Zack puts up a finger Ah yeah, perfect! And can you do  that same thing with your tressym? zack asks, wondering of Rillex and Spaz were going to catfight.

Rollo nods. "As long as he says yes then it should work."

Although Narz grinned at Rollos earlier compliment, and looked on soon after somewhat impressed by the man's knowledge -- limited as it was -- as the ancient and wild magic, Zack's joke at the man's expense elicited a far different response. For just just a few seconds, the hobgoblin's usual expression of wariness and intensity swung in the direction of shock. The kind of shock the ex-soldier might've seen a young recruit might've first wore when another made a serious mistake infront of a drill sergeant.

He is quick wipe the expression from his face as it became clear Rollo took no offense, but had to look away nodding and stern faced at some unspoken thought for a bit. The rest of Zack's spiel is met again with a renewed curiosity. Towards the end of speaking of his ability, Narz even crossed his arms and nodded, still impressed in spite his fellows warriors doubts in his abilities. When Rillex pokes his head up, Spaz cocks his head to the side for a second, and then shook it subtly, giving a sort 'The hellz wrong with you?' sort of look. Then rolls his eyes and went back to staring up at the others conversing around them.

"So, uh, Tressym's are a local beast then, eh? Huh. Did not figure them to be the type to frequent areas so close to the swamp. But then again, my current knowledge is somewhat limited to breeds of the..." He trailed off somewhat pantomiming stroking his chin as if subconsciously leery of messing up the final kept beard there before looking about the group. "I must say. Apologies of course where it is due. But, I was laboring under the expectation that this particular Tressym of yours was a familiar -- a, uh, spiritual companion given physical form to assist one or all of you in your endeavors. And thus, less eligible for the typical, uh, natural based magics being workable upon it, if'n you know what I mean, eh?" He then squints at the Tressym. "Huh... And its armored too. Most impressive."   

By this point, Zack had began putting his armor back on, after Mending any holes from the bolts in his armor. listening to the others talk as he waited for Nadia to toss in what she could do just in case there was a trick she had that he wasn't aware of. Slowly settling the armor into place, before putting on his boots. Zack was oblivious to Narz's reaction, but this sort of commentary was common with the Ex-Soldier, though hopefully everyone would take it better than Nadaar did, since he wasn't likely to change anytime soon. His personality was likely abrasive to some, but his intent was always to try to keep peoples spirits up, and inspire them even if he himself wasn't all that great. Finally done gearing up, he responds to Narz's comments.

Nah, not local. A late friend of Nadia's and me found him after e finished saving Nighstone just after a giant attack, when some goblins and Zhents were trying to loot and or take control of the place. Quietly listening to Narz's followups as he stood fully, putting his over sized claymore on his back.  yeah, the armor was Happies idea. So far it hasn't been needed but that just means he'll be a little safer if he joins on this mission. Think about it like this Rillex... he says, looking to face wherever the Tressym was at The sooner we're done here, the sooner we continue on with getting you home, this will hopefully be the last distraction before we do. Afterall, our main mission is following those giants... we just couldn't let this be, considering what it entailed.

The Tressym lays jts head back down, clearly resigned to its new job as the parties eyes though its clear the Tressym would rather wait somewhere warm, comfortable and safe.

Night before:

"I-it's nothing," Nadia admits to Zack's questioning with a sheepish smile and a dismissive wave of the hand. "Just a dumb idea. Now, don't worry about me. It's time for you all to get some rest!"

In the morning:

Nadia is in the midst of packing up her bedroll when the group decides to speak on a game plan for getting through and into the fortress. She listens intently as she sets her things aside, and voices no complaints when her sneaking around the place is suggested. Though, when Narz speaks of alleviating her some trouble, she just about finishes what she is doing and joins the group as he explains what he means. She looks to be impressed at his abilities, glad that they had someone like him on their side for the time being.

Her eyes would follow whoever spoke next regarding what they brought to the table, in and out of a fight, taking mental notes of specific things that could prove to be useful for later (aside from Zack, as there truly was no need). When the fighter offers her the floor, she speaks, albeit a bit nervously as she wasn't one to normally speak of herself. "I, um... Well, I'm good with a bow," She uses a nod of her head to gesture to the bows over her shoulders. "But, I'm getting better with a sword thanks to Zack." She gives the fighter a thankful smile prior to continuing. "A lot of what I do is single target, but I can enchant an arrow to splinter when it comes to a crowd... Useful, in some cases. Um... Oh! I can mark someone to do more damage to them and track them down if they try to run away."

"Other than that, I can heal too. Not as good as Claire, but I can send out an animal spirit to help in healing if you're in its space. I use it mainly when I'm at a distance at things are looking a bit grim... Umm... If we ever deal with a specific type of creature, I can help protect against it... And... I can also cast a truth spell. Took a page from... a late friend of ours, hah."

The elf falls back into silence (unless asked about something or talked to), listening to Narz and Zack's conversation regarding Rillex. When they look to be done conversing, Nadia nods her head towards Clair to see if she would speak up about her abilities. 

Claire looks like she's learning just as much as the hobgoblin as the others share their abilities.  She blinks curiously and raises an eyebrow at certain things but refrains from asking questions on anything she doesn't understand.  When spoken of herself, she coughs and clears her throat.  Looking at a loss for a moment before she collects her thoughts and described her own abilities.

"I command divine light and shape it by my will.  As the others have said I am an experienced healer, but my power can manifest in many ways.  I can call upon plants to slow enemies, or draw spikes from the earth to impede and damage our foes.  I sometimes command the wind and water, and fire, though only to a minimal extent.  Back in our first fight together I cursed our foes to stumble and step unsurely.  Back home what I did most often was enrich the land to provide a bountiful harvest, a gift of light to my people..."  Claire trails off as she thinks of home for a moment, and then seems to snap back to the present.  "I have also trained with the lance.  An instructor back home was kind and patient enough to ensure I could defend myself."

Zack nods as he takes in everyone's abilities - It was primarily healing, though there were a few other utility spells and even some damage mixed in there. To which he sighed and began to think, though before he got too much into it.. I'll assume many of your spells can't be active simultaneously... and I'll plan with that.  While I think of a strategy, Narz... Nadia... Could you both scout out the place? I hate to waste your magical energy but one of you might spot something the other misses. Clearly Zack hadn't intoned Narz's comment about 'not' using Rillex.

Zack starts to think using what they already know and waits to hear about any new info.

If curious about Nadia's last bit, Narz kept it from his expression. He just nodded and filed away the latest bit of intel in mind before finally regarding Zack again as he spoke on. "As my father once said, Redundancy is only the enemy of those that wish to die, eh? Not that I won't need some directions anyhow, as it is mighty bit difficult to guage where this place is beyond just being outside lizardfolk territory according to the wise one from before."

"Which with that in mind, we will need to get within a mile of this fortification for my magic to be of use. So, if any of you can confirm as much, I'll stick with some standard spirits, ravens, crows, and maybe a spide, and then we can be on our way." He looks to Nadia. "In fact, would you prefer to have a particular one on your person, as I would be able to hear and relay to others anything you find that I overlook." After waiting patiently for an answer, Narz breaks out the black iron 1/2 a foot long rod from his pack. And just like before, if albeit with the cavaet of casting another spell first, he acts like he's conducting a choir as a small rip in space begins to appear over the course of a minute.

At its end, from out of the portal smelling of blueberries comes a hawk, a spider, and whatever beast was Nadia's choice. Or if she wanted none, then its raven. Without a word, the hawk would take up the spider and fly off in the direction of the fortification the group assailed last. Its first task is an aerial recon with Narz being actively sent information without needing the wizard's focus, but stay casual enough not to arouse attention. Then, it would find a place to land on or nearby that it wouldn't get shot for and set the spider down to begin searching for a way inside...

(Casted Mage Armor on Self, and then a 2nd level Flock of Familiars, choosing the spirits type to be Fey.)

Zack gave Narz a quizzical look at the first comment about redundancy. Maybe he heard it wrong or interpreted it wrong, but it sounded like he had said what he intended to but in reverse? Regardless he got the point. And seeing as everyone else was being quiet, he would ask the others to follow Nadia as she would lead them back within a reasonable distance so that Narz and the other with the ability to see through the eyes of a beast, could begin scouting.

Stealth: 14

Claire stays towards the back of the group, keeping back far enough so as not to impede the scouts.  Even as they give all-clears to proceed when the area is safe, she attempts to be as quiet as she can in her armor and with her horse.

Claire tries her best to remain quiet but seems to be having trouble controlling her horse this particular day. The house loudly whinnies and neigh, clearly agitated. Luckily the party is far enough away that it doesn't seem to give them away just yet giving Claire a chance to calm her animal companion (make an animal handling pls)

Once within a mile of the keep Narz sends his familiar out to scout ahead. The hawk flies around said keep, sending telepathic images back to Marzocchi. You see that Zack was right about the keep gate, it seems to have been hastily repaired and had extra fortifications in the form of barricades on the inside. There are no le.ss than 8 guards walking the walls, clearly on high alert. The courtyard itself is empty though still easily accessible from the interior walls. There are no other obvious entries though a skilled acrobat could probably scale the wall itself. 

"Come on Midnight, settle down now," Claire speaks softly as she strokes her horse's mane. Animal Handling: 16

The horse calms down and quiets down. You wouldn't consider yourself as being stealthy but at least you're not being overly loud either. Soon enough you get to the edge of the tree line and the keep and be seen ahead. (Same info as Narz learned above)

Rollo looks at the wall and then around. "I have an idea that may use some of our skills. I can go to the front gate and start beating it down. If I'm not trying to use magic I can use the full effects of my pain reduction to stay alive for quite a while. Claire could come with me to make sure and because I don't think a horse will get over that wall. The rest of you sneak over the wall while they're distracted." 

Apart from gently brushing his beard Narz would say nothing just yet. He still had yet one trick up his sleeve yet, and he was determined to see it through. So with but a thought, the hawk is bade to land atop the main building and allow its passenger spider to find its way inside with care via the nearest suitable window or crack. From there, the hobgoblin would take out pen and book, and set about mapping the inner structure as the spider went on without hopefully drawing any unwanted attention. The creature was tiny enough that only an incidental glance aughta draw any attention to it as it went about its business, going from room to room and hall to hall of the upper levels, then make its way down..

 Stealth: 20.
(If needed for the spider)

.

Stealth if needed, but not much for zack to do till the scouting is done.

6

Earlier:

Nadia's brows raise in interest when Narz inquires on if she would like a familiar on her person or not for relay purposes. "Hm... A raven should do just fine." 

The elf then watches as the wizard begins to prepare to cast the spell, interested to see how his magic worked. At the end, she gives a small applause and says, "Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

Scouty Scoot Snek Snok:

Nadia does her best to stay quiet as she sneaks around with the others, eyes peeled for anything that could have been useful to them for infiltration on the outside. 

Stealth: 23
Perception: 20

When the scouting is done and everyone's gathered together again: Claire looks to Nadia and Zack.  "... Just a thought... but you two killed the demon who was technically leading these people, right?  Or at least employing them?  What if we just tell them their boss is dead?  They might just give up... maybe not after we already fought them last night, but... I don't know... what are they fighting for if they're not getting a paycheck?"

Zack grunted softly, and nodded as he saw the wisdom in Claire's words but he felt he should lay out some other possibilities.. Just in case... I agree, that may work. But they also may not believe us... or they may not care. Or.. if the boss is dead, they may no longer have a reason to keep the real Duchess alive....