Mission 2, Fortress Turn 2
*CurrentTurn will end 10 PM UTC, 15 October*

Cap'n Rummyfangs kept a very discrete profile with his head low, never looking up at any of them. He was supposed to be a harmless low-life, after all. However he listened intently to everything, alert, ready to reach for his rapier if needed ... or to go to rather extraordinary lengths should a distraction be needed.

Count Karnstein had a big smile and opened his arms widely when he saw the officer approaching them. "Ahh, finally the famous fortress!"

(roll dice) However Queen Origi took a good look at the officer's garments and bearing and stepped ahead, cutting off the Count and speaking first in her best royal manner, "Good day, I'm sure you recognize me. No need to bow. You may address me as Your Highness. And your name is? Anyway, to business. I'm sure the paperwork has been sent over, but in case it hasn't yet arrived .... Now then, does anybody have initial questions for this gentleman? What was your name again?"

(roll dice) The Fortress commander in his powdered wig and immaculately tailored uniform stared at Queen Origi for a long moment then inclined his head in a cautiously perfunctory manner and introduced himself in the way of those who consider themselves important but also seek favor and status with those who just might be their betters. "I am Commander Beckett of the DRM Alliance ... Your Highness." He then haughtily regarded Count Karnstein and the others and stated simply. "Your credentials?"

Grog'tial sighed grumpily, appearing for all the world as if this was just one more inconvenience to getting the important business done. Meanwhile he surreptitiously kept an eye on the British Room and Chapel doors, what he could see through the apple grove. (roll dice) Frustratingly there was nothing to give them a clue about what might await them there. Now there was this officer dandy reminding him of the worse sort of stuck-up, full of himself brown-noser that often frequented any court. Never mind that Grog'tial was doing his own best impression of just such a courtier. Maybe that grumpiness wasn't entirely feigned.

Count Karnstein motioned and Bhrigu produced the documents once more. The Count was about to launch into introducing himself when Bellandra stepped forward. (roll dice) Having gauged this commander's formal demeanor and his affectation to nobility, she followed Origi's lead, nodding respectfully and speaking carefully, avoiding her usual pirate accent. "Lord Commander, these affairs of the Captain and Her Highness are above my pay grade. My task is simply to guard the prisoners and deliver them securely to their appointed place. If you permit I'd like to proceed while you discuss further with my superiors. I imagine it will be more pleasant to tour the facilities without these stinking wretches offending your sensibilities."

(roll dice) The Commander nodded in an off-hand manner to Bellandra, giving her a glance of approval before perusing the documents handed to him. Then he regarded Count Karnstein again, tapping the documents on the fingers of his other hand while he considered.

(roll dice) Count Karnstein had also seen this type before, but he had a role to play and had met the Denuvo captain, so instead of his usual suave nobility, he took on the vampirate's gaudy swagger. He introduced himself as Captain of the Denuvo, along with Aylar as first mate, Grog'tial as a bean counter with business to conduct, and Argy as chef, while carrying on about Bhrigu and his biography. In true vampirate form he sought celebration with drink, food and entertainment, just happening to also mention the prisoners did need to be deposited in cells. While the Count was awaiting further developments, he was also prepared to move swiftly with deadly intent if necessary.

(roll dice) The commander took it all in, with a twitch of distaste to his mouth. "Yes, well, your Letters are in order. I have heard of your ... rather abnormal crew, Captain." Pursing his lips, Commander Beckett looked over the Crew again, doing a double take at Monkey, then back to Queen Origi, obviously somewhat impressed by her royal bearing. (roll dice) "But this is most unusual, most unusual. I will have to consult with the, uh, Lord Vrammyr. (roll dice) In the meantime," he nodded to the half-orc guard then gestured to Bellandra, "This guard will show your people to the cells to deposit your prisoners. The back of Red Shell cellblock should be sufficient," he instructed. "Then show Her Highness," he inclined his head to Origi, then looked over Grog'tial's attire and courtier demeanor closely, "and her advisor to the accounting office. (roll dice) If the rest of you will wait here, I will return shortly." He waved the two half-orc guards on patrol over. "These guards will see to your needs in the meantime." With that Commander Beckett prepared to take himself off to the Chapel.

Aylar had stood by Count Karstein's side, watching 'his Captain's' antics and the Commander and guard's reaction at such with a seemingly perfunctory attention, while his eyes occasionally scanned the area for something perhaps more interesting. (roll dice) He made note of the movements of the guards, as another half-orc guard herded two humans carrying powder from the powder magazines (left bottom corner plan) past the Chapel, British Room and cells to the door in the corner by the well near them (upper right), which opened without needing to be unlocked, and they all disappeared within. (roll dice) The door shut behind them, but not before Aylar's sharp eyes caught sight of something big moving in the shadows inside that room.** Aylar leaned a bit closer to Count Karnstein, "Orders, Cap'n?" he asked.

(roll dice) Felinoid ears perked as the corner door opened and Cap'n Rummyfangs heard the shambling of a large creature inside. (roll dice - Felinoid hearing) Strange echoes came from much further, as if bouncing off walls, the very faint crack of a whip, and somewhat closer, what sounded like the whisper of footsteps of a many legged creature. Cap'n Rummyfangs kept his head low but risked raising his eyes for a quick glance into the room. (roll dice - Felinoid night vision) He quickly clamped his mouth shut, hard! For what he saw just as the door closed almost made him barf up a rumball. That, thing, must be the Flesh Golem! **

Bhrigu maintained his guise as scribe/biographer, taking notes with his invisible ink while acting like he was merely noting down the meeting for posterity. (roll dice - observational skill) He also noted the guard and the human thralls entering the corner door with a powder barrel, far from the only viewable stairs and most of the fortress guns. (roll dice) There was also dirty footprints coming from that door, fresh dirt near the apple tree grove, and he remembered seeing a pile of new bricks drying in the sun near the seaward moat's end to his right as they had crossed the bridge to the drawbridge.**

(roll dice) Argy was about to wander around the courtyard with a distracted air when the commander waved over the two half-orc guards to keep an eye on them. (roll dice) She saw Bhrigu looking at the dirt near the apple trees and over at the door the orcish guard had taken the humans with the barrel into. Frustrated that she couldn't very well wander off with the guards right there watching, she pondered how to best make use of her sleep cakes.

Fortress Plans
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**NOTE TO THOSE SEEING/HEARING & OBSERVING - Nobody else knows what you have seen or heard unless you say or indicate something. Make a note of who you are near before posting your suppositions or discoveries.

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