A horrifying screech bellows in the distance, pulling you from your thoughts. You have counted the seconds since the last cries of the horde were heard, and they are drawing closer. Fast.

The swarm will be massive, far larger than the one that pushed you into the forbidden city. At least you have a fort to protect you this time, though it is old and crumbling. Hopefully it will hold them off long enough for the pyre to be completed.

As you listen, an officer salutes you. You had sent his men to scout the fort for any remaining dangers and to get a lay of the land.

He begins by telling you that the outer walls had once been impressive defenses. They have been weathered by time and the Deepwood, but they should hold as long as you properly man them and there are no breaches elsewhere. At this point, you are thankful for any strong stones standing between you and the Deepwood.

He continues by telling you of two large towers that stand vigil above the outer bailey, one of which is equipped with fat bronze tubes, aimed at the edge of the treeline. These must have been some sort of powerful weapon used to keep the beasts away from the walls. The second tower will provide the perfect lookout spot for your soldiers as its height offers unobstructed views of the fortress' perimeter, allowing them to see where creatures are approaching from.

He then points out that the inner bailey contains an armory and an old stable. The armory has collapsed, however, but with a little scavenging you may find something useful within.

He finishes by telling you of the only serious weakness in your defenses, a large tunnel burrowed beneath the fortress wall. He surmises it is the breach which brought about the fall of Raven's Reach long ago. Thanking the officer, you order his soldiers to set up an improvised alert system within the tunnel using scraps of old weapons and armor. Hopefully it will help you detect if something infiltrates through there.