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While he's waiting for Ogirdor's assessment of the bridge, Andrin watches the lake, as well as the sky above him. If there are any birds nearby, he intends to contact them with a speak with animals spell.

Malone till take an experimental step on the bridge, if it seems to hold, he will move his other foot to it was well.

Never one to shy from a bridge, Oz strolls boldly across.

From his spot on solid ground, Stonjuz watches the bridge wood sink slightly with each of their steps, while his thumb seems to be trying to bring new meaning to the term holy symbol. "This could end badly."he says as the first group slowly works their way across.

As Oz and Malone start crossing the bridge Ogirdor stops doing any checking and waits to see if anything happens.

Day 3 - Early Afternoon - Grassy Plain/The Weed Lake Bridge


Nothing untoward happens to the adventurers that brave-test the bridge. While ancient, it seems to be made of stout hardwood and of superior craftsmanship. The wood itself has a dull shine layer, indicated it was coated in some substance when it was built.

Ogirdor finds no tracks, but his wood-lore tells him the trail most devoid of weeds at the center of the bridge evidences recent use.

Andrin had spotted some wild hare in the distance while travelling on the plain. In the lake proper near further ahead on the bride there are schools of ducks swimming about or resting on the strongest weed layers..


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Thurinor drops into the usual marching order and follows the others across the bridge with a wide smile. "Excellent craftsmanship. Sturdy. Almost part of the landscape. One wonders who will greet our intrusion..."

Andrin casts Speak With Animals when they pass ducks that are within spell range. He then waits until they come close enough and says:

"I'm not wanting to disturb your rest, my feathered friends, but my sole question is if you can tell me whether there are any creatures living on that island and within that building over there. And if so, what kind?" Andrin points in the direction of the building and waits for the duck's answer.

Oz, curious to see where the bridge goes, well take the lead.

Day 3 - Early Afternoon - Grassy Plain/The Weed Lake Bridge


Andrin casts his druidic spell and inquires of two ducks with particular colorful plumages standing on a floating log.





To the rest of the party the conversation sounds something like this:

Andrin goes: "Quack, wak, quack, kuack, quack?"

To which the Anatidae respond...

"Quack? Kuack wack scaup quack...Quack wak!"


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"Thank you, both. May Beory protect you." Andrin gets up again, looking somewhat concerned as he turns to his comrades.

"The ducks told me of at least two creatures that live on this island. They call one of them a guardian that never sleeps, and the other one a green man or walking tadpole, whatever that may be. This one also crosses the bridge from time to time." The druid looks towards the island as if he could see one of those creatures there. "They might be harmless, only threatening for ducks, but I suggest that we should move cautiously and have our weapons ready from here on."

Ogirdor keeps his bow ready as he follows through the bridge

"Did I mention I don't much like water? Nope, not my favorite 't'all."
Stonjuz uses his staff for balance as he follows.

Thurinor fits a bolt to his crossbow and has it at the ready. "The thinking of ducks, truly fascinating. Giant tadpole at first sounds harmless enough, but a tadpole is a hungry creature, unless I am mistaken. And let us not forget the being sketched on the copper sheet..."

Malone quietly snickers to himself as Andrin talks to the ducks, On hearing of the creature that never sleeps He draws his halberd. "I'm not worried about the tadpole, but this guardian. What never sleeps? A golem?"

Day 3 - Afternoon - Grassy Plain/The Weed Lake Bridge


After the duckish dialogue the companions make haste towards the building on the islet. It is without a doubt the longest bridge the adventurers have ever seen or walked upon.

As they get nearer to the building they can see it is a small fortress stronghold built of old, stained, moss-covered stones. The timbers of the stockade on its right side seem rotten leaving most of the courtyard exposed. Where once must have stood a gate, right where the bridge is leading to, now stands nothing.

[1d100] = 27

When the party gets to within a few dozens of yards of the fortress they spot a grey humanoid figure in the battlement of the tower pacing as if in patrol. It does not seem to have noticed them.


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"I's seen this style before. Dwarves usually build their strongholds better 'n this. Wait, this ain't from decay? Its most likely been ripped down wouldn' you say?"


edit: removed the word Hill, and added question mark after decay.

Vargr1105 wrote: When the party gets to within a few dozens of yards of the fortress they spot a grey humanoid figure in the battlement of the tower pacing as if in patrol. It does not seem to have noticed them.

Not green, so I guess that is the guardian that does not sleep. Let us try to bypass him if we can.

OOC: is there some pattern in his patrolling that we can abuse to get through?

Stonjuz wrote:"I's seen this style before. Hill Dwarves usually build their strongholds better 'n this. Wait, this ain't from decay. Its most likely been ripped down wouldn' you say?"

Not sure I agree with you Stonjuz, those pieces of timber do look pretty decayed to me. I don't think this place has seen much action lately.

"Could it not be both decay and some battle of long ago? At least we have the option of easy access. The question: do we take it?" Thurinor smiles in anticipation, clearly looking forward to some event to write home about. He checks his crossbow and will train it up toward the battlements if the party decides to make a break for it.