if we plan on taking them on, how flamable does that structure look?  Fire is always the great equalizer

Survival check to see if it looks flammable 20

"I'm not sure anyone is home," Thromkor comments. "I see no tracks or signs of life. However," he says, giving a stiff nod at RedLeaf, "it would be wise to follow these paths to see if we can discover anything else before venturing inside." The dragonborn looks at Gotrek. "Why don't you accompany Tibold and me on the left path while RedLeaf leads Lanoros and Cole on the right."

Gotrek takes a moment to admire the building and performs a quick analysis of the building (Stonecunning (history) - Determine the age and origin of the building: 10

He then tells the party what he determines about the building and follows up with, "As much as I want to rush the building, we should do some scout work first. I don't think we should split the party but we need to investigate one of these paths. If we can't decide which way, I will flip a coin."

Exploring the perimeter

The party divides in two with Gotrek, Tibold and Thromkor heading to the West and Cole, Lanoros and Redleaf heading to East. The total perimeter of the monastery is about 1000’ (300’ East-West & 200’ North-South) and it takes you about 2 minutes to make your way around to the rear of the monastery where you meet up. As you explore the perimeter you notice that the walls are about 20 feet high, with the roof ridgelines about a further 10 feet above that, but the walls have patches of crumbling masonry or poorly fitted fieldstone, and look relatively relatively easy to climb. The monastery windows are narrow and tall, almost like arrow slits (about one foot wide and five feet tall), with the sill of each window being about 10 feet above the ground outside. {There is a bit of artistic licence taken in the illustration}. In addition to the main doors (double red dots), the only other doors (red dots) you find are in the northwest corner – facing west – and in the southeast corner facing south. Both are at the top of a set of steps and there is a midden (refuse pile) surrounding the base of steps leading to the northwest door. The wall in the northeast corner is only 10 feet high and you can see some trees appear to be growing behind the wall.

Thromkor kicks through the refuse, trying to determine its age, and also looking for anything of interest.

Investigation: 7

well we either climb or we knock and see if someone answers,  I vote knocking.  

"This looks very fresh," Thromkor comments about the refuse. "Perhaps as fresh as this morning." He looks along the structure. "Someone is definitely home." He shrugs. "Who knows who is using this temple now. I would agree we don't barge in."

"I have to disagree, my friend." Gotrek says to Thromkor, "If they turn out to be the enemy and we knock, we give any advantage we might have away, which we may need if Olaf has given these guys warning. But if we sneak in and the occupants turn out to be someone/thing else we can always use diplomacy then. I say we sneak in and investigate. We may even find the prisoners who may be willing to fight/provide information."

Thromkor neither speaks nor reacts to Gotrek's words. He simply looks at the dwarf.

When Thromkor gives him the look, Gotrek laughs. "If you disagree that much, go ahead and knock. I am not one to split the group, just saying what I would do. I will back your decison but if shit goes south, don't expect me to not say I Told You So." With that he points his arm in the direction of the entrance doors, "Lead the way my friend."

Thromkor's eyes widen a little at the challenge. He looks around at Tibold, RedLeaf, and Lanoros, stammering a little. "I — is this what the rest of you think is wise?" His eyes finally settle on Tibold.

Tibold stammers, uncertain, then collects himself.

"Well, I'm all for politeness. But I'll admit we aren't exactly the most...sociable bunch. So perhaps a more subtle approach would be wise? I care not if we knock or sneak in, but if we do the former, we need a story. Who knows who's in this building right now, and how many."

we have been wandering their perimeter if they are worth half their salt they know we are here so I vote we knock.  

At Cole's suggestion, Gotrek chuckles. "Now that is a reason to knock that makes sense to my way of thinking. Let's go back to the front door and knock." with that Gotrek starts walking back to the front door, gesturing for the group to follow. When he gets to the front door, he makes sure his axe is with easy reach if he needs and then proceeds to knock on the door.

Cole follows to the door

Thromkor also follows around to the front door.

Tibold watches them go. A moment or so later, he mutters something unsavory under his breath and follows.

Having the parties approval for his plan, Gotrek leads the way to the northeast corner where the wall is lower than the others and doesn't have a overhanging roof. He then gets the rope out of his backpack, secures his Axe to his bag and proceeds to climb over the wall. Once on the other side of the wall he ties the rope around his waist, anchoring it, before throwing the other end over the wall to assist the party if required.

Entering the Monastery – 12.30 pm Day 4 - First 10 Day - Kythorn (Month of Flowers) 

 The party proceeds to the northeast corner of the monastery where the wall is only 10 feet high. When they get there, Gotrek gets the rope out of his backpack, secures his Great-Axe to his back and proceeds to climb over the wall; see first & second map for party’s location. Once on the other side of the wall he ties the rope around his waist, anchoring it, before throwing the other end over the wall to assist the party if required. Cole follows quickly over the wall and Thromkor easily makes it over using the rope that Gotrek has provided. Tibold doesn’t so much climb the wall but is dragged up and over further scuffing his boots. Lanoros and Redleaf also make it over. It is not possible to get Spot over the wall and although Phantom could easily climb it, the decision is made to leave Phantom with Spot, both of whom move off into the shadows at the edge of the box canyon the monastery is located in.

As the party climb up and over the wall they see that the rest of complex is roofed in red tiles, however below them a poorly kept garden, although some effort has been made to clear footpaths through the overgrowth. The garden is 80' feet east to west and 40' north to south, There are three doors in the southeast, south and southwest corners; the door in the southwest corner has a set of steps leading up to it. Scattered throughout the garden are seven statues which all appear to be very life-like. From the northwest corner (see second map) proceeding clockwise they a statue of a minotaur with an axe raised above its head, an elf with a drawn bow, a human with its hands raised as if it is going to cast a spell, another elf with a drawn bow, some sort of devil or fiend, another devil or fiend and finally a halfling with a raised dagger in its hand as if it is about to be thrown.

Tibold groans.

"Statues are generally for decoration," he mutters.

"But what kind of decoration is that? They aren't in pleasant, natural positions, and they seem rather threatening for a garden. My guess is something's fishy about those."