Randall:

Anxious to see to the plight of the refugees, Randall says, "Let's go speak to the mayor and see what the situation outside the city looks like--or I can go myself and get him if there is more you wish to accomplish in town."

(@Randall & any others who wish to check on the mayor and the refugees.)

You are able to visit them outside the walls without any trouble. There are individuals who pass by you, coming and going from the city, apparently small numbers are allowed entry to secure goods and supplies, but a count is kept by the guards so the mass of over 900 ex-citizens of Garrum cannot all sneak in or anything of that nature.

When you meet with the mayor he greets you, "Hail, Brother Randall. Any news concerning our plight? Can we enter the city soon? Some of the women and children grow fearful that the goblin horde will snatch them up and carry them off in the middle of the night." You can tell he hopes you have all the answers or a solution of some kind that will ease their dire circumstances. And as he finishes speaking some of the women and children within earshot let out a little cry of despair and fright at his grim predictions.

Randall:

“Take heart, good mayor, for we have been at work in the city trying to find a solution for you and your people,” answers Randall, loudly enough to be overheard by the refugees who were frightened before.

“It would seem our best option is to find some ships that will sail the refugees of Garrum away from here, though I am still unsure why you are not all being invited into the city proper right now.  The Harbormaster was unable to immediately help us, but we were able to get an audience before a rich merchant who may be able to help.  He has invited us to dinner this evening, where you can make a case for your people,” he continues.

"Oh, bless the morning lord and every ray of sunshine! That is good news, indeed." He seems genuinely relieved as his shoulders, which has been hunched a little, relax. He calls over some attendants and gives them some instructions for seeing to everyone in his absence.

He then accompanies you back inside the city. "You are a credit to the cause of Lathander, good Brother Randall." It is a short walk from the city gates to the 'Hen on Crutches' at least compared to going all the way down to the docks or even halfway to the market. The board hanging high over the doorway by two nimble chains is swinging lightly in the wind, and a comical styling of a Hen leaning on one crutch with bandages around a leg, an arm, and it's head can be clearly seen as you approach.

(@Everyone: please post how you enter, doesn't have to be special, just want to be sure of how many are still interesting in continuing, think we may be down to 4 players now.)

(If we drop below 4 I will have to pause and reopen recruiting before we can continue. And if I ever miss something or you're not sure if I read your post... or anything really, just refresh my memory.)

Ceo just walks in normally, though tripping a bit as a walks in due to walking in with (three?) others.

after having his ale, and seeing Petcan win the dice game, Bow stands up and asks Petcan if he joins him. (as he said he was ready to continue I will assume he does) On the way to the refugees to get the Mayor they walk into the others and join them towards the 'Hen on crutches'. He walks in at a normal place in front of everyone; looking around to see if he sees the rich merchant.

If he sees him he walks to the table, if not he will go to one of the waiters/waitresses and tells them who they are here to meet.

Randall:

Blushing at the mayor’s kind words, Randall says, “You are too kind.  Let us away to the Hen on Crutches and see what relief we might find for your people there.”

Randall walks humbly with the others, somewhat lost in thought when they arrive at the tavern.

Petcan will follow everyone else in. “I hope you all understand that I’m happy to help, but a Drow face is not always best for trying to get folks won over.“

(@Petcan: noted, I will not replace you... enjoy your vacation.)

(will post in just under 2 hours, dealing with some rl stuff)

As you all enter the 'Hen on Crutches' the fresh smell of cooked and cooking food assails your nostrils with delicious aromas. Barmaids carrying platters of food to tables are a more common sight than those refilling drinks. There is also a light hazy blue smoke filling the air which by smell you can identify as pipe smoke. It isn't overpowering or anything, just present and unavoidable.

Seated at a table off to the left you can see Mynash sipping at a glass of wine, most everyone else at a table number two or more, except for a lone halfling drinking ale off to the right. Mynash notices you enter and waves you over, "Please have a seat, oh my, oh yes, where are my manners. My name is Mynash," said to the mayor, "and I'm so glad you could join me for dinner. I have taken the liberty of ordering for you all so that we wouldn't have to wait long, some of the dishes take a while to prepare and I don't want to monopolize any more of your time than is necessary."

"Very kind of you; what kind of food will it be? Not that it matters, has been a long time since I had food that was more than acceptable." Bow says, looking around the room with some flashes in his eyes when he sees all the food. Seeing the halfling sitting alone he decides to sit in a chair such that he can watch what the halfling is doing, as it doesn't seem the place that people sit alone normally.

Wait a second, is that the halfling I met on the street? The one that I mocked and practically stole from before trying to follow him?

(@Bow)

"There is Bolerian duck, my personal favorite, from the distant isle of Boler. Oh my, oh yes indeed, and several, more local and traditional dishes. Oh dear, I'm sure you'll find many of them more than satisfactory. Oh my, but you must give the duck a try, oh dear, I'm sure you will like it."

The halfling is watching your table intently and when he notices you see him, he doesn't look away immediately as most would when caught staring, but continues to observe from across the room.

(@Ceo)

(No need for any rolls.) Even from across the room you can recognize that it is indeed Rolo, the halfling who was running the street game of 'shell & balls,' and he isn't hiding the fact that he seems intent on observing your table.

"Hmm Duck sounds great, but Ill be sure to try and have a taste of everything'" Bow says, trying to have some small talk until someone decides to move into 'business' talk. During the talks will make sure to keep an eye at Rolo; he won't do anything regarding the halfling, for now, as long as he stays at the table and doesn't do anything than observing our table.

For a little halfling fellow who just got noticed spying on someone, he seems pretty cocksure of himself. He only takes his eye off your table if he blinks, which he does, but seldom.

“Excuse me, but do you know that guy over there? He seems very focused on our table.” Ceo asks our gracious host, pointing at Rolo.

Mynash looks over in the direction you're looking,  "Who? Do you mean that little halfling sitting alone? Oh my, no, I've never seen him before. Oh dear, do you know him from somewhere?"

Seeing nothing develop from looking over at the halfling, Mynash soon loses interest and returns his attentions to the Mayor. "I understand you have a dilemma of sorts. Oh my, you cannot, as of yet, gain entry to the city for your refug... ah, oh dear, I mean the citizens with you."

After a brief pause to sip at his wine, "Oh my, I may have a solution. I am a member of a merchant consortium, oh yes, actually the head of the self named 'Mynash's Merchant Consortium' and I, oh dear, we would like to make this offer."

"I can secure a number of ships to transport your... citizens. Oh my, oh dear, they would actually be relocated for from here, oh dear, and the dangers of the Goblin Hordes. Oh yes, but in exchange there would be two conditions if you were to agree and accept my offer. Oh dear, it would be in my interest to colonize a small island some distance from here, oh yes, to use as a sort of nautical waypost for trade routes. There are no free rides, oh my, I'm afraid and your citizens would be expected to work and build a settlement from scratch, oh dear, with funds and supplies provided by my consortium. They would own their homes and be partners, oh yes, with any businesses they start up. The waypost would be solely owned by the consortium."

Sipping from his wine again before continuing, "Oh my, that is condition one. Oh dear, the second condition is that these fine adventurers here accompany the voyage as bodyguards of sorts, oh my, to ensure the safety of the endeavor somewhat. Oh dear, there are many dangers both on, and in, the Bolerian sea. Oh yes, having some adventurers along would be most helpful to the endeavor's chances of success." Looking around the table at you all, "Oh yes, you would be modestly compensated for your time and efforts protecting the voyage."

Petcan is speechless for only a moment. 

“I-… I would like to know what sort of island this is. Angry cannibals at the next island, icy storms for half the year, dragons in residence, that sort of thing.”

Ceo, nodding at Petcan's concerns, also asks;

"And, how far away is this island? Is there any settlements on it already? I would gladly accompany and guard these refugees, as that is what they are, to their destination,"

Bow looks at Mayor Reeves to see what he will answer.

"I thank you for the offer of passage for the refugees, Mr. Mynash. I will join if the Mayor Reeves and his people will take you up on your offer."