A wide bend in the Marrilach River reveals a small keep on a rocky promontory.  Bridges cross the river to the north and south.  Upon them, wagon traffic bustles to and from the farms of the Valley of the Obelisks.  Drifting below the bridges are colorful riverboats laden with food bound for the cities of the south or finished good headed for the many nearby farming villages.  Amid the gloom of early spring's overcast sky, the many hearths and friendly faces of Sumberton beckon, as do the casks of spiced ale that are the city's claim to fame.

As you pull up to the docks, it's about midday.  The barge captain hands you each 50gp as you depart. "Thanks a lot.  I'll be sure to pass on word of your service to ma' boss!"

This time of day the docks are buzzing with activity.  Not wanting to get in the way, you quickly depart and find yourself on the eastern side of the Central bridge, and just south of Sumberton keep.  The city is yours to explore!

OOC:  50gp!  Just for playing!

Guelph gathers up his things and gives the barge captain a respectful nod at the fifty gold pieces. He gets to firm land and sighs with relief. "My people don't spend time on the water. It is irritating," he says in a dry, husky voice with a tribal tone. He then looks about to see if those he made the trip with are disembarking as well.

"A good thing for you that we're no longer on it, then." Mina had given the captain polite thanks for his business and future recommendation, knowing that good relations were key to a good reputation. As she adjusted her freshly burdened pack under her cloak, she glanced toward the keep so that she could get her bearings. Since she had been headed to Sumberton, Mina had made a point of researching the area. "Now, where to go..."

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
01:00, Today: Mina Black rolled 10 using 1d20+8. Knowledge (local). Where would one go to spend pay and/or find work?

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Haaj sets his pack on the ground, pulls his hood up and closes the cloak about him.
"So. Does anyone know this place?" he asks, as he puts his pack on one shoulder. "Or should we ask a local?"
Haaj looks up and down the street and at the bridge.

  The priestess executes a courteous bow to the shipman before disembarking, carrying with her a cumbersome pack to which are strapped her gauntlets, high-flared helm, and sword.

  She takes in a deep breath of the midday air and casts about for a place to settle her stomach. The river was calm enough, but she has hardly ever had the belly for water travel, and so it is time right off to find her father's favorite cure for nausea: dark bread and beer.

  She turns to one of the dockworkers and holds out a pair of silver coins of foreign mint, stamped with the holy symbol of Heironeous on their reverse. "Excuse me, sir. Where can I find a tavern or way-stop?"

"I think we'd be more comfortable at the Sly Wink than the Bloody Nose or Anchor's Rest. The Wink has both food and rooms, and the Rest's rates are hourly." Mina's eyes had been cast upward throughout the recitation, clearly going by memory. She scratches the back of her neck nonchalantly, casting her gaze somewhere that she wouldn't need to make eye contact with anyone. "I may have researched our destination."

"Well then. Do lead the way to the Wink."
Haaj pulls his pack properly upon his back and gestures to Mina to lead the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:23, Sat 27 July 2013.

"My research wasn't that comprehensive, I'm afraid." Mina looked toward the man that Desra had been soliciting for directions. She glances up in thought, then, her mind abuzz with deductions. "I suspect it'd be near the river, though, given that that'd be the primary means by which visitors would arrive. It flows from the south, so more likely in the southern half of the city... Perhaps near a bridge, as a visible point of reference?"

As you gather your belongings and prepare to set off, the docks are busy with activity.  Large crates of spices, handled by workers in teams of two, are hastily loaded onto large, flat barges.  It takes Desra a few attempts to get someone to stop and talk, but finally one of the dockworkers is lured at the sight of coins.

He quickly grabs the coins and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled map.  "I jes got herr a coupla' weeks 'go meself.  I ain't gots much ta do outsides the docks herr, so ya kin take me map."  He offers a near-toothless smile and his eyes linger uncomfortably long on Desra.  When Mina mentions the Sly Wink he offers, "Aye!  That place's got much better berr than the Bloody Nose right derr, and I've heard da rooms 'er pertty clean...at least compared to da Anchor."

OOC:  This map is the same one from the Maps thread.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:14, Sun 28 July 2013.

Curiosity get the better of Guelph. He moves closer to Mina and leans over her shoulder to have a look at the map.

Looking at the map, Haaj points down the street: "that way then! To the Wink"
Haaj looks at the three others and slowly starts off down the street towards the Sly Wink.