[LPF] Distant Relations

[jkason]

Given the size of the crowd, blending in and sticking to the fringes to avoid being accosted by any of the acolytes isn't a difficult proposition. The gray and white-robed figures continue to move through the crowd as their black-robed compatriot preaches further, a dizzying sermon that seems to vilify money while asking for donations at the same time...

GM: Looks like you've all decided to stick to the fringe and observe; just want to give Anna and [MENTION=100541]toasterferret[/MENTION] a chance to react to Elenka / Yoshiki's information before I move things along. And since I forgot before: Qik, blunt arrows should be as readily available as their half-priced, pointy counterparts, I should think.

 

[toasterferret]

"I think it's wonderful that these poor people have the good will of the priests of Owbej to fall back upon! His grace extends everywhere!" Anna exclaims. A quick glance in her direction and any of you can pick up on several sub-contextual and nonverbal cues that cause her meaning to become clear.

<<Yes, they are being taken advantage of. Be wary friends, those with nimble fingers often have nimble ears>>

OOC: Taking ten on a bluff check for a total of 21 (or 22 if charming comes into play) to send a secret message to the rest of the group. Also, sorry for the delay, I can almost never post on tuesdays or wednesdays, due to my clinical shifts

 

[jkason]

No one appears to make any special note of the party or it's discussions as the preaching continues. All eyes in the crowd still seem to be drawn to the preacher (when there isn't an acolyte actively urging donation), and those not in the crowd don't seem to take much note of it, including the guards who move by on patrol. Their behavior suggests this sort of thing is commonplace.

The activity of the acolytes doesn't seem to escalate, as they seem content with their intimidation tactics and the pick-pocketing you noted earlier, and eventually, their bags full, they return to the preacher, who wishes the crowd to 'Live for the Living God!' and concludes his sermon. As the robed priests make their way back in the direction of the temple, the crowd begins to disperse, their soft murmuring growing back to the rabble of a mid-day crowd again soon enough, and the adventurers find themselves once again part of what seems a normal city throng.

 

[deisenhut]

Yoshiki Akita (Human Monk 4)

"Well, that was.... disturbing." He comments quietly to the others as the crowd disperses, moving back towards the shops with the others. "Let's continue our tour before heading back. I don't think we should take any actions before we talk with Inar."

[sblock=Ministats]Initiative: +4
AC: 19 Touch 19 Flatfooted 14
HP: 28/28
CMB: +8 CMD: 23 Fort: +4 Reflex: +8 Will: +7 (+2 vs. Enchantment)
Defensive Abilities: Evasion, Deflect Arrows
Speed: 40 ft

Conditions in Effect: None
Elemental Fist: 4/4 remaining
Ki Pool: 5/5 remaining
Additional Gear: 1 CLW Potion
[/sblock]

 

[Qik]

Quioan nods. "I agree - we'll see what he has to say. I assume he's noticed more than just these sorts of incidents, to have us make the trip up here like we did." Looking at the monk, he adds, "Good spot, by the way - I'm ashamed to say I didn't notice their thieving."

 

[jkason]

GM: So, was there any more scouting /questioning/investigating you guys wanted to do before meeting Inar in the evening? I'll probably push ahead to that tomorrow if I haven't heard any objections.

 

[deisenhut]

Yoshiki Akita (Human Monk 4)

Until we know more from Inar, Yo feels it is too risky to do much more until then, just get a grasp of the surroundings and watch.

[sblock=Ministats]Initiative: +4
AC: 19 Touch 19 Flatfooted 14
HP: 28/28
CMB: +8 CMD: 23 Fort: +4 Reflex: +8 Will: +7 (+2 vs. Enchantment)
Defensive Abilities: Evasion, Deflect Arrows
Speed: 40 ft

Conditions in Effect: None
Elemental Fist: 4/4 remaining
Ki Pool: 5/5 remaining
Additional Gear: 1 CLW Potion
[/sblock]

 

[Qik]

OOC: Ditto for Quioan; push away.

 

[GlassEye]

OOC: Agreed. Nothing more at the moment so I'm good with jumping to the meeting with Inar.

 

[jkason]

Having decided to avoid too much activity until they can meet with their contact, the party makes its way back to the Eel's Belly, where the lady innkeep is currently absent, though her newphew hands you a note upon your return. Breaking the seal reveals a short instruction in a tight hand:

At the Hidden Clearing, tell Genevieve you're there to try the boar and raven special.

It's signed "IP."

****

The innkeeper pouts a bit when you tell her you'll be taking dinner elsewhere, but points you to the Hidden Clearing easily enough. It's just after sunset when you arrive. Made from enormous timbers, the Hidden Clearing is a long hall, open at both the front and back, filled with wooden tables and benches. Dozens of people gather here, eating, drinking, and laughing. One table of patrons even carries on with a bawdy song that seems to have most of the folk smiling.

Extricating herself from a table of handsy patrons, a smiling but clearly a bit exhausted serving woman greets you.

"Welcome to the Clearing, folks. Genevieve," she says with a small curtsy. "New in town? You can sit anywhere ya like. Me or one of the other girls make the rounds pretty quickly."