Remember to take one alive! Oh, I thought _you_ were doing that.

Retreating briefly, the group regroups and plots the hallway assault.
Invisibly, and silenced, the group creeps to within 20 feet then bursts from concealment. Reza wields the Justicar with deadly skill, slaying four guards in the first few seconds then assisting the group in slaying the rest before they can flee and spread the alarm. Under cover of the silence spell, the group opens a door that eventually leads to storage cellars, a huge slithery thing, and flaming skeletons serving soup to emaciated prisoners. Hmm. Does the lord of the fortress live here in the cellars? ‘Prolly not, so back up the stairs they go, with Bud Fester yammering on about how he would live in the top of the fortress if he were in charge. Passing by a set of ornate doors, Dalliance wonders if the lord of the fortress might not have an office here at the end of the ornate hallway. Hmm. Time is of the essence if the group is to use the existing Passwall spell to exit the fortress wall, so that line of reasoning is left in the party’s dust.

Emerging, the group unrolls the carpet and ascends in the pre-dawn light, rising above the fortress – to the very tip of the tower top.
There the group assaults and kills the two lookouts (lookout!), then enters the tower from the top, using the Wand of Opening to stealthily unlock a trapdoor. They descend, then descend again – passing through a meditation area and a shrine to Tempus (which prompts a bit of worship from the barbarian cleric). Descending further, the group prepares behind a locked door. Still silenced, the wand is used again to unbar the door and the group bursts into the guard’s lounge area, There they make short work of the three surprised occupants, then cast about for a new direction to travel.

Reza’s snout sniffs out the smells of the flying beasts through a doorway, but it is decided that that direction is unlikely to house the fortress’ lord. So, the group descends further. On the next floor, the group surprises and lays low a half-dozen guards with alarming rapidity. The barbarian suggests taking a prisoner for questioning in the next encounter and downs a potion of stone giant strength in preparation. Using the ‘bbitch’s x-ray eye to peer through a few doors reveals another duo of guards, and the barbarian leads the charge through the door. Seizing the nearest one, Humbar roars ‘surrender’ as he smashes his hammer into the guard – slaying him instantly. When the second one turns to run, Dalliance unleashes a stream of magic missiles to kill him. Pausing to discuss prisoner-taking strategy, the group rumbles onward and engages another pair of guards. One is slain by Reza’s ministrations and Barada wounds the other one with an arrow.
When Humbar tackles the wounded guard, his strength bears the guard to the floor and smashes his head upon the stone floor. Woops.

Descending on the stairs the group finds the occupation command center, a hubbub of activity. Beyond, the rooftop sprouts a collection of tents and warriors are beginning to stir as the group uses a ring of fire to race into the room, setting tables ablaze, burning maps and injuring many. This prompts a panicky exit from the command center and the group bursts around the corner and slays a trio of guards before heading down the next flight of stairs. On the way down, the sounds of the alarm ring out behind – ahead – all around them.

Indeed, footsteps ring out on the stairs below – heading upwards.
Dalliance pokes her head around the bend and sends a ‘welcome!’
fireball at then onrushing attackers. The first fireball gives pause and the second helps the survivors decide to seek other areas less full of flame and explosions. The group gives pursuit and engages a group of junior officers in their quarters along with their wives and children. After the first six are slain, the rest are persuaded to surrender in short order and the desired information is finally found, The lord of the castle, Lord Mourngrym has quarters just down the hallway and around the corner. The group pauses for a moment to gird themselves for a final push to find their quarry.