"Agh! You were right," Mixine was irritated more than scared for the slaves inside that cave. "They were there after all. Well, at least now we can count on Professor's magic. May be clearing out or stabilize the way in would be easier now. And I am all for the rest though, would be nice what in the nine hells they are doing in there?"

Shae would nod. "I think we have time for a rest. We can keep an eye on the only exit if they decide to come check out what caused the cave-in." She would be happy take post to watch the 5ft space that they didn't cover.

The Professor:

Grabbing a bit of food and gratefully sitting down for a bit, the Professor rests and recovers his magical energy (Arcane Recovery). After performing the ritual to renew his Comprehend Languages spell, Snively stands up and takes a closer look at the cave-in.  “Yes, I think I can move some loose earth and stabilize the rocks enough to make it safe to enter when everyone is  ready,” he says, after a few minutes of inspection.

Investigation:  9

Try that roll again.  Investigation of the rocky cave-in:  18

The rubble is loose, but the roof of the cave doesn't look too stable. You reckon that a set of trusses might be enough to secure the entrance though.

The Professor:

After a few castings of Mold Earth, the Professor says, “I have managed to pack the dirt into the rubble, but you will still need to watch your step.  The roof is another matter—do we have some logs that can be used as trusses nearby?”  Snively describes what is needed to stabilize the entryway.

"mayhap we can rig some temporary ones  if we ken find some decent wood"

WIth the help of the crew, you chop some trees and prepare the necessary struts, while the Professor rests. As soon as he clears the way using his arcane mastery of the elements, Berrus, Brax, and Bertrand rush into the cave to prop up the ceiling with the fashioned struts. Nervously, you let go, but they seem to do the job, and the ceiling holds up for now. 

All rested, is there anything else you want to do, or are you ready to head inside?

"Are we going to talk or to fight right away?" Maxine was rested again and energetic. "If first - Professor probably should be first, if second, may be let some scouts go ahead."

The Professor:

Looking at Gruk, the Professor says in both languages, “Gruk  and I want to give the leaders a chance to hear the truth and make the decision to join us.  I expect Koro-arak to try to get them all to fight us.  We should also consider how best to rescue Faekin.”

Speaking to Gruk, he says, “This will be your biggest test yet.  Are you ready?”

Shae would finally speak up after some silence, "I can focus on locating Faekin with another. I'm able to see in the dark should there be little light in the cave. I'd be able to access his condition and provide medical care should he need it."

I can go wi' you lass, i ken see pretty fair in the dark meself

The Professor:

When everyone has decided where they fit into the plan, Snively uses his firestarter and his Control Flames cantrip to get a torch burning brightly, then prepares to walk into the cave with Gruk.

Shae would smile, happy to have Berrus at her side should they have to go deeper to find Faekin. She'd allow the others without dark vision to follow in behind the Professor's light before heading into the cave herself.

Berrus will walk beside  Shae closely to the left so that his shield will cover her

Maxine is certainly one of those "without dark vision", so she will keep closer to Professor.

As you walk along the cave, you notice the slick, moist walls, and the treeacherous footing causes some of you to stumble. Suddenly, the ground gives way to wet gravel though. The light from the torch flickering and bouncing off the walls makes the cave itself seem alive, and ratchets up the tension for all of you. Beyond the dripping sounds echoing through the cave, you can hear the ululating sounds you have come to recognise as the grung's speech, but twisted and bounced off the cave walls so as to be unrecognisable. For anyone wondering though, the cave in had been noticed by whoever was inside the cave.

As you venture further into the cave, leaving the entrance far behind with only the flickering torch as a source of light, you start to notice a smell, particularly familiar to Maxine. It's the stench of caustic chemicals, mixed with the smell of burning flesh. Worried for the fate of your friend, you all speed onwards, until you reach a bend. The Professor and Gruk give you a sign to approach cautiously, since you can tell by the sounds that the chamber beyond is larger. The intensifying smell serves as a further indication of your proximity to Koro-arak.

Gruk looks at the Professor, and whispers: "Gruk will talk, but Gruk cannot fight against his own tribe. If it comes to bloodshed, Gruk will have to stay out of it." At his words, B'ark looks relieved, it seems as though the possibility of having to slay kin had weighed heavily on her too. Gruk adds further: "If WE want to talk to Koro-arak, here is good. Going further and Koro-arak might determine the fight."

Shae, you get the sense that Kam is urging you on, and though you can't be sure, you get a very strong sense that Faekin is still alive.

The Professor:

"I understand, Gruk.  I am hoping for a peaceful solution, but we have to be ready to make the hard decisions when they come our way.  You have shown great wisdom so far--I am sure you will make the right choices in the conflict to come," says the Professor.  "But for now, you must try and convince as many as you can to abandon the senseless violence encouraged by the hag.  I will be with you, but mostly silent unless you want me to comment.  This is your moment to truly become the leader of your tribe," finishes Snively, readying an action to use his control over the winds if missile weapons come flying their way but otherwise staying still.  (If possible, the Professor would like to transfer his inspiration to Gruk, unless that pep talk was enough to inspire him on its own.)

"You wanted acid? Here it is. Or close enough flesh-burning-wise. By all Hells, what are they doing there?!" The answer was obviously "nothing good" but Maxine did not hope for any peaceful resolution anymore and prepared her crossbow.

Any fear of what they may face before them slips away with the comfort of feeling Kam's presence with her. "He's here... and still alive..." Shae would mutter as soon as her instincts suggested so. She didn't know what shape he was in though, and that's what concerned her most.