[IC Thread] The Tale Begins: Castle Ward

[ProfGremlin]

Flitwing dances along in the air just behind Con, Bernard and Shortstuff as they pass through the gateway and cross the massive courtyard. He notes the heart-shaped flagstone in the center of the hawk with interest and then pauses to take a linger look at the wizards tower in the northwest corner. What wonders are to be found in there? he thinks Mayhap there is a spellbook of wonders to be studied. He sighs when he notices his companions have continued on to the row of ramshackle buildings at the opposite end of the courtyard. What could they want there? The good stuff is the other direction. With a dip and a zip Flitwing joins his companions as they look up at the window. Cautiously, the little fairy plays scout again and peeks around the window sill looking for dangers and gently probing for magic.

Jan 24, 2010 16:04:15 GMT -5 jongjungbu said:

"Where are you two going?!"

Dirk hides his face behind his hand as Greqo silences Adiemar. A rueful grimace flicks across his expression, A bit out of his element that one he thinks of the well-dressed man. Hefting his shield and drawing his weighted practice sword from it's makeshift sheath on his back, the ex-stableman follows along in Greqo's wake. Once in the courtyard Dirk stands slightly apart from the main group and keeps a wary eye on their surroundings probing shadows, windows and doorways searching for any movement or sign that they're not alone.

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Con will press his ear against the crumbling wall and see if he can detect any sound or movement through the stone.

Bernard will keep a wary eye on the window, atl-atl at the ready.

[zanshin]

Shortstuff will check the doors to see if there are any holes or cracks that could be peeked or listened through.

Berek will move a bit closer, ready to quickly respond if anything emerges.

[eagle]

Brick and Millsap follow Toad-Killer-Dog. Millsap readies his Hoko
Old Brick, he opens his spell book to TTYF, just in case!

[zendog]

Con listens and hears nothing much, perhaps the sound of scurrying rats. Flitwing peeks over the windowsill, while Shortstuff looks through a crack in the door.

It looks to have been a barracks. The east and west walls are lined with rows of bunk beds which have long since been demolished. It is evident that most of the soldiers died in their sleep. Skeletons lie broken beneath the debris of wooden bunk beds; a layer of dust has settled over everything.

[jongjungbu]

Greqo studies the surroundings of the interior of the castle. Thoughts of the defiling of the natural landscape with this stoney eyesore fill his mind. The pool of brackish water catches his attention and he proceeds slowly toward the southwest.

Adiemar scratches his head, wondering where the elf is going; but decides not to follow. Don't think he'd appreciate me following him.. thinks Adiemar, as he waits for what the others report on the crumbled houses.

[zendog]

The water in the pool, smells foul to Greqo and is murky, but not that deep. He can see gold through the murk. Judging by the size and shape it's coins.

[zanshin]

Shortstuff announces 'no-one there, just bones, lets check inside in case theres anyfink worth
nicking'

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Con straightens up.

"Right then lets toss this charnel house and be done"

Then he makes his way carefully through the ruined door, making sure there is nothing balanced over the cill to fall and crush him.

Bernard follows behind eyeing the skeletons speculatively.

"Poor bastards, thats not how I want to go"

[zendog]

Con, Bernard, and Shortstuff head in and start searching through the debris and soon come up with some of the deceased soldiers pay and soon scrabble 157 gold coins together, then Shortstuff spots a lose flagstone and starts to pry it open.

Watching Shortstuff struggle, Con offers advice as he reaches under a collapsed bunk for another coin only to be bitten on the hand by a large and very agressive rat, that sees the little Leprechaun as a good size meal . . .

[zendog]

Out in the courtyard Dirk hears the familliar rat challenge in the high pitched rodent tongue . . .

"Let's dance you furless fu--"

But then the sound of crashing, shouting, and general mayhem from within the buildings drowns out the rat's call.

[zendog]

The rat squeaks and goes for Con but he stabs his staff at it and pins it down, while Bernard rushes over and skewers it with his javelin and the fight ends as quickly as it started.

Shortstuff pries loose the flagstone and finds a stash of 150 gold coins . He also notices a door in the north wall of the barracks.

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Con spits a venomous curse in Feline at the rats corpse and motions to the newly discovered door.

"Now that thats dealt with we should get a look at that door"

"Thanks for skewering that rat Bernard, if you open the door I'll cover you with my staff"

Bernard gives a nod and wipes his javelin on the crumbling bed clothes.

"I hate rats, down in the mines they get bigger than cats and attack the mine ponies, nasty things"

Bernard stalks forward and investigates the doorway.

If the door is ajar and opens inward he will push it open with his extended javelin and jump back.

If the door is closed he will examine the frame and lock for recent use and possible traps.

If all seems good and canny he will either open the door and push it forward with his javelin or whip the door open taking shelter behind the outward swinging door ready to slam it shut if something tries to force it's way through.

[zendog]

Though rotten the door is safe. Con pushes it open to find another barrack room; this one is slightly smaller, possibly for the sergeants. The remains of one lay slumped against the wall; the skeleton has a shattered skull. The other's back and rib cage are also broken. As in the soldiers' barracks, the bedding and fixtures have all been reduced to splinters. There’s a door in the west wall that must lead back out to the courtyard.

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Con will stay in the doorway while Bernard pokes around with his javelin seeing if anything valuable is hidden among the decay and dross.