"The how we found doesn't matter," Gundren said. "And the less we talk about the better, we're already at great risk just being here. The less you know, the safe you will be."

"Hmm, you do have a point," Sildar agrees. "Anyway, let's get rested and then the manor can be dealt with."

After taking some time to rest you feel prepared to face the manor.

You head downstairs and you find Qelline with her son, "Sorry, but it seems Carp had been eavesdropping on your conversation and told me about your intent in finding Wave Echo Cave. If so, I suggest you seek out Reidoth, a druid and a friend of mine, there’s not an inch of the land around these parts that he doesn’t know. He might me able to help you further. Although, you find won't find him in Phandalin. No, he went out to the ruins of Thundertree, you'd have to search for him there."

She then takes a moment to you the exact directions to Thundertree explaining that it used to be a town, and that it lies fifty miles northwest of Phandalin.

After that Carp leads you to the secret entrance that he mentioned previously before running back home. 

You know find yourselves standing at entrance to a dark tunnel that leads into the hill below Tresendar Manor.

(I'm not sure if you want short rest or long rest.)

OOC: Long rest was on the cards so that we could get spells and other abilities back

(Okay, so you spent the night in hayloft, and in the morning you went and spoke with Qelline who told you about Reidoth before Carp led you to the tunnel.)

Saravena collects her finished mutagen into a few of her empty flasks before the group leaves the loft. As the party leaves Saravena thanks Qelline for the use of her loft and kitchen as well as the information about the druid, then after Carp shows the party to the tunnel Saravena ruffles the little halfling's hair before telling him to go somewhere safer.

"Well friends cheers to our hopeful success," Saravena says pulling out one of her mutagen flasks, holding it up to the morning like it has an odd reddish purple look to it. "And if this kills those are horrible last words."

Saravena pops open the top of the flask and downs the celerity formula gaining a +3 to her dexterity and a disadvantage on all wisdom until the next rest. 

"Nine hells that taste," she complains between a fit of coughs before doubling over feeling as if her entire body was on fire, her breath becoming labored. Moments later the pain finally subsides and Saravena slumps to the ground, sweat covering her forehead. "That felt worse than it tasted, and it tasted horrible, I would not recommend that to anyone else."

"Hmm," Sildar says. "Well, I'm going to let all you lot go ahead first, I'm still a little shaky after being captive. But we've got your backs, right Gundren."

Gundren doesn't reply instead he wanders off a picks up a large wooden stick and starts swinging it around like a club, before returning to stand next to Sildar.

"Okay, after you then."

As the group congregates at the hidden entrance Tagret pipes up "Looks like we will need some light in there....anyone got anything better than torches to light the way?"

OOG: Can we just get a roll call of who is still active in the party..it seems that Maerys, Saravena and Tagret have posted recently.  With only 3 or 4 of us, absent a healer it would seem that we are a little unbalanced as a party.  Thoughts anyone?

Maerys rifles around through her component pouch and pulls out a small chunk of violet phosphorus. She focuses on it, then crushes it in her hand, creating four dancing lights that whirl around her form, shedding some dim light. "This is the best I can do, I'm afraid."

She also takes the time to rub a cured leather strap and mutters an arcane chant, and her whole form wavers and warps slightly before returning to normal. (Casting mage armor.)

 (So the only person who hasn't been active is Rashana)

You head into the tunnel with Maery's dancing lights giving some luminance to see the way. As you head down the tunnel, you feel a cold breeze coming down the tunnel behind you. After a short walk, you draw to the other end of the tunnel and start to smell the faint scent of decaying flesh.

Saravena scrunches her nose at the scent before drawing her crossbow, "Anyone else smell that?"

Sniffing at the air Tagret concurs "Not good, whatever it is, let's take a look" and he pushes forward pulling his Great Axe off his shoulders as he advances

"Send one of the lights ahead if you can....let's get a look from a distance"

Maerys brings her lights together into one human-shaped form and sends it forth toward the scent of decaying flesh. 

Maerys' lights illuminate the entrance to a large cavern. A crevasse divides the cavern and is flanked by two rough stone columns that support the twenty-foot-high ceiling. Two arched wooden bridges span the chasm. Scattered around the place though are the remains of animals carcasses, which evidently are the source of the smell.

As you enter into the cavern you can see there are number of exists out of the chamber. One to the east close to where you've entered, on the other side of the chasm. Another to the west but a little further away. Then two further away to the north, one leading to the west.

"Well this is somewhat concerning," Saravena remarks at the rotting carcasses before making her way to one closest to the entrance to look it over to see if she can determine what killed the animal or even what kind of animal it was.

As Saravena heads into the cavern she feels a presence.

(Saravena make a Charisma (Deception) check.)

Saravena Deception: 8

Saravena feels something reading her thoughts, but she manages to conceal them. The presence then withdraws from her mind leaving her alone.

Saravena looks at the carcass and can see where sharps claws seem to have torn out huge chunks of meat.

Returning to the party Saravena cautiously looks back over her shoulder, "Well either the bandits have some sort of mage that can invade minds and members with sharp claws or there is something else here other than bandits." 

It is at that moment you all feel a presence, and a voice inside your heads, "Who are you?"

"Guests?" Saravena answers aloud inquisitively. "Perhaps even friends. Who is it that asks?"