Dahme'dre follows Lucien and Slade through the tunnels protectively watching over the townsfolk as they go ensuring no one gets separated in the darkness.

Ashehee follows the group, feeling more confident about her goals, life and abilities. She continues to keep a watchful eye on Lucien, but seems resigned to the fact that she has to follow him. She says a prayer to the Sliver Flame, asking for forgiveness.

Everyone reaches the end of the tunnel without incident. There you find much dust on a metal ladder which leads upwards. Closer inspection reveals a mess of cobwebs. It looks to have fallen into disuse.

Lucien looks to his companions, "Provide me a moment... there is a lock leading into the keep." He climbs up the ladder and you can hear him fiddling with the door above your heads. "Ah ha! Got you." You hear a successful click, followed by a thud. "Ah... this is an issue." He climbs back down. Lucien bows his head, "Hmm... the door seems stuck."

Slade glances over at Ashehee, "Care to give it a bash? I think I have a crowbar in my pack if you want." After briefly rummaging around in his backpack Slade produces said implement with a flourish.

"I can certainly get it open if its jammed but it may be under some piece of furniture, or held in some other way. I'd prefer we go with an application of force before I try my hand." Dahme'dre says to Ashehee.

"Ashehee? Did she get separated? Zomith, would you please try the hatch? Maybe we can get a little more light down here."

"Certainly," Zomith nods. She ascends the ladder and pushes on the latch with all her might. (Athletics 23)

As that doesn't seem to work, Zomith pulls free a handaxe from her belt and begins to bang it against the door. After about 10 seconds of this action, shifting crates above you can be heard. Then, there is light and a voice.

"Bloody hell, mates... ya scared me halfta death! Who is it?"

Linan shouts, "It's me Linan, Castellan! My family is here along with those who helped us reach this far!"

"Ah! Come right up, then!" 

Climbing up, you see a short dwarven man with a full red beard which he strokes. He looks angry. "Please tell me no damn bastards saw you come in through that tunnel."

"We slipped away like snakes in the grass" Dahme'dre calls up the ladder.

Her mage hand holds the torch up over her head and she looks around to make certain everyone is together as they climb into the keep.

(Assuming everyone is accounted for.) She uses shape water to form a wall of ice blocking the tunnel behind them, just in case. Castellan's concern may not be unwarranted.

Slade hauls himself up into the room, briefly fusses with his garb, and addresses the dwarf, "Yes, fear not friend, we escaped undetected from the city. Slades of Aundair at your service. I don't suppose you have any idea why your fine city is being attacked by a dragon and a horde of cultists do you?"

Aurelia pulls herself up, breathing heavily from the exertion. Heavy metal armor is not helpful for climbing through sewers and ladders. "Hello. I am Aurelia", she introduces herself, short of breath.

Castellan nods at you all, stroking his beard still. "Hello, I'm Castellan Aldin d'Kundarak. The local banker turned chief of defense... we've had to improvise." He considers Slade's words for a moment, and continues, "Them cultists had been terrorizing the local hamlets and such, farmers and trappers... even the highwaymen!" He laughed abruptly.

"Yes, well... My family and I must beg pardon. I have to report to Mayor Nighthill and get my husband to, ugh, Evan." Linan nodded at Castellan and you. "Thank you all for guiding my family through this... I don't think I can repay you, but once this is over look for me and I will see what I can do to help you on your travels." She gives a small smile before walking away with her family.

"Er, yes, anyway... They seem to be conducting strange rituals in some of the homes. Some of our people have reported in that the cultists now seem to be taking things! Jewelry, gems, gold, family heirlooms - you name it!" He huffs and puffs. "Course, it's shown these people the benefits of the Kundarak bank deposit boxes... those cultists can't break into them!" He laughs again.

Aurelia shakes her head imperceptibly at Castellan's demeanor. "We have seen acts of sheer butchery from these cultists. Families eviscerated. Walls painted in blood. This is no laughing matter, nor is it time for material or economic concerns. We must take this matter with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Lives are at stake!"

Persuasion: 19

"Dahme'dre d'Cannith." she introduces herself. "Castillan, we've been able to draw only minimal information from the cultists we've encountered so far. They are following someone they called, Margana. I'd like to be involved in your preparations to strike at them. Have you determined where they're getting their orders from, yet?"

Dahme'dre recognizes that Castillan may be in over his head, but she sees more value in him as an ally than a road block.

"Would you introduce us to Mayor Nighthill?"

Slade nods in agreement, "It is indeed horrific out there. If action is not taken I fear what will happen. Is there some way we can help?"

(OOC: by the way did Lucy go with Linan?)

Ashehee chooses to listen rather than talk, weary of the recent exertion. Ashehee knows she's never been a "leader" and she chooses to evaluate everyone, with a healthy dose of suspicion as is her nature.

Castellan gives Aurelia a wry look. "Ya think I don't know that missy? We been dealing with these sods for weeks and the capital still hasn't sent any aid. Say it was not worth investigatin'!" He looks quite pissed off.

However, Dahme'dre interjects before Castellan can over anymore grueling words. "Ahh, a House Cannith," He looks away from Aurelia. "A Margana you say? Hmm, I don't recall a person by that name, but I believe ya. No, we haven't heard of where they receive their orders from yet." Hearing the offer of assistance, his eyes soften as he looks from everyone among you. "Sorry, I come on a bit hard and strange. Once you get to be 943, you tend to get that way... if there is any way you can help, surely the Mayor will be the one to speak to." He turns to lead you toward Mayor Nighthill.

As you walk, anyone with passive perception 12 or higher notices that Lucy seems to have gone missing. You don't quite remember her walking away with Linan, but you are quite certain she came up the ladder with you. Perhaps she ran off somewhere?

(General layout of the fort in the spoiler. Please imagine the dirt is stony ground.)

Walking through the fort, you see many makeshift cots on the ground as you come into a large room. You came from a storage room to the south. Castellan explains he heard the banging as he was searching for more stints and bandages. The wounded seem numerous to you. As you walk by, you see Linan arguing, red in the face, with a halfling who has the sort of grin you would love to punch. At this point, Zomith and Klobs break off from the group. Klobs tells you, "I know that git... I need to set that bastard straight!" and storms off with Zomith close behind. That halfling git, you assume, is a House Jorasco member of some kind, though you can't make anything out of whatever that situation seems to be.

Finally, you stand before the doors that mark the entrance to the eastern tower. Inside, you see mostly humans, a handful of gnomes and half-elves, and a single goblin. They are working together as you see more common people, some moderately wounded, reporting to one of the human men. He is of average size and seems to command a powerful presence. You assume this must be Mayor Nighthill. Castellan signals you to wait a moment as a final person appears to be speaking with Mayor Nighthill. This person is a teenage boy, possibly no older than 14. He is dressed finely, and it can be assumed he is not a commoner like those before him.

"Please sir, I beg you, I could easily infiltrate these cultists, and-" A human man begs at Mayor Nighthill.

"Now hear me, Vox," Mayor Nighthill shakes his head. "I cannot allow you to go out there right now. I know of your capabilities, but what if people mistake you for one of them? I'm sorry... but we have to wait for our time." 

At those words, the youth stomps off. Mayor Nighthill frowns deeply, but his expression lightens up somewhat as he spots Castellan. "You bring me some good news, I hope?"

"Ay, these lassies and lad would like ta speak with ya about helpin' out. I figure you'd know best!" The two men exchange smiles and Castellan hurries off.

"My name is Tam Nighthill, mayor of this town. I don't believe I recognize you?"

The human 

Slade performs a curt yet formal bow before the mayor, "Slade of Aundair at your service. Your town seems to caught in quite the quandary. I offer my services to help see you through these troubled times. I think you will find my capabilities in line with that of young Vox, but with the additional benefit of being more...expendable." Slade smoothly delivers the speech in a friendly tone, but his eyes betray a hint of suspicion. He pauses to gauge the mayor's reaction and steps back allow the others to introduce themselves.

"Dahme'dre d'Cannith" She introduces herself with an elegant and practiced bow. "My friends and I intend to eliminate these cultists, not only from your town, but to protect the surrounding areas as well. Will you be able to assist us with any information or equipment?"