Chapter 2A - A Jaunt Into The Country

[Nocturno]

"We are a delegate from Waterdeep!"

[Chris1234]

"All of you?" asks 'the keep'.

[Nocturno]

"The three of us." he indicates to him Val and Unbar.

"These folk were on the road last night looking for shelter." He indicates the others.

"But they did help us get to this side of the bridge."

[Chris1234]

"Great. Sent the others off for a pot of tea or something. You three come in," says 'the keep' unethusiatically.

[Nocturno]

"Good stranger. I beg you take a break at the inn. We will see what the keep is about." He will be looking at Xolkin.

[Chris1234]

Xolkin frowns but gestures to Dandy and complies.

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Insight skill check if you wish.

[Nocturno]

Insight: [1d20+4] = 4+4 = 8

[Chris1234]

Xolkin seems a bit miffed.
Dandy just does what he's told without an apparent care in the world.
Xolkin fingers the hilt of his weapon as he withdraws back into the village.

After the others depart some time passes and a thatch in the the left hand gate opens briefly and then clangs shut. The same gate opens a foot or so to allow entrance one at a time.

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If they wish. Sue, Jim and/or Woody may enterthe keep.

[Nocturno]

Vic will head to the door, but queue up, letting the other folks in first.

[Squirrellord]

Umbar will head in, after donning his armor once more. He notes the reactions of Xolkin and his fellows but keeps his mouth shut.

[counterkid]

Val will also head into the keep.

[Chris1234]

The iron-hinged oak doors are flanked by two windowless stone gatehouses that have wood-shingled, high-pitched rooftops.
A dwarf, “Grimlin Stonefist”, beckons you through and closes the door behind you.From here it can be seen that the west gatehouse has been half destroyed.
The brown bearded fellow sees you looking, “Aye, it all went to shite when that feckin castle on a cloud sauntered over an fecked us all wi’ their big rocks and the giants came down and then buggered off wi’ our Blackstone. Anyway, told ya’ my name. Who the feck, beggin yer pardons, might all you be exactly?”

Before you can reply he adds, “An’ yer can, if yer not too high ‘n’ mighty, give me a hand with moving those.” He points at some larger stones blocking the way into the partly ruined west gatehouse. “Some o’ the lads am still in there! Dead I’m thinkin’, but needin’ a decent burial still the same.”

The inner bailey is strewn with rocks.
Ramps lead up to the eight foot-high stone parapet that encircles the yard.
No guards are currently standing watch on the walls.

The Keep1.png (356.19 KiB) Viewed 5224 times

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Anyone helping the grizzled veteran sees his skin resembled gnarled oak and he winces when putting weight on his left leg.
This also gives the opportunity to ask Grimlin half a dozen or so questions.
Grimlin looks old. Close up, he looks really old.

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A couple of Athletics skill checks for anyone lifting rocky debris, please
Someone with underdeveloped muscle can work with Grimlin, who desperately favours his left leg, and gain advantage on (the PC's) Athletics skill check.

[counterkid]

"I'm Valdamir Home. You can call me Val. These are my friends, Vic and Unbar."

[Nocturno]

Vic will work with the Old Timer. Also, could he make a check to see if he can fashion him a crutch out of some debris?

Athletics(0) (Dis)Advantage: [1d20] = 14 [1d20] = 11

[counterkid]

Val will also give him a hand.