Serak: Holding his nose as he searches the cavern for valuables, Serak says in a nasally voice, "One more cave left to clear, my friends. Then onward to Cragmaw Castle!"

Perception: 23

Their night's work not yet complete, Serak slips into the darkness as scouts ahead of the party for danger.

Perception: 14

Stealth: 24

"Disgusting creatures."

Arkhan pushes further into the cave with Hew drawn.

Disappearing into the dense woodland, Serak carefully plots a course through the darkness. Once the bard is barely on the edge of sight, the others follow suit, eyes straining in the darkness to follow the trail.

After a few miles, Serak spots an odd shape loosely hidden amongst the leaf covered ground. A single coil of rope runs across his path, loops around a nearby tree and leads to a large rope net suspended directly above him. About 60ft ahead, the orange light of a dying fire glows in a small clearing.  

Serak: Returning to the party a short distance behind, Serak whispers, "I've discovered a tripwire and net trap about ten yards ahead and there is light from a fire not far beyond. I can try to go get a closer look, or we can trip the trap and see who or what responds?"

"Trip the trap. We'll flank it from either side and disable them."

Serak: Devising a quick plan as he finds cover with the others, Serak positions himself behind a tree about 30ft from the trap. When everyone is safely concealed, the Bard focuses a moment as he reaches out with his mind. 

Cast Spell: Mage Hand Target: Tripwire

As the wire is tripped and the net lands harmlessly upon the forest floor, Serak waves his hand through the air, conjuring the image of a slender wood elf struggling to free itself from the trap.

Cast Spell: Minor Illusion - 5ft Area(Center of Net)

Finally, he ducks behind full cover and listens for any approach.

The sound of the triggered trap echoes and fades through the forest, punctuated by the faint distant crackle of the dying fire. On the ground, the struggling elf continues to roll helplessly on the sprawled net. A curious owl perched in a nearby tree, takes flight after a few moments - the only movement in the otherwise still forest. 

Suddenly, a slightly muffled scream radiates down the trail as if in response to the commotion. Listening quietly, Serak considers the sound - a call for attention rather than a shout for help. 

Arkhan remains still and in the shadows. Waiting for Serak to act.

stealth: 13 

Serak: Serak remains calms as he hears the screams and commotion in the nearby camp. He listens closely, attempting to recognize the language or perhaps identify the creature that shouted. The Bard continues to remain motionless as he waits patiently for a response from the camp.

Investigation: 13

Perception: 7

Stealth: 21

The muffling continues, words masked by some sort of binding. Whoever or whatever it is, seems desperate for attention. Pondering for a moment, Serak picks out key details - a deep voice, most likely masculine. Stationary and likely bound. Strong, but clearly disoriented and helpless.

Serak: Motioning to the others to remain hidden for now, Serak creeps slowly through the cover of the woods toward the camp. Alert for danger or traps, he approaches only close enough to get a view of the camp.

Perception: 18

Stealth: 16

OOC: Heck of a time to botch a Stealth roll! lol

The flickering fire barely burns bright enough to light the surrounding campsite, casting long faint shadows across the ground. Empty sacks and upturned crates lie scattered all around. A half eaten leg of meat lies burning in the fire, charred and blackened. At the far side of the camp, stands a fairly small cave it’s entrance long collapsed and barricaded. On first impression the camp appears to be completely deserted.

A short distance from the cave sits a short figure - a dwarf. His head covered with a thick empty woollen sack embroidered with the blue rampant lion. Both his wrists and ankles are tightly bound with a length of hemp rope. Serak steps quietly forwards, sinking into a patch of wet mud beneath his feet. The slight squelch is enough to catch the bound figures attention. It turns roughly in Seraks direction.

”ERRR! ERRR EEEETH HAAAAA? GERRR MUH AAARRR!”

Arkhan gets a little anxious has he hears more muffled shouting be remains still. Though, he does try to stretch out to catch a glimpse at what might be happening.

Serak: Waving the party forward, Serak dashes to the Dwarf's side. As he cuts the bindings with his Dagger, he whispers, "You are safe now, friend. What manner of danger lurks in yonder cave?"

Arkhan moves forward and offers a hand to help the dwarf to his feet and probably pulls him with so much force he lifts him off of the ground.

“OOF!” The dwarf falls back to earth with a sturdy thud, instantly reaching to remove the cloth hold. Freeing his bushy red beard, the burly dwarf shakes himself, instantly bringing colour back to his face. He blinks hard. Squints slightly at his rescuers and allows a smile to grow across his weary face. “My my... Serak ... Skald wasn’t it? Praise Moradin!” The face of Gundren Rockseeker, barely recognisable from days of starvation, relaxes for the first time in a long while. He casts a glance behind the pair, slight confusion in his face, “... but how? Where is Sildar? Tell me you found him too?”  

Serak: Dumbfounded, the Serak's jaw drops as he gets a better looks at the Gundren. Regaining his composure, he timidly reaching out and tugs on the old Dwarf's beard. Satisfied he's real, Serak says, "Gundren! Thank the God's you're alive! We rescued Sildar the day after your capture, but you were a bit harder to track down! In fact, we were just on our way to Cragmaw Castle to search for you."

Turning his attention back to the cavern entrance, he continues, "There will be time to fill you in later and we have questions of our own. Now tell us, what awaits us within the cave?"

Wincing slightly, Gundren rubs at the fresh bald patch on his chin, “I see you’ve done your research. Aye, they had me there... though something spooked them a night or so ago. Moved me out here to Gods know where.” 

The dwarf squints a second time, eyes adjusting to the mixture of lights as he glances around, “.... hmm.... I’m afraid I don’t know lads. First I’m seeing of the place to be totally honest. Doesn’t look like it’s been used in a while though.” He scrunches the sack in his hand before throwing it onto the fire, his knee almost giving way as it takes his weight, “Now that you’re here, I’d say we make haste. It won’t be long before these creatures return and I find their company is getting to be a bit tiresome if I’m honest.” 

Serak: Listening closely as Gundren recounts his tale, Serak remarks, "It is curious they moved you here, just as we discovered your location... Where are they getting their information from?"

Understanding the hardships the dwarf has endured, Serak says sympathetically, "I understand your desire to put this ordeal behind you, but we must dispatch those that held you. Otherwise, they'll report that you're missing and hunt us all night. How many are there and where did they go, leaving you unguarded?

"Yes. They must pay with death. We will dispose of them."