<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=289327.msg14220752#msg14220752">Quote from: Vergil Tanner on 20-06-2018, 16:38:32</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">1) How far away is the camp, roughly speaking?<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>When I said "camp," I meant where the rest of the party was presently located.  The camp is approximately 500 feet from the southern end of the ruins of the Emerald Spire.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">2) What can we see of the fortifications?<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>The ruins of the Emerald Spire used to be a fortress.  It sits proudly atop of a cliff-face.<br/><br/>Looking down at it from the north (your current vantage), you see two towers flanking a decrepit entrance.  The cylindrical structures are towers.<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/oriMQve.png)<br/><br/>The towers have arrow slits and crenelations at the top.<br/><br/>You adjudge that the east side of the fortress is impenetrable.<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/2MJ1Pjm.png)<br/><br/>It's a 50 foot cliff face on top of a 50 foot emerald wall.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">3) Can we get a rough estimate of the number?</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>No.  Although you see movement here and there, much of the fortress is obscured from any vantage.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">4) Can we see the switchback? What condition is it in? Is it well maintained, or not?</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>The switchback is on the west side of the spire.  It is not in good condition.  You realize that it used to be a staircase, but the concrete has been pulverized flat.<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/adZFInT.png)<br/><br/>If you look closely, the switchback is rather exposed.  There isn't much cover as you approach the fortress.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">4a) Is there enough Total Cover that a party could conceivably approach by darting cover-to-cover (Since if you begin and end your move in Total Cover, you maintain the element of surprise mechanically speaking)?</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>If there are no sentries on the towers, and there doesn't appear to be any, it's conceivable that a party could sneak up without being spotted until arriving to the top-most square of the switchback image.  Afterwards, there is absolutely no cover.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">5) Can we see the cliff face? What are the defences there? How sturdy does it look?</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>You can see the southern cliff face.  There are no defenses there, except for the cliff and emerald wall.  A lot of the rocks on the cliff face do not look like they are able to support weight.  A person with a single rank in climb would realize that such a climb would be very dangerous.  Climbing it would be a DC 20 check.<br/><br/>Cassidy spotted what looks like a back entrance to the ruins here.  It is along the south-western edge of the ruins.<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/iri4HAU.png)<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">6) Can we see any sign of the previous parties?</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>No.  But, you believe that the person who was just killed might have been a member of a previous party.<br/><br/>Also note:<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/FHYQPAq.png)<br/><br/>This stair case on the northern border of the ruins is in utter disrepair.  It would require a 15 DC climb check to climb it.  However, it's a more direct method, and there is plenty of cover-to-cover for a stealth approach.