"Sometimes the obvious answer is the right one," Noell agrees.  She frowns a bit.  "Though I have to say, Old Joe was hardly comparable to a cow.  He would have given any snakes hell before being dragged off anywhere."  She catches herself, and looks around nervously, seeing how many people might be listening in on the conversation, and lowers her voice before continuing.  "I do think we should check it out before we mention anything to the mayor.   No one is going to want to hear that there are possibly giant snakes out in the forest eating people.  It would start a right panic.  And not the responsible kind.  People might even think to torch the forest.  Let's keep this a bit quiet until we figure out what's really going on," she suggests.

Okay, it seems like the consensus is to go into the woods. There are three destinations that have been mentioned:

• The area you saw the snakes, possibly to see is there is a trail.
• Old Laughing Joe's camp.
• Tunnel in the mysterious hill.

Just confirming you are heading to the tunnel.

I think the consensus is the hole, although I’m interested in the camp 

Your best set of directions would lead you northeast to Joe's camp, then northwest to the hill.

You set out that day, reaching Joe's camp at dusk.  Do you investigate? Push on to the tunnel? Camp? 

Noell looks to the sky as the group reaches Joe's camp.  "The sun will be setting soon," she says, frowning.  "While I'm guessing that won't make a big difference if we're really going into a dark tunnel, the thought of facing off with giant snakes while exhausted doesn't suit my fancy very well.   I say we make camp here and keep watch during the night... if we're lucky, or maybe unlucky, we might find out first-hand what happened to Joe.  Of course, if we press on, we might have the element of surprise... though I'm not sure if you can really surprise a snake..."

She trails off and looks to the rest of the group, waiting to hear others' opinions.

“We’ll need to set watches. I’ll take the second watch.”

Vahorn glares at Dumasz. “Out here, we are in my home. I say who takes what watch. We will need to keep lights low, so you non elves will struggle. Noell and Hayeth, you take the first two hours, while there is some light I trust Noell’s eyes better than one who has wasted theirs on written word. I will take the final four hours, so that means Lia and Dumasz...... take the second watch. Any problems, you tell Noell. She’ll let me know if it’s worth my attention.”

Strutting around the camp, Vahorn looks around for signs of a struggle. Perception 8. “Before we rest, let’s check over the camp.” 

"We need rest, and I don't think snakes will care what time of day we show up," Lia agrees with Noell. She raises her eyebrows at Vahorn blatantly insulting and ordering everyone around, but doesn't protest, looking around for tracks, snake or otherwise. Dumasz seems nice anyways, and she doesn't think she'll mind spending watch with him.

Survival: 6

“Nicely organized, Vahorn.”

Dumasz pats him on the back with a quiet hum, expending abit of energy to let the elf become his truest self.

(take a d6 inspiration, Vahorn)

Hayeth quietly grumbles under her breath at being given orders and looks around the makeshift camp she will investigate around the camp looking for any clues or things that have been left behind, she will also take 10 minutes to cast Detect Magic as a ritual just in case there was any magic involved.

If it turns out she can't see to investigate properly, she picks up a rock from the ground whispering a few words to it she casts Light as the rock starts to give off a bright violet light, saying "I need light to look around properly, not to worry I'll put it away once we start to rest"

Investigation: 15

Noell simply rolls her shoulders and nods, pulling out her hooded lantern and readying to light it when darkness falls.  She pulls the hood down to ensure that it will only be giving off dim light.  Then she stalks around the camp, carefully checking for any evidence Old Joe or Derrick - for she was quite sure the halfling would have found the camp as well - might have left behind.

Perception: 17

Hayeth notices the area is trampled, likely my a small number of medium size humanoids, and what looks like a snake track, but bigger even than the ones described by Vahorn, Lia and Noell. Joe's camp has been picked over, nothing of use or value remains.  You do find the remains of a big snake in the cold fire pit.

Hayeth points out the larger track

"This one looks too big compared to the snakes you killed, it also looks like people showed up here and picked the camp clean afterwards, lines up with what we we're told, although could have been the kids we're looking for as well"

"That looks to me like the snake didn't get the jump on Joe," Noell observes.  "So maybe Joe went to track down where the snake came from after all."   She looks around the camp.  "If we're going to avoid starting a fire tonight, do we all have enough rations to go around?  I've got some to spare if anyone needs a few."  She sets down her bedroll as well, before scouting for a good spot to keep sight over the camp for the watch.

Hayeth puts the glowing stone in a pouch to hide the light, saying  "I also have some rations if anyone needs them"

She sits down facing away from the camp keeping her eyes outward and absentmindedly scratches Fays head as she does, while also taking some jerky from her pack and chewing on it.

Vahorn’s arched back straightens up, and a sliver of a smile twitches on his face at Dumasz’s words. 

At the mention of rations, Vahorn pulls out the snakes. “No sense in letting these go to waste. We can start a fire, but once we go to sleep we keep it low or better still off if you can stand the cold. Besides, I’ve got a feeling this one has some trouble seeing in the dark, odd for one of elven descent.” He waves his hand toward Hayeth. “What do you need that light for? Did all that reading diminish your nightvision?” 

“I do not have rations, I wasn’t prepared for a camping trip.”

 Hayeth turns to Vahorn and grins "That is interesting, perhaps if you'd read a book you'd know about how not every member of a species is the same, as it is, it's a story that maybe I'd be more willing to share when your attitude changes"

She then turns to Dumasz "Well feel free to help yourself to mine"

"Or the snake.  It tastes like chicken if you prepare it right," Noell says helpfully to Dumasz.  You notice that she passes on snake, however, chewing on some of the hard tack in her pouch.

“I’m a big boy with a big belly, I’m sure I could eat both,” Dumasz looks at snake and rations both, an appetite clear on his face.