Assuming you can afford to put Zababa on a donkey or something like that, you'll only have to spend one night outdoors on your way there. Any particular marching order and guard arrangements for the trip?
Once the group decides to trek to Castle Whiterock, Tyros approaches Kram the dwarven merchant.
"Master Kram? I understand that you trade in the kinds of interesting equipment that adventurers tend to bring back from their expeditions. My new companions and I intend to head out tomorrow to explore the ruins of Castle Whiterock, and perhaps investigate these rumors of slavers that we've heard. We're willing to make a deal if you're interested - if you'll provide us with horses for our journey (or a pony for Master Zababa) and the appropriate tack and gear, we'll sell you any treasure that we find that we don't keep for ourselves (minus books which Lady Chauntessa requested) for 45% of standard value. How does that sound?"
Diplomacy check (to improve Kram's attitude from indifferent to friendly): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Kram looks at Tyros with an appraising stare. "OK, I lend you horses, and you pay me for them when you get back, and you sell me any treasure you find at 45% value. Deal?"
Interjecting in Tyros' statement to Kram "Would it not be more frugal to see if we can find a carriage driver who would take us within distance? Assuming they have the bravery to do so?"
"Forgive me, Master Kram, but it appears my associates have chosen to find alternative means of travel to the ruins of Castle Whiterock. However, I hope you'll still consider doing business with us once we return," Tyros says, bowing his head respectfully to the dwarven merchant.
What does everyone else think? I'm willing to let Kram sponsor us and provide us with transport in return for selling him any treasure we don't want at 45% value, especially since the standard return for selling treasure is 50% value.
I have to lean toward coach as well. For an average rate of 3 copper a mile, it is much more affordable than even my offer to purchase a pony. That, and we do not lose out on that 5%. Being short on a dedicated healer, the extra gold would be welcome.
Yeah, but you're going into dangerous territory, so including risk, the driver wants 8 gp to drop you off at an hour's walk from the ruins. You'll have to get back on your own too. But still much cheaper than horses.
At this point a default marching order for single and double file would be handy.
The driver of the carriage pulls the horses to a halt. You disembark and after an hour's walk, you finally crest the lip of an ancient eroded volcano. Its basin is filled with murky water, and its west wall has collapsed, linking it to a large freshwater lake.
A scant path meanders its way down to the water’s edge where your goal lies. Situated against the caldera wall are the ruins of a once-majestic castle. Its walls are composed of soft pure white rock, a stark contrast to the drab gray of the caldera’s walls.
The winding path leads to a cave entrance with a man-made tunnel that provides access to the main gatehouse. This tunnel extends about 40 feet before ending at a locked strong wooden door with a 1-foot-by-1-foot sliding panel to allow conversation.
Eider responds to Tyros' statement with an arm gesture that seems to imply Why not?. He then asks "It is at least worth the attempt, no?". Looking down to Zababa, noticing the zeal emanating from the small halfling. He then continues "Perhaps we should let our eager companion take a look at the door first?"
HP 23/23(27), AC 17(15) (T 12, FF 15), F+5, R+4, W+0(2), CMB 3(5), CMD 15(17), init +2, perc +5 human(Alryan), M Barbarian(hurler)/1 Alchemist/1
Torric looks from the Zababa to the door... and then at Tyros. He taps impatiently on the hilt of his weapon... "Just unlocking the door, if the little one can do that, sounds like a good idea. Otherwise we can try your idea of knocking. Looks too strong to simply knock down."
HP 16/16 | Init +3; Per +7, Traps +5 | AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 13 | Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +1 (+2 vs Fear)
"Of course we should knock; it would be very impolite not to!" exclaimed Zababa, not "getting" the concept that there may be slavers or goblins behind the door who it would be better to sneak up on instead of providing warning.
You knock and see what happens. After a few minutes the panel slides aside and the gruff face of a pimpled human man in his twenties wearing a coarse robe stares at you. "What's your business?" he asks.
Eider remains silent, as a mild surprised stance shows on his visage. He looks forward in curiosity, allowing another of the fellowship to speak to the doorman.
"Greetings," Tyros says to the man peering through the panel in the door. "My companions and I seek information regarding Castle Whiterock. We were given to understand that there is a monkish order re-establishing itself here. Are you a member of that order?" he asks in a friendly tone.
"We are seeking some people who have gone missing. We've heard various stories of goblins, slavers, and orcs active in the area. Have you or any of the brothers in your order seen or heard of any such creatures in the vicinity?" Tyros replies to the monk's question.
