Ruins of Empire (Inactive)

Game Master EltonJ

With great pomp and circumstance, Count Rogr of Aglondier of Ilien appears on the deck and waves to the crowd. Wild rumours spread of his victory, of how he was ambushed and how he defeated vastly superior forces with skill and guile. The rumours are all true, as prove the pirate ships that were captured and are now docked in the harbour.

Surrounded by the Plumes, Aglondier makes his way to the castle and there, without a moment to lose given his intent to sail anew at dawn, he inquires about Clovis and about the state of his affairs.

Then, he meets King Niall in the great hall, ready to discuss plans and the Pact of Ilien...

Galwain had arrived in Ilien the day prior, as an informant of his had told him that several prominent nobles would be arriving in Ilien that day. He had arranged for letters to be sent to each of them requesting that they meet him at a social club in one of the upper class districts of Ilien. He had plans to discuss.

Well, great hall or social club? Glad things are picking up for the players.

The Great Hall at Castle Aglondier is like a social club in some ways, in others it lacks the air of one. A social club is different, and it's where those in the know gather. The city of Ilien has five social clubs. One is owned by the Aglondiers. The rest are owned by El-Hadid. The one Social Club owned by the Aglondiers is used as a hub for Ilien's spy network.

I am going to assume that Galwain and Dalan have both managed to inveigle a way to attend the great hall this evening. Rogr, can you bring them into the private meeting I'm going to propose, perhaps as other regents interested in joining our anti-pirate fight?

After establishing himself in one of Rogr's guest suites, and a quick bite to eat, Niall ventures to the great hall...

The herald introduces him: "King Niall Swordwraith of Aerenwe"

Niall then addresses the court at large : Today, Ilien, we collaborated to fight the pirates plaguing our realms. Count Rogr and Lady Barad achieved a great victory, capturing 3 ships! Hail Rogr, the Victor!

The court at large: Hail ! Hail !

Niall : However, Count Rogr, our victory is not complete. We will continue our campaign against these pirates until their utter defeat! Let us consider our future strategy, although let Lady Barad, you, and I repair to a more private forum for such discussions. A grand strategy is best unveiled after it has been carried out!

The hails of the court are heard far and wide. Under normal circumstances, the count would have been pleased. But he knows that this whole affair is far from entirely taken care of and that the presence of both Diemed and Aerenwe will only make the politics of his fragile state more complicated still.

They retire to private quarters when they can speak at ease.

"I welcome you as neighbours in my home. As signatories of the Pact of Ilien, your nations have shown themselves to be the finest of friends and the best of allies. Your presence here is a blessing upon our fair nation."

He bows and invites them to sit at his table, which is covered with maps, scrolls, and tomes.

Pulling up a chair, King Niall sits. I will speak plainly Rogr, I have reservations about that pact that will need addressing, between you and I, later. But cooperation first: we all agree these pirates need to be shattered. To do so, we need to find their trans-shipment base and crush it. Plans need to be based on information, thus let us pool what we know about these pirates.

What has Lady Barad learned from her further interrogations of your captives? Rogr, what have your constables achieved with capturing and interrogating this Clovis?

The Lady Barad speaks up, "From my interrogations, we found that the pirates you speak of are based on the islands and are protected by the Sea Drake, after they hand over their treasures to him."

Which islands? Albiele, Caelcorwynn, Bhaergos? If my memory serves, Bhaergos is rumoured to be the Sea Drake's lair.

Did you get any information about the base itself?

After he is announced and formalities are gotten out of the way, Galwain goes to meet Rogr and Niall in the private room.

Galwain gives a slight bow to the two of them before he says, "Pirates you say? Now, I am more than willing to provide what help I can, but I have plans of my own that I wish to discuss. I am certain that we can come to some sort of arrangement."

"No news yet about Clovis," Aglondier answers with a polite smile, "but I will certainly say if and when my constables have him in custody. In the meantime, indeed, we should discuss the issue of the remaining pirates. If they are protected by the sea-drake, they may prove near-impossible to defeat. But it seems to me unlikely that they would have forged a veritable alliance with the creature. More likely, they are paying the sea-drake's price – as could we."

"Or we could wait for the pirates to strike anew," he continues.

Then, he turns to Galwain, "I assume that your assistance would come at some price, as is fair? What are these plans of your own to which you allude?"

Which islands? Albiele, Caelcorwynn, Bhaergos? If my memory serves, Bhaergos is rumoured to be the Sea Drake's lair.

Do the pirates have a pass-phrase or something else to indicate to the sea-drake that they have an arrangement?

Did you get any information about the base itself?

Lady Barad / EltonJ ???

Turning to Lord Galwain, King Niall questions, Indeed, I too would hear more of these plans of yours what price you want to aid us against these Pirates. I am afraid I was distracted while the herald announced you, what domain do you hold the regency of?

untrained take 10 on K(local) about the Seadrake's typical habits >>> 14 - Does he bother small fishing boats? IIRC, he generally doesn't because they have no tribute for his greed...

Sometimes a small band can serve where armies and warships cannot. When I hear tales of the Seadrake, I do not hear of him accosting small fishing vessels - they have no tribute for him. While a caravel or a galleon full of troops would be sunk, a small "fishing" smack, a crew of 8 or 10, might make a voyage in the vicinity of the island without bother, and drop off perhaps 8 of them. How bold are you my fellow regents? We have 2 mages, myself and Rogr. The four of us, myself, Rogr, Lady Barad and Galwain, and 1 reliable retainer apiece...

We would need to verify my recollections of the Seadrake's behaviour, and a legitimate fishing shoal in the area. We would need a plan to get ourselves back to the mainland, somehow calling the fishing boat back... Preferably a private signal, not a great smoke signal that might attract the Seadrake's attention. Any ideas?

King Niall Swordwraith wrote:

Which islands? Albiele, Caelcorwynn, Bhaergos? If my memory serves, Bhaergos is rumoured to be the Sea Drake's lair.

Do the pirates have a pass-phrase or something else to indicate to the sea-drake that they have an arrangement?

Did you get any information about the base itself?

Lady Barad / EltonJ ???

The Lady Barad speaks up, "Their base is on Caelcorwynn Island. Far from Bhaergos Island."

untrained take 10 on K(local) about the Seadrake's typical habits >>> 14 - Does he bother small fishing boats? IIRC, he generally doesn't because they have no tribute for his greed...

He doesn't bother small fishing boats. They have no treasure, but he's curious about them.

Thank you Elton, hopefully, Rogr and Galwain will weigh in. If they agree, then we can start properly planning.

Issues to plan for:
1) signaling once the job is done - how do we get picked up.
2) How to distract the seadrake if we are unlucky and our boat is inspected
3) Getting more info about
a) The pirates operations/base/etc
Get more from the captives? Does Rogr have a charm person in his repertoire?
b) Caelcorwynn Island
There anyone in Rogr's court who can give us a briefing?
4) What NPCs are we bringing and how many. I think the mission core is Niall, Rogr, Galwain, Lady Barad. Possible role additions : healer, traps&sneaking, frontline (we really only have 1 frontliner: Galwain). We will also need at least 2 or 3 people to sail the boat (remember they have to be able to sail away after dropping off the party). The upper limit on a believable small fishing boat crew is 10...

If all the planning and prep is going to take time, do we try more tracking on Tamle island (our last encounter) in the meantime? We could bring in a pack of hounds to do the tracking...(and/or we could finish sweeping the far side of the island; IIRC we didn't get there after the encounter with the pirate ships - we turned back to Ilien...)

"Well, I am the Baron of Diemed. The house of Avaldemour has recently come into that title, after all. Currently, I seek to form an alliance of the mightiest regents of the former territories of the Empire."

"Well, I am the Baron of Diemed. The house of Avaldemour has recently come into that title, after all. Currently, I seek to form an alliance of the mightiest regents of the former territories of the Empire."

My dear Baron of Diemed, if you are looking for the mightiest regents of Anuire, surely you should be speaking to Avanil, Boeruine and perhaps Ghoere. However, I believe we should work together on this pirate problem. Your trade passes through the Straits of Aerele, just as much as ours.

”Well, one must start somewhere, and I though I would start close to home with Ilien and Aerenwe. In any case, if helping with these pirates shall help to secure your allegiance I shall gladly assist.”

I will not commit to any alliance without much clearer goals, but we can help each other with our mutual pirate problem and see what comes.

So, should we dare assault the pirates base with only a small group?
Or do we need to find some way to neutralize the sea-drake and bring in a fleet?

"If the pirates have friends and allies on Caelcorwynn, then we must assume that they are many and well-organized," Aglondier thinks aloud. "If we move on such a target, then we must be prepared to engage in battle and, afterwards, to occupy the island."

"How many ships can you put to sea?" he asks both lords before him.

King Niall drums his fingers on the table and replies : I will not commit the full navy of Aerenwe to these pirates, but I could commit a pair of caravels and a galleon to a fleet action and to carry army units. Further, we could use the port of Calrie as a base for such an assault.

However, I would be loath to commit such an attack without the Sea-Drake having been neutralized. Ships have no defense against the beast attacking from underneath - they cannot even run from it, they are not fast enough. Getting half the navy sunk and half the army drowned would be a disaster."

Finally, I think you have leapt ahead of yourself in your reasoning. Do the pirates have friends and allies on Caelcorwynn, or simply a base.
The island is not known to be inhabited - it is no province, there is no recognized sovereignty.

The island isn't actually a province on the map. Is it uninhabited? Knowledge (regional) take 10 >>> 14

The island isn't actually a province on the map. Is it uninhabited? Knowledge (regional) take 10 >>> 14

As far as you know, it's uninhabited, but it can be a place where pirates might have a base.

"Dealing with the sea drake usually requires a gift of some worth, but perhaps the pirates have concluded some alliance with the creature, which may indeed make our passage more difficult," Aglondier ponders. "Perhaps we should gather more intelligence before we proceed?"

Would it be conceivable to Scry Province in Caelcorwynn?

"Another option would be to attempt to force their hand. If we eliminate their allies on the mainland, they may find themselves compelled to leave Caelcorwynn..."

Aye Rogr, The Sea Drake might be bribeable; but to take a chance with 40 GB or more worth of ships and units?!? What if he's the sort who stays bribed, and the pirates got to him first... Again, I'm not putting my Navy out there, against a monster they can't fight, without confidence the drake has been neutralized."

With regards to gathering intelligence, more information is generally better, but we could gather information forever, and not be certain. We do need to act. Also, what are you proposing, sending a small pathfinder team in a fishing boat?

Rogr, do you want to move the OOC tactics discussion to the discussion thread? You haven't replied to my OOC stuff above.

I am not so certain that we can identify and eliminate their allies on the mainland. But what are you proposing? I understand you believe they are cat's paws of this guilder, El-Hadid, but what of it? Raiding pirates require targets and a market to sell their loot, that's all. Our provinces and trade are the targets. Even if they are selling their loot in Anuire, there is nothing to stop them going to Khinasi. In fact, I suspect they already are dealing in Khinasi; where is slaving legal in Anuire? I can't say I see pirates abandoning their livelihood even if El-Hadid is gone!

Would it be conceivable to Scry Province in Caelcorwynn?

I don't see why not.

Rogr Aglondier of Ilien wrote:

Would it be conceivable to Scry Province in Caelcorwynn?

I don't see why not.

None of us know the realm spell... Could research but that would be next domain action at a minimum. This is supposed to be about tomorrow morning.

Aglondier knows the realm spell but, indeed, it would take time...

With Regards to the above OOC:
1) Signalling: We could leave a larger ship near the coast and use a lantern to signal our presence

2) Distracting the sea drake: I think the more likely solution is paying the creature's price for passage

3-a) Getting more information about the pirates: I believe that our captive is cooperative and could be a useful source of information, but we have to ask the right questions! As for Clovis... GM?
FYI: Aglondier does not have Charm Person in his books.

3-b) Information on Caelcorwynn Island:
Knowledge: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
I think here as well, the pirates are our best source...

4) The mission: the GM can decide if Lady Barad comes along or stays behind to handle the affairs in Ilien, which concerns her kingdom as well. Otherwise, I agree with the proposed list: a healer, a ranger, a few sailors, a few shieldmen...

As for Clovis... GM?

Clovis was captured by your intelligence network. As for Lady Barad, she's staying behind to look after her own realm.

[ooc]3-b) Information on Caelcorwynn Island:

[dice=Knowledge]1d20+4

It's a remote island that's a haven for pirates, smugglers, whores, and other undesirable people. It's like Tortuga in Pirates of the Caribbean. There is no law, no governor, nothing. The whole place could be razed. Caelcorwynn island is Chaotic Neutral in alignment, just pure chaos reigns there.

A trusted servant enters discreetly and makes his way to whisper a message in the count's ear. Aglondier nods and sends the man away.

"We have Clovis, the one who supposedly contracted the pirates to ambush me," Aglondier speaks plainly. "El-Hadid is probably putting a new plan into action as we speak, which begs the question: are the pirates presently our main priority? If El-Hadid secures his power in Ilien, then he will focus his attention on Diemed. And undoubtedly he has his own plans for Aerenwe. He must be stopped. I must have undeniable proof of his wrongdoings and machinations."

"I believe that the interrogation of this Clovis should not be delayed."

Ok, we have ID'ed 2 possible courses of action for the seadrake - bribery or sneaking... Each could fail - either he decides to investigate our anonymous fishing boat, or we can't meet his price when we get there (or he won’t take our money – what if their arrangement is a Charm Monster?)...

Well Algondier, we can agree to disagree on how to handle the Sea Drake for the moment. It is clear you do not want to venture to Caelcorwyn immediately, rather, you would gather more information. Very well, you have this Clovis and your pirate captives in hand for interrogation. Your staff and Lady Barad can handle that. Further, on the morrow, if you can provide a pack of hounds and a tracker, we could return to Tamle and follow any trails from the camp.

I’d like to actually get some XP from the domain adventure action we are in the middle of, so if we are not going to Caelcorwyn immediately, lets try and scare up some action on Tamle

With respect to the interrogations, there are many questions we want answered . Grabbing a piece of paper, Niall starts writing questions as he speaks:
How many pirates?
How many ships?
Who are they selling slaves and loot too?
Location of their base on the island of Caelcorwynn
What else do they know about Caelcorwynn Island? (Are there other inhabitants or dangerous wildlife). Have them draw a sketch map of the base, showing the defenses.
Typically, how many people at the base? How many captives can we expect? How many slavers?
Who are the major figures in the organization? Describe & characterize them.
Baron, Rogr can you think of any others to add to the list?

Further, if we are delaying our sortie to Caelcorwyn, we should engage the resources of our courts to research the sea drake and caelcorwyn itself – what might your court library have – perhaps a map of the isle?

If we agree on this, you and I can retire for a nightcap to discuss my concerns with the Pact of Ilien.

Tactical considerations

If you can scry the island, I think there is value in waiting for you to do the spell. If you use the last domain action of this turn to scry, we could venture to the pirate island on the first action of the next domain turn...

Signalling is a problem, because the island is a pirates nest (not to mention the seadrake is hanging about). If you have a larger vessel off the coast, I think you can expect it to be ”visited” - either the seadrake wanting more money, or the pirates looking for their own "business". Instead, we could bring a cage of pigeons to carry a message. Assuming we stage out of Calrie, it’s about a day’s sail to Caelcorwyn. We could get dropped off, and then send a pigeon with a coded message for a pickup

This of course, brings us back to the tactical issue of the seadrake. I lean towards sneaking in with a fishing boat, and as a backup plan we could carry some gems for bribe if caught. The problem with bribery as a starting point are a) how much (can we afford him), and b) will he take it, as he is already "on retainer" with the pirates (maybe it’s a charm spell or geas that’s binding him or he could be the type that stays bribed. Well, that plus me being cheap.

I’d like to actually get some XP from the domain adventure action we are in the middle of, so if we are not going to Caelcorwyn immediately, lets try and scare up some action on Tamle

You got 100 XP for finding the treasure and the pirate base on Tamle.

Ok, this post may be out of line in the timeline of the thread. I am assuming that at some point in the evening, Rogr and Niall take their nightcap together in private

Niall pours himself and Rogr brandys, and then sits. Leaning forward in the armchair, he speaks:

All right Rogr, let us discuss this Pact of Ilien of yours. Yes, you got the Queen Liliene to sign it. Yes, it declares Ilien a neutral free city.

High Mage Aelies’s concerns with this pact were not simply from rivalry with generations of Algondiers. What does this commit Aerenwe to? Defending your city if someone violates that neutrality? Consider our current situation, you say that the pirates that have been raiding my smallfolk are sponsored by this El-Hadid, who makes his headquarters in this neutral city. Is he protected from my wrath? Theoretically, the neutral city status of Ilien protects him… Thus you must assuage my concerns about this pact. And finally, of course, Aerenwe is my responsibility and ward, what benefit does this pact give Aerenwe? If there is no benefit, I would have to withdraw, as there are drawbacks…

Taking a sip of his brandy, he continues:

Finally, to be honest though, in her final year, provided you were willing to indulge her obsession with tennis, you could get her to sign anything… It speaks ill of you that you took such advantage of my great-niece in her mortal decline.

King Niall Swordwraith wrote:

I’d like to actually get some XP from the domain adventure action we are in the middle of, so if we are not going to Caelcorwyn immediately, lets try and scare up some action on Tamle

You got 100 XP for finding the treasure and the pirate base on Tamle.

Thank you, but my comment still stands. We have used maybe a week , or even 2, of a domain action, which is a month. If we are going to hold off going to Caelcorwyn to allow scrying and coming up with a plan to deal with the seadrake, we should still try to find something more to do. Back to Tamle seems a good possibility to me; especially as we didnt fully investigate the far side of Tamle:

"It speaks ill of you that you would accuse me thus, in my own home no less, of taking advantage of your queen who did not appear to me to be witless when I visited her in Aerenwe," Aglondier responds cooly. "And that you would renege on a pact that was so recently – and publicly – signed suggests that you have little respect for your predecessor's insight."

"Now, if we are done with the unpleasantries, perhaps we can discuss these matters without resorting to insults?"

He smiles, having made his point.

"I understand your misgivings. Indeed, until I can unequivocally prove that he is an enemy to the crown of Ilien, El-Hadid is an important citizen of Ilien and, as such, warrants the protection of the Plumes. This is why acquiring evidence and reducing his influence in my realm is my priority at present. Now, of course, you could decide to break the Pact of Ilien, but to what end?"

"Why make an enemy of a friend?"

"Instead, I invite you to see in this an opportunity. I have heard that Siele Ghoried is a good woman and a strong ally of your crown. Under the circumstances, I would be willing to invite the Spider River Traders to establish a trading post in my lands. This would weaken El Hadid, strengthen the bonds between our nations, and give sense to the Pact, would it not?"

I'm all for exploring the Tamle but I fear that it might prove a fool's errand now that we know that the pirates are operating from Caelcorwynn... Perhaps we can play a turn of domain actions to acquire information and weaken El Hadid before proceeding?

I'm all for doing a round of domain actions. Lets me decide what the Spider is up to, and Ghoere of course. And since Galwain is playing Diemed, I can also decide what Avanil is up to.

Rogr, we are in private here. I’m a blunt spoken man, but I’m not casting this in your face in front of your court to provoke a duel. Nonetheless, my niece was most definitely failing

Rogr, it's 551 MR, and the original pact of Ilien proposal was signed in 510, 40 years ago. Queen Liliene was alive in 510 (and was either Queen or about to become Queen)…She’s been not signing onto this pact for her entire adult lifespan. The Counts of Ilien have been trying to talk her into it for the last 40 YEARS. Now you roll a 5 on your diplomacy check and succeed? Her faculties were presumably failing her… Especially because said pact makes NO sense for Aerenwe (as I’m explaining below )

Rogr, the Pact of Ilien makes sense for all the states that trade on the Spider and the Adele. Ilien controls those 2 rivers, and can choke any trade along them. If they cannot hold the city themselves, then for each such state, it is best that Ilien is an acknowledged neutral, and thus not interfering with their trade.

Further, if some foreign power attacked Ilien, or one of their own seeking dominance, they would have to come to your defence anyways, or risk that power being able to choke their trade…Aerenwe, though does not trade along the Spider or the Adele, rather the along the Berendor which flows through Calrie and into the Gulf of Coeranys.

This pact commits Aerenwe to defending your neutrality against all comers for what benefit to Aerenwe? You don’t protect our trade.

Aerenwe has always been self reliant. Now we will have an entangling foreign alliance that gives us no benefit? This pact of yours, it doesn’t commit you to defending Aerenwe… Not to mention problems such as this rogue guilder of yours is causing.

Giving something for nothing, of course I’m contemplating withdrawing from your pact

Still, there is something that would be worth Aerenwe’s while. As with my late master, Aelies, I agree that the sources of the Erebannien should not be in human hands – particularly not hands foreign to Aerenwe. He was contemplating taking what small portion you hold… but then he had his accident. I could contest your sources, but perhaps there is another way, that is less destructive for both of us. Instead, I propose a trade, control of your sources in Aerenwe: Banien’s Deep (3), Northvale (1), Westmarch (3) and Shadowgreen (1) in return for my sources in Roesone: Bellam (2), Edlin (2), Fairfield (2) and Ghoried (2).

With regards to Siele Ghoried, I agree with you, she is a good woman, and she has traded fairly and well in Aerenwe. I will be encouraging her in her endeavours. But she is no servant of the crown of Aerenwe, if anything, her current loyalties are to Roesone. Still, were I you, I would invite her to Ilien anyways, it will weaken El-Hadid’s position. And if you do indeed find El-Hadid has been conspiring against you, you could do much worse than having her controlling the trading guilds in your lands

Tamle might well be a fool's errand, but we have another couple of weeks of adventure time before our next domain action (This is AR* 1.2, next is AR 1.3). So I figure may as well chase what we can for the next week or so, after which I am going to do some shopping in Ilien and then sail home to run my court in AR 1.3. If you don't want to come to Tamle, I'll borrow a tracking dog or two from your court or in town and go with my guard (and Galwain if he is interested).

I was assuming we were going to Caelcorwyn in AR 2 sometime, taking another adventure action, after you have used your scrying realm spell...

Eltonj, are you proposing we do AR 1.3 or AR 2?

*AR being Aerenwe Reckoning, introduced here : https://paizo.com/campaigns/RuinsOfEmpire/gameplay&page=11#517

I'd rather wait on Galwain's next post before doing a domain turn.

"Now, I am all for connections within the nobility, but if this Pact does not benefit you, why stay within it? I suppose I could give a more thorough explanation of the ideas I have in motion. I seek to form, at least for now, a local alliance between the lords of this region. Though a greater alliance of the Anuirean lords is to come, there are those that seek to restore Imperial power, myself included."

"Now, I am all for connections within the nobility, but if this Pact does not benefit you, why stay within it? I suppose I could give a more thorough explanation of the ideas I have in motion. I seek to form, at least for now, a local alliance between the lords of this region. Though a greater alliance of the Anuirean lords is to come, there are those that seek to restore Imperial power, myself included."

Baron Diemed, how did you get into this room? I thought Rogr and I were having a private conversation. I trust you will not take advantage of what you have overheard.

Nevermind. While you are here, do you have any questions that we should add to the list for the captured pirates?

list here, https://paizo.com/campaigns/RuinsOfEmpire/gameplay&page=12#581

Further, I think Rogr and I have agreed that we will travel to Caelcorwyn after he has scryed the island. We will take advantage of the time that this will take to research and collect information about the seadrake and Caelcorwyn itself, as well as administering our domains

Finally, is your blood up for hunting pirates? Tomorrow, will you join me on the Leaf on the Wind while we make a follow up visit to Tamle, to finish scouring the isle for pirates and any information they may give us... Rogr, of course that invitation to the scouring extends to you as well.

Ok, tomorrow morning I am going to return to Tamle with some tracking dogs, and see what I can find, if anything. Further, I will circumnavigate the island (it's like 15 X 5 miles - so less than a day trip), looking for more interesting activity. I figure that that and any adventure that results + a couple more days in Ilien (shopping) and my trip back to Calrie will fill the rest of the adventure action of AR 1.2.

Then we can proceed with AR1.3, the third domain action in the current turn. After that we start again with AR 2, with a plan to coordinate another adventure action to visit Caelcorwyn after Rogr's scrying

I am travelling for business and I'll be away next week as well, so I'll skip the Tamle, while enabling your mission as I can!

"I will consider your offer, which is more than fair," Aglondier answers. "In the meantime, you are my guests."

Well, I am out until the 22nd myself

I am back

With Rogr's approval and support, I will ask his chamberlain to arrange the loan of a Golden Plume Tracking team ( Golden Plume Guide + tracking dog(s) ) for tomorrow morning.

With the dawn, the Leaf on the Wind will sail for Tamle and the pirate camp. I will bring my unit of marines, my bodyguard, the tracking team, and any of Galwain's lot who want to come. When we get there (?9 am?), myself, my bodyguard and the tracking team (and also any of Galwain's who are interested ) will disembark, and search the site for tracks again.

Survival Rolls for Tracking
Golden Plume Guide 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Ranger Scout 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Dogs ( https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/canines/dog/dog/ ) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

For Elton's convenience, most of the tracking rules are here, https://www.d20pfsrd.com/skills/survival/

I am going to have to have my Ranger brush up on his tracking skills, that is a 1 and a 2 on consecutive tracking rolls... Thanks for the loaners, Rogr

The dogs are on the trail of something, even though your ranger is having a hard time to track. Perhaps take ten?

King Niall will have a quick confab with the Guide and the Ranger, about how old the tracks are and what they are from.

Survival Rolls
Golden Plume Guide 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Ranger (take 10) ⇒ 10+6 = 16

You find that they lead up to a ruin.