From the murky forest, a rundown and disheveled castle appears in a meadow.  The team split up to survey the castle from afar and check for entrances.

Bralleros: Unknowingly crossing the intentions of his patron, Bane.  Bralleros experiences the wrath and correction a Fiendish God has.

Elowen: Discovering a large poisonous snake in the words, she greets the creature with a element of kindness.  The snake feeling comfortable an accepting of her as a master joins the journey as her companion

The Castle: The south door is iron and found to be locked.  Lansilar changing form into a badger and using keen scent was able to smell goblin, bugbear, and a couple of unknown creatures.  Hearing dining sounds from the arrow slits. Merric being able to pick the lock opens the door for some exploration.

Using an unseen servant and a lucky pull from the deck of illusions, a plot to poison those who might be eating dinner begins to take shape. Jynryn attempting to sneak into the castle stumbles over a slightly dislodged floor paver. Slamming to the ground, her armor sending a few sparks and making a loud clank. Scrambling to hide, the team barely makes it out the door, when the inquisitive goblins investigate the sound, there is an element of fear from seeing a bugbear as the source of the sound.

Pushing their plan into action, the team sends the unseen servant to open the door and use the bugbear illusion as a distraction in hopes the servant could deliver a vial of nightshade to potentially poison the enemies. After returning with an empty vial, the team pulls back the illusion and the servant closes the door.

The team decides to give the room some time to simmer in hopes the servant was able to deliver on the instructions provided. Venturing deeper into the castle, the team discovers a room with a couple of hobgoblins. Lansilar returns to human form and attempts to join the fight that is about to ensue. One hobgoblin attempts to the flee the room but is taken down by Nagini, Elowen's snake companion. The party makes quick work of the two. They see a barred door to the south, and decide it may be where Gundren is being held.

Upon opening the door the team are surprised by a large owlbear who attacks Keladark upon entering. The team makes quick work of the owlbear, while Keladark suffers the brunt of the attack. Bim's keen eyes locate a chest hidden among the upper rafters.