Way Down in the Hole — IC

[Fialova]

"I might be able to get inside," Josie responds, curious about the other buildings not mentioned by the bird. "They might let a stray dog in, even if only with intent to dine. And absent that, there might be gaps I could slip through to take a peek within. The issue would be getting back out," she continues, unsure of the suggestion as she speaks it aloud. If I go in, that means we have to commit to action, or else I will be just another captive to rescue. A tricky situation.

[Namelessjake]

"I think that's our best course of action," Samiira says in reply to Josie. "My skills require more time than we have at hand here," she adds. Give me two weeks and I could take this fort by myself.

[Fialova]

Josie nods, before assuming her less ferocious dog form, looking like a simple mutt hound that one might find wandering as a stray within a city. She turns back to nod to her companions before venturing towards the fortress, glancing occasionally towards the watchers on the wall above.

OOC

What do I see?

[ratwizard]

Josie

Leaving the cover of the trees behind, you head north, in the direction of the fort. Above you, the rain comes down in a heavy spray, leaving you pawing through puddle after puddle. You get about halfway there, making your way along a small gully that looks to have formed recently from the week's precipitation.

From here, you can see the southern wall of the fort much clearer — straight-laid, sturdy, and about fifteen to twenty-five feet tall as it cuts along the varied terrain. To the right, the wall ends at a wide, square tower only a few feet taller than the wall. This southeastern tower sits atop the cliffside that leads down to the ocean.

To the left, the wall ends at another square tower, this one quite higher than the walls themselves. Atop it is the remains of a ruined, wooden watchtower. You can see the glow of a lamp and the distant shape of a figure standing watch. From your distance, and the poor conditions, you don't believe they see you at the moment.

Near this southwestern tower, the remnants of a road wrap around it toward what must be the western wall. You suspect the main gateway would be around that corner.

[FinalTemplar]

Velasco grits his teeth, unsure of Josie's choice here... but it must be done. "I feel as though you will move faster than I. Will you go back to tell the others of Josie's plan? Just so we're not alone up here." He asks, turning slightly towards Samiira and gesturing towards his cane.

[Namelessjake]

"I suppose we should keep them informed," Samiira says in response to Velasco. "I'll go let them know what's going on," she adds before starting back towards the others. Working as a team definitely has its own challenges, she thinks, used to operating alone.

[ratwizard]

Samiira

You make your way back through the brush in the direction of the rear party. You find the three of them within a couple minutes — waiting patiently and silently.

Hadrurus, Alerio, Pohaku

As you wait, you hear the soft sounds of steps through the brush. It is only a moment before you see Samiira, having returned from the forward scouting position.

[Namelessjake]

"Velasco's raven has flown over the fort. There seems to be a few men on guard duty but most are inside a building in the compound. No sign of the prisoners yet. Josie has gone ahead to see if she can find a way inside the walls," Samiira says as she rejoins the others. "It should be safe for all of us to move up to Velasco while we wait for a sign from Josie," she adds, gesturing for the trio to follow her back towards the young serranborn.

[Chanchabruhh]

Pohaku nods in acknowledgment, his expression serious as he absorbs Samiira's report. He follows her lead, moving quietly through the woods towards Velasco's position, his senses alert for any signs of danger along the way.

[Fialova]

Josie

Continuing onward, Josie will proceed closer to the southeastern tower near the ocean cliffs, aiming to get a view of that area before proceeding towards the presumed entrance to the fortress.

[BartNL]

Hadrurus signs to move to the fort while maintaining as much cover as possible. "Lead the way Samiira."

[ratwizard]

Josie

You pad your way eastward through the swollen gulley, giving some distance to the walls. The gully veers off to the south away from southeastern tower and you continue on dryer ground. The tower itself sits on a cliff that overlooks the beaches below. Behind the tower you can see an eastern wall that runs along the length of the cliff. The wall looks in much worse shape than the southern one — its stones marred both from the erosion underfoot as well as what appears to be physical damage. You suspect a previous fire or maybe even a cannonball.

While the cliff itself is quite steep, there is a small portion of terrain outside of the eastern wall that you might be able to shimmy yourself along. You can see on the other end of the wall a circular tower at the fort's northeastern corner. This tower is tall, similar to the one on the southwest corner. While you cannot see it directly, there is a source of illumination there, brightening the walls and tower face, perhaps another lantern.

Everyone Else

Samiira returns with Hadrurus, Pohaku, and Alerio in tow to the forward scouting position held by Velasco. Josie is not with him. Together, you five of you wait within the shadows of the treeline — the fort's southern walls in distant sight.

Between your position and the fort there is a gulley that appears to have formed from the recent rains. You can just make out what appears to be a stray or feral dog pawing its way along the gulley.

Samiira, Velasco, Alerio

You would know that this dog is the canine form of Josie, scouting the perimeter of the walls.

[Namelessjake]

"Hopefully Josie can find a way in, preferably one that's not being watched," Samiira as she looks out at the fort from their hiding spot after rejoining the forward scouting group. Do any of them not know about her ability? She wonders, looking at the group she brought up from further back to see if any are surprised to see a dog performing reconnaissance.

[FinalTemplar]

In the meantime, Velasco finds a dry rock to sit on while he waits. As he hears the return of Samiira he gives her a nod. I hope she finds a way in. We need a win here. he thinks.

After some time he sees the returning form of Josie, waving to the little dog.

[Chanchabruhh]

Pohaku watches the stray dog for a moment, assessing its movements. He then turns his attention back to the group, keeping an eye on their surroundings as they wait for Josie's signal.

[Scratcherclaw]

Alerio eyes the bestial form of Josie, carefully watching her movements. Perhaps she might even gain entry in such a form. Even the most churlish brutes can be made vulnerable with the whimper of a dog.

 

[Fialova]

Josie

OOC

Does the portion along the eastern wall only look traversable as a dog, or is that something that the others could feasibly go across as well if needed?

Satisfied with her knowledge of the ocean-facing portion of the fortress, Josie returns along the wall towards the entrance, doing her best to sniff around and appear more like a dog seeking food or shelter than a spy seeking intel. Perhaps those at the front will allow me inside, to feed and dry me. 

[ratwizard]

Josie

OOC

It looks traversable by dog or humanoid, albeit moderately dangerous if one were to lose their balance.

You loosely follow the edge of the wall, around the southwestern corner with the ruined watchtower atop it and a previously-seen figure.

You sense a slight movement above as you walk — perhaps they have noticed you finally, or they are simply shifting around.

Around the corner, a roughly trod dirt road trails away from what appears to be the main entrance to the fort. Inset into the walls, there is a large, wooden double-door about two body-lengths tall, closed shut. While much of the tower's construction so far appears to be in disrepair, the door, you notice, must be newly built.

Above the door is the exposed remains of a battlement, its broken walkway partially exposed to the outside. Further along the wall is a rounded tower on the western side, similar to the one you could see on the northeastern corner.
 

[Fialova]

Josie

Josie will sniff around the doors leading into the fort, and unless approached will then proceed to wander slowly back and further north, past the circular tower.

[ratwizard]

Josie

You sniff around the gates for a moment, picking up nothing out of the ordinary, before moving along the fort's walls to the north. Rounding the circular tower, you come across another wall that runs north to the very edge of the cliff. Above, you catch glints of light that would indicate a lit lantern along the battlements somewhere.

You can only get a partial angle on it, but down the cliff you can see some sort of small, fortified dock at the bottom, that must serve the north face of the fort. As Velasco's pet seemingly reported, there is a wooden vessel moored, though you see no signs of movement, and no lights lit.

[Fialova]

Josie

Satisfied that she has seen enough to get an idea of the fort's exterior layout, Josie continues to slowly wander, eventually returning first to the west, then south back to the group, once she feels she has done a sufficient job of appearing enough like a stray dog to allay suspicions in any watchers on the wall.

[ratwizard]

Josie

You make your way west along the cliffside a sufficient distance. The terrain here is rugged and full of outcroppings and small breaks in the otherwise sloping hills you've seen thus far nearby.

You head south eventually, crossing a similar gully that winds along a trough. You cross what serves as the main road here, making for the cover of the woods on the other side. After another few minutes, you find yourself gathered amongst the others, all of which have regrouped at Velasco and Samiira's position.

Everyone Except Josie

You lose sight of the wandering dog as it sniffs around the walls of the fort. About five minutes later, you hear a twig snap — the same dog has joined your gathered numbers within the treeline.

[Fialova]

Her companions now in sight, Josie shakes off the moisture from her fur before resuming her normal form. "The fortress seems in pretty poor shape overall, but they've a solid door at the entrance," she begins, not waiting for any of the newcomers to question her animalistic appearance from moments earlier. 

"There is a portion along the eastern cliff face that seems quite damaged and possible to climb, though also narrow and dangerous to cross if not careful. Their front door appears new and quite solid, so a direct assault on that wouldn't really work. We should aim to sneak in either through the wall or other means. Their watch attention mostly seems focused on the western side, so shouldn't be too hard to sneak on from the east if we can survive the climb."

[Scratcherclaw]

"Such a climb may prove treacherous in this weather," Alerio says as Josie explains their possible entry points. "Rain-slicked stone and untested fates. I remain unsure of the risk." Too many have sought a watery grave in recent time. Are we to join them too?

[Namelessjake]

"It doesn't sound like we have any other options really. Not if we want to do this quickly and quietly," Samiira as says. "We could fashion ourselves a ladder, that would make the climb less perilous," she suggests, looking around the woods for any materials that may be useful.

[Chanchabruhh]

Pohaku listens intently to Josie's assessment of the fortress, nodding in agreement with her analysis. As the discussion turns to potential entry methods, he scans the surroundings for materials that could be used to fashion a ladder or other climbing aids.

[FinalTemplar]

Velasco frowns, hearing the possibility of a climb. "I don't think I can make that climb unassisted. If that's the route, I'm stuck on the ground." He says.

[BartNL]

"I can get up, and throw down a rope."

[Scratcherclaw]

"A ladder seems a sound plan," Alerio responds, aiding in the search for material. Looking to Hadrurus, he adds, "A rope alone may run a similar risk if we cannot maintain footholds on the surface."

Mechanics

Nature to help: [1d20+6]=11+6=17

[Namelessjake]

"We'd just need some sturdy sticks to serve as rungs," Samiira says, starting to look around the forest floor for any woody debris that might serve their needs.

Mechanics

Nature: [1d20+1]=8+1=9