Raggnor is able to spot three guards at the gate well before the guards would be able to see your group in the distance. They are armed with swords and crossbows.
I could cast ghost sounds or make a simple illusion to lour them away, but they might would come back quickly. I don't really wanna have to kill men who might be forced to work for the withces.
"Or we could just be knockin' em down and stormin' the Gate." Henyan says still in the saddle but doing his best to stay out of sight. "I could be riddin' up and see if they will be talkin' ta me?"
The Raven on Donovan's shoulder smacks him on the temple with it's beak. The boys vision swims a little and his eyes take on the look of crows eyes.
The guards are in front of the gate; you will need to either fool them or defeat them to enter. To get within 60 feet of them for detect evil without being seen will require a stealth check.
"I don't like the idea of hurting someone just because they are working for a witch, Maybe we can get them to follow Henyan into a trap, then subdue them."
I'll give it my best shot
Once everyone takes cover Horvan will use Ghost Sound to create the sound of clashing metal and then running footsteps that lead away from the guards and away from us
The guards step away from the gate to investigate the noise, looking around warily as they do so.
None of them notice you as they pass by, giving you a chance to sneak past them into the courtyard:
A massive ice sculpture of a dragon dominates this open courtyard, standing with raised wings upon a dais of solid ice. Seven squat shacks sit along the inner wall, with several dogsleds stored outside. Between them, four ice chutes descend from the battlements of the outer wall. To the west, large double doors studded with icicles lead inside the Pale Tower itself, just beneath an overhang of sharp icicles dangling from above.
"How do I be gettin' me pony up there if we don't be goin' through the front door? Once over we could close it off aye I agree with that" Henyan says not looking forward to this climb
A loud, deep yawn reverberates through the courtyard, as something stirs near the squat shacks along the inner wall. A female ice troll slowly stands up to her full height and looks around the courtyard.
"You don't look like guards..." she says, licking her lips hungrily. "That means you're edible."
"You will find us a hard meal creature, Stand aside!"
"Aye ye large stupid troll, ye step aside 'efore I put me axe in your head." Henyan says to the large troll.
"Bordegga isn't afraid of a meal that fights back!" the troll says, licking her lips. Despite her bravado, however, she approaches you a bit more cautiously, particularly Donovan.
Initiative Order:
Donovan
Horvan
Bordegga
Henyan
Raggnor
Donovan moves forward, flail spinning in his hands, as he does he feels the welling of rightious might as he moves to the troll.
Horan concentrates on his weapon, imbuing it with magical energy from his bond with it and begins to advance on the troll. You will find us quite distasteful. I recommend you stand down,
Donovan's flail smashes against the troll with a mighty thwack. She shakes her head casually and you can see the purple bruise on her flesh slowly begin to fade. Turning to Horvan, she winks and replies "I'll stand down when my belly is full."
Bordegga smiles and raises her axe and swings for Donovan's head:
Her swing is weak, however, and Donovan easily moves to the side, ready to press the attack!
Horvay maneuvers into a flank and attacks with his now enchanted weapon, but mostly only manages a distraction.
Henyan having to leave his lance on his pony outside the gate, draws his spear as he moves towards the troll to attack.
"Aye ye ugly troll ye will be killed here." Henyan says
Henyan recognizes this as an Ice Troll. Their regeneration can only be stopped by acid and fire. The combined attacks of Donovan, Henyan, and Raggnor are already causing terrible wounds to the creature, but without acid or fire those wounds will slowly regenerate.
Donovan slides around the troll into a flanking position and swings again.
Before the troll can swing again, Donovan's flail brings her down and she falls to the ground with a crash....then, almost as suddenly, she groggily opens her eyes, angrily swinging from the ground at Donovan:
"We will be keepin' it down, ye burn it Raggnor." Henyan calls out.
Working quickly, you manage to keep the troll down long enough to set it on fire, but not quickly enough to avoid the soldiers returning from your distraction. They draw their weapons and step forward.
"Halt! What are you doing here?!"
'Grub, he never did know when we where well caught.'
Donovan steps into view from around Grub, he lets the ball of his flail drop letting the ominous thunk of the links ring out.
"What we are doing is putting an end to the troll here, maybe you two didn't get back yet. It would be lucky for the both of you if we where gone before you made it back to your post.
Unfortunatly Donovans voice breaks at just the wrong time.
Horvan tries to explain. We have business in the tower. If you get in our way we will have to fight. We would rather not hurt you. He raises his sword and shield into a ready position but looks sad about it.
"You lot have done enough 'business' today. This is where you die." says the lead guard. His face is grim.
ROUND ONE ORDER
Henyan
Donovan
Raggnor
Horvan
Guards
Henyan sets his spear and readies for the men to come at them.
"ye can leave or ye can bleed." Henyan tells them
Donovan looks at the guards and his friends to the side, it seems like Henyan wants to fight where they stand.
Taking the fight to the enemy Horvan attacks. You were given a choice. The witches you serve are evil.
Raggnor's charge drops the first guard, followed by Horvan taking down a second with a brutal swing of his longsword, decapitating the man. The last guard, who moved forward towards Donovan and Henyan, blocks the dwarf's spear but falls victim to Donovan's flail, which strikes him in the flank. Gritting his teeth, the guard attacks Donovan in return:
Henyan seeing the man avoid his blow holds his next blow and counters with words. "Ye are out numbered and yer fellows be dead. Ye should run now and run far."
Donovan hopes to use Henyan's threat as a distraction, he attempts to lash out at the guards sword wrapping the chain around the blade and wrenching the weapon from the man's hand.
Horvan moves towards the man, weapon ready and asks Are you under the witch's spell and unable to stand down? These evil women are not worthy of your loyalty.
Donovan crosses swords with the last remaining guard, taking a moderately serious cut to his arm while disarming the man seconds before Raggnor tackles him to the ground. The man looks up at the group, his face a picture of disbelief.
"What do you hope to accomplish here? Radosek will kill you if you even manage to make it that far, and there is nowhere in Irrisen you can hide from the power of the Winter Witches!"
Donovan looks down at the man, as he does he reaches up to the cut on his arm his eyes glow with holy light and the would closes.
"We have no intention of hiding"
"If you run fast, for as long as you are able, you may be able to hide from us."
"Aye we plan ta put an end ta them fer sure. Tell us who be in the tower first erfore ye leave" Henyan lowers his spear.
The guard backs away and flees from the tower, leaving his cold-iron longsword behind. For the time being, you are alone in the courtyard. Some of the kennels appear to be empty, and the ice chutes lead up to a balcony that surrounds the courtyard. Climbing the chutes might be difficult, but it is certainly possible. Otherwise, there are two big doors that lead into the tower, with sharp icicles hanging above them.