"I am probably less out of place in the docks, but am open to whatever is needed of me."

"I think two groups is just fine. With signs up all over the place, I imagine whoever's been doing the knapping will see them too. That might make them more careful, or it might make them careless if they think nobody's gonna be after them for two more days. We might get mugged for being out of place, but I don't think we'll be attacked by this group unless they're in a panic to cover their tracks and figure out that we're on the hunt." They knew next to nothing about who was doing it, so there was no telling which way things would go if they did run into one another.

Having no personal ties to water travel or its associated businesses, Don took the other option, "Slums is fine with me."

Cora slipped the leather thong with the coin the arbiter had given them around her neck.
 "Why don't we split up this way:  Annica, Wapi, Wilfred, and I will go to the docks and ask about Lyneal and the others taken from there.  The rest of you can go to the Lower Slums, and see what the people know that the Arms don't."

Looking at Wapi, Cora paused for a moment, then put both sheets of parchment on the desk and added one more name to each list:



Standing up, she handed the other list to Don, and folded her copy before putting it into a pocket of her coat.

"Anyone else want to ask something, or should we meet at dusk back at the Drunken Firbolg?"

The arbiter looked at the hafling with a frown and shook his head. "That name has not come across my desk, though as i said, not all names do.  Some are found to have left town, joined a ship or just wanted to disappear and are found with some woman in a tavern." He shrugged.

"....but if you believe he may be one, add his name, as well as any others you find.  All i ask is that you keep me informed, by coming and reporting to me, or sending a guard with word."

He went around and sat down at the desk again. "unless you have any other questions, i have some other wor to attend to."

Don reviewed the list one more time before he folded it up and tucked it away.

"So that's Echo and Kiana with me, then?" Don looked around to make sure that was the full roster.

Then he looked at those two, "That alright with y'all?"

Then he had one more question for the Arbiter before he was ready to head out, "Arbiter, do you recon we'll need another one of them coins for dealing with people in the slums, since we're gonna be splitting up? I don't know these slums well enough to know if they'd talk more with it, or without."

"Let us proceed then."

With the plan made, Wapi moves towards the door like a halfling on a mission, which he literally was.  He did slow to ensure the rest of his group was coming.

"Lyneal first, or ship?" the halfling asked of the group.  Normally he would have rushed to the ship, but he wasn't much for communication, especially when he was still struggling with the language.  It's likely why he'd had little success the first time he'd gone to the ship.

Annica nodded when Cora separated the group, glad to be with her friend. But something was bothering her. "Arbiter, could we have a second of those tokens for the other group? I would think that it would be useful for each group, would it not?" Sensing the raccoon restless in the confines of the crammed office, she quieted it by giving it more food, before preparing to leave to go explore the docks.

"Lyneal first," Cora said quickly.  "We know she knows something, so it's a guaranteed lead.  It is possible that your friend's son Conour never made it to the ships."

If we split up further, we will need more that one or two of his tokens. She turns back to the Arbiter. How about it? Do you have one for each of us if we must go separately to look into your mystery?

Also, you have spoken of compensation for the return of the missing but, other than a list of names, you have said little of any assistance you are prepared to give. If we agree to investigate your mystery, will you provide mounts? Food? Ale?

Knowing her skills at persuasion were lacking and the man had already decided to treat her as a non-threat, she threw the thoughts out there for someone else to pick up on for negotiations.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:56, Sat 03 Dec 2022.

The arbiter looked at them all, his gaze finishing on the goliath. He held out his hand for tbe tolken to be returned, then went into a drawer and produced a small wooden case. He opened it and inside were pins.

These pins had the logo of emon on them, with two swords crossed behind it. "These pins will mark you as agents of the arbiter - all soldiers will treat you as fellow soldiers. This does not mean you command them, but the watch commands will be notified of you Investigation."

His gaze landed on Kiana. "You take these and you will be treated as soldiers of emon. You will have the freedom to move and act as you will, but by the gods, you abuse this and you will be locked in a hole so deep that you won't know day from night."

He looked at them all. "You will be provided rations for the day - basic by nature. Any expenses will be reimbursed with a writ. If you need to leave town, a cart with oxen will be provided to you."

He glared at Kiana. "You will not be getting any form of alcohol from emons military while you serve. If you are found drunk while in service the penalty will be...unpleasant."

He crossed his arms. "You need special gear, you will need to tell me, either personally or by one of my three generals, the reason why. If it's in our power, we will."

He stood. "Understand this....I am taking a chance with you. You prove your worth and you will get more leeway. Until then, work with what you have."

He acted both hands on the desk. "Go."

---

<OOC: you all have a pin marking you as members of the arbiters staff. This will get you respect and some leeway with soldiers and military. Note - you can not order them in any way.

He has offered you a day's rations and water, and said if you leave town, will provide ypu with gear, a wagon and oxen. Any items you want (general goods, etc) you can submit if you have good reason. For this you will need a Persuasion check.>

Kiana took one of the pins a sinister smile on her face and, without taking her eyes from the arbiter, slammed the pin into her chest. Thank you for the warnings.

---

Think Private "Pyle" from Full Metal Jacket..

Wilfred takes the pin and puts it on, but makes no comment.

Wapi silently stepped over and accepted his bauble.  He placed it in a pouch at his waist and moved back to stand near the half-elven woman.  They had already made an agreement and he wanted nothing to do with the big one who seemed to be stirring up trouble.  He didn't want to join any army, he just wanted to find the missing children.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 10:27, Sat 03 Dec 2022.

Don took the pin and stuck it to the inside of his coat. The goliath drunkard was going to be a problem at some point, "We'll do our best, Arbiter."

With everything secured, Don was ready to make his way to the slums.

Echo listened to the questions everyone asked & tried to work out what these questions might say about each individual. She was specifically impressed that they asked so many & seemed to gather quite a bit of relevant information. She did make note that the big one needed a flask or skien or something of that type in the future.

When asked about the the splitting of the groups, Echo shrugged & nodded at both Kiana & Dan. She didn't really know enough about any of these people to form too many opinions yet. She was just happy to find some direction that will lead her to some gold.

Echo takes the pin from the arbiter & sticks it on her shear robes that flowed out of her leather armor. "Thanks for the clout & the rations."

She turns on her heels & heads off with Dan & Kiana.

With the pin's given, you are dismissed from the room and make your way outside with no resistance, though the soldiers outside the arbiter's door eye Kiana wearily. In the warmth of the sun, you gather around and discuss what  your next plan is.

---

<OOC: Ok....i need to know who is going where, what they are looking for specifically, and how long you will take (Roughly). It is now mid morning so you have most of the day>

Taking her pin, Annica pinned it inside her coat, not visible unless she decided to show it, although she had to reprimand the curious raccoon that thought it could be edible and tried to snatch it. Outside, she went to Cora, looked at the sky for a moment and said "It is hard to determine, all those buildings are blocking a lot of my hints, but I think the docks could be that way", pointing generally west-ward. Let us go find this Lyneal and that ship Mr. Halfling is asking about, are you ready to go? "

Today: Annica Montresa rolled 14 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 8.  survival.

"Oh you sweet summer child," Cora ribbed her back with an affectionate term.  "You're right, but it far simpler than that.  Emon's a port city on the west coast.  The docks could only be in the west here."

She paused to affix her own pin to her tunic inside her coat before turning to the others.  "When we see the masts, let's find the first Armsman we see and ask after Lyneal.  If they don't know, we'll find the dockmaster, who should have the assignments and be able to tell us where she's posted.  Then to the ships for to look for Conour."

Glancing at Wapi, she asked, "Do you know which ship he was planned to seek work from?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:41, Mon 05 Dec 2022.

Annica smiled to Cora, before shrugging. "You are much more worldly than me, I didn't have much exposure to the ocean growing up. But Nature is the same everywhere. And the signs point that way.

"I might disagree on nature being the same everywhere, but then, you haven't been everywhere, nor have I, but then, I have been places where nature is quite different than here."

Captain Trouble chirped at the blue man and Annica turned toward him. "I will give you that I haven't seen every aspect of nature, but there are some traits that are recognizable to those who know how to look and feel. Didn't you smell the salty and fishy air coming from the west? This is how I determined the direction of the harbor, and I would assume Mr. Halfling has also figured it out the same way. You look like some druids I know, am I right?"

Wilfred laughs. "I don't believe I have ever been called a druid, but that is an understandable mistake.  No, I am more into the arcane arts based upon knowledge rather than nature.  I have seen much, but learning is more than a way of life, it is my passion."

Annica laughed as well, before pointing to Wapi. "I should have been clearer, I think Mr Halfling is a druid. He never introduced himself, so I need to call him something. Wilfred, I did not think of you a druid nor as a halfling, unless you are from a new, blue, breed of halfling?" Mirth in her eyes and smile, she started walking towards the docks.

Wapi considered the woman for a few moments.  "You never asked."