Galingal only listens to Plopp with half an ear as he watches the others in the beer room.

He does nod at the mention of meeting Plopp later at the shrine.

When he sees Thom rise to check outside, Galingal rises too. He stops by the other table where Ugglukja is reading and lets her know that they're leaving and are probably staying near the shrine of the sea mother and that it's likely there'll be a lot of trouble in town tomorrow.

He then follows after Thom to look out for the two duergar.

Perception: 7 

Lia sees a small leather pouch in the bottom of the cup. She'd be able to easily take the cup in hand and under the table to palm the pouch without anyone outside your party noticing. Inside you find assorted copper and silver coins of various mints and origins, and a few nice looking shells. She'd estimate it should be enough to cover your tab here at the Beer Room.

There is also a note scrawled in Undercommon, which when handed off to one who can read it, would say "There are some of my daughter's followers waiting and watching the Beer Room. One of my scouts overheard them mentioning descriptions of your group. I have enough of my followers to keep me safe, if you wish to publicly claim my protection, join me before I leave, but if you wish to appear independent, just be wary as you leave, someone has stirred them up to your presence."

<Yes, the location of the Sea Mother's shrine is one of prominence in the city.>, Shuushar assures Thom.

Ugglukja wishes Galingal well, before turning back to her book.

Galingal pauses when he hears the contents of the note, Lia found.

<Thom, do you see anything in the street?> Galingal spore-link-thinks. <Going with Plopp limits out options, but if it avoids a fight today, including with the duergar, it is worth it. I'm in favour of going with him.>

Thom sees a few groups of kuo-toa milling about, though they seem more compacted than the free flowing schools that were out there before, holding position more closely than prior.

Thom just can't get a read on Stena's responses. He is used to that by now, and so he only assume what she says is true and responds <yeah, me too. Hey Madam Stena, I guess we have something in common then, yeah?!> and he genuinely smiles at her. 

He answers his own questions when Stena responds with the mental grunt <Well... I will keep hope that a guide might be there, yeah? I will hope for the both of us, Madam Stena. Gotta stay positive, yeah?> and he warmly smiles at her again. 

Thom would respond to Galingal and the others after taking in what the contents of the note Lia found as well <Yeah mate, I think you're right. I mean I was ok with helping Mr. Ploopp but I think we may fare better with the 'independent' route at this moment, yeah? Even if it means a little action. This place might be a ticking keg bomb.> he tries to mentally air-quote the independent part and then taps his bow. <Good of Mr. Ploopp to give us the heads up, although we already knew there might be trouble when we leave isn't that right Madam Stena?>

Thom heads out with Gal and takes in what he sees and relays it back to Galingal. 

 Thom responds slyly to Gal <Yeah mate. There's kuo-toa......> and he stops immediately and realizes this is not a time to joke. 

He continues: <yeah mate. There's a bunch of KT's... but mate they seem... different. hmmmmmm.....>

Can Thom make an insight check to determine if any of the KT's that seem to be holding position might be waiting to ambush us? Or if the druegars are out there waiting? 

Insight for KT's acting different?: 22

Perception for druegars waiting somewhere?: 21

Stena responds to Thom's enthusiasm with a tired,

<Yes. I guess we do.>

Stena is looking quite pointedly away from the table with her fellow escapees so misses Thom's smiling cheerfulness.

She doesn't join Gal or Thom checking outside, if she even notices them do it.

<A few groups of kuo-toa out there? Acting differently?> Galingal spore-link-thinks to the group. <I say we leave with Ploopp. Shows our hand, but some of us are in no condition to fight a large group of them openly in the street right now and we don't risk getting captured and losing what little gear we have now.>

He looks to the others, mainly at Lia and Stena, knowing if they agree, the others will fall in line.

After paying the bill with the coins, and letting the others know what’s in the note, Lia follows the party, letting the sneaker crew go first, she’ll follow just after…

She thinks into the spoor link: <Hmm… I’d rather get back to the temple safely, and rest… So I vote for leaving under Ploopp’s protection… But I’m ready whatever you all decide too>. She nods. Ready.

<We don't need 'em! Let them get frisky, we'll show them what's what!>, Buppido opines.

<I bet we'd handle the first few groups no problem... but I bet there's more where they came from. We cause a ruckus and get captured, maybe she doesn't wait for tomorrow's ritual.>, Jimjar interjects.

<What do you advise, Thom?>, asks Prince Derendil, still sucking away at a crab leg.

<Whatever we do, I'd like to do it quickly... that drow squad leader keeps looking at me.>, Sarith thinks apprehensively.

((I'm also away for the week on vacation so Thom will be slower than normal... if that's even possible :S))

Ok Thom would say back to Gal <yeah... acting fishy, mate.>

He'd then agree with Gal <Alright then. With Ploopp it is.>

<My Prince, stay with me your Royal, we shall now walk to the Temple with Ploopp and his people. I trust the food was good, yes?> and he smiles at Derendil.

He then nods at Lia as she is also in agreement.

And then says "Madam Stena?"

(I know we already knew that there might be trouble outside, but any chance we can get the results of this? I think it would actually determine Thom's decision of what we do, although he still might just agree with Gal in the end. Just was curious especially about the KT roll.)

Insight for KT's acting different?: 22

Perception for druegars waiting somewhere?: 21

((Nice double crits!))

Stena rocks out of her chair and just follows the rest, she does give Shuushar a side look but otherwise keeps her eyes down. She doesn't respond to Thom's question. She does think talk with a flat, tired tone as she takes position,

<Let them come if they want to die.>

<Quite filling, thank you Thom.>, replies Derendil.

Thom peers out, and notices that the small schools of fish are retreading the same patch of ground, while before there was an ebb and flow to the whole market, now there are pockets of KT that are still milling about, but in maybe a 10 ft radius space, occasionally looking over towards the Beer Room, and at the other swirling pockets of KT as well. 

Of the duergar, looking around the square, Thom doesn't spot them, though if they've riled up the locals, and the intel that Jimjar and Galingal found suggested unrest and a desire for sacrifices, it could very well be they've pushed the proverbial cart down the proverbial hill, and are not staying close to see the result for concern of getting caught up in it...

<The drow squad leader has stood up and is looking our way. I'd rather not have to talk to him...>, Sarith asks urgently.

Ploopp is a bit away, talking to some loyal worshippers of the Sea Mother, it seems. His back is to you, and he hasn't noticed you making towards the exit yet.

((How are you proceeding?))

<Get close to Ploopp> Galingal spore-link thinks to Sarith <Let him know we're coming with him.>

Galingal then turns to watch the drow.

If they approach Sarith, Galingal moves to intercept them, asking them "Do you sense something wrong here? Feels like a civil war could break out here any second? Do you know the quickest way out of town from here?"

Stena will move to the door and just stare out at the fish people.

If Galingal leaves to speak to the Drow her tired expression shifts marginally back to it's old self as her eyes narrow on the grey elf in suspicion.

Sarith nods and approaches the archpriest, giving him a slight blow and speaking to him rapidly in Undercommon.

Meanwhile, Galingal moves to intercept the drow, the leader of which pulls up, definitely a bit surprised, though he tries to hide it, at the shadow elf's direct approach. He gives a bit a a sneer, but responds in Elvish.

"Yes, we have noted the tensions, but it's nothing out of the ordinary, kuo-toa are much taken with their pretend gods, and often get quite worked up about it. If things boil over, they'd not be so foolish as to incur the wrath of Menzoberranzan by me or my unit. Are you... looking for safe passage out of Sloobludop?", his sneer turns to one of puzzlement as his gaze wanders across your travelworn appearance, his gaze moving behind you to take in the contingent you travel with.

Perception: 22
Insight: 7

Stena returns his gaze with a suspicious glare.

"I could perhaps see my way to extending some manner of protection to you and your... companions in making it clear of the kuo-toa holdings. We are on our way back to Menzoberranzan, and could perhaps travel together if you are headed that way, and if you can contribute to provisions, maintaining the camp and the like? I am squad leader Zenistri, of House Hekar."

One of the young members of his squad seems about to say something, before getting elbowed by an older drow.

((Has Galingal had any encounters with drow before, or would he made any study of their social structure? If so, you can give me a History check.))

Galingal notes Stena’s gaze.

<Buying time for Sarith to disappear so we don’t have to deal with the drow too.> Galingal spore link thinks to Stena.

He then focuses back on the drow.

(OOC minimal drow encounters but his own background is definitely hierarchical as a soldier - History: 3  )

”Likely to stay here tonight to grab some rest before heading out. Good to hear the kuo-toa are always like this. Are you leaving tomorrow? Could meet up with you at the gates out of the city if so.”

<Sarith-softer can disappear? Neat!>, Stool thinks into Stena and Galingal's heads.

"We arrived a few hours ago after a long march. We're fed now, or at least had what passes for food here. There is some business to attend to, but we will likely leave the city in twelve hours or so, meet us at the north gates if you wish to travel with us."

Sarith rejoins the party with Ploopp, positioning himself on the far side of Derendil to be a bit more out of view. The Archpriest nods to those of you who remained by the door and strides to the front, flanked by his followers, many of those in the Beer Room flocking to him as he gestures.

As he steps out, the small schools of KT pause, staring in his direction as he draws himself up and fixes them with a disdainful glare. It seems a near thing, but as he resumes walking the pockets that Thom noted seem to meld back into the flow of KT milling about. Some of Ploopp's followers dart into the crowd before returning, often with one or two new additions trailing them, and you soon are surrounded by a cordon of milling KT a few deep keeping the rest of the populace at bay.

((Any parting conversation from Galingal before the crew departs?))

Stena's expression doesn't relax at Galingal's assurances.

Once away from the Drow and inn she look at the situation around her and deflate again.