The Phandalin Chronicles

"It can be your summer home but I will become the king of this place and make it all my own." Rekuberk says as he cracks his knuckles and moves to follow behind the others as he watches Chill go off ahead. As they walk his slowly unsheathes his sword.

Rhogar just gives a thumbs up. Though when he glances in Ghorar's direction, she only buries herself deeper into his hood, determined not to do 'any' flying whatsoever. At least not until the group are indoors, and out of the rough winds.

"That's the spirit lad!" says Krom, "But before your crowning ceremony we will have to defeat the current ruler of the keep."

As Chill mentions the possibility of climbing up to the keep instead of walking the path in front of the group, Krom stops walking as all of his awkward climbing attempts at Gnomengarde flash in his mind eye. Kazri's replies to the tabaxi brings him out of his trance. "So we are walking then, good." says a very relieved dwarf to himself as he walks next to Kazri keeping his guard up for hazards on the path.

The narrow trail clings to the mountainside as it twists around and up to the gatehouse. Tracks from horses coming and going along the trail are clearly visible in places. You find that you must traverse the trail in single file.  The wind howls around you muffling all other noise. 

Rekuberk moves to step ahead of the others to be the first in line, his sword held in his hands as he begins to walk. "Well then let us deal with this squatter so I can begin plans for the needed renovations..."

Chill stops to inspect the horse tracks seeing they come and go.  Very strange he thinks that horses have recently come this way with a dragon about.  But he presses on following the trail that leads to the gate house. 

"How old are those tracks Chill? I am not an expert, but with this kind of weather, tracks should not last too long." says Krom as the group notices the tracks. "Maybe the Dragon has some followers? I guess we will find it out when we will reach the keep."

Krom, trying to stay behind Rekuberk and Kazri, keeps his hand on the warhammer's grip as the group keeps following the trail for the gate house.

Kazri stays close to Chill.

Picking your way up the narrow trail eventually the group catches up to Chill as you come around the south side of the gatehouse. You find a section of the path that is covered in rubble and rocks. A bit of a path through is passable but difficult. Looking up you see that the southeast corner of the hold keep has collapsed.

You pass under the solid stone bridge which is 50 feet over your heads. It spans the 35-foot gap between the gatehouse and the main fortress. The bridge is edged by 3-foot-high stone railings.

The trail ends at the outer door of the gatehouse on its north side.

Assuming Chill checks the door he finds it is unbared and unlocked. 

Kazri looks around to see if the horse trails are also present here. (Survival: 18)

Chill bends down to inspect the tracks to see how old they are.

Survival 22

At the door to the gatehouse he presses his ear against the door to hear better 

Perception 24

Both Kazri and Chill can see that the horse tracks could not be more than a day old.  In places they have been swept over by snow or wind, but in others they are still visible.  

Chill does not hear anything behind the door, the wind blows to loudly.

Rekuberk will move to the door, waiting for the others to finish with the door before he steps ahead to open the door.

"So the tracks are one day old and the door is not locked..." says Krom as Chill and Kazri tell the group their findings. "Let's enter the gatehouse, we may be able to find out more about what is going on."

Krom nods to Rekuberkas he opens the door. The dwarf, warhammer  in hand, follow the half-orc inside.

Kazri nods and she also follow the half-orc.

Pushing the door open you enter the gatehouse of the keep.  Four saddled riding horses are kept in stalls. A fifth stall stands empty. 

Kazri notes that the saddle on the first horse looks exceptionally well made as the others are plain riding saddles.

Past the stalls is another room with closed doors.  2 doors in the west wall, 1 in the south and 1 in the east wall.

As you approach the open area past the stalls the door on the south wall swings open.   A lean, brash woman who has red hair pulled back in a ponytail steps out.  "Who are you?" she calls to you as 3 others step out behind her or are seen in the doorway.

You see the 3 others are a muscular woman with black hair and cold blue eyes, an unshapely man whose best years look to be behind him and a rugged, sullen brute of a man.  

All of them wear splint mail and have sheathed long swords and short swords. 

“We are here for the big wyrm that we believe resides in this castle. Who are you, and state your business.” Kazri brings to the front her shield, but brings her sword behind her arm, in a defensive stance. She tries to give the impression that they are not looking for a fight, but she will defend the party if they wish so.

Krom, keeping an eye on the woman and her friends, walks next to Kazri. He too enters into a defensive stance and starts considering a couple of hymns that could work on the other group if they become aggressive.

Chill quietly slips into the empty stall as the Kazri and the others confront the people.

Stealth 29

Rekuberk readies himself for a fight as he stretches slowly so that his Greatsword is on display. He any of them make a hostile action he will enter into a rage and ready himself for a fight.