Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=222#2219 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 9/4/2021 at 4:57 AM Afternoon -- The guards look at one another as your group affirms your story. "I think we should just make them let us go," Knight growls. "Your story is sound," the elf says slowly. "You may have been trying to mind your own business, Nicote, but it seems someone has made it their own. You're message is far too late to make a difference now - you're both already deep into trouble. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you have any communication with your brother until I've brought you in for questioning. You've been implicated in a plot against the Elven High Council, which is tantamount to treason. Your party need not be involved, but if you try to fight then you will all be brought in until this matter is resolved." Knight growls, flexing his claws. Spork bares his fangs in agreement. "I not letting us get imprisoned again."

"I'll handle the mess, you guys go rest up and stuff. Maybe see what the folk from the warehouse and the runemaster want for the trouble I left them and get some supplies or something. Last I checked we don't exactly have medical supplies and I'm pretty much broke at the moment." Nicote tells his party. He's sure they're exhausted, they may as well rest up and not deal with Nicote's mess of problems. "I'll met you guys back at the last place we stayed at here whenever I get out of questioning, or at least leave a note before I go hunt down Newt and give him a presentation and a 50-page essay on how my problems aren't going to drag him down with me." he half jokes hoping to lighten the mood.

He then turns to the guards. "Plot against the Elvern High Court? Yeah, okay, we really need to get that quesitoning thing done and sorted because whoever thought I'm behind some anti-government plot clearly has the wrong person. That and I might have an idea of who you should really be questioning."

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=222#2215 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 9/1/2021 at 12:26 PM Morning -- The other goblin doesn't join in your laughing. "I haven't had the choice! You try and interrupt them. I'd rather take the gold and get on with it, but I've got to stick to my principles of first-come, first-served. At least, most of the time." But the goblin nods at your question. "Yes!" then he sheepishly admits: "I uh... actually bought this offcut piece of material from another merchant across the marketplace this morning. It might look good on the outside, but I've rolled it up so the inside isn't showing. It's, ehh... let's just say I got it nice and cheap to sell on for a better price. If you know what I mean." The merchant doesn't have anything more to add, settling back into the shadows of his stall. It's up to you to take it from here - one orc has changed their stance, and you instinctually know that's the look of someone who is about to take a swing.

Pike nods his head slowly, wondering why the goblin was admitting to so much but he is not going to argue about or interrupt it. He keeps quiet for a moment, not sure how to get the orcs attention and whether or not he really wanted to. Pike gulps in an anxious breath when he realizes that his hesitation has probably caused him to be too late. He didn't want the orcs to hurt each other.
"Wait!" After the cry, Pike covers his mouth with his hands. He regains control and continues. "There was a merchant across the marketplace this morning that had this cloth as well. I don't know if the merchant is still here, but someone might be able to check and make sure that the merchant and the cloth are still there."
Pike then shifts backwards as his heart pounds in his ears. He half expected them to ignore him - which was fine with him - or turn towards him and beat him up for interfering with the fight, both instances which had happened within his household.

(Don't worry. Players and familiars will always be able to just speak to one another
I've been putting off Chillsky for a while now. I know the slowness is on my end, but don't let the snows catch you unawares)

Afternoon
--
Daavun nods enthusiastically. "If you think so, that must be the best option."

You told Crimson to stay back at your tent.

Though not looking happy at your suggestion to retreat, Aegis nods. "No doubt that gold goes to fund some plot of the orcs. Where, though... that worries me.

"Murva is in our tent. I can take you there if you like."

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=223#2224 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 9/9/2021 at 12:20 PM (Don't worry. Players and familiars will always be able to just speak to one another I've been putting off Chillsky for a while now. I know the slowness is on my end, but don't let the snows catch you unawares) Afternoon -- Daavun nods enthusiastically. "If you think so, that must be the best option." You told Crimson to stay back at your tent. Though not looking happy at your suggestion to retreat, Aegis nods. "No doubt that gold goes to fund some plot of the orcs. Where, though... that worries me. "Murva is in our tent. I can take you there if you like."

Asteria glances up at the sky trying to determine if the snow would fall tonight and how heavy it might be, "I'm not thrilled with that idea either Aegis. Daavun can you get the others ready please? At the moment though saving lives are more important then stopping the gold mining. Yes please Aegis."

Asteria wondered how this would turn out; she hoped for the best but to prepare for the worst. If the snow did fall Asteria would try to use it to her advantage, "Aegis do you think it will snow tonight?"

Evening
--
She gives you a funny look, but smiles warmly anyway. "If you would like some food heated up, poppet, wouldn't you rather I put it on the stove for you?"

She shrugs with a chuckle. "It seemed like it in the beginning. I've never left the Crossroads in all of my life, but at the same time I never liked to stay in the one place. It's a big city and there's always one place or the other to hole up in. At first I refused - I didn't want to be tied down like that. But I was talked round and in the end - getting older now, as I am - to have a comfortable home like this is priceless."

Once she has finished her story, she sets aside the cloth she was using to clean the counter and hums to herself. "I've been lucky in that I've managed to keep the best of both worlds, really," she adds, eyes distant. Then she comes back to herself with a grin, waiting on you attentively.

Afternoon
--
Spork growls. "If you not back by nightfall, I come looking for you."

Balthur and Knight nod in agreement. "I'll settle your affairs, Nicote," Balthur promises, face calculating. "It's the least I can do for you after all you've done for me."

The elf approached you, motioning for you to walk by his side. "Come. I will bring you to the Elven embassy where you are to be questioned." With an intrigued look, he adds: "As we walk, I would like you to explain to me who this person is you claim is more important here."

Morning
--
Maybe he is scared more by what the orcs will do if you can't stop them than punishment for fraud.

At your exclamation, the orc who was about to get hit jumps and spins around, appearing startled to find you standing there right behind her. Charisma just successful. The other pauses, frowning as if she wonders why the argument has suddenly stopped.

The first orc looks just as angry as you'd expect. She points a finger at you. "What're you getting involved for, squirt? I didn't see any other cloth merchants here."

She looms over you... and then a voice cuts in from the next stall over.

"It's true, ladies," says a smooth voice. You see another orc leaning casually at his stall. "Eyup here can barely compete with the trader over on the other end of the market. His bazaar has all sorts of fine linen for prices he can't compete with."

The two orc women look at one another for a second.

"Mine!" they cry simultaneously, running off in that direction.

Afternoon
--
The skies are clear, darkening now as the sun falls towards the horizon and the nearby peaks and mountain faces cast large shadows over the path.

Daavun nods, shouting towards his people. They start into motion, packing their things and emptying carts. It seems you'll be travelling light.

Aegis frowns. "No, not tonight. But I feel it in my joints - and I've learned to trust that instinct - that snow will be coming sometime soon. It always does in the mountians."

He leads you over to the edge of the camp, where a sturdy yet worn tent stands. You see Murva sitting outside it. She's sharpening her axe, and curiously has smeared her face with dirt. A decorated shield waits nearby.

"...Murva?" Aegis murmurs, looking confused.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=223#2229 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 9/11/2021 at 4:33 PM Afternoon -- The skies are clear, darkening now as the sun falls towards the horizon and the nearby peaks and mountain faces cast large shadows over the path. Daavun nods, shouting towards his people. They start into motion, packing their things and emptying carts. It seems you'll be travelling light. Aegis frowns. "No, not tonight. But I feel it in my joints - and I've learned to trust that instinct - that snow will be coming sometime soon. It always does in the mountians." He leads you over to the edge of the camp, where a sturdy yet worn tent stands. You see Murva sitting outside it. She's sharpening her axe, and curiously has smeared her face with dirt. A decorated shield waits nearby. "...Murva?" Aegis murmurs, looking confused.

"I hope the dirt is for camouflage and not war paint. Murva would you mind showing the others the escape routes when they're done packing," Asteria asks, "I want to ask you both a question. Do you think it would be better to ambush the orcs and goblins while they are on their way here or once everyone is out of camp let the goblins and orcs come here that way we could use the traps and fight on familiar ground. Personally I don't like either option. That or the option I think would work best is letting the orcs and goblins try to chase us up north where there will be some areas where we can find cover and snipe at."

Asteria was trying not to be a dictator in this situation and she had a bad feeling about what Murva was going to do.

(Maybe it's just because I am misremembering but do you mean the same mountain pass Asteria took to get to the camp?)