quote:
"What's going on here?" Israth asks.
"
I... I don't *pffftthh*" says one of the birdmen, trying to spit feathers away from his mouth. "
We were walking away from the market when this cart full of angry birds smashed and exploded. That sort of thing really grabs," he stops to cough a couple times and wipe at his arms, which does little more than move feathers stuck one place to another place. "
...gets your attention. The next thing I knew I'd tripped and fallen face down. Somehow I got this gunk poured all over me. I heard some yelling. It was happening to other people too."
He seems to be covered with something sticky under the feathers.
There are two others who have been covered in a sticky substance and feathers, and many more who have fallen on the metal marbles. All the commotion attracts more people, which in turn causes more commotion. Overall, no one seems too badly hurt other than Israth.
quote:
Holly makes a quick look around to see if this is a distraction to allow others to carry out an ill deed
It certainly would be an effective distraction, but a quick look around the area doesn't turn up any evidence of ill deeds. Holly figures that any perpetrators have either fled the scene already or are blending in as victims or bystanders.
"
Please please everyone," Eloy calls out to the crowd. "
This area is dangerous. Please back away from the wagon and watch your step. There are tiny slippery balls all over the street. Tell others that arrive to keep their distance."
The balls have more or less settled. The area they cover isn't growing anymore. Farden regards them as he scoots around the edge. They extend a good 30 or 40 feet from the wagon. That many marbles would fill a large barrel. They'd be too heavy for someone to stealthily carry, but it could've been onboard the wagon. They also could've been dropped from the rooftop of the building the wagon crashed into, except there probably would've been a lot more bouncing and scatter.
Farden darts down a side street in the merchant quarter, eyes peeled for signs of late fleeing bad guys.
Farden, you may make another spot check if you'd like.