Chapter Four: Castle Naerytar

"Usually kobolds," the lead lizardfolk replies, "We stop at huts outside of castle. They look over supplies and then call humans with carts to get boxes."
"Everyone has weapons," he says as if that should be obvious.

Bughu turns to the party. "We should get off here, then," he says. "We can try to sneak into the castle and avoid the kobolds, or try to capture the kobolds and get them to escort us further in."

"Avoiding is probably best. Less chance of one of those little things sounding some sort of alarm."

Leema stops to look at a few of the lizard folk before addressing her new found compatriots.

"Speaking of sounding an alarm. What do we do with our escort?"

"Let them go," says Bughu. "They've complied with our request. If you want assurances they won't betray us..."

He unslings his light crossbow and leaves it in the canoe. With a gesture to the unloaded weapon, Bughu says, "Payment."

The lizardfolk leader picks up the crossbow and inspects it. Apparently satisfied, he nods, "Good luck, strangers," he says, turning and rowing back the other way.

Bughu nods, and with a silent look to the party he takes point on the journey to the castle.

Leema falls in behind, trying to keep low as she moves.

As you near the castle, you can see it though the trees ahead. The ground around it is dotted by numerous small pools of water, large trees, and tangled bushes. The stream ends as it meets a moat surrounding the castle. Reed huts dot the dry spots of the land around the castle and you can see some kobolds moving about the area.

Bughu crouches and observes the activity around the castle. He tries to pick out entrances and assess which are busier than others. He monitors the movements of the kobolds to see if there is a pattern, and compiles his observations to form a path of least exposure.

"Should I go knock? I’m told I’ve got a trusting face."

"Won't rule that out," says Bughu, "but let's see what we're dealing with first."

"Might be able to sneak most of the way there" Leema suggests after surveying the situation. "Of course with this armor, maybe a distraction or two would be in order."

What kind of distraction are you thinking of Leema? Erich asks, considering blasting fire in random directions.

"Let's see if there's a better path through those huts," says Bughu. "Somewhere that might give us more room for us to move. If not, we'll see if a couple of us can quietly pave the way."

As Bughu looks about, he sees only one entrance to the castle. Based on the relatively small amount of kobold traffic in the area, he figures there's a chance that the party could get through undetected.

Bughu points out a possible direction. "We could head that way, skirt right towards that far hut, then switch around to the left before making a direct line to the entrance. Gives us a chance, at least."

"I can go ahead and scout as far as the hut, if that would help."

Bughu nods. "We'll all go. We'll stagger our advance so that we can keep an eye out for trouble while another person moves up. If you want point on this one, be my guest." He checks and loads his hand crossbow, ready to silence any that detect the party's approach.

"Nothing in particular." Leema responds to Erich. "A bit of noise or a bolt from the sky."

Hearing the plan, she approaches Jon while reciting a prayer. "If you're leading the way, may Tempus guide you."

Jon heads out in the direction indicated by Bughu, staying low to the ground, eyes and ears peeled. He'll stop at the point where the party would turn toward the hut.

Edit: Adding Guidance bonus to Stealth roll.