"If we can find a way in, does everyone agree that we should take it?
"If we can't, I would like to contact the city government and see about taking a commission to explore the Old City. Do any of us have any other suggestions?"
"Oh I am in agreement on both counts," Eltariel rubs her hands together excitedly. "I'm rather looking forwards to this."
And I follow her anywhere,
Eltariel blushes.
I asked some time ago for details of any equipment you wished to buy..and whether you were selling the amulet and chain shirt...if I hear nothing by this time tomorrow I will move you on to the tower regardless....hopefully we can get some momentum going again
Gashelle will buy a (human-sized) masterwork chainmail shirt.
She'll contract with a tailor, a couple seamstresses, and few embroiderers to make outfits from the white and red silk, one for each member of the party, as gifts. These aren't intended to be mucking-about-with-monsters workclothes; they're classy enough for formal company, and each in our own cultural stylings (Karakhani for Gashelle; Elvish for Avinar, Etariel, and perhaps Layjiani (or would L. prefer Dunael?); Skandik for Holgur; and what-she-pleases for Aude.)
Wellard, Gashelle's intent is that these would be the garment equivalent of masterwork items; she's willing to pay 100 gold for each: embroidery, trim, etc. She'd like them ready in two or three weeks.
--+--+--
Etariel, you've ... changed!
That's fine on both counts
a 10 charge wand of CLW will cost you 150gp
the dress uniforms(which is what they are effectively) will be ready in the time scale required...you find a gnome seamstress who will see to the making of them
The tower is 30 feet in diameter and about 40 feet high with a peaked roof. The force field extends a mere 5 feet from its walls and ends about 20 feet above the towers peak
The walls are perfectly square 20' wide and 20' high with a rubble core..no internal passges..the corner towers are 30' high and acessible only from the ramparts.The northwestern tower lies in ruins and the northeastern one is crumbling.There are no gates extant in the main entrance
The western building is 20'x60'The eastern is 30'x 65' and the northern building which is the most intact of the three is 50' x30'.
You have been warned to expect creatures to have moved into the area since the last futile visit by a group which was almost a season ago.Everyone thinks you are crazy to go looking here
With hard work and a lot of money this could be made into a viable keep..off course you would then have to hold it.
Gashelle looks around, kicking a piece of rubble. "Whoever built all this meant for the tower to be well-defended. Maybe the force-field was a last-ditch effort once the rest of the complex was breeched, some sort of emergency fail-safe.
"If so, then reconstituting some part of the wall, or re-setting something in one of the outer buildings, might snuff out the force-field effect.
"Which might release the spirit currently trapped inside. Aude, could you do something about that?"
"Assuming that there is one," I muse, inspecting the breach in the east wall. "The construction is crude in design. I'd modify it with internal passages in the walls, loopholes for archers, a proper gatehouse and gates, portculli, hourding on the battlements ... probably an internal curtain wall bisecting the courtyard with secondary gates, too."
I look over the nearby sections.
"If there is a concealed entrance, the safest and most logical place for it would be in the basement of one of the towers. Assuming that the intact ones have been searched thoroughly at some point, I would suggest we climb the battlements and investigate the ruined towers first."
I did prepare a spell allowing me to detect creatures avoiding Pharasma's judgement but it does not last long and can't really see inside walls
I did not prepare the spell allowing me to understand the speech of a creature since that would mean touching him nd I understood he was in the forcefield
"Now, this looks like fun!, ladies, Holgar, shall we write history?"
Barely able to contain her excitement at the prospect of engaging in her favourite pastime of exploring account ruins, Layjiani begins to look around and poke about, searching (1d20+8=23) for some clue others may have missed and relying on her knowledge (1d20+7 =16) of ruins and such to aid her.
"Now, this looks like fun!, ladies, Holgar, shall we write history?"
"Surely! Time to lay our foes at our feet!"
Gashelle's perception: 19 + 3 = 22
Gashelle is hanging back, outside the walls of the keep, waiting to see if her comrades ... disturb anything.
Ok your DM made a slight mistake..the southeastern tower is also in ruins.
The walls dont look safe to climb...this really is a very old ruin.
Eltariel uses the amulet..unfortunately it decides to fail on the first attempt and will be unusable for a number of hours.
You can hear however a squealing sound from the interior of the courtyard. Layjiani identifies it as rats..bloody big ones
"Where first? I suggest the towers, then proceed to the courtyard and the courtyard buildings."
Eltarial eyes the breach in the walls.
I'll want DC15 climb rolls if you intend to clamber up the rubble to the parapet level
Gashelle will offer an assist, should Etariel prefer.
Eltariel grimaces.
"I'm not a terribly good climber, if you recall. I could reach the top with a spell easily enough, but we may be best using a more traditional method."
Eltariel produces her rope and grapple.
"Would you be so kind? You are much stronger than I am."
Wellard, the last time we tried this, back on page 2, we needed a Perception check, a Strength check, and a Dexterity check.
First time: found the right place to throw, but might not have thrown far enough.
Second time: no good.
Third time: not a charm.
Fourth time: we're good.
Ah page 2..I remember it well..
You eventually get the grappeling hook secured having pulled down some loose rubble and make a fair amount of noise..the sound of rats dies down as you do this.
Once the grappling hook and rope are secure, the party's Scout climbs (1d20+8=28) rapidly up to see (1d20+8=22) what's to be seen.
The interior of the fort is quite overgrown..making spotting anything difficult.Layjiani thinks she spots some movement towards the main gates but quite what it is she cant tell..there do seem to be paths through the brush to the various buildings..no doubt cut by the previous explorers of this place but its more and more obvious that this place will need a huge amount of work if you wished to make it a viable Base of operations.
Layjiani can also see the force field which gives off a slight shimmer and beyond it between the field and the walls of the tower..which seems totally out of place in its pristine state..she can see the hazy figure of a man in robes
"Can you see our inn from up there?" I call up cheerfully.
Eltariel
Layjiani will tell you that the interior buidings seem fairly intact and that the main gate is clear
Calling down and describing what she sees, Layjiani indicates that it is safe for the rest of the party to head on up. She checks again to make sure the grappling hook is as secure as it can be and draws her bow and nocks a regular arrow, keeping a sharp eye out for any threats while her companions make their way up the wall.
"Layjiani, I'm worried this construction isn't very stable at all. While it might be the best option for finding an entryway inside one of the towers, perhaps it would be wiser to explore the interior first, then get a good idea as to which if any of the existing structures are most likely to stay up if we enter them.
"Can you see if there is anything moving near the gate at all?"
Looking over the edge at Elterial, Layjiani nods once and says "This one shall look to find another way"
Releasing the tension on her bow but still keeping the arrow nocked, Layjiani will gaze (1d20+8=21) about with her keen eyes and senses checking out the structure from the inside and trying to discern any potential threat to the party. She will also use whatever rudimentary (1d20+3=19) knowledge of architecture she has to see if she can spot any safer access route for the rest of the party.
Eltariel
Layjiani
I would also appreciate haing a clear way of withdrawing in case of problems
Layjiani explains what she sees to the others
If the group decides to try the main gate she climbs down and joins them in moving toward it.
Gashelle moves closer to the ranger / rogue, so that she can speak without shouting.
"Layjiani, why don't you stay up there with your bow? That way, if we enter through the front gates and are attacked, you'll have a clear, flanking shot from this elevation."
"I suggest we go in by the gate, and quarter the courtyard, moving around to the right. If anything should get around us to block the gateway we can still use the breach at a pinch to escape," Eltariel suggests. "I would suggest we take a good look at the ground around the north-east tower - it looks like there is subsidence under it, and that could be the tunnel we want. Whatever else, we should clear the buildings and the courtyard before we seek to gain entry."
Gashelle nods agreement.
From the wall Layjiani can cover the gate...and if she moves carefully should be able to watch you as you go through the courtyard.
Eltariel
Layjiani looks back down at the others and says "This one shall cover your entrance through the gate and as you move forward" Moving carefully (1d20+8=24), she puts herself in the best possible position to continue to cover her allies afterward. She also continues to keep a sharp lookout for any potential threats (if you need a new roll, please go ahead)
She also switches her normal arrow for a MW one and keeps it nocked with the bow taut, ready to fire on any hostile entity.
With Layjiani flanking, it makes sense for Gashelle to take point.
"Ware the bushes yonder ... there's something there."
Gashelle is first to pass by the suspicious shrubs. Does she see anything?
Gashelle spots three largish beetles in the bushes 25 feet away towards the south east tower butting against each other over the remains of some giant rats.
The insects become aware of you at the same time and boil out of the bushes.
Initiatives
Eltariel 23
Layjiani 22
Holgur 20
Beetle1 17
Gashelle 12
Avinar 9
Beetle2 7
Beetle3 3+
Aude 3
Eltariel will hold until the the beetles close within fifteen feet, then she'll cut loose a blast of burning hands at them and retreat behind the fighters.
Gashelle will return an attack on a beetle as soon as possible, likely her regular Initiative turn, since she's flat-footed till then.
Attack: 1d20 + 8 = 20.
Damage: 1d10 + 5 = 8.