Then lets get started. Let's purchase dry rations and water for 5 for one month. Sterling smiles, Get some use out of the portable hole. Then lets head off
"Sounds like a good plan, Sterling."
"Ass you wish. I will show you the way to the nearesst town. The local area is ssafe. However, the path to the ssurfasse iss not."
The Raptor then guides the group to the nearby city. As it goes, it informs the group about the local environment, what is dangerous (formians), the fact that the city grew up as a point of connection between the two lost groups.
The Raptor's method of getting things through the wall involves a metal and crystal cage they have developed. Unfortunately, living matter can't be protected from the energies of the wall, only inorganic matter. At least, that's what the group determines from the Raptor's explanation of what can and can't be put through. The cage can't be very big either, unfortunately.
The local city is much like the one they left earlier, the buildings sung up out of stone by magic users. The raptor shows them to the central trade square, where they can buy rations (jerked lizard meat and dried mushrooms) as well as buy water skins.
Not me.
Sterling seems only interested in moving forward, not carrying Luna's purse while she shops .
I'll subtract 800 gp from the sheet
EDIT: sheet updated
Luna finds a cracked stone that does boost her skills as desired, in a small shop with magical oddities.
When the group is ready to leave town, the raptor gives them three options. "There are 3 paths we can take to the ssurfasse. The firsst iss shorter, but it iss alsso the mosst dangerouss, both in the cavess themsselves, and the things that might attack us. There will be other villages or ccities on the way, but it will only take us about two sixths to arrive, but it exits near the edge of the mountains near a river, two days journey from the wall. The second path is easier, but also longer. There are several villages and townss along the way, but it will take 8 ssixth dayss. However, it iss rather ssafe, and we will be unlikely to encounter anything overly dangerouss. It will come out a few weeks travel from the upperworld ocean. Finally, the path I mentioned originally, which is the one we talked about. It comess out a half dayss travel from a upperworlder ccity. There are one or two villages along the way, but nothing else, and it'ss not ass ssafe, ass there are both people banditss and upperworld banditss along the way, unlesss they've been cleared out reccently."
"That's not an easy choice... short and dangerous, long and easy, or semi-dangerous and comes out near the crusader's city. What do you guys think?" she turns to the men to see what they think we should do, but voices her opinion. "I don't mind a little extra time to avoid trouble, but you might not agree."
"Isn't the ocean our goal? I'd say go with the one that pops us out closest to that. "
"I'm not fond of the idea of ending up near one of their cities unless it's the one where we might get a boat... Ssscales? Is the city close to the third choice near the ocean?... or is it near the energy wall?"
"Neither, the ccity is where green ground funguss meet tall funguss, not near wall or ocean. I do not know if there iss ccity near ocean, know only of village where they trade fish with uss. "
"There is a village that trades fish with you? they might have boats... are they on the ocean? or a lake?" How far are they from one of the three paths to the surface, and which path?
Close enough for me. Fish Village is my choice.
"Half a day sstriding from the exit near the ocean."
Luna's eyes light up and she grins... nods to Sterling's assessment.
"The village in which you trade for fish, sounds like a good choice."
Your guide remarks on how quiet the trip is, as apparently nothing in the cave systems likes the smell of human.
Eventually, after weeks of travelling through mushroom infested caverns, the group comes up to the surface, exiting through a cave into sunlight and fresh air.
Birds tweet, animals make noises in the woods, and the smell of salty air comes on the wind. The Raptor blinks in the bright light, and waves a hand toward the north. "If you go that way, following the road, you will find the upperworlder fisshing village." The raptor says, stepping back into the shadows of the cave. It doesn't appear to like the bright afternoon light. "Now, if you would mind giving the resst of my pay, I will leave you to your travelss."
Sterling looks out at the sunlit cave opening and squints. It takes time for his eye to become accustom. The travel was long and hard. He had resisted using magic to clean himself, during the travel. It was important that they smell the part of medieval peasant, when they reach the village.
It was hard to tell whether Sterling's eyes watered from the piercing light, or his piercing smell. The summoner pulls out a pouch and counts out 42 ingots.
Here is the balanced owed for additional 7 weeks work. Sterling counts out 8 more. And a tip for being an excellent guide. Thank you.
"Sscales, you have been a wonderful guide... thank you so much... may you enjoy long life and prosperity! Have a safe journey back."
"Thank you. I ssusspect I will not ssee you again. If I am misstaken, then that iss good, and I will be glad to ssee more of your gold." The Raptor gives a small hiss of amusement.
Sterling arches an eyebrow at the leaving raptor. It was hard to read them, but he could swear there was something dark in that comment. He shrugs the feeling off.
How should we proceed?
I would prefer to scout the village first before committing going in. I suggest we don't walk on the road directly, but move with stealth. I can use my eidolon Salazar as scout.
"Scouting the village first sounds like a good plan... I can assist with the scouting, though Salazar may be stealthier than I, it might be good to have two sets of eyes on the village."
"Yeah, best we don't walk into another mess like the first village we visited when we got to this world. "
"Yes, I agree. Best to stay off the roads and trails, but try to keep an eye on them to see what kind of activity is on them. Just how much of a presence the church has here and then take a good long look at the village before entering it.
I'd swear that raptor though we are on a suicide mission."
Sterling pulls a hat from his pack. He hands it to Luna. This is a hat of disguise. change your appearance. If anyone happens to see you, at least they won't recognize you if you are seen again. He pauses. I want that back he smiles
Luna nods and takes the hat with a little smile.. "Of course, Sterling... you'll get it, but thanks for the loan of it." She puts on the hat and thinks back to their encounter in the other village, channeling some of the features of the folks there, not to look like any particular one of them, but some kind of amalgam of their features... this one's chin, that one's nose, and so on. She makes her clothes look like theirs as well...
Stealth +18
Yes be sneaky sneaky. Climb speed allows for vantage point of high trees, etc
Luna heads down the road, and after a mile or so, can see the village.
There's about 20 houses of various sizes. It looks like a typical fishing village for a primitivish culture, which means it looks roughly like something she's seen in a movie before, but has never seen personally.
The only stone building in town is a large square building with the trinity symbol of the church on it. The villagers all look fairly healthy, and seem to be bustling about their business. Children yell and make noise like children do. The village probably has 50 or 60 people in it, although probably half are out on the boats, which are just visible out to sea.
The sea itself is a deep blue green aquamarine color, rather than the classic blue. The sand is a mixture of yellow with a hint of pink here and there, rather than classic white.
Upon entering the village, Luna gets some friendly waves and nods from people. One woman in a strange looking leather armor gives her a friendly nod. "Welcome to Gilldown. Don't get many solitary travelers. Is there something I can help you with?"
"I'm afraid I'm a bit lost... My party was attacked by lizard people and we had to scatter in different directions... I don't know what happened to the rest, but I found this road and followed it here... I'm so glad to be among civilized folk again. Is there someplace I might find a hot meal and something cool to drink? An inn perhaps or a tavern?"
The woman frowns. "Damn godless savages. The Chantry should exterminate those vermin." She puts a hand on Luna's arm, and does a tut tut thing. "You're lucky to have survived. I'm afraid Gilldown doesn't have an inn, but our Priestess lets people sleep in the church if they're passing through or need help. She's a Korbranite, so you don't have to worry about her charging you." The woman laughs lightly. "Mother Kreedy sells hot meals, she probably won't have anything for an hour or so. There's a tavern for the fisherfolk, but they don't open until the boats return at sunset."
"Someplace to sleep tonight might be just what I need... but a hot meal in an hour would be so appreciated... thank you... in meantime, is it okay if I just go down to the shore and enjoy the sight of the ocean for a bit? I'd like that, I think. I do hope some of my traveling companions make their way here too."
Assuming there is no problem with that plan, Luna will wander the town, make sure that the church is not riddled with soldiers or church warriors, that the Priestess is friendly to strangers, and that the town is what it appears to be.
If all is as it seems, she will send her raven familiar to summon the others, telling them what the situation is and in detail what story she told the woman in town, so they know to trickle in one at a time.
When all that is done, she will seek out Mother Kreedy and try to barter for a meal.
"Of course, I understand." The woman nods, quite obviously thinking that her companions are dead, and that she's wanting to mourn them in private. There's a limit to how much wandering she can do, but she could take the long road through town to the side beach, and walk past the church.
As Luna walks past the stone church, she gains a feeling like walking past a bonfire, her skin crawls along her left side, with the pain getting worse as she get's closer to the building. It's not until she begins to pass it and move away that the feeling leaves her. A tingling in her left arm makes it hard feel anything there for several minutes after she passes it.
After hearing the raven's report, Paul says to the group "I'm not sure all of us wandering into the town is a good idea. I have no ability at disguising myself and if our descriptions are out there may be trouble. I wonder if there is a good spot to take a good look at the village and keep an eye on things."
"Yeah, I'm still not big on visiting any village with a church in it. That really went poorly last time. Maybe she can just arrange to buy a boat. "
I was disguised as one of Mahb's daughters during the battle, and Harry was sniping from the rooftops. Neither one of us would be recognized.
I just can't believed she wandered in before coming back here. Sterling shakes his head. Crow! go tell Luna to stay away from the church and the priest. I'll meet her in the tavern to see if we can secure a boat. Go now.
Sterling dismisses his armor.
He turns to Harry and Paul. I'll go help secure a boat. If you want to stay here, I'll ask Luna to send her familiar back to inform you of a place to meet, preferably someplace outside of town.
Sterling heads out.
"Yeah, We'll wait here for the message. "
Luna heads to the beach... wanders a bit, heads to the dock to see about buying or renting a boat... if there is a dockmaster, she'll talk to him about purchase first.
She'll hang about at the docks or beach til the boats come in for the evening, then follow the crews to the tavern, avoiding the church but in a totally innocent manner. Just innocently not going near it...keeping her distance, but not looking like she's trying to keep her distance... flying casual, lol.
If/when she meets up with Sterling, she'll explain to him what's going on in greater detail.
Luna heads back into town after a bit, and finds out that Kreedy lives in the southernmost building. There are a handful of outside tables, set up like picnic tables, made from roughly hewn and then sanded lumber. The edges still have bark on them. A fire is going, and a huge iron pot bubbles nearby. Kreedy is a woman in her late 40's who looks in her late 50's, but smiles at Luna. "Ah, hi dear. I heard you got attacked by the damn scalies. Sorry to hear about that, I wish the Chantry would exterminate those things, they give me the creeps when they come to buy fish." She shudders, and pats the table. "You sit and the first meal is on me. I hope you like fish chowder." She begins getting a bowl of chowder and a small loaf of homemade bread together.
------------------
As Harry and Paul watch, Sterling heads off into the village. As Sterling approaches the town, he sees the occupants are active, as the afternoon wanes. On the horizon, several boats can be seen, likely coming in after fishing.
Warehouses near the entrance to town have their doors open now, in anticipation, and racks and racks of drying fish can be seen (and smelled). Netting keeps birds and animals out. Smoke from banked fires pervade the warehouses.
As Sterling enters, a woman in leather armor approaches him with a friendly nod. "Hello, welcome to Gilldown. We don't get a lot of visitors, and here we get two in one day. You wouldn't be part of a party that was attacked by Scalies would you?"
Two? Sterling furrows his brow. Someone else made it here? a man or woman?
The woman nods. "Yes, a blonde woman. She was a bit shell shocked, so I didn't get her name. She's over at Mother Kreedy's getting a meal." The woman says, and then pauses, looking at Sterling oddly. "Have we met before? You seem rather familiar..."