Harrowleaf watches Tsuujin for a moment from the shadows of the city wall for a moment, pondering the situation. He seems to come to some sort of conclusion, however, and decides to approach.

"Your group is going after the goblins?" he asks rhetorically. "I wish you luck on that. I have lived in this place since before the Spellplague struck, and I was here when the Ogre King was alive and bloodthirsty." The captain shakes his head. "Loudwater has seen enough trouble," he adds, "her people don't need that beast raised up again."

"It would be my pleasure to introduce my blades to such a threat, and I thank you for your good wishes," the fighter replies, obviously glad for a bit of diversion from his current boredom.

"While I have your attention here, I don't suppose you could tell me something about this 'Lady of Shadows' everyone seems so afraid of, could you? I've heard her mentioned a couple of times in my short stay within your city, and my curiosity is peaked. Plus, with your position, I assume you have bits of information regarding everyone within the walls."

"Lady of Shadows?" Harrowleaf shakes his head slightly. "I'm afraid I've only heard the smallest of rumors. A local pickpocket or some such? I spend most of my time recently out on the western road, dealing with a group of thugs who call themselves the Zelbross Bandits. Though, the fact that strangers have heard so much of her gives me a bit of concern." The elf glances at the wall, toward a pair of watchmen standing atop it. "Perhaps I'll have more information by the time you return."

"I appreciate the effort, friend. Perhaps when I return I can lend a hand against these bandits in return. Though, from what I do understand, it may be wise to inquire with a bit of discretion. It seems that the day to day lives of innocents are being affected by this 'Lady of Shadows'."
Almost as an afterthought, Tsuujin adds, "Anything I should know about fighting this Ogre King, if it comes down to it?"

Ralzik turns to harrowleaf and says to him, "Calla the redhead might be able to tell you more about this lady. Though of course who knows who is working for the lady the storekeepers are accidently complaining about. Best to make sure she is well protected and healthy when we come back, or who knows what my fellow adventurers will do to the people who hurt her. Wouldn't want to have more trouble in this town, I'm sure. We will take care of any dangers that are outside your town, and when we come back to tell you of our success, I am sure we will help take care of any dangers in the town also."

"Give my thanks to Mr. Marsh" Aesamar says, smiling at the maid. He makes his way back outside and strides towards the group. He holds up the napkin. "Directions. If no-one has any immediate objections, then shall we set off?"

((What happened to Bali, anyway?))

((Also, for future reference, does my Trance ability mean that I can actively keep watch while resting, or just that I'm not entirely clueless and helpless while resting?))

(( I'd assume that to get the benefits of trance, you wouldn't be able to focus on anything else ))

((Essentially, with trance, you're aware, but not able to focus on things. If someone comes near and makes a noise or something, you immediately snap out of your trance and such, unlike if you're asleep. Aaand it looks like Bali hasn't posted anywhere lately. I'll give him a little while longer, and then I might look for a replacement.))

((Sorry, been REALLY busy lately. I'll post tomorrow.))

((Oookay, I guess we can make that work.))

Harrowleaf seems to ignore Ralzik, letting his eyes only shift to him as he speaks, but then moving immediately back to Tsuujin.

"I have my doubts," he says, answering the fighter's question, "that that is evil possible. These goblins can't even stage a successful raid most of the time--their attempts at Necromancy shouldn't be much better." The elf shrugs. "You shouldn't have any trouble finding their den though. We were originally going to mark trails, only to discover we didn't need to. They didn't try to hide their way in the slightest."

With that, and a final wish of good luck, the ranger captain departs, looking to check on the reconstruction of the southern wall.

And then the adventure begins, the group heading out into the forest, where, just as Harrowleaf had said, the raider's path was clearly cut through the underbrush. The napkin map, perhaps fortunately, wouldn't have been needed anyway.

However, with both the directions and the path, you can see that both are indeed leading in the same direction, which is at least some sort of comfort in the middle of a foreign wood.

After a trip of a few hours, the ill-disguised trail leads through the woods and culminates in a jumble of pale stone ruins. The area is littered with the gnawed bones and visceral remains of various mammals. The trail leads through the mouth of a dwarf’s face carved into one of the still-standing stone walls. Beyond the wall is a wide, grassy courtyard.

Everyone make a Perception check! (1d20+/- your skill in Perception) I'll roll for Bali and Gaetele if they don't manage to do it by the time all of you do)

perception check (1d20-1=4)

Looks like we are here. Do we have everything we need to go in?

Perception Check (1d20-1=17)

Kuro broke her long silence during the preparation and walk. "Interesting entrance, that's for sure."

I believe so. Keep your wits about you, I still think there is more to this story than a few goblins.
((Perception check. (1d20+1=6)))

((Actually, oops, I described the place incorrectly >.< So re-read that post to see the new description. That's what I get for trying to do it out of memory!))

Aesamar sweeps his gaze across the courtyard, his eyes lingering upon the unorthodox entryway.

((Perception check (1d20+7=18)))

AS you come up to the archway that leads into the courtyard, all of you take a moment to examine your surroundings.

Nothing strikes you, however, as particularly out of place--at least, within the context.

Aesamar, however, retains a slight nagging feeling about the outpost in the back of his mind. The words "Watch your step" echo in his ears from the night before.

"what are we waiting for?" ask Ralzik as he looks over at the dragonborn who he had flung behind the shaman the other day.

((Note that I rolled for Bali and that he didn't notice anything either. So feel free to carry on without waiting for any other rolls.))

((my instincts tell me to wait for Aesmer to go, my impatience tells me to just forge ahead and spring the trap ))

Realizing that they're probably fairly close to danger given their surroundings, and that the last thing he wants is to die for not being prepared, Tsuujin draws his weapons as a precaution and then carefully proceeds through the archway.