"That would be where the juggers practice?"

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 45):

"It is called so because practice is played with a jug,
not a skull. Let us ask."

"Yes, let us ask."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 47):

"Where is the arena of the jug. The Shadowspear seeks
Pallido."

In reply to Zeelzeel Shadowspear (msg # 48):

"Down all the way" says a nearby hobgoblin, pointing down several levels. There is an archway   leading to stairs nearby.

"Let us descend, then."  Pausing to count levels visible down the gap between bridges -- "Is that five levels, or six?  It's hard to tell at this angle."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 50):

The hobgoblin  flashes five fingers and heads off. A heavy
odor rises up from the gap, of tanning leather and caustic lye.

Gathering up the group with a gesture, Ardenas starts down the stairs.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 52):

"What order do you want us to take the stairs? Zeelzeel   in front in case the hobgoblins  need a familiar   face?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 12:26, Tue 23 Feb 2016.

In reply to Renolan (msg # 53):

"That makes good sense, Renolan.  Thanks.  I'll take the rear, so they don't mistake Clair for wandering around on her own.  You and Kasmir can sort out between you which goes ahead of whom."

Once the rest of the group is on the stairs, Ardenas will follow downward.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 55):

The odors you pass as you descend gives you an idea about what
part of the city does the base preparation formuch of the
artisanal  district.

You also smell roasting fish and meat.

The stairs are not lit, and you are able to mark your progress down by the openings you pass.

As you approach the fifth level, you can hear cheering and
drums
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:46, Tue 23 Feb 2016.

"That sounds like the arena, Zeelzeel."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 57):

"Ahead then we must go."
Zeelzeel  pushes open the door, then Renolan with his torch, then Kasmir, Clair and Ardenas.
The arena is surprisingly torchli, perhaps to highlight the
Garishly colored uniforms of the juggers, purple and green zigzag vs red and yellow zigzag. Many of the crowd in the tiered seats around are wearing face paint or waving banners
to match.  From your vantage up in the nosebleed section, you
Can see the hobgoblins are playing, as Zeelzeel said, with a
 jug and not a skull.

"Zeeleel, why are so many people watching a practice?  And how will we spot Pallido in such a crowd?"

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 59):

"These are the home teams. They fight for each others trophies during championships, and when they fight Orc of Goblin teams. This is early in the season. Pallido, watch the crowd.
 when there is a break called, or a fight, he will stare at the jug, not the others. He is only, and has ever been only about mounting the trophy on a stake."

Perception checks

In reply to Zeelzeel Shadowspear (msg # 60):

"That should be fairly distinctive, but there are a lot of people here.  I'll keep watching."

[Private to GM: 07:43, Today: Ardenas Barehand rolled 11 using 3d6.  Perception. Missed by one.]

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 61):

Kasmir is about to say something, when Renolan cuts him off,
"There he is!"
He points over toward a large hobgoblin sitting hunched over
 by the sidelines, his hands twitching and sweat forming on
his forehead?

In reply to Renolan (msg # 62):

"Well spotted, Renolan.  Let's get closer, and keep an eye on him, but I doubt we'll be able to speak to him until the hundredth stone has been cast and there's been time for things to calm down."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 63):

You get some looks, but the presemnse of Zeelzeel and the distraction of the game keep most of the crowd away. In the end, the Puerple/green team is victorious, and Zeelzeel   is deep in conversation  with a spear carrying hobgoblin who
appears to be a coreligionist,

As soon as the hundredth stone falls, Ardenas tries to slip through the crowd to close the remaining distance to the hobgoblin Renolan had spotted.  "Pallido!"  He watches to see if the man responds to his name.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 65):

The hobgoblin remains focused  on the jug as it is carried off the field.

Slipping through the dense crowd with a combination of Light Walk and Acrobatics, Ardenas continues to close with Pallido as the jug is carried off.

[Private to GM: 17:25, Today: Ardenas Barehand rolled 12 using 3d6.  Light Walk.
17:25, Today: Ardenas Barehand rolled 11 using 3d6.  Acrobatics.]

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 67):

Snapping out of his reverie, the hobgoblin appears to notice
 you and the others for the first time.
He looks blankly at you, and narrows his eyes at Claire, who
is still a distance away.

Raising his open hands:

"Pallido!  We come for the good of everyone.  Claire aids us in our attempt to forestall greater trouble between her people and Zeelzeel's."