Back on the deck Pepin tries to remember what he saw underwater as good as he can and tries to get a picture on paper. While thinking about stories he knows, things he read to hopefully remember what this creature could be. 

All of you put the pieces of rumors and knowledge that you have gathered together with the recent encounter and come to the conclusion that it was more than a giant octopus but lesser than a Kraken... probably some sort of bridge between the two.

The ship sails on as the final night of the voyage falls.

Petcan tries to rest up, anticipating a million dead goblins the next day

The next day finds a heavy mist that the ship sails through at a slower pace as to not hit any hidden reefs or such. About an hour after sunrise it begins to disperse and Laurentiis can be seen along the coastline. Mynash and the Captain meet with you to discuss your plans.

"Oh well, oh yes, it is entirely up to you how you wish to enter the city. Either directly when the ship docks or I'm sure the Captain can put you ashore outside the siege if you want to gather intel directly." Mynash nods to the coastline less than a mile from the city.

"Aye, let me know now and I'll adjust course if it be necessary." The Captain agrees.

Tempe approaches Zenodor  "Perhaps it would be wise to look before we leap. Your familiar would be better at a distance."

Quote from Stormbringer4729 >>

Tempe approaches Zenodor  "Perhaps it would be wise to look before we leap. Your familiar would be better at a distance."

 Zenodor agrees with the idea and sends his familiar flying ahead. Up from the air, Irraxan should be able to see the situation of the siege. Once he has established the approximate siege lines and camps, if there is time Irraxan will have a quick look into the city at street level to see how the people are coping (are they in good spirits, or already desperately fighting over food etc).

Zenodor will use the familiar's senses directly from. Time to time, and will use the Minor Illustration cantrip to essentially create a map / scale model for the rest of the party to get an idea of the situation.

(Forgot to say: as always, Irraxan will use his natural invisibility to avoid attracting any attention)

Randall:

“All else being equal, I should have some armor ready in the city,” mentions Randall.

Irraxan can see that the Goblin Horde is spread out in a semi-circle about a quarter mile from the city. There are many small and medium sized camps, with a few large large ones. They have created an effective blockade that allows them to lay siege to Laurentiis from land. Several of the medium and all of the large camps have ruins of siege weapons scattered about.

Fortunately, Laurentiis is a port city so trade remains open. However, several businesses have closed and there is slightly less street traffic, about 10% less for both. Morale is a little low as some people wonder how long they will be trapped by the Goblins while others laud the city guard and defenses for continuing to destroy the goblin siege weapons and prevent them from directly attacking the city.

Randall:

”I am going to pick up my armor,” says Randall.  “Does anyone have a favorite tavern at which should meet to plan? I will probably stop by the temple first to see if they need my healing.”

Randall heads off into the city to run his errands.

Tempe shrugs "I've never been here before. Do we coordinate with whomever is the commander of the defense of this town? We could gain some insight on the enemies abilities. Find out where we're most needed. Maybe rob them of their siege engines for the town to use?"

Pepin mentions to randall

"I really like the Red Panda brewery right off the main street. I'll join you, might find some interesting stuff where you buy your armor."

(For the newcomers as well as a refresher for the old.)

Laurentiis, for this world, is on par with Waterdeep from the Forgotten Realms. It is one of the largest cities, if not the largest, and the center of a major trade hub. Merchants Lords long ago rose to power and use their immense wealth to rule. Those of significant power/wealth each had a tower built and these towers pepper the city landscape. Most also house a wizard of archmage status. There is a General who was hired and given authority of the Guard/Military, and mostly left to rule over matters of defense. This leaves the Merchant Lords free to focus on ruling the city and matters of commerce.

Randall:

“Excellent!  Let’s meet at the Red Panda Brewery at sundown for dinner and planning,” says Randall.  “Pepin, I will enjoy the company.  Let’s go.”

Randall heads off to the armorer who made the Plate Armor out of the Hook Horror carapace.

Not sure what to do Tempe follows Randal and Pepin.

Z will stick with the rest of the party to go around the city. If the opportunity arises (they pass a market, etc) he will look for some more equipment he was unable to get on the Island (better tent, more luxurious campaign furniture, etc.). Delzira (the house-maid hired on the island) can help with this. Once the party finds an Inn or other suitable place to make a temporary home, Delzira can start setting up camp, mending people's clothes, cooking a meal, etc. He is also still looking for a few more hirelings, like a couple of general Servants/Footmen to do various jobs and to carry the party's load.

While the party does its Armor shopping etc, in the meantime Irraxan has a different mission: While Z is engaged in the city proper, Irraxan is sent out (invisible and flying, as usual) beyond the city walls. He is to find the largest / most prominent camp, in particular looking for something that might stand out like a large and decorated general's marquee (as opposed to the squat dirty tents I image the Goblins sleep in).  Once he choses a camp, Irraxan's task is to observe the Goblins and to try to find any Officer-type people/creatures (or anyone else who might be giving orders) - and then to try to eavesdrop on them. If they have written communications (like written orders, or he comes across a writing desk) he may also try to steal some of these (carried equipment also becomes invisible). If he is "caught" (detected by some powerful creature with Truesight, etc), he is to telepathically call for Z's help - who can then do the pocket dimension trick to help Irraxan disappear instantaneously and to return safely to the party. 

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

(For the newcomers as well as a refresher for the old.)

Laurentiis, for this world, is on par with Waterdeep from the Forgotten Realms. It is one of the largest cities, if not the largest, and the center of a major trade hub. Merchants Lords long ago rose to power and use their immense wealth to rule. Those of significant power/wealth each had a tower built and these towers pepper the city landscape. Most also house a wizard of archmage status. There is a General who was hired and given authority of the Guard/Military, and mostly left to rule over matters of defense. This leaves the Merchant Lords free to focus on ruling the city and matters of commerce.

 Zenodor also suggests that once the party has done their shopping and settled in, we should try to get an Audience with the General commanding the city's defenses. Presumably this would be the best way to get a read on the situation and to work out where our help is most needed.

Petcan will chill at the inn today. Big spender, big rooms, and waiting on word back about the camps outside.

Petcan is able to secure rooms for the group at the Red Panda Brewery. Due to the siege the Red Panda Brewery isn't doing as much business as it usually would so offers a discount on the rooms.

Randall leads the rest of the group to 'Kronk's Hammers & Nails' and finds the hulking half-orc as he found him the first time, working diligently on a sword. He pauses his hammer blows to look up as you approach, "Well, bless my soul if it isn't the good brother. Returned from some adventure no doubt. You'll be happy to hear I've finished both the Tiger Swords and the Hooked Horror Plate Mail." Kronk begins to move toward the back room, he half turns and waves for you to follow, "I had to keep back here out of sight lest some uppity soldier got it in his head to waste a month's salary on them. No sir! I held on them, I knew you'd be back one day for them. I see you got some new friends with ya, well any friend of brother Randall is a friend of mine." He then leads you all into the back room.

Irraxan flies around the smaller camp sites, keeping just above average goblin height, until he comes upon one of the larger camps. Zig-zagging his way to what appears to be a commander's tent, Irraxan ducks in trough a flap right behind a goblin who just entered. Apparently this goblin is reporting to those in charge, a small group of seven goblins standing around a table and pointing at various locations on a large battle map. Most of his report is the basics that any military group is about and therefore is of little interest, even to the goblins at the table as is evident when one interrupts, "Yes, yes, get to the update. How many more days before the tunnels reach the sewers under Laurentiis?" Although he blathers it out in his own way the gist of it is... "About 2 days."

Pepin follows Randall and looks around the shop to see for any interesting armor or equipment, before he remembers he doesn't have much money. So just looking is all he can do.