Quiet as a mouse ....

The party left towards the end of the day, hoping to arrive nearer dusk and let bad light cover their actions. Driving boldly along the main streets, they only encountered a single patrol and brazened their way through with the planned cover story. Slowing as they passed the east wall of the estate, Faweh slid from the rear of the wagon onto the wall, whilst Kaddim-sul boosted Neebin up, to aid him into the grounds. Pausing briefly to check the interior was quiet, Faweh dropped to the inside of the wall and settled to observe the mansion and grounds properly, with Neebin beside him.

All was quiet, a few outbuildings showed little sign of use and the grounds appeared neglected; the mansion itself was dark, showing no lights or activity from within. Cautioning Neebin to remain by the wall, Faweh set off to scout round the property. Circling the grounds he passed a single doorway at the rear, maybe a utility or kitchen access, whilst the gates at the front of the estate were partly open - enough to allow pedestrian access - though checking the main doors to the mansion house, he found them locked. Moving to a nearby window, he also saw the drapes were firmly pulled to cover them completely, though any reasonable light inside would still show through odd gaps, as he was so close.

Returning to Neebin, they prepared to leave the grounds, the others had circled round the area and on the next pass by the wall, the two members inside slipped back over and regained the inside of the wagon again. Faweh explained what he had discovered and they decided to leave the wagon, to return and explore the inside of the mansion. Finding a side court close to the front gates of the Bloodmire estate, they parked the wagon and arranged the goods as though in the middle of a delivery, before slinking off towards their target.

Entering through the main gates this time, the party circled to the rear door and Faweh let them inside the mansion building; moving carefully inside he found himself in the kitchens as he expected. Using a shuttered lantern for faint light, he moved into the main hallway, whilst the others stayed in the safety of the empty kitchen. Finding doors to each side and the grand staircase leading up behind him, he moved to the right-hand doors first; cracking them open he listened carefully.

Hearing faint shuffling steps from deeper inside, he let a little more light escape the lantern to reveal a bulky human shape. Finding a few pebbles in his pocket, Faweh bounced a couple off the being causing it to turn and move his way. Staring into the sallow drawn features of the creature as it approached, Faweh noted the scars & stitched seams crossing its head and upper torso. Deducing he faced a golem, he backed off, however on reaching the hall doorway the creature stopped and then turned back into the hall.

Slipping back to the doors, Faweh closed them quietly and moved to the opposite side, repeating the process but finding this hall quiet; he moved in and checked the rooms along the left side finding a small library, a private lounge and a sparse music room. At the end a tight staircase led upwards, before he reached the grand doors to the ballroom; quickly repeating his methodical check at the doors, this time he had no problems hearing the sounds of multiple beings moving hesitantly round the large room.

Faweh then checked the second floor, but at the top of the staircase he found more beings shuffling about the rooms and halls to each side and quietly retreated back to the kitchens. He reported all he'd found to the others and then slipped up the rear stairs to check above the kitchens. Finding small drab rooms, he guessed he'd discovered the servants quarters and listened at several doors. Gentle snoring from one door led him to unlock it and look inside, to see a man in the bed sleeping; going to the next he found a young girl sitting awake on the bed. Trying not to startle her, he questioned her quickly and then persuaded her to leave the room, after which he woke the other servants and hustled them all downstairs.

Realising the servants demeanors ranged from scared to nervous, the party felt now was a good time to retire from the grounds and see what they could disclose in safer surroundings. Leaving the building, the group moved to the gates and got back to the wagon without incident, they then drove back to Trader Brasshorn.