Alyhooters: 27 

Stella: You are able to scout through the forest and see that it ends at the start of a ruined plaza with a crumbling bird statue at the center of it and right at the opposite end of the plaza is a palace that was once opulent. You also notice that there are patrols going through the plaza composed of feral elves and wolf-headed creatures with one eye that walk on two legs.

Through Hoodini, Alys can see the same as Stella, although she can see the movements of those patrolling creatures. You also hear a bestial cry coming from the palace, as if something is anguished or in distress.

Stella pads back quietly. "Found the palace. And found the guards too, I think. Feral elves and big wolf things. Shall we?"

(@SF: Not sure if its been a whole hour yet or not since the last encounter, but safe to assume it? Not looking for a short rest, so much as wondering for the purposes of the summons still being up or not.)

Courage cocks his head at the question. "Shall we... what? Move on at them? Suppose so, if there's no way around them, or a distraction we could use." He said nonchalantly. "Not that I fear the fight of course. But, eh... why bother if you don't have to, yea?" Both Courage and Souperb(in their own way) chuckle at that. "But, that's just me. However you guys want to handle it, I'm all for." The tiefling adds, thumping his chest, and causing another shimmer of electricity and magic to surge across his armor, creating another translucent barrier.

---> Using Defensive Field, gaining 14 Temp HP.

(It has not)

Alys would nod in agreement to keep pressing forward. She too had summoned an extra hand to assist them on the battle field. Though, their agreement only held for a period of time. Absentmindedly, he hand would reach out to find Yvan's, ready to continue. "Along with what Stella mentioned, I also heard a bestial cry coming from the palace, as if something is anguished or in distress." The elf would make sure to add her share of the information.

Nature: 18
(Can she determine anything from the cry? What kind of beast?)

Alys: It definitely sounds bestial, but there's also a trace of humanity or at least humanoidness coming from the cry.

 "Probably the same cat from your vision... er, elf." Courage chuckles half-heartedly under his breath. Then, seeing the others at least gearing up to try and sneak past trouble, Courage props up his own skill with a briefly charged and quickly downed concoction of his own, granting him an uncanny grace.

--->Casting (2nd level)Cat's Grace on self, negating disadvantage of armor.
Courage's Stealth: 20.

.

Alys would take a moment to gently brush some dirt off her armour, humming a tune to herself as she’d pray for some stealthy guidance. Exchanging a look with Hoodini, he’d lead her.

Stealth: 11 + Guidance: 4 

When it had been decided to tread through the rest of the way stealthily, Yvan's lip thinned. After a moment of thought, he gives Alys' hand a final squeeze before letting go. "It would probably be better I go last..." He explains. "In case I draw any unwanted attention."

After everyone had went ahead first, after a few more feet, Yvan would do his best to quietly follow behind.

Stealthy Wealthy: 15

Please Stealth, it's 12:45 a.m.:10

The group has a combined Stealth total of 84, which averages out to a total of 17 even with Vastra's middling roll, which is enough to get past all the creatures and get to the ruined palace.

Once at the palace, Stella and Obsidian listen for which way to go to find the cry.

My cat has better Perception than me: 17

While Stella and the rest(maybe?) are focused on finding the source of the noise, Courage turned some of his attention at least on the structure itself and its integrity. If there was, for instance, a way to seal off at least some entryways into the palace/ruins proper, thereby delaying any reinforcements from the outside, then at least he would try to learn of it.

Investigation: 24. (adv. from Souperb helping)

Though likely a futile effort. For the moment Stella or another got their bearings and are ready to move on, he'd abandon the side project without a second thought.

Courage: You don't think that you could do so without a large stone or some similar obstruction.

Stella: The crying seems to be coming from deeper in and up one floor.

Stella frowns. "Let's find some stairs."

"Aye? Mn.. Understood. Lead on, then. I trust your ears and tracking skills far more than me on." Courage admits, and with Souperb on his shoulder, made ready to quietly follow after Stella. As the group moves on, Souperb keeps its bulbous head on a swivel, if only out of absent curiosity over any other concerns.

Realizing she’s been slacking on assisting Stella and the others locate the creature she mentioned, Alys would gently touch her forehead to activate her third eye. She’d expand her senses to be able to see invisible creatures or items. Then, with Stella beginning to lead the way, the elf would nestle herself in with the group. To support Stella’s efforts, Alys would call upon Hoodini once again. When it felt like a good time to do so, she’d slow her steps until she’d feel Yvan close to her. Leaning against him as they walked, she’d give up her sight to follow her familiar’s up ahead. Humming softly to herself, she’d add extra guidance to be sure.

Investigation: 29 +  guidance: 2 to find/lead Stella down the most direct safe route. Ie. Let’s find her stairs!?

Alys: Going through the ruined palace, you'd see through Hoodini's eyes that there are multiple sets of stairs, but that the years have taken their toll on most of them, with either decay or natural overgrowth making them impassable. However, you do find one spiral staircase that you can use to get to the second level.

Relying on Yvan and the others to physically guide her so she doesn't trip or walk into anything, Alys' eyes were out with Hoodini. It'd take some time as there were so many stairs, why are there so many stairs!? But years upon years of wear and overgrowth, they were impassable. But they didn't give up. Trusting her friends to keep her more than safe, the archaeologist kept looking. Along with stairs, there was a lot of interesting architecture, artifacts and history in a place this ancient, it was difficult for her not to get a teensy bit distracted. Maybe it could help them with freeing or understanding what suffers here?

Then for what felt like multiple days, she'd finally speak up. "So many stairs..." She'd start quietly, and apologetically for taking so long after she realized the passing of time. "There's one." The elf would hold up her finger like a wise time keeper. "A spiral staircase that we can use to move up to the second level." To keep quiet as to not give away their stealth, Alys would speak lowly to those closest to her and point ahead using Message and/or her mental link with those who welcome the divination wizard's soft voice in their mind.

While they traveled, Alys would have Hoodini hover the area and double check for threats. And when Stella and the team would emerge within view, he'd be ready to support their rogue and her stealthy familiar on their path ahead or whatever came next. Should they continue their scout, Alys and Hoodini would shift back into an investigation mode, focusing in on the sound of the crying humanoid.

"Perfect," Stella murmurs, and starts towards the staircase, letting Alys provide directions.