Lucien and Albrecht remain in the Patchwork Hills to keep an eye on the blue-faced goblins while Antia and Lathan make the two-day trek back to Milborne.

As soon as Anita and Lathan depart, Lucien begins to cast around the area for a good place where he and Albrecht can watch the cave in relative safety while remaining hidden. "We should find a place where we can watch the entrance to the cave. Normally I'd choose the building across the street, but well..." He casts around at the barren landscape.

As he looks, another thought occurs to the elf. "After we find a good spot, we should also look for back exits to the cave. It wouldnt do to let the goblins sneak out unnoticed."

Al will ask many questions about what is needed for a 'good' spot and help pick out a naturally decent hollow to make camp and keep an eye on the entrance. Then will go back to the cave mouth and stomp deep tracks in the mud leading in the other direction before circling back. "Good idea, mate. I'm worried about back exits meself. I'd never set in a surface cave without one, but it's gobbos. I'm hopin the didn't think that far aheads."
He studies the ground and river for a long while. "Whelp, we know the cave goes in yonder, and it continued inwards thems ways. Followin the earthways, I'd suppose over Yeahwise be the most likeliest of exitries. Want me to goes a scoutin? or should I just set for the moment while you do the quiety sort of thing?"

Lucien is reasonably pleased with the spot Albrecht finds and impressed with his idea to leave deliberate tracks in the other direction. It is his personal opinion that the goblins are probably not clever enough to search for tracks, but he's also an advocate of taking every precaution. "That's good thinking."

Lucien considers Albrecht's proposal and the presumed direction of the cave he described. "Well no offense intended Albrecht, but you make less noise if you don't move. I think I'll do a quick scout around the area, while you watch the entrance. If the goblins come out, just try to avoid drawing any attention." He gives a weak smile.

The area around the cave is quiet for most of the day. Lucien and Albrecht are unable to locate a back exit to the cave.

A couple hours after Antia and Lathan leave, Lucien and Albrecht notice from their vantage point two farmers traveling through the Mire along the foot of the Patchwork Hills. The two men move along slowly and eventually disappear from sight.

Shortly before sunset, a party of eight blue-faced goblins emerges from the cave. The goblins are armed but also carry foraging baskets and burlap sacks.

Al passes the day quietly chewing on hard hard rations. He knows it's quiet time, so basically doesn't speak unless spoken to. He tries he best to keep down when the goblins come out of the cave. He points at Lucien then the goblins and makes a walking gesture with 2 fingers with an exaggerated inquisitive look on his face.

For the hiding spot, Lucien observes the goblins as they exit the cave. He acknowledges Albrecht's motions and addresses him in the lowest whisper he can manage. "One of us could follow them. They look like they're just going out to gather food though so it might not be worthwhile. This could be a prime opportunity to sneak inside and have a better look around than last time..." He trails off suggestively.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Thu 13 Apr 2017.

Al looks at Lucien and nods sagely in agreement with his suggestion. He then points to himself, shakes his head, then wobbles side to side with oustretched arms like a lumbering monster.
When the goblins are out of sight for a while, he'll hazard a whisper _{"Me concern was fer them locals a'gallavantin. They might be on their ways back home n get gobbo snatched. I'll give them a follow from a goodly ways afield, I would no get anywhere nears unless they endanger an innocent. "}

Lucien and Albrecht are able to watch the goblin party from a distance as they forage for food, mostly berries, fungi, and small animals from various traps stationed around the area. Once their bags and baskets are full, the goblins return to their cave.

The rest of the day passes without incident.

Periodically, Lucien gets up to stretch and sneaks out of the hiding spot for a short time. As darkness begins to fall, he gets Albrecht's attention. "We should try and get as comfortable as possible. I don't need much sleep so it's up to you if you'd rather be woken up four hours before dawn or go to sleep four hours after dark."

Al will stay put in camp after his little adventure. Clearly not understanding rules of a 'stake out', he still keeps down in camp and whispers the best he can _{"I'll stay up lad, you get some rest."}

Lucien gives something between a shrug and a nod in response. Finding a relatively comfortable place to sit, he folds himself into his meditative pose and closes his eyes. To the world, he could be sleeping except for the somewhat unnatural posture.

Going to try for my 4 hours trance while Albrecht keeps up the watch.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:18, Sat 22 Apr 2017.

The night passes without incident.

By the next morning Lucien is already beginning to get anxious, he is well aware that Anita and Lathan will still not return for sometime, but the inaction is clearly getting to him. Once Albrecht is fully awake, Lucien posses a question. "What would you say to a little snooping? We'd be careful and we wouldn't take anything or pick any fights, but a little more information never hurt."

Al wakes up, stretched and nods. "Mornin!" Then looks aghast and surreptitiously looks about. _"Mornin." he whispers. <sub>"Um, sorry."

"Snoopin what? wherebouts? I'm not a very good snoppin snoo, but I'll give it a good wazza if'n ye know what I meanins."</sub> He winks conspiratorially.

Lucien is not, in fact, sure he knows what Albrecht means at all. "Do you mean you'd rather keep a lookout? I was planning to venture inside the cave and just have a look around. Maybe head a little ways up both of those passages in the room where we met their leader."

Are there still guards posted at the entrance?

Al looks confused. _{"A lookout? I guess I could do tha. I'll go in as much is safe. No snoo, as I sayin. But I got you."}

There are no guards visible at the entrance of the cave. The guards they had encountered earlier were well within the cave.

Lucien checks to make sure that the coast is clear before standing and leaving the safety of the hiding spot. "Alright, let's just have a little look then. We'll do our best to avoid trouble." He flashes a mischievous smile as he approaches the entrance of the cave. Once there, he pauses and gives a good listen to make sure he thinks it's safe before entering.

Lucien Nailo rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  Perception.

Al stays a ways behind so as not to interfere with Lucien's sneaking. He'll do his best to keep him in sight while staying low and quiet.

As before, about 150 feet into the cave, Lucien spots two armed goblins standing guard at the opening to the larger chambers. They are about 30 feet away and do not appear to see him yet.

Lucien takes a ball bearing out of one of his pockets and rolls it as hard as he can into the chamber behind the goblins. If they turn to investigate, he uses the opportunity to dart into the chamber and find a hiding place until they return to their posts.

Lucien Nailo rolled 21 using 1d20+7.  Stealth.

Al creeps up to the cave entrance. He uproots a small patch of plant life and makes his scratches. He'll clean his hands by rubbing some mud onto his face and hair. Putting small patches of mud and plant matter on his shoulders.
He creeps into the cave slowly and as quietly as he can, far behind Lucien, but trying to keep him in sight. When Lucien makes his attempt to slip past the guards, he stops and stays low at the spot he crept to. Watching their reactions and attempting to hide.

Believing he has none of the skill required to slip past easily, he'll look for the best irregularity in the cave walls to cram himself into and stay there, out of the way. He'll hide and be ready, listening intently for any signs of a plan gone awry.

Lucien's ploy works; the goblins are distracted enough that he is able to sneak into the cave and find a hiding spot without being noticed. The goblins return to their post, walking right past the well-hidden elf.

Ahead of Lucien, the cave continues for about 25 feet before forking. When they had been in the cave the day before, the party had traveled down the pathway to the right.

As carefully as possible, Lucien proceeds down the tunnel to the fork. He remembers that goblins came from both directions when the party was in the cave before ans so makes a snap decision to head down the tunnel to the left instead of the partially explored tunnel to the right.