"We need to go see if there are any injured people that need help."
Bishop will head off in the direction of the checkpoint.
Dakkar's eyes narrowed as he looked at the damaged section of causeway.
"...It's starting to look more and more like we're walking into some kind of conflict. That weird storm may even have been a part of it. Oh well, may as well just charge on in."
"There certainly is something strange going on here!"
Kit will try and coax the Camels over the low wall.
The first of the camels follows Kit up to the wall and just stands there. All of his attempts to get it to step up are met with a blank stare.
Iskender notices that the gatehouse seems completely silent. There's no one watching the causeway from it, as far as he can tell.
"No one in the gatehouse. I mean, no one is watching the causeway. As far as I can tell."
"Add in the big hole in it, and you have to wonder if there was a fight here. At least no-one will be trying to collect yet more road tolls."
At least no one can see me fail miserably at trying to get this camel to move! Kit says with an air of exasperation.
"Let's go inspect the gatehouse for any injuries." If the camel will not make it all the way to the gatehouse, Bishop will dismount and proceed on foot.
"Fear not friend Kit, we shall leave that part out of the retelling!"
Iskender will accompany the Bishop.
Looking over the low wall, there's a bit of a ravine right where the damaged portion of the causeway is. Not enough to cause trouble, but enough to possibly provide cover to something.
Fenwick walks ahead far enough to see that the remaining bit of causeway is precarious enough that there's a danger of falling into the gap, which at this point is filled with the rythmic pounding of waves from the sea.
"Is there any rope, so we can secure someone to take a look?"
Dakkar looks across the gap. "Or I could just fly over there. The real question is how to make sure nobody steals the animals while we're investigating."
Let me see if I can find something to secure them to and get them to stay.
Iskender will keep an eye on Dakkar, with his wands ready to provide support if something bad happens.
Dakkar flaps over to the other side of the gap, looking down into it as he passes over.
The gap itself drops down to sea level, with even the gentle waves crashing on the uneven walls of the jagged crack rather violently. When he lands near the gate, he notes two things--first, the scent of blood, smoke, and death. Second, the quiet. There was battle here, but it's over now, leaving only the stillness of death.
"What do you have down there Dakkar?"
"Doesn't look like anything in the gap except a hole down to the water. It smells like blood over here, though. Definitely was a fight here, though it seems to be over now. Might be clues as to who was fighting who inside."
Can this place be any more unwelcoming? Kit observes.
Iskender yells back down, "I don't suppose they left anything behind?"
Dakkar pointed to the structure.
"Only way to find out is to go in. Any of you coming?"
"I suppose we should. Can you fly us down, or do we climb?"
Iskender will take particular care, and follow the path, should he fall, that's what feather fall is for!
One at a time with a rope tied to each person also? To help those of us without wings or a particularly good acrobatics/climb skill?
Iskender is able to make it across with a minimum of difficulty.
Someone should take the camels the long way. Try not to get into any trouble until I get there!
"I can take the long way with the camels as well. What could go wrong with separating the party?"
"I can take the long way with the camels as well. What could go wrong with separating the party?"
Dakkar paces impatiently, peering into the door, pausing and sniffing the air and listening to the sounds, but not entering until the others are within reinforcing range. He was reckless, but not stupid.
"I can take the long way with the camels as well. What could go wrong with separating the party?"
Dakkar can smell old blood here, and see the bloodstains of a fight. No one seems to be moving that he can see through the partly-open door, though.
Amazingly, nothing happens while you're split apart, and soon enough you're all together on the other side of the gap.
Iskender will cast summon instrument to get a fairly large lyre, after which he will play something dramatic theme music in support of the party's exploration of this are...
Once Bishop rejoins the full group and the starring at the crime scene from afar starts again, he boldly or foolishly steps forward to go investigate the partly opened door by opening it fully to see what is inside.
Kit surveys the dried blood and scenes of carnage.
Dang it Dakkar! Couldn't you have waited until we got here before you slaughtered all the baddies? He then whispers to Iskender, Did he eat the bodies too?
Kit had always wondered about that but was always too afraid to ask.
Dakkar entered the building, eyes open for any possible threats.
"Eh, can't claim credit for this one. I think it's fairly fresh, though."
The first room (D8) has a damaged table, the remains of four chairs, and some potshards scattered about. Trails of drying blood lead to the splintered door blocking your view further into the structure.
Bishop will continue to follow the blood trail looking for injured persons to save.