The Gaming Den

Grobnar's further attempts at negotiation elicit only further blinking. The physical threat, however, provokes great agitation and a stream of incomprehensible syllables.

The reptiloids, still partially restrained, scurry awkwardly away down the road. They (and their dead comrades) leave behind several sets of small-sized leather armor, short spears, slings, and pouches of sling bullets, as well as a paltry scattering of copper pieces. There is no visible well, only a large puddle collected in a depression, a search of which reveals only chunks of broken stone. There is an enormous amount of rubble, but looking over a couple of the most prominent piles yields nothing. Lodin examines the doors to the ruined keep, and pronounces that they were not locked (in any serious way).

The reptiloids show no signs of returning, nor do there seem to be any more in the courtyard.

There is no 'back area', for the rear of the keep is hard up against a steep rocky outcrop that also serves as the fourth 'wall' of the enclosing fortification. Lodin examines the door and pronounces it trap-free.

The doors swing open, hinges loose and rattling, to bang against the interior walls. The smell from within is both musty and musky, like a snake's den in winter. Leaves and light debris are scattered over the stony floor, and there are clear signs of passage from the south entrance to the door in the north wall. Sunlight spills into two adjoining rooms, revealing two cold fireplaces. The interior is unlit, and the far corners of the entry room are only visible to Norda. Lodin takes out his lantern and begins to light it.

Lodin's lantern catches light, and he closes it up before stepping into the room.

"Don't be a bunch of paranoid pixies," he says. "Nobody puts mechanical traps on a space they pass through every day; at least, not after they come home drunk one time." He peers through the open doorways into the adjoining rooms. "Guards are a different thing, but I guess that was them outside."