Chapter 2: Fell Tunnels

You travel down a short path to another fork. The path north seems to have the sent to decay. To the south, you think you hear a very faint sound of flowing water.

You head towards the sound of water and find a bridge over a small casm. The bottom of the casm looks to have stalagmites that would hurt to fall on. The bridge seems old, but there are signs of repair indicating that the bridge has been here a long time and the inhabitants have reinforced it.

On the other side, you do hear the sound of water, like a small river, and you hear the sound of voices. The voices mix with the sound of flowing water, making them hard to interpret.

What do you do?

Hrafe puts his fingers to his lips indicating they should be quiet. Then places his lantern on a high point, closing the hood on it to illuminate their crossing. He motions for Makasi and Edgar to follow, and for Ylliane to take up a position where she could provide fire support at range. Then motions to Makasi's lantern, taking Glaezentorg in one hand beckons for the lantern to be attached to the hook on his belt. He took point and with due caution attached a lifeline to his belt casting it around the bridge's bottom and around the haft of his axe.

He began to traverse the bridge swiftly, free abseiling, as one might have expected from a barbarian he was quite good at it. Moving swiftly and expertly. Keeping constant tension on his line to arrest much of his weight as he crossed the bridge. As he advanced he pulled slack from the haft of his axe, only just enough for his next step. Tying it at the far end, where the bridge was anchored. He then moved flush with the opposite wall and attempted to keep his movement and noise to a minimum.

Edgar draws his dagger and follows closely behind Hrafe trying to be as quiet as possible.

At the far side of the bridge, Makasi motions to ask if Ylliane or Edgar wants to scout ahead.

Edgar shrugs and with his left hand holds it out as if to offer the opportunity to Ylliane.

Ylliane would normally defer to Edgar as well, but if he's wanting her to go instead...

She creeps forward, keeping an ear out for any new sounds as she gets closer. She moves extremely slowly. At times she pauses in mid-step for what seems like longer than is absolutely necessary, but long years of training and practice are not to be denied at this stage of her life.

Ylliane is as quiet as she can be, but the bridge is just slightly too loud. She hears up ahead, "Is someone on the bridge?" when no one comes across the bridge, she hears, "Be careful, I have a bad feeling." it appears the people on the other side are now on edge and are likely keeping watch on the bridge. Sneaking up isn't really an option anymore, and they seem to be whispering more now, which is drowned out by the sound of flowing of water.

Makasi draws her halberd and sighs. "Here we go," she says under her breath to Hrafe.

You all rush forward, knowing your cover is blown. You see 4 half orcs living boxes and moving them around, though it looks like they stopped doing this a few second ago due to hearing you coming. "Intruders!" they yell. You hear someone reply farther in, "What?", and notice a group of humans farther in. Both groups seem to have both crossbows and maces on them. On the far side of both groups you see a flowing river.

Edgar rushes forward and tries to kick one of the half orcs over the railings.

Edgar runs up and, planting one leg behind one of the half orc's legs, trips him with a good shoulder bump into the railing, sending him tumbling to area 3.

As soon as the others move to attack, Ylliane pulls an arrow from her quiver as she drops to a knee. In just a moment, her bowstring is stretched and the arrow released, flying at the next one along. A second arrow flies along the same route as the first a breath later.