Episode 1 Scene 1a : The Arrival

It does not take the group long to enter through the ramshackle yet rather sturdy looking gate. Up close one can see that the gates and the wall are quite sturdy they just appear to be shoddy due to their non-uniform lengths. Still the gates are not the first thing one notices as they get near as the odor wafts out to greet them first. The strong scent of animals, manure, cooking, campfire smoke, and earth all mix together creating a none civilized smell that while pungent is not necessarily unpleasant, especially for those who prefer outdoor living versus city living. The dirt packed streets are lined with make-shift board walks making it obvious that when the streets get wet they might not be easily navigable. The semi-sea of kaleidoscopic tents seem to make up the bulk of the interior accompanied by the din of the marketplace that they represent. Off in the distance rising above these tents like majestic wooden towers stand five wooden structures the signs hanging from them, due to their shape as they are too far away to make out clearly, indicating that they were Inns. The fact that these flat roofed structures actually stand taller than the walls lends to the sense that perhaps they are even used as towers when needed.

As the escorted group moves through the village they do draw curious looks from time to time but if there were any "ne'er do wells" amongst them it is hard to say, however it is definitely a mixing pot of races and nations.

The group finally arrives at the bridge. Travel via the main streets within the village seems pretty easy as there appears to be only three. One that goes from the south gate to the north gate, one that comes off that road near the south gate and heads almost straight to the Fort and then another that goes from the Fort back to that road connecting with it near the north gate. However once you get off a main street the tents appear to be a haphazard maze of narrow walkways interspersed with small open areas where a tent once stood. The bridge itself which looks rather crude turns out to be very stable and probably capable of handling a pretty heavy load before even complaining.

Shahadur leads the group past the first set of guards and across the bridges expanse below it is just cliffs and dark water. On the opposite side is a wooden palisade with gate that is about half the height of the Forts 30 foot walls that encloses the area directly in front of the gatehouse itself. The stark difference between the wood and the old but very solid looking stone is quite noticeable making the palisade seem even more inferior than it is. This little courtyard of sorts is filled with a handful of men, numerous small barrels holding ammo and even a small catapult. However perhaps the most noticeable things within the courtyard sit just inside the gate on either side, a pair of sturdy tierces (aka @40 gallon barrel) painted bright red.

The group passes through this little courtyard uneventfully only drawing some glances from curious guards. They then pass under the open exterior portcullis through gatehouse and then under the interior portcullis. Those experienced in castle design could easily see the the murder holes and ceiling holes used to decimate any trapped units. The gatehouse opens into another courtyard that surrounds the 3 story fortified stone building that sits in the middle. If there were stables they were around back because they could not be seen from here. Sitting on the steps of of this building is a old looking Gnome smoking a pipe, he watches the group as they approach with seemingly casual interest.