While the party is sorting out what they are going to do D.O.R.K. reaches into her belt pouch or some such pulls out a small candle and lights it from her torch. She turns to Toruun and says "happy birthday little brother!"

"Its your birthday Torunn?  Happy birthday!"

Soon after saying as much, D.O.R.K taps the side of her head with the shield a few times, eventually causing her eyes to flicker between colors for a moment. "Is it that time yet? Yes... Yes it is. Happy Birthday, dear brother. Regrettably, I had insufficient coin to acquire materials back in town for a cake. But do not worry, I shall amend this." She says cheerily enough. But Torunn... you know that the last several times that D.O.R.K has ever cooked anything that required more steps then holding a fish over a cook fire, the baking components have always contained enough of something to 'just' be below the lethal dosage...

As this is happening, Beedo rejoins Vark. And following a quiet powow of their own, the "smooth talking" of the pair sneaks off to investigate the southern most tunnel Vark had spotted to scout out the area.

Beedo's Stealth: 26.

"What happened," says Ebonitus, as he giddily regains his feet. "I must have blacked out for a second."  Looking around his companions, he continues "We look a mess, who needs repairing?" and adds, "Sorry D.O.R.K., you are outside my area of expertise."

Lukian finally succumbs to his injuries and sits noisily, leaning against one of the speleothems. (Heh? Heh? Look at me using a new word.) "The presenting of flame and cake annually is a custom that still surprises me," the elf says, sounding a little breathless. "In my culture, we do not celebrate birthdays but every 25 years. To mark the occasion, we hold a week-long celebration with many dinners and competitions. The parents are celebrated along with their children." He trails off and then stares off into the middle distance, clearly thinking about something.

"An interesting choice of words." D.O.R.K replied. "But do not worry. I have been designed in such a way that my more 'organic' supporting parts can interact with miracles and blessings. Sufficiently restore them, and I can continue function enough to see to more rigorous repairs later. Addendum: I am functional enough to not require as much. Please direct your strength towards Lukian and yourself."

She then turns to Lukian. "Additionally: I do not know what the creature was. While there may have been records involving such creatures, it is not within my, -- as Father liked to say -- 'Wheel house'. Perhaps Devin might be able to answer that. To answer your previous inquiry."

As the party leaves the cave it grows steadily darker as D.O.R.K. carries the torch outside. Vark and Beedo take the opportunity to slip down the southwest passageway. It's very tight and in some places only two feet wide. About 10 feet down the passageway they come to a wooden barricade which looks likes it has been created from scraps of timber. On the front of the barricade a sign has been placed which reads in Orcish "NIE WCHODZIĆ!! Stworzenie z dołu, defilator młodego i pogromcy partnerów!eedo" . After quickly scanning the sign , Beedo and Vark scamper back to where the others are hiding (how successfully will depend on their Stealth rolls) in the rock pile (OOC - who is on what side, etc).

Vark walks up to D.O.R.K. and says "Ma'am, the Red Lady says a good stragest, strata guest, darn it solja takes allies wher 'e finz dem. Well der's a sign in dare wot says 'Keep out, creature from da pit, defiler of young and uva stuff!' Does ya reckon they could be on our side?"  

 (@Grant: Only Beedo had scouted the area, with Vark hanging back in his original position until he returned. What with his clanky armor and all that. But, he'd be the first to hear and so forth from Beedo. Beedo's Stealth was a 17)

D.O.R.K is silent for a long moment, and just stares at Vark. While used to it, the unnerving quality of the stare down never really faded all together. "... You are correct. Assuming we can converse with the creature of the pit, we may yet turn it against the Orcs & Orog. Although, this will likely be a dangerous course." She turns to the others on that note. "Now that they are likely prepared, an unexpected ally would be just what is needed to mitigate the risk of pressing forward. My vote... My recommendation is to try. Conclusion: Worst case scenario, we are forced to retreat, and instead establish a front just outside to at least impair their ability to leave."

"Warning: Given the time senstivity regarding the boy's lost grandfather, the risks of their being slain increases by the day." She leaves the other to mull things over as she works with Beedo on trying to restring his old shortbow using her longbow string if at all possible. And if not, she'll just hand it off to him, knowing he'd have to figure out how to compensate for its heftiness.  

You can just change the post to Beedo reporting back. Saw the stealth roll and somehow juxtaposed Beedo and Vark

Torunn will collect his musket to make sure its not damaged. He will then offer healing to the group if required.

Ebonitus heads over to Lukian. "Feeling a little worse for wear, aren't we. I think we should rest for a while." At Torunn's offer, he continues, "Over here, I think we could both do with some patching."  

Are we taking a long rest or a short rest?

(@DDP: D.O.R.K is leaning towards an atm short one to clarify her standpoint at least. Its in everyone else ballcourt whether we go for longer one, or go back inside without a rest to try 'talking' to whatever creature the Orcs were referring to. Which is likely somewhere on the right side of the cave where we were.)

Torunn nods and heads over to Ebonitius and mutters prayer. His hands then have a warm glow as he heals Ebonitius and then Lukian. (2x Cure wounds)

5

11

"Thank you," Lukian says to Toruun. "I do not trust the unknown creature," the elf says to Dork. "Some say the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but I do not hold to that idea. Most of the time, the enemy of my enemy is just another enemy."

"I'm with you on that one Lukian, but we do not know what the creature is. Perhaps it can be our ally for a time, perhaps not. But it may be worth checking out." Then to Torunn, "Thanks, I'm running a bit low on those." 

And to the party in general:

"I think a short rest would be useful, to recover our energy a bit, but I think time is too precious to tarry too long. Who knows what the Orogs are doing." 

"Agreed, it is not safe to sleep in this cave, there is no way it could be done safely or without the Orog's return.  We should be a able to rest for an hour unmolested though." Devin replies.

(OOC: I thought you were all of the cave in the rockpile outside. Can I have stealth rolls from all of you please. I'll even be generous and let Beedo use his skills to help one of the party hide. You can use it as advantage for one (1 only) character before you roll on one (1 only) reroll for a character after you've all rolled.)

OOC: I think we did go outside.

(@DDP: We did, and I think Stormwall and Paladin54 missed this post.)

"Sleep in the-... Error...." D.O.R.K shook her head. "That was never one of the available options. At least not without gathering significant material to help seal off our resting area. If we are to rest for this short while, it will be out here." She points over to the cave front. "Even if somewhat anticipated, we will have the high ground should they wish to engage us out here. So, use this opportunity to bandaged our wounds, and replenish our strength. We make our move again in an hour" Believing she had said enough to the group at large, she then turns to Beedo and Vark.

"Find a position lower down the incline to hide and keep watch." The duo nod in loose unison and run off. Even if they cannot find a hiding spot on one side, they'd try the opposite incline.

D.O.R.K's Sneakiness: 0.

Vark's Sneakiness: 6.

If able to short rest(expending 3 hit die): 18.