You spend days tramping through the forest to Fangwood Keep, the journey relatively uneventful. You do pass a hunter who warns you of a troll's stomping grounds, allowing you to bypass the area without issue. You make your way to the northern edge of the shadowy Southern Chernasardo, where the wide Marideth River valley separates the large forest to the north from its smaller southern spur.
The forest thins out ahead, revealing a wide river valley cleared of trees. The path descends for a quarter mile to a single stone bridge that spans the river, and then continues up a small hill. Atop this barren hill sits a small, two-story fort surrounded by a thick, partially collapsed outer wall.
It is obvious that anyone leaving the cover of the forest during daytime could be easily spotted from the keep. Since Fangwood Keep was built on an otherwise barren hill and the surrounding countryside was cleared of all large boulders, trees, and other obstructions, it is virtually impossible to infiltrate the fortress during the day without being seen.
The bridge over the Marideth seems to be the only place to easily cross the swiftly flowing river, though it is also obviously well within sight of anyone stationed on one of the keep’s ramparts.
Seltyiel points out the various humanoids guarding the keep, "Seems our intel wasn't wrong, someone has taken over here."
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"I propose we wait for nightfall and then make as swift an assault as possible." The grizzled Tian warrior stares at the fortifications.
"Under cover of darkness we should be able to infiltrate. We were given equipment to help those of us that are less stealthy. Dulomak, you could lead us inside the outer wall. Seltyiel, Marina, and I can buff ourselves magically, drink the elixirs of hiding, and follow you to the keep walls." Dissa gestures at each party member as he describes the plan.
"There is no advantage during the day, a chance of surprise at night, and the longer we wait the more difficult it will be to take and hold the keep." The Tian rests his Fauchard, and looks for a place to hole up until darkness falls.
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That seems wise, though we've got to get across the river. If the night is dark crossing the bridge might even work, but we're a relatively athletic lot - perhaps we can just ford the river instead? Slightly downstream, so we're not dragged into view if we struggle. General, how is your night vision?
Seltyiel nods, "It is a good plan. Once we are there we should look for those secret tunnels we were told about."
Watching the keep over the rest of the day you notice some patterns among the humanoids. At least some patrols are sent out based on the group of three returning just after mid-day and another group of three walking out. It's difficult to make out the details but it looks like every few hours the humanoids shift positions on the walls and at the entrances.
As night falls you make your way to the river about a hundred feet upriver of the bridge. "Everyone ready?" Seltyiel whispers.
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"Let's do it. Can someone make it across and throw me my rope? My armor is wonderful for stopping attacks, but I know I will struggle to swim." Dissa grabs his rope from his pack, hoping a more successful comrade will be able to tether the line to a nearby tree on the other side.
"Perhaps also, a bit of guidance from Tsukiyo would help." Dissa removes his wand of fallback strategy, and casts it upon himself.
Based on rope help from someone more successful, Dissa will assume a +4 to his swim check?
Seltyiel runs to jump across the gap, hopefully reducing the distance he has to swim.
Stumbling on a rock he barely makes it a few feet into the river, before attempting to swim across the river.
He makes it about halfway across the river before it sweeps him away. He goes under once, surfaces briefly, goes under again, then struggles across the river. He makes it across more than 150 feet from where he jumped in. He crawls back to the original crossing spot, complaining the entire time about the bruises he is going to have tomorrow before catching the rope Dissa throws him and holding it steady.
Seltyiel, busy taking one boot off and pouring water out of it just snarks back, "You should have mentioned this before I rushed headlong into the river." A fish flops out of his boot and splashes about on land, "Although I clearly wouldn't have made this new friend here." He then toes the fish back into the river with a disgruntled snort.
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Dissa cleans himself off to the best of his ability, and prepares for battle. "Kontha, can you help us find those secret tunnels? I'm ready for an assault."
Dissa secures his gear, swings his Fauchard in a smooth arc, and lowers the blade. He focuses his gaze toward the fortress, the hyper-sharp edge of his blade at waist level, ready to meet any threat.
Seltyiel squints into the night, glad for the waning moon. "We'll have to get closer to the walls, but I can't quite remember their patrol patterns due to my recent...erhm...swim. Dulomak, Marina, we're going to rely on you to see if the enemy notices us. Is everyone ready to move to the wall?"
Seltyiel daisy chains on to Dissa, allowing Dulomak and Kontha free reign to do what they need to.
Kontha lets loose a small growl when she catches a whiff of humanoids closer to the keep itself, which allows Dulomak and Marina to lead the party to the blind spot in the walls and prevent the entire group from being seen. Searching around the half-orc doesn't find any footprints near the secret entrance, which means it is still a secret.
Dulomak is able to see the outline of the secret entrance even without the intertwined circles that show its location to the outside world. He reaches down and pulls the sod covered trapdoor up revealing the promised tunnel. Inside is a narrow, rickety ladder that descends 20 feet straight down and connects to an equally narrow dirt tunnel that slips under the keep’s wall. The sides and roof of the earthen passage are supported by regular wooden braces that were kept in good repair by the Nirmathi occupants before the Keep was taken over.
The tunnel leads to another rickety 20-foot ladder and an exit obstructed by a locked trap door.
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Dissa strings a loop on his rope, ready to sling Kontha down to the lower level. He then assists his comrades as they climb down, bringing up the rear. He does his best to replace the trap door on his way down, making the breach less obvious.
"I am ready to take this fortress. Who is with me?" Dissa checks his gear, secures his pack, and readies himself for battle. When the tunnel changes to looking more inhabited, the holy warrior will cast Protection from Evil and Fallback Strategy on himself.
Seltyiel reviews his spells and scrolls. "I don't have a way to unlock this trap door. Does anyone else? If not we're going to have to smash it open."
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"Uh, dont you have the scroll of knock from the briefing? If you can't use that scroll, I'll carve it open with my Fauchard." Dissa glides his supernaturally sharp adamantium weapon through the locking mechanism on the trap door.
"Pehaps we should save the scroll." Whispers the holy warrior. Dissa pops the lock open with ease, the rusty latch melting with minimal force from the green-tinged super weapon.
Seltyiel checks the additional pack, "Ah, there is one here. Though I think you're right, perhaps it is best saved for later."
You climb the ladder and haul Kontha up while keeping an eye out. You don't see any enemies and appear to have wound up in a small tunnel or escape passage in the keep. The sound of jingling scale makes its way to your ears before a bleeding and run ragged man appears before you, longsword drawn.
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"Be still, my friend. We are here to liberate this keep and restore legitimacy. I doubt you would be bloodied and panicked if you did not have similar goals." Dissa extends a hand, palm out and fingers spread, indicating peace rather than direct hostility.
"I would rather my companions and I learn of this place and the threats therein. I would rather not strike you down and forfeit our chance to gain a tactical advantage." Dissa explains himself clearly, attempting to engage the rationale of the panicked man.
The point of the man's sword drops to the ground, "At least you're not hobs." He sinks to one knee and leans on his sword. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"
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Dissa cautiously approaches the man, pops his wand of Cure Light Wounds from his wrist sheath, and heals him.
"We are here to help retake the fort, for either Molthuni or Nirmathan forces. One way or the other, we're here to take and hold the fort." Dissa doesn't clearly identify which force the Pathfinders are sent to support. "That's our story. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
The man groans in relief as his wounds begin to close. "Thank you. I am Akre Belring, infantry of Molthune and formerly of Vos's Strikers. We were given orders to raid Nirmathas, which was nothing new, but our commander, Vos, brought along his changeling lover, which was.
We raided this keep, took out the few rangers guarding it, then Vos had us turn this place upside down looking for a way below the keep. We found it and Vos eagerly sent some of the platoon down. They still have not returned. It was about that time that we reviewed the orders to raid and found they had been falsified! We turned on our lieutenant, but it was too late, he had a local hobgoblin tribe working for him! He slaughtered us, down to the last man. I'm the only survivor as far as I know..."
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"Marina, I agree. We can likely expect hobgoblin resistance above ground, but I think we have more to learn from our defector." Dissa nods as Marina speaks, her wisdom is irrefutable.
"Sergeant Belring, it seems you have a strong sense of duty and honor. I appreciate that in a soldier, and I would request your support. Here are some rations and water in exchange for a request:
What can you tell us of the main threats and layout of this keep? We plan to storm it immediately." The Tian guard offers food and water from his own provisions, and casts Lesser Restoration on the bedraggled soldier.