(015) Near Saxxon's Gatehouse

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:59 pm

mushgnome wrote:
Highbough readies his spear and hunkers down among the rocks.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:18 pm

Guest wrote:
Nidhogg moves cautiously to the end of the tunnel and peeps around the courtyard.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 10:17 pm

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Gatehouse

At the Gatehouse, Nidhogg moves cautiously through the gate arch to peer around the corner and into the courtyard.

Within, it is not markedly different to what he might have expected -- the space is perhaps a dozen yards long and wide, with a door and two windows to each side of the direct path to the bridge. All are closed and brood silently.

The courtyard itself appears abandoned. It is muddy and overgrown with grasses, and a sizable pile of rubbish comes into view to the Dwarf's right as he gains access -- presumably cast offs of the idle occupants. The pile appears to be comprised of food waste, old boots, belts, split wickerwork baskets, and other waste surrounding (and partly covering) the body of a broken down old cart missing one of its two wheels. The rubbish salts the air with the faint tang of rotted food.

Nidhogg spies no movement, not even a rat...

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 9:24 am

Guest wrote:
Nidhogg begins opening doors in rapid fashion going from one to the next looking for signs of life. If he finds none he will head out to the ambush sight to inform the rest of the party.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 11:20 pm

Valandil wrote:

waysoftheearth wrote:So, at the ambush site, which two (or possible three at a squeeze) will attempt to hide behind the rocky outcrop? Currently everyone (including the mule, cart and hirelings) is positioned some 20 yards down a gentle slope from the rocky ridge, at the base of a shallow gully.

What weapons does everyone ready?

Andaros will ready Padrig's spear and his shield. Mad's ax will be besides him, on the floor.

The southerner covers his head and part of his face with the hood of his fur-lined cloak, and remains silent (as usual).

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 11:27 pm

tombowings wrote:
"Shouldn't we be hearing angry screams by now?" asks Pelenwin, readying his pole axe.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:46 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Gatehouse

Nidhogg moves quickly to the nearer of the two doors (that on his left -- which he recalls leads into the dormice), turns the handle and shoves the door open. Cold light floods in as the musty smell of unwashed Men rolls out. Nidhogg catches a glimpse of a corridor running the length of the courtyard and accessing half a dozen or so untidy, empty dormitories. Seeing no-one, he hurries off across the courtyard to reach the door opposite.

This one he knows leads into the mess hall, above which a thin wisp of smoke still drifts from the kitchen's chimney -- but hardly enough to indicate the cook fire is in use. Merely that is was in use, some time earlier.

The Dwarf turns the handle and pushes the door inward... allowing light to rush into the gloomy mess. Plates, cups and half eaten meals are left everywhere atop disarrayed tables and scattered pews.

"Hello, Nidhogg," says a smooth, vaguely familiar voice from somewhere inside the tumbled refectory. Nidhogg scans the long hall quickly from top to bottom, but can't see anyone amid the clutter. "Would you like something to eat?"

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:50 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Nearby Hills

Meanwhile...

tombowings wrote:"Shouldn't we be hearing angry screams by now?" asks Pelenwin, readying his pole axe.

"I ain't heard a squeak," mutters Boris.

"Nor I," adds Fix, nervously.

Victor squints into the hills around, where the cold wind huffs intermittently. There is nothing else to be heard. Yet...

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:48 pm

Guest wrote:
Nidhogg glances about looking for the source of the voice, "Who is it? Who's there? I need help! The ambush failed many are injured. Where is everyone?" He says backing a step toward the door.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:06 pm

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Gatehouse

"You must excuse my caution, but these are trying times, are they not?" says the voice congenially, as Nidhogg quickly checks over the room once again. His eyes must be getting old for he can't see anyone at all -- and the room isn't even very dark.

"There's no need to concern yourself with the fallen," continues the smooth voice, "They've all been taken care of,". It seems to be coming from the very center of the mess hall. Nidhogg's ears tell him whoever it is must be amid the benches and pews right there, but his eyes deny it.

"Let's talk about what happened after the ambush, shall we?" says the voice...