to the ground, then flutters down himself and greets Darvin with relief. Normally a few hours’ flight would be no trouble, but the accumulated soreness of the past three days is getting to him. “Seems I worried over nothing. Very well, tell us what you learned on the way to the cave.”

As the group approaches the cave entrance, they spot a dragonclaw (cultist) around 30 ft into the interior of the cave, keeping vigil over the entrance. In one hand he clutches a torch, and another light source seems to be coming from just outside the view of the entrance. 

"I wonder if the cultists are using the lights as a signal? If we drop this guy and the light goes out will the ones further in know something is wrong? Maybe Darvin should see if the guy needs a potty break...Ski and I can make sure that he 'relieves' himself quietly..." Valji whispers. "I, of course, can see just fine in the dark, so I don't really need that torch. Still - it might prove useful further in."

"Aww, you were worried about me?" Darvin says to Skiaceq with a cheesy grin as they make their way toward the cave. "That's sweet!"

As they approach he relays what the drunkard told him about the cave and the cultists' plan to abandon this camp.

Once inside and they see the guard, Darvin replies to Valji. "Not a bad idea. I gotta say this hat was the best zero gold I ever spent!"

Skiaceq nods in agreement, then flattens himself against the cave wall.

Stealth: 14

Although his plumage blends with the shadowed stone, there are no outcroppings along the wall to conceal himself from a torch. All will depend on the guard’s attentiveness.

Darvin tweaks his cultist disguise to look like a youthful new recruit, then approaches the guard and says in a meek voice, "Excuse me, uh, sir? They uh... they asked me to come relieve you? Said you'd earned a rest? I don't know if I'm ready for such an important job, but..." he then brightens his face to look like he's summoning all his confidence, "I think I can do it!"

"You must be that new guy, Tyrek. It is about time for my relief, but where's Damian's the other guy? Sleeping in again?" he shakes his head in disappointment, and Darvin gets a closer look at the second light source, another cultist a short distance from Darvin.

However you respond, go ahead and make a deception check.

"You know my name!" Darvin replies. "I don't... I don't know where he is, they just told me to come here."

Deception: 22

"Guess you're pulling another double, eh, Damien?" the cultist says to his colleague. "Here," he adds, handing Darvin the torch, "I'm off to bed." He walks back toward the entrance of the cave, heading toward Skiaceq and Valji. (Make another stealth check as you attempt to be remain hidden from the approaching cultist)