Aric is unsure how to proceed. He sees the dogs, and knows he should talk with them, but there are still guards. Not having any more spells, he figures he might as well just go and chat with them. So, he proceeds to cast a ritual way from prying eyes and moves closer to the sleds with a childish eagerness.
As he approaches, he'll ask the guards: "sirs, can I pet the dogs?"
@Steve Gorak You're approaching the bearded Reghed tribesman tending the dogs. This would normally be an automatic or very easy check (dc 5), but because they're on alert it will be a tricky (DC 12) Persuasion check. Success gets permission to approach dogs. Failure means he tells you to leave them alone.
p.s. @Neurotic I screwed up the DC of your Deception check, should have been 12 instead of 15 cause I forgot that I use these revised DCs. But with your low roll, outcome would be same. Just fyi.
Aric seems disappointed. He bolts back to the tavern to get with the others. He'll need help to approach the dogs. He explains that he needs to talk to the dogs to convince them to delay the caravan's departure. He needs help because he's not a people person.
Cantrips Guidance, Mending*,
Sacred Flame, Spare the dying, Memorized spells 1st Bless*, Cure wounds*,
create/destroy water, healing word,
Protection from Evil, Sanctuary, Guiding bolt 2nd Lesser Restoration*, Spiritual Weapon*, Aid,
There's very little Oskar can do to delay the group and has to rely on the ingenuity of others. It's a frustrating situation to be in.
OOC:
: @Steve Gorak I thought Aric was shape-shifted into a dog? wasn't that how he was going to convince the dogs to leave? I'm confused on the plan. Wasn't Aric sniffing out the culprit of the sabotage? Did you revert back to normal shape?
Why don't we hide caltrops on the road. That will injure the dogs but not permanently.
: @Steve Gorak I thought Aric was shape-shifted into a dog? wasn't that how he was going to convince the dogs to leave? I'm confused on the plan. Wasn't Aric sniffing out the culprit of the sabotage? Did you revert back to normal shape?
Why don't we hide caltrops on the road. That will injure the dogs but not permanently.
The dogs are being guarded, so Aric tried to convince the guards to let him pet them (to talk to them), but that didn't work, so he came back to the tavern to get companions with a better charisma to help out. If nothing moves, yeah, he can head back alone, recast speak with animals as a ritual and shapeshift into a dog and try to see if that works
Aric rushes into the tavern, clearly frustrated, and seeks out Jack as he's finishing his playful banter and singalong with the local children. After quickly recounts his failed attempt to persuade the sled dog guards, Aric and Jack agree they should make delaying the caravan a priority, while the rest of the party proceeds with their part of the plan, trying to bog down the vagabonds in a conflict with the town guard.
Jack says farewell to the kids. Finding a secluded area near the door, Jack nods as he listens to Aric, while formulating an plan. Then he leans in to commiserate in a whisper, his wings shimmering in the firelight. "I have an idea! What if you shape-shift into a sled dog yourself? I'll come along with you, playing the part of an eager trader looking to sell my exceptionally obedient pup."
Jack chuckles softly, "While we distract those grumpy caravan fellows with your superb training and my song and dance, I'll use some sleight of hand or maybe a spell to unlatch their dogs. Once the dogs are loose, you rally the pack and lead them on a merry chase away from The Blue Clam!"
Seeing an expression of wariness and frustration lingering on Aric's face, Jack places a hand on Aric's shoulder to assure him. "Those ruffians will be too busy wrangling their runaway sled team to get anywhere soon. And we can work together to avoid any harm comes to the dogs. Loyal beasts of burden shouldn't suffer just because of their masters dubious dealings."
He pauses, looking keenly at Aric. "So, what do you say? Ready to embrace your inner pup?"
Aric quickly brightens up. He whispers back to Jack “Perfect! And let me cast my ritual first, I’ll be able to talk to the dogs. You can impress the guards by telling me what to do, and I’ll tell the dogs to do the same! You’ll be able to sell me for a whole lot!”. Aric bursts out laughing with childish glee.
Lumrolur waits for a bit before returning to his table near the stairs. It is unfortunate that they caught on on his ruse, but he was never the one to easily fool anyone. He awaits opportunity to cause havoc in other small ways, looking to pilfer small items from passing patrons, preferably guards from the caravan. If he manages that, next mission is to plant it onto one of the orcs or Torga herself.
Now that he thinks about that. He looks for the dwarven caravan leader. He has some reputation for leading caravans around, maybe he could get a job with them.
They exit the tavern to find some cover for the transformation and, once Aric has finished his spell casting, they cross town in the snowy morning light, Jack's wings shimmering like ice, his breath puffing in the frigid air. Beside him bounds a large, thick-coated sled dog with intelligent eyes—Aric in his transformed state—bounding through the snow with practiced exuberance and a few artful spins.
“Gooooooood doggie!” Jack coos, tossing a small stick for Aric to pounce on. Jack is speaking loudly, trying to draw a crowd if possible. “Yes, that’s it! Smartest tail-wagger in Ten-Towns, I tell you!”
As they approach the caravan stationed outside The Blue Clam, the sled dogs begin to bark and yap excitedly at the unfamiliar pair. The two nearby guards—one adjusting a bolt case, the other eyeing the snowy street with a half-lidded gaze—straighten with furrowed brows as Jack and his pup approach.
Jack tips his head forward and gives them a dazzling grin. “Ho there, good sirs! You look like fine men of discerning taste and practical wisdom. Would you—by sheer chance of glorious fortune—be in the market for the best sled dog this side of the Reghed Glacier?”
He pats Aric’s furry head with flourish. “I’ve been training this majestic creature for months. Picked him up as a stray—half-starved, frost-bitten, and friendless—and now? Why, he’s practically a noble in fur! Strong as a snow bear, nimble as a lynx, smarter than three tavern philosophers stacked in a coat.” He leans in with a twinkle in his eye. “And if you’ll give us but a few minutes of your time, I’ll prove to you that he’s not just any sled dog—he’s the alpha your team didn’t know it was missing!”
With that, Jack winks at Aric and gives a subtle hand signal, ready for the show to begin.
“Behold, gentlemen! The Marvel of Midwinter, the Wonder of the Woofing Wilds—the one, the only, Snowfang, the natural alpha!”
"Look'ee here, he responds to silent commands, just perfect for when you need to get things done without drawing any attention." Jack makes a quick motion with one hand, circling twice with finger pointed up and, sure enough, Aric begins to trot a wide circle around him—once, twice—his thick coat fluffed with just the right flourish of showmanship. Jack grins, nodding to the guards. “Oh yes, that’s coordination and style.”
A flick of Jack’s fingers sends Aric facing the sled dog team, and with two flattened palms lowered slowly, Aric sits, spine straight, posture proud. Jack kneels next to him, gesturing flamboyantly toward the guards, and pointing out the dog's wide bushy tail. “Just look at Snowfang's tail curl—see it? Right at the base, just like we drilled it. You wouldn’t believe how long it took to get that perfect posture. Not too proud, not too submissive. Just enough to say, ‘I’m the top dog, and I’ve got business to bark.’”
Rolled a 13 on persuasion / deception (they are both +7 for Jack) to engage with the guards and convince them to let Jack and Aric show off a few tricks. Even if Aric gives him benefit of a Help action, he still gets 13 even with advantage. Will wait for a post from Aric describing his interaction with the sled dogs, attempting to calm them down and draw their disciplined attention, and DM post regarding the caravan guards' reactions, before proceeding. @Quickleaf I'll also leave it to you to describe how many passersby might have taken an interest in Jack and Aric's show.