The sun is just dipping below the forest, fading orange catching the low ripples on the lake.

Most of the fishing boats are in now, and very few people move along the road.

The main road forks and goes around DuckTown's low wooden walls.  Judging by the marks and debris, the host you were following went that way.

A smaller road goes through a heavy wooden door into DuckTown, which is guarded by a pair of men armed with crude spears.

Along the way, you note that most of the homes have an array of carved gourds set beside their doors.  Faces, dark and cruel, etched into the fronts of the vegetables to stare at passers by.

The guards at the gate stop you bruskly, but not cruelly and ask your business.

It's about this time that you see Ciryl walking toward you.

In reply to GM (msg # 1):

"We're guardsmen, protecting his wares," Brennan nods in Ciryl's direction. "Were delayed by bandits but that problem has been...sorted. You guys know of a bounty on a guy named Keller, incidentally?"

"How was business?" Brennan asks quietly when Ciryl approaches. "Ours is concluded."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 2):

"Southerner are you?" one man says with a wrinkle of his nose.

Without asking, he starts poking into your saddlebags.

"What's the need for guards 'round here?" asks the other, fingers tight on his weapon.  "This is a nice town, you hear?"

In reply to GM (msg # 3):

"This town is very lovely," Brennan agrees. "But the roads are less friendly. We were assailed twice in the last day alone."

He smiles good-naturedly.

"It's the same as the reason you post guards at the gates, right? If there was no reason for protection outside, you wouldn't need to be there. And our friend here wouldn't need us. Just the way of the world."

Brennan shrugs.

"I guess we could strike camp out here, if your town doesn't want the money of travelers looking for a roof and a hearth before morning..."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:17, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

Once Ciryl gets in earshot he nods to Brennan, mostly ignoring the guards, "I was quite productive.  You seem less so," he addresses Brennan, "I was all ready to go find what you'd gotten yourselves caught up in," he adjusts the bag over his shoulder.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 5):

"I found what I was looking for," Brennan says, patting one of his belt pouches. "It was worth the trip. But we still don't know who Keller's patron was."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 6):

The guards cast some dirty looks, but find no reason to detain you further.

In reply to GM (msg # 7):

Brennan will cheerfully lead the group into the town and begin to look around, particularly for the tavern the guide had mentioned.

OOC: (which Brennan remembers but his poor controller sadly does not).
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

"That's unfortunate, might've liked to talk to him.  I haven't had any luck finding lodgings, town's having a bit of a crisis. What exactly did you find?" he says as he follows along with Brennan's lead.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 9):

I'll see what I can do for lodging.  I can't guarantee that it will be NICE persay.
  But a pretty smile and a lute can generally get you what you want.

Titus strikes off in search of a bar/restaurant/inn for the town.  He is intentionally flashy and flourishy to get the townsfolk's attention, with any luck he'll have a retinue in short order.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 9):

"Trouble."

Brennan sighs wearily.

"They had a handful of pennies, some salted fish, and this."

He produces a metal disc, which has a strange insignia etched upon it and a hole punched through it.

"Either goes to something or is incomplete. Maybe both. Keller probably new more about the tattoos than he let on, and we know his patron is here in Ducktown. We need to find them and learn more about what they got themselves into."

Brennan glances over his shoulder to see if the boys had tagged along and grumbles.

"I had planned on giving them back all of the money Keller had stashed away and wasn't paying them, provided they agreed to make themselves useful. It's disappointing to see that they haven't got the courage or inclination to take risks, despite being aspiring highwaymen and thieves."

"You're surprised highwaymen are cowards?  Really?" Ciryl looks at Brennan sideways, smirking, "What exactly did the scrawl on the lads' arms say?  And do you recognize what's on your odd coin there?  I can tell you this much, your demonic cult is abducting young women, and the town's none too welcoming as a result."

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 12):


Brennan and Titus find the town clean, calm, and quietly unwelcoming.

The townsfolk are mostly either headed toward their homes to sleep, closing down their various shops, or heading to the taverns to eat and drink.

You find it easy to follow the crowd and locate the place your guide called the Cask and Flagon.  It is a large wooden-roofed building with a small replica of its namesake hanging above the doorway.

The windows are oiled hides and allow a warm glow to flow out as the people flow in.

It is large and bustling, but surprisingly calm.  People drink and talk but there is nothing boisterous about this tavern.

Titus easily makes the most noise; and knows enough about reading crowds to pick low haunting melodies instead of rousing ballads.

He has a handful or so sitting around him in short order, though you find people are slow to open up to strangers, especially "Southerners" which they quickly identify Titus and Brennan to be.

In reply to GM (msg # 13):

Titus moves up to the barkeep and his lips quirk upward in a small smile.  He speaks quietly his voice neutral and makes some eye contact but doesn't let it linger.  Though the natural tenor of his voice still carries long and clear.

Afternoon.  I don't suppose you'd be willing to trade a night of music and entertainment for a roof over our heads and a few warm meals would you?  We are five... plus one mule.

You have quite a crowd here, and its been a good while since I've had an audience and any food other than hard rations or what we have hunted ourselves.

He puts the lute on the bar next to him.

Name's Titus by the way.  Whats yours?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:16, Tue 31 Oct 2017.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 14):

The tavern seems to be run by a large family, all the children employed in serving, cleaning, and running errands.

Titus locates the owner, a dour man with a bright red nose.

The man smiles, showing off mostly gum.

"New music is always welcome, and I hear you work for the Alchemist come through?"

He looks your crew over.

"No place to put up your animals, you'll have to figure that bit out elsewhere.  I could let you all kip here for the night.  You give us your songs, the alchemist can give me something for the rash on my arse, the rest can give a silver."

In reply to GM (msg # 15):

"For a silver, I'd hope to have the animals boarded quite handsomely," Brennan says, putting a piece of silver on the bartop and pressing it down with an index finger. "Off-site would be fine, of course. Suggestions welcome. In exchange, in addition to the silver I'd be willing to write, review, or translate any documents, contracts, or deeds you might have or need. You'd be amazed what official paperwork can do for you -- it's worth much more than a silver, I assure you."

Negotiate (2x10, 2x2)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:11, Tue 31 Oct 2017.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 16):

The man shrugs.  His smile never wavers but the mirth behind it fades.

"Like I said, I got nowhere to put the animals.  Might try the stables with the white feather above them."

He looks at the silver piece.

"A silver is a silver, I can't read more than a letter or two, but I know that much."

He sighs.

"If it's work with quill you're looking for, best talk to the Guildmaster or Governor."

"I can't much remedy your rash without having a look at it.  Unless you'd like to drop trow here, I suppose we should go to a private room so I can pay for my lodgings?" Ciryl says, looking to Brennan with a shrug.

In reply to GM (msg # 17):

Brennan sighs, looks around the crowded tavern, and decides to overpay the man since he didn't seem inclined to budge despite a solid effort.

"Thank you," he says, plucking up the silver and giving it to the man. "We'll look into that."

Maybe Titus will collect tips.

After securing lodging, he turns to Deev and Bryce.

"You're at liberty for the night, but keep your wits about you. This place feels all kinds of strange."

He heads back toward the door.

"I'll secure the animals and see about...quill work. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious, and especially for any more of those tattoos."

With Cyril and Titus occupied with paying their way into a bed and Deev and Bryce likely happy to enjoy some R&R, he takes his leave to find the stable with the feather atop it.