Serge steps out of the carriage, trying his best to look nonchalant.  He cast his gaze around the interior of the fort and slowly walks down B toward C.  He isn't entirely sure whether a dragon cultist would be impressed or disgusted with this filthy hovel of a castle, so he tries to keep his reaction neutral.

Once the party has some space between them and the nearest bullywugs and lizardfork, he will quietly ask, "Where to?  And what is the play?  I'm out for blood and I know the potential consequences.  But escape from this place once violence starts might be... tricky.  What is everyone willing to do here?  How far are you prepared to go to put an end to these murderous fools?"

     Zeds is no clean freak or dandy but the conditions in here make him cringe.  Such filth makes him lose a bit of respect for the cult...  Not that he respected the cult but how dangerous can a group of murderous bastards be if they can't even force their underlings to wipe their feet?

     Zeds does his best to scope out the place without looking like he is scoping it out.  Like a thief casing a place he wants to rob, he doesn't ant to be seen as too interested and draw attention to himself.  Still he can't help by try to note all the defenses and staffing of the place.  So far it seems to him the most serious muscle may be outside unless these cultists have skills they aren't showing.

     "Let's just get the lay of the land before we do anything hasty," he suggests to Serge in a whispered tone.  "We want to see if they have any big guns before we start shooting, eh?"  The idea of guns may be foreign but he imagines Serge will understand what he means.  

Quote from Bartjeebus >>

Once the party has some space between them and the nearest bullywugs and lizardfork

Ixsas urges caution, his voice a little muffled by his headscarf: "It does no good to slaughter the guards if the cult leaders escape to continue whatever they're plotting.  Why bring the stolen goods out here in the middle of a swamp?  If it's just to pay the guards, then what it so important about this place to guard?  If it's not for the guards, then what are they doing with the treasure?  We need to get out of the common areas where everyone can see us and then find out what the cult is actually doing so that we can stop them."

The party tries to stay inconspicuous as they move deeper into the castle. Where does your feet take you in this weathered castle?

Quote from Weathervision >>

The party tries to stay inconspicuous as they move deeper into the castle. Where does your feet take you in this weathered castle?

      Assuming no objection from the party or interference from guards, Zeds would wander from A to B to C to D and have a look around all those rooms and spaces since there appears to be no doors so nobody to object to their presence?  That philosophy would bring us to E eventually, and then upstairs?

D The Inner Ward

Originally, the passage between the outer and inner wards could be closed off with heavy wooden gates, but they have long since fallen apart and haven’t been replaced

Within the Inner Ward you can see 3 Guard Drakes patrolling this area and they regard you with a mixture of hate and hunger. For now they stay within the inner ward but you get the sense that if you step 1 foot forward you may lose it.

The Bullywugs in C take an aggressive stance and let out a loud croak if anyone approaches G to warn you off such a notion. 

F houses the stables with 4 giant lizards inside. The giant lizards raise their heads in agitation upon seeing strangers. Do you linger in the stables? 

"Fair enough.  And I agree... I don't plan to waste my life cutting down frog-people shock troops.  But I suspect the masterminds behind this cult are here - why lug the treasure out to such a godsforsaken place unless it is their lair?  And if I find them, I do intend to bring them to justice, one way or another.  But fear not... I will not act rashly or blow our cover unless I see no other choice."

Glancing with distaste at the drakes, Serge will look down at Krackle.  "There, see?  Worry not about Krackle Jr...  It looks like Krackle III is ready and waiting for you with open arms...".  He laughs softly, pleased at his own cleverness.

Seeing the paths through G, D and F seem unfriendly at best, Serge will gesture toward the door to L.  

Quote from Kaemgen >>

Assuming no objection from the party or interference from guards, Zeds would wander from A to B to C to D and have a look around all those rooms and spaces since there appears to be no doors so nobody to object to their presence?  That philosophy would bring us to E eventually, and then upstairs?

Quote from Weathervision >>

The Bullywugs in C take an aggressive stance and let out a loud croak if anyone approaches G to warn you off such a notion. 

F houses the stables with 4 giant lizards inside. The giant lizards raise their heads in agitation upon seeing strangers. Do you linger in the stables? 

((OOC: Note that the map has north oriented to the right of the page.  The top of the map is west.))

Ixsas doesn't want to cause too much commotion trying to pass the guard drakes in area D if they have another way upstairs.  He doesn't think that his magic would help with the guard drakes unless the party plans to fight them. 

Assuming that the party moves back to the east in area C, Ixsas would not linger at the giant lizard stables (F).  Again, he's trying to avoid anything that would draw attention, and four agitated giant lizards seem like they would draw attention.  When the party nears area the door to area G, and the bullywugs croak at us, Ixsas points to the other door to room H as though that was always the party's destination, hoping that that calms them down. 

If the bullywugs don't object to the party going to room H,
then Ixsas raps twice on that door and then immediately grabs the handle and opens the door.

H -Forge

You open the door and see a large forge dominates the center of this chamber, which is pleasantly warm thanks to a bed of coals glowing dully in the forge. Half a dozen lizardfolk are working around the forge, but they don’t seem to be accomplishing much. Other accouterments of the blacksmith’s trade are scattered through the room, and many very poorly made metal items are heaped in the northwest corner.

They don't pay much attention to the party, and you can see them trying to forge a spear but what they are making seems closer to a shovel. They seem glum as if something weighs on their minds. 

There is another closed door on the north side of the forge room. There is also a small spiral staircase in the corner of the room.

     "Working hard or hardly working?" Zeds asks with a jovial tone.  "I see you're all making a whole lot of...  I'm guessing spears?  For the troops, I assume?"  Zeds will peer a bit closer at the weaponry that is being stockpiled to try to make a guess if it's regular people sized or kobold sized or what.  (Perception?  19)

     "We're from... the southern branch.  Just transferring in, taking a look around.  You know, getting a feel for the place," Zeds continues, hoping to keep things casual.  "The bosses around somewhere?"

The weapons if you can call them that is made for medium sized people. When asked about the bosses they seem even glummer with one having a tear in their eyes while another seems to be holding in his anger.

One of the lizardfolk looks to you and says "Shaman Suncaller dead. Kills by Pharblex the leader of the foul Bullywugs." There is venom in his voice but also sadness. He has his fist clenched so tight that he drew some blood as his nails pierce the flesh of his palm.

Quote from Weathervision >>

When asked about the bosses they seem even glummer with one having a tear in their eyes while another seems to be holding in his anger.

One of the lizardfolk looks to you and says "Shaman Suncaller dead. Kills by Pharblex the leader of the foul Bullywugs." There is venom in his voice but also sadness. He has his fist clenched so tight that he drew some blood as his nails pierce the flesh of his palm.

Ixsas pulls the door to the Outer Ward (area C) closed as soon as it's clear that these lizardfolk won't be an immediate problem for the party.

At the comment from the lizarfolk, Ixsas glances at his companions and his eyes go wide in interest and curiosity.  He steps quickly to Zeds, turning his back toward the lizardfolk.  He touches Zeds's arm and casts Guidance.  In a hurried, excited whisper, he says to Zeds: "In darkness, Kossuth's Light reveals the Way.  The enemy divided!  Fan this flame: we can use the fire when the time comes."  He steps back and looks at Zeds's face a moment to ensure that he understood.

Ixsas then turns to face the room of lizardfolk, and he addresses the group in a louder voice, hoping that they all understand at least some Common: "Did you, proud lizardfolk, let such an offense go unanswered?!"  He glances at his companions in real surprise at what the lizardfolk's word reveal, saying, "Don't these muddy bullywugs serve the lizardfolk?"

Action: Cast spell Guidance
  Zeds may roll 1d4 to add to one ability check before the spell ends.
Free Action: Talking

Concentration: Guidance round 1 of 10

Some of the lizardfolk looks surprised at the question of the bullywugs serving Lizardfolk. While others wait to have what Ixsas said translated to them. The one that spoke earlier says "They do not serve us, and vengeance must wait as Dralmorrer cultist promised us blessings from honored dragon if we continue to work and cause no trouble. One day we will kill them all" 

     "Obviously we cultists are in charge of all," Zeds chimes in, wanting to set a clear pecking order.  "But if this Pharblex killed the SunCaller then there is a serious break in the order around here...  Tell me, why did Pharblex kill the SunCaller?  And did Dralmorrer do nothing about it but make you work even harder?"

"Pharblex killed shaman SunCaller to prove dominance. Now they have forced us into a lessor role. Dralmorrer is good to us and taught us how to forge equipment. He says he is just using the bullywugs for muscle and will dispatch them when no longer useful. He also says the more we work the more blessings we will have from honored dragon" says the lizardfolk man. 

"Yes... the blessings..." Serge says.  "You've got that going for you, which is nice." 

He glances at the lizardfolk, then at his companions.  "These bullywug ne'eerdowells, did they receive any punishment from Dralmorrer for killing your shaman?"

"No, they have not received any punishment as Dralmorrer says they serve a purpose for now" says the lizardfolk man. 

Serge crosses his arms and shakes his head.  "Hmmn..." he says.  "That doesn't sound like the way we do things around here.  Why, if I were to murder Krackle here, at the very least I would be expected to answer for why I did so - and if it wasn't a good answer, then fines and possibly a flogging would be coming my way."

He shakes his head again.  "I can't help but think there's been some kind of mistake.  Dralmorrer runs a tighter ship than this.  I think we should have a quick word with him... maybe we can get this straightened out; perhaps see the bullywugs have their rations cut for a few weeks or maybe... I don't know... throw some salt on them?  Does salt bother them?  They sort of remind me of slugs..."  he waves a hand.  "Regardless - yes, I think we should have words with Dralmorrer.  Ahem... where can we find him at this hour?"

The lizardfolk man opens the door and points to the tower in the Inner Ward that is patrolled by Guard Drakes "He is usually there on the second floor in his office"