Ithelion listens to the mayors words, trying to ascertain his actual reaction to her speech.

When the others are ready she shoulders her pack and starts walking out of town. She leaves Elosa to watch the Mayor's house as the leave, occasionally glancing though her eyes, and when they are about to lose contact, she summons her.

Perhaps it might soon be time for Elosa to -- briefly -- become a rat, she thinks.

Once they are out of Oakhurst and back on the road towards the citadel, Krom will hand two flasks of oil to each of them. "I figure that ten of these should be enough to get the job done."

Ithelion thanks Krom and stows the oil in her pack, and continues to walk quietly, considering and discarding various plans to deal with the mayor. Having him disappear might be best, but how?

No! It is for the townsfolk to resolve. She ponders that for a time, seemingly satisfied. But what if they like his plan? Eventually she curses and summons Elosa to her side, stroking her feathers gently, growing calm as she tries to take simple delight in the summer weather.

[are you traveling slow, medium, or fast?]

@ithelion - roll a survival check please.  and depending on what speed you all choose, you can roll a wisdom check to increase the speed of travel one level (DC 13).  [this is the benefit of the cartographer thing we discussed]

When you're ready, everyone roll a perception check for me.

(( I'd vote for medium speed; iirc it determines our ability to detect ambushes etc, and I don't trust the mayor...and would be nice to travel faster safely... ))

Itheion Survival: 10

Wisdom Check (no proficiency):  17

Ithelion Perception: 16 (Passive 14)

Elosa Perception: 22 (Passive 13)

Daemyar perception 23 

Quote from Ereshion >>

and I don't trust the mayor...and would be nice to travel faster safely...  

 [oooh, now that's interesting, thanks Ereshion :::)))

Perception: 15

Shere is bringing up the rear quietly humming a tune he can feel the tension from the group

Perception 

23

Looking for Danger

You all set off out of the town of Oakhurst, heading north and east on the Old Road.  Ithelion is able to use her navigational skills to orient you on her map and thus are able to find the way fairly easily.  The combination of Elosa, Ithelion, and Shere allow you to avoid a couple possible hiccups on the way.  [I'll explain the events below - if you would like to "zoom in" on one or both and take a different decision, let me know.  I am just assuming you want to get to the ruins]:

- 20 a short way out of town, Elosa and Shere alert the group that they have been followed out of town.  However, the figure disappears into the bush.  Ithelion, Elosa gives you the image - it looks like one of the Mayor's guards.  The figure doesn't emerge after...

- with the abandoned farms in the distance, you hear a loud braying sound, followed by what sounds like sticks knocking together forcefully.  Elosa and Shere notice it in the distance:  it looks like a couple of elk fighting each other....but something looks....off.  You don't get closer at this time but through Elosa an image comes to you, Ithelion:

 Due to Elosa and Shere, you are able to skirt around the fighting, mutated elk, ensuring they don't smell or sense you.  You arrive at the ruins safely, and find the heavy rope still firmly attached to the pillars that had the Dethek runes scratched into them.

The rope is knotted and sturdy and, from your previous foray, you know it's 60 feet down.  There are handholds and footholds as well.  If you want to descend, roll 3 STR or DEX checks (up to you).  DC 5.      

What do you wish to do?

Shere says to Ithelion

"Seems the Mayor, is a busy body, and what you're saying is true."

He looks at the rope knowing the group has used it before 

"The rrope sturrdy, No? Maybe we should have a backup just incase its been tamperred with."

Daemyar will set about hooking up the block and tackle such that it’ll make the lowering of persons on the rope much easier. 

It should work such that you can use it at either the top or bottom, and thus work for everyone, and both directions.

"Eh, still looks sturdy enough." Krom will head down the rope first as the test run.

Str check: 7, 11, 16

Quote from nschrock >>

Daemyar will set about hooking up the block and tackle such that it’ll make the lowering of persons on the rope much easier. 

It should work such that you can use it at either the top or bottom, and thus work for everyone, and both directions.

 Krom you make it down either way but if you hook up the extra ropes and tackle, no need to make checks - you’ll automatically make it to the ledge below. 

Dexterity: 22 22 12

( If that is still needed) 

Shere says "I'll go down last amigos"

he shows his claws on one hand

"I can climb better than most and if the one who is following us gets an notion"  

Daemyar will take the block and tackle again when we’re finished.

Moving quickly at a brisk pace, you are able to get to the ravine and down the rope in about 2 hours total, a little longer as Daemyar packs up the block and tackle. 
You’re at the top ledge, with the first of the four cut-back stairs in sight. The first is about 20 feet, then 40, 60, and the final approach to the crumbled courtyard is about 80. 

Does the party descend?

(( I would assume we adopt the SoP order with Lorell replaced by Shere ))