The results are in the above post, too long to write it here.
68 – Of courtyards, buildings, and wells
After much discussion you decide that four groups will be formed. One, led by Kalz, will keep working on the inventory, because it is necessary and it is also a mean to hide your other activities. Another smaller group, comprising mostly civilians, will keep searching for possible spies. The rest of the people, led by you and Irene, will take care of inspecting the courtyards and the buildings, leaving the central courtyard for last.
This exploration/inspection group will be further divided in two. At first you, Irene and nine soldiers will secure the courtyard and perform a cursory inspection. After that the rest of the men will come and together you will inspect the buildings. The mason, the smith and the scholar will obviously be of great help here. Who knows what you can find inside this fortress...
Irene also insists that each courtyard should be completely inspected along with all its buildings before the next courtyard is started. This way you can be sure you're not leaving any possible hazard behind you while you advance. With this plan in mind Irene goes to inform the general, and then you're ready to start.
With a bit of trepidation you set out along with your companions for your task....
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Excerpt 12: Knowledge (Legends and Myths) – Foreign opinions about Avarlos
... obviously such a mighty Kingdom as Avarlors influenced the legends and myths of all the nations of the continent of Wakul. After all, Avarlos ruled over the entire northern half of the continent. Amongst the nations whose territory was once part of Avarlos many legends still remain, along with some superstitious fear of that great nation. But they also look back with great respect, as Avarlos was without doubt the greatest nation to ever rise on these lands.
But there are consistent news that the southern nations of the continent, though so far away that we basically have no contact with them, still look upon our lands with fear. Avarlos may be no more, but they still remember the awe and the fear of being conquered that their ancestors felt. This has sometimes proved to be a problem in the few diplomatic dealing with these nations....
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A week has passed and you have completely explored all the outside courtyards. Irene was correct when she said that this place had been searched already during the centuries. The buildings have been completely stripped of all furniture, there are no bodies around. Just empty buildings. Also, the other groups found no sign of centipedes or spies. You kept practicing and reading, and you feel you have learned the basics of dodging at least.
(You have gained a skill: Dodging 1 (Very Basic)
A few details were really interesting though. You all couldn't help but notice just how intact the entire fortress still is. The buildings still rise proudly, in perfect conditions. They are spacious, practical, and cool even in the sweltering heat of summer. Even the doors are still standing, completely undamaged. This is an amazing feat of construction, this fortress is more than five thousand years old! How could they build it so well, for it to stand untouched by time after all these years?
Another thing you noticed is that each of these courtyards seems to have been designed to be self-sufficient. You talked about this and came to the conclusion that they were built this way in order to be harder to conquer in the event of a siege. Every courtyard has barracks, stables, various generic buildings for everyday tasks, forges, storage areas and a few wells. Should a courtyard be conquered in a siege the surrounding ones would still be able to keep fighting.
And finally you noticed the amazing wells of this fortress. They are deep and filled with crystal clear water. Ingenious contraptions allow you to effortlessly bring up even large quantities of water. For that matter your mason thinks that these wells all have a very large supply of water. You have no idea of how they managed to dig so many wells so close to each other. And they're all so full, even though it's summer!
Only the central courtyard remains now, and you can't deny you're shaking a bit in trepidation at the though of entering that place. However the general has summoned Irene, and she wants to bring you and Kalz along. With your head already thinking about that courtyard you are admitted to general Ritgard's presence.
The general asks Irene how the exploration is proceeding, and Irene gives him a detailed report of your progress. The general nods, and then asks an unexpected question.
"Very well then, I want to know if the external courtyards are safe. The men are starting to talk a bit because we're still keeping them in tents instead of using all the comfortable stone buildings of the other courtyards. This is not good for morale and might also seem suspicious. So, can I order my men to start using the other courtyards as well? Or should I wait until you are finished with the central courtyard?"
Well Kyoss, do you want to say something? The general asked all three of you, you can give your opinion.
A) The external courtyards are safe. The soldiers can move in.
B) The external courtyards are likely to be safe, but it's best to explore the central courtyard first, even if it takes some days.
C) The external courtyards could be unsafe. You simply cannot tell before exploring the central courtyard. If the soldiers start to talk and be suspicious, so be it.
D) Other, write what you want to tell the general.
Also if you want do so something else write it down, if not next update the exploration of the central courtyard begins.
So from time to time I will obviously make mistakes :D
