The Gaming Den

Grobnar nudges his steed to stand on the monster's corpse for elevation and takes aim at the western breach. Vorbar examines the closed gates, which are in considerably better shape than the fallen ones, although still somewhat degraded – it might just be possible that Norda's phenomenal strength is equal to the task of breaking them. Norda maneuvers for a view through the breach, and Lodin skulks closer as well to peer inside. Within the wall, the breach is obstructed by a mound of rubble that presumably used to be the missing section of wall. Beyond it, more rubble is strewn in the courtyard, and the corner of the ruined keep is visible. It looks as though the upper levels of the keep are completely collapsed.

Lodin creeps into the courtyard, which holds many more piles of rubble, hugging the western wall. Grobnar trails him, but as soon as the bard emerges from behind the breach's obstructing mound, he is struck twice by hurled stones. Hurled, apparently, by two small reptilian humanoids crouching behind one of the stony piles. Norda dashes forward over the debris, putting herself in the line of fire.

Norda charges off the rubble pile and is met with a veritable hail of stones, as several more of the beings reveal themselves. A couple of the missiles find gaps in her armor and bruise her. Norda brings her axe down on her target, who crashes lifeless to the ground. Lodin hustles to the corner of the ruined keep and takes cover there. Vorbar struggles over the pile of shifting debris.



The reptilian humanoids maneuver for position, launching more missiles at Norda and Vorbar, both of whom suffer minor injuries.

An unnatural breeze springs up, that disturbs neither grass nor leaf, but is felt upon the skin, and carries the sparkling sand from Grobnar's palm into the eyes of four of the reptilians, who first droop and then drop. The other companions hustle towards the enemies, but cannot reach them in time to strike them. The scaly folk fall back, slinging as they go, but while their stones ring breastplate and helm alike, they deal no meaningful harm.

Norda's axe fells one enemy and Grobnar's bolt another. Vorbar's morningstar splashes the head of one of the sleepers. The remainder turn and flee, heading east and north around the side of the keep. Lodin approaches another of the sleepers and begins rearranging their own clothing to restrain them.

The prisoners are dragged to the south gate in their improvised bonds. Grobnar's threats are met with apparent indifference by the woken reptiloid, who only cocks its head and blinks quizzically.