The captain raises her eyebrows, but recovers from her apparent surprise quickly. "Nalaskur is well, though I've heard the Inn is having supply problems of late. No wonder with so many bandits about."

She turns her head to spit to the side, then continues. "You a - mercenary?" she asks inquiringly. "I've heard there may be a caravan heading out from Womford to Triboar soon, with plenty of protection to ensure a safe journey. Might be worth your whiles to check out."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:10, Tue 14 Jan 2020.

As the group heads to the south and east, the mercenary company follows close behind, keeping tabs on their charge.

As the day progresses a cover of clouds turns the air cool, and fog billows in the low-lying areas between hills. After nearly three hours of travel over the rough ground, the group approaches Rivergard Keep in the near distance.

Looking down from a nearby hill, the group can see Rivergard Keep sits in the curve of the mighty Dessarin River, which is a good half-mile wide at this point. Although it is a small castle it appears strongly built, though even from this distance its age is apparent. A gatehouse and keep stand atop a low bluff, but the walls are built to the water's edge. On the river bank, another low tower guards a boat basin where some keelboats are moored.

Despite the keep's old and worn appearance, new timbers and shingles indicate that repairs are underway. A white banner with a blue gauntlet flies over the keep.

The front gate is closed.

---

Map updated.

What now? =)

Over the first part of the trip the same bear, or one very much like it, can be seen occasionally following the party, never from nearby but often enough to suggest that they may be in its territory.  For the last hour it seemed to have given up, but has been visible again for the last few minutes before they reach the overview of the keep.

"Well their it is." Durik says pointing at the keep.  Resting his hammer on his shoulder; "Lets head down carefully and then see what is going on.  It definitely looks like someone is at home. Anyone recognize the banner?"

Makari was a little wary, keeping an eye out as they traveled. He was in unfamiliar territory with unfamiliar people. He watched the rest of the group and the mercenaries just as much as he tried to watch their surrounding. It would eventually be exhausting to try and keep up for a long time. Hopefully he will trust someone by then. He kept a quarterstaff in hand, using it as a walking stick when needed, gripped tightly.

"Indeed." He glanced at Durik. "Should we attempt to be stealthy in our approach?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:29, Thu 16 Jan 2020.

In reply to Makari (msg # 77):

Rowan looks up from where he has been carving something as he walked. "I usually prefer the stealthy approach myself."

The mercenary captain snorts at Rowan's remark, but otherwise waits patiently as the group studies the keep below.

---

If folks want to make perception checks on their observation of the Keep or its environs, or other checks as appropriate, feel free.

"Well lets have a look first and then decide what is next." Durik says as he squints his eyes and trys to san the keep.

08:27, Today: Secret Roll:  Durik rolled 6 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 2.  Perception.

Makari certainly wasn't at the forefront of the group as they moved in. He kept his senses tuned, still, to their surroundings for anything out of the ordinary, like the bear that was following them. But for the moment, since the bear was staying back, he focused more on their destination ahead to see and hear what he could.

As the group watches, a keelboat appears from downriver, approaching the south east tower of the castle. After a few moments, the keelboat proceeds through a gap in the castle wall, into an interior area of the castle beyond view.

---

What now? =)

Makari noticed guards atop the walls - one guard standing atop each of the four wall sections, pacing back and forth. He pointed this out to the others, just in case they didn't notice or weren't looking for that. "So there's those. Night time might be a better approach time if we are going to try for stealthy. If we are going to attempt to talk to them...well...now is fine then."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Mon 20 Jan 2020.

Jo kept a jovial demeanor throughout the travel, humming a cheerful tune if he wasn't chatting the with some of his traveling-companions. He recounted his visit to Mithril Hall to the dwarves, regardless if they wanted to listen or not. If asked for his motives, he merely said he was looking for someone, and the keep seemed the best bet. Occasionally he glanced backward to the mysterious talking bear, seeing if she still on their trail.

As they came across the keep and talk turned to planning, he chimed in with the information he had gotten from the bear. "I'm just a tag-along so feel free to dismiss me, but is it reasonable to expect them to hand over the sword if we just asked? Doubtful. If we're opting for infiltration I suggest investigating the waterways as an option." He pointed to the disappearing keelboat to illustrate his point. "Or stage an ambush, depending on how agreeable we wish to be. Regardless, waiting until nightfall is a good idea."

Finishing up his scan of the keep Durik shakes his head; "My old eyes are beginning to fail me.  I can't make much out from here."  Then turning to the others as they discuss options. "Night is probably best, but I am going to need some help getting up and over a wall.  Probably best to come through a door or gate that one opens for me." he says slapping his large belly.

"I can contribute some illusion spells that might help someone sneak in if anyone wants to try later.

Makari absorbed the gist of what was being discussed. He glanced at Rowan and then gave a nod. "I can cast invisibility on up to two people, or myself and one another, for up to an hour, though it takes concentration to maintain." He eyed what some were wearing, "However, the spell does not make you silent and some of the group are wearing armor and might not be as stealthy as others."

He gave a light shrug.

Magdrak looks doubtfully at his armor before responding.  "This armor will not let me move around quietly.  And I am not too keen on sneaking in anyway.  But if we are going to do that, I definitely should be one of the last ones through, as I do not expect to keep my chain noiseless."

While the debate is going on, Magdrak leans in to quietly speak with the mercenary captain.

Nodding in agreement with Magdrak; "Same with me.  I'm a bit old to be climbing over walls and this armor will just slow me down.  We can wait until the other are across the wall."  Scratching his greying beard; "Perhaps we could be a distraction?"

Makari frowned and hesitated. "Well...I mean...mounting an assault with only who we have here is foolhardy. Stealth would be an optimal course of action if we could." His eyes narrowed and he looked down as he thought about it.

"I know it's not...an idea that you will gladly take but...what if you...took off your armor until we are inside at least? We find a room where you can put your armor back on." He shrugged. "Then at least we aren't trying to get in while the alarm is raised and they can shoot at us from behind the walls?" He made a face that was part hopeful and part ready for backlash.

Rowan mills over the group's options for a moment. "I'm not certain having a distraction is the best course here. While it would draw attention, it would also put the guards on alert, which might do more harm than good. Especially since it's likely a number of sleeping foes would be woken in the process if we're going at night."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:56, Wed 29 Jan 2020.

As the group watches Rivergard Keep from the windswept badlands of the nearby Sumber Hills, the sun slowly sets behind them. Shadows of sparse dry grass lengthen across the landscape, and hills with exposed rock faces above steep escarpments darken in the growing dimness. A tiny stream flows from a hidden spring nearby, quietly babbling its way down the slope toward the Dessarin River below.

---

You are here. What now?

As the group studies the Keep, the mercenary discusses something in low tones with Magdrak.

"Aye an assault is Not what I'm talking about.  I'm thinking that the quitter folks get across first...then scout around.  The hopefully find an easier way for us to get in."

As the sun descends and finally dips beneath the horizon, dots of light from small oil lamps appear in the arrow slits of the Keep.

---

Anyone wanting to sneak around, approach the Keep or the river, etc. can do so - just post what you're doing with an accompanying stealth or other appropriate ability check.

Makari waited until nightfall. That would be the best time. He glanced at three armored dwarves who hadn't apparently taken a liking to his de-armored sneaking plan. He shrugged. Casting Invisibility on two of them wouldn't help as it wouldn't mask their noise at all.

He started trying to make his way stealthily towards the door they had seen near the water.

20:12, Today: Secret Roll: Makari rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12.  Stealth.

Using the disguise self spell, Rowan changes his skin and clothing to a dark brown color, with small green streaks that match the color of the local grass. Giving himself one last once over to confirm, Rowan nods in satisfaction, and begins sneaking toward the encampment.

Rowan rolled a 15.


18:24, Today: Secret Roll: Rowan Laren rolled 21 using 2d20+2 with rolls of 13,6.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Wed 05 Feb 2020.