Leaving the gazebo behind, the group moves out to take a better look around. The gardens are a mixture of hedges, floral arrangements, vines, and trees. It is obvious that Queen Media feels secure in her position of power as these areas proved a well shaded, and secluded, pathway about the inner courtyard. From this seclusion you can spy a few features of the inner courtyard.

The first and closest to you, barely visible through the gardens, is a well.

To the right from where you stand you can make out the low profile of a bunkhouse. The utilitarian nature of the building suggests that it is occupied by the inner keeps guards.

Far across the grounds you can make out the twinkle of water as the moonlight dances across the surface.

Standing over all of it is the two story structure of the Royal quarters. The building is richly decorated and accented, luxury and decadence dripping from every corner. However, a closer look shows it's true nature. Little things, such as the heavily barred windows, reinforced doors, and cleverly hidden arrowslits show that this is a fortress within a fortress. The second story of the Royal Quarters has windows along the front side, above the entrance. No windows are visible on the side that is closest to you. The peaked slate roof shows no battlements or widow's walk from what you can see. Near the front of the Royal Quarters you can see evidence of two long reflecting pools that frame out a long cobblestone path leading from the building, around the guard house, and to the compounds front gate.

Occasionally you see the flash of a guards brass armor in the moonlight showing that the main garden area is in fact patrolled. However due to the amount of cover granted by those same gardens it is difficult to say how many are really around. As you get to the edge of the gardens just east of the gazebo you see there is a short stretch of open ground between the bunkhouse and the main entrance of the main building. A small pit forms in your stomach, it is now or never if you are going to head in the main door.

[Private to Rael Gol; Viktor: From what you can tell you count roughly 6 guards. 4 guards around the outer walls, 2 guards who overlap to ensure that the other 4 are still on the job]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:32, Thu 30 Apr 2015.

I see 6 guards roaming the grounds...I won't overlook their ability again....Rael stay close to me...

Rael nodded slowly, the burning sensation in his chest alerted him to the fact that he was not breathing. Slowly he released his breath and inhaled steadily. His heart was racing and he could feel cold sweat at the lower parts of his back, the leather was itching and he felt like he needed to piss...

He moved closer to Viktor, his hand gripping the hilt of his knife so tight that his knuckles were turning white and his fingers were starting to feel numb.

"If you intend to go though the main gate, you shall do so without my help, I am not in this to play the fool's mission." Angrboda says as she continues toward the keep, looking for the best entrance.  "I am quite certain there is a much stealthier entrance available to us.  The secret passage in the tavern is proof enough that the ruler here is not the trusting sort." she finishes as she heads toward a shadowy spot near the wall.

Figures Angrboda has a point about the main gate and follows her...Yes I think the backdoor would be the better way to go...Perhaps we should have a plan if we are found out?  says in a rather quiet voice for Viktor...adjusts his sack on his back and grips his mighty axe...

"I thought the whole point of the disguise was to allow us to use the entrance and not stumble in the dark looking for secret passages we know not if they exist or where they lead?" Rael hiss toward Angrboda as he follow her and Viktor into the shadows his eyes scans the entrances trying to figure out the most stealthy approach to the fortress.

Emerging from the gazebo Khazim slides off to hug the nearby gardens and brush. It is obvious that he wishes to draw and string his bow. However, knowing that the guards in this area would not use such an outlandish instrument, he agonizingly keeps his hands clear of it. Whispering in his thick Lesh accent "Angrboda, I agree with you that this queen is a mistrusting sort. The scroll we received said as much. Looking as I see it, would it not make some sort of sense to have an escape from the house to be close to the gazebo? Is there a chance we missed something in the tunnel?"

He takes a few moments to scan around, attempting to take note of the guards that were spotted by the others. Once again his outlandish accent whispers "Rael may have a point, it is one thing to walk around with weapons drawn, but would not skulking around as slavers and guards also seem a bit off?"

Perhaps we flip a coin...heads we use the main gate and tails we search for a secret passage? If we are spotted searching would look worse then just simply walking in....grabs a cloth and cleans his axe while waiting for the decision

Angrboda pauses, it had not occurred to her that the escape from the keep way very well be close to the entrance to the gazebo escape route, nodding to Khazim she replies, "I had not thought of that Khazim." looking back over the path to the Gazebo she tries to determine if she needs to go back and check the area.  "We are pressed for time but I would leave no stone unturned.  I suggest some of us check the walls of the keep for an exit and one or two of us head back to the gazebo to check." she looks at the group huddled near the wall, "Of course if we had taken care of the guard rather than leave him for a passing barmaid to wake up I wouldn't be so worried about the time." she finishes, smiling sweetly.

"Which guard?" Rael ask with a sweet smile "The one you butchered and is stuck in a barrel or the one that is drugged beyond her ability to speak?" he shakes his head "I seriously doubt your ability to find anything, you can't even spot the different between a male guard and a female one. Honestly how could your people ever ruled the entire world? or maybe they kick you out cause you are so daft... considering where we found and rescued you from this is perhaps the best answer" he shakes his head leaning on the wall.

"Eclair, Khazim Viktor, speed is of the essence are we to wast our little precious time in skulking around the wall looking for a hidden secret entrance in the dark with guards around... increasing our chances to raise alarms? The plan is not an ideal one and it has risks but so is staying here... we are already committed to a certain path of action changing it now would be unwise."

Simply not liking any of the options presented to him. Khazim looks about and notices one thing that may turn the decision. "Since I am in the roll of a prisoner, unless I am to get a new disguise, walking straight in would be expected." He motions to the entrance of the compound. "I say we trust fate and simply head in. Who would think infiltrators to brazenly walk in?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 17:37, Mon 04 May 2015.

Getting close to the compound you can see workmanship of two fireplaces along the west wall, separating the wall into three nearly equal sections. Each of the stacks extend all the way up and past the roof line. In the pale moon light it is extremely difficult to see a place where a external door would be located. From your vantage point you can tell that there are at least a few occupants on the second floor. Light from a nearby corner window spills north as it shines out of a crack in the drapery.

As the group stands in the brush near the edge of the gardens and royal quarters you get this strange sensation that you are being watched. Barely visible through the gardens to the west you can see a compound guard lazily strolling the grounds, heading in a counter-clockwise direction, near the outer wall. Luckily by the way they are moving it is evident that the have not seen the group hidden in the shadows past the Gazebo.

It is a good day to die...let us go into the mouth of the beast...Angrboda are you afraid of death?  You are not weak.

Angrboda stares blankly at Khazim and Viktor for a second, "You know when a better day to die is?  Many years from now, when I am old, and have many more adventures under my belt." she says, then turns to Khazim, "And when you encounter a guard who says something or asks something of you that you do not know the answer to?  You all head straight to your deaths if you want, I shall keep looking for another entry." She then turns and heads toward the well, thinking it may be another secret entrance.

Eclair listens to the debate to skulk or use their disguises to walk straight in. She looks around at the guards and sighs, "There is yet another use for our disguises you know? It would allow us to approach a guard unsuspected, subdue him, and ask some questions. Apparently, since we are opposed to killing, we do not have to kill him, though I wonder what the poor being we have been sent to retrieve's fate mgiht be?"

Still, Eclair thought, now is not the time for talking. She eyed Angrboda stalking off then the main gate and sighed. "Viktor, go with Angrboda. The rest of you fall in behind me and act the parts assigned." The massive man's disguise was always the least convincing anyways. So saying, Eclair marshaled her face and adopted a looked of smug superiority and satisfaction. She then strode forward like as if she belonged in this place and hoped the other two would fall into step.

She'll stop for anyone who seems like they have a right to halt her.

Nodding to Eclair Khazim falls into step behind her. He does his best to mimic the "blank eyed stare" of the captives at the campfire during their first encounter. "I will follow your lead as best as I can mimic. As I said a prisoner skulking around would definitely have gotten us caught."

Angrboda I will help you look if you want...should we meet back where we were dropped off once we lose the night? Angrboda and I will try to keep an eye on everyone else from the shadows...Nods and follows Angrboda to look for a passage...    rolled 11 searching for passage
This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Wed 06 May 2015.

Rael glance left and right and nods to Eclair, it was a good compromise. He goes to Viktor and take from him the bag with Khazim stuff "Watch yourself with her..." he tells the giant man.

Hefting the heavy bag he catch up with Khazim and Eclair on their way to the entrance.

Angrboda shakes her head as she moves off, at least she has the big guy with her.  Once she reaches the well she begins looking around for any passages that maybe nearby.

16:03, Today: Angrboda rolled 36 using 1d100. search tn 70.