She takes the map and nods back at him, "And you" She turns to her new found companions, "Well, should we be off then...or were any of you needing a few minutes to do stuff before we go?"
"I have everything I require. Whenever we are ready.
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"As am I" Tosom responds.
"I am ready as well. The soone we find this scourge the better." Vishanti says quietly.
"There's a hunting trail that will lead you to the keep," the youngest man says. "Most main trails have long since been reclaimed by the land."
You find the hunting trail fairly easily as it is well-used. The ground is a bit soft beneath your feet, the rain doing a good job of keeping things damp. After about an hour of walking, you stumble across an empty campsite just off the trail.
Tosom draws his scimitar and dons his shield wary of anything being "empty". He quickly scans the area before entering and investigating.
Derika will look around as well.
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Derika expertly determines that the campsite had been last used two days ago. She spies a set of two tracks leading in the direction of the keep.
Looking at the others she says, "They were here two days ago and went in the direction of the keep. There were two of them."
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The trail continues for another 30 minutes until you come to a wider path leading up a small hill. You can see a stone structure about a mile away.
She looks at the structure then back at the rest of them, "So...should we assume they have lookouts?" She tries to get a little closer without putting herself out into the open too much and looks to see if there are any sentries stationed around the area.
"Bandits are likely to." Vishanti replies
Derika sees nothing moving as she nears the keep. She can tell that the structure is incomplete as it lacks a gatehouse, allowing easy access into the courtyard. The half-orc does not see any guards or lookouts on the watchtower.
She motions for the others to join her at her position. Talking quietly she says, "Okay....I don't see anyone, but that doesn't mean that no one's around. We'll be careful in our approach and keep an eye out for bandits or whatever else may be lurking nearby. Let's move out."
Getting up from her spot, she moves towards the opening while keeping an eye out around the area for trouble.
Entering the courtyard, you see heaps charred and moss-cover wood that must have been several buildings. Many tracks crisscross in the courtyard, leading to the watchtower, the donjon and the main gate. The donjon is a two-story building, though by the lack of crenelations and blocks of stone piled on the roof, you can tell it is unfinished.
A well-fitting iron-bound door sits at the base of the watchtower. You can see that its wood is pitted and scorched. It is firmly shut. Looking to the donjon, a set of steps leads up to a wide doorway. Stout iron‐bound doors once warded access, but now one hangs crazily off one hinge while the other lies upon the steps.
"So our first task would be to remove that door." Vishanti says, studying the area.
"Doesn't look like it would be very hard from the shape it's in."
"Then allow me to do the honors." Tosom says approaching the door, he plants his left foot and raises the other in attempt to kick it down.
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Tosom manages to hurt his foot against the door.
"Ow"
Both Tosom and Vishtani hear muffled voices from behind the door. They also spy many tracks in front of the watchtower.
"We have company beyond the door." Vishanti says quietly.
Derika looks at the tracks to try and determine what made them and possibly how much 'company' they might be dealing with.
Derika can tell that most of the tracks lead from the watchtower toward the gate that leads back into the wilderness, while only a few older ones head to the donjon.
After looking around for a bit she goes back to the others, speaking quietly she says, "Most of these tracks seem to go from the watchtower back out into the forest. There are a few older ones that lead to the donjon. Since we have no idea how many are inside, we may have to do this the old fashioned way and try talking to them first."
"I thought the old fashion way was to kick harder." Tosom responds. "But very well if you want to talk to them you can."
Taking in the appearance of the battered door she looks at him while pointing at it, "I'm pretty sure that's why it looks the way it does. The wood is reinforced by iron, there's no way we would break through it. You'd come closer to breakin your foot first."
She takes a deep breath and steps up to the door and knocks.
"'o's there?" a voice calls from behind the door.
"We are new to this area and have some questions. May we have some of your time?" Tanna asks diplomatically.
Trying her best to sound non threatening, Derika speaks up.
"Yeah, we just need to talk."
"We 'ave no business with you. We'll cut you some slack and let you go on your way," the voice replies.
Feeling a little less diplomatic now she says, "Well if you lot are the ones that have been making trouble for the town, then yeah...I think we do have some business with you."
"Haw," the voice blurts out. "We'll let the goblins deal with ya. If'n you manage to deal with them, we might talk."
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"You are in league with those that despil this area? Then we will deal with you in the same manner as we will deal with them."Vishanti says, her eyes flashing in anger.
Feeling rather impatient now she starts tapping her foot on the ground, "And just where would these goblins be? In the main keep perhaps?"
She shakes her head and lets out a guffaw of laughter, "I doubt they're in league with them...don't sound smart enough to be in league with anyone really. Just sound like some scared rabbits to me."
"Yeah, go traipsing in yon donjon and you'll find them," the voice says.
"Fine! The four of us will go deal with them while you girls wait in hiding." She huffs out a breath as wicked looking claws extend from her hand. She stretches, cracks her neck a bit and then retracts the claws. Turning she storms off for what looked to be at one time the main building of the keep while muttering to herself.
Vishanti stalks after Derika making a protective sign with her hands as they go in seek of the goblins.
You leave the watchtower behind for now. Beyond the ruined doors of the donjon lies a disused, leaf‐strewn chamber. Three doors lead from the chamber; one seems to access a corridor leading deeper into the donjon, while darkness shrouds what lies beyond the others. The illumination in this room is dim, faint light settling on the flagstone floor. You see graffiti on the walls, seemingly done by bored guards. The writing is of no import, rather just details of the sexual proclivities of people long gone.
Tanna opens one of the doors and peers inside.
If nothing hostile is inside she will take a couple steps in and look around.
Even though she can see alright in the minimal lighting, she takes out a torch and lights it.
"Maybe we should check and see where those other doors go, before we head too deep into it? I want to thoroughly go through this place."
This small chamber is mostly empty. Two sagging and rotting beds stand against one wall. A pile of rotting wood and other detritus has been piled up on and under the beds.
Seeing no danger, Tanna enters the room, only to find three dire rats crawling out from under the ruined beds.
Initiative:
The rats quickly move up to the oracle and attack.
; ;
Round 1: Rats, Derika, Tanna, Vishtani, Tosom