Rohuzar scratches his chin. "Ve have obligation to fight monsters, but our exploration of the city may be easier during the day. Get in, get out before nightfall. I'm not sure ve can count on anything in the walls to be a shelter."

     "If indeed we do need come here, we'll try to shout out our names so you know it is us...  Raqisat... Cosette... And Aubry.  We get you are in a delicate position here and we certainly don't wnat to surprise you if it can be helped," Raqisat proposes as he too bows and begins to step back.

With nothing to add, Cosette smiles politely. She'd follow suit, bowing upon their exit.

"Just take care with how much shouting you do," the old warrior says to Raqisat.  "Its quiet out there right now, but you never know what might stir if you draw too much attention to yourselves."

With that the Grey Eagles withdraw back to the top of the mountain and Raqisat, Aubrey and Cosette make the long climb back down the stairs.  

They link up with Leelan, Rohuzar and Grugga without incident.  There looks to be an hour or two of daylight left.  Ample time to get back to the ship.

Is there anything else people want to look into here, or do we retire back to the Golden Empress?

As he, Raqisat and Cosette reunites with the rest of the team, Aubrey gives Rohuzar, Leelan and Grugga a wave. He quickly recounts what little information they recieved up on temple mount but seems relieved the holy people up there at least doesn't seem to object to the team being here. Aubrey would be fine with not taking the shortest route to the Empress, doing some light exploring on the way back, but would insist on being back at the Empress by nightfall.

     "Having a second safe place to retreat to in case of emergency is always a good thing," Raqisat says.  "But we shouldn't count them as allies, or even friendlies, just yet.  The proof is in the doing and so far all they have done is not instantly turn us away..."

     Regarding exploring or not, Raqisat leaves that up to Aubrey.  "I'm not normally one to argue for caution, but I also do not know much about that ship of yours yet.  What distance from the city do you think is best for her come nightfall?  And how long will it take to get her there?"

     "Besides, I have been looking forward to a comfortable bed for a change..."

Grugga waves back as his companions return from the mountain. "Well, you all look alright. Was it the Skrillites?" Grugga listens attentively as the others fill him in. "I'm glad the Skrillites aren't in charge. I got worried when we found only their arrows - but I suppose the old man's story explains that."

Grugga packs up all the loose tools he pulled out while he was waiting and calls Zap to his side. "We could take a careful walk through town, but let's be careful we're never in a position to become trapped. Let's not go back inside the walls until morning when we have plenty of time."

"Are you taking point as per ususal?" The young noble asks the Rohuzar, ready to follow him the route he would decide back to the Empress, ordering Furvus to check their path for any hidden threats. "We made contact with no less than four different groups in this area already, not bad for our first day of the expedition I would say, not bad at all." He says encouragingly to the team as the start heading back. "We certainly deserve some rest now before going back inside the city tomorrow again."

Perception: 18
Furvus perception: 10

"I will discuss with Captain Neck where the Empress should lie at anchor for the night." Aubrey answers Raqisat. "And yes, I agree, further exploring inside the walls should wait til tomorrow." He says to Grugga.

Rohuzar nods in affirmative. "I think ve should... Perhaps take care to keep the boat far back from the shore, and cut the running lights. Ve have enemies, and if there are this many groups camped here that are visible, there might be treasure hunter's aplenty. Ve should take care not to appear easy prey. Nor get hit by a smuggler boat trying to sneak into the city."

Rohuzar then proceeds to press into the city proper to get their first peek at what the uninhabited parts are like. He's looking for a landmark of some kind to explore and familiarize himself with 

     Raqisat is happy to take the lead heading back to the ship.  He keep a wary eye out for ambushes and the like figuring any of the other groups might not appreciate them being here.  Until a firm grasp is made of the friendships and animosities between the various groups it is best to be cautious…

     “Keep an eye on the high ground, eh?” Raqisat asks of Cosette with a nod indicating any higher windows or rooftops.  

Cosette gives  Raqisat a nod. “Always do see better than you in the dark.” She says with a wink. Darkvision had it’s obvious advantages. “I’ll lock an’ load.” Cos loads her crossbow and brings it to a rest up on her shoulder.

The party takes a different path back to the Golden Empress; still traveling toward the docks but covering different roads they skipped before.

They pass the Temple of Kryptos again.

As the shadows grow longer, the streets remain empty and quiet.  You walk down paved roads of cobblestones, some laid down more than a millennia ago.  Absent their signs, furnishings and decor, it can be difficult to identify the purpose of most buildings.  Were they once residences?  Shops?  Tax offices?  They stand empty and void of personality now, like the combs in a dormant beehive.

Once, Raqisat has to call a halt when he spies a head leering from the shadows of an upstairs window.  A quick check reveals it is only a wig-rest, propped up in the window.  Perhaps some long lost souls idea of a joke?

Eventually the crew reaches the dock without uncovering anything terribly interesting.  It is getting late, and Capt. Neck is eager to put off from shore and secure a safe place for the ship tonight.

Once they are back on board, Leelan would find somewhere to sit and sigh in relief. All of the day’s walking had taken a toll on the old gnome’s short legs.

He would also take the opportunity to inquire to Captain Neck about Mr. Howie’s state, who also had had a rough day.

(do we have a rowboat or anything?)

There is no rowboat/lifeboat/etc.

Once back at the Golden Empress, Aubrey would discuss with Captain Neck whether it would be best to go north through the channel and up the Breitwasser to lay at anchor for the night or if she would prefer staying out in the bay for the night. Aubrey too would then ask about the state of Mr. Howie, hoping that some kind of supper would be served soon.

Mr. Faerondaerl informs Leelan and Aubrey that Mr. Howie awoke while you were away.  That Captain sent him back to bed, but he seems to be recovering alright.  "He walked me through de-brining the pork, so dinner should be more palatable."  There is a pot of pork and cabbage stew waiting in the kitchens.

Captain Neck goes up to the top deck and watches the weather.  Returning, she looks concerned.  "I'd rather not stay in open water... but the skies are clear and dark is fast approaching.  I don't like the constant warning about staying out of the city at night.  If we anchor off those cliffs south of the city, we should be OK.  For one night.  It will be a rough night, though."

"So we take the Empress north to a safe distance from the city now then?" Aubrey says.

Grugga drops off his heavy mechanical contraptions in his room and then heads down to the galley for a bit of stew. "Wherever you think is best to anchor." He says between mouthfuls. "I trust you, captain Neck."

"So." He says, addressing the rest of his companions after finishing his bowl of pork and cabbage. "We have a meeting with those descendants tomorrow. Cosette and I made some racquets for them, so hopefully that will help relations a bit. We'll see what they have to say and then we decide where to start our city investigation first, eh?"