[Non-PFS] [3PP Class Only] Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands (Inactive)

Game Master djpika

Kurian wrote:

Kurian is content to let the more...talkative members of the group glean local information. He declines the drink and looks about furtively, checking the clientele.

Almost all the villagers wear homemade rough wool or linen clothes. Men wear coarse tunics and long stockings as well as thick sheepskin cloaks. Women tend to wear long dresses and stockings. Most clothes are of brown hue or other drab color such as ochre, sienna or gray. Everyone wears wooden clogs or shoes made of thick leather.

Standing out from the rest is a corpulent man wearing a wine‐stained jerkin that stretches over his immense belly. A goatee frames his mouth and thick, lank red hair tumbles over his shoulders.

Kurian wrote:

”Folks. The...ah...rotund, messy fellow. Perhaps one if the she-devil’s lackeys out for a pint?”

Xephkiel's brow furrows. "Let me check. The bar looks suitable full."

"I would rather assume that is likely the mayor or the local merchant. Position of power invites excess.

Andru sipped his drink and said Someone in town is on the payroll of the Bandits. Thats normally how it works. Keeping them informed as to the comings and goings. So look for someone watching us...maybe?

Furtively glancing about to see what the townsfolk are all wearing and mentally comparing that to what everyone in the party has or is wearing, Chigao quietly notes, "Given that we do standout a bit as obvious travelers, I wonder if word's already spread throughout town about our arrival here.". When Kurian quietly informs the party about the rotund, red-haired man, the petite Kunoichi lass leans in close to the rest of the party and says in a much lower voice, "There was mention of a heavy drinking guard named Jory- that could be him if he isn't actually the Mayor or a spy..."

"Are there any supplies we might think we need?" Braggi answers. With a mouth on his mouth to prevent overhearing, he adds "Maybe we should leave the situation here for later - if a she-devil is involved, the root of the problem might be deeper than it seems. And this merchant has all the tickets for the raffle of 'being guilty'."

Xephkiel looks over to Braggi and nods, eyes wide in comprehension. "I think we can improvise with the gear we already have."

At first Chigao wondered why Braggi would be so reluctant to get further supplies (even if at an inflated price) but as the surprisingly versatile Ulfen quietly outlines his reasoning to everyone, the Young Ninja Waiyo is left with her mouth slightly hanging open in bewilderment- which she deftly uses the brim of her Old Man cup to help cover up her astonishment, while understanding starts to set in (at almost around the same time as the hulking-sized Astral Deva comprehending what Braggi was suggesting). Such an insightful observation! As my master would say, Braggi is clearly a forward-thinking, climb-out-of-the box-from-under-the-bridge type of person.

Using the same lowered tone of voice that Braggi used to inform his compatriots about his suspicions, Chigao adds in with, "As much as your warning has reminded me of a parable that my master had once told me, Braggi, we may have to see what this Tryfena looks like at some point- especially if she is as suspicious as you say she is."

Kurian wrote:

”Folks. The...ah...rotund, messy fellow. Perhaps one if the she-devil’s lackeys out for a pint?”

Xephkiel's brow furrows. "Let me check. The bar looks suitable full."

The astral deva casts detect evil , concentrating near his person, out to the wine-stained newcomer.

Xeph does not detect any evil coming from the corpulent man or the general vicinity.

Xephkiel isn't being stealthy about it. He sees it as his divine right to root out evil. I'll leave it for the DM is he wishes to make some visual cue, like glowing eyes, whatever.

RAW, it's a spell-like ability that requires V, S, and DF. In this case I think it can be done discreetly enough. Once cast, the visual cue would be mainly fluff.

Here is a pic for the wine-stained guest. I spent too much time searching for one, so I'll have to process the rest of the posts later.

The astral deva turns to Kurian and any other surrounding party members. "There is no taint of evil by any here in the bar", Xephkiel spoke solemnly. "Judging from the man's attire, he may be one of the faith", Xephkiel nods over at the corpulent man. The big man flags down the barkeep and orders two flasks of wine -4 sp and walks over to the man in question and sets down a flask in front of the corpulent man. "Do mine eyes deceive me, or am I in the presence of a fellow caydenite?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

"Up the hill? No. Melor's home is the most ostentatious in town, next to the church. Have fun with that. As for Beryan, I'm sure she'll pop in eventually. She likes to make sure no one gets too foolhardy with their drink." As Bleja moves closer for the conversation, Chigao is overwhelmed with the heavy-handed application of lavender perfume.

Given that the party eventually spends the 4 hours at the tavern, Beryan will be there now.

"Well, the Wolf's Head is a tavern. If you look over there, by the bearskin rug, there's a sign with pricing."

Lodgings Common room 5 cp/night
Simple room 2 sp/night
Superior room 5 sp/night
Stabling 1 sp/night
Private dining room 5 sp/meal

While Chigao is overwhelmed with the cloying scent of lavender perfume, the Young Kunoichi lass tries to hold as steady as she can and not give into the urge to move away from Bleja. It helps only slightly when Chigao turns from her waist to look over towards the sign with all the room pricings written on it. Should I even ask where she got that perfume from? Should I make a bluff roll to seem unaffected by Bleja's perfume?

"I will have to confer with my colleagues about getting lodgings for the night, thank you...Madame...?", Chigao says, as she ponders about other things to inquire about. "When the Bailiff does show up, perhaps you might introduce us to her? We may need to visit by the church once we've spoken with the Reeve."

Chigao will attempt to get directions to the church and the Reeve's fancy house from Bleja.

if bluff is needed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Finding that taking small sips from her Old Man drink helps tremendously with ignoring the overwhelming scent of lavender, the Young Ninja Waiyo decides to inquire about Bleja's perfume, "That scent of yours, Lavender- is it? Was it purchased from Tryfena's?"

The astral deva turns to Kurian and any other surrounding party members. "There is no taint of evil by any here in the bar", Xephkiel spoke solemnly. "Judging from the man's attire, he may be one of the faith", Xephkiel nods over at the corpulent man. The big man flags down the barkeep and orders two flasks of wine and walks over to the man in question and sets down a flask in front of the corpulent man. "Do mine eyes deceive me, or am I in the presence of a fellow caydenite?"

As Xephkiel goes over to greet the corpulent, wine-stained man in his own Caydenite way (and to take measure of him, metaphorically speaking), if Bleja alerts the party to the Bailiff's arrival at the Tavern, Chigao will mention in a lowered voice to any remaining party members, "Do any of you think that this Bailiff, Beryan, will know of any bounties being offered for the bandits?"

Chigao will most likely go to greet the Bailiff due to Bleja's introduction, who else wants to go see her?

PS. I'm parsing that Chigao's initial conversation with Bleja takes place before the corpulent man's arrival/Braggi's suspicion of Tryfena, if anyone is confused about the flow of conversation.

The astral deva turns to Kurian and any other surrounding party members. "There is no taint of evil by any here in the bar", Xephkiel spoke solemnly. "Judging from the man's attire, he may be one of the faith", Xephkiel nods over at the corpulent man. The big man flags down the barkeep and orders two flasks of wine -4 sp and walks over to the man in question and sets down a flask in front of the corpulent man. "Do mine eyes deceive me, or am I in the presence of a fellow caydenite?"

"My friend, it sounds like you've been drinking longer than I have today, because you are mistaken. I guess I should do my part and make sure you don't over-indulge further," he says as he reaches for one of the flasks and fills his cup. Pausing to swirl the glass, he gives a quick sniff before taking a sip. "I haven't seen you around here, though. This is a small town, after all. So what brings you so far west?" he asks.

He looked around the bar.

Andru picks up various fragments of conversation:

"Those guys? Don't tell anyone, but they're here to see Melor... I know, right? I wonder what business they have with him."

"Howel was giving Cadan and Rosen a hard time again... I swear that boy needs a stronger hand to knock some sense into him."

"When do you plan to work the mines? If the harvest wasn't so late this year, I'd do it sooner... but I'm afraid I'll have to do it and risk the snow."

"Mellyn said the goblins aren't as numerous as they
once were, but they still pose a threat. Thankfully they hate the orcs just as much, which seems to keep them busy. Still, I wouldn't go that far into the woods."

Should I even ask where she got that perfume from? Should I make a bluff roll to seem unaffected by Bleja's perfume?

...
"That scent of yours, Lavender- is it? Was it purchased from Tryfena's?"

Bleja seems oblivious to any discomfort Chigao experiences from the perfume. "No, I made it myself from the herb garden we have. Do you like it? The trick is having a strong alcohol to distill the oils in. even better, you can drink any you don't use!" she excites wildly.

"When the Bailiff does show up, perhaps you might introduce us to her? We may need to visit by the church once we've spoken with the Reeve."

"Sure thing hon, I'll do what I can... The church is right outside the tavern. It's that old stone building(5)."

"My friend, it sounds like you've been drinking longer than I have today, because you are mistaken. I guess I should do my part and make sure you don't over-indulge further," he says as he reaches for one of the flasks and fills his cup. Pausing to swirl the glass, he gives a quick sniff before taking a sip. "I haven't seen you around here, though. This is a small town, after all. So what brings you so far west?" he asks.

"I'm up from Swallowfield", Xephkiel explains, taking a seat next to the corpulent man. "I'm part of a survey team. Names Xephkiel." The big man starts drinking from his flask.

Trying to power through her discomfiture, the Young Kunoichi lass finds herself a bit at a loss for words as she tries to parse through that little tidbit that was eagerly given by Bleja. A home made perfume that one could also use as a drink!?

Giving a wan but pleasant smile, Chigao could only reply with, "Being able to brew your own scented oils... that's quite the talent... you have there; one of our members is also adept at creating... concoctions himself- I'll have to let him know.", as she glances over to the rest of the party.

Bowing deeply to Bleja, the Ninja Waiyo adds in, "Much thanks to you, madame, for your informative help about where to find the Reeve and the Church- I will certainly let my colleagues know."

As she saunters back to reconvene with the others, Chigao has this sudden unwanted thought upon the likely nature of the Old Man special as she finds herself suspiciously eyeing the remaining contents of her Old Man drink still within her cup... half wondering if perhaps any leftover lavender scented oils had gone into the makings of her brew.

Chigao will inform the others of what she's learned.

Xeph engages in conversation with the big guy, Chigao with some kind of lady... Andru is clearly watching out for possible gossip... Braggi can determine his companions work well in social environments. It's nice to know that you can delegate.

Thinking about Chigao's words, he finally accepts that they're probably going to visit Tryfena. Wondering if he really needs something, he mentally counts his money while taking a sip and having a look around just for checking.

Andru pulls out a journal and writes down..

.Melor, someone of importance that people are here to see.

Howell younger guy giving Caldwell and Rosen difficulties.

Farmers forced to work mines as well.

Orcs and goblins at odds. Goblins losing. Beware forest depths

Zupon lurks around Andru as well as trying to listen in on as many people at once.
"Hm,this has gotten complicated. I was thinking it would be a simple monster keep situation; but its looking like its expanded considerably."

Rising up briefly to talk to the Tavern Keep when a moment presents itself, Zupon asks as simple question, "Seems quite busy, lot of travellers lately it seems like?"

"I'm up from Swallowfield", Xephkiel explains, taking a seat next to the corpulent man. "I'm part of a survey team. Names Xephkiel." The big man starts drinking from his flask.

[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 6

"Up from Swallowfeld? So you're a local then? And what are you surveying today other than these fine wines? Find one to your liking? The Nebbiolo has a wonderful bouquet if you haven't tried it yet... a hidden gem for a place like this. "

Rising up briefly to talk to the Tavern Keep when a moment presents itself, Zupon asks as simple question, "Seems quite busy, lot of travellers lately it seems like?"

Maban take a quick look around before answering, "No, I don't think so. Other than your table, it looks like the rest are locals. It does get busier later in the week."

As a local, HAS Xephkiel tried Nebbiolo before?

As a local, HAS Xephkiel tried Nebbiolo before?

Xeph was local to Olfden, right? Nebbiolo is a type of wine, like Cabernet or Pinot... so there could be several vineyards with various vintages... in this case, it would just be a reference to the one at the tavern.

Xephkiel wrote:

As a local, HAS Xephkiel tried Nebbiolo before?

Xeph was local to Olfden, right? Nebbiolo is a type of wine, like Cabernet or Pinot... so there could be several vineyards with various vintages... in this case, it would just be a reference to the one at the tavern.

Mebbe Nebbiolo could be something that Xeph has served to customers before at the Silver Bulette? Prolly could also roll some sorta percentage dice to see if Xeph had drank some before too, if there's still some uncertainty about it.

Thinking about Chigao's words, he finally accepts that they're probably going to visit Tryfena. Wondering if he really needs something, he mentally counts his money while taking a sip and having a look around just for checking.

Andru pulls out a journal and writes down..

Zupon lurks around Andru as well as trying to listen in on as many people at once.

"Hm,this has gotten complicated. I was thinking it would be a simple monster keep situation; but its looking like its expanded considerably."

Rising up briefly to talk to the Tavern Keep when a moment presents itself,

As Andru is busily jotting down something in his journal while Zupon goes up to have a few words with Tavernkeep Maban, Chigao glances over to both of the remaining members of the party, Braggi and Kurian; the Ulfen man seems deep in thought over something while the Kellid lad is protectively acting as an impromptu human barrier (sans any drinks) between the group and the private chatter going on between the enormously overweight red-haired stranger and the gregarious Caydenite Xephkiel.

As Andru is busily jotting down something in his journal while Zupon goes up to have a few words with Tavernkeep Maban, Chigao glances over to both of the remaining members of the party, Braggi and Kurian; the Ulfen man seems deep in thought over something while the Kellid lad is protectively acting as an impromptu human barrier (sans any drinks) between the group and the private chatter going on between the enormously overweight red-haired stranger and the gregarious Caydenite Xephkiel.

Noting that Braggi seemed a bit more somber in his thoughts, the Young Kunoichi lass, remembering about the Ulfen's expressed misgivings towards Tryfena, tries to mollify Braggi's concerns in a lowered and much more reassuring tone of voice, "Of course, we wouldn't have to go seeking Tryfena out right away... perhaps we could leave that part of our reconnaissance for another day; Still, that was some very forward thinking on your part, Braggi- enough to climb out of the box with."

Then, in an attempt to change the subject, lest anybody nearby would get too suspicious about the party, Chigao looks over to Kurian (if he's looming nearby) and asks the young Kellid Direlock, "I've noticed that you didn't want any of your Old Man drink that was offered earlier- are you... uncomfortable with having alcohol?", in a more gentle tone of voice.

"Up from Swallowfeld? So you're a local then? And what are you surveying today other than these fine wines? Find one to your liking? The Nebbiolo has a wonderful bouquet if you haven't tried it yet... a hidden gem for a place like this. "

"I heard of it, to be sure, but I haven't tried it yet," Xephkiel responded with wide-eyed recognition. "My crew and I have been tasked to survey Ironwolf Tower. From what we've heard, it won't be easy."

"Of course, we wouldn't have to go seeking Tryfena out right away... perhaps we could leave that part of our reconnaissance for another day; Still, that was some very forward thinking on your part, Braggi- enough to climb out of the box with."

Braggi sips again from his Old Man. "Oh, I was just thinking whether there was something I needed, as an excuse to go to the shop. And also having a general look around in case I see strange movements." He clashes his glass with Chigao's and laughs.

"I heard of it, to be sure, but I haven't tried it yet," Xephkiel responded with wide-eyed recognition. "My crew and I have been tasked to survey Ironwolf Tower. From what we've heard, it won't be easy."

Jory looks a little surprised, "A shame that we will have to remedy." Looking around the room for the nearest staff member, he sees a younger girl with umber colored hair in a pixie cut. Waving his meaty arm in the air, he raises his voice to get her attention, "Oh Kew, can you bring us a flask of the Nebbiolo please?"

The girl looks over and gives a slight nod while serving another table, and then walks back to the back of the tavern.

"So, Ironwolf Keep, eh? I didn't realize people were still interested in that. I guess that's a case where the Artfell proved more wild than a man can conquer. Or the goblins. Or orcs. Or whatever else people say go bump in the night out here. All the better reason to enjoy more wine," muses Jory.

"Say, I heard that Ironwolf was a connoisseur of wines as well. If you come across any of them, I'd be happy to take them off your hands", adds Jory.

"For a fair market price, right?" The astral deva smiled knowingly.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Kurian is juuust about to make his exit to brood some more on the outside of the tavern when Chigao speaks to him. Kurian turns immediately bright red, and winces slightly.

"Um...Uncomfortable? No. Um. Wary perhaps? I mean we all like a drink every now and then, right. This is, I mean, I guess, it's a then, not a now. So I'll have some... then. [Kurian's eyes, somewhat unfocused immediately become alive.] But not now. [He manages to turn even more red. Somehow.] Oh gods." he manages feebly.

His social interaction quotient having hit a year maximum, and the object of his current fascination now duly interacted with Kurian steps outside.

Ouch. That went...horribly.

Hoping a sunset won't...set, the rough lad loiters outside, leaning on the wall and keeps a sharp eye out for those entering or coming out.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"For a fair market price, right?" The astral deva smiled knowingly.

[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 6

"I'm sure we can come to an agreement," Jory answers.

Hoping a sunset won't...set, the rough lad loiters outside, leaning on the wall and keeps a sharp eye out for those entering or coming out.

Kurian loiters against the wall of the tavern like a silent figure at a jersey quick mart. Traffic in and out is low at this point, left mainly to families that are accustom to the hard work of the area.

"I'm sure we can come to an agreement," Jory answers.

Do you realize 'Jory" has not introduced himself yet?

DM rel20 wrote:

"I'm sure we can come to an agreement," Jory answers.

Do you realize 'Jory" has not introduced himself yet?

"I genuinely like to know the name of potential business contacts", Xephkiel pressed.

Jory responds, "Sure, the names Jory. I craft arcane trinkets for the folks in town."

Sorry, putting names up by the NPC images made it feel a little redundant :P

Maban take a quick look around before answering, "No, I don't think so. Other than your table, it looks like the rest are locals. It does get busier later in the week."

Whups lost track of who I was talking to there.

"The tavern does get busier towards the end of the week, but it's still mainly just locals. Festivals tend to attract more outsiders, and the hallmote sometimes brings Lord Lochner himself. Otherwise it really is just the occasional traveler."

~10% chance per week.

"Aye, the wolves are scary. Wild dogs, worgs, winter wolves, and werewolves prowl the vale. People even whisper of dark druids that protect the woods. There's about a dozen or so hunters in the village that venture further than the rest of the town, but most try to survive farming their land."

Jory responds, "Sure, the names Jory. I craft arcane trinkets for the folks in town."

Good to know that we've got got a potential arcane crafter here in this town. :)

Braggi sips again from his Old Man. "Oh, I was just thinking whether there was something I needed, as an excuse to go to the shop. And also having a general look around in case I see strange movements." He clashes his glass with Chigao's and laughs.

Although the abrupt contact-clashing with Braggi's own glass takes the Young Kunoichi lass almost a bit by startled surprise, Chigao does manage to keep a firm hold of her own glass with both hands as she smiles back in response to the Ulfen's boisterous laughter.

"I suppose that we may have to come up with some kind of reason to visit her shop; we'll have to come to a consensus as a group for that", Chigao concedes as she nudges her head over to where Xephkiel and Zupon are at.

Kurian is juuust about to make his exit to brood some more on the outside of the tavern when Chigao speaks to him. Kurian turns immediately bright red, and winces slightly.

"Um...Uncomfortable? No. Um. Wary perhaps? I mean we all like a drink every now and then, right. This is, I mean, I guess, it's a then, not a now. So I'll have some... then. [Kurian's eyes, somewhat unfocused immediately become alive.] But not now. [He manages to turn even more red. Somehow.] Oh gods." he manages feebly.

His social interaction quotient having hit a year maximum, and the object of his current fascination now duly interacted with Kurian steps outside.

Nearly blushing almost as much- but not quite as much, in comparison, to the Young Kellid lad who had just taken his awkwardly abrupt leave from where the Young Kunoichi lass was standing at, Chigao finds herself in near silent contemplation as she thinks back to when she first saw Kurian. BTW, @Kurian, any thoughts on when Kurian had first laid eyes upon Chigao and vice versa? I had this thought of possibly Chigao using Kurian's house/farm in the past as a possible hideaway/distraction from anybody that might've mistaken her for a lucky aasimar child during either her pre-teen or teenage years; not sure on your thoughts on that...

BTW, @Kurian, any thoughts on when Kurian had first laid eyes upon Chigao and vice versa? I had this thought of possibly Chigao using Kurian's house/farm in the past as a possible hideaway/distraction from anybody that might've mistaken her for a lucky aasimar child during either her pre-teen or teenage years; not sure on your thoughts on that...

As an example, I can readily imagine a much younger Chigao peeking down, from an upside-down peering position while remaining atop an overhang/patio ceiling, at a much younger Kurian- miming the "ssh"/"shush" sound with her forefingers as she hides from some other kids that want to take a lock of her hair for "good-luck"; she'd probably might even drop one of her rose-petal hair-adornments/or something similar to the younger version of Kurian as a way of thanks?

As to why she might use Kurian/his father's farm as a hiding place, perhaps at the time [before Kurian's Dad got accused of stuff], a Diamond Regiment's personal abode [by reputation?] would keep other kids from wandering too closely?

PS. As another weird-aside, I've envisioned the "climb-outta-the-box" thing as parable about baby kittens left out in a cardboard box, filled with swaddling, under a bridge; the kittens that manage to crawl outside the box survive to get food;the ones that remain in the box gets the box [and all its' contents] dragged away by a hungry river monster. ;p

That all works Chigao. But perhaps not much more than that. Kurian would have been slightly awestruck by Chigao’s nature, but helpful. And his father would have recognised her vulnerability and advised Kurian in honorable action. Perhaps in later years whatever earlier association they might have had dissipated, but they have a bond...of sorts.

Nodding to Chigao's comment on finding an excuse to go to the trader's, Braggi wipes his beard with his hand Andre his glass is finished. "Yep, though that we might discuss tomorrow. And that's if we don't just go straight for the keep and leave these village politics for later. Who knows."

Since everybody seems busy socializing, Braggi stands up and walks to the owner to ask about accommodation prices.

"Do you have lodging for all of us strangers? Close together if possible."

Maban wraps his cloak around him a little tighter, "Certainly. You have your choice of simple or superior rooms available. A simple room is two silver and a superior room is five. Each room can host two guests. Which would you like? I can have my one of my daughters show you the way."

Feeling around inside his poncho-coat like garbs for a coinpurse"Assuming there is enough room, I'd opt for a simple room. Its better than outside, warm, less wolves. So I'll take a simple one; are we rooming in pairs? I'm fine with Xephkiel." Taking the opportunity to suggest a roommate-one who doesn't really sleep. Taking advantage of a possible night watch, or getting a room to themselves if they opt to wallk around at night.

Zupons fine with another choice if Xeph intends to not stay over night to save coin. Zupon hasn't a real big opinion overall, but he figures he might have less nightmares of the past with someone who tends not to sleep

The party can settle up and figure out rooms in the discussion, just to move things along.

After a humble yet cozy stay at the Wolf's Head tavern, the group heads out deeper into the Artfell. Queue background.

The path through the Artfell winds through the woods, curving around natural obstructions of fallen trees, exposed sandstone, and steep hills. The earth packed trail is hard from the cold night. The wind provides a constant rustling of white noise to the serene journey, masking the danger that lurks behind every shadow.

As the sun starts to set, geometric shapes start to appear through the tree line. Climbing upwards leads to a small clearing where a small, simple fortification stands. Stout crenelated outer walls of weathered stone protect the inner courtyard.

survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 whelp i[m forbidden from knowing whatever that was for ~

Holding position a ways away with the group, "So.. That looks interesting. Looks difficult to get close to or into, if there is anything paying attention."

Survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
"Huh." Was all Xephkiel said when gazing up at the keep. "It's late. Should we set up camp inside or outside the keep?"

"I rather assume its likely not empty all things considered. Either way is a dangerous prospect at this point."

So effectively, we've left the town in the morning, so it took in effect the entire day to get to what we assume is ~a~ keep. but we don't know for certain its related to the target keep? GIven our abismal survival checks zupon hasn't a clue, nor a clue how many keeps might be around, or what the size of it was intended vs what an adjunct outpost size

assisting on a Survival roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17. Chigao successfully aided someone, but whom? ;)

Having walked through the cold and foreboding forest alongside everybody else, Chigao finds her thoughts wishing more than once that her Sleeves of Many Garments would've taken on the actual function of the outfits that she "illusorily" projected with said sleeves.

Still, her master had instilled enough awareness in the Young Kunoichi lass that reconnaissance would be necessary here- out in the wilds against the backdrop of the stony keep in the clearing itself.

"We've got to keep alert here- no telling what or who is out here."

Perception to spot anything amiss in the clearing: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24.

Chigao will try to spot for anything out of the ordinary up ahead in the clearing; if she needs to move on up ahead, she'll do so as quietly as she could manage.

if a Stealth check is needed: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25.

Survival, Aid: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25

"Actually, those are bear footprints. Or something very similar" he says, pointing out the signs to those who might have skipped them.

Later

"Well, there is where the potential she-devil dwells, right? I don't think she's gonna take it nice that we go camp right in her lair."

Braggi searches for a place to rest which doesn't reveal their location to the possible residents of the keep.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"I rather assume its likely not empty all things considered. Either way is a dangerous prospect at this point."

So effectively, we've left the town in the morning, so it took in effect the entire day to get to what we assume is ~a~ keep. but we don't know for certain its related to the target keep? GIven our abismal survival checks zupon hasn't a clue, nor a clue how many keeps might be around, or what the size of it was intended vs what an adjunct outpost size

17 miles from Swallowfeld to the keep, so roughly 6 hours. Your current location matches the directions collected and the structure is definitely a keep. There are no other civilized keeps in the area. As for distinguishing what's a keep vs. an outpost probably depends on the structure, as a keep could serve as an outpost but an outpost includes non-castle structures.

Chigao and Braggi are able to get a better feel for the layout of the keep.

Re-writing do to an error on posting...

Scouting the area, Chigao can tell that Ironwolf Keep is a small, simple fortification. Construction was never completed and so it lacks some of the features of a more sophisticated, grander and better financed fortresses. It lacks a stout gatehouse and the donjon never gained crenulations or much of an upper floor. Although the keep is a ramshackle ruin, much of its structure remains relatively intact.

The path leading to the gatehouse shows signs of use, with tracks crossing it as well as following it.

Braggi is able to find a place to rest that isn't obvious from the path or the keep's crenelations, but it does have undergrowth (Vines and roots cover many squares, increasing the DC of Acrobatics and Stealth checks by
2. It costs two squares of movement to enter such squares).

Kurian is disgruntled, tired and if he was very honest, a little bored. If this was adventuring then he wasn’t sure he liked it very much. And, now, he was hungry. He stuffs a little dried fruit in his gob and glowers at the Keep.

Andru examined the workmanship of the stonework and mentally compared it to his studies on engineering

engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15