As the Goblins scouts approach, Aust begins to slowly back away.

Assuming his cousin will do the same, he begins to look for a path around to get ahead of the mob....the others must know, the town must know.

(Special ability: Trackless Step)

Knowing that the numbers are too many, Farlanh backs away from the campsite, back toward the road, leaving as little trail as possible. If the ground is soft, I obscure my tracks with branches and leaves. (No trackless step yet). (Hide and move silent(s?)

I say in elven to my companion: "Sly, keep behind me, with an eye towards these goblins. Do not attack them unless you're seen."

Remembering a time when Aust and I would play in the woods as young(er) elves, I imitate the bird call of the Flanton, known only in the Mierani forest, indicating my position. I repeat every few minutes, hoping Aust and Sarlana will find me (as I know I won't find them). I hope that the goblins do not understand the bird call for what it truly is.

Hearing Farlanh's bird call, I recognize his plan. Checking out the two scout parties nearby, I wait for the opportunity to move.

As the clumsy creatures move about, it is not hard to cover my movement towards my cousin.

(Move Silent - Natural 20!, total 28 )

As I reach Farlanh, we quietly discuss our options. I ask if Sarlanna will be able to look after herself and suggest we slip away through the woods, circling around back to the road.

I point Farlanh in the best direction, as i make sure both of our steps are well concealed. ...back to Sandpoint.

You know that Sarlana can usually take care of herself, but then again you also know there is a chance they may break through her glamor. You also remember that she is counting on you to escort her back to the forest. It certainly would not be a wise idea to leave her alone, not knowing what might happen to her. These goblins on the road are not currently heading to Sandpoint as much as looking for who was at the campfire. They are a good day and a halfs journey from the town as are you.

As Farlanh and Aust look for the opportune moment to sneak away, a great hesitation comes over Aust. What will come of Sarlanna? Though she may be fine, that is not a certainty.

Getting Farlanh's attention, Aust quietly asked Farlanh what he thinks would be best. It would be a bit shameless to leave their comrade to fend for herself.

"Should we try to wait this out?," Aust whispers.

Quietly, I whisper to my cousin:
"Aust, I would never leave a comrade behind. Capable as she may be, I would not leave her here to chance. She has been my teacher and close friend for nearly a year now. I say we wait this out in this location. If we are discovered, we will try to quickly and quietly dispatch the small scouts before they can raise an alarm. Then we wait for the rest of the host to leave. If Sarlana is discovered, I will try to slow the movement or stop the main host so we can take on only those that escape. Then, we could rush to Sarlana's aid, then run. Otherwise, I fear we're dead. I hate these horrid creatures and would gladly destroy them to prevent whatever destruction they would reign on Nature, but the sheer numbers make me nervous."

Rauno takes a moment to steady himself from the climb and to steel his nerves for what is to surely come. Checking that his rapier is secure and ready and that his bow and quiver is also secure he prepares to climb down into the hole. Rauno then casts 'Message' on Esmerelda before quietly saying to her, "I shall go down first dear sister, wait til my say to come." Not wanting to give away his position, Rauno puts the rock into his pocket and carefully gets onto the ladder. He hesitates for a moment and allows his eyes to adjust to the limited light. He moves carefully down the ladder, attempting to be as quiet as possible.

Climb: 18+1=19
Move Silent: 12+6=18

At the bottom of the ladder Rauno takes a good look around before signaling Esmerelda. ((If it is too dark to see anything he will carefully pull out the stone and using his hand to limit the amount of light look about.))

A&F
As the small group of scouts head down the road and search along the edge of the woods, they grow tired and begin to bicker The ones at the campsite are long gone by now. If we have not found them by now they are either fast or well hidden. We should not be wasting our time Grizzle The response was from a low raspy voiced hobgoblin who seemed to be leading the pack Stop your bickering or I will bury your goblin hide in these woods. If we return empty-handed, so be it, but we will follow the orders or we are not worthy. He takes out his whip and cracks it in the air. The next one who bickers gets the whip With another crack of the whip in the air, the goblin contingency becomes silent and begins to look around the area for any sign of humanoids.

E & R

Heading down the ladder, Rauno climbs down a good 50 feet. Roots shoot out of the walls and eventually stop altogether as the ladder begins to descend into a chamber build into stone. At the bottom, he hangs onto the ladder and sees a landing dimly beneath his feet. The landing indicates a small hallway. The hallway seems to have many alcoves but the detail cannot be seen without more light.

Rauno will drop down to the landing and seeing that it is safe will whisper his "message" to Esmerelda, "All is safe at the landing. It is about 50feet down, go slow and be carefull. I shall await you at the bottom." While he waits on Esmerelda he will carefully pull the stone out of his pocket with his hand wrapped around it. Then, by making a small opening between his forefinger and thumb, will make a small beam of light that he will carefully use to look about.

Esmerellda lets Rauno go on down. When he gets out of sight, she casts Mage Armor on herself, and then heads down the ladder.

climb 20 -2 = 18
move slilently 13+1 = 14

She's almost to the bottom when Rauno messengers and says she can come down.
As she gets to the bottom, she says "Let's go." and starts down the hallway, carefully.

Reflex save for rauno when he lands on the landing

I look at my cousin and count off 8 goblins, 1 hobgoblin. If noticed, we will see what happens. We continue hiding as best we can.

A&F

Unable to see the elves hiding right beside them in the woods, the goblin contengency moves onward further down the road and along the woods searching. They move far enough away that Aust and Farlanh feel safe to move again.

"Aust, this is a good sign. If these goblins nearest us have not seen us, the others will not likely see Sarlana either. We can simply wait here until they give up on finding us. And, if they do find her, we can attack and distract them long enough to escape."