"The price is fine. After all, they probably have more stored in their base than any sane man would offer us for this job."
"Oh, and one more thing regarding their base. You see, we're still new at this business and haven't set up a proper headquarters. If we do manage to clear Storm Tor out, what would you say to a less-psychopathic band of adventurers setting up shop there?"
"I'd be grateful. Apart from anything else, if they did decide to return, you'd be there to offer a suitable welcome."
Urlag shrugs. "We'll do what we have to."
"Good. That'll be our incentive, then." Andrus says as he looks at his two friends. "Let's round up the others and head out there." He turns back to Lord Padraig. "Anywhere in town we can rent a horse and wagon?"
After Kel finishs his ale he's going to wander over to Varthon's tower.
"I'm gonna go see what the resident egghead has heard."
@ Padraig's group:
"I'll lend you a horse and wagon. Call it a token of good faith."
@ Kel (and Tenja and Kitherra if they're going with him)
Valthrun's Tower looks, as usual as if it would like to fall down, but can't summon the energy. The mage himself greets Tenja warmly, looks with open curiosity at Kitherra and waggles an eyebrow at Kel.
"Kel. What delightful surprises do you have up your sleeves this time?" He opens the door far enough to let them in. "You've heard about our spot of Stormcrow bother by now, I'm sure. Adeliza will have told you."
"Yup she filled us in about em. We're gonna go up up to the old tor to check things out in a bit."
"Adeliza mentioned something about a litch the stormcrows took care of before moving into the tor themselves."
"I was wondering if you might have some insights about both?"
"I have wondered myself. Agera and Illugi were always arrogant you know, but they weren't bad people. Not, perhaps the most harmonious relationship among their team, but they managed to work together and did a great deal of good. Greedy, of course. It did just occur to me that they might have found something in the lich's hoard."
Valthrun waffles gently.
"A good idea to check the Storm Tor. Even if the Stormcrows have gone, doubtless something else will have moved in. Scavagers and so on. I can't tell you much about the lich the Stormcrows removed - they went rogue not long after. Interesting, don't you think?"
Tenja teeters out after Kel.
"What history do you know about the tor?"
"A natural feature converted to a watchpost by the old empire. It's been used occasionally when there's been the need, but it's not strategically important. It doesn't crop up as a storehouse of hidden treasure, for example. No famous last stands that I know of, but of course, it could hold secrets."
Andrus goes to where Padraig tells him and gets the horse and wagon set up and stows his gear in the front. He introduces himself to the horse, petting and soothingly talking to it. Then he drives the wagon to the Rampart to pick up the others. "Hey guys, let's get moving! Adventure awaits!" He cheerfully calls to his companions.
Tenja finally catches up to Kel and gives his greatings to the Valthrun. "Durn elf, you have to remember I have short legs."
Valthrun, never averse to the sound of his own voice, briefly recaps the information he gave Kel.
From around the corner, Andrus and the others arrive, triumphantly driving a farm cart.
"Hail Andrus, where in the world did you scrounge up that cart. Will your luck ever give out?"
"Hey good timing guys, just finished up."
"On to AVENTURE!".
Your conveyance isn't elegant and it isn't fast, but it gets you within reach of the old Storm Tor on the morning of your third day of travel.
The weathered pile is roofless, battered and hollow, but structurally sound enough. Picking your way through the leafy mess covering the ground, you easily find a rotting wooden trapdoor. Through it you can see a circular stone stairway leading down.
EDIT: The stairwell is wide enough for two people to descend side by side.
"Hail Andrus, where in the world did you scrounge up that cart. Will your luck ever give out?"
"The Lady provides." Andrus answers Tenja with a smile. "Or in any case, Lord Padraig lent it to us. It ain't much, but its better than walking. If we ever get a big payday, I think I use my share to buy one of these for us." He thinks for a moment. "Or maybe some horses. Let's get going. We're burning daylight."
Andrus speaks up. "We'll take the standard two by two order. Dwarves up front, rangers in back. Let's go."
It is very dark in the stairwell and you will need a light source. Those of you with low-light vision can see however.
At the bottom of the stairs, a twenty foot wide corridor opens in front of you, leading to two broken iron doors. Just in front of it stands a rough barricade.
Dirt and black feathers litter the floor and you hear faint rustling and a pathetic child's voice, calls out to you.
"I'm stuck! Please help me!"
Kitherra isn't sure that a child would be down here, but just in case she advances cautiously.
Urlag maintains the rear guard for the moment.
It sounds like a child to Kitherra, and as she gets closer, she can see two cloaked figures lurking behind the barricade.
Urlag is not deceived. The voices sound a little too raucous to him. As if sensing that they've been rumbled, crowlike being pop up from behind the barricade, hurl javelins at Kitherra and move into the next room.