If thats the case, Nean will summon his soul knifes and position himself in front of the group.

Stealth: 18

Perception: 14

Clermar will guard everyone's back unless the group wants him as a wall in front.

Stealth: 25 (with pass without trace)

Perception: 18

Ava's ethereal chanting causes a faint silver glow to appear on the group for a moment before fading. As you all begin passing through the chasm, you find that your footsteps are muffled, and the shadows seem to cling to you. You get the feeling that you are pretty discreet, and this is confirmed as Nean and Xandar both notice some strange creature drifting through the darkness ahead of your group. It looks similar to a stingray, with fiin-like wings and a long tail. It doesn't seem to notice you all though, and eventually peels off down a side crevice. As for the tracks which you assume to be Verina's, they continue on forward, and you even find evidence of a camp tucked away on a small cleft of rock.

After about an hour of single file marching, you all pop out one by one onto a rocky plateau. Below you, the forest has thinned out to scraggly grey brush which dots bleak, grassless hills. This is only a back drop for the vista directly ahead of you though. A gleaming, alabaster citadel stands on the edge of a precipice, a full moon in a starless sky. Bright red bannerets wave languidly from spires, and a couple hundred feet from where you all now stand there seems to be a cobblestone path that leads up to the man gate. It leads up from the edge of the plateau, to the castle, and then off into the distance.

Ospos states the obvious, "That doesn't look like a ruin."

Nean takes in the view, scratching the back of his head. "Uhm...yeah. Any suggestions?" He tries to scan the castle for certain details, such as a banner on the flags or the height of the walls.

Perception: 11

At the sight of the citadel, being reminiscent of the full moon, Ava will instinctively reach for her holy symbol.

"I agree, Liafial. We should move cautiously, but with some haste."

Nean: There don’t really seem to be any identifying elements, the thin flags are solid scarlet and the walls bear no markings. The walls are quite high, you could possibly scale them with your climbing kit but it wouldn’t be a quick ascent.

 "That is both intimidating and beautiful at the same time. This is much more exciting then a forest and a run down town. Seems this plane isn't a complete right-off after all"

Bram smiles with excitement.

"Should we try sneaking up to get a closer look or just walk up boldly and knock on the door?"

Bram looks around at the mostly featureless plateau between the group and the citadel.

"Hmm, maybe sneaking closer isn't going to be an option."

"Yeah, i guess we should try and get as much information as we can. But it feels a little odd...why would the people living close by think this place is in ruins? Wouldn't the keeper of this castle have announced his presence somehow?...does any one of you have the means to investigate whether this might be an illusion? I could potentially try and move myself up those walls, but i do not exactly like the though of splitting up in this place." The look on Neans face is growing more sceptical with every word and he once again eyes up the castle grounds, trying to see if he can sense any type of magic working the place.

Arcana: 18

Nean: Though it's difficult to pick out any runes or other arcane symbols, you don't see the telltale glimmers or imperfections of illusion magic. The castle appears to be a real, solid structure. 

Ospos shrugs, "If that is where the tracks lead, then that is where we have to go." 

Forgot to mention: The small tracks lead up to the cobblestone path and vanish at the smooth, set stones. It’s not clear which way she went once on the path.

Ospos frowns, "Well then.  We can circle the castle and see if we find other tracks of hers?  Or we can go knock on the door and ask if she passed thru."

After looking around, Ava focuses her gaze on the tower

"I think it may be best to approach through this main entrance, but I trust the judgement of you all."

Also looking at the tower, Ospos replies, "If the inhabitants are willing to talk, then I can do my thing.  If they aren't, well then all of you can do your thing."

Bram smiles knowingly at Ospos.

"I can help you with that, my thing is much like your thing. A couple of bards just doing their thing."

"We turn on the smooth, see what we can do."

Bram takes a few steps towards the citadel, still smiling.

"Come on, lets see who's home."

"What are the chances anyone living in a place like this is going to want to talk?" Clermar wonders as they approach the citadel. "That's assuming anything is even in there. This whole place has a 'dead and buried' feeling to it. Does anyone here know how to put the dead to rest, other than just uh ... killing them?"

The ivory structure grows as you approach. Fine details can be seen, like masterfully carved reliefs of skeletal figures draped in thin veils and cloaks, and a trail of red-violet vines creeping over one of the walls, hinting at a garden within. The front gate appears to be dark wrought iron framing white painted wood, and a guard comes into view as you round the path towards the front. They are in full plate armor, as ornate as their post, bedecked with a white tabard embroidered with a crimson rose and filigree. They seem to straighten up upon seeing you all in the distance, their spear perfectly perpendicular to the marble steps just behind them. They call out in a deep, bellowing voice: “Halt! State your name and intention for visiting the Pallid Keep!”

Ospos bellows his response with all the voice carrying power of an experienced bard, "I am Ospos and we are all bounders seeking a gnome whom we are tracking. It appears she has come this way. We would like to ask a few questions regarding her whereabouts."

“Bounders eh?” The guard lifts the visor of his helm, seeming to peer at you all. From this distance you can’t make out any details of his face, but he relaxes a bit and waves you forward. “I know nothing of any gnome, but as Bounders I assume you must be friends of Lady Lah’thys. She is still out on a mission, but you are welcome to wait for her in the keep.” He turns back to the castle behind him. “Open the gates!” And with that, the heavy doors begin to slowly sweep inwards.