I pause a moment to consider before answering Amalia, taking in the mix of old and new buildings and those that combine the two. "The desire to help is admirable but it can cause much hardship for you and those you are trying to help. We do not know enough about this town or its people; any action we take could hurt them more in the long term. For instance, the boy is afraid of the Red Cloaks but we do not know why. Maybe they disciplined him for bad behavior or he is responding to rumours or conjecture amongst the village children. You could be right and they are bullies; however, they may be the only armed force protecting the town from outside threats. I am not saying we cannot do anything to help these people I just think we need to understand the situation better first."

Oh.... I hadn't thought of if that way.

Amalia fell silent for a while, thinking about what Osmon said. She had to admit that he was right, and she silently blessed him to stop her going into a situation she might not have had all the details to properly judge. Even when he was studying with her brother, Osmon always had been the most logical of the two and she saw now why Elliot was hanging out with the tall lanky man. And why she enjoyed pranking them to disturb their thought process. She did a private smile at the memories, then fingered her holy symbol to ground herself again.

Now was not the time to start a commotion, as funny as it could be, as the ecstatic brown haired woman was looking over the goods recovered from the goblin cave and was certainly going to give them something in return.

The young woman came outside to the rest of the group, nodding to them as she quickly examined the wagon. Her face cracked into a smile as she looked at it. “A fair chunk of this is mine….some isn’t, but those marking mine are.” As that happened, she looked up the street, and something she saw darkened her mood instantly.

The group look up and see three figures walking up, seemingly without a care in the world, but you notice the reactions of others aren’t positive. The three humans are armed, one with a bow and quiver of arrows, and the other two short swords. The humans had ragged but well worn leather armor and (most notability) red hooded cloaks with a small emblem on it.

The leader of the three looked at the caravan and Linene and smiled as they approached. “Well Linene…looks like your complaint about us was false.” The man sneered and his two companions chuckled. Linene Just glared at them. “My comment stands Darwin….you and your men are noth’ but thieves, thugs and bullies!”

The men became serious, and the leader narrowed his eyes at her. “Careful…accidents have been happening all over town, and we may not be there to help you.” The woman clenched her fists and pointed at him. “Is that a threat? If so, step up! Maybe William wants another try.” She looked at the one on Darwin’s right, noticeably shifting and now able to see, having a black eye.

The human snorted. “That’s no threat Linene….just a promise.” The three men went on, as they did looking over their shoulder and speaking to themselves. Linene spits on the ground as she looks after them. “Bloody crimson bastards….they’ll get what’s coming to them.” She snorts and looks at the wagon again. “As a thanks, I’ll give ye some gold for returning my stock, as well as my promise that anything you need, I have, and I’ll give you a fair price.”

---

OOC: I need a perception check from everyone please.

Snoric watched the strangers' interaction with Linene with curiosity.  When they were gone, he looked at the woman.

"They’re all a long way from home.  What brings Red Wizards to this town?"  Snoric's tone is curious which indeed he is.  He had read about the wizards of Thay in his studies at Candlkeep.  He rested his hand casually on his belt. close to his pistol but making no threatening moves towards it.  The shield on his arm he was still getting used to.



OOC: Snoric isn't planning to start a fight, but many of the books he read did not associate Red Wizards with 'goodly folk'.

This message was last edited by the GM at 12:05, Tue 07 Sept 2021.

Yana nodded to Linene.  She'd tried to avoid eye contact with the red cloaked thugs, not wanting to be memorable to them, in case she needed to skulk around later
Unfortunately,  this backfired and meant she didn't notice much


OOC:
05:21, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Perception

Amalia was still engrossed in her reflection when the red cloaked men came by and she frowned at the exchange between them and the shopkeeper. As they were leaving, she said to Osmon.

If those are city guards, this city is in worst shape than I thought.

Going to the shopkeeper, she picked a crested crate she could lift in the wagon and brought it to her.

Where do you want these, Ma'am? And who were those men? They didn't seem too friendly, what promise did they make?

Amalia Firnam rolled 22 using 2d20+3, dropping the lowest dice only.  Ophelia perception check (advantage). –

05:33, Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Amalia perception . –

Malice had no notion of who the Red Wizards that Snoric mentioned were, nor did she care to after the way they had spoken to Linene. She spent the majority of the time they were around circling the wagon to remain unnoticed. They were not likely to treat her with any more kindness than the townsfolk.

---

OOC: 07:00, Today: Malice Baenrret rolled 4 using 1d20.  Perception.

The woman looked as the party offered to help as she went to the door, and yelled out. “BAIN….BAIN, IF YOUR SLEEP SO HELP ME GODS I’LL KICK YOUR ASS!”  The calling of a male comes out. “I’m commin’”

She turns and looks at the cleric. “They’re no guards. They arrived a few months back and took over. Any people that stand in their way and they take care of them.” She looked at snoric. Who are the red wizards? Never heard of them. Never seen a spellcaster, only those thugs and thieves.” She spat in the ground.

06:40, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 16 using 1d20.  Perception.


Allura after the little trade of barbs the men and Linene. She glares not at the men nor Linene but at her own party after all the last time she slaughtered a man illusion or no in the middle of town they got so upset and this was a situation she felt called for it all over again.

"What was the reason again, that I shouldn't slay these three and leave their cooling corpses for the crows ?"

"You may find that harder than you think and the rest of us would have no grounds to come to your aid. An opportunity may come for you to do so but it is not now."

"I didn't ask for it Osmon. You can cower if you want."

Follows after these red cloaks.

Gundren made a mistake hiring this lunatic. Reaching out with a thought, I re-direct Edgar, having him trail the men from high overhead.

Summary
Edgar is trailing the three Red Cloaks from outside bowshot (i.e > 600ft)

Yana spoke quietly but clearly
"Allura!  Bide a moment, if you please...."
She gave her sister a significant look, meant to imply that the hot tempered woman was being too impulsive again.

Allura hearing her sister turned eyes narrowed a moment but she waited to see if her sister would join her or what she had to say to her.

Yana cocked an eyebrow.
"We shouldn't start a fight we don't know we can win, Sister.   We need a plan,  and an idea of exactly what we're dealing with.  We have an excellent opportunity with Gundren, hopefully,  and I'd hate to throw that away on the off chance that some of those thugs are tougher than they look"
Because the merchant woman was within hearing distance,  she didn't add the obvious,  that just because they were mean to an old lady didn't necessarily mean that the red cloaks were the bad guys.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:14, Tue 07 Sept 2021.

Allura rolled her eyes and headed to her sister speaking low only to her, "What do you think, I don't know how our father died ? These lot seem like the guild, I was going to find out more, perhaps discover what were dealing with. Lost opportunities. Though I hate their ilk the same type that left our own..." She turned looking to see if these Red cloaks were still in sight.

Yana nodded,  giving a half smile
"Yes,  but let's not mindlessly lash out at anyone who reminds us of The Guild.  The red cloaks aren't going anywhere, so there's time to check them out later, without needing to split up the group.  Let's take care of our immediate business,  and then we'll go play with your new friends.   Sound good?"

Allura gave a low growl nodding slowly.

"You know there sort, though as I am now I fit among there lot more then most."
Remained with her sister though not looking too happy about things.

Yana chuckled wryly
'Don't worry,  Sister,  you and I can both be 'thugs' and help the common folk, if need be "

"Your the only one that truly understands, I'll hug you when we don't have so many eyes on us." Allura's shoulders release their orbit from around her neck as she relaxes.

Solgran watched the exchange. He had a face for potential enemies now, which thankfully wore bright red cloaks to distinguish themselves easily. As he had shown now more than once, he was not one for killing simply to prevent the potential for future harm. If these red cloaks, Thayan or otherwise, chose to start trouble, he would be happy to finish it for them. Or to finish them, for it. Either way.

As no harm was done just yet, Solgran focused on helping to sort and unload the goods.

Snoric watched on with concern. His simple interest in seeing the mark of the Red Wizards of Thay on these men turned to confusion and worry as Allura seemed to react so aggressively.  The gnome was more than fimiliar with the desire for revenge, personally so but he didn't want to get dragged into more trouble he didn't understand.

Insteaad he stayed with Solgran, moving smaller boxes and tracking inventory.

Amalia also kept an eye on her most volatile companion as she was unloading the wagon, and sighed of relief when Yana was able to calm her down. With this potential crisis adverted, she turned to other subjects of discussion, there was more happening here than met the eye.

Linene, are you saying that those men just took over the town? Wasn't there a mayor or lord to defend it from this take over? What happened? And what about their crest, I didn't recognize it, anyone did?

Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  Amalia insight. Ok that one did not go well...

The woman looked around and indicated the party follow, taking stock with her. As she started, a man, maybe 20 came out with shaggy brown hair. “About bloody time. Get unloading before it gets taken. These fine people found our shipment.” The man sighed, but done as he was told.

As the group made their way in, she loaded the crates on the floor near the back. She turned and sighed. “For the last few months, these jokers have been flaunting their power. Came maybe 4 months ago in small numbers and grew. About 2 months ago the problems started. The read cloaks started shaking down businesses. Even the townmaster, Harbin, has tried to get control, but they flaunt his authority.”

She crosses her arms. “They’re nothing but thieves, thugs and bullies, but we don’t have the power to stop them. Most people cower…those who stand against them know about it.”

She goes behind a desk and crouches, then pulls out a small sack, handing it over. “For your troubles….and if ya need any gear, let me know and I’ll help you.”

---

OOC: party now has 50 gold

Yana took the gold, nodding to the woman.
"Thank you,  ma'am.  Glad to be of service."
She glanced over in the direction of the Red Cloaks.
"These Rd Cloaks....why do they say they're here?  And you say they're extorting protection money from the local businesses?"