Encounter 0-0: The Incident at Warminster Keep
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For about a week, you have followed the trail of the Mithral Hope through the wilderness toward the Sithrul Plains. When only one day of travel left before reaching Warminster Keep, you came upon where the group had camped the night before they would have continued on. Evidence indicated that the four adventurers were ambushed by four attackers. Although no bodies were found, it was clear that five were severely wounded, if not killed. The site was also covered with patches of yellow fungal growth - the Golden Creep - known to be spread by Myrel, the newest recruit of the Grayhaunt Order. An inspection of the fungi revealed that they released poisonous spores that could affect anyone who got too close.
After a dreadful night of wondering what had happened to the Mithral Hope, you made your way toward Warminster Keep. Prior to leaving for your journey, you had researched the history of the keep and learned that it was constructed to defend the lands to the east from the tribes of ogres that roamed the hills just to the west. The keep was sacked a decade ago when the tribes surprisingly united as the Gulnor clan. The keep was left in ruins and has remained abandoned ever since.
Your research also revealed that the keep had an inner bailey and an outer bailey, was surrounded by a moat, and had two bridged entrances - one from the north and the other from the south. A direct route to the keep from the campsite of the Mithral Hope would have led them to the northern bridge. Therefore, you agreed it would be best for you all to circumvent the keep from a safe distance and approach it from the south.
As you cautiously closed in on the keep from the southwest, you did not see any signs of activity atop the walls or inside from your limited view through the destroyed sections of the outer wall. The Grayhaunt Order would have arrived a week ago, so it was possible that they had already moved on. It was also possible that they had spotted you and were waiting in ambush.