Daniel can feel his transport lurch with gagging.
As you are flying down the aroma of filth and stagnant water wafts upwards that makes your eyes burn and water. From your POV the hole looks endless and the earth seems to erode into the pit.
You get an overwhelming sense, or hunch, that you are being watched.
You also catch a glimpse of movement in the care taker's house.
You hear the creaking of movement on wood coming from the caretaker's house. There is also a flicker of candle light comeing from a second floor window that is extinguished.
There is a definite rustling sound coming from southern end of the compound. Basically from the front of the mainhouse.
DMPC Gerard's rolls:
Your skin tingles with the willies as you get the distinct sense that you are being watched.
The caretaker's structure exterior reveals the deterioration of the wooden walls to be much worse near floor level, with large sections of it eaten away by worms or termites over the years, revealing the rotten frame. You can hear movement and creaking wood coming from inside the building.
Gerard waits to kill whatever reveals itself.
(Halfling, message:) "Not only that, but I think we're being watched. By who or what, however, I'm not sure..."
There appears to be nothing but refuse in here. We should not divide our forces in our enemies stronghold. Em, fly fast and straight to rejoin the others. The more we tarry the less light we have.
"Of -blort- course."
[ooc]Of course.
Daniel looks, but decides against getting to far from backup.
Potentially and entry or a waste of time. I doubt those archers came this way. Let's meet up with the others.
The prospect of wading through sludge or worse, being attacked away from allies was more than enough to deter the paladin. ..for now.
Euphemia nods and carries Daniel off to where the others are.
Daniel and Euphemia fly to the top of the pit opening.
Andrea keeps looking around nervously.
You see an old crone step out of the west porch of the caretaker's house, she squints then shuffles back inside shutting the door behind her.
By this time Daniel and Euphmeia emerge from the pit. The group reunites by the caretaker's residence and the mainhouse.
I saw an old lady come out of the caretaker's house, look at us and go back inside
Euphemia places a hand under her chin.
"Can we safely assume she's an evil sort?"
Safely? No, but anyone around this place is automatically suspect since Ilnerik lairs here. At the very least, she is probably a thrall to their domination.
Top down, the woman is a distraction. Let's get as many of our enemies in the ground before night. We are on a clock.
Euphemia salutes and complies, knowing very well her spell won't last much longer.
Very well. Gerard, would you please make sure the doors we encounter are free of traps?
Daniel waits for Gerard to check for traps and if he does not object, moves to be first through the portal, to take the first hit.
Andrea will cast Aura of Doom when they are ready to enter.
Sure, but anyone's keen eyes could help spot something. I'll try to neutralize threats found. Gerard reaches into his pack, making a set of tools more accessible.
Gerard the trapdoor blends well but is not trapped, it opens easy enough. Andrea cautions everyone and casts here spell. Gerard slips down into a 10 x 5 short hallway that has a door. He quickly checks the door for traps and finds none.
Andrea will slip down once everyone has enough room and unlimber her shield.
This chamber holds a half-dozen bunks and a single low table
surrounded by four chairs. There is single person sleeping in one of the bunks. He stirs as the sound of people enter the room but doesn't open his eyes.
Euphemia immediately hexes him with misfortune.
He sort of shudders but then continues with soft snore.
From what you can gather this looks like the roof guard's sleeping quarters, since you came in from the entrance they use, he did not bother to wake up.
(Halfling,Message)Thump him and we can question him about where Ilnerik might be.
Andrea will aid in the subduing by cracking him with the flat of her blade/pommel him.
Daniel keeps his weapons sheathed (he was wearing Cesti and the man was laying in bed, for Iomedae's sake.
He DETECTS EVIL (move action, 3rd round info immediately) and nods to Gerard he was ready to attack the man but would allow the rogue first strike on the Flat Footed foe.
He radiates a feint evil aura Daniel.
You complicate matters...
Gerard coup de gras' if he can.
Oy, we need to find out names of leaders here and how many. Plus how to get to Ilnerik.
The sleeping guard's eyes pop open wide as his life forces ooze of him.
"It's no good now." Euphemia murmurs. "Now I beseech you to keep going. I would exit first, but I am not a hearty individual."