The party begins to walk along the path, with Big Bear in the lead. After about ten minutes, he notices that all of the tracks converge on the right side of the trail at one point. Looking closely at the left side, he sees a snare hidden in the leaves that could have easily trapped someone if it hadn't been noticed. However, thanks to Big Bear, the party is able to skirt around it and continue on.

(23) (5)

Another ten minutes pass, and then Big Bear suddenly feels the ground slip out from under his feet! Branches break as he steps on them, and he just barely manages to catch his footing as the soil around him collapses into a large pit. After the close shave, you are able to carefully walk around the edges of the pit.

Having navigated these dangers, you follow the goblins’ trail for another four miles until you come across a large cave in a hillside. A shallow stream flows out of the cave mouth, which is screened by dense briar thickets. The trail becomes a narrow dry path which  leads into the cave on the right-hand side of the stream. The stream is slow and shallow at this point, and could easily be waded across.

(For defeating the ambush and finding the cave, you all receive 75 XP!)

"Right then. Who is ready to go delving into a damp, dark cave with unknown hostilities awaiting?"
Doc gives an exasperated chuckle.
"My talents in keeping to the shadows are limited by this old man's poor eyes in the darkness. Unless someone intends on striking a torch and we enter as a group, some of us may be at a disadvantage should we encounter the likely trouble inside. It is a shame, I would like to return the favor of the earlier ambush, but they are the ones on the defensive this time, if our reports ring true. So, we either proceed with most of us going in near-blind in the hopes of catching our enemies off their guard, or press on in one bright, loud procession to alert our presence but equal the playing field..."
He shrugs and removes the bow from his shoulder, waiting for a group decision on how to proceed inside.

Big Bear looks around at the party, his eyes lingering on Yed,  Shamash, Ena, and then Doc.
"What if we drew some of them out here? Does anyone have a way to make a lot of noise or some other way to get the goblins to come out here?"

Doc thinks for a moment.
"That's not a bad idea... My only concern is that we don't know just how many are in there or the size of the complex. If we enter and systematically clear out room by room, we may stand a better chance than potentially alerting the whole cave. On that note however, I believe our resident 'mistress of the arcane' might have something to the effect you're referring. It's certainly a valid plan and worth considering."

Shamash looks at Big Bear and shrugs, "I can bang some rocks together...really hard, but I'm not sure that will create the distraction you are looking for."

To Doc he says, "I also have poor vision in the dark, but I have this candle," pulling out a candle, which looks pathetically small in his massive hands.

"Well...," Doc rubs the back of his head sheepishly in response to the dragonborn with a smile, "That is something."

Yed hesitantly pulls a tinderbox from the leather pack he carries at his side.
“A blazing fire set near the complex may draw some attention, I’ve a torch as well. I’m not sure if they will send goblins out to put the fire out but it could certainly be a distraction if need be.”

Ena listens to Doc's suggestions and gives a sinister smile when she is mentioned.

 "What you say is correct, Doc. I have just what we need to draw the attention of the beasts within that cave...fire wouldn't be necessary. Although it may be risky to alert them to our presence when we could instead use the element of surprise..." She shrugs, unsure of how to approach without one thing or another going wrong. "I say we go in and start smashing things! They're just a bunch of goblins, right? How strong could they possibly be?"

Shamash looks with surprise at Ena, so far he has been fairly uncomfortable with all of her talk of eldritch power and pomp and circumstance, but this time, they agree: "I always like the direct approach, and these goblins appear to have preyed on our bosses, and I really want to do this job right. Lets go straight in."

With that, he adjusts his shield on his left arm, slightly adjusting the strap to tighten it across his arm. His face sets into a grimace of determination. 

”alright. In we go then. I can see in the darkness pretty well if you need me to walk in front to keep eyes out for danger”

Big Bear does a few warm up stretches, smiles warmly at everyone, then walks carefully into the cave, keeping  his eyes open for danger  PERCEPTION 23

   Yed will follow closely behind Big Bear, Warhammer out and prepared for action.  (Essentially want to hold an attack for anything trying to get the jump on the party) 

Shamash tries to stay with Yed, just behind Big Bear. His sword is out and ready for action, if need be.

The party moves forward carefully, preparing to assault the goblin hideout. Just inside the cave mouth, a few uneven stone steps lead up to a small, dank chamber on the east side of the passage. The cave narrows to a steep fissure at the far end, and is filled with the stench of animals. Savage snarls and the sounds of rattling chains greet your ears where three wolves are chained up just inside the opening. Each wolf’s chain leads to an iron rod driven into the base of a stalagmite. When they notice you, the wolves pounce forward, straining at their chains (2) which prevent them from reaching you. It looks as though their chains are just short enough that you could skirt around them further into the cave.

“Should I light up a torch everyone? I doubt we would do well continuing on the dark like this” Yed shared softly as he looked on with pity at the chained animals. Being chained is a horrible feeling that no one should have to experience, even wild wolves. Yed strains his eyes as looks further into the cave, past the wolves.

PERCEPTION: 6

AGAIN IF DISADVANTAGE CAUSE DARK

PERCEPTION: 7
   

Besides the light from outside, the cave is dark. Yed can see the main passage from the cave mouth climbs steeply upward, the stream plunging and splashing down its west side. In the shadows, a side passage leads west across the other side of the stream. Beyond that, it's completely dark.

Profiting from his orcish darkvision, Big Bear can just make out the dim shape of a rickety bridge of wood and rope crossing over the passage ahead of you in the shadows of the ceiling to the north. Another passage intersects this one, twenty feet above the floor. (3) Big Bear sees one set of goblin legs on the bridge, which are currently facing away from him.

"Hmm... Leaving the wolves in place could lead to them being used against us later."
Doc quietly mutters to himself but shakes his head. He doubts that his companions would look favorable upon the opinion of mercy killing the things while they were chained.
"Yed, a torch would be wise, unless Bear sees something we do not."

Big Bear brings the group into a close huddle, whispering softly.
"Up above us there is a bridge with a goblin on it, not facing us currently, lets keep quiet, maybe skirt around the wolves up ahead. We'll have to keep very quiet, in case we are seen. Conversely, we could just attack, to hell with subtlety. I personally recommend the softer approach if we could, but I will follow whatever plan we decide together. However, before we do anything, let me see what I can do about these wolves."

Big Bear breaks away from the group for a moment, pulling out some Dried jerky out of his rations and calmly approaches the wolves.
Calmly, Big Bear whispers: "Shh Shh, it's alright fuzzy buddies" Big Bear offers the rations to the wolves: ANIMAL HANDLING 18 

One of the wolves jumps toward and snatches the rations from Big Bear's hand. It then lies down in the middle of the room and starts tearing at the jerky. The other wolves join it, and they stop trying to attack you.

Shamash calms visibly as the wolves turn their attention elsewhere. He shoots another appreciative look at Big Bear. He then says:

"We don't know how many goblins or Ilmater-knows-what is in here. I like the idea of your softer approach, especially if there is only one goblin up ahead." Gesturing to his chain mail, he continues "That said, I have difficulty remaining quiet and unoticed, so I think I should be in the back, or maybe stay just 10-15 feet behind everyone else. My vision is also terrible, but if you all make some noise, I will come running, ready to bring down some righteous judgement! Is there anyone here who can take a more stealthy approach? Or who could attack at range?"

"Well, these old eyes aren't meant for seeing in the dark, but I can potentially take out that sentry without much difficulty if Bear helps me pinpoint his position."
Doc draws an arrow and slides it across the string.
"Outside of that, there may be a path behind the wolves that they are guarding, it may offer an alternative approach... In either event, we should move soon, if our employers are still held here there's no telling what shape they'll be in but their chances of survival dwindle the longer we dawdle."