Solgran shook his head at Amalia's question. He'd seen it, but he knew nothing about what it meant.

Hearing Linene speak about the red cloaked people gave him more concern. The boy's opinion could have been exaggerated in the style of childish fantasies, but hearing it from a second source was confirmation enough. People being mean was one thing, but stealing was another. And, the fact that the people did not have the means to fight back? Things were almost certainly going to get heated in this town.

For now, there was work to be done, goods that needed to be delivered and people who needed those goods. Not to mention, they still needed to find Gundren. Gundren was one man compared to dozens, or maybe hundreds, of people living in this town, so priorities were needed, ~If it is only oppression they face, and some theft, then Gundren's life takes priority. If the people here are being harmed...aye, Gundren will have to wait.~

Solgran let the woman answer the questions of the others before he asked his own, "They've not harmed anyone in town, though? Not physically, I mean." His body language indicating that it was asked for clarification of severity, not as an attempt to dismiss the threat they might pose.

The woman looked at them all. “They extort most people here. I don’t take their crap and I don’t think they push it because of the contacts the lionshield has elsewhere. The only other place they leave is the miners exchange. Between me and Halia Thornton, they’re usually not too rough. But….”

She pauses as she sighs. “…the local woodcarver and his family have been missing for a while. Rumours are they were killed by them.”

She shrugged as she began unpacking the crates. “My advice, get that stock where it needs to before they come along, then get to the inn. You want work, see Harbin at the town masters hall….he’s the acting mayor”

Yana nodded, pursing her lips in thought.
"Well, I appreciate the advice.  We'll get moving as soon as we can.  "

Nodding her thanks to Linene, Malice turned to the rest of the group. "Perhaps when our business is concluded we can pay a visit to the woodcarver's home. There might be some clues to their whereabouts."

Dropping her last box in the pile, Amalia looked at the young man that had the rest of the shipment well in hand and rejoined her companions in time to hear the conversation. Fingering her holy symbol, she nodded at Malice suggestion.

I agree, let us finish delivering the shipment, then I think Selune will bless us with a much needed rest. I would be curious to see this woodcarver's home also, as well as talk to the mayor, but that can wait tomorrow.

Let us not forget that Gundren is still missing and might be in mortal danger, we need to go rescue him, he's our friend.

And family.

Thank you for the gold and informations, Linene. May Selune bless you and Bain, to protect you for the evil brought by Shar and her ilk.

Doing the ritual gestures of the blessing, she smiled and move toward the wagon, ready to go to their next destination.

Allura remained silent deathly so simply turning and leaving when it seemed others were heading out.

Yana  left with the others to their next destination,  to drop off the rest of the trade goods.

With business wrapped up at the Coster, Solgran went with the others to deliver the rest to Barthen's as intended. Hopefully, the owner would already have people lined up to take care of the loading for them since this delivery had already been planned. Solgran felt like he may have one more decent fight left in him, but even though many goblin lives had been spared, it really was a fairly exhausting day over all, with multiple battles fought on top of multiple days of travel, loading and now unloading a wagon once. Sleep sounded rather amazing, actually.

"It's been a long day. Gundren, and these Thayans, will have to wait for tomorrow."

With gold exchanged, the group said there farewell, snoric remaining behind to discuss something and returning out with a small steel shield. The group went on there way to barthen’s supplies. As you went, you pass the Mai square and see the inn, a newly built roadhouse of stone and timber. Sildar and Yulin seperate, going to the in to organise rooms as the rest of you follow the road up. As spoken about, Barthen’s provisions was no more that five hundred meters up from the inn.

As you pull up a lean and balding human comes out with a smile. “I thought you all been caught by the goblins….I’m glad you made it. Elnar Barthen. These are the supplies sent by Gundren, I’m guessing.” He looks around the group. “Where is Gundren?”

---

OOC: everyone make a perception check please

Yana sighed with resignation and gave a tired smile
"It was a near thing with those goblins,  and their bugbear overlord, but we prevailed.  Unfortunately,  we still don't know what happened to Gundren.  We're not going to give up, though.   We'll find him."

OOC:  18:24, Today: Yana Whitlock rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Perception

This message was last edited by the player at 23:35, Sat 11 Sept 2021.

Snoric rushed to catch up with the group having fallen behind.  While no speedster, he found it not to difficult to catch up with the wagon.  As he rushed towards them, he busily fiddled with the new shield he'd purchased.  Unlike the goblin shields he'd tried it was well made, forged from metal and more suited for his size.

As he caught up with the others he was still putting the shield through several swings and moves, getting comfortable.  He casually move up beside the others and muttered.

"Lots of those red cloaks about." He notes, nodding to a pair wearing the traditional garb nearby, just generally loitering.  "Doesn't seem they're in a hurry to go anywhere."

Elnar smiled at Yana with an impressed look, but then one of sorrow at the news of Gundren. The man whistles, and two young boys come out. Elnar looks at them. “I’ll pray to the gods you find him well. As agreed, 10 gold apiece. If that is all of you, that’s 70 gold. We will take the wagon out back and begin unloading, so any gear you want to take you may. Anything that you want to sell or trade, I will help with as well.”

At sniric’s comment, eldar gets a little nervous but goes about his work. “Ander, Thistle, take the wagon around back please.”

Yana nodded to the merchant
'Sounds good,  friend, we appreciate it. "

As Elnar moved to the back, Yana spoke quietly to her Traveling Companions.
"......two groups of redcloaks on the street, including the trio from the other store....."

She nodded to Allura, passing on  information in the special language as only twins did.

Allura nods, "Ahhh my pay, this little venture is done."

She listened to the spoken and unspoken words of her sister and gave a smaller nod.

"Two across the street, and three more trailing along behind us."

Solgran took a look around, taking note of the buildings and different lines of sight. If there was going to be a confrontation with the Thayans right now, it would be better to do it in an alley or empty street than near the town square. "Let's take it on around back then, and get started, shall we?"

Yana gave the big man a nod and a smirk
"I suppose it would be rude to make our new friends wait."

Snoric sighed.  He was starting worry about the bloodlust of those around him.  Some seemed eager to start fights with anybody around them.  Still he'd heard storied about the Red Wizards of Thay and if the they were true they were not nice people.

"Are we sure they are looking for trouble?  Could they merely be curious about the armed band that just walked into town loaded with goods?  Could it be simple interest and not trouble?"

Snoric considered the upgrades he'd made to his gear and the shield now strapped to his wrist.  He was still not as comfortable with combat as those around in him but if battle did occur he was determined to be an asset to the team.

Yana shrugged
"I'm not saying we rush out to attack,  but if we happen to wander into a side alley, where we would be vulnerable to an ambush by a group of cowardly bullies.....well, who knows what might happen?"

"I have no trouble turning the tables on bullies.  I've always hated bullies." Snoric had certainly had his share of those growing up.  "As long as we let them make the first move."

Amalia barely registered the conversation and totally missed the two groups of red cloaked men that were now watching their progress. All she wanted was to get a meal, her still adolescent body clamoring for food and to find a place where she could do her prayers, she felt like she needed to feel the presence of Selune, to talk to her goddess.

And it had been a long day.

But the mention of turning the tables on bullies caught her attention... and she finally looked at her surrounding, seeing the pointed groups. But something was off in Yana's calculation.

I see five of them and seven of us, well armed and armored. In my experience with bullies, they harass and attack those they are certain to be able to beat, I'd say the odds are not in their favor if they are thinking that. My guess is that they are planning to steal what we brought the moment we are gone. Looking vulnerable in an alley, I'm  not so sure they would take that bait.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:32, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

Yana nodded in acknowledgement of Amalia's words, but shrugged.
"Well, I'm not saying you're wrong, my friend,  but I'll add that it all depends on what kind of bullies these guys are.   They might be cocky and arrogant enough that they think that their "5 beefy fighting men" might be more than a match for our "ragtag bunch of mercenaries, many of whom are delicate looking girls".
She smiled ironically at the idea of her or Amalia were really 'delicate girls'.
"They might be wary of our big barbarian friend here,  or they might think that once they threaten his smaller friends, that Solgran will back off.  It's all depending on them."

Allura remained silent she waited for the welcoming committee to show up.

The second they did she pre-empted any speech they had with one of her own.

"Ahhh the welcoming committee, how nice after a long day of slaughter and gore, walking through pools of blood of my enemies it's nice to have people show up to offer to buy us drinks." She let her hand fall to the goblin head still hanging on her belt.

"You Red Cloaks look like the types who can appreciate people who make their lives through the ending of others. Let's share a drink at the tavern aye ?"

Fully prepared to ram an eldritch blast down the throat of any giving her lip. Allura makes her intentions known as a cold blooded killer. That has no qualms putting them down, and not some kind hearted adventurer who will back down to threats they might bring to bear against her or her team.

If the Red Cloaks never come then she will of course save her speech.

As the wagon goes around the corner, The group wait for the men.  The three look you over, but collect the other two and keep walking, north towards the outskirts of town, no words. They hesitate with Allura speaking, pausing to look at her as she offers drinks. The leader (Darwin) snorts. "Find your own fun demon - we're not interest. We've got things to do."

The red cloaks continue walking without any instigation. You get the feeling that with larger numbers, the group were hesitant to confront you....the odds' were in your favor

"At least they didn't want to fight." Malice let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding as the group passed them by. Now, they could focus on the rest of their business for the evening and get some rest.

Allura considered further dialogue especially when they called her a demon a misidentification that was a grave insult to a devil. Still she had made her point and if anything they looked like they were running to mommy or home base or wherever this lot would go to complain about the new gang in town. Possibly to gather more members.

She watched them walk off, "Can we get and keep an eye on them ?" She said silently to the others. Her eyes now narrowed as she watched the back of the retreating red cloaks.

Then to Malice, "Malice, it is because like most bullies they go after easy targets and right now, our gathering does not come across as weak." her words said silently just to her group.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:26, Tue 14 Sept 2021.