RED OAK: Return to the Pass of the Hounds

[Woe]

Kilian will carefully watch the torchbearer until he's too close, and then I'll ask you to rewind a few rounds. Kidding aside, the three will watch the torchbearer get closer until it's identifiable, does something unusual or appears to spot them. They aren't going to go out and meet it, and it's out of crossbow range anyway.

[Longman]

The torchbearers moves from T03 into the woods of S04 and you lose sight of it momentarily.

Then it re-emerges and ends up in R04 and then stops. It's on the other side of the old western moat. It's still about 150 yards away. (You could potentially hit it with arrows now.)

Meanwhile the three of you are looking out the windows, still and quiet as the stones.

You can't tell if it knows you are there, it just stopped. It's your go. (By the way, you are in M05, in the smaller of the two towers shown).

[Woe]

Not to be particular, but you wrote torchbearers just now. Is there one torch, one torch with multiple bearers, two torches?

It's still not close enough to ID the bearer, so they'll continue to watch and wait (and hide).

[Longman]

Was mean to be torchbearer. But it is worth mentioning that there could easily be heaps of people and only one torch. It is dark moon, and a bit cloudy. So it is really very dark indeed.

Torch moves slowly to Q04.

Kilian (at the top level) and Tiana (mid level) hear a small noise down at the north end of the castle, in about area 18 or maybe 19. That means it is about 70 to 90 feet away. It sounded like movement, not sure what kind of creature. You can look out the window holes facing that way, and you might be able to see it with your dark-vision. But then, it might also see you. Right now you are both facing west looking out your windows, and Bruce is facing south, through a hole in the wall.

Reloading the close scale castle picture so you can see those areas:

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[Woe]

You can look out the window holes facing that way, and you might be able to see it with your dark-vision. But then, it might also see you.

Kilian has a periscope, perfect for these types of operations. He briefly marvels at his cleverness, but the moment passes (mainly because he'd seen the idea elsewhere). Periscope up!

Also, Tiana (or someone, doesn't really matter who) is also watching the lower exit. At this point they'll quietly awaken the others. Bows out for all.

[Longman]

2 rounds intervals (20 seconds):

1 - Bruce wakes up the others and Tiana keeps looking out to the west and north, crouching down so she can't be seen.

Kilian gets the periscope up and...can't see a damn thing.

Nothing can be hard or seen in the north end of the castle any more.

2 - Kilian still trying to see, still can't. Can't hear anything either.

Tiana still west and north...can hear some slight movement in the north end of the castle, round about area 5. Does she rise her head and look properly?

The others are all awake and may now position themselves in the tower however they like. I will provide you with a tower map soon (later tonight maybe).

[Woe]

Abigall can turn into a mouse and take a proper look-see. Even if she's spotted, she's not going to attract undue attention.

Do I understand this right? Only one torch, but multiple noises?

[Longman]

One torch, nowhere near either noise. It's across the moat to the west. These noises are much closer, inside the castle compound.

Tiana's CHA roll is good and Abigall agrees (I think she's not quite a full retainer yet). She changes for the first time that you have seen, and scuttles out a window and down into the courtyard to the north. Tiana watches her go.

Still nothing can be heard from north or south. The torch is still not moving.

[Woe]

Ok, the party suspects either nisha or goblins, probably nisha -- goblins are louder and smellier. Defensive positions in a defensive place, then let's see what happens. They'll keep eyes on the windows, but will avoid shooting poor Abigall.

[Longman]

I hope this map helps. Next time I swear I'm just using a pre-made castle. (Problem is, I can't find very many that are drawn in ruins).

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Here's what happens -

Abigall scoots along outside over towards area 5. Meanwhile, Tiana can see out of the archway onto the wall that there is a goblin down in area 4. He is moving along very sneakily towards area 2 - further away from you.

Kilian is still using periscope to the west and can't see anything new. Tiana is keeping an eye on Tiana and trying to stay hidden in the archway leading from level 2 onto the inner curtain wall. All other characters are assumed to be crouching down. If you stick your heads up for a look, let me know.

Incidentally Freya can now hear the sound of movement in area 16 which is just around the corner form the tower.