So, after another 12 days of measurements, pacing, and other tasks a master cartographer must do, you sat camped on the hills less than a day's journey from the Azuviir castle. The 20 soldiers and Barth have split ways with you today after a feast of rabbit and pleasant pheasant. Life is good. You successfully led Barth around to get proper measurements, kept everyone alive, and they are returning with the cartographers' notes to resume the court hearings in quest of a nation. What else happened?

Oh yes, there were 3 flags up above the castle gates. Indeed the castle is inhabited, but not by the drow. No, your 2 rogue stealth mission brought you up to the walls to see 3 guards happily shaking dice. Beyond them you went, into the castles exterior towers, where you sought information of who currently resided within this castle. Working individually, and invisibly, both Tamil and Savuud used their own techniques in an attempt to learn all they could. But once again, back to the Now. Now you sit at your campground preparing for your first night in a smaller group. Now you are seven adventurers small, but have double that in horses (I believe).

You eventually learned that Lord Alric was in charge of the keep and was keeping other ‘peasant village peoples’ within the walls. He claimed that when Dan-Shal made his claim to his castle, he would welcome him with open arms… provided he is well paid for his maintenance of the keep in the past years. Something seemed fishy about this visit, but none could determine what it was.

But, nonetheless, you have business ahead of you, and you all head northwest in search of a ruined city, where a dead man waits.