With the mounts becoming increasingly agitated, the group dismounts, leaving the creatures a a hundred yards at the end of the forest. Janis' new companion needs some coaxing to approach, but the mysterious wizard manages to push it forward.
The ruin is heavily weathered, and a quick inspection finds its uninhabited. However, scorch marks and the remains of a fire in the center of the tower clearly indicate that it has been used recently. After a close examination, Daellin reports that there is also signs of blood in fire, and possible charred remains. Of what... he cannot tell. Another curiosity is a large circle set in the rock, arcane runes etched along its insides. Janis easily identifies it as a binding circle---either for protection or summoning. The runes remain large intact, though weather has worn them down. The Pale Lady guesses that its use would be... unpredictable.
A search of the few remaining rooms, choked with rubble, turn up nothing more than a bit of torn cloth---rough wool, most likely a cloak or smock. In the dim remaining sunlight, a sense of frustration lingers until, concealed under a light bed of rock, the vigilant Stalker finds something: A beaten wooden trapdoor in the rocky hillside. Lifting it reveals a ladder descending into the rock and darkness.
[The portal is only 5' wide. While the bear could squeeze through it, the larger problem is that it cannot climb down the ladder. Only Daellin, with his low-light vision, can clearly see the bottom of the ladder some 50 ft down; its a bit shadowy to the rest. Let me know how you're approaching this.]
