A moment later Bjorkus thunders forward to join the others.
"I'd say we need a guide twice as badly now", the bull rumbles in warning. "Or a good detailed map. We're likely walkin' straight into a trap at this point. Any of you know a cartographer in town?"
"A trapsmith would be helpful too - to deal with whatever deadfalls or pits these bandits leave for us."
"I live in the forest," Faolan states, "And I can sniff out snares."
Selim listens to the others discuss the beginnings of a plan. "Yes, it won't be any easier now, that is certain but what do the bandits really know. I'm sure they were prepared for somebody to try to take them out before. All they would know now is that we are the ones asking. If we put this off too long, they will likely come for us. Yes, they may move on but only if they consider us a sufficient threat. Let's go talk to Barnky about this gentleman. And then we can see about a map...But what about Bragger Bondhome. I believe we should also secure an interview with him before we set out."
"All right," says Quentin. "Let's get back inside. I still have mead to finish. Then let's find this Bondhome chap."
He goes back inside and returns to the bar. When he sees Barnky, he asks, "Barnky, who was that fellow who bolted out of here a few seconds ago? Did he forget to pay his tab?"
Barnky looks at Quentin and the party with an obvious ease from his mind. Receiving the question asked of him he ponders for a second, and replying as well.
"Can't say that he has really stood out to particularly, he drinks well and looks to be spending quite a few gold here. Have only seen him on two occasions in the past few months. He seems to have a heavy purse every time he does come in."
He scratches his chin with a quizzical twist in his facial features "He does seem to sneak out quite often, today seemingly from you lot. Another from a merchant that was insistent that he stole his merchandise a week before. Quite the ordeal happened and he brushed it off as he was exiting. Always pays his tab on the table though so I can't complain."
Celebrindal dusts off her clothes and returns to the inn.
Finishing her drink, she nods."Sounds like he is a scout!"
"And a well-paid one, at that," adds Quentin. He turns to the woman and says, "I didn't catch your name earlier. Mine's Quentin Kroft. You're fast!"
He says to the others, "Well, it's late and there's no way to catch up to him now. I'm in favor of listening to this supposedly good bard that Barnky hired, getting some rest, and making solid plans at first light. What say you, Selim?"
"This sounds like a good plan. I myself will retire and be ready at first light. Do not feel the need to meet me then, it will simply be the time of my devotions."
Selim bows his way away from his new friend and negotiates a shared space for the evening with Barnky.
Celebrindal nods to the others and retires for the night, too.
"Where?" Faolan asks, simply, thinking they hadn't specified where they'd meet in the morning.
Barnky is currently cooking in the kitchen with in view of the bar. No one is in the tavern except some other patrons that some of you recognize from the night before, most likely travelling merchants or vagabonds.
Barnky looks up with a genuine smile and greets you.
"Good Morning Masters. Great to have you around when the morning meal is almost completed. Let me know if I can do anything for you."
He looks back down at his cutting board with the steady sound of chopping and slicing resounds in the hall. You also can smell the wonderful aroma of tomatoes and herbs.
You spent the night talking to a woman from town, she broke into small talk and was talking about the fact that people have heard scuffling around inside the wall of the Pulanti Estate. It seems thieves may be trying to break in but no theft is ever reported; the criminals just disappear.
"Just some coffee and whatever fresh buns you have, please," says Quentin. "I may have had one tankard of mead too many last night, so I'll treat my stomach well today. That bard was good."
As the others enter, he politely greets them with a nod. "I hope you slept well," he says.
The young elfen woman enters after her morning routine and nods to the others."It was sooo noisy. A well compromises. Anyone any idea how to start our band? We do need a name, don´t we?"
"I'll have some of that coffee as well", the bull rumbles arriving a bit later than most. "And a bowl of whatever's in the pot."
As the others enter, he politely greets them with a nod. "I hope you slept well," he says.
"You could say that."
Once the food starts to arrive, Bjorkus digs in with gusto.
He pauses mid bite to reflect on the previous night. "The girl I was with last night mentioned hearing rumors of a scuffle near the Pulanti Estate. 'Don't know if it's related to this business with the bandits. It might be worth checking in with the Pulanti's later."
At this point Faolan enters. He'd left fairly early last night, and seems to be coming in from out of town this morning.
"What are we talking about?" he asks as he approaches. "Oh, we should watch out for an angry boar when we get near the forest."
Selim's eyes snap open as he finishes his morning meditation. He walks to join the others, a serene look on his face. "Who are the Pulantis?...and a boar? Did it interrupt your rest last night, Master Faolan?"
Faolan frowned. "I'm not a master, I'm just Faolan. I didn't see the boar, just heard about it. It's really big and bothering some people, which means either they've been moving into its territory or there's something wrong with it."
"I'm not sure about taking on the bandits right now," says Quentin. "They're likely waiting for us. Give it another day, maybe."
His eyebrows raise at the mention of the Pulantis. "The Pulantis have money and connections ... well, as connected as you can get in these parts. A visit would be worthwhile." He pauses to take another bite of his muffin.
"So... Bondhome first, Pulantis second? We can figure out the rest -- including a name," he says with a nod to Celebrindal, "after that."
"Well if you think so! But fine with it and let us move!"
Faolan shifts uncomfortably, feeling out-of-place in his human form and in this place with so many people. This kind of hunting was strange to him, but he was trying to learn new things, so he'd stick with it.
As the party begins to move toward the door, Selim continues talking with Faolan. "Point take, Sir. I can't help noticing you seem quite uncomfortable. Do you have some connection to these bandits? Or the Pulantis?"
Faolan shakes his head. "I'm not used to..." he waves his hand around vaguely, trying to find a phrasing that wouldn't make him sound too strange.
Failing that, he finished, "...people. Towns. Walls. I've come a couple of times, but..." He trails off.
Celebrindal jumps on her feet and smiles.
"To bondhome then. Onwards to glory and adventure!"
"To Bondhome and money!" says Quentin. "It's in the same direction as glory and adventure. Let's go." He wipes his mouth and gets to his feet.
"I will follow to this Bondhome fellow as well."
Turning again to Faolan, Selim says, "Yes, cities aren't for everybody. It is about all I have known however. There was a cleric who stopped at our temple for a month last year. His name was...Arturs Kent. Lived out in the hills north of Bard's gate in a small farming community. Said he spent most of his time when he was at home working outside with farmers and spreading Arete's message. He had to leave our temple though because the city was...too much for him. The one piece of advice I do have though is to keep your eyes open and be slow to trust."
Quentin adds to Faolan, "Friendliness is overrated. Trust your instincts - they're more reliable than any 'civilized' codes of conduct. You'll be fine. Like Selim says, keep your eyes open. People are rarely what they seem at first glance."
Faolan nods. "So... what does that mean you are?" he asks.
Quentin smiles, which doesn't look particularly reassuring due to his scar. "I am definitely not what you see at first glance. And this?" He points at the scar. "THIS is a reminder of a time when I didn't listen to my instincts and run away when I should have. I'll always be straightforward with you -- with ALL of you."
When everyone stood up and either silently or vocally agreed to depart together, Barnky nodded and smiled at the realization.
"Not to new to see people leave, you are always welcome to stay here if you wish as well."
The quick sentiment was met with concentration and fervor of his current task of cooking and cleaning. Preparing in general for the evenings patrons.
Leaving the King's Inn you find yourself at the western side of the city, along the King's Road. Across the river you can see small stacks of smoke from the Shanty Town that is set up with a plethora of tents and crude buildings thrown together. Even from here you can see that most of the residents of this area are less off than most or drifters in nature. You continue along the road parallel to the Gaelon river. Crossing through the gates you see attentive guards and postings along the wall at regular intervals.
Taking the first right at a major intersect you start crossing the rivers and head south.
You notice three distinct areas within the Noble's District, three manors or properties. Some look lively some not so much. This whole area around the nobles district is encased within a wall for themselves. The only access being from the river or the gates located within the wall
You notice a well manned portcullis leading into the nobles district as you walk farther along being able to hear the already massively loud bazaar, with merchants and vendors screaming and besting each others claims of greatness and honesty. You see another Inn along your way the Trading Post Inn.
You know that Bondhome likes to spend his time here in the evening, regaling tails and drinking some ale while he is here. He in general is a no nonsense individual, siding with the greater good and honor more than anything else.
You also overhear a riotous clanging coming from the anvils, for Albin's Armory. He seems to have taken on another apprentice, and is keen on testing their breaking point first overall. You can see from the distance the shaking head of Albin, who's sigh is almost palpable.
At last, you make your way to the gates of the Barracks, also encased in a wall of its own. You see troops practicing drills in the courtyard, and 4 guards stand attentive at the entrance way.
"State your business, and we will see to it that your affairs are dealt with in a timely manner. barked the soldier who seemed slightly younger that the other three. Not veterans of course but young lads paying their dues in the service.
Looking at the guard she takes a deep breath as if to speak then keeps silent to let others speak, those with better communication skills.
Faolan looks around with wary interest. The city was still strange to him. It was someone else's forest, not his, and he thought Quentin was right about not trusting appearances. There were predators and prey here just like out in the wild, he thought, but the camoflague was different.
Selim steps forward "We have come to speak with Bragger Bondhome about the local bandit problems plaguing the area. My name is Selim Cordray of Bard's Gate. With me I have Master Faolan, the Elf Celebrindal, Quentin Kroft, and the Minotaur Bjorkus. Where might we find His Excellence?"
Quentin looks around at the area and tries his best to appear harmless. He knows that he's not the best person to calm the guards.
Celebrindal looks at the minotaur and hopes he can at least charm his way through.
The guard looks at Salim quickly and thoroughly and spoke firmly.
"He will be in his office in the central building. Please follow us.
With this he motions to he comrades who fall into place as the groups walks through the archway with their escort.
Even with the day patrols out you notice even now the barracks is quite lively. Either from some guards getting off shift or heading towards their shift. Trainees and veterans alike running drills in the training grounds.
You enter the cross like structure in the center of the complex. Looking more so like a garrison than a anything else. Through large double doors you enter though the foyer containing a large number of officers portraits and medals of honor. You make your way up a large set of stairs and are at a large exquisitely carved door at the top. The guards leading you correct thier attire and rap firmly on the door.
"Sir, there are individuals here to have audience with you regarding the merchants bandits."
Some slight creaking and thudding approaches the door from the other side and eventually the door opens to present in front of you a dwarf with a neatly and kept beard laying on top of a uniform. He looks everyone over quickly and then back to the guards.
"Thank you Gibbs, you may take your leave. Thank you for showing our guests the way to me."
The soldiers quickly saluted and both spun around to march back to their assigned post. Bragger waves his hand as he turned, inviting the guests to sit in his office on the benches and chairs provided as he made his way back to his office chair.
"What was it you were looking for concerning the forest bandits?"
Selim enters first and takes a seat. "Thank you for seeing us, Sir. We are a group of concerned individuals who believe we can be of service to you. We saw your note regarding the reward for the bandits and wanted to see if you knew more. Indeed just last night, we believe we ran into one of their number at Kings."
Selim sits with a reserved smile on his face and whip straight posture.
"Yeah," says Quentin. "Do you have any information about their numbers or who's leading them?"
The young elven girl nods at each question.
"Well that would be it for a start. And what they have stolen from you!"
"I hear Bondhome likes to spend his nights there", Bjorkus says as the group passes the Trading Post inn. "Might be worth tryin' to catch him there sometime."
***
When Selim makes introductions, Bjorkus snorts and gives a slight nod of greeting.
Bondhome streches in his chair and strokes his beard curiously. He leans over his desk with hands clasped together.
"You lot are interested in retaining the reward for the bandits? Interesting indeed."
Leaning back into his chair he continues his monotone and emotionless speech.
"We don't have much in the way of information as of late, they are a hard lot to track down, sticking to guerrilla warfare tactics; constantly moving camps and not staying in place for too long. The main thing that we do know is that they are most likely close to the road within the forest along the coast. Since this is where the primarily larger portion of their raids seem to be happening. There are also rumors that one of the members likes to enjoy times at the local inns in disguise. Not really lead that we can devote any amount of manpower to since the grounds of the rumor aren't really warranting the manpower, since we have larger and more current affairs that need postings and patrols for currently."
He looks over the group, with the mention of the fellow from King's Inn. Nodding in confirmation.
It seems the rumors were true afterall. Regardless, he may not show up for a while since he may have gathered that he could have been identified. Thank you as well for bringing this to my attention. I will be sure to keep ears open for any other developments regarding location and or identities."
He leans in to speak with the group in a seemingly more intimate manner.
"If you are set on investigating this group, you should ensure that you are prepared, I have had reports that the group could number in five or more. I cannot verify the report, but I would ensure that if you did locate them, you approach and ensure you have the tactical advantage so they cannot have a advantage in numbers over you."
He nods in conclusion and stands up in an obvious sign of the end of the meeting.
"I do have some meetings to attend to curently, if you do have any queries please ask them now or come by my office at another time."
Quentin looks at his companions with a quizzical expression. "Anything else? I'd say we'd need to regain the element of surprise if we're going to take them on."
Celebrindal nods.
"I think we can manage that. But first we have to get supplies.
And then heiho, heiho off to the woods we go!"