Oy, gameplay thread here fellas!
Boop.
Bobbity boop
Dottity d dot.
Despite not knowing his fellow Litorian very well, Oz is nonetheless happy to have someone familiar with home and their traditions to share time with. As they sit in the dingy room they share playing a game of Mouse Tail they begin to discuss the danger ahead.
"I hope that Guardsman brings back someone we can trust. From my experience with humans it would be wise for us to watch eithers backs... especially in the beginning".
He then moves his cheese playing piece into a tempting spot for Mergencies Mouse Skull playing piece.
"I'll admit I'm a bit apprehensive about moving about without the canopy of stars above me for comfort... but I guess there is no gain without taking chances".
Looking over the board, Mer thinks he sees his chance and moves his Mouse Skull to take Oz's cheese. It is not until he has finished the move that he now notices the obvious trap.
"Darn...you got me again! I swear you make up the rules as you go along!" the young Litorian complained.
As he watches Ozbadin clean up the board of his remaining pieces he comments on his statement.
"Well I have your back, and I know you have mine. The guard seems alright, but this other person sounds like they might be trouble...like Tazil back home...always getting into things she shouldn't. I just hope we can make a big score early so we can find some better accommodations!"
Alright. It's a nice day for Ptolus. Sunny, but partly cloudy. Your group is located in the South Market. There are opportunities to buy just about anything.
”I have just enough coin to join the Delvers Guild… so we will have to adventure soon or we’ll be sleeping on the street. Shall we go and try to join up now?”
No stake, no win my friends, let's go.
Aelfwyrd knocks on the open door as he enters, to make his presence known.
"Gentlemen..."
Oh, wait... I have no idea whether those Litorians are male or female. How can one tell? I just hope I got that one right
"Who's winning?" he asks, looking at the game the Litorians are playing. The game doesn't seem to resemble any game played in his circles.
Aelfwyrd stands near the gaming table, still dressed in his city watch uniform. Probably he is supposed to hand it over during his leave, but he hasn't bothered to do it yet. And it could come useful, if he needs to be asking any questions from folks - so perhaps he will 'forget' to return it altogether.
"Oh, and this is Ril, whom I mentioned to you earlier. Ril, these are erm..."
As digging through his memory is unsuccessful, the half-elf takes his notebook, and turns a few pages back.
"Ah, yes... Ozbadin and Mergenci. My apologies, Litorian names seem to escape my mind."
Yeah, Alf... I'm sorta watching their game. Not sure I can sell it as a high stakes game in an alley pick up fling tho', Ril said, using his irreverent moniker for the half elven watchman.
"So guardsman. Can you lead us to the Delvers Guild? Are we all planning on joining"?
The big cat man then folds up his gameboard, and places the tokens in a pouch before turning to gather up his belongings.
"And Oz will suffice when you address me informally though according to custom if you introduce me to someone else then the full name is customarily used".
Do you want to wait for your dragonborn team member?
Mergenci nods in agreement with the other Litorian.
"And you can call me Mer!"
The wilder-looking Litorian gathers up his own gear and stands ready to go.
"Is this it then? Just the 4 of us?"
Ril shrugs.
I'm not calling the tune, I'm just a dancer.
It begins to mist. As the mist floods the city, the four of you will have to go through it. The temperature is slightly lower, and it feels cold to the touch.
"All right. Oz and Mer, then." Aelfwyrd nods and puts away his notebook. "If you are ready, I'll take you to the Delver's Guild. Follow me, gentlemen." He includes Ril in the invitation as well, although he suspects the man knows the way already.
Quite soon after their departure, the half-elf notices his visibility getting worse. "How odd. The weather was fine just a moment ago."
"This fog is not natural then"?
The big feline sniffs at the air, sticks out his rough tongue to taste it, and rubs his fingers together to see if there is any consistancy.
Arcana
He then looks about warily in case something sinister awaits them in the fog.
Perception
I guess so.
Your perception is good. You spot something, only a shadow in the mist. What it could be, it could be something not usually noticed. The shadow splits in two, a smaller shadow than the first. Is it something strange? Then how come people are just not noticing it? The smaller shadow resembles that of a kobold. The first shadow a humanoid. Could this be a training session?
Oz quietly whispers to his traveling companions. "Ware! Over there I see something in the shadow or perhaps two somethings. Do you see it"? .
Oz points to where he sees something in the mists, and stops in his tracks.
Buggered if I can, Ril says pulling back on the string of his Light Crossbow, But point 'em out so I can Jank 'em.
"Hmm..?" Aelfwyrd squints his eyes and peers into the mist, following the direction Oz is pointing.
"Indeed, you are correct, Oz. There is something in there."
Oz draws back a bit and looks at Ril. "Do you just shoot anything unidentified? Remind me not to walk about the camp at night".
Oz turns towards the movement. "Hoy! Who is there through the mist"?
You hear a kobold's voice, "Don't shoot!"
Ril gives a disappointed grunt.
"Nobody is shooting anyone. Please step forth, sir. With no sudden moves." Aelfwyrd declares, slightly nervous. His hand moves to his side, and slowly he draws a brazen rod out of its holster.
"This is Constable Sercombe of Ptolus City Watch." he adds, although that is a bit of a lie at this point.
A kobold and a human steps out of the mist, their hands raised in a non-threatening way. "We were just training," said the human.
"Training what"?
"Training in the art of invisibility," said the human.
Ril snorts condescendingly.
Riiiiight.
”You need more practice”.
"Please refrains from such skulking out in the streets." Aelfwyrd calls.
"Are these mists your doing as well?"
"Yes," the human answered.
Mer had remained quiet for the moment as he was not sure what to make of these creatures fumbling about in the fog. When they state that they are practicing being 'invisible' he smiles in understanding...they must be hunters! But what would you hunt in this strange city? He continues to listen to the others as they reprimand the two and when the taller one admits to creating the fog, he lets out an appreciative whistle.
"That is amazing! Helps not only covers you from sight but also makes smells harder to distinguish as well. Good hunting technique...what are you tracking?"
"We're tracking a cat."
"Good luck with that. Come, let's go find what we are seeking".
Ril leaves the bolt loaded in his crossbow.
Be smart Rookies... be somewhere else.
"Very well. Let's move."
Aelfwyrd starts leading the group onwards, but keeps his eyes on the shady duo.
You make your way to mid town without the duo following you. Apparently, they are certainly tracking a lost cat. You make it to Danbury's, and in the center is stairs leading down behind a statue. The way to the Delver's Guild is just going down the stairs.
Oz goes down the stairs, asks for where he can sign up with the Delvers guild, and does so... spending his last GP.
"Now let's go adventure and make some more funds so I won't have to eat from the Garbage heap".
One gold is it?
He contemplates his thin light purse.
I do need the work, not gonna sleesh ya... still, aren't I here to help out wit' Alf here?
"It's ten gold per year to join our guild," says the secretary.
Ril grins...
Yeah, had heard that but this one here seemed happy-eager an' thought I'd pile in.
He turns to the watchman.
Well, we're here. What next?
Oh, you all gain a point of inspiration for signing up.
"All ten gold upfront?" Aelfwyrd asks, slightly worried. Ten gold is going to hurt hard right now.
"Or one gold per month?" he adds, hopefully.
After emptying the last of his coin pouch onto the table in front of the secretary, Ozbadin stretches out, and absentmindedly rubs the symbol of the Hidden Stars at his wrist.
"So what do we do now? We are new at this, and would appreciate any direction... that leads to loot".
Persuasion
Or do we do a spot of o' work on th' side an' under the table?
Mergenci has never had much need for money, as so had collected a small stash of gold and silver coins.
"I think if we are to stay in this place any longer we will need a steady supply of coins, or perhaps one big haul?"
He looks at the others, but mostly seems to be taking his cues from Ozbadin.
"Not many people are brave enough to go down into the Dungeon," the secretary explains. "But you signed up. Feeling like exploring Dwarvenhearth?"