7. Return to the Halls

It's a cobbled boulevard.

Aye, we bes’ avoid da swamp! Dare we cross da iron bridge ahead?!

Ella nods at Grimideck’s suggestion that they avoid the swamp. She looks beyond the cobbled plaza at the structure behind, attempting to make sense of its nature.

"Iron bridge should be safe, yes?"

"The iron bridge it is." Jacky saunters onward. "I wonder who built it? Are metal bridges common in this part of the world?"

The wall to the north of the oval boulevard looks like it was once around 8’ tall, although much of it is now crumbled, with gaps aplenty. Beyond, looming above the wall, are the remains of a palace. It was once a sizable building - perhaps as much as four stories tall - and consisting of a central section flanked by eastern and western wings. However, only the eastern wing now remains as anything other than ruins and rubble, with a roof that includes a still-intact 25’-diameter dome. Also, somewhat strangely, the palace’s 15’ tall ebony main entrance doors are also still in place (and shut).
From your position on the iron bridge, you can see the remains of two statues.

To the northeast, just beyond the docks, is a pediment topped with two enormous marble feet and ankles. The remainder of the body is nowhere to be seen.

Further away to the northwest is a 30’ tall, almost complete statue of a seated and robed figure, only missing its head.

Zach follows Thrudmarr, feeling somewhat bored.

Ella moved along with the party, her eyes scanning the marshy port area with concern.

Yes. Although the head above the door of the Broken Head is of Arden. It's normally her companion, Vul, who is depicted in robes.

Crossing ye ole Iron Bridge, our dwarven fellow asks, What say we investigate da palace, friends?!

"If you wish, Gamliel", Zach says to Grimidek. "What’s the worst that can happen, another specter? A wight? Perhaps a lich?"

Thrudmarr shudders at the mention. "More ghosts? Hope not! But if rich stuff in big house, Thrudmarr be brave!"

"Lead on, Grimidek," Jacky says. "We can surely have a poke around before the dusk arrives."

You traverse the iron bridge and turn to the north, past the western docks and across the cobbled oval boulevard, before halting at the 15’-tall ebony doors that guard the entrance to the palace.

It appears that the doors would provide access to the still somewhat intact eastern wing of the ruined palace. However, the palace’s northern and western sections have collapsed completely and are little more than piles of rubble.

---
6:00 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Jacky sizes up the gigantic black doors. "Do you think these were built for giants to enter, or simply to flaunt?"

The halfling makes a closer study of the doors. What material are they made out of? He raps a knuckle on them. Are there any interesting features or ornamentation on them?

Grim waddles just right of the massive doors. Checking the palace walls, and gleaning what information he can about who might have crafted the stonework.

Palace Ruins
The doors are made of dark wood. From the scale and grandeur of the wider building, you get the impression that their size is intended to denote status, rather than being a necessity for large occupants. Other than their size, there's nothing distinctive about them in terms of features or ornamentation.

It’s clear to Grim that the architecture of the palace is Archontean - similar to that which you’ve seen in the Halls.

As soon as Jacky raps on the door, a booming voice declares something sternly in Mithric. Only Grim (I think) understands that it is saying "Stand aside, citizen. This is not your home!"

(Zach may, if he wishes, attempt to roll under his Intelligence on 4d6 to understand it, if he still considers himself a student of Mithric).

---
6:00 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Jacky jumps at the sudden loud voice. "Ho, didn't see that coming." The halfling turns back, looking for a translation of whatever the announcement had been.

Grim translates, from Mithric into the common tongue.

"I wonder how it knows," Jacky says, running a hand through his hair. He turns to Eric and Hector. "Say, what about the two of you? If you're from hereabouts, have you heard anything about these great big doors?"

Zach follows Grim’s translation haltingly and asks for some help regarding conjugations.