Giving a polite nod over hands folded in an Elven sign of respect, Elaric replies, "We understand and respect your endeavor, Sir Marius. We shall draw upon such favor only if absolutely required. I thank you for the trust you show in our party." Elaric has nothing more to add before the adventure begins.
As they leave the grounds Wendell says, "I hope Sir Marius did not take offense at my caution, if he noticed. I've heard too many tales of... shall we say fine print being leveraged against those who sign documents incautiously. I actually caught a few merchants in the act on some contracts back in the day." He grins, "Our agreement to silence secured more than one favorable trade for the homestead."
He pauses, then almost as an afterthought adds, "Our silence was of course contingent on their ceasing the vile practice."
Balasar is also heading towards the temple. He does not respond audibly to Wendell's tale, but a keen-eyed observer would discern a thoughtful look on his scaly face as Wendell concludes his story.
The party strolls through the evening streets of Adaern, walking about a half mile from Sir Maurius’s residence to the Temple of Lathander. It is the hour of sunset, the crowds are beginning to thin, and the lamplighters have just begun their work. The evening is cool, with a light breeze.
As you draw nearer to the temple, the crowd in the street grows denser, as streams of the faithful flow between the various holy places along the Road of the Gods. The party is forced to walk hip-to-haunch to stay together. The stink and sweat of the city street is spiced with the scents of candle wax and incense, and the drone of prayer joins the general hubbub. Though the Road of the Gods at twilight is always a busy place, somehow you all feel an extra degree of rush and tension in the air. Somewhere, voices are raised, shouting - confusion, or anger? The crowd presses yet closer.
[Balasar has received a private message from DM. He or others have 12 hours to declare a course of action prior to arriving at the Temple, otherwise we will move on to that point. If at least 3 players simply respond Pass, we'll move on.]
Wait a moment, Balasar says, glancing over his shoulder towards the entrance of a large, public tomb.There appears to be some sort of commotion brewing at the entrance to that tomb over there. Perhaps we should go see if it is related to the task we have accepted.
"Agreed." Elaric replies to Wendell's mutter. He looks toward the commotion. "We are under no strict schedule." After a pause, he adds, "And I must admit to a touch of curiosity; people are not generally so interested in tombs..."
Shouldering their way across the street, the party discovers that something between a funeral procession and a mob has formed outside one of the larger mausoleums, a marble-and-stone structure nearly the size of a temple, which houses the honored remains of many of the local nobility's ancestors. Outside the mausoleum, a half-dozen bemused pallbearers stand around an ornately-carved coffin that currently rests on the ground. Around them, a passel of the city's more respectable citizens are having some sort of confrontation with a handful of the guard, behind whom stands an ashen-faced priest of Helm. Many of the common folk have been attracted by the commotion as well, and have taken the opportunity to shout incoherent insults and hurl things in the air.
[Context note: the catacomb beneath the Temple of Lathander is generally used for the clergy and the common faithful of that deity, as well as for many of the paupers of the city. The nobility are often entombed in private structures such as this.]
Giving a polite nod over hands folded in an Elven sign of respect, Elaric replies, "We understand and respect your endeavor, Sir Marius. We shall draw upon such favor only if absolutely required. I thank you for the trust you show in our party." Elaric has nothing more to add before the adventure begins.
After goodbyes are said, Wendell heads out the door towards the chapel.
[Do you mean the Temple of Lathander? Is the party acting in concert, or are you breaking up to follow separate leads?]
Elaric is, likewise, making a beeline for the Temple.
As they leave the grounds Wendell says, "I hope Sir Marius did not take offense at my caution, if he noticed. I've heard too many tales of... shall we say fine print being leveraged against those who sign documents incautiously. I actually caught a few merchants in the act on some contracts back in the day." He grins, "Our agreement to silence secured more than one favorable trade for the homestead."
He pauses, then almost as an afterthought adds, "Our silence was of course contingent on their ceasing the vile practice."
Balasar is also heading towards the temple. He does not respond audibly to Wendell's tale, but a keen-eyed observer would discern a thoughtful look on his scaly face as Wendell concludes his story.
The party strolls through the evening streets of Adaern, walking about a half mile from Sir Maurius’s residence to the Temple of Lathander. It is the hour of sunset, the crowds are beginning to thin, and the lamplighters have just begun their work. The evening is cool, with a light breeze.
As you draw nearer to the temple, the crowd in the street grows denser, as streams of the faithful flow between the various holy places along the Road of the Gods. The party is forced to walk hip-to-haunch to stay together. The stink and sweat of the city street is spiced with the scents of candle wax and incense, and the drone of prayer joins the general hubbub. Though the Road of the Gods at twilight is always a busy place, somehow you all feel an extra degree of rush and tension in the air. Somewhere, voices are raised, shouting - confusion, or anger? The crowd presses yet closer.
[Everybody please make Perception checks.]
Elaric (with perception included):
14
3
10
[Balasar has received a private message from DM. He or others have 12 hours to declare a course of action prior to arriving at the Temple, otherwise we will move on to that point. If at least 3 players simply respond Pass, we'll move on.]
Wait a moment, Balasar says, glancing over his shoulder towards the entrance of a large, public tomb. There appears to be some sort of commotion brewing at the entrance to that tomb over there. Perhaps we should go see if it is related to the task we have accepted.
Wendell looks towards the tomb curiously, then nods. "A small delay shouldn't hinder the assignment much even if it ends up being unrelated."
"Though I rather hope it is..." he mutters as he heads in that direction.
"Agreed." Elaric replies to Wendell's mutter. He looks toward the commotion. "We are under no strict schedule." After a pause, he adds, "And I must admit to a touch of curiosity; people are not generally so interested in tombs..."
Shouldering their way across the street, the party discovers that something between a funeral procession and a mob has formed outside one of the larger mausoleums, a marble-and-stone structure nearly the size of a temple, which houses the honored remains of many of the local nobility's ancestors. Outside the mausoleum, a half-dozen bemused pallbearers stand around an ornately-carved coffin that currently rests on the ground. Around them, a passel of the city's more respectable citizens are having some sort of confrontation with a handful of the guard, behind whom stands an ashen-faced priest of Helm. Many of the common folk have been attracted by the commotion as well, and have taken the opportunity to shout incoherent insults and hurl things in the air.
[Context note: the catacomb beneath the Temple of Lathander is generally used for the clergy and the common faithful of that deity, as well as for many of the paupers of the city. The nobility are often entombed in private structures such as this.]
24 Perception check
Elaric tries to take in more details of the scene as a whole. Perception: 7
Elaric notes that there sure are a lot of people about.
Skoth's observations have been sent to him by PM.
Balasar also tries to take in more of the scene, now that he's closer and has a better view of what's going on. Perception: 15
Gong also tries to gather more information through observation. Perception result: 5