"Better be careful."

I draw my bow and wade on over to the dwarf, scanning the cave entrance for any signs of tiny goblin activity. 

Perception: 20

I beckon Alteria to follow me as I make my way over to Jared’s position behind the briars, commenting,

”Sorry about the urine in a pit trap, Jared really knows how to pick a bathroom. Also, you should know that we don’t know how many goblins are in there and they are expecting us.  Well, expecting two of us. You have the element of surprise on your side.”

I cautiously follow Narissa to join everyone else in the brush. "I'd like to make a point to say that I don't feel great about just charging into a goblin nest without knowing what it's like on the inside. Is everyone well enough to fight?"

After some thought, I add, "We could draw them out and take out the ones that flee here where we have more freedom to move around. Then once we've lessened their numbers we can go in and take out the rest. What do you all think?"

There seems to be no danger in the immediate are, aside from the cave before you. 

Tungol, as you peer into the darkness, you see nothing, but the smell of cooking meat slowly wafts out, dancing across your tongue.

 (I have no idea how bird noses work)

"Magic elf. You speak goblin. Lure out some goblins for us?"

"I actually have something I'd like to try to scare them out of that cave if that's the line of action we take.."

(I've noticed Alteria isn't quite running on 100 percent, maybe allow her a short rest as well?)

"Ok I'm gonna stop everyone right there. Here's our current situation: Gundren's dead, I know that smell anywhere, he's somewhere between medium and medium-well. We're standing outside of a cave full of traps and packed with goblins in a fortified position who know we're coming. Hell for all we know this is the entrance to the gods damned goblin city. There could be hundreds in there.

I say we cut out losses, head back to the wagons, skip Phandalin, and sell the supplies ourselves."

I wrinkle my nose at Jared’s statement, 

“I don’t want to know why you know what cooked dwarf smells like... But that’s beside the point.  Jared is right, surprisingly, and for the second time today, it would be immensely foolish to throw ourselves into this cave with no clue as to how many goblins are in there, or how big of a threat they may be. 

Phandalin is the closest village to us at the moment, so it would be wisest to stop there, afterwards we can travel wherever you all see fit.” 

"Someone in Phandalin is expecting these caravans, and we're no longer getting paid for this. Selling the supplies somewhere else is the only way we're making a profit."

It is as you start up this line of conversation when someone else starts to emerge from the trail...

A middle aged human walks out into the clearing, a little overweight, and of tanned skin and reddish hair.

He has yet to notice you all, behind the bramble

(At school, no maps till tonight)

I talk as low as possible to the dwarf and elf.

"Abandoning our employer after a single skirmish? What we were hired for? Are you afraid?"

I stand and turn to the newcomer to beckon them over. 

“Tungol, Gundren is dead, he is the meat you smell.  It’s not abandoning your employer if your employer is currently being cooked medium-well.” 

I snap my head up to stare at the new comer, and raise my bow.

”Who are you? What business do you have?” 

As you go about this avenue of discussion, you notice someone walking out of the entrance of the trail.

A short, portly human man, wearing clothes befitting a merchant walks into the field, adorned with symbols of trees and vines.

From your position behind the bramble, he cannot see you yet.

Anyone want to give me a religion check?

"I'd really like to confirm that Gundren is dead before we go and sell off his merchandise, just to feel better about it. It would be awful if the goblins were just cooking meat and he were still in there waiting for someone to find him."

"When I met with him Gundren mentioned he was working with his brothers to clean up the area. If he is dead, shouldn't we let them know what happened? Maybe they can even compensate us for what we've done so far."

Religion: 14

The symbols on the man's clothing portray him as a druid, a person who revers nature, seemingly at odds with the look of his garb, eponymous with industry, trade, and civilization. 

You also know that while goblins are prone to violence, sadism, and sacrifice in their worshiping of Maglubiyet, but the consumption of intelligent races was reserved only for the most dire of times. And what torment could be derived from a cooked meal after all?

I slowly raise my hand up and wave, beaming as much as I can.

Howdy, good to see someone alive after all the blood and bodies on the main road. If you'd be so kind, can you maybe not make me join them?

I'm assuming those carts on the trail were yours right? either way, I'd like to know what you know about missing caravans? preferably the ones from Lionshield?

"Hello. Be careful. Cave before us holds goblins."

I motion for the human to come closer.

"Those were our carts. Our employer may be inside. Your caravan.. don't know about."

I relax, then I start to wade into the river, collecting a couple dozen pebbles.

Hmm... sounds like a pickle. I'm not much one for violence, but I'd be  willing to help. I laugh, drumming my belly with a free arm.

And you just know Good 'ol Mr. Prolvic loves to lend a helping hand!