Alika favors the keep with her coin, and a smile, leaving what little she has in her backpack (a change of clothing, her second 'courtier' outfit, and her waterskin) in her purchased room as she goes about wandering for the night.
I do not know if you wish for me to roll anything, but Alika is looking for a tavern without a performer, so that she might introduce herself. If she cannot find anyone to hire to get her things, she'll hire a coach to go retrieve them. Alika wants to be seen here in town, and for it to be thought that she means to stay. She will gladly pay for another room and/or take another to bed with her if needed to accomplish this.
Scatter Rolls
and for the heck of it, throw a stealth in there for the end of the night to get back to the traveler's inn.
goodness gracious...
Yes, she'll hire the coach, pick up her things and go to town proper. If I can keep those rolls. I am pretty sure a coachman will know where to drop a rich-looking mark who can pay gold for the privilege.
Past the end of the docks to the north you see the ruins of a large keep. The road circling around it, you see everyone else steering well away from it’s crumbling walls. Yet just past the abandoned keep you find a quaint, lively district of shops and street vendors. There are musicians playing on the corners and groups of young adults walking about.
Upon finding a coach, you return to the docks. Eventually you find the pier that Golmera's Wings is docked at. The Captain is no where to be found. You do see one of the other sailors you recognize from the voyage. When asked about your belongings he only knows that they have already been picked up, your trunk and the knight's horse included. When questioned he has no idea where they have been taken to.
After gleaning all the info he can from the locals here on the docks, and procuring directions to Old Cassomir, Mangur heads to the area which he was given.
Once there he continues his information gathering, again couching the questions to sound innocent, and not to arouse any suspicion.
Past the end of the docks to the north you see the ruins of a large keep. The road circling around it, you see everyone else steering well away from it’s crumbling walls. Yet just past the abandoned keep you find a quaint, lively district of shops and street vendors. There are musicians playing on the corners and groups of young adults walking about.
As you continue, before you rises the walls of the old city and it’s imposing gate. The gate itself is well guarded and all of the carts and travelers are scrutinized, but not stopped, as they enter. A pair of guards stare at you as you move under the parapet, but make no move to impede you.
When you enter the gates you find yourself directly behind a large citadel. It’s thick walls rising imposingly before you. The road curves west around the massive structure and also opens toward the north.
You find that Old Cassomir has clean, well cobbled streets and many parks and areas of green. The houses are well built and many lavishly decorated. You see many noble crests and banners adorning the different buildings and houses.
Upon resuming your inquiries you seem to have at least found the right area of town. You do find some people who have heard the name Rousseau but don't really know anything other than they are a local noble family with some ties to capital of Oppara. It is now well into evening and the streets are starting to clear out.
Turning out from the shipyards you travel through a business district setup, seeming, for the needs of the sailors from the docks. Every manner of Inn or Tavern lies here, on the outskirts of the dock. As the afternoon drags on to evening you see that this area will mostly become a raucous and wild celebration for the sailors coming into port.
Past the end of the docks to the north you see the ruins of a large keep. The road circling around it, you see everyone else steering well away from it’s crumbling walls. Yet just past the abandoned keep you find a quaint, lively district of shops and street vendors. There are musicians playing on the corners and groups of young adults walking about.
You find an establishment with a nice common room and present yourself to the bar. The bartender provides you with a frothy mug of something tasty and you enjoy your drink. He nods his head at your festival question but seems otherwise occupied with the quickly increasing number of customers.
Looking round the area, Mangur looks for a spot close to the appointed house and, keeping to the growing shadows, watches the comings and goings of the place.
You come to the appointed address and see a well built, two and a half story manor. It's white washed appearance and Large porch give it a welcoming if unremarkable feel. Unlike many of the surrounding houses, it doesn’t have any banners, flags, or statues decorating it. Hanging just above the front porch is a familiar crest of a Tiger holding a sword, also borne on the wooden marker you carry.
You stay outside the house for a few hours, and see no one enter or leave. You do see a regular watch of city guards that patrols the area but they don't seem to notice you.
Alika laughs heartily, and pays the sailor a silver piece for his troubles. "Think nothing of the gaffe, friend," she soothes with a smile, and returns to the coach.
If this... creature thinks me incapable of living without luxury, he has not considered my profession overly well, she muses. I am no chattel to be driven by his cadence.
"The nearest Inn with good repute, sir," she says to the driver. "And if it is known to you whether they also serve food, I appreciate fine dinning as well."
Mangur will continue to stay outside the home and watch...even if it takes all night. He will also try to discover if there are any other ways in/out of the place.
Ok..and he will be keeping out of sight of the local guard
He walks up to the merchant. "Hello, dear fellow, I am a merchant from out of town. I was wondering what your trade is? Always on the look out for a bit a profit, Matt Cotteril is, for both of us." 'All merchants like to talk about there own trade especially when there is a bit of profit in it for them.'
Bluff
Know(Local)
Know(Nobility)
Diplomacy
Alika arranges for a room and a meal, and secures permission to perform after.
Again, if I can keep with the previous rolls, after a good performance she should be able to drum up some decent rumors to muddle on before bed.
If she learns nothing of value with her diplomacy roll, Alika will retire for the evening.
And no, she was not trying to earn money with her performance, just to introduce herself.
"Furniture is a good business these days, you must mix in the right circles to make it profitable though. I imagine the overheads are exorbitant, especially import taxes." Matt says the last word almost as if it is a curse.
'It's always best to ask about what someones interests, gets them to talk more. However not sure if he knows much more. And it seems someone must be more important than they appear.'
Matt looks around the room, casually as he ajusts his seating, trying to spot anyone noble or sporting heraldic devices.
Alika would like to know the basic economic outlook of the area, what manner of businesses are hiring the moment, and if there is a more established venue for performers, like a theater.
Her interviews will consume hours.
There are several theaters around, in both this area and in Old Cassomir.
Suddenly he looks across to Gawain and Tristan . "Oh my frends are calling me, Bar-Man could I have 2 beers and a large wine glass of water... and whatever Mr Vargo wants. My friend he is a knight, you know their drinking habits." Matt takes the drinks pays and moves across the bar.
Matt then goes over to an empty table out of the way and casts Prestidigitation to make the wine glass of water look like red wine.
Alika is singing to the whole tavern, on a small stage that sits in the corner. She is doing a magnificent job (25 on her perform check). There is no need to be stealthy, the whole bar is watching her. She doesn't appear to have noticed you by the time she finishes her show. She steps down and starts to accept offers of drinks from the patrons, mingling with them effortlessly.
Walking cautiously around the bar, as it's getting busier the later the day progresses. 'I'll try one more time, then I will go to the address as dusk and the darkness falls.' Matt looks for another of the affluent merchants, preferably one with a decent attire and a worn look of someone whom has wasted his time all day at Court.
Matt moves over and sits down beside the man, wearily slumping. "hello, good sir, how are you this afternoon. I cannot believe it, the bureaucr...burocra...administration." Matt slurs his voice. "I had a great deal of cut price clothing, for Lord...thingy. Get it, cut price!" laughing lightly as he drinks more of his wine.
"Well I was meant to meet this Lord ...Russell..no. Rousseau. You heard of him? 'Cause if I can get an introduction it will be worth your while. I paid silver for the silks and it'll be platinum from the Lord. So be a mate, do you know about him?"
Amateur, Alika's mind seethes as the bungling elf streaks across her peripheral vision. How have I offended thee, Wadjet, that your waters should carry this offensive noise to mine sight again? Nay, no cause to believe that it is an illusion.
Unless provoked, Alika will maintain her current, chosen conversations, and ignore the elf's existence.
Matt downs his 'wine' stands up slowly, "Jus' getting another drinkie, be back fo' the deal." He staggers towards the bar. Once near the bar he straightens up abruptly, beckoning s serving boy.
Matt gets a napkin, or serving cloth and writes down the directions to his meeting with the House of Rosseau as the furniture merchant told him. He gives to boy a silver to deliver it to the Knight and Falconer (with a little description), by plucking it out of the boys ear using another prestidigation cantrip. This also shows his power so that the boy doesn't forget his errand.
Matt then moves out of the bar, gliding through the patrons effortlessly hoping nobody notices him leaves. He goes around the side of the Tavern, calling upon his magicks he cleans himself and changes the colour of his shirt to a rich burgundy. Tying a sash around his waist and a scarf over his mouth. Then he calls upon his greatest magicks.
'Lord of the beasts, bring forth a swift mount so that I may escape my pursuers. A noble steed so that I may impress my employers. A grand horse so that I may fight my enemies.'
Matt then saddles up and gets upon his horse. 'Woe betide him who tries to steal this mount. And it gives me an escape if this goes wrong.' He moves down the street following the main road west, through the gate then turning NW to the square.
When you enter the gates you find yourself directly behind a large citadel. It’s thick walls rising imposingly before you. The road curves west around the massive structure and also opens toward the north.
You find that Old Cassomir has clean, well cobbled streets and many parks and areas of green. The houses are well built and many lavishly decorated. You see many noble crests and banners adorning the different buildings and houses. As you turn to the north west, following the general flow of traffic, you eventually come upon a square containing what could only be Pharasma’s Pulpit. A 30 foot high platform built of wood, rope, and mortar, rises above the square. The gallows upon it look well used and well maintained. There are groups of people milling about and vendors with their carts selling wares around the perimeter of the square, but you can see it could hold a great deal more people.
As Matt enters the cleaner older city he sits up straight on his horse slowly trotting into the main square. Looking at the gallows; 'Aye, thats what i thought it would be for the merchants desription. Hopefully this endevour does not land me there. But with the curse I doubt it.'
Matt takes a wide breath around the wooden structure area. He moves to the North-Eastern side of the square. Travelling 3 blocks to the northe before taking a side street east. Before he gets to the street in question he ties up his horse nearby, hidden, but hopefully safe in case of a quick get-away. .
Matt then slowly moves onto the street, facing the north side and looks for the second house, which should have a crest above the door. Once he has located the house, quickly he will look around the sides of it for escape routes, windows courtyards walls.
Boldly he walks upto the main doors and knocks on the door. 'Discrete?'
I wait and watch to see what he does.
For his part, Gawain follows Matt, finding nothing else better to do, making sure there is someone to take care of his horse but he also takes some time to don his armor. While on the boat, the weight of it might have made him feel distinctly ill when accompanied by the swaying of the boat upon the waves, but out here on the solid ground again, it felt good to have its familiar weight upon his broad shoulders again.
He keeps mostly silent, following Matt about, not as a stooge, but more for precense, addressing those who spoke to him in his usual basso and charming rumble, but for the most part the tall Linnorm kmight decides to stay quiet and let the silver-tongued Elf do the talking, although he questions letting the immense bird Adler come along with them. The bird drew quite the number of stares and he kept expecting to have to tell the bird, or rather his owner, off for letting him snap at people's clothing for getting too close.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Tristen reads the script of the elf having remained rather quiete throughout the endeaver. Mostly he was caught up in staring about him with all the new expierences, sights, smells. Anyone could tell he was relatively new to the concept of cities.
He remains rather distracted throughout their walk almost to the point of walking into others.
At the inn Tristen elects to send off Adler so as not to cause malcontent with the innkeeper and joins the others for a swift meal. He turns his eyes notcing the delightful dance of that foriegn woman, Alika? That's her name isn't it? he joins in on the clapping when she is down notcing with interest as she moves about talking. More plots withen plots or just simple chats?
When the boy deilver's the letter he looks quickly up at the Linorm Gawain, before rising silently consulting the letter he had recieved mentally. "Think I am going to go you can join me if you wish but I think it's time I go about the buisness of my mentor."
Gawain shrugs and settles the straps holding his war-blade across his back more comfortably and proceeds to follow Tristan, finding nothing better to occupy hismelf with at the moment. It's too early in the day to be asking about the business of lords he chuckles to himself and watches Tristan as the short man and his incredibly large bird lead the way through the streets.
As you continue, before you rises the walls of the old city and it’s imposing gate. The gate itself is well guarded and all of the carts and travelers are scrutinized, but not stopped, as they enter. A pair of guards stare at you as you move under the parapet, but make no move to impede you.
When you enter the gates you find yourself directly behind a large citadel. It’s thick walls rising imposingly before you. The road curves west around the massive structure and also opens toward the north.
You find that Old Cassomir has clean, well cobbled streets and many parks and areas of green. The houses are well built and many lavishly decorated. You see many noble crests and banners adorning the different buildings and houses. As you turn to the north west, following the general flow of traffic, you eventually come upon a square containing what could only be Pharasma’s Pulpit. A 30 foot high platform built of wood, rope, and mortar, rises above the square. The gallows upon it look well used and well maintained. There are groups of people milling about and vendors with their carts selling wares around the perimeter of the square, but you can see it could hold a great deal more people.
You come to the appointed address and see a well built, two and a half story manor. It's white washed appearance and Large porch give it a welcoming if unremarkable feel. Unlike many of the surrounding houses, it doesn’t have any banners, flags, or statues decorating it. Hanging just above the front porch is a familiar crest of a Tiger holding a sword, also borne on the wooden marker you each carry.
Upon seeing the crest Tristen notices it and the people milling about the busy market and makes his way across the street from the door to place where rapidly darkening skies obscure him from view. Motioning for the big knight to follow him, the small man crouches down swiftly stroking Adler's crown to quiet him and keep him calm.
Stealth
Grateful for the gathering dark, Tristen watches the door silently curious to see the comings and goings of this mysterious patron of their voyage. It struck him oddly that Tomas would have contact with someone as high ranked as this man seemed to be, well certainly wealthy enough to buy a crest or whatever the city folk did now a days. Certainly odd, but maybe Tomas served him as a falcon trainer even though he never mentioned this man to him.
Tristen hunkers down and turns to his big companion and hurroeldy motions for him to get down. "This is where if need be we seperate. I will wait and see what happens. I am sure your tasks could still be accomplished before dark. Thank you for the escort though."
As you crouch in the shadows, you see the house looks occupied but no one enters or leaves.
"Of course, Master," Alika replies with a smile. "If you would kindly excuse me but a moment, I recognized a fellow traveler and would have words with him before he departs."
Alika rushes out after Tristain and Gawain, easily catching up to the knight in his heavy armor.
"Sir!" Alika implores Gawain, slightly flushed by the exertion of rushing to meet them in the street. "Sir, I thought you should be informed that your steed has been taken," she says. "When I returned with a coach to fetch my trunk, I was told that our belongings had already been claimed by another."
This is not good. Matt follows the man smoothly but his eye are darting around paranoid of an ambush. "Thank you, sir, lead on."
Mangur continues to watch the growing group of his former boatmates. He keeps his eyes peeled for the Osirion lass, sure she must also be part of this meeting.