Ren sat on the edge of his seat. The Master Merchant looked from one person to the next. Throughout Dev's story he nodded here and there.

"I wonder how many of these creatures are running around the city! Did you not say the one that took my image has been captured. Now another has been killed by Turin himself." finally, he asked.

"Turin killed two Ren." Ovo said. "He kilt the one that tried ta take 'is image. Then the one pretend'n ta be Ricard. N' that symbol be o' the god o' death Nerull. Ricard thinks that may want ta make him legit."

Ren cocked a brow "First Erythnul! Now Nerull! what if these cults are allying?"

"I have news as well... it seems an army may be moving against the city." Ren said and then quaffed his ale.

 Deverick nodded,as Ovo filled in on a couple facts he had overlooked. When Ren made mention of an army getting ready to attack Greyhawk, Deverick burst out laughing. It felt good to laugh.
When the barkeep set a cup of whiskey in front of Ovo and Ale for Blossom and Ren, He took a deep drink and then continued.

" I be askin yer pardon,Ren,Sir. But th idea o' an army attacking our city..well.. it would be madness ta try it. We av how many o' those bloody wizards en Cleric types in er? Not ta mention our walls and the braves lads that man em. It would be a slaughter,it would." He took another drink.

Ren wiped his mouth with a linen cloth and nodded "For the most part you have it right Deverick. I walls be nigh impregnable n' mages most puissant. Yet, think on this. What if the oligarch voted to open the gates to this army... mayhaps under the guise to use against her enemies. Now what if the Oligarchs were already in control of the guard and Watch. These troops would just be "extra" protection."

Ren set back "We now have thwarted the plans of... well whoever they are but we yet do not know how many of the Oligarchs have fallen victim to these creatures."

 Ren's words brought a sober expression to the face of Deverick. He drained the rest of his tankard,and waved over another. " Bloody Hells, I nay thought o' that. There could be scores. There must be a way ta tell who be he or one o' them things."

Deverick started to to think hard then. He wanted to help his city if he could.

"Wha bout that there Wizard College,Ren,Sir.  One o' those high en mighty types might know a way?"

Ren sat back and rubbed his chin and was quiet for a while. Alas he sighed.

"Otiluke, the President of the Society of Magi sits upon the Oligarchy. Ravel Dasinder is  Patriarch of Boccob is another. Both are quite experienced and both could be of help I'm thinking unless they be one of the creatures... how much do you trust Derider? Are you certain she is not one of these impostors? Now then Turin has already found out two of these things. if he could question Otiluke or Ravel then we could be certain of their identity and loyalty. Do you think you could find him?"

Ovo shook his head "Ye forget Turin be wanted fer murder whether we believe it or not. Those folks ye named mayhaps will think he's come fer them. Then we may jus have ah fight on our hands."

 Deverick nodded. "Aye, Ovo has a point,Sir. But then again, we av ta try ta do somthing ta detect these buggers. I don't know how ta find em, if he nay wants ta be found, he ain't found. Rikard seems ta have a connect with Deathstalker. Mayhap we can arrange fer him ta pass on a message to em fer a metting with ye,Sir. What do ye think?"

Ren nodded "That seems likely. Ricard is a good fellow and friend. See if he may put out a message for Turin. I wish you to take one more message to the Mayor. I want to meet with him and Derider if I can. Can you run one more message to them for me? I will write it down but want you all to accompany me when I do so. I would like to have a few extra swords at my back. We need to get the Oligarchy all on the same page if an army is indeed on the way to Greyhawk."

He sipped his ale and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand "As Deverick has pointed out... an army is of no concern it the gates remain close and the walls are defended. Yet, we must be sure of this. Besides I am tired of just sitting back and hiding. I need so action myself."

 The Warrior listened to the Ren,and had to admire the fact that the Oligarch did not lack for courage. " Aye,Sir. I think I be speaking for me mates, when I says, we will escort ye."

Ren smiled and nodded "Very well! I shall write out a missive for each. Deliever them and meet me here as my escort tomorrow. Then we shall all meet at the Wheel Of Gold. That would be the easiest and arrouse the least suspicions I'm thinking. You may all gamble a bit while you wait on me if you like. Yet, for this evening we should all rest and be ready for the morrow. Does that meet with your approval Deverick?

 After hearing Ren, Deverick nodded. " Aye, I could settle in here fer the evening. Got ta hone and oil me steel an armor. Damn shame there be nay bath tub in this place. I may even teach Ovo en Blossom how ta play knuckle bones."

 Said with a huge grin to his companions. He enjoyed gambling, but had no time for it,of late.

The dwarf smiled and nodded "I be know'n the game well 'nough lad. We may pass the time in such ah way. Blossom may yet be want'n ta throw the bones wi' us as well."

In reply to Deverick (msg # 193):

"ya throw bones?" the maiden said scowling! "Vat kinda game do ya use bones ta play? Sounds like ah fun game ta me... so long iff it nay my bones.Ya teach me Borcarsen yah? I vould luv ta learn."

 The respnses just caused the grin on Dev's lips to get bigger.

 "Oh, aye, I will show ye Blossum. It be a dice game with a brace o' dice made out o' knuckle bones. They av pips on em,and ye av...." And Deverick went on to explain the rules to throwing knuckle bones.

 He took his coin purse and spilled out a few onto the table and "Just" happened to have two knuckle bones on  him.

" Who ever be playin, put yer coins in th center o' the table. Ye be playin Ren,Sir?"

 Deverick bet twenty Orbs, then rolled the bones.

23:02, Today: Deverick rolled 9 using 2d6.  Knuckle Bone throw.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Mon 03 Oct 2016.

Ren nodded vigorously "Aye! That I would! It has been way too long for me. I miss the Wheel of Gold."

---

22:05, Today: The Oligarch rolled 6 using 2d6.  Knucklebones!

Ovo scowled when Dev placed twenty orbs in the middle of the table!

"Damye lad! Ye think we all be as rich as the Master Merchant here!" he said picking up the dice and letting them fly!

"Curse me!" he cried when the 3 came up!

---

22:08, Today: Ovo Goldenshield rolled 3 using 2d6.  Knucklebones! .

Blossom watched the men and the dwarf roll. Dev's number was high to her mind but she merely laughed and tossed the dice!

"Must be beginners luck yah?" she said raking in the coins before her!

---

22:11, Today: Blossom Ivarsen rolled 10 using 2d6.  Knucklebones! .

 Deverick watch Blossom win the pot. "Well, roast me liver, ye won,Blossom. Are ye sure ye never played knuckle bones afore,Lass?"

 Deverick slid another ten Orbs from his pile into the center of the table. He would wait to see who was playing to place their bets,and then threw them Bones to clatter across the table.

23:36, Today: Deverick rolled 6 using 2d6.  Knuckle Bones throw.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Mon 03 Oct 2016.

Ren laughed and said "Either that or you are a rook M'lady. Oh well another ten orbs will nay matter!"

the merchant turned to Dev "Either we lose or split the pot eh?"

---

18:56, Today: The Oligarch rolled 6 using 2d6.  Knucklebones! .

Ovo still sulking placed ten orbs inside the pool and snatched up the bones! He shook them and whispered "Mordain! Be with me!"

When his seven came up, clearly higher than the merchant and warrior, the dwarf smiled.

---

19:00, Today: Ovo Goldenshield rolled 7 using 2d6.  Knucklebones! .

Blossom, still happy about being sixty orbs the richer picked up the bones.

"Dis be easy Borcarsen. I bet I'll vin n' ya will be beg'n me fer vahges!

But even as she rolled it the six came up. Causing the dwarf to cheer loudly!

---

19:01, Today: Blossom Ivarsen rolled 6 using 2d6.  Knucklebones!.

 The game of knuckle bones when on into the eveing. A few tankards of ale latter. Deverick  a  stiffled a yawn.  He took the bones and rolled them one last time before he retired for the evening to their room.

21:07, Today: Deverick rolled 11 using 2d6+2.  Knuckle Bones throw.

Ovo laughed "I came ahway ah winner lad, though nay as much as ye. Yet, fifty orbs be nay bad."

The dwarf was tucking away his coin pouch while holding a full tankard of ale.

For once in a long time the maiden is also very happy! She came away with sixty orbs in profit.

"Ya vas da bib vinner tanight Borcarsen. Yet dat Knuclbones be fun. Only vun dat vas nay happy vas Ren! No vunder he has ah problem."

It was true, the Master Merchant had lost the most during the night. It was mostly his coin that filled all of their pouches.

"Hey! Mayhaps vee haff the coin ta hire dose men now?" Vot doo ya dink Borcarsen?"

" Aye, thats reminds me,Blossom. Ren,Sir,When we where at the Dragon we met these six lads that where recommended to me by a ...friend. We be wondering if ye have need o' more muscle?"