Chapter 1 - The Beginning

Aelar will approach the guard, "How long will the gates be closed for? We have urgent business in there and can't afford to be delayed," he will say calmly, "I assure you that we are not muggers, and we are more than able to handle ourselves if we should be accosted." he will finish turning as to display his fine Rapier to the guard as of to prove the point of taking care of themselves.

Crolwell:
The gate is at least 15 feet tall, looks to be made of wood and iron. Certainly heavily built. Up about 10 feet up there are more slotted metal pieces to make it look more decorative, but you get the feeling this isn't something you could just knock down. The walls that surround it are equally as high stone walls topped with spikes that appear as though they were intending to look decorative, but they just look menacing either way.

"Until the king orders them open again", the guard replies curtly, "A lot of people have business in the docks, but I have my orders. I assure you, many people in this town could hold their own, but this gate is to remain closed. Orders of the king", he finishes. He enunciates every word of the last sentence in a fairly condescending way.

The guard has become infuriated, though his partner just seems to be amused by the antics going on. This may be the most interesting thing he has seen all day.

As the guard carrying a very sharp looking halberd is about to charge Crolwell he stops. He seems confused with the gesture of the old man at first, then stops and looks as the handle of his weapon. He raises an eyebrow for a moment as more confusion floods his face. "Are... are you?", he asks, looking intently at Crolwell, "Who? Who has sent you?"

Getting more upset and flustered by the moment the guard tilts out his halberd and readies his grip on it. "Either you need to state who sent you, or leave. If you do not do one of those two things in the next moment, you shall regret the choice", he growls through gritting teeth, addressing the whole group at this point.

Seeing the situation escalating a bit the other guard grips his halberd a bit tighter. He remains at his post just yet, waiting to see what happens.

The guard, still in his confusion, and at this point pretty much not even noticing the existence of anyone in the group besides Crolwell, tries to keep a grip on the halberd. But Crolwell rips it from his hands and holds it up to Utes. She can now clearly see an insignia carved into the handle of a Dagger that looks exactly like the one on the pins. Surprisingly the guard just accepts back the halberd, walks over to his partner and says something quietly to him. With this they look around and open one door to the gate enough to allow you entrance.

"You must be pretty fresh recruits", the guard says quietly to the group, "I do hope you learn more discretion then this if you are to become a member of...them."

As the gate closes behind you you find yourself in rather quiet district. Looking down the lane ahead of you it leads all the way down to the shipyard. As you walk you pass by a tavern, a general store, and a few other local businesses. There are also a few small merchant stands selling trinkets.

The streets themselves are fairly bare. Given the rash of attacks and murders you could understand why few people would be out and about in the district. As you near the boatyard you see only a few ships in port. One of them is being loaded with goods and you see a female barking orders on deck. Her skin is flame-red colored and she has two distinct horns protruding just below her hairline. Despite the horns her face is sharp and smooth. "C'mon, we haven't got all day, we have to get this finished before our little whelps show up! I won't be upsetting Samuel by causing delays!"

The crew of this particular ship is a flurry of activity trying to get various crates and barrels loaded on board.