As we moved through the forest, we had a sense that we were being watched. The trade route in the Drachenfell is ominous enough, but pushing off the road into the wood definitely gives you a much bigger sense of dread for those who are sensitive to those things.
I remember thinking that Otto was probably blessed that none of this seemed to phase him. He just plodded along jingling and crashing through the primeval forest without any notion of fear or stealth.
Dox was particularly quiet. I wasn't entirely sure what he was focused on. He is often very intense like this. Kind, despite his infernal origins, but also very focused and serious. It's as if he has a lot on his mind.
After traveling for half the day, the trail led to a clearing. The ramshackle tower seemed quiet, it had a scaffolding staircase, and stretched to the sky over three stories.
Concealed in the leaves was a large bear trap. The steel spring trap was set to deter any pursuers, but we considered it would be a part of our plan.
Dox and I circled the tower and prepared to conceal our positions. We would wait in ambush if Keller exited the structure, and Otto howled in agony. He was thrashing around on the ground as if he'd stumbled into the trap laid for us.
He was so believable we actually thought he'd hurt himself. That ear piercing shriek was not exactly what we were expecting..
Dox and I were not particularly in-place by any means when a crossbow bolt whizzed past the tiefling.
We advanced on the tower. Keller was well dug in - using the window on the 3rd floor as protection. I was shooting arrows, Dox was hurling eldritch blasts, and Otto rushed in after getting his breath. When he reached the base of the tower, the huge snarling mastiff attacked him.
We traded injuries through our ranged attacks, I took a crossbow bolt, but Keller proved to be no match for us. He ducked out of sight, and Otto dispatched the angry hound.
We tried convincing him to surrender, just hand over the iron ring, and we would give him quarter. He was not having it. He insisted that Mal Gergard, the bandit chief would flense him alive if he didn't produce the ring when he arrived.
Eventually we rushed the door and cut him down. He had Argasto's iron ring, a few silver coins, and a small bone necklace. We did grab his crossbow or dagger, but we decided that were not going to wait around for the bandits to show up. We angled back towards the road, heading for the coaching inn.
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