The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Assuming the trap has been set right outside the mouth of the cave, Silent will unsheath his greatsword and position himself flat against the cave's outer wall. He's readying a slash for if and when something gets caught in the Snare.  

So the plan is to wait through the night?  

Magnum wonders aloud if they should goad any potential creatures out. 

Better to get this done rather than live in the fear of it. I have some rations in my pack, you think throwing them into the mouth of the cave might work? 

(What does Magnum know about bears?)

Nature - 18

You saw one once, looked a bit like a big dog.

I think it could most probably, definitely work.

So what will you do?

Silent will throw a day's worth of rations into the mouth of the cave before returning to his stance with his sword against the cave wall, waiting for something to fall into the trap. He's willing to wait for at least 20 minutes. 

Nothing happens in the first 20 minutes.  There's no sign of anything inside the cave coming out, or of anyone approaching the cave from outside.

Oi Magnum, my legs are crampin' up. Reckon we might have to make the first move here. 

Magnum nods. He suggests going around the snare.

Silent will retrieve his rations and walk around the snare trap into the cave, sword in hand. 

Magnum follows. Shield in one hand, thunder gauntlet ready. 

Together, you enter the cave, and find that there is a tunnel, natural but clearly also widened and smoothed by humanoid hands, leading down and round for about thirty feet, twisting as it goes, until it opens up into a cave about forty feet across.  

In the centre of the cave is a small campfire burning.  Around it sit four men - two humans, a half-elf and a halfling, all wearing leather armour.  They are relaxing and drinking, one in mid-sentence as you enter.  Their eyes go wide as they see you and the jump to their feet; the two humans both draw weapons.  Strewn around the cave are various bits and pieces; half-eaten meals, ale kegs, bedrolls and stocks of wood for the fire. In the far corner of the cave is a large cage, inside which you see a large brown bear, apparently asleep on some grass or hay that coats the bottom of the cave.

Silent relaxes his stance slightly, now holding his sword in one hand instead of two. He raises his free hand in greeting. 

Easy there friends, we're not lookin' for a fight. Just followed some bear tracks here, looks like it's your pet eh? 

One of the humans signals to the others to back down and turns to look at Silent; he looks you over, both of you, and seems dismissive.  Hunters, then?  Well, as  you say, the bear is mine.  As is this cave, for the moment.  Do show yourselves out.

Silent lowers his sword but is still holding it unsheathed. Well, before we leave... you wouldn't happen to know anythin' about some of the grain silos in town gettin' broken into, would you? Your friend's tracks and some of his fur were at the scenes, don't take a genius to solve that puzzle. 

We got contracted by the owner of the silos to figure out what happened. Just lookin' for information, mind you. Your help would go a long way to smoothing this over. 

Magnum wonders, to himself, how they transport the cage. He dismisses the thought. 

Are you the other hired party? 

Hired... party?  the man asks, confused for a moment. Then he sighs and smacks himself on the forehead.  Of course.  Dear old Tember, am I right?  Well, he's made a mess of things, and so have you.  I don't like people who get in the way of family business.  Still, I'm no common murderer.  I'll give you one chance.  Leave.  Do not go back to Trostenwald.  Am I making myself clear?  He gives you an imperious look as though he fully expects to be obeyed, while his men continue to hold their weapons at the ready.