"Well, it's possible, I'll give you that. I could lead you up along the North coast and 'find' a way through the siege lines."

Mignon scratches at the stubble on his chin a couple of times.

"But... there might be some costs." He hastily adds, "For supplies and such, of course. I mean, it's not an easy trek."

"How much of a cost? Are we talking coin, or is the price to be paid in some other manner?"

"Well it could be anywhere from a couple of days if we make good time to about half a week. Whatever supplies you figure you might need... plus some compensation for my time and efforts. A fella's gotta eat and prices keep going up during this siege."

(Sounds pretty cheap to me. I thought we were going to have to indebt ourselves for future service or run a sidequest first)

"Could I promise you one favor from a man who can conjure dragons and fireballs after the siege is over? Maybe before if there's a bit of time to spare. I also play a bit of music if you need some for a party." Petcan says all this very wistfully, optimism apparent.

Tempe thinks for awhile, then states "A leader would require high security. Perhaps away from the frontlines. If we only had a scout to find out where."

"We could send out Irraxan to scout the area. He can fly, make himself invisible, and has already proven himself capable of such missions. However, I fear we need something more specific to look for. An encamped army will have 'security' everywhere. Perhaps there is something more easy to spot that is out of the ordinary, such as an opulent and luxurious tent, or a large flock of messengers routinely heading out from a central point. Do you have some ideas on what specifically we should try to spot?

Once we know where to go, we can ask our friend Mignon here to get us close"

Turning to Mignon he says

"Similarly to my friend Petcan here, I can also offer you payment in kind - I have some magics that might well be useful for someone in your line of work."

"Yeah, I guess a few favors could go a long way, and besides I'm not going to be rotting in a cell somewhere when this is all over... right?"

Mignon asks expectingly hoping for even a half-hearted confirmation.

Randall:

”Prison cell?  For the concerned citizen who aided in the rout of the goblins invading the sewers?  Why ever wuoild you think that is a possibility?” says Randall with a warm smile—that suddenly turns a bit cold as he adds, “As long as your FUTURE actions reflect well on your newly favored status.”

"We are friends with a charming merchant called Bricklepop. He has many delicate and expensive wares which I imagine require secure and discrete transportation and delivery - where your unique skills would no doubt be invaluable. We would be happy to help introduce you and assist you in going into business. It would be honest work, and perhaps even more rewarding than your current occupation." 

(Z is trying to make "Bricklepop & Mignon" the Amazon Prime of the magical realm)

"Seeing how the sewers and my tunnels are flooded now it would be to my advantage to take you up on such an offer. It would be a spot of luck to come out the other side of this whole thing in a more fortuitous situation than I am now."

"Should we get going than?"

"I am game, whatever you guys want to do." Tempe listens and follows.

Randall:

”Let’s get moving,” says Randall, getting up and geatueing Mignon to lead the way.

"Let's swing by the general store. I have a few things to stock up on."

(If anyone has anything they want to add to their mundane supplies now is the time. Once you leave the city and try to bypass the siege there is going back... well unless you feel like going back and trying again later, I suppose. lol)

At the store, Zenodor will pick up some ball bearings and caltrops to take with him. When infiltrating a superior enemy force it seems like it might come in useful to have something that might make pursuit more difficult or at least slow down the opposition. If they have it there or at a nearby tavern on the way, he will also grab a couple of bottles of good solid beer and a bottle of wine - not necessarily to drink ourselves, but it seems the sort of item that could come in useful when bargaining with a bored guard at a gate or similar. Just trying to plan ahead.

Mignon picks up a couple of rations and some regular items (rope, sacks, oil etc.) and meets you all out front (when/if any of you make any purchases).

"All right, I'm ready when you are. We can leave by the North gate and get a start before nightfall."

Tempe refreshes his rations and fills his waterskin 

Quote from Stormbringer4729 >>

Tempe refreshes his rations and fills his waterskin 

Good thinking. Seeing Tempe do this, reminds Z to do the same