Gameplay - The Dragon That Opposed an Empress

Garth has been listening to the people in front of him, has there been any particular kind of mercs getting in, or getting rejected?

Good question. The answer is yes. But to discern their commonalities (which granted, is an unnecessarily big word for hob soldiers), mayhaps an Insight check?

Quiet you guys, I am trying to listen.

There was no need for Garth to tell Mavis to be quiet. Quiet was what Mavis did. Whilst Garth was trying to shush people, Mavis had been standing to the side - her (now) ice-blue eyes watching, weighing, evaluating...

In the OODA loop, she handled the Observe & Orient, so Garth could decide (as far as Mavis was concerned), then they could all act.

Mavis determines that those getting through have specific business in the city that they can describe to the guards. Those getting turned away are those who can't provide the relevant details: names and places.

Hasan follows behind the group still pondering how the companions he was with before are now monstrous. Maintenancing his equipment as necessary.

Garth turns to the orcs who have been tagging along.

You say you have been here before. Who should I tell the guards I am looking for?

Jutok whispers to Sweets. Sweets shakes his head. Another whisper, another shake. A third whisper and Sweets nods.

"Tell them we're temporary guards for my cousin Turrol at the Poisoned Monkey Inn."

What can go wrong with trusting orcs?

Garth says a quick prayer under his breath, puts on a snarly face, and approaches the guards.

Turrrol at the Poisoned Monkey Inn hired us to be temporary guards.

Would you like to back that up with a Persuasion or Deception roll?

Mavis puts her hand on Gareth’s arm, her game face on, and her best foot forward.

She gives a conspiratorial chuckle to the guard
Aye. I know what tha’s gonna say. Who in reet mind would want t’ be temp guard when there’s reet proper work out there? If t’weren’t for gaffer ‘ere crackin’ wrong ‘ead, we’d be on front line wi’ best on ‘um, ‘stead of salutin’ duty.

So ‘ow ‘bout you don’t embarrass us ‘bout our kack graft, an’ ah’ll return favour when ah’m able. Eh lads?

She rolls her eyes with a chagrined expression as if embarrassed that they’re having to do this job at all.

The hob guard squeezes his eyes together trying to piece that together, and maybe why this mercenary hob was talking like a dwarf. But he might just have decided that the question might bring more talking, so he signals to the guards who move aside to let you in.

"We're very good at dealing with ruffians, don't you worry." Ruby says on the way in, not wanting the guards to think they can't handle themselves.

As you walk past, you can hear one guard mutters to the other. "Looks like it's free drinks at the Poisoned Monkey." The other guard snickers.

[ooc]I thought we weren't there yet :D I feel so bad :

Random shade from the guards aside, and possibly with three of you dragging kobold Ruby away, you make your way into the city. It's a dark and formidable place, with all sorts of random "crime" readily apparent, from muggings to beatings, robberies and drug use, and other crimes against the person that in other burgs would draw every hand that could hold a blade to the defense of the wronged.

But here, crime is just, not a word. It's a chaotic do what you want, but be tough about it, or you'll be the one on the wrong end.

Jutok and Sweets don't even see the atrocities committed, but instead move around as if they grew up here.

The psychic weight of what you're up against can do nothing but weigh upon you. The army outside, mobilizing for a campaign, tells you that the horrors you see that day will become commonplace if the Vermillion Reavers and their strange empress have their way. The associated mercenaries and armies will steam roll over most defenses. Maybe a unified force of the human and elven lands will repel them. But maybe not, and even if they do, for the lands caught in the advancing tide, the gods alone could save them.

Full of morbid thoughts, you arrive at the Poisoned Monkey. A vomiting simian graces the sign out front, hanging from a frayed rope, and twisting in the light breeze. Jutok leads you inside, and sure enough, is welcomed like a regular. The place isn't busy. A busboy busily moves busted tables to the back, where the bartender appears to be attempting to nail them back into service.

Any reactions you need to make before I continue my railroady monologue?

Garth whispers under his breath.

Steady on, remember we are evil monsters, and will be dead if they catch on.

Ruby looks...less sure now that they are inside. How does a place like this even function if all is chaos? Best not to think about it; at least the tavern isn't crowded for now.

Your given rooms in the Poisoned Monkey, and offered a place away from the rebuilding effort. Soon, you have roast goat haunches and a dish of surprisingly fluffy and flakey pastry. A mushroom broth soup is also served, that smells pungent, earthy, and savory.

Large flagons of ale are brought to accompany.

Jutok sits backwards on a chair, his back unfavorably turned to the room, but he is the junior member.

"Right. So the keep yard isn't far from here, we can go at night when the city wakes up. There should be a crowd chucking filth at the dragon. After midnight, the empress might be making a speech, this wasn't clear. You can get a good look at both, then we'll settle the bet. Agreed?"