(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

Waysoftheearth's Hinterlands PBP

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Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 12:47 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

waysoftheearth wrote:
Caine is wise to the matter of Elvish hearing, and quietly slips outside to investigate -- followed at a short distance by both Dieter and Crystin.

"What did you hear, Elf?" Taines asks with a mouthful of grub, his ears full of his own enthusiastic mastication. But rangy Olaf springs up the narrow stone stair to the burnt out first level, heading for the roof-top with bow and missiles to hand.

"One thousand singing Dwarfs," giggles Anwyn foolishly in reply, and then tacking her bow and arrows, bounds up the narrow stair behind Olaf, eager to see what-ever might be seen. Ulric follows, albeit less ably, professing the virtues of higher ground.

Mads stands solemly and readies his cold-iron axe and listens acutely (1d6), but he still isn't sure that he hears anything unsual.

Seeing all this, Victor casts aside a half-eaten strip of dried meat in disgust and gets up stiffly. He picks up his morningstar in caloused hands, and slowly tilts his head to one side then the other, cracking his neck. "I don't hear nuthin'," he mutters unhappily. And spits.
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

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Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 12:49 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

waysoftheearth wrote:
In the Tower

Olaf, then Anwyn, and then Ulric pass briskly through the burnt out first floor and continue climbing... the trapdoor to the roof top is closed at the top of the stair...
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

Posts: 16901
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:15 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 12:53 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

waysoftheearth wrote:
In the Overgrown Courtyard

Caine slips quietly out of the tower and into the overgrown courtyard, followed by Dieter and Crystin. It is a cool, overcast day, and the ground is still wet from the overnight rain. The blustery wind whips easily over the tumble down walls, carrying with it the distinct jingle of approaching tack, and the broken but discernable sound of voices.

If Caine's ear do not decieve him, a party of soldiery approaches from beyond the ruined gate arch. They could be a dozen or a score of yards off yet -- it is very difficult to guess from behind the walls and with this wind...


.........15ft wall...............
...........|.....................
...........v........########.....
........#############.Tower#.....
.Gap....#...........#......#.....
.in..->.............#......#......Tower
Wall....#...........##(K)###...<- door
........#.Rubble.......D..#.......
........#.Strewn........C###......Broken
........#.Overgrown......( )..<- Keep Gate
........#...Courtyard....###....(and voices)
........#.................#.......
........##..###############...<- collapsed wall
...........^......................(5ft to 10ft)
...........|......................
..........Gap in Wall...........

C Caine
D Dieter
K Crystin
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

Posts: 16901
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Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 1:14 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

danhem wrote:
"Up to the top then," Ulric says matter-of-factly, and mounts the stairs up to the trapdoor. He opens it as quietly as possible, then scrambles up onto the roof staying as low as possible to avoid being seem from below. Crouching, he then scans the surroundings from behind the crumbling battlements to see what there is to see.
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

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Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:15 am
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Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 1:31 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

makofan wrote:
Caine slips back to warn the group inside
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

Posts: 16901
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:15 am
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Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 5:03 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

coffee wrote:
If we're going back inside, Dieter waits until Caine and Crystin get back inside, then he'll go inside as well and close the door. (There is a door, right? It's not just an opening?)
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

Posts: 16901
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:15 am
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Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 10:00 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

waysoftheearth wrote:
coffee wrote:(There is a door, right? It's not just an opening?)
Yes, there is a weather-beaten old door. It looks rather frail and drafty, and the hinges are in a dubious state, but it you can close it...
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

Posts: 16901
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:15 am
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Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 11:21 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

eris wrote:
danhem wrote:"Up to the top then," Ulric says matter-of-factly, and mounts the stairs up to the trapdoor. He opens it as quietly as possible, then scrambles up onto the roof staying as low as possible to avoid being seem from below. Crouching, he then scans the surroundings from behind the crumbling battlements to see what there is to see.
Olaf, somehow now behind Ulric, follows the mage through the trap door to the roof.

Olaf scans the area around the keep through a crenel in the breastworks surrounding the upper level. He will stay low and behind the merlons as much as possible to prevent those on the ground from seeing him.
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

Posts: 16901
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:15 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 11:36 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Ground Floor

Caine retreats easily back to the tower ground floor, and reports his suspicions to those still inside. Deiter pulls the ancient door to behind him -- the rusted hinges complaining awfully. There is no useful latch on the door, that part of the door frame being completely crumbled away to nothing. But at least it will prevent anyone seeing directly inside.

Within Taines, Mads and Victor stand armed and ready to defend Rodrick's body and the three heavy sacks of loot.
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

Posts: 16901
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:15 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by waysoftheearth » Thu May 27, 2010 11:47 pm

(007) The Measure of the Old Keep

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Battlement

Despite his enthusiasm, the steep stone stair is too narrow for Ulric to pass anyone, so it is Olaf who pushes the trapdoor open and is first out onto the rooftop. Soon Anwyn and Ulric are up there too.

It is bright and windy atop the tower, and with some of the battlements collapsed, seems dangerously exposed.

All three adventurers look quickly about, taking care to remain concealed... to the south and east of the tower, they see the thin strip of muddy road that circumvents the bluff, and immediately note the new works that seem to have sprung up out of nowhere. Along the road to the south, a team of a score or more labourers seem to be erecting a camp and blockade along the road.

And as Anwyn suspected, a party of some half dozen or so foot troops are marching up to the ruined tower, their helms, spear tips and shields glinting even in the dull light. Broken parts of their gruff chatter carry to you on the wind, though you cannot discern exactly what they are saying. They are scarcely a dozen yards away from the keep's gate arch...
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]

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