1. The Long Falls

"Makes sense, since we'd be passing by it anyway," Jacky agrees loudly. He tugs Billie's reins. "Let's be off to the tower, then!"

The ruined tower is set back around 100’ from the road. It’s built in what you recognise as an Archontean style, although it doesn’t look ancient. Its construction and subsequent ruination must have been relatively recent. All of the upper levels have collapsed into the tower and surrounding area, leaving only a treacherous-looking ground floor. You estimate the tower's footprint is around 50’ x 50’, and you can see only a single entrance.

There are no obvious signs of life. The sound of the Falls would drown out any noises, but you certainly can’t see any light sources emanating from within or tell-tale signs of smoke from fires.

---
12:10 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Ellagel quickly strings her longbow, and selects an arrow to nock. There was no point in exposing the wood or the strings to such humidity without purpose, she thought. She will wait for the others to begin approaching the only entrance, while she looked around for any apparent threats on the outskirts of the ruined structure.

Thrudmarr grips his axe tightly, and looks to Zach and the stout Grimidek. "We strong guys go first yeah? Chop if bad things come out."

Vasco creeped closer to the entrance and hugged the sidewall. He then peeked into the entrance trying to discern any shapes or just to adjust his eyes with the darkness inside. Unable to make out anything clearly, he strained his ears trying his level best to listen to any sounds coming from the inside of the tower.

Jacky peers at the tower with great interest, as he does with most things in the lands of tallfolk. With the sun out, even if there is a window low enough for him to look through, he probably can't make out anything inside.

Zacharias draws his claymore with glee. Passing Ella, Zach catches up with Thrudmar, carefully scanning the entrance to the tower. With obvious sincerity—although a complete lack of tact—Zacharias whispers to Thrudmarr: Master Throbstar, are you tall enough to see inside without a boost? Maybe I should go in front of you and you can peek between my legs? This way we both can see if there are any bad guys.

"You go first if want Mr Zach. We be right behind." Thrudd looks to Vasco peeking in the entrance slightly ahead, waiting for his signal.

Grim replies kindly to Thrud, Aye, keep yer axe ready, lad! Yers is a weapon of meh people, n’ I think you wield it as well as any in meh clan!

Well now, I’ll move up front once we’re well n’ inside n’ all, if all o’ ya want! Jus’ be sure ya measure well wid Lucreon’s fair graces. No untoward thuggery r’ killin’ o’ innocents, r’ anything like dat!

If given ample space, for he's as wide as he is tall, our dwarven fellow waddles up to the entrance and checks for sliding doors or obvious structural hazards.

Zach steps in front of Thrudmarr, but moves to the side as Grimdek waddles up, investigating the stonework. Trying to keep somewhat quiet as a matter of operational security, Zach softly says to Grimdek, when you are done checking for surprises and traps, Master Gromdork, let me know and I'll take point.

There were quite a few men around the entrance of the ruined structure now. She wouldn’t be able to shoot through that mess of warriors into the ruin, and she wouldn’t be able to see anything moving in there anyway. So she looked about once more, trying to see if, from her position, she could identify any apertures or entrances that might have escaped detection earlier.

You collectively spend a turn surveying the tower from the outside. It appears that the main doorway is the only aperture in the intact ground level. There are no other windows, arrow slits or secondary entrances (that you can find).

The decrepit hinges of the wooden door are just about holding it in place, although there’s enough of a gap to the door frame such that you can peek through with a very restricted view. It’s too dark inside to discern much detail other than a rubble-strewn floor.

Grimidek’s quick structural appraisal yields no particular concerns. Sure, the tower has seen better days, but what remains of the ground floor seems robust enough.

---
12:20 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

"Going in?", the elf exclaimed from the rear, speaking quite loudly in order to be heard by the frontliners.

Having failed to see any other entrances to the tower, Ellagel decided to keep watch over the open area around the collapsed fortification. If and when her companions decided to enter the tower, she would move to the door, and provide cover for them.

Zacharias grips his large shield tightly and finds the perfect balance point on the haft of his claymore. He cautiously pushes the wooden door ouyt of the way with the shield, and enters the tower, shield raised but not occluding his sight.

Thrudmarr moves to follow Zacharias into the tower, positioning himself on the opposite side of the doorway from his companion. He keeps his eyes peeled for any movement or unusual shapes in the dim interior.

Grim sidesteps just enough to allow his companions room to move and set up.

I don’t see any problems wid steppin’ on de floor n’ such. But blast, if dis place don’t be lookin’ like some old ruin! I wonder what caused it justa fall apart so?

Hmph!

After proper dwarven consternation, ol’ Grim readies a light hammer, for to toss at first sign of trouble, then waddles right on into his place of marching order.

That’s a good question. Judging by its construction and the general state of the stonework, Grim reckons the tower is probably only a couple of centuries old (Grim could well be older than the tower!). Therefore, even by the normal quality standards of human stonemasons, you wouldn’t expect such a degree of ruin due to the passage of time alone. Grim’s best guess is that there have been one or more significant impacts to the upper stories, but it’s impossible to tell what they might have been.

---

Thrud and Zach enter the tower through the open door. Their immediate observation is that the tower’s thick stone walls reduce the thunderous noise from the waterfall somewhat. Also, unlike its exterior, the inside of the tower is surprisingly dry. However, aside from the daylight spilling in through the open door, there are no other sources of illumination. This makes it difficult for them to gauge the extent of their surroundings; they’ll need a torch or lantern to continue their exploration.

---
12:20 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Vasco, Thorcin Thief 1: 6/6, 120’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Seeing nothing in the immediate vicinity, Zach exhales slowly. No longer whispering, he turns to Thrudmarr and says It's dark in here. Frudmerk, do you have a free hand for a torch, or do I need to sheathe my sword?

"Torch? Uh...I got lamp. Hold on."