Slam hears her question about needing help, but his honor will not allow him to drag what is essentially a young woman into a fight she has no part of, so he pretends not to have heard her.
"Two weeks for two people would be ideal." he says, continuing to smile gently.
He then moves back to his table and says "Well, dinner companions, it wasn't long but I was heartened by your company. Allow me to pay for you meal by way of thanks." and he sets another gold crown on the table.
Peregrine is watching the hobgoblins very closely, to learn their appearance, build, and how they move. The intent is to learn enough so that she can, in the future, be able to shapechange into their form (her current 'mastered' forms are listed in the 'appearance' tag on her character sheet). I tend to think it to be kind of like crafting, but just using Perception and needing a certain number of successes (usually 10) on, like, a DC 15 or DC 20 check (depending on how different they are) to 'get' the form. (So that's 1 out of 10 for Hobgoblins. ;) )
Note that while she could take the form of a kender, she does not because she feels that the language is a critical element to the disguise, and she doesn't yet know Kenderspeak. This is, actually, a critical flaw in two of her shapes, the human Talitha of Lemish (she doesn't know Lemish) and the ogress Kult'i Dwarf-Eater (she doesn't speak Ogre).
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As the hobgoblins sneer and snarl and withdraw at their leader's gesture, Peregrine follows them out, stopping at the top of the winding stairs that lead from the Inn's massive stone slab down to the ground to make sure they leave. She hears the kender's compliment through the door, and gives a slight shake of her head -- not dismissive, just thoughtful, but the gesture probably doesn't even reach that far.
After she watches them marching back out of the town, she returns to the entrance of the Inn; the ogre's voice does indeed carry, at least well enough for her to have heard his request for his food to be taken. "You won't get far," she states bluntly, "not if they're really determined, and they find out from someone that you're running out of town."
Two and two get put together and become four in her head, and she gives Slam a level gaze, catching his eyes with her own if he looks her way. She lets the lock stand for long enough to let him know she's figured it out -- he wouldn't be scrambling to get out this fast if he wasn't running, and the reason to be running now could really only be the hobgoblins' demand. "Right."
Looking at the others who spoke up, she is clearly making calculations. "That hobgoblin Toede wasn't an idiot; he'll have it out for everyone who spoke up. Bander, Maddok, Na'shok, Master Slam, you're all going to need to scoot out of here and right quick. Master Elf," she lifts her hand and points at the White-robed Wizard in the corner, "We've not been honored with the knowledge of your name, but you spoke out as well; you too are in danger. If you'll all come with me, I'm fairly certain I can fit everyone concerned into my place until their first surge of hunting is over. Kali, you're probably better off out of here too -- I'll give you directions to my place in a moment. Otik, if you can give Master Slam a few bites now, and Kali, if you can bring the rest of your gear and whatever else Master Slam needs that Otik has ready, I would appreciate it."
The young craftswoman seems entirely different than how the folk of Solace know her to be -- sharp, decisive, and not shy at all. Her gaze moves among those folk still watching from the fringes of the Inn, catching their eyes and gathering them in so that when she looks at and speaks to Otik, her 'request' is clearly meant to be for each and every one of them as well. "When they ask, you don't know where we went." She holds Otik's gaze for a moment, then turns away.
Stepping up to Kalisuel, she gives the other girl murmured directions to her place, adding, "Get all your stuff, get what food for us Otik will sell you. Tell him he can sell whatever's left at my place when we leave to cover the difference. Be quiet, be discreet, be as sneaky as you can getting over there; I expect there to be eyes watching. Don't dawdle."
With that done, she moves back towards the entrance, gesturing for the others to follow.
"That is....unnecessary. This is my fight, and I won't drag the rest of you into it. Once they discover.....Once I am gone, they should trouble you no more. I will even do all that I can to lead them away from here."
Slam counts out 30 gold pieces and sets them on the bar counter.
The elf nods and will simply say Ogres are not the only thing that goblins and humans can hate. I am hated by many outside of Qualanesti for the robes that I wear and because I am elven. False senses of honor will get you and the rest of us killed. ;he says.
"I just have to grab the food and water," Kalisuel whispers back. "If one of the big guys can grab my stuff over there, I should be able to make it without being seen or heard."
Kali points to the backpack and sack sitting by where Peregrine had been crafting her jewelry before the night turned sour with the arrival of the hobgoblins.
Turning to Slam, she walks up to the big guy and pats him on the arm.
"It's sweet of you to not want us in this mess, but Peri's right. Those hobs will be back with more and be more than willing to punch us in the gob. I'm not gonna say you'll get us killed, but we should probably stick together. Besides, I think the one Bander stole from is gonna be out for his blood once he realizes what happened."
Peregrine pauses, then steps up to the ogre, looking up at him; her expression is cool -- not remote, but set, as if carven. "You are in error," she tells him with uncharacteristic bluntness. "If you go alone, you will be dead in two days at most. Nor would the hobgoblin be after us because of you, but because of our own words defending you; your leaving cannot protect us from spite and the violence of a powerful man shamed. The warrior needs the mage; the knight, his squire. You will remain because accepting help when help is both needed and offered is noble; you will follow my directions because they are wise. Understand?"
"Besides, you wouldn't want to make Peri even more scary," Kali stage whispers to Slam.
"Hey Otik? What can we get that'll keep for a bit," she asks the innkeeper. "Any summer sausage left?"
At Pergrine's comment, Slam says "No, you are wrong. I have been evading people like them for a while now. Also, I know that looking at it you might be confused, but I am indeed an adult capable of making my own decisions. Please do not speak to as if I were a child."
At Thalasi's comment about false honor, Slam stops speaking for a moment and his clenches fists.
After a deep breath or two, he says "I'm sure you didn't MEAN to insinuate that I have no honor."
Peregrine's expression goes a bit flatter as she listens to the ogre's response, and her gaze slides sideways to the elf wizard's face. "I don't think the elf is accusing you of not having honor; I think he's accusing you of confusing honor with wisdom. Nor was I speaking to you as if you were a child, but you know what," she says in a snap decision, "never mind. You're all-fired determined to turn away allies, you go right on ahead."
She steps away from the ogre, sweeps her gaze across the others, then states to Kalisuel, "I don't recommend you try to go with him, since he seems entirely set upon dying alone, but that's up to you." With that she leaves; whether or not the kender, minotaur, warg, and elf follow after is entirely up to them, but she's not stopping, only slowing down to match pace if someone else needs it.
Na'shok listens carefully as Peregrine makes her pitch for several of the tavern's staff and patrons to take shelter together. It was a good plan. He shares a knowing glance with Maddok before climbing to this feet. The worg saunters away from his meal to join the conversation.
"Listen Mister Slam, not that you're lacking for it but the big guy and I get the impression you could use a little extra muscle. Once the immediate danger with this Toady bastard passes, we'd be willing to accompany you wherever you're headed - for appropriate compensation of course. A couple of hob's aren't the only trouble you're gunna run into packing a bauble like that. And when you run into that trouble, maybe the next group of strangers won't be so willing to watch your back."
Thelasi stares back at the ogre I am sure that the Bison of Heaven would have you throw away your life so recklessly. There us a difference between having honor and bring fool hardiness. But as you are not a child then enjoy the consequence of your actions and the consequences to those here extending his hand to those who were imprudent to come to your defense
He looks at the idea ;There is wisdom in leaving. he says as he grabs his backpack. [B] We s ho old be of [/]
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Bander looks positively pearl clutchingly shocked at the notion that he stole something. "STEAL?" The mark of wounded incredulity makes one wonder all at once if the Kender even knows he is still holding the hobgoblin's pouch in his hand. His eyes do look shocked when he notices it and he puts the whole thing into a pouch on his belt. He begins quietly, "I mean the pouch looked loose and I didn't want it fall off in such a tense moment. Jumpy group like that would have signaled for attack. So it was the RESPONSIBLE thing to do. Ha." He claps his hand as if his words could convince a leopard his spots were stripes.
While half-listening to all the talk of honor and whether or not who will or will not go. Bander climbs up on a chair and then the table. He looks up at the ogre's chest. He holds up a finger as if he thought of something he then puts the chair on the table and stands on it finally near to shoulder height on the ogre knight. "Look I've met and dealt with bullies like this prig. He is coming back and there are several ladies who have marked themselves his targets for speaking out. Surely you cannot let harm befall them. Also, you seem to be acting as if they were, in fact, looking for you. Having risked ourselves on what is apparently your account. We won't let you off until we know you are safe. You would do not less. Why deny us." He shrugs, "So do you want one group following you and have allies at your back or two groups following you knowing that you left several who came to your aid facing reprisal for picking up what is apparently your cause."
He hops off the chair back to the table and looks up at the others some of whom may be looking his way. "What like I'm not going to go with a talking wolf, a minotaur, and a gentile wise ogre on an adventure? You have not met many Kender." He laughs. He hops off the table and returns the chair to its place.
"So are we setting out now or heading to her house?"
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"fine, fine. you win. I guess I'll have to be responsible for your lives."
"I'll take point, but you'll have to lead the way." Slam said to Perigrine. He then pulled his shield off his back and strapped it to his arm.
Perception checks please.
[dice=peception]1d20+8
Looks like you were distracted. An easy thing for kender to be.
Looks like you were distracted. An easy thing for kender to be.[dice=peception]1d20+8
PERCEPTION
"Well, looks like we're out of time." before drawing his blade and stepping outside the inn.
Kali flinches at the volume of Bander's initial protest, and is relieved when he appears to move on without much fuss. She is about to ask Maddok if he minded helping with carrying the supplies when she catches something out of the corner of her eye. Looking more closely, she sees the coming hobgoblins and follows Slam outside.
"Do you want to try talking them out of it again, or would you rather start thinning their numbers now," she asks.
Bander pulls out his hoopak and readies a stone. He looks out the door "We fighting out here?"
"I hope not." Mutters Slam as he moves out the door.
Peregrine has already left the Inn by the time Slam has ingraciously conceded -- she left before Na'shok and Bander engaged the ogre -- and so his 'you lead, but I'll be in front' is completely useless, at least two minutes too late.
However, when the six of them emerge from the Inn (having seen the squad of hobgoblins marching down the ground-level street) and begin drawing weapons, one of the kender-fist-sized nuts of the vallenwood trees knocks off the wizard's staff and bounces off the elf's shoulder.
Forty feet away, across one of the gaps and on another one of the tree-town's bridges, is Peregrine; she holds up one finger before her lips in the classic 'shhh!' gesture, then waves the group to follow; Kali, at the very least, should be able to get them from there to where Peri is ...
"Across that bridge. Peregrine is waving us over. Looks like she wants us to follow." He moves back inside the inn and looks toward Maddok, Nash, and Thalasi, he strangely looks excited, "Hobgoblins are coming, Let's move so we don't endanger folk here."
Bander walks back out of the Inn and starts to follow after Peregrine.
Bander moves toward the bridge to catch up.
The hobgoblins are coming closer.
Discretion is the better part of calorie the elf suggests.
Inn of the Last Home for reference
Bander deep into a pouch on his belt. His arm digs into it unnaturally for the size of the pouch. From it he pulls out another bag. Which he loosens and dumps onto the ramp beyond the bridge. He looks back at the companions, "Watch your step." The tinny ring of spikey bits ting and clunk down the wooden ramp.
Kalisuel nods and motions for the others to follow her. She knows the bridges well from her morning rovings, and she gets them to Peri quickly, well as quickly as she can when carrying everything she owns.
"Ten of them are following us," she says quickly and quietly as she gets close enough for Peri to hear. "If we want to hide, we'll need to shake them or kill them."
She stops and looks back at the rest of the group and spots Maddok.
"Hey, Maddok," she asks as she shrugs off her pack and holds both it and the sack she carries out for him, "do you think you can carry this without slowing down?"
"Hey, Maddok," she asks as she shrugs off her pack and holds both it and the sack she carries out for him, "do you think you can carry this without slowing down?"
The muscles of Maddok's massive arm flexes as he tests the weight of the heavily laden pack. In the minotaur's hand, the burden is no worse than a child's coin purse. "Maddok can help carry Kali's bag", the bull rumbles happily.
After affixing the bag to his leather harness, he easily keeps pace with the rest of the group.
Slam stands unmoving, waiting on the others to go first. Once they retreated across the bridge, Slam would follow.
At Bander's question, Slam says "if you cut it, they will know which way we went. That will also harm the lives of the people who live here."
Kali gives the big minotaur a grin as she rolls the stiffness out of her shoulders.
"Thanks! That'll help a lot," she says as she looks back to the Inn of the Last Home and tries to gauge how far back the Hobgoblins are. "We should definitely keep moving, though, if we want to lose the hobs. And Slam has a point, so don't go cuttin' the bridges, Bander."
"Well sure if they are on the bridge." Bander concedes to the ogre.
"But they'll have to spend time and money rebuilding the bridge and some of them could get hurt doing that," Kalisuel explains.
Bander runs with the group at Kalisuel's reasoning, "Yeah, yeah, yeah." He begrudgingly agrees but its not like his dagger is going to get through the ropes fast enough anyway.
Peregrine stays ahead of the group, a scout of sorts, always at the other end of another bridge by the time they reach where she was. When they catch up to her, they are at a tree with a large home, but with an exterior stair curving around the side of it; she leads the way up the exterior stair, up a main branching to a smaller three-room cottage (or perhaps an outbuilding of some sort, converted into living space) built in it, essentially invisible from the landing below. "Watch your step," she counsels them as they enter past her; she withdraws into the cottage last, keeping an eye on the stairs down until she closes the door.
"Iida'atan" she says with firm purpose, and light springs from the wick of a candle kept at the door for the purpose; magelight, pure and unwavering, lighting up the crowded room and casting monstrous shadows on the walls. "Try not to crush the furniture," she asks, working her way through the others towards her bedroom. "Let me get packed ..."
When Peregrin begins moving with stealth he encourages the other to do the same.
[dice=Stealth]1d20-6
As they move through the trees, Kalisuel takes up a position in the rear to keep an eye on everyone's backs. As they move, she whispers the words to a spell in a singsong voice. The shadows seem to cling to her, darkening her skin and hair and dulling the gleam of her breastplate as it changes from shining silver to a dark blue-gray. She moves like a ghost as she follows the others.
Kalisuel slips in before Peregrine and breathes a sigh of relief as the door is closed and a light brought up. With the light now revealing details and colors, she does look strange. The whites of her eyes are now black, her hair is they color of a raven's wing, and her skin is dark ashen-gray dappled with lighter spots. Her breastplate is a dull blue-gray that better matches her clothes than its shiny, silver appearance before.
"Slam, my friend, we'll be needing to find some way to quiet your armor. I think they heard you in Haven," she jokes with a grin.
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"Iida'atan" she says with firm purpose, and light springs from the wick of a candle kept at the door for the purpose; magelight, pure and unwavering, lighting up the crowded room and casting monstrous shadows on the walls. "Try not to crush the furniture," she asks, working her way through the others towards her bedroom. "Let me get packed ..."
**CRASH** goes an urn knocked off a shelf by Maddok's horns. "Sorry..."
Waiting outside with the others, Na'shok does his best to lay low and blend in with the surroundings.
"I don't really feel good hiding to be honest. It's not very honorable."
"Think of it this way, you're waiting to reveal yourself at the most impactful moment, when your words and presence will have the most weight," Kali says, trying to find a way to explain the importance of being sneaky without insulting him and making it fit more with his views. As she speaks, she begins to idly scratch Na'shok behind the ears.
"I mean, a knight barging into a wedding between an unwilling maiden and some villain is far more effective when the guards don't alert the villain beforehand, right? Think of it that way."
Yep, it is forest terrain.
Oh, before I forget, some people should make acrobatics check to keep their balance on the bridges.