Kai you have a hard time finding any tracks from the the fleeing goblin, but once you get closer to the dead horses you make out a trail of tracks that lead into the forrest. You are unable to make out details but if you would have to make a guess you would say around 10 individuals left from here. Some tracks look like someone was either injured or dragged along, possibly both. 

Kai studies the tracks quietly and waits patiently for the groups decision, waiting to mention the multiple tracks as she looks around the horses for anything she might recognize or find interesting. As she searches around, she will call to the group. "I don't mean to rush... But we're burning daylight. Do we have a decision?" She waits for a response, avoiding anyone's eyes as she slowly starts to walk alongside the tracks, trying to determine their direction and any difference between foot imprints (goblin feet vs humanoid shoes/feet etc.) Without wandering too far from the group.

Potentially needed rolls: 

Investigation: 10

Perception: 20

Survival: 9

Without really stating her intention, Moss follows idly behind Kai. Looking at the same things and studying everything for a trace of a trail.

survival: 18

Kai: while examining the horses, you notice two things. First, they already got searched and stripped. Second, both horses and saddles are  branded with a crown inside a circle.

Moss while Kai searches the horses, you will have another look at the tracks. Kais assessment was already quiet good, but you are able to get a few more details: You can distinguish 9 different tracks. 7 smaller ones like Goblins or Halflings and 2 heavier ones, most likely from a human or a dwarf. The two humans or dwarfs got dragged against their will and one was injured. 

Kai : You notice a leather scroll case a bit off the road. It has the name Rockseeker branded into it. It is closed and it feels like something odd shaped is shifting inside.

As the others chime in Leona gives Nobody and Hazel appreciative nods as they weigh in on her side of the conversation. As Kai asks the group Leona looks over at Moss as she examines the dead horses and addresses her as the group debates their decision.

“What of you friend? It seems you may well have the decisive vote in this debate. Would you have us hunt down these foul beasts and put an end to their threat?”

"There were people with the goblins. A human and a dwarf," Moss says as she returns to them with a heavy sigh. "An injury. They were dragged. I can track them alone if you would prefer to take the supplies onward. It's probably safer if you do. I won't be noticed, nature is my home. I can return to the village to tell you what I find."

Kai will dig into her pack to find a small quill and parchment, doing a small drawing of the brand on the horses before grabbing the scroll, keeping it in her hands and studying the outside of it before drawing the branded name onto the same parchment quietly. Kai will check the scroll itself for traps before (not trusting her ability) then putting the scroll into her pouch for now, waiting for someone to check it for any hidden traps she may have missed. 

After searching, Kai will let out a resigned sigh and look towards the others. "We have roughly another day's travel worth of time to arrive at our destination. We could in theory spend the rest of today to follow these tracks over here. But what will we do with the cart? Or when we find these tracks destination. I am willing to follow your heroic spirit, but only for the rest of today. Then we shall proceed with our hired task." 

Kai glances back to the tracks and hums in thought. "I also suppose that if our hirers ran into this group, these may very well be their horses. Both for their safety and for our payment's sake, it may be beneficial to investigate these tracks."

With some more thought, Kai will speak to the others. "Is anyone good at trap checking? I may have also found something of interest."

At hearing Moss's suggestion, Kai will think momentarily before speaking. "I do not think it is wise you go alone. Maybe the group could divide? Or stick together if that is everyone's preference?"

Slight if hand? (For traps?) (Investigation would just be the straight roll. So -1 from the result) :  5

"Perhaps another could aid me, I can make myself smaller. Can someone else track and hide as well? It is foolish to let the cart linger when they has already been an ambush," Moss says, nodding her head to respectfully acknowledge Kai's concerns.

Nobody is practically bouncing on the heels of his feet at every agreement. That, and his tail kept sweeping along the ground or forming the odd shape behind him. Fortunately, some pre-preemptive effort had been made to avoid standing in front of everyone. Not that it made things less silly. "Well, technically, uh... er, nevermind the thought -- You said trap, right? I am fairly good with my hands, but I am no expert per se. Family problems necessitated a certain--" He coughs, catching himself twice in one sentence. 

"My deepest apologies. In order then." He holds up three fingers, and brings each down with ever reply. "With Moss -- your assistance, I suspect we can mask it fairly easy a short ways up and slightly off the road using some foliage. Two, we reassess the situation, and well, rescue them if even possible from their destination. Which is mostly to be no more than a few hours a way. And again, not an expert, but I am fairly good at remaining unseen and discerning at least magical and engineered traps. The rest I would leave to others. I guess? Hm. Truly I have been sheltered to not have considered certain things." He waves his hands to the side erratically. "Anyways. Unless there are some that wish to stay to recoup or keep watch on the cart, let's get moving. Shall we?" If none object, he makes a move for the cart, ready to be guided to a position best for hiding it and tying up Betsy.

Mal is intrigued by this group. Thinking to himself - The contract we signed on was a simple delivery contract. It was not a "eliminate the goblin threat and protect the realm" contract. What have I gotten myself into. Why risk a sure payday for something we might not even get rewarded for. But it looks like we're going goblin hunting from the sound of things.

Mal walks to where Kai is and asks to see the scroll case she found. Let me see if I can get that open.

Checking for Traps on the Scroll Case: 13

After he checks for traps, if he finds none, he'll attempt to open in and find out what's inside.

Mal speaks to the group while fiddling around with the Scroll Case: I would rather not split the group. That makes it easier for them to take us down. Goblins , like the vermin they are, will overwhelm their prey with superior numbers. Look how they took out Leona with arrows even before she got to swing at them. We become easier targets if we split up. We do not know how many are out there for sure. And with the one that escaped, they may be preparing an unwelcome welcome for us. If we go, we go together. 

Turning to Moss - If our concern is the safety our cargo and Betsy, Nobody seems to have a good idea to hide the cart. Moss, I've heard that your people have a way with animals. Is there a way you can make sure Betsy stays put until we return. And is there any indication that these parts have any animals that would find Betsy a satisfying meal? Could we protect her from them? I do not want to try pulling this cart all the way to Phandalin. And I am not babysitting Betsy while the rest of you go gallivanting around.

I can work with Nobody and Moss in trying in trying to track the survivor. 

Kai giggles a little at Nobody's both eager and interesting movements and looks at him with a nod and a friendly smile to convey that she is not laughing in insult. "In all honesty, I suppose my chainmail makes it quite difficult for me to do any sneaking about." She looks to Moss for a moment. "Although I don't feel entirely comfortable leaving a healer behind, I suppose you have some healing magic as well?" 

Kai thinks for a moment before pushing her glasses up on the bridge of her nose, a small tick she does while thinking. "However, if we are to split the party, we need to decide who will be in each group and a rendezvous point. Ideally it would be at Phandalin but is everyone comfortable with such a distance between ththe groups? I'm slightly worried about leaving Betsy and the cart unattended in case the goblins return, and I won't be much help if you plan to go by stealth. A hinderance even." She nods a slight agreement to Mal's words about the goblins and the hunter animals nearby.

She looks around the group for a moment, making her way over to Nobody. "Does anyone else feel the need to stay at the cart?" Once she reaches Nobody, Kai will grab the scroll out of her pack and hand it to him, also allowing Mal to look it over. "I already checked it over, but an extra look for secret traps on this might be of use. It's not really my expertise."

Quote from desarud >>

 

Turning to Moss - If our concern is the safety our cargo and Betsy, Nobody seems to have a good idea to hide the cart. Moss, I've heard that your people have a way with animals. Is there a way you can make sure Betsy stays put until we return. And is there any indication that these parts have any animals that would find Betsy a satisfying meal? Could we protect her from them? I do not want to try pulling this cart all the way to Phandalin. And I am not babysitting Betsy while the rest of you go gallivanting around.

 "We share an understanding. I can attempt to communicate with Betsy if that is what we wish to do, feed her some of my own snacks," Moss says with another sigh. "But I cannot tell her to stay if someone finds her. I do not wish her to be attacked if we leave her here alone. I can perhaps try to track the Goblins further once we have been to the town, but nature does not wait for us."

Quote from Vixen_Vixey >>

Kai giggles a little at Nobody's both eager and interesting movements and looks at him with a nod and a friendly smile to convey that she is not laughing in insult. "In all honesty, I suppose my chainmail makes it quite difficult for me to do any sneaking about." She looks to Moss for a moment. "Although I don't feel entirely comfortable leaving a healer behind, I suppose you have some healing magic as well?" 

 Moss nods casually and opens her hand to cast goodberry but finds her hand empty. "Oh, I have expended my energy for today. Nature only offers me so much I cannot take more than what it is willing to give. I can offer guidance to whoever ventures with me though."

Kai thinks for a second, looking to Moss in thought. "I suppose I could just remove the chainmail and use my shield if things get worrying. Although that would require me to remain farther back and out of direct conflict if that is okay with everyone. And my magic is wearing thin as well but I have enough in case things become rash."

She looks to the others. "As for protecting the cart. Other than just hiding it, is there anything else we can do to tell if someone is nearby it or trying to tamper with it despite our efforts?"

Fair enough. responding to Moss.

Kai, we'll let Nobody and Moss take point. I don't think it will help if you take off your armor. Because.....Mal glancing at Leona...while you may create a little noise that's nothing compared to all the metal on Leona.

Frankly, I am not much of a nature person but an extra pair of eyes up front might help so I can accompany the two.

Ostran, you're an elf. Aren't you better at this forest stuff than we city folk are?

Kai nods quietly, avoiding others eyes now in a slight embarrassment, especially embarrassed at not taking account of Leona's armor. After a few moments of her slightly apparent hiding, she speaks softly. "I mean... I'm kinda good with nature and perception and stuff? So I could be potentially helpful in those means? Have we.. all decided on following the tracks then? If so we should hurry so we can be back to the cart by daybreak." 

I am sure you are. I did not mean to question any of your other abilities. But it's going to be dangerous where we are headed. Best that you are well protected. We can't have one of those who can heal us go down from an errant arrow or sword swing. 

Kai nods in understanding and goes quiet again, this time not in embarrassment but a lack of anything to say. She patiently awaits the others for their cart hiding plan, strapping her axe to her hip and debating grabbing her shield now or once they are further along the tracks. She also awaits any word from Mal or Nobody of the means of any traps on the scroll (OOC: an answer that has to wait for the dm). She will quietly look around for a good place to offer to hide the cart. 

Perception: 18

Mal and Kai: when you check the scroll case you don't see any traps, but whatever is inside, is lose, can move by itself and has more then 4 legs.

Kai after you hand the scroll case to Mal you walk around a bit to look for a nice spot to hide the cart. And you find one. If you circle the south hill on the east side. The ground is a gentle rocky slope leading to a patch of grass, there is a bit goblin blood from where Moss killed the last goblin, but you are surrounded by trees and bushes that shield you from the road. 

Kai will show the location to the others before returning to Mal for the scroll, letting the more skilled at deception and hiding things to hide Betsy and the cart. Knowing now that the scroll is not trapped but contains a creature of sorts, she will nod in agrreance with Mal, thanking him with a smile while Moss looks over the scroll. "Maybe this will come in handy for later? Although I've never heard of a scroll containing a creature? Have you?"

Also, Leona, your wounds tingle a little and some more of the pain subsides, the wounds almost completely gone now. (OOC: You gained another 3 hp from the cure wounds earlier and I just don't know how my abilities work. Hehe.)

Kai, I agree that it doesn't seem to be trapped and that there is something inside. Maybe have Moss take a look at it. I figure creepy crawlies are her department.

Mal gets his gear ready for the trek.