Afamrail creeps quietly to the side doors and listens.

(Perception Check: 26 ) 

Zuirl Follows suit, covering his head of white hair with his hood and accepting the blessing upon him. Stealth 27 + Guidance:2 

Along the way the pair took in every sight and sound, even listening to door for any hints of weaknesses. Perception: 7 

In the front doors, you hear snoring, in the back and side door, you hear the scampering of paws. No door show sign of weakness.

Afamrail signals to Zuril that they should head back to the cave. Taking care to move quietly Afamrail keeps his eyes open for any traps that may be along the way. 

Once back in the cave, he gathers his thoughts and explains what they have seen and heard. The three sets of doors and the tower window appear to be the only ways in. 

"It sounds like all the sentries are asleep, but something big is walking around by the side doors. Wolves, dogs, I know not what."

He thinks about why they are here, or at least why he is here.

"I understand our mission is to disrupt these giant's operations, but I don't think an all out assault will get us far." He looks at his companions. "The five of us against a handful of hill giants would probably have the odds in our favor. I believe Tana alone could probably take on a handful of them himself. But this is a stronghold that we have to assume is full."

He thinks a moment longer, hoping his companions will have a better idea than what he is going to suggest.

"I propose we walk through the front doors," this sounds ridiculous even to me. "Tana speaks Giant, as do I. I could disguise myself as a goliath as well, granted a short one. And you could be our prisoners. We stay quiet and hope not to be noticed, but if we are we say the boss wants these prisoners held in the stronghold until he arrives. Hill giants are simple creatures and will be groggy if they're just waking up. It might gives us the advantage and enough time to find out what's going on."

Afamrail has had a lot of bad ideas in his short 110 years, but this might be the worst.

Risha stands, excited by her companions returning. She listens intently to the information given while pondering our options.

"That certainly is a creative plan. I'm sure it could work if we all are convincing enough, but it could go south very quickly. I think a safer option would be to attempt to sneak in and kill the sleeping sentries before they can alarm the others. I think it should be a group decision, so what does everyone else think?"

Risha looks around at her companions inquisitively, her eyebrow raised. 

Raine looked up to Afamrail with an apologetic smile on her face. It seemed that everyone here, especially Tana, towered over her measly five feet of height.

"I'm afraid I have to go with Risha on this one. Trying to trick them just seems a bit... risky. It's a very creative idea though!"

Raine hated having to turn either one of them down, but Risha's plan did seem a lot safer to her.

Zuril wore a bit of a grim face as he listened to the others. "I believe we should take as many out as quietly as possible and also set up a trap and ambush. No doubt that we will end up fighting at some point, but we should tip as much into our favor as possible. We have the advantage of surprise and a bit of time for preparation. I believe if we are good enough we can set the place back quite a bit before we even begin a fight." 

Zuril hated the fact that he sounded like his dark kin just then. Who better to send on a raid than a Drow? He sighed, letting it go. "As it stand I can probably fly all of us to a destination, though one by one and by hand." He holds in an audible laugh, visualizing carrying some of the larger ones in. Then blushes when considering carrying one other in. "Maybe last resort, but still an option."

"It's true enough Giants are easy to fool, but who ever is rallying them knows this as well. We should keep that in mind."

Tana nods along as the others are recounting their information. “As Afamrail said earlier, it is surprising to see a group of giants gather in a place such as this. There is likely a leader, and a cunning one, too. With that in mind, I’m afraid I’m not too keen on your plan on deceiving the giants with the hostage ploy.”

Scratching his head, Tana also says; “However, your disguise suggestion has merit. It could be worthwhile looking into an entrance or two to see what we can see and have a diplomatic course of action if our attempts at sneaking in fall short. That being said, I am still partial towards killing as many sleeping guards as possible before the entire building is awakened.”

Nodding his head, Afamrail accepts the decision. This is not a Guardian unit, and even if it was he would never be allowed to lead it. He was still paying for what he had done.

“Enter quietly, see what we see and if possible dispatch the sentries quickly.”

He looks back towards the stronghold.

“I see only two viable entries for that; the front doors and the watchtower window. The sentries sleep there. The other doors have what is likely a watch animal of some sort. It will sound an alarm.”

He thinks about all of them trying to quietly enter an upper window. And then what if they get trapped there. There exits will be limited.

”I vote for the front doors, and quickly while they still sleep.”

He can always start a fire inside if things get bad and they need to confuse the giants.

Risha looks toward the stronghold and all that could possibly go wrong. 

“Avoiding that animal is smart. If we all agree to go in the front, we should go before the sentries wake up.” 

She moves to pick up her gear and looks toward the others to do the same. 

"Agreed. It would be much more difficult to enter the window quietly, especially given how high up it is. If at all possible, we should avoid waking the guards. The front seems like the best option for that."

Raine collects what little equipment she isn't already carrying, strapping her mace to her back and tying her bag around her waist.

Afamrail nods and adjusts his rapier and bow. 

"I will go up to the doors and examine them for traps and see if they're locked."

He looks at Zuril and then at Risha's armor. "If you can truly fly them, that might minimize any noise."

Afamrail creeps out and quietly makes his way to the stronghold again and then examines the massive doors for traps and locks.

(OOC Investigation: 10 )

Zuril follows the Elf and joins him as more of a body guard and extra eyes.
Escorting Afamrail Stealth: 8

Keeping look out Perception: 13

The doors aren't locked, but are very big, not possible for the weak to open.

 (DC 10 Athletics Check to open the door)

Afamrail looks back to see where the others are. The size of these doors even make Tana look small. But he or Risha seem made for this. He signals to them to come closer.

"What do you think? Tana opens the door and heads in first then the rest of us go in as quietly as possible ready to fight if needed? Tana and Risha in front?"

As he talks, Afamrail straps his shield to his back and nocks an arrow in his bow.

Risha nods nervously looking at her armor. 

"I'm not the stealthiest, but I could bless us all before entering." 

If they all agree, she will cast bless at level 3 on everyone. 

Afamrail hesitates. If it’s a fight from the start it makes sense for Tana and Risha to lead the way. But if the guards really are asleep maybe stealth makes the most sense so they can get the scope of what awaits them on the other side of the door.

”Bless us, Tana opens the door, I’ll pop quietly in, see what we’re up against and either wave you in or jump right back and let you and Risha lead the way in.”

He looks at the others. 

“Agreed?”

"Perfect." 

Risha looks towards the others for confirmation, but holds her morningstar in a readied position, awaiting the party's decision. 

Tana smiles warmly, and says: “That sounds like a plan I can look forward to. If you would like, I may consult with my guardian ancestors and seek advice on the course of action.”

(I can cast Augury)

 "Ready when you are."

Raine nods, then assumes a position at the back of the group. While she's certainly competent in battle, healing magic is definitely more her forte. Those with a bit more brute strength like Tana and Risha would likely be more effective at dispatching any enemies they come across.