Chapter 10: Eye of the Storm

[Dave B.]

Shorak assists his hunched over client into the skiff. "Might as well start playing our roles now." He waves to everyone, his eyes lingering a moment on Morsha.

Offering the oars to Adamant he says, "If you would do the honors? I can guide us to a less traveled dock."

[Dave W.]

Spindrift bows. "I may seek him sooner than that. But I will not stray far from this ship. Return to me here when you're ready for maintenance and I'll direct you to him."

"Thank you my friend. I will find you but business first I'm afraid." Adamant replies.

Adamant listens quietly while Sem finishes describing the city. "No chance at finding a small in run by the most beautiful halfling couple I suppose." Adamant says glancing at Streko.

Adamant takes no notice of Shargon's Talon and tries very hard to not make it noticeable.

Adamant stops by Condign, "Be a good bodyguard... I've heard your employer is a pain in the buttocks."

Adamant turns to Kal, Condign, and Streko, "Good fortune gentlemen."

Adamant climbs into the skiff. As the small boat is lowered the warforged nervously plays with the oars, "You know, Earth is my element, but on this trip I feel I've made a certain peace with Water." He looks over the side as the water comes nearer, "But I still can't abide Air."

[Jeff]

Belarin:

"Professor, would you mind loaning your ring once more? That's probably the least complicated way of finding out where you'll secure lodging. I'll return it once we're all in the same building. Give it to Shorak, if you like - it'll save time compared to giving me directions."

"An excellent idea," Larest says, producing his rings of telepathy. He hands one to Shorak. "So long as you remain within a mile of me, we may communicate. If you speak through your thoughts...be patient. If I don't answer after some time, then we are too far apart, or one of us is dead." A brief smile. "Good luck."

Morsha shakes her head at Streko's words. "Thank you, Lord d'Jorasco, for not calling down the wrath of Olladra upon us..." Then she seems to ponder it. "Or perhaps your goddess has opened my eyes with her tricks of fate." Morsha looks down at the swirls of blue and violet along her bare arms. "I could use her good fortune now."

The half-elf captain walks up to Histra. "Thank you as well for your part in all this. As I understand it, you nearly killed me."

"Without you alive," Histra responds. "It would have been a more difficult journey. I am glad you survived."

Morsha shrugs and smiles. "Just the same, thank you."

Syrdan speaks up to the departing group. "Be safe. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. I will try to find you again, if I can." He indicates Lerrhana without her seeing him.

Just as Belarin, Shorak, and Adamant reach the edge and ready themselves to go down the rungs to the skiff below, Lerrhana walks right up to them. She reaches out both hands to Belarin first and places them upon each shoulder. She speaks in Elvish...and Syrdan recognizes it as a stately, even royal, formal thank you, an Aerenal tradition of honor. Then she actually hugs him briefly, stiffly, but Belarin can sense the sincerity it. (Histra's eyes watch with scrutiny.) "For my life," she adds in Common and there is moisture in her eyes.

She does the same for Shorak. She looks into the other elf's eyes. "I feel little animosity for the drow, as I have been taught, and even less towards you. I thank you, Shorak, for my life." When she actually embraces Shorak she speaks something softly into his ear that no one else can hear.

Then she stands before Adamant, looking up at him. She looks to be at a loss. Then she reaches down and takes one of his hands, clasping her long, slender fingers in his three metal fingers. He can feel her warmth; colder than a typical human's, but warmer than any warforged's. "You serve your goddess with grace and obedience seldom seen. I was raised not to believe in the Sovereign Host. You give me pause." She smiles, then steps back.

With that, Belarin, Shorak, and Adamant climb down and settle themselves into the skiff. Morsha walks to the rail and looks down. "Save your theatrics until you're a safe distance from my ship." She winks at Shorak. "And look out for the kraken. You're not out of the water yet."

Tangat barks out his farewell to them all.

Once Adamant has oared the skiff some distance away and toward the further end of the docks, Morsha releases the water elementals; the plume of spraying water falls, and the Merrow moves onward again.

________________________________

I'll try to post again late tonight or tomorrow morning.

[Ken]

Dec 9, 2011 9:54:24 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Syrdan speaks up to the departing group. "Be safe. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Belarin chuckles. "You mean like challenge a vampire lord to single combat? I believe you're crazier than I am. That's a compliment." He smiles warmly. "Be well, Syrdan. I hope to see you soon."

The disguised warlock is more serious, though, when Lerrhana thanks and hugs him. He says, "You are very welcome, Lerrhana. Continue to kindle the fire of life within and let it warm your spirit." As she walks away, he mutters softly to something unseen, "No, I meant that. No, that was not a pretentious thing to say. Be quiet."

Once Adamant has oared the skiff some distance away and toward the further end of the docks, Morsha releases the water elementals; the plume of spraying water falls, and the Merrow moves onward again.

He's silent for several seconds as he watches the Merrow. Finally, he looks at Shorak and Adamant and offers a wide smile, "All right then, friends. From the moment we reach shore, unless we're absolutely sure we're alone, I'm Nerrin Blackwell, Adamant is Redoubt -- love that wordplay, Adamant, you've got bardic potential -- and Shorak is....

"Well, I suppose that's up to you, Shorak. Would using your real name in Nerrin's company be an aid or a hindrance? I suppose that while we're in the 'picking up supplies' part of our operation, you -- as yourself, that is -- has some connections that could come in handy." Shorak and Adamant can see that, behind the red-colored spectacles, Belarin's eyes show his excitement. Whether about the upcoming deception, the chance to explore a new city, the opportunity to walk on dry land again, or all of the above, they're not entirely sure.

"So we'll need clothing, inks, and assorted other items for our little masquerade and... oh yes." He reaches within the thick cloak and, after a few seconds, pulls out his fey-gifted enchanted dagger, still in its sheath. He stares at it for a few seconds before offering it to Shorak.

"It's conceivable that someone will look us over for magical auras," he says. "A functionary of one of the Houses might have a wand or other magic device, but a magical dagger? If it were me doing the scanning, I'd suspect thief, spy, or assassin. Please hold onto this, Shorak, until I ask for it back. It won't look out of place on a hired guide or mercenary. Adamant already has that ... well, that wonderfully morphic weapon of yours, Adamant." He looks back at Shorak. "Take good care of it. In a tight spot, use it if you have to." A pause. "I trust you."

[Dave B.]

"Since the role you have me playing, is one I do here in Stormreach, I should remain Shorak. I would need to disguise myself otherwise."

Shorak accepts the dagger from Belarin and stows it away with his other weapons. "I will keep it safe for you, but I doubt I will need to use it. I do not trust easily, as I have said. Thank you for your trust. My trust in all of you," he includes Adamant in this, "is growing each day."

Looking ahead towards the docks he adds, "Now let us see to our business."

[Joe]

Morsha shakes her head at Streko's words. "Thank you, Lord d'Jorasco, for not calling down the wrath of Olladra upon us..." Then she seems to ponder it. "Or perhaps your goddess has opened my eyes with her tricks of fate." Morsha looks down at the swirls of blue and violet along her bare arms. "I could use her good fortune now."

Streko takes in her words and then smiles. "Then, know I am in your debt, Captain. Should you have need and I am able, I shall assist you however I can. However, considering all we have been through on this voyage, I believe Olladra is already blessing you and your ship and crew with favorable fortunes. I pray that those good fortunes continue. Again, my thanks."

[Jeff]

The water elementals vanish from sight as the Merrow glides slowly, gently, up to a wide slip after crewmen and dockside workers call out to one another to arrange it. Ropes are thrown and tied off, gruff voices shout. Belarin, Condign, and Streko look out upon the dockhands and stevedores, who obviously recognize the Merrow Down. Among them is a pair of burly, hairy bugbears, working alongside a small group of hobgoblins. The hobgoblins have a uniform of sorts, and seem more organized than their human counterparts. They look like the mercenaries of the loading and unloading world.

Morsha stands at the top as the gangplank is thrown down. The dockworkers stare up at her for a moment....then a murmur drifts out among them. She calls down, choosing from among them which she'll hire to assist with unloading. Then some sort of taskmaster approaches, a human with obvious authority, a surly expression, and a scarred face. He begins to talk logistics with Morsha, but his eyes roam her body and her dragonmarked form like an astonished predator.

Meanwhile, you begin to see the other races represented among the dockside crowds: half-elves are common, halflings and dwarves a less so, and quite a few half-orcs.

Finally, standing just off the main piers, you see your first giant. A hill giant, probably, standing an easy eleven feet tall, thick-bodied and powerful. Not as feral, simian, or monstrous-looking as an ogre, but somehow more primal in aspect. Strong, exuding natural might. The giant is standing cross-armed, his expression flat and maybe a little dim-witted; it's hard to be sure. His dark hair is long, bound, and braided, and his skin is ruddy brown. He wears a vest of animal hide and ragged trousers and boots. No obvious weapon. Standing beside him is a human companion with an eyepatch and spiked club in his hand, obviously big but almost insignificant next to the giant.

"A pathetic scion of a long forgotten age," Sem says, indicating the hill giant at the back of the crowd.

"But still very powerful, in their own way," Larest adds. "If not so...advanced as they once were."

Sem nods. "Don't go insulting any giants," he says pointedly to Kal.

While waiting at the railing with your gear, waiting for permission to disembark, something catches Condign's eye: the glint of morning light off a pair of curling horns from someone standing just beyond the crowd, not too far from the giant. Standing upon a prominent shelf of stone from one of the city's ancient fallen columns. It's a woman in black and brown leather armor, standing tall, cautious, vigilantly. Red-skinned, with a tail and the signature smaller horns of a female tiefling. Fairly short black hair, bound up behind her horns. She looks contemptuously over the crowds—scanning the masses and the ships. She doesn't seem to have noticed Condign yet.

Morsha is still bargaining with the taskmaster, so you can't exit the ship just yet. Unless you want to climb down the side and jump to the docks.

At around this same time, Belarin, Shorak, and Adamant are now approaching the docks at the other end. The closest men on the pier turn and point to a place they can tether the skiff to. They look with scrutiny upon this bespectacled human, drowish companion, and warforged guard.

When they get closer, a wiry older longshoreman calls out, "A silver to tie up, a gold to lock down for a day." He points to a series of chains and locks hanging from a piling.

[Darren]

"What could I possibly insult about such a large, slow-witted creature who stands draped in filthy animal skins?" Kal grins.

Leaning against the railing, Kal gestures towards the hobgoblins. "See? Sometimes mercenary labor is best. Well supplied and well paid. Proper motivation can provide for an efficient and effective force. A single member of the Blademarks Guild was worth a dozen of the undead Karnaathi soldiers on the Plains."

[Brian]

Condign nods toward the giant. "Look, past the giant and over by those broken columns. Do you see her? Another tiefling. Female. Her presence here may simply be coincidence, but Ebonfire was reportedly using tieflings as scouts. Though why one would be this far south . . . ?"

His expression turns hard, and he crosses his thick arms across his chest. "I have not seen a kinsman is a long time. She may be one we want to watch in Stormreach. I may even try to have a word or two with her. Much will depend on her reaction when she sees us disembark."

[Ken]

Team B

Dec 10, 2011 10:47:43 GMT -4 Jeff said:

When they get closer, a wiry older longshoreman calls out, "A silver to tie up, a gold to lock down for a day." He points to a series of chains and locks hanging from a piling.

Belarin hands some coins to Shorak, then he speaks to the longshoreman in Nerrin's nasally voice, "Here, take this... one silver and five gold. I expect my business to take several days. If it does not, you may keep what remains ... assuming my tiny craft fares well in your care."

[Dave W.]

Team B
Adamant tries to play his part. He scans down the length of the dock and tries to pick out dangers and cover. He will make an effort to be the first to climb up out of the boat; certainly before Bel... er, Nerrin.

The warforged will try to remain adjacent to Nerrin as much as is possible wihtout getting in Nerrin's way.

-----------------
I don't know if a Perception check is needed, but if you felt like it, Adamant is +6 on Perception.

[Dave B.]

Team B

Shorak hands the coins over to the longshoreman and then assists Master Nerrin from the skiff. All the while his eyes are roaming the area, checking for anything amiss.

"We need to head this way, Master Nerrin." He says pointing in the general direction of Locksmith square.

[Jeff]

Team K

Morsha concludes her negotiations with the taskmaster. She stands back, allowing a small gang of men, and even the hobgoblins, to come aboard. The Merrow's crew waits patiently for their own orders or dismissal. Unlike you, they don't seem as desperate to be on solid ground again. Most of their lives are spent at sea.

When the hobgoblins pass by, they give Kal a look of curiosity. Professional assessment, he recognizes. Nothing insulting. From their bearing, he wouldn't be surprised if some of them spent some time in a Deneith-employed guild. Deneith has worked with goblins often in the past, and continues to do so to this day. Diplomatic relations between Sentinel Tower and the new goblin nation of Darguun are fairly strong.

When the bugbear passes by, however, he grunts down at Condign. The large humanoid's body language is swaggering, and he carries himself tall. The average bugbear tops seven feet in height, but they look even larger from their girth. You've never seen a skinny one. Then the large goblin spots Starg, and issues a snort of challenge. The minotaur sees him, then looks away, uninterested in a conflict. The bugbear moves on, joining his smaller cousins as they head off to help with unloading.

Now the gangplank is open, leaving you to go ashore.

Larest goes first, with Starg, Sem, and Histra trailing behind. The minotaur is helping Histra with her bags. While Larest and especially Sem seem to merge easily with the crowded docks, Starg and even Histra draw some attention, and for the most part the crowd parts for them...which would make it easy for Kal and his group to follow, if they wish. Or they can go their own way.

Condign sees that the female tiefling watching from her nearby vantage has spotted his companions. Her gaze fixes on Starg first...then drifts to Condign. She's too far to make out an expression, but it's quite clear she's studying him in turn.

Team K and Team B

The next big impression Stormreach has made on you: it's not a very level city. In fact, it's downright three-dimensional. Not only are there large chunks of rocks floating all around the Harbor, but the streets themselves are broken up constantly by rises of stone. Where it can be done steps have been carved into the old rock or wooden ladders and staircases attached, bolted or simply leaned up against the older stone. In other places nets, knotted ropes and stepladders accomplish the same task. Higher up, above the streets, rope bridges criss-cross between the remnants of the giant city and where the ropes and bridges become especially dense, knot and cluster, there are even groups of huts and other shanty buildings, suspended right above the streets. Floating ruins are even woven into this knot work, trapped like flies in a giant hemp web and reconnected with the city they float above.

All of this is very interesting, and distracting. The people bustle around you, more accustomed to the sights, and it leaves you feel very vulnerable at first. While you're looking up and around, others may be watching you. It's hard to tell. But one thing you've been told you're starting to feel now: you don't stand out so much anymore, not with horns, tails, or composite plating. Not here. This isn't Sharn. This isn't the civilized world at all.

[Jeff]

Team B

The dockworker accepts the coins from Shorak, nodding (and throwing an irritated glance at Belarin), then directs his own men to shackle the skiff to one side. He then hands Shorak a key to the lock. The key is surprisingly clean and even has an opalescent stone fixed into the head.

"When you claimed yer boat in five days, give it back." He points to pier they're on, which is denoted with a badly battered painted sign that you think might be the illustration of a shark. "This is Sharkfang's Pier. You don't claim it then, it's ours. No exchanges. No questions. No funny business." He throws a look of warning at Adamant. "You lose the key, you lose your boat."

No one gives Belarin, Shorak, or Adamant any unusual looks around here. But as they gathered themselves to exit the pier, they can see where the Merrow Down has docked a ways down on the waterfront. They can also see the hill giant the others saw, standing about halfway between them.

The only other thing of immediate interest—besides the city itself!—is that also nearby you see a fight breaking out. Only the immediate passers-by are paying it any mind. It looks like a sailor's brawl, but the shouts come from the two combatants suggest murderous intent.

Life goes in in Stormreach.

_____________________

I've probably said this before, but it's been a while: whenever you hand over coins, I'll handle it on your character sheet. Just easier that way. So Belarin's now out 5 gold and 1 silver.

Also, the key has been added to Shorak's inventory.

[Darren]

Team Awesome (Team K)

Kal watches the ripple in the crowd around Larest. "I'll be damned if I'm going to follow in his wake," Kal says and it's unclear if he really means it or if he has begun to play his role. The next few days with Kalarian might prove to be unbearable for those around him. Kal folds his arms and watches the work of the hobgoblins as though he is ensuring safe handling of his cargo.

After some time has passed and Larest is once again lost in the crowd, Kal nods as though satisfied that his goods are being taken care of. "Let's go," he says, waving a hand towards Condign and Streko. "It's time to announce our presence."

Kalarian strides haughtily down the gangplank, his sharrash thumping the ground with each step. His dragonmark stands out bright blue on his forearm. He keeps his eyes up, scanning the crowd with an air of superiority. Reaching the bottom, he stops a passing worker. "Good morrow to you, my friend. I am Kalarian d'Deneith, just arrived here in Stormreach. I require audience at my house's enclave. If you would point me in the right direction...?" Somehow Kal makes this last sound like less of a request and more of an order.

[Brian]

Team K

Condign sighs as he watches Kal stride away. This is going to be a trying experience, indeed.

Gesturing to Streko, he says, "Come on. We need to catch up to him. We are being watched, and I want to make sure he pays attention to that."

Condign trots after Kal. Once he is next to his friend, he says in a flat voice, "My lord Kalarian, why have a bodyguard if you do not wait for your bodyguard? No doubt your skill with a blade is unmatched, but I thought we had agreed to exercise some prudence while in Stormreach." Then he lowers his voice so that only Kal can hear. "The tiefling woman is watching us--or me. Either way, I would like to take a closer look at her. If we can manage to travel her way as we head toward your enclave, that would be just grand, my lord."

[Joe]

Streko quietly assumes his station to Kalarian's right and two steps back. He has decided to wear his clerical robes to full effect, sweeping his arms back and forth to allow them to ripple around him. If Kal is to be the center of attention, then those watching him will know that he not only has a Tiefling bodyguard, but a cleric of the Soveriegn Host on each side, watching for potential enemies.

He speaks loudly enough so that anyone can hear him. He also speaks in the Halfling tongue...so that perhaps fewer may understand him. Or so he hopes. Regardless, he plays the part of the healer/priest to the best of his ability.

"My lord, should I carry my weapon with me in a threatening manner, or keep my hands open and prepared for a more spiritual approach to any possible interactions?"

He turns to Condign. "Now is not the time to look for bedmates, my friend. Or do you think, perhaps, she could be trouble. Take it from one who knows," Streko says, nodding at Kalarian, and continues, "ALL women are trouble. Perhaps we can wait a few hours before asking for it so readily." He smiles, but keeps his eyes moving, searching for something, anything, out of place.

[Dave W.]

Team B
When the dockworker throws Nerrin his irritated glance and gives his warning to the warforged, Redoubt, standing every inch of his height, turns his eye-gems to stare at the man. He scans the worker from show to hat, making a quick show of assessing danger. He turns away, dismissing the man.

As the group makes its way, it becomes obvious that Redoubt moves differently than Adamant. Adamant tries to make himself less noticeable, stooping. Redoubt stands tall, and though not necessarily threatening, he is alert to danger and moves with confidence.

When he sees the floating buildings, Adamant mutters to himself, "By all the Heavens and Hells, why can't people be content to stay on the ground?"
-------------
Sorry, forgot the Team tag... fixed now

[Jeff]

Team K

The worker at that Kal addresses turns to look back at him, seeming confused for the action. "Uhh...Forgelight," the man says, jerking a thumb in a northwesterly direction, then moves on with his business, leaving Kal standing there.

But as Kal considers whether to find someone else, a shrill voices cuts through the crowd. "Oi! My lord!"

Kal, Condign, and Streko turn to see a child pushing and weaving through the crowds. She's in poor dress, clearly a street kid, possibly half-elven (her ears are just slightly pointed and she's rail-thin), probably twelve years of age. Maybe pretty, but one eye has been recently blackened and dirt covers half her skin. For all that, she's clearly plucky.

"My lord," she says, dropping to one knee in a slightly over-the-top gesture, letting her dark braids swing about. "You need a guide, lord? I'm your man." She looks up and grins. Then her eyes go up to Condign and then down again to Streko. She stands up again, straightening, and her grin starts to fade. "New to Stormreach, are you?"

[Dave B.]

Team B

Shorak guides his friends away from the docks and towards Locksmith Square. Being sure to match his pace with his "employer".

Outwardly, he appears to be ignoring everything around him, but it is quite clear he is very aware his surroundings. Especially when he easily skirts around a dropped crate.

"It is best to avoid any public altercation. It can lead to all sorts of trouble." He says as he takes note of the fight brewing nearby.

[Ken]

Team B

Belarin looks up at the floating buildings. Despite the childlike awe he feels, he says aloud in Nerrin's voice, "A ridiculous place for a residence. What if you have vertigo? My sinuses would not do well. Come then."

He lowers his gaze just in time to see Shorak direct him away from the crate that he was about to trip over.

"It is best to avoid any public altercation. It can lead to all sorts of trouble." He says as he takes note of the fight brewing nearby.

Belarin nods his head and he maneuvers himself a step closer to Adamant, as though Nerrin is concerned about being even this close to physical conflict. He says softly to Shorak, "Lead the way -- what would be best for our first stop this time of day?"

[Darren]

Team K

Dec 13, 2011 9:57:14 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Team K

The worker at that Kal addresses turns to look back at him, seeming confused for the action. "Uhh...Forgelight," the man says, jerking a thumb in a northwesterly direction, then moves on with his business, leaving Kal standing there.

But as Kal considers whether to find someone else, a shrill voices cuts through the crowd. "Oi! My lord!"

Kal, Condign, and Streko turn to see a child pushing and weaving through the crowds. She's in poor dress, clearly a street kid, possibly half-elven (her ears are just slight and she's rail-thin), probably twelve years of age. Maybe pretty, but one eye has been recently blackened and dirt covers half her skin. For all that, she's clearly plucky.

"My lord," she says, dropping to one knee in a slightly over-the-top gesture, letting her dark braids swing about. "You need a guide, lord? I'm your man." She looks up and grins. Then her eyes go up to Condign and then down again to Streko. She stands up again, straightening, and her grin starts to fade. "New to Stormreach, are you?"

Kal looks down at the girl. He'd never admit it, but he has a weakness for kids. And he likes this one's spirit. "Alright, my dear, we are in need of a guide. I am Kalarian d'Deneith, and these are my companions. Now tell me, young one, what are your particular qualifications? Why should I hire you instead of any of the others? Have you been a guide long, or is this a new enterprise for you?" Kal can't hide his smile as he speaks to her.

[Brian]

Team K

Streko:

"Now is not the time to look for bedmates, my friend. Or do you think, perhaps, she could be trouble.

"Bedmate?"says Condign with an incredulous shake of his head. "I shall assume you are joking." He nods toward the female tiefling. "She is likely trouble, and she is focused on us. I suggest again that--"

His words are cut off as the young girl approaches. Wary of a trap, he scans the surrounding area for any suspicious people following the girl. Then he looks up at the sky and the floating buildings. Finally, his eyes dart back to the other tiefling to watch for any reaction.

[Joe]

Then her eyes go up to Condign and then down again to Streko. She stands up again, straightening, and her grin starts to fade. "New to Stormreach, are you?"

"Not so new as to see what you're after, little one. How did you receive that black eye and those bruises? Attempt to rob someone else of their gold? If you are as poor a guide as you are a thief, I think we should look elsewhere."

Streko takes a step closer to her. "Answer my Lord Kalarian! Why should we hire you as opposed to any of the other street urchins roaming this part of town? Give us a good answer, and perhaps we shall reward you."

He musters all the bravado he can, given his physical stature and the fact that she is probably as tall as he is.

[Jeff]

Team K

The girl's eyes brighten and glint as with gold when she hears Kal speak his dragonmarked name; they flash to his dragonmark again, just to be sure she heard him right. She nods her head at both Kal's and Streko's words. "They call me Rinti, my esteemed Lord Kalarian d'Deneith! And I'm the best Stormreach guide this side of the Thunder Sea....'least, inside the city proper. Hafta wait 'til I'm a few years older and a few sword swings stronger—then I'll be the best Xen'drik guide platinum can buy." Kal sees a dirty-looking knife at her belt—it's unlikely she could afford a sword, or lift one effectively.

"Why me? 'Cause I seen the best before, and they weren't good enough." She gives a lopsided grin to Streko and indicates her blackened eye. "I ain't no thief, Master Halfling. Gave that up two years ago when I turned nine and took hits from those who didn't agree. Didn't have the knack for it, my lords, nor the heart. And that's the truth."

"But ahhh!" She snaps a finger. "I can spot thieves. Like to like." She looks around warily. "And I can stear you folks around 'em. I know which hidden holes to step over, which stairs to skip, and which bruisers to look away from."

"I can lead you right to the Enclave, my lord, if that's your goal. A silver'll see it right. A gold'll give you the local word. Or is there somewhere else you'd like to see?"

Kal knows in Khorvairian cities, urchins offer their paltry services for coppers. But either this girl is bold, or Stormreach is just something else.

Condign eyes the crowd. He does see other children standing further back in the crowd—a mixture of humans and half-elves older and younger than the girl—stretching to try to see. The tiefling suspects they're Rinti's associates, but they don't seem to be hiding; they seem to be waiting.

The tiefling woman is watching carefully now, her expression curious.

[Darren]

Team K

Kal studies the girl with a hand on his chin. "Hmmmm," he muses. He places a hand in his pocket, making sure that she can hear the jingling of coins in there. He pulls out a gold coin, then pauses. "Hmmm," he says again. Then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a second coin. Looking between them and the girl, he once again seems to consider. "Hmmm....."

_______________
Can Kal have a Perception, Insight or Streetwise check (whichever is appropriate) to determine if the girl is being honest or if she is trying to con Kal?

[Jeff]

Team B

Belarin, Shorak, and Adamant move further into the Harbor district, Shorak presumable working them towards Marketplace and Locksmith Square. They climb up and down short flights stairs and gradually rise up to the city proper, which sits like a big shelf over the docks.

Nearing the top of the highest set of stairs of this part of the city, the human, warforged, and half-drow see their way suddenly blocked by a warforged of Adamant's size being yelled at by an angry dwarf with a red beard and fine merchant's attire. In the construct's hands is wriggling a small scaly humanoid—a kobold!—and slung over his back is a large warhammer in need of repair. The warforged himself is covered in grime.

The dwarf is indignant, and now you can see he's holding up a belt—his own!—which appears to have been cut.

The kobold writhes and screeches, drowning out some of what they're saying. It's trying in vain to break free from the warforged's grip.

"....five galifars.....or I'll call the guards and.....! Even you'd wet yourself....you stack of reeking trash!"

"No...not," the warforged answers hollowly, the kobold still making it hard to hear them. "I.....not pay...I have noth......"

You can try to wait it out, or go back and find another way around to this edge of the district.

Shorak knows that Stormreach's kobold population is usually confined to the sewers, which are vast—another lingering gift from the giants. But they can be a nuisance, at best.

[Joe]

"Why me? 'Cause I seen the best before, and they weren't good enough." She gives a lopsided grin to Streko and indicates her blackened eye. "I ain't no thief, Master Halfling. Gave that up two years ago when I turned nine and took hits from those who didn't agree. Didn't have the knack for it, my lords, nor the heart. And that's the truth."

"But ahhh!" She snaps a finger. "I can spot thieves. Like to like." She looks around warily. "And I can stear you folks around 'em. I know which hidden holes to step over, which stairs to skip, and which bruisers to look away from."

He steps close to Kal, takes his hand, the one holding the gold pieces, and closes his friend's fingers over them, subconsciously making the gesture of Kal's hand with the gold into a fist, possibly holding a reward, possibly something else.

"My Lord, if it pleases..."

Streko turns to the girl.

"What of your friends, Rinti? The others in your clan. Stormreach is not a city for the weak, the faint of heart, or the single guide offering to lead for gold and, one day, platinum. You have others, older than you, who watch over you and, perhaps, take a small percentage of your income...if they can."

With that, he smiles lopsidedly, mimicing the girl's previous grin.

"You no doubt have younglings who follow you...look up to you as well. You tend to get into fights...which you win, by the way. I'd hate to see the boy's face who darkened your brow."

He once again steps closer to the girl.

"Which makes you either a very poor thief indeed, for a simple Halfling such as myself to see so much of your world, or a superior guide. Neither of which leads me to trust you more with my Lord's gold. So, can you both guide us to our destination and provide us with safety along the way, as best as can be provided? If so, we can definitely talk more. If not, I shall find someone who can.

"So, tell me, young guide, are you and your clan the ones we hire? Can you do all that I have asked and, if so, what is your price?"

[Jeff]

Team K

Kal studies this half-elf girl, Rinti, trying to assess the truth of her words. And his gut is telling him that she might just be genuine. More importantly, Tangat's sniffing at her feet and he seems to like her...

But Streko's words seem to harden the girl's expression some. "I don't have a clan," she replies to him specifically, staring back at him eye to eye. "Just some mates." She whirls around and points out several of her friends further back in the crowd, the very same ones Condign has already spotted.

Giving Streko a daring look, she adds, "No one looks out for me but me, and my mates. No one takes my hard-earned coins, Master Halfling." She points a finger at his holy symbol. "Does not the goddess of good fortune reward the brave and the independent?"

_________________________________

Insight check rolled, Darren.

[Dave B.]

Stopping several steps from the threesome at the top of the stairs and turns towards Belarin. "This is unfortunate Master Nerrin. Would you care to wait or shall I lead us another way?" He motions back the way they came.