Caves Behind the Washnoran Falls

[Black Wyvern]

You answered the call of the village elders to find Marna Goodspring. The walk to the Washnoran Falls was a relatively short one. You now stand around the base of the falls looking up through the mist created by the crashing water. The village's elderly tracker, Thorn Ironwood told you how to find the trail that leads up to the falls. "A steep climb but simple enough. Just work your way through the rabbit brush on the left of the falls and you will find the path. Be wary, times have changed since I was last up there. If something is causing trouble they will have a good lookout spot well above you. Good place for an ambush." The grey-bearded huntsman warned.

The wise woman's time is limited. Those who followed the trail were certain that it the tracks were not human. More likely the missing elder was kidnapped for eating rather than ransoming.

[Mhogrymm]

"I can sense the need for someone to comment about halflings and rabbit brush. So how about I just go have a look see." Barlo says unhitching his axe from his belt as he starts looking for a path into the brush.

 

[RedMax]

"We will get him back," Red Max says, referring to the missing elder. "And if an ambush comes, the creature will rue the day."

[dtspurrier]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lionel says, " we will do everything we can to rescue him. "

[Excior]

Dugrule just snorted at the elder humans notion about an ambush site. "They better bring their A game if the critters aim to hurt us." the dwarf spits on the ground and rubs it in the dirt to make his point. "If she is alive we will bring her back."

[Black Wyvern]

It doesn't take Barlo long to find the beginning of the path. There is a vertical split in the rock face that looks like a small crack from in front of the falls but once you are able to move in closer through the rabbit brush it is a four foot wide trough that the falls cut through the rock. The trough is about 6 foot deep and runs about halfway up the falls, around 100 feet up. The water has been diverted out of the trough for quite some time, the edges are well scratched with the passage of hobnail boots, the favored footware of goblinoids of all sizes.

[dtspurrier]

 

Lionel inspects the path and comments, " well looks safe lets go."

Edited November 28, 2023 by dtspurrier (see edit history)

[Excior]

"Them there markings look like hobnail boots." Dugrule makes a weird sound then spits off to the side. "Goblins and Hobgoblins like to wear that type of boot" The old dwarf pulls out his dwarfish made sword and takes his shield off his back. "Better be on yer guard moving forward."

[RedMax]

Red Max nods silently and follows Barlo following the trail.

[Mhogrymm]

"Very well. Off we go." Barlo says as he starts moving up the trail. He will keep an eye out for any traps that might be set along the trough.

[SCARY WIZARD]

 Zyira said litle to the Elder, but assured him with body language and expression that she meant to ease his worries.  When at last she and her companions made their way, she patted him on his shoulder.  "We will see her returned." Not one to give too much hope to the desparate, she does not declare whether or not this is alive... just, that she will return home, and home will see her returned.

---

 Zyira grips her shield and spear as she proceeds with her companions, amber eyes scanning the area for any trouble... or, hiding places from which Goblinoids might attack adventurers such as herself and her companions.

[Black Wyvern]

Barlo leads the group to the top of the trough, where it meets the falls. The trough runs out of a recess behind the falls. The mystery of why the trough is dry is answered as you reach the point where going any further would take you behind the falls. A couple feet from where the falls rush past the trough is blocked with a four foot tall mud and stone dam. The dam forms a giant pool in a cave behind the dam. Water runs over the edge adding back into the falls. The cavern raises up ten feet above the water level and goes back into darkness.

[dtspurrier]

Lionel asks, " hmm was the dam created by the village or someone else. If we break the dam will it give more water to the village or flood it"

[SCARY WIZARD]

Zyira grunts softly to herself, attempting to assess things from her position. "Good point... You'd think if this was artificially created by the villagers, Elder Ironwood would have told us." She sniffs.

[Excior]

"It's obviously a cistern for collecting drinking water for whatever varmints choose to call these caves home," he remarked in response to Lionel. "Doesn't look like enough water to flood the village, but what do I know of such things?"

With a subtle nod, he began to climb up the ledge into the cave, his movements as quiet as a dwarf could manage in such circumstances. The echo of his sturdy boots against the rocky surface resonated through the cavern, a testament to his skill in navigating the subterranean terrain.