"Finally, here we are !" said the gnome enthusiastically.
"Now let's get started ! I hope you brought something to light the way."

Just at that time, the weasel on his shoulder made a sound and turned his head toward the opposite bank.

"Oh dear." muttered the gnome, shaking his head. "To think I had been told this place was very little known. "

He moved toward the man, with a friendly demeanor, but ready to reach for any of his weapons.
"Welcome, strangers, please sheathe your sword : as you can see we are simple travelers in search of a place to rest. Surely a mas a strong as you seems to be has nothing to fear from an elderly gnome and his traveling companion?

And fighting in front of children and a lady - very pleased to meet you by the way -"he says while bowing " would be an outrageous and barbarous action indeed.
Why don't we all sit and take some collation while we each tell how and why we met here?"

 Julian listened as the gnome he was currently traveling with continued to make idle chatter about a cave and sure enough it wasn't long before they came to one.

Not long after reaching the cave another group of people made themselves known. Julian let the little gnome do the talking as he reached under his cloak. His hand came to rest on the shaft of his Morningstar and brushed against the belt pouch that held his cravings.

Upon seeing the little one Hu lowered his weapon a bit.  He was still a little on edge from the way the woman had got him riled up.  He decidedly let the weapon fall to his side and relaxed himself.

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm told this area is filled with Bandits.  In any case this woman's husband is missing and I believe there is some fowl play going on in these woods.  My name is Hu Sit and this here is my companion Itzal.  Have you by chance noticed anyone pass by?  The lady and her children seem to think the husband was looking for a cave to explore."

Itzal was ready to run, if he had to. And to fight, once more, if he had too. He was happy, though, when the conversation took a more pleasant tack. "And so we're looking for him." he squeaked as Hu spoke, and then stepped back, somewhat ashamed at having spoken out of turn.

"Bandits you say? Thanks the gods we haven't met any of those ruffians ! Do you mean you have been attacked? " he looked with worry to the woman and the children.

"how terrible... This is a shame...
Let us sit a take a little something to eat while you explain the situation. We might , with some luck, be of some help.

No, no, don't thank me : it would be most dishonorable not to help a woman and her children.  This cave won't go away while we do whatever we can, after all.


wait... you spoke of a cave... I suppose you are talking about this one?
How stupid of me... well when you have lived as long as I have, you tend to forget a few obvious things..."

Removing his hand from under his cloak julien took in the new comers before speaking.

you may call me julien if it so pleases you. julien said while giving a bow. if you mean to go into the cave then I see no reason not to go in with you, at lest as far as common interests go. 

Melia called from across the stream.

"Oh, good master gnome, please help us! My husband and his companion were to come this way, look into a cave, and then return to us, but there's been no sign of them."

"Quickly - do you see any trace of them? Perhaps they're there in the cave?"

[Private to Dimble Nackle; Julien Ravenhold: OOC: You don't recall seeing any other caves along your way that would be of interest, and seeing as you came specifically to this one, this is most likely the one her husband was heading for.]

"Well, well, well... Let me take a look, we should be able to find traces of a recent passage in this cave, I believe." says the gnome, moving toward the entrance.

"My my... my eyes aren't what they used to be. Would you please help me find something, bigsby?" and the weasel jumps from the gnome's shoulder and begins rummaging  everywhere.

[Private to GM: 20:24, Today: Secret Roll: Dimble Nackle rolled 20 using 1d20+3. bigsby spot.
20:23, Today: Secret Roll: Dimble Nackle rolled 8 using 1d20+4. spot.]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Fri 03 July 2009.

Itzal began to have sneaking suspicion that something wasn't right about the woman. Or the boys. He paused, searching the area visually for a moment for more ideas. His eyes paused near the entrance to the cave, looking for footprints. Humanoid or otherwise.

Bigsby had a good ferret around, but from his negative wave of emotion Dimble was sure he hadn't found anything of interest. Likewise, the gnome's old eyes didn't pick up any tracks. If anything, the cave seemed undisturbed - unsurprising, since it was rather out of the way in relation to any settlements.

Itzal too couldn't see any signs of passage, either on his side of the stream or the side of the cave.

"I'm afraid, madame, that I haven't found any trace of recent passage in this place. but maybe young eyes would be more able to spot what eludes me. Why don't we try to find a ford to meet on this side of the river?"

asked the gnome, his face and tone changing from sad to welcoming.

indeed lets. it would be better to talk in person then it is to yell ourselves silly across the river. called Julian as he nodded in approval of the little gnomes idea.

then hit with a sudden thought he lowed his voice so only his friend could hear and asked do you think they are trustworthy?

Hu put his sword away and proceeded to carefully test the river for a fordable area.  He then stopped for a second and looked over at Itzal.

"Itzal, help me find a good place to cross and I can carry you across on my back, provided it is shallow enough, that way we can keep our goods as dry as possible."

Itzal nodded, and began walking the shore, trying to find a place suitable shallow, all the while casting worried looks at the woman.

Itzal and Hu began casting about - it didn't take long to decide that the stream was passable only a few metres up from the cave. Hu hoisted Itzal onto his back and the two made somewhat undignified progress across the water. Hu was almost up to his waist, which meant Itzal would have struggled greatly in the current.

Melia and the boys remained anxiously on the far side, the woman seeming to grow increasingly agitated.

[Private to Itzal Myn: OOC: How about a sense motive roll to see what you can make of Melia?]

"I believe you should come with us, lady. Should something happen to you while we are away in the cave, It would cause me great grief and guilt.  I'm quite certain our friend here could help you and your boys."
says the gnome when he sees the woman's trouble

Itzal was still concerned.[Private to Mr. DM: Sense motive 15]

"I'm sure the strong lads could easily ford this stretch of river!" Hu said brightly.

"But just in case, I have some rope here."
Hu looked over towards Julien.

"You sir?  Could you help me hold this rope?  I will toss the other end to them and then we can help them across!"

I think we could do one better then that, sir. julien said as he took his long spear and drove the sharp point into the ground. Once he was sure it was in deep enough he took the offered rope and tied one end to the spear's shaft. He coiled the rest of the rope up before handing it to the other man for him to throw across the river.

I think that should make things a little easier.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:23, Thu 09 July 2009.

Hu tied a loop around himself and firmly planted his feet.  He then tossed the rope to the other side of the ford for the boys to grab.

"Tie it to yourself and come one across!  If you slip we will keep you from heading down river."

At the urging from Hu, Melia and the boys waded into the stream and began to make their way across, using the rope to help. Melia made it with ease, and although the lads struggled in the current, they got there in the end.

Now rather wet, the group gathered near the cave entrance where they could better speak.

Looking impatient, Melia made a dash for the cave entrance, calling out "Come on then, come on! What if they're in here?"

[Private to Itzal Myn: You're pretty sure she's genuine, if a bit distressed!]

"Yes! Let us hurry! Lead on Itzal!"

Itzal shook his head and took lead, accepting the order as subserviently as possible. His sharp eyes scanned as he moved into the darkness. Quickly, he took a step to the left, knowing that if he remained in the entrance, he'd be silhouetted, an easy target.
-----------------------------
OOC:
spot = 24, hide = 29, listen = 24

" Ms Melia, I strongly advice you to stay behind us. I understand your wish to know your husband's whereabout, but if this cave has what I expect, there are most probably a few devices to protect them.  So, unless you want to deprive your boys from another parent, you shall listen to me."
Says the gnome, not unkindly but with enough strictness to be certain the message was well received.

He will follow the group, staying near the boys, doing a few tricks to try to enlighten their mood, while trying to get a few informations on them, their mother and their missing father.
[Private to GM:
08:52, Today: Secret Roll: Dimble Nackle rolled 8 using 1d20+6. gather information.
 ... well it appears they are too focused on their task to really listen or wish to speak ^^]

Itzal led the way into the shadowy cave. The roof was a good height, easily tall enough to accomodate the humans. The floor was uneven - soil at first, giving way to bare rock after around ten feet.

The air in the cave smelt of the dampness that lined the walls, but it wasn't unpleasant. Treading cautiously, the group ventured farther in. Taking a slight bend to the left, the way narrowed so that it was possible to walk only two abreast. Although the ground seemed to be sloping downward, it was evident that some source of light would be needed in order to continue.

In the back of the procession, Dimble was trying to cheer the boys and engage them in conversation. It seemed though that they were too distressed to really register the fancy tricks the gnome performed. He did manage to glean that their father was a local guide who knew the area well.

[Private to Itzal Myn: OOC: You don't see anything worrying - unless you count the complete lack of tracks as worrying...]