Harivaldr set to work quickly once woken. Dathyra did the same. She moved back towards the cart to start waking Merric and then Sen. They needed everyone. They still did not know the origin of the sound, and Phyllis had not...returned was perhaps the word she would have used.

The jungles of Chult was no such place for a fool. Wild creatures as large as you or me, or even bigger! Hidden traps around every corner. The unbearing heat and humidity. Chult was no place for fools, but there I was. Like it was yesterday.

This idol of supposed great power. The civilization has said to be dead centuries ago. No one, no one to worship this idol any longer. But there were, unbeknownst to me. There were many. Not at first, there were none to be seen. It was too easy. I should have recognized the signs. I walked right into the place. Yes, there were a few traps, but nothing more than a few darts and a pit. And there it was, the idol. It gleamed brightly from the high sun, bathed in the light. I was as if a hole in the cavern had been cut out just to shine light upon this rendering of their God. I planned my escape, checked around the area and felt confident in this. I swiped the statue from the pedestal and the whole cave began to collapse. I began to dash out catching a few darts in the arms and torso. My vision began to blur, but I could see it, the bright light that cut through the canopy of the damp forest. And just before my legs gave out, I saw them, the followers of the golden idol. 

The next thing I remember is the beating, the beating of the drums. I was tied to a post with kindling surrounding me at the base of my feet. The drums, I can hear them again........

Sen was relieved to be awoken from that nightmare. That was one of the close ones. But now, the dwarf was standing over him. What did he want, the drunken fool. "Wh - what is it Harivaldr?" Sen began to look around to try to assess the situation. Sen replaces his hat and sits up. "What kind of company? I don't see anyone." The drums though, he thought that was just a dream. Sen cracks his neck and hops out of the wagon, withdrawing his trust leather whip. Sen uncoils it and now lays strewn across the ground. 

The party rolls to their feet. Everyone looking in different directions for an imminent threat. Many seemed to be relieved to be able to confront something tangible, better than what they were struggling with in their sleep. The sound of drumming is difficult to triangulate, the hills and the woods throwing the noise in unexpected ways. Phyllis comes back to herself. Her eyes regain their focus. Nyxtra comes to rest on a  nearby branch. She points off into the woods, "It is coming from that direction."

Harivaldr gathered his equipment, but left his longsword in its sheath for the time being. "No telling who's making that noise, we ought to investigate. Y'know, make sure it isn't raiders or the like, or at least make sure they're not headed our way." He then sighed and muttered, "Course, I'm hardly the quietest dwarf. Bit of a flat-foot, to be honest. I always tend to step in the wrong place... Sen, Merric, you seem to be quiet types, will you be able to see in this darkness?"

Merric perks up a bit at his mention...

"I be fairly nimble and walks a quiet foot, but I don't see much in the dark so's much.  But maybe I can get's close enough to takes a look see in this moonlight?  Mights not be needings to gets too close to see what's them's is about.  Maybe they be just dancing and havin a little party around a fire!"

Merric nods at Sen, looking for his reaction to Harivaldr's suggestion.

"C'mon Sen!  You gots them eyes that seem to glow when it be dark.  Let's go takes a snoop arounds and see wheres thems drums are comings from!"  I don't think I be slowin ya down much and I can watches yer back and you can spots any guards theys might've posted about.  How bout's it?"

Merric checks his bow, quiver, short sword and daggers and removes anything that might make a sound or reflect light.  He looks like the right little warrior he is sure!

“Yeah, I suppose we should go take a look.“ Sen starts to coil his whip in a tight circle. He stands holding it in one hand. “I see pretty well in the dark so stay behind me Merric.” Sen will start to slowly walk toward the sounds. 

The party align themselves quietly in some order that will get them through the woods safely and hopefully unobserved. Sen and Merric move to the front to pick their route in the general direction that Phillis pointed out. 

Fortunately it is a full moon and there is enough light that even those without dark vision are able to see their way to avoid trees and obstacles. The sound from the drumming increases as you move through the woods.

The party approaches a forested hill, Sen and Merric lead them to the top and make their way over the crest. At the bottom of the hill, is a large clearing overrun with Goblins. Two hordes are gathered facing each other,  screeching and banging weapons together. Nearby, a huge pile of wood is just starting to burn beneath an even larger spit with something bound and struggling tied next to it, ready to cook. 

Durven shakes his head in disbelief, possibly thinking of kin, a half day's ride to Northwoods Rest. 

Dathyra's stomach lurched at the sight of it all. Even though she could not tell who or what was about to be burned, it was a horrible way to die, she thought. She couldn't even imagine such a thing. And really, how long before they got bored of whatever it was they were about to do and start looking around the forest for new victims? They could've just as easily taken their whole group by surprise.

"We are going to do something about this, aren't we?" she said quietly to the others. True, they were outnumbered, but Dathyra did not feel she could leave this situation in good faith knowing that someone else would suffer greatly.

Harivaldr gaped at the masses of assembled goblins. He'd never seen this many of them in one place before... maybe he'd never seen this many before in his entire life. The wriggling form by the spit over the fire just added revulsion to his shock. A part of his mind, unbidden, couldn't help but morbidly wonder how close their little band had come to sharing that fate. He shook himself. Best not to think about that, especially not now.

Dathyra's words drew a wince from him. He longed to have his name famous far and wide for daring and heroic deeds, it was true, but the skald couldn't see their involvement in this... goblin altercation, ending in anything but their own demise. "I don't want to be a doomsayer, but I'm not sure there's much we can do. Goblins are idiots and easy to kill, true, but with these numbers we'd be cut to pieces. Even if they started hacking each other to pieces-" Harivaldr paused and began to stroke his beard. The two warbands were looking mighty antagonistic towards one another... "Alright everybody, this is definitely not the smart thing to do," the dwarf said suddenly, "but cards on the table, any ideas for how to kick off a goblin war without tipping them off?"

Keep your mind clear. Don't panic.

The words didn't help the squickish feeling that roiled in her gut as she saw the size of the two hordes faced together in barbaric tribalism, so ready to tear limb from limb. A handful of goblins were a nightmare to any person braving a journey, but this? Phyllis fought to keep the panic from bubbling up in her, wanting nothing more to flee far away from whatever conflict these goblins were having. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she looked at he writhing body so close to the fire, the fact that it might be an actual person in peril the only reason she haven't voiced her desire to leave.

Phyllis nodded at Dathyra's question, but lacked a real plan as to go about a rescue mission. She nodded again as Harivaldr pointed out that it was the stupid thing to do anyways.

"If-" her voice was a pitch higher, Phyllis gave a cough to shake it out, "If we could make it seem like one side made an unprovoked attack to the other, it may instigate a battle. But I do not know how we could pull that off, much less prevent their next meal from getting caught in the crossfire." Phyllis didn't like this. It was beyond foolish, but that panicked struggling of the bound person to be free had rooted the wizard in her spot. If she could just make sure the goblin's next meal was just some beast and not a humanoid being, perhaps she would finally suggest to leave the goblins to their devices and run the hell away.

Merric's stomach rolled as inner turmoil rose the bile in his gut.  He wanted to help, but there were so many....and if they caught him...well, he could not even image what they would do to him. He wanted to help...but so many...

Merric held his breath for a time, a little hesitant to propose the option, but then turned to look at the others and spurted out...

"Maybe would nots be the firstest time I's ever disguised meself as a goblin....dids its once before a few year back as a jokes for somes of me kin!  Not sure I's gots everything I's needs in me kit here, but maybe I could.   Sneaks m'self in one side and maybe shoots one of them on the others?" 

"I suppose that could get us at least close enough to see what we're dealing with," Dathyra said, thinking it over. "But, Merric, that would be awfully dangerous. If you were to be found out...I don't know if we could ask that of you."

“Well I for one am not too concerned about the plight of the poor soul on deck to be eaten. Nature is nature. But I do want to get a better look at least before making a final call. Goblin have always interested me in their dynamics. As far as starting a war between the two, that is dangerous. Those two large groups see a small group of tasty meat, they’re bound to team up together and have us roasting over the fire in no time.” Sen peers as far as his eyes can see. Too far out still so he’ll have to move in closer. “Stay here, ready to go. I’m going head further and try to see things a bit better.” Sen will start making his way closer  only to the point he can make things out.

Perception: 23 

[Sen please make a stealth check as well. Anyone else going? ]

Stealth: 19

 Harivaldr shook his head at Sen's proclamation. It was disheartening to know his companion held so little value for the life of another, but this was hardly the first time the dwarf had met someone with that kind of outlook. It was disheartening, yes, but it was also pragmatic, given the circumstances. "If nothing else," he finally said, "don't do anything reckless. We need information and regardless what we end up doing, we don't have a plan." While Sen's impetuousness had been useful in dealing with the bounty hunters, a similar approach might very well spell doom on everyone present. He resolved to keep a careful eye on the proceedings; his sword sheathed, but his mind focused and ready to unleash a spell if necessary.

Merric quietly calls out to Sen as he heads out..."I's be behind you a bits to watches out fer yer back.  I needs to gets a looksee at them goblins shoulds I need to look likes ones of em'."

Merric gives Sen a 50' head start and then follows quietly behind...

Stealth 19

Perception 23

The party decides that more information is needed. Sen and Merric decide to get closer. 

Harivaldr warns of reckless actions and stands ready with spells and sword as the two disappear into the woods. Dathyra frets about an innocent victim of goblins and Phyllis thinks that they might be able to get enough information to start a conflict between the two hordes.  

Durven turns to tell Merric something about Goblins but the Halfling vanished. [merric's stealth]. 

As Sen and Merric make their way slowly down the slope they notice that the two groups haven't gotten any closer to the other. The two of you notice that each group has their own distinctive coloration and marking. One group seems to have red dyed hands and warpaint, the other seems to have blue stripes across their face and eyes.

Sen's interest in Goblin dynamics has led him to understand bits and pieces of the Goblin language, mostly insults. He can just make out some of the voices. "Prepare for defeat, Pig-butts!!" and "We will relish and flaunt our victory over you!" Goblins had a sophisticated mastery over taunts and insults. 

Merric notices that several of them are gesturing toward the full moon. 

Sen and Merric continue to get closer to the clearing. Sen rustles against some undergrowth and is outlined in the moonlight. The Goblins are closer to the hill than either realized.  There are a couple that notice Sen's passage, they nudge a few comrades who turn quiet and stare menacingly as the majority of their clansfolk rage on.  They just watch for now.  

[What is everyone going to do at this point? Those that stayed back, how long are you going to wait?]