Lanarial checks the door for traps, then sees if it is locked. He will use his thieves' tools to take care of either or both of these problems! Otherwise, he will wave the rest of the group forward before opening the door.

Perception: 26

Thieves' tools: 12

The door is not locked. You enter H8, a small hallway, and then proceed into H12.

Three stirges flutter anxiously about this cold and dismal hall. The stirges are thirsty for blood and heedlessly attack you, but they are dispatched easily.

Shields, weapons, and tapestries and destroyed decor little room. A dozen humanoid skeletons in rusty armor lie scattered amid the debris. Painted on the stone floor is a 10-foot-diameter, shield-shaped crest that features a black tower being struck by a golden bolt of lightning. All is quiet in this room.

"Does anyone recognize this crest?" Lanarial whispers to the rest of the group. He proceeds around the edge of the room to the east and towards the firepace, keeping his shoulder to the walls and not stepping on the painted area if possible. He continues looking for traps or concealed doors.

Perception: 18

You can see two secret doors that i've circled on the map I uploaded in discord.

Vi takes a look at the crest to see if she does indeed recognize it, chewing her lip.

History: 7

Tex History check because why not:  19

Iri hangs back, watching everyone as they look through the rooms. After her close brush with death against the mercenaries, she is being a bit more careful in where she stands. She also looks a bit uncomfortable in the keep. "We should try to find our way to the dragon quickly. The longer we are in here, the more likely he is to hear us." 

Unfortunately, you are unable to recognize the crest.

Vi nods. "Yep, time to move on."

H17 - WARLORD QUARTERS

There are a number of skeletons scattered in this room. Three humanoid skeletons in rusty suits of chain mail lie on the floor near rusty longswords. A fourth humanoid skeleton in rusty plate armor lies slumped in a chair that faces the fireplace. A steel goblet lies on the floor between the legs of the chair. In the middle of the room stands a sturdy oak table. Tiny, carved wooden figures of soldiers are strewn about, as are the torn-up remains of old maps.

Something happened here in this room, in this castle, but there just isn't enough evidence to discern what.

Iri aims her hands to shoot a vine of seaweed as soon as she sees the skeletons. She quickly realizes that they aren't moving towards her and lowers it. Those skeletons from that dwarf mine spooked me before. Looking around she wonders what tales the room holds. Closing her eyes she focuses for a moment before looking about the room to see if there are signs of struggle or any clues as to what happened to the skeletons. She stays as far from the bodies as she can, still not trusting them. 

Perception: 26

Investigation: 21

MOMENTUM: 3, CHAOS: 17

You remember stories of this place growing up. Icespire Hold, the great stone fortress perched on the icy northeast spur of Icespire Peak. A warlord named Delsendra Amzarr built the stronghold, and dwelled there for many years while she and her soldiers kept the orcs of the Sword Mountains in check. When supply lines were cut off by heavy snow and blizzards during a brutal winter, Delsendra and her followers starved to death. 

Kneeling in the dust, Iri whispers a prayer to Selune, "Please watch over these souls and make sure they are guided somewhere peaceful. They have fought long enough." Standing up and looking to the rest of the group, Iri says, "We should find a way to lay these skeletons to rest. Either now or after we kill the dragon. They deserve better than this."

Tex nods in agreement, “let us focus on putting this place at peace once Cryovain has been eliminated.” Tex smiles at Iri, appreciating her sense of reverence for strangers, and in that moment, he realizes he has begun to fall for her.

He will go to the next door ready for what lies ahead.

Gareth-Wyn picks up the steel goblet, hefting it quietly and considering. He replaces it after a moment - always time to come back after victory.

And if there was no victory, well, there'd be no need for a new goblet.

There is a stairway between H12 and H17 that leads down, just FYI.

Lanarial looks down the stairs, his drow blood yearning to descend, but the party convinces him of the urgency of going up and dealing with the dragon first, so he leads the group up the stairs (to H19 looks like...)

Stealth: 16

H19

The room is decorated with the spoils of war, including impressive-looking furniture that is mostly destroyed. Also heaped about the room are furs, antlers, the rotting heads of humanoids (dwarves, humans, and orcs mostly), as well as other trophies. There is an ornate wooden chair missing one of its arms. It has six branches of red coral worked into its design. The branches can be detached and are worth 25 gp each, you figure.

Even from here, the extreme cold begins to hurt your skin. You can feel you are very close to a force of great evil.

Tex draws dragonslayer, and nods to the party before giving fern a pat pat, “We’re finally here, ready to truly save this area from a real threat. Let’s do this!” He’ll then grip his sword with both hands, ready to rush on to battle (He’ll cast enlarge as they enter H20.

"That coral, I recognize it. That is from the reef near my home. How did that come to be in such a place?" 

Across her body stars begin to twinkle as Iri takes on the chalice constellation (adv on concentration). She then whispers a prayer and her spirit bear appears beside her. (Bestial summon level 4)