You do not need to go into Aldronard's Grave at all. It was recommended you make a stop there before hitting up Scrapwall (By one of the councilmembers back in Torch, Dolga I believe), but by no means are you required to go in there. Its just the nearest 'civilized' spot to Scrapwall, good for recouperating. Or so you were told.
If you guys want to pass it up, let me know and I'll move you along towards Scrapwall about 12 miles to the east.
Presuming we can converse without them overhearing.
"You, pretty girl...what was it? Dahla? You tell them that we are healers, come to cure them of the plague. Insist that they let us in. There's no way we're getting over those walls or through that gate under fire without getting hurt. Trick our way in, let them think we're vulnerable, and then kill the dirty man eaters."
"I for one need no weapons to be deadly, neither does that tiger, and I suspect you are some manner of spellcaster, yes Dahla?"
"Well, I'll give it a shot, but if they are lying about the plauge I don't know that they'll let us in," the young woman says, then looks at Jingham, with a slightly annoyed look on her face. "It's Dahlia by the way, like the flower."
Dahlia walks forward and raises her voice, calling out to the guards above, "If you would allow us in, we may be able to help with this plague. We bear magic that could be helpful to your predicament."
The guards are 30ft up, so you are indeed able to get close enough. As for the entrance, its protected by a small (10 ft wide) iron portcullis. While it is possible for him to lift it, even Groog would have a fairly difficult time doing so (DC 25 Strength check). Breaking through it would be even harder. The walls themselves are only 15 ft high and require a DC 15 climb check to scale.
Just how heavy is this portcullis? Groog can, without raging:
Lift Over Head: 2,400 lbs.
Lift Off Ground: 4,800 lbs.
If we are going to get into the semantics over how and when "carrying capacity" applies, then I'm going to get perturbed real quick. How in the bloody hell does it make sense that, if this weren't a "combat situation" that Groog could probably pick this up and walk off with it with a smile, but because it has a "strength check" tied to it, he suddenly would struggle? I'll play along for now, but if this is the case, Groog be very angry, though am open to hearing your reasoning.
Groog looks on at the man talking with his mouth full of caramel. He didn't know why he would try that, Groog tried once before. It made words hard. But he did like the way the chewy candy tasted.
Maybe they share! Groog like candy!
With an excited smile, Groog begins walking towards the strange iron door and begins trying to open it. At first, it seemed weird to him that they made it so the door opened up towards the sky, but he shrugs and reaches down and lifts the door open and looks back to the others.
Book specifically said DC 25 strength check. Carrying capacity only amounts to things you carry, not strength checks.; the portcullis is not only heavy (though easily within your range), but its probably difficult to open without using the winch.
