Corbyn laughs.
The Shadowcount smiles. "Of course, if you'd rather Asyra was left to her own devices, I'm certain she would love to be free to travel the face of Golarion."
Ruperta changes the cartridge of Vindicator to one with Alchemical Silver tips.
"Returning her to the hideous pit from where she sprang would suffice, but if you don't care for her..." - She says smiling.
Sial's face goes from smile to hard in a blink. "Attack my companion and you will see what Zon-Kuthon's favored servant can wreak. Asyra is my companion, sworn to aid and protect me. She has already proven her worth in the Desnan shrine. She will not act without my leave and I vouchsafe for her. If you cannot accept her, then we shall part and explore this castle separately."
"Now both of you stop it. Like I said earlier, there's safety in numbers. And don't backstab us, Sial. All of us have worked together before...I see no reason we can't do the same yet again."
Pai extricates herself from Laori and walks to Ruperta. "Ruperta, please hold your nose, and cooperate. We can trust them only to a point, but with all the undead we might encounter, some backup is a good idea, I think. Our mission is the most important thing," she whispers to her friend.
Ruperta smiles at Pai.
"You are wise, my friend, but I beg you to think about it. We will face great evil in front of us. I am not sure we should allow evil at our backs."
"If this is your stance, then Asyra and I will take our leave of you. Good luck in Scarwall." Sial nods to the kyton and begins walking back toward their camp. Laori shudders. "He's always sooooo serious and gloomy. It's like he doesn't have any fun at all!"
"Laori has helped us in the past, Ruperta. Are you okay with her assistance again?"
"A burden shared is a burden lessend.."
"If you think is a good idea, I will play nice. But I will also keep an eye on them."
"It's not ideal but I'd rather have a few more people between you and the horrors. Besides if working with them will save Korvosa then it's worth it."
Seeing Slumper care for her, Ruperta smiles and tiptoes to kiss him gently...
Laori overhears your words and smiles, skipping (literally) off to tell Sial he's in. They break camp quickly and are soon ready to travel.
The rocky volcanic ground here is warm to the touch and studded with volcanic glass that makes walking a cautious affair. As you approach the top of the volcanic caldera the Castle sits in, you can see it's actually a lake, with the castle situated on an island in the center. A ruined barbican, a fortified outpost or gatehouse, sits on this side of the lake, with a crumbling wooden bridge heading across the water toward the Castle. You can see signs of orcs in the barbican, and can't be sure you haven't been spotted.
Ruperta tries to see details of the barbican and the orcs (numbers, disposition, etc).
"Does anyone speaks Orc?"
"I myself cannot fly, but i can summon several water or air friends to carry a few of us across. Orc is one of the few things i do not speak."
"I could ask for Desna to let me speak it tomorrow, if we want to try the diplomatic approach."
Ruperta smiles.
"I think we might as well get lucky, and some orc would know common."
"I will go and see if they let us pass. Maybe some of you can get in position in case they don't allow us, and get aggressive. But I hope we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed."
Ruperta will wait for the others to get in place before going down to meet the orcs, with Vindicator on her belt, and her hands empty.
Pai casts Mage Armor and False Life, beginning to buff herself for the upcoming dungeon exploration.
False Life
As Ruperta walks toward the ruins, the orcs notice her and scramble for cover. From atop the ramparts of one of the ruined towers a larger orc appears. In harsh Common he calls out, "Halt there, pinkskin! This is Deadwatcher territory. Leave or die."
Ruperta raises her empty hands.
"My name is Ruperta of Hetzau, and I salute the Deathwatchers! I would ask for permission to approach, tell you my story, and request you help."
The orcs look somewhat confused. There is a chatter of voices behind the parapet. "Why is a pinkskin coming to this place? This place is death!"
"I know this place is cursed, and very dangerous, I don't come because of greed or imprudence, I do it only because I need to stop an ancient evil that is awakening. I don't have any quarrel with you, and I respect you, so I would ask for the opportunity to explain my quest."
The orcs seem confused by this and there's a bit of chatter back and forth, then the big one pokes his head over the edge again. "Alright, pinkskin. You stay there, I'm coming down."
In a moment the orc emerges. He's huge and green skinned with a massive axe strapped across his back. He stops a few feet from Ruperta and huffs. "What do you want?"
"My companions and me want to enter the Scarwall to find a mythical weapon that can help us destroy a part of Kazavon essence, let loose at Korvosa, before it is too late. I guess you are the guardians of the place, preventing the evils within from spreading out, which seems like a brave and honorable task. Can we have your permission to enter?"
The orc stares hard at you for a long moment. "Very well. The Deadwatchers will let you pass. Beware the castle. A shadow dragon lives within, as well as many, many dead things. Great evil sleeps here. Take care not to awaken it." He turns and barks orders in Orcish to his men, who reluctantly pull back and allow you to pass.
Castle Scarwall looks every bit as foreboding as the legends say. Dark walls rise from darker bedrock to steep rooflines set with gargoyles and minarets. Battlements look down from towers and defensive walls, and many dark carrion birds perch among these and soar above them. Mists rising off of the black tarn obscure the lower portions of the rocky island, giving the whole an ethereal appearance. Surprisingly, even though the structure is many centuries old, its walls and roofs remain intact with no visible breaches or obvious signs of damage. A ghostly glow lights some of the windows and arrow slits, and now and then, faint flickerings betray the motion of creatures within.
A high bridge crosses the vast expanse of black water between the barbican gate and the entrance to Castle Scarwall. The bridge is ornate and in excellent condition, with only a few tenacious patches of moss and lichen clinging to it here and there. High arching columns reaching from the waters below support the broad span, each of which is marked by a pair of sinister gargoyles that stare out over the dark lake. A larger pair of these statues flanks a great archway that encompasses the near end of the bridge.
Across the bridge, the Castle waits.
Ruperta will bow to the Orc, and then tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
"You are a great pride to Gorum, and may Desna bless your dreams. You have our thanks. I hope we meet again soon, when our mission is finished. Pray for us."
She calls her friends so they accompany her into the castle.
"Corbyn, can you check for traps?"
She casts Guidance on him to help him check...
"Be careful, Ruperta," Pai whispers, hoping things don't evolve to violence with these creatures.
"I can't believe that worked..." Slumper just shakes his head.
Despite your caution, the orcs simply watch and mutter as you pass. The long stone bridge lies ahead...
Corbyn scans the area for traps.
As Slumper sets foot on the causeway bridge, the Harrow deck in his backpack suddenly begins to shake and rattle! A strange wind that blows only around Slumper appears, causing his hair to fly about. In the wind you can see shapes: screaming faces, tormented souls. With a sudden WHOOSH, Zellara appears in front of you, her form surrounded by the howling spirits. She opens her mouth to scream, but her scream is cut off as her ghost is sucked across the causeway and into the Castle! The wind abruptly dies and all is quiet.
But the Harrow deck is no longer magical...
"Oh great. It seems like we've got another task in the castle now! We also need to try to free Zellara, if possible. I know she has helped us all in the past."
"We will, as well as all the poor trapped souls in there..."
From across the causeway, a door in the castle opens. Out rides a skeletal rider on a skeletal nightmare. His lance is decorated with dessicated heads, his armor gleams with polish. Behind him follows 16 heavily armored skeletons, in four rows of four with military style and bearing. They step out, fall into lock step and march toward you!
Ruperta eyes go down, her hands to her bosom.
"Mother of dreams, please help your servant in her our of need!"
She draws her wand of abundant ammunition.
"More Undead.... my lucky day..." shudders Slumper
Paxs is going to cast haste on his companions.