Derrikoth turns to Astra, clearly nervous about something, "N-n-no, it's just that I don't want to meet these people here. It's better to meet other nobles on my own t-t-turf."

"Are you embarrassed to be seen here by your noble friends? You're on a mission to save the continent from giants. You have no reason to feel like you can't show your face to these people."

"Nobles don't have friends, only al-allies and en-en-enemies. I don't know these, so there's no r-r-reason for me to get involved with them in a nonf-f-f-formal way."

That explains a lot, actually. "Well calm down and stop acting so nervous. People can sense fear and if you keep this up you'll draw the attention to yourself that you're trying to avoid."

The nobles keep to themselves, keeping what could be construed as a respectful distance from you. Genevieve can hear most of their brief conversation with Filroy.

”...Rantharl Daerivoss, and these are my younger brothers. We are on a hunting expedition, and hope to use your establishment as a base of operations for the next few days. I have a wager that I’ll be the first to slay a hill giant!” 

Nirz's Resilience Save for the Day: 14 Temp HP.(2 of 3 salve uses remaining)

Still lost in his own haze of joy over another successful experiment, Nirzeg smiles at Derrikoth and says casually, "That's right. I heard human feed on fear once. Its apart of why they became so 'popular' upon this world. Hard to compete with a species who procreative practices and lack of respect of death." He chuckles. "Kind of reminds of these one particular bold ones I heard rumor of back when I was doing a little side research into the giants. Bloody fools ordered a book that could very well save their lives, only to rush off on their giant hunts on their own."

Nirzeg cackles. "Quite amusing. Had half a mind of offering our temporary services to get more giant material, or rescue'm on the trail for coin and a future favor... Hm... speaking of which, someone mention giants destroying old ruins before? Something worth maybe at least glimpsing perhaps? Once of course we complete our current delivery...." He frowns and squints at the others. "Wait. Have we not done that yet?"

"Not yet. But as for the old ruins, we already have plenty of errands to attend to and I'd rather get those out of the way before adding another one."

As you make ready to deliver the harnesses, Argus Filroy pipes up. "Make sure you don't stay out past dark! And don't mind the castellan's rudeness. The Hunt Lords don't like to be disturbed."

Astra gets up from the table. "Got it." She gets up and leads the rest of the party to the Hunt Lord's Castle, so that they can deliver the harnesses on move on.

Quote from Sarcasticfury >>

Astra gets up from the table. "Got it." She gets up and leads the rest of the party to the Hunt Lord's Castle, so that they can deliver the harnesses on move on.

 Boris the horse eases the wagon up the hill that leads to the dilapidated keep. A knock on the heavy wooden door summons an old dwarf in a tarnished breastplate. Without so much as a thank-you, he unloads the crate with the harnesses, and proceeds to shut the door in your faces.

Derrikoth looks mildly shocked at the dwarf's rudeness, "I know the barkeep said the lords did not want to be disturbed, but this is a bit excessive. No, uh, no loyal subjects should ever raise a hand in protest against a lord, but there have been... instances... of some disloyal subjects driving their, er, their lords out. I mean, these lords probably weren't driven out of town by this dwarf, but he could have... you know..."

He makes the motion of pouring something into a cup, then a drinking motion, then a choking motion.

"Well, it just seems suspicious to me. He doesn't look well kept, like a good servant."

Derrikoth knocks on the door once more, if the dwarf opens it up he makes sure to grab ahold of it to make sure the dwarf won't have an easy time slamming it in their face.

"I am Lord Derrikoth Toknal, agent of the Lord's Alliance. It is my understanding that your masters do not wish to be disturbed, but I merely need a moment of their time."

"I'll have to take ya word on all that, Big D. Though, are you sure ya wanna be roaring up this mountain after the whole twitchiness earlier?" Nirzeg asks casually from just behind the dragonborn, seeming curious yet unconcerned overall about any potential trouble. Then a small smile blossoms as he looks over the dragonborn. "Or wait... is this some sort of play to get back into investigating that whole stone ruins thing a while back? Maybe receive some... compensation for the assist? If so, you have my support one hundred percent milord."

The dwarf opens a iron slit at his eye level in the heavy wooden door. Gruffly, he says, “Ain’t customary for delivery boys to see the Hunt Lords. They aren’t receiving anyway. Go away.”

Derrikoth holds back a snarl at being called a delivery boy, "I am no delivery boy. I was merely completing a request for a man who was killed in a giant attack. I am not here to be received, and need no permission from a lowly servant to enter, especially one that does not seem too well maintained. Open this door now, or I will let some less friendly folk know of the... condition... of this place."

// Derrikoth, go ahead with either a Charisma (Persuasion) or (Intimidation) check, your choice. //

(Intimidation: 16) 

The dwarf is taken aback by Derrikoth’s forceful presence. He begrudgingly opens the door. “Right this way, please, m’lord,” he says, bowing so low that his beard sweeps the ground. He allows you all to enter the vestibule before closing the door behind you and leading you further into the keep. 

The interior is in even worse shape than the outside of the keep. Spiderwebs are the dominant feature, complete with interesting mold colonies and a persistent odor of decay.

Derrikoth walks inside, hands behind his back, "Who's been maintaining this place? You? There's nothing wrong with a little frugal living, but even a peasant's hut is more well kept than this."

Astra looks back at the rest of the group. "He does know that we have other things to do, right? "

Nirzeg grinned back at Astra one last time. "Perhaps. But its not as if there were plans to leave this night anyhow. 'less you fancy a meeting with those stone shifters or other bumpers in the night, dear silver hair?" He questions, but only lingers so long for an answer before the need to play catch-up with Derrikoth prompts putting pep to his step. Wickerman takes it upon himself to try and eat some mold in the background as its master walked the halls. Smart Zeek, on the otherhand, follows after any who decide not to enter the manor. 

"I guess not. Come on Gen, let's see if you can't get us some rooms in a building that's not filled with mold."