Auric:

Looking at the natural splendor of the area, Auric consults the map and starts leading the group to the ledges above and the adjacent caves.  "Quite the splendid entryway, wouldn't thou sayest?" remarks the golden dragonborn as he evaluates the mushrooms below and keeps an eye out for any defenses the gnomes may have set in place or any logical place to announce themselves before entering the gnome's domain.

Nature for the Mushrooms:  12

Perception to notice traps and/or a doorbell/doorpull/knocker/etc to announce themselves:   12

     "This is the place?" Kaemgen asks to reaffirm what the map told them.  "I see no gnomes..."  He looks about carefully, trying to study the islands and the rock face to double check his own statement.  (Perception: 14 )  He pays no mind to the mushrooms other than to see if gnomes lurked amongst them.

     He'll also look to see if there is an obvious path... up?  In?  Somewhere?  Or perhaps a door or place of announcement.  ((Perception: 20 if you want a second one.)). "Should we call out and announce ourselves?  Never wise to sneak up on friends..."

"I'm not sneakin' up on nobody in all this armor. Might as well make the announcement ourselves instead of havin' my armor do it."

Mr.Dark glances around the idyllic setting. It seems easily protected, and of course quite lovely. He wonders if perhaps the gnomes here have lookouts.  Either way, he yells out, "Hello?  Hello there? We've been sent from Phandalin with a message. Hello?"

Scott stands in awe for a moment at the splendor of the gnomes home. Then he remembers there could be other dangers about... like those ooze in the dwarven temple. He stands ready with an arrow knocked on his bow should anything malevolent try to surprise them.

Auric evaluates the the area and would be able to conclude that the gnomes subsist on the 2-foot-tall mushrooms that grow atop the two small islands in the middle of this 3-foot-deep pool. The islands are perpetually shrouded in mist from the waterfall. History dictates that magic bestowed upon the islands by Gnomengarde’s first settlers causes the mushrooms to grow to abnormally large size.

Kaemgen’s thorough review of the area can confirm that Gnomengarde has five cave entrances perched atop ledges with sheer, rocky slopes. Having scanned the cavern walls the whole way, Kae would also able to confirm there were actually 5 different entrances. The northern two were about 30ft high into the rock face, with an eastern entrance at about 20ft. And he almost missed it himself, but to the south was a 60ft waterfall plunged into the water (G2), there was a 35ft long rope bridge lightly obscured from the mist. It was anchored on 20ft high ledges that connected the 2 southern most cave openings. Kaemgen would also be able to confirm that there’s a narrow footpath on the other side of the pool that ascends towards the northeast.

There were no gnomes out here and no obvious threats either.

     Kaemgen would point out the entrances to the others carefully, suggesting they either just call out loudly from here until they get a response or go to the door which seems most obvious and easily travelled to.  "I suggest we avoid rope bridge...  It's probably slippery and possibly rotted from all the moisture.  The eastern entrance may be best?"

Map Update

The caves of Gnomengarde echo with the roar of the nearby waterfall. The sound is so loud that the adventurer's realize they must shout to be heard unless there’s something that could separate them and the waterfall.

     "Does anyone have a gong?  Or perhaps some explosives to garner some attention?"

Auric:

"Mayhaps the roar of the water supresseth thine salutations, Master Dark.  Shouldst we ascend to the easternmost entrance, given its obvious ascending pathway?" asks Auric, speaking loudly to be heard over the turbulent flow.

Scott nods in agreement and begins making his way there. He’s put his arrow back in its quiver but keeps his bow out and ready. 

Mr.Dark nods to Auric and in an overly loud voice says, "Yeah, you're probably right."  He glances to Scott as he heads up towards the eastern tunnel. With a last glance around the area, impressed with the beauty of the place, he follows towards the easter, most northerly entrance. 

Mr.Dark's crossbow is hanging on his side as he carefully tried to climb the ascent to the nearest cave, careful with the surely moist and slippery rocks. "No signs of a dragon visit..." he says as he glances around.

With everyone being of at least average height or taller, the group's able to cross the river without any issues. Mr. Dark gets a clear view of the path Kaemgen pointed out. It winds 30ft up to the North Eastern entrance. Without much further ado, the group heads up the path. It was plenty safe!

A light glow emanates from the entrance. Peering through the opening, there was already a fork in the road. Continue forward towards the East, or take a left turn to the North. They could see this clearly because there were hanging oil lanterns attached to rope-and-pulley mechanisms! From here, they could also report that the ceilings are actually quite high(7ft!) and flat. Nothing but the sound of the waterfall could be heard echoing through the open corridor.

Mr.Dark glances around the caves, impressed with their size and how well worked the stone is.  He flips his coin absently and catches it in a smooth motion. Glancing down he looks at the coin in his hand.  (heads(1) : north, tails(2) : east. 2 )  Then he motions for Scott to keep going, suggesting they keep going east into the rock.

Scott does continue forward, though he stashes the bow given the narrow corridors in favor of his daggers. He as one in each hand as he continues forwards down the indicated tunnel. He keeps his eyes peeled for signs of the gnomes... or signs of whatever might have gotten to them first..

     Kaemgen will call out again on occasion as they walk, as it's suppose to be a friendly visit and getting the drop on the gnomes isn't really a consideration.

     "Hello?!?  Is anyone around??" He calls out loudly.  

     "I guess gnomebody is home," he says after a moment, with a smile and a wink. 

Mr.Dark stops abruptly when Kaemgan speaks. He then closes his eyes, and sighs deeply, before letting his chin drop and shaking his head in a sad manner. Then he opens his eyes and resumes his walk, adding, "Goodness gracious. Please gnome-ore puns please." 

Scott takes the lead and continues east as per Mr. Dark’s suggestion. 

Kaemgen follows, calling out to let anyone know, if they could hear, that they were coming.

Marblebeard continues forward, reaching a fork in the road. He can go left, or he can go r-

Crossbow Bolt
Attack: 18 Damage: 3 

Mr.Dark yells, "Marblebeard, watch out!" 

“What the hell?” Scott retreats back a bit from the split in the passage as the bolt managed to nick his lower arm where he doesn’t have much protection. He then looks around to see where the shot came from.