Into the Keep

After considering all that you've learned, it seems that the ruined keep to the north is where your next steps must take you. Something is afoot there, and unsavory business to do with the darkness of the Shadowfell and the unimaginable evil of Orcus, demon prince of the undead. You ponder briefly whether the Raven Queen might play a part in this, she who rules the Shadowfell, and the afterlife. Perhaps you might make an alliance with her followers, but such a course would be risky at best. You decide to send a message to Tyr's temple in Fallcrest, nearly 50 miles away, and to wait a few days for a reply. Considering that there is almost certainly a spy of the Keep's dark denizens amongst the folk of Winterhaven, your delay is a ruse. Whoever, or whatever, hides in the keep will not be warned of your coming!

Early the following day you set off for the keep that lies about a mile to the north of Winterhaven, along an overgrown and little-used road that wends its way into the Cairngorm Peaks. Düvren stays behind and, with a few other villagers who witness your early departure, wishes you well at the gate. You keep a sharp eye out for riders, but none pass you on the road. It appears your deception may have gained you some time and prepare yourself to surprise whatever dark power now resides in the ruins ahead.

The keep is a tumbled ruin, nestled in a dark clearing where little but vines and brush will grow. Yet amongst the decay you detect signs that there have been recent visitors here. A path is cleared through the rubble, and debris has been cleared to reveal a dark stair leading down into darkness.