The Thanes expect Ashwell tower to be around here and are not shocked as they make out its looming shape in the mists. But there is a dim light illuminating part of it. They head nearer and see huts at the base.

Nailen hails the tower, “Hail the tower!”

The silence is silent.

Closer still the tower is in disrepair. Nailen hails again. No reply. The Thanes venture into the palisade. The gates hang drunkenly.

Through the mists we see a gable end of hall. It’s in better condition than the other buildings around, which are wrecked.

Standing around we hear a noise of wood moving. Knocking on the door it swings open. Nailen’s palace has some work needed to return it to its former glory.

Exploring we hear rustling. We make our way round the tower and notice steps on outside of the tower. We go up the stairs. There’s a door ajar. We say hello. No reply.

In the tower is a smoke filled room. There is a fire in the room away from the fireplace. Bags of totemic nonsense litter the floor. There is meat in a bag as well. Having seen totems before we suspect Lizardfolk.

We head to another room. It’s barred but yields to a bench battering ram. It appears the door has been wedged shut.

The next level up is an open room. A small pile of corpses, human, partially burnt lie in a corner.

The next level has two doors and stairs up. The stairs lead to the roof.

Back to the floor with the two doors. We try a door heroically and it opens. It’s a bed chamber. A chest yields mouldy clothes, a book with numbers and a hidden pouch of money. The fittings of the room are old but of good quality.

The other door is blocked. We heroically barge it open. But something attacks. A madman with a club! We grapple him, he is subdued and tied up.

We manhandle him back to where we left Rufus and Mahan on a lower floor. Dinner is served – ‘snake surprise’.

The madman in coherent moments explains that he is named Athangild and was a reeve here. We ask him questions and although reluctant he offers up that the manor was wrecked by little marsh men who float over the water. They seem hostile and when attacked burst open with acid that burns. The attack was some six or seven moons ago. There are lizardmen hunting parties but they too are afraid of the marsh creatures. They come and seek shelter in the hall from time to time. Athangild has survived by hiding.

We think we should search the base of the tower next.