Sessativa looks through the gate but as it is getting dark it is hard to see. She can see that the courtyard appears to be clear of any creatures. She can not open the gate any further is the broken hinge has caused the one part to imbed itself into the round. IT would take some workmen and possibly a good of horses to move the gate.
Zork circles the area once to see if he can pickup anything unusual and then admits that they should get in before night and use the courtyard as a sanctuary. He devises a plan to use his own horse and some rope to at least pull the gate open enough that they can get in, build a fire and check out the place.
Out of Character: If his dogs can get in he will let them search the place.
The dogs are able to go in but you do not hear them give case to anything. Looking at the gate you can see that it is [going to] be too much for one [horse] to pull open unless you rig a pulley system to a brace over the top of the gate and pull it upwards out of the ground to be [able] to swing it open or closed more.
"We'll have to climb it," Durgan admits. With a yawn and stretch he continues, "But I'm not feeling up to it today. Let's just camp by the wall, okay? We can prepare more appropriate spells tomorrow too."
"My horse cannot climb up that so I will rather to stay out here for now."
Out of Character: Zork recalls 4 of his six dogs to remain watch and lets 2 assist Durgan search the courtyard.
Zork observes the ground, can it be dug?
Out of Character: This action confuses me. Is Zork offering the 2 dogs the next morning?
In Character: "Umm, 'tis just a ruin. Surely the walk up to it isn't so long that you can't leave the horse behind."
Durgan and Sessativa will assist in checking the ground.
Out of Character: My idea is to secure it as a safe spot for camping but I have the feeling that there is going to be more there than just a simple routine. Some of the dogs are with me and two of them will check out the ruin with you for now.
Searching while it is dark or waiting til morning? Like I stated before the dogs did not find anything of interest. Plus the gate is open just enough for people to squeeze through but not horses. Any ground can be dug if one has the proper tools.