The gate and the Guard
Subject The chase
As Harp studies the map they have, he begins to wonder, speaking aloud to Ran
"Sir, what if, while Surin and I are in town, the rest of the group rides around the outskirts of town, waiting for us on the other side. It looks as though the goblins are heading for the Greenwood, and this way we would not loose time waiting for us to go into town and come back. We keep the same level of safety with just the two of us going into town, and we keep relatively close to the goblins."
From: Karl
Subject The birds
"I can tell them exactly what we are looking for within the limits a bird can understand. I can usually interpret their meanings well enough when they respond. However, when I petition my god for this grace, it only lasts a short while. I would need to petition this favor twice, and I'm afraid, Obad-Hai grows weary quickly of his humbler servants. If I petition too much, he will be reluctant if we need his grace for other things this day.
"However, I could explain to them what we are looking for and ask them to reply in a code I can understand without the intervention of my god. I would need to explain the code to them as well as explain what we are looking for. This would take time, so both the code and the requirements would need to be brief."
From: Kevin
Subject The chase
"I understand completely about not abusing the favor of your god. I have had occaision to make the same trangression, and have had that same empty feeling.
Your plan is sound. With Ran's permission, let us try to come up with the basics of what we would like the birds to look for and a code for them to communicate back to us."
From: Karl
Subject The chase
"I will go with Harp and Surin, if you think it wise," Salix says to Ran. "I was in the town before, but only briefly so I can't really act effectively as guide. However, I do know that there is safety in numbers so one more might help. Also, I have some skill in dealing with sticky situations (diplomacy skill) which undoubtedly got me out of there safely last time."
From: Randy
Subject The chase
Yes, Salix, I would like you to accompany Surin and Harp on the foray into town. If you have time tonight you can also work on the code for communicating with the birds. The information we need most is location and approximate numbers if possible."
From: Mark
Subject The chase
As the party settles in for the night, the party discusses what they are going to do. They need arrows and some other supplies but don't want to loose the track of the goblins. Each member of the party lets it be known what they can add to the solution and after several hours of discussion they come up with a plan.
Harp, Surin and Salix will head south to the town. Since the goblins seem to be heading SW these three plan on getting the needed supplies, leaving town by either the west or south gate and trying to intercept the party as it follows the goblins. Salix uses his speak with animals prayer to talk to Cai's companion, Grey, and tells the bird what he would like it to do. The bird seems to understand, at least as well as an animal can. Salix then talks to Lenore and Ebon, knowing that the familiars can understand him. In particular, he talks to Ebon about keeping Grey on task. Ebon bobs his head, showing that he understands.
Salix gets a free pass at taking a watch that night. However, Noctis takes his turn, keeping an eye out in the dark. Harp rouses his two companions before dawn the next morning, and they quickly ride off, saying their farewells to Ran, who is on final watch.
As the three close the distance to the city they start to see more signs of inhabitants. Small farmsteads dot the countryside. It looks a lot like Schon, except that the farm stead all look like they are small keeps. There are high fences with strong gates. The houses themselves have iron shutters on the windows and arrow slits on the second floors or the attics. There are large cleared areas around all the buildings. The farmers are up and working, but not very friendly.
About 9AM the three ride of to the northern gate. They get into the line of people being admitted through the gate and wait for their turn with the gate guards. As they watch, the see most of the people being passed through easily. When their turn comes, they face one of the guards. He looks up at them and says ?What are your names and for what reason do you come to the mighty city of Impact??
OODM: I am going to let Karl, Kevin and Jake take it from here. For those of you with the rest of the party please note that you have no idea what is going on and so can not come to the rescue. The birds are keeping a general eye out but you are at least 3 hours ride from the town and so would be unable to help them in any less time than 4 hours or so.
From: Karl
Subject Impact
(OOC - Can I assume we've taken some of the gold with us to buy supplies? Salix would have suggested the three split the gold in case any one of us got pick-pocketed, though Surin probably would have beat him to the suggestion. If I can go on that assumption, my turn is as follows:)
As their small party nears the queue to the city gate, Salix raises the hood of his cloak enough at least to cover his ears. As they stand in line, he takes stock of the mix of people, none of them appearing friendly, and wonders what on earth would keep someone in this land. More than ever on this trip, he felt glad of his vocation that it didn't lock him into one place like a farmer or smith or shopkeeper. At what point for these people did the need for stability bow to the need for basic safety? When did all the bars, gates, locks, weapons, and other fortifications overwhelm any reason to stay here simply by the sheer bother of it all. Perhaps he never would understand certain types of people.
As he ends his musing, he notices they have reached the front of the line. "What are your names and for what reason do you come to the mighty city of Impact?" a guard asks.
Salix steps forward, "I am Salix and this is Surin and Harp. We come to Impact to buy supplies. We are hunting and have run low on feed for our horses and rations for ourselves." As he answers he checks discreetly to see if any other guards are watching. If not, he turns one hand just enough so the guard can see a single gold coin palmed there. If the guard shows any eagerness for the implied bribe, Salix will extend that hand as if to shake hands, passing the guard the coin. (Diplomacy skill for this whole exchange)
From: Kevin
Subject Impact
Harp, knowing that he is along for his strong back and "intimidating" presence, will say nothing unless spoken to and will follow Salix's lead.
From: Mark
Subject Guard
Damn you Jennings, you beat me to it. :)
I had this whole thing planned with the guard spending hours "inspecting" your gear while waiting for one of you to bribe him. :)
From: Karl
Subject Guard
This was one of those character leading the writer things. I had him just introducing themselves and waiting for your response and Salix said "Last time I was here I had to bribe him."
From: Kevin
Subject Guard
OOC: Let no one question the wisdom of Druids. For all of his dislike of towns, he seems very familiar with how they work. Harp was clueless as to that. He would have spent the hours haggling witht he guy.
From: Mark
Subject Guard
I would have expected Surin to figure it out first.
Harp would never have gotten it. I thought it was going to be fun to watch him seeth a bit at the delay.
From: Karl
Subject Guard
Well, Quarion has sent him to some surprisingly shady places over the past year or so. He even ate lunch in a shady tavern with an ex-pickpocket once.
From: Kevin
Subject Guard
True, true. And now he is bribing his way into a town with the same ex-pick pocket and the bastard son of an orc raider. What a great influence Quarion has been in his life.
I was very glad to see you short circuited Marks plans. I have been trying to do so for a really long time, though usually to little avail.
From: Mark
Subject Guard
The guard nods at Salix, reaches his hand out and shakes, palming the gold coin, and says "I see you have been to our city before. You know the rules then." He hands each person a small piece of pottery with a symbol on it. "This is the day pass. You must present it to any of the city watch or malitia when asked. Faliure to do so will result in immediate arrest and jail time. Report to the city garrison headquarters each morning to get your new day pass. Go on with you now before I change my mind." With that he turns to the other guards and yells at them to get back to work.
From: Kevin
Subject Guard
Harp, upon hearing the exchange, will whisper to Salix, after they are out of earshot of the guard, "If we are in this town more than 2 hours, I would be surprised. If we are here longer than that, we got troubles."
Harp will lead Stupid along, his shield tied to the horse, reins in his left hand, the right free and able to draw if needed.