Kiara advances toward the opening of the cave, of course looking for traps along the way. Keeping a lit torch far in front of her at all times, in her off hand. Sword in her hand and ready to throw the torch and swing if need be.

As you approach the cavern, you hear a dry rubbing sound, the kind of sound a very large snake 🐍 might make moving. Kiara crouches and stealths forward.

01:12, Today: rchmage, for the NPC Snake, rolled 26 using 1d20+14.  Perception vs. stealth Kiara.
00:48, Today: rchmage, on behalf of Kiara, rolled 21 using 1d20+9.  Stealth.

The rubbing sound pauses for an instant, then begins again, only louder and gaining in volume.

01:22, Today: rchmage, for the NPC Snake, rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  Initiative .
01:21, Today: rchmage, for the NPC Stella, rolled 4 using 1d20.
01:20, Today: rchmage, on behalf of Rowan, rolled 20 using 1d20+7.
01:17, Today: rchmage, on behalf of Nic, rolled 4 using 1d20+2.
01:16, Today: rchmage, on behalf of Mantle, rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Initiative .
01:16, Today: rchmage, on behalf of Kiara, rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Initiative .
01:15, Today: rchmage, on behalf of Bohrhorgen, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Initiative.

So, the party has initiative. I’m using an average, then the side with higher average initiative goes first, in no particular order.

Your turn, let me know your actions, it sounds like the snake is moving quickly towards you. There are large rocks blocking line of sight. Best guess is less than 30 feet from the top of the boulders.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:36, Sun 13 Sept 2020.

I reach into a rust colored bag and pull forth a fuzzy ball and throw it out in front of us

Charge!!!

I prep Magic Missile and hold my action to see if I need to finish it off.

"Go get him Bohrhorgen!! I'm right behind you!!"

Bohrhorgen charges to the edge of the rocks, bellowing a war cry. Axe and shield held at the ready.
 You hear a very amused voice, “Hahaha! Look at your face! Thought you’d have snake for dinner, didn’t you? Not today my friend, not today.”
 As the rest of you walk to where Bohrhorgen is standing, you see a tall older fellow trying unsuccessfully to quell his mirth. “Serves you right for shooting me as I flew in here! Good shot shorty!” He indicates Mantle, “That really stung, almost knocked me out of the sky.” He finally winds down from his somewhat lame “prank” and continues in a more serious tone, or at least less mirthful, chuckling from time to time. “I saw you all heading here loaded for bear and I thought I’d check on an old friend.” He steps past Bohrhorgen and clasps arms with Rowan. About time you crawled out of your solitude and joined in the struggle. I see you finally picked a group to fight alongside. Ha! Your faces! That was funny! So tell me, what are you doing here?

"Most honored Hunter, we seek to restore some order to the natural world by laying to rest some of the un-living. My friends this is an old companion and mentor of mine. He goes by the name of Hunter and has taught me much of what I know"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:16, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

Nic shakes his head, flips his dagger over the top of his hand (gunslinger style) and sheathes it, and crosses his arms, studiously observing the now apparent reunion of master and pupil.

Kiara, visibly put off by the strangers trick, re-sheaths her sword. Looking at the hunter with an irritated look she informs him, A stunt like that is likely to get you hurt, if not killed one of these days. looking back to the rest of the party, We aren't getting any younger and the day isn't getting longer. With a questioning look toward Hunter and an outstretched arm toward the cave, What exactly are you doing out here alone? In there none the less. Perhaps a guide in the darkness?

"Pleased to meet you, meister Hunter. Sorry about the whole trying to kill you thing."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:52, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

In reply to Rowan (msg # 145):
“I had a feeling that’s where you were heading. Well, good then. Never had much use for them Ghouls, or their Vampire masters either. If it were up to me, I’d collapse the ceiling on the whole lot.” He fumbles in his robes for a moment, then pulls out a large leather quiver. Reaching into it he pulls out a spear, then tosses it to Rowan. “Count it as a loan, I may need it back someday. It helps against the misty types of undead.”
He looks around, noting your faces, posture, and items, “Good luck down there, send those bastards to hell.”
With that, he turns into a hawk and flies off, circling once and screeing loudly.

Nic raises his eyes in astonishment. "Vampire masters he said. That means plural... for some of you that means more than one. Aaaaand, this hunter friend of Rowan's just ... leaves? Oh, this is getting better and better."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:12, Sat 19 Sept 2020.

Shakes head." He was always a little flighty. Shall we continue on? "

Flighty. I see what you did there.

Grins a toothy grin

Nic claps his hands twice, and motions to the rest of the party and calls out to them "All right everyone. Positions please. Everyone, where you were before. Positions please. Aaaaand, back to the second act, from the top shall we?"

Nic smiles, amused by the looks he garners from the rest of the party. Whatever. Life is a stage. Some are better actors than conductors.

Mocking Nics hand clap with an irritated look on her face Kiara eyes the spear and shudders, not wanting her scent down in the cave. She is doing her best to hide her unease, and failing miserably.

Puts away my greataxe and graps the spear two handed. "Shall we?"

Beaming a big smile at Rowan "I shot your master hope there's no hard feelings, but if you run off and come back as a raven I'll probably shoot you too!" Smiling "Just saying...."

As I look around at everyone talking about places in the march I move up towards the front so I'm behind Kiara just not right next to her, she can take/have the lead.

As I pass Bohrhorgen pat him on the shoulder "Damn I was looking forward to some fresh snake for dinner!"

Nic pauses to put a hand on Mantle's shoulder, "Perhaps you could provide some non-lethal illumination for those of us less inclined to see in the dark? Maybe on someone's shield perhaps? I don't think that we'll be sneaking up on anything by means of using the darkness in this situation."

In reply to Nic (msg # 158):

 "I appreciate your desire i do not understand it cause non lethal light isn't really my thing but I'm betting Rowan can do it!"

"Plus I'm betting Bohrhorgen wouldn't like the way I light up his shield very much!!"

Nic looks to Rowan, questioningly.

"May I cast a light spell on your shield Borhorgen?"

"Just make sure it doesn't weigh him down. I have shit that needs carried when we get out of here." Nic proclaims, glancing anxiously at Bohrhorgen, then relaxes his demeanor. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. You know, trying to ... ahem, "lighten" the mood as it were."

Nic looks to Kiara, "Hey, you need to ease up a little. You're putting off vibes I'm sure even a predator can sense. Seriously, I'm no happier to be facing these things than you are. Remember, I was with you when we had our first brush with what we are now seeking out intentionally. Fear profits man nothing."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:37, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

Light is fine.  Let us try to get a move on though.