Iz sits on a table near the entrance to he hall whistling a happy halfling tune and tapping her foot while she waits for Torem and the rest of the troops to make ready.

Rat ascends the staircase and emerges into a hall. The floor is covered in a rich red carpet, and paintings adorn the walls. A second staircase leads onto the roof of the keep, which has been bombarded by rocks, causing the roof to collapse in several areas. What remains is safe to walk on, and Rat has a birds eye view of the ruined town of Nightstone. Needless to say, it is not much to look at.

Thalia takes a few moments to double-check her belongings and study a few notes in her spellbook. "Hm... I have to admit, I haven't yet practiced too many spells that are meant for handling monster-infested caves... maybe this, though... yes, I could probably angle this such that..." She loses herself in her review for a while until she hears someone indicate that it's time to head out.

 Druug moves to stand next to Iz, relaxing into an easy parade rest stance while waiting for the others to gather. 

(I recently received a PM from Xero saying he was back from vacation. We'll give him a little more time to check in and level up before we proceed. Thanks for your patience.)

(So much for that. :) Hopefully Xero will rejoin us soon.)

As Rat surveys the town from his lofty vantage point, his attention is riveted by seven riders approaching the gate from the south. It is impossible to identify them from this distance, but they are all humans mounted on strong riding horses.

Rat will whistle downwards quietly and let the others know about this development. Following that, he will try to find a position on the roof / wall near where the riders would approach, but keep hidden.

After Rat notifies everyone of the approaching riders, Druug will shout from where he stands by Iz.  "Are you expecting company?" he yells to Torem and the others. 

Iz looks around with all the commotion and folds her arms over her chest. She blows her stray bangs out of her hair. And kicks her feet while sitting on the edge of the table.

     "Oh, now what?" Frixori snaps and she moves to the door of the tower to get a view of those that approach.

Torem runs out of one of the stone towers which flank the gate, a stack of spears in his arms. "Visitors? Perhaps they are travelers who do not yet know of the destruction of Nightstone." 

The riders enter the settlement via the lowered drawbridge and pause for several minutes as they survey the ruined town. Then they dismount and wander into the square, apparently calling for someone. A moment later Mae emerges from the Nightstone inn and begins to confer with one of the riders.

(To clarify, this is happening hundreds of feet away, in the town. Half of Nightstone and the ruined bridge separate you and the riders.)

Watching this, Druug snorts.  "It appears the snake lady's friends have appeared.  Are we ready to go now?" he asks Torem.

"Oh! Well that's probably all right, then," Thalia says, nodding. "There was a traveler at the inn when we investigated, recovering after the giants attacked the place; said she was expecting company or something like that," the dragonborn explained. "I think she had... reported back to her 'rose order', or something? About the attack? They might have more questions for your people, I suppose, Torem. Someone will be staying behind while we head out to find the other townsfolk, right?"

Torem looks doubtful. "We'll inquire their business before we depart. The drawbridge is the only way out of Nightstone anyway." He leads the way out of the keep, accompanied by the other three guards. You clamber across the rope without event and approach the riders, who have not yet seen you.

Iz marches behind Torem and his guards, looking a little more militant without the bulk of her added clothing. She tries to keep pace with her little legs and every now and again has to run a bit to catch up. Because of this she doesn't hum or whistle, which, even from the short time the others have known her, they can tell is strange. When they get near the unknown riders, she waits for Torem and his guards to speak with them before taking any action, she doesn't feel the need to get wrapped up in the affairs of local government. 

She stands away a little bit, but close enough to hear what they are saying, or to step in if necessary. She's tapping her foot impatiently, worried about the villagers.

Rat is keeping to the back of the pack on this, he's not much of a talker.

     Frixori wasn't looking forward to crossing the ruined bridge again, but once across she puts on her usually air of confidence. She strides over to the new arrivals, standing just behind Mae overtly displaying her symbol of the Zhentarim on the stock of her crossbow.

Druug stands behind Torem, content not be directly involved, but ready to swing if necessary.  His large hand rests easily on his hammer, but his eyes wander over each of the new arrivals.

Perception:  5 

If Thalia notices her companions' apprehension, she gives no sign of it as the group approaches the newcomers. "Hello, all! New to Nightstone as well, are you? Looks as though Mae has told you already, but there's been a... a bit of a... giant... incident... around here of late. I'm sure Torem here—" she indicates Torem with a flourish "—can tell you more about what happened, although at the moment we're off to go assist some of the townsfolk who fled the destruction. I don't suppose you fine folk would be willing or able to offer any assistance in that matter, would you? It really is quite urgent." She smiles and waits for their response, or for Torem to offer his own explanation or opinion.

A man with greasy black hair turns, interrupting his discussion with Mae. "We were unaware that any of the inhabitants of this town had survived." He replies in a gravelly voice with a meaningful look at Mae.