Dorgan replies, "I suspect there ain't no food in there fit for dwarf or elf. But there is prob'ly treasure that we can take to the elven forest in exchange for food."
Thanis [Stealthy Hero, MV 12′′, AC 7, HD 4, hp 16, FC 4 men/hero, SV F4, N]. Hooded cloak, padded armor, sword, longbow +1 & quiver of arrows, dagger.
"So let me see if I understand your plan. You want to walk back the abbey to get a shovel, dig a hole and put Highbough inside."
[f=4]Wen the Pale, Elf Hero/Spellbinder (MV 12", AC 9, HD 4/2, hp 11/11, FC Hero, L) helm, bow[/f]
[f=47]Kiplyn Sorefoot, Hobbet Thief (Lv: 4 AC: 5 Hp 12) Leather+Shield+Dagger, Sling[/f]
[f=59]Tass Purrfoot (Agile Hobbet Varlet, MV 9′′, AC 7, HD 2, hp 8, FC 2 men, SV T7, N)[/f]
If a dwarf wants to take a walk in the hills it is a mere blink to the elves... in such a short time it is questionable whether either of them could complete a verse he'd been musing upon, or adequately weigh the virtues of his wine skin, or locate a satisfactory insect to observe the spinning of a cocoon, or...
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]
"Very well then"Wen would gather himself up and start heading back towards the abbey.
[f=4]Wen the Pale, Elf Hero/Spellbinder (MV 12", AC 9, HD 4/2, hp 11/11, FC Hero, L) helm, bow[/f]
[f=47]Kiplyn Sorefoot, Hobbet Thief (Lv: 4 AC: 5 Hp 12) Leather+Shield+Dagger, Sling[/f]
[f=59]Tass Purrfoot (Agile Hobbet Varlet, MV 9′′, AC 7, HD 2, hp 8, FC 2 men, SV T7, N)[/f]
"Sudo dig trench -Dwarf,"Invisible Highbough commands. On the walk back to the Abbey, he takes advantage of his invisibility to scout for game and scour the roadside for wild edibles. He's not too proud to eat a snail, frog, or squirrel, and would relish even a single ramp or wild mushroom. The black chanterelle, or trompette de la mort, is his favorite.
[f=59]Stern (Strong Hero, MV 9′′, AC 3, HD 4, hp 20, FC 4 men/hero, SV F4, L)[/f]
Dorgan, having perfected the art of ignoring elves, walks along in blissful ignorance. Having become fairly knowledgeable of the area around the Abbey, he keeps an eye out for things that look out of place or new to the area.
Thanis [Stealthy Hero, MV 12′′, AC 7, HD 4, hp 16, FC 4 men/hero, SV F4, N]. Hooded cloak, padded armor, sword, longbow +1 & quiver of arrows, dagger.
Dorgan and the elves hike it back to the abbey, arriving in the early afternoon. The men are relieved to see their heroes returned safely. They find Dorgan in a crotchety mood, however, having dealt with the elves all afternoon. Highbough, by this time visible again, is only hungry.
Encounter check 1d6=3, so nope.
It would be dusk before you made it back to the caves if you left within the hour.
What now?
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]