Olaerys tries to hide his concern and slight revulsion as Frail pulls her hood back and coughs.  He covers this quickly with a smile and turns to the Tabaxi who has arrived at the table.  “Come join us, have a seat.  My name is Olaerys, we were discussing what has been happening around Red Larch and Randall here has been bringing us up to speed.  That was quite an… interesting dance out there.  What brings you here?”  

Panga smiles at the goliath as they finish their card demonstration. “That was very nice,” she says softly while turning to look closely at the short half-elf, her expression dropping only slightly. She sits quietly observing all the newcomers and waiting to hear more about what people know.

"Kaylessa may be right about some of the folk in town, but don't hold it against them.  These last months have been maddening.  Some of us have lost friends.  For me, the caravans that come and go are a source of income and of new faces to meet and stories to hear.  But for others..." his face falls a bit, "they are a reminder of the big world out there, full of people who can come and go with the wind, not burdened or trapped by the struggles here in our little town."

"You lot seem to have the bandits on your mind.  I don't think its a sin to say I have half a mind to take a run at those blackguards myself."  He taps his hands on the table. "Or is there something else I can tell you about Red Larch?"

"*snuffle* Bandits" Frail says fully covered again trying to act tough even though she's hurting from the rush over here.

Panga looks around at the others and then says, "For now perhaps it is best if we come together and attempt to help out with these bandits. Do you know if there is an estimate about their numbers? How secure do they keep where they are staying? It sounds like Harburk is familiar with where they are camped out, is this a place you know well?"  Her warm smile has become a slightly furrowed brow as she asks these questions and waits for an answer, attentively. 

"Thank you kindly Olaerys! My name is Fr'reona. It is nice to meet you." as a smile comes to her face and she has a seat

"So what has been happening here in Red Larch? I'm interested also in finding out about what's been happening." She says as she leans forward while sliding her right elbow upon the table while resting her chin on her closed fist. As she turns to look at the others who also occupy the table.

 She leans slightly towards Olaery and whispers

"I'm seeking the Order of the Gauntlet out." As she smiles

Melchor nods to Panga ‘Good questions, all…’ he then turns his attention to Randall, ‘I suggest you tell us everything you’ve heard about these bandits, or people acting as bandits. Leave nothing out, no matter how small or unlikely…’

He takes a sip of his wine as he waits, fingers trembling slightly as he raises the glass to his lips.

"Well," Randall begins as he scratches the back of his head, "I suppose it started a month or so ago.  Bandits started harassing folk out on the Cairn Road, to the southeast of the town proper."  He points, but inside a building and with no familiarity with the area, his pointing isn't likely to add anything to your understanding of the location.  "I'm not sure it is known for a fact that they have a hideout out that way... its just that all of their activity is clustered there, and they aren't staying in town... so we just have to assume they've got some place out that way where they hole up when they're not pestering good folk."  He shifts a bit... obviously uncomfortable with this next part.  "Harburk has tried to look into things but... its hard, you know?  As it is the bandits know their turf and its dangerous to go poking around, not knowing if you're going to run into a hail of arrows.  So I think our response has been... I don't know... conservative so far."  He takes a long look at all of you.  "But mayhaps that is all about to change."

"Numbers wise, I'm not sure.  I don't think anyone has reported any huge groups... but then again its hard to say if they are ever all together in one place. There's enough to be a big problem for the town, that's for sure."

When Fr'reona mentions the Order of the Gauntlet, Randall glances over.  "Oh, I don't know what that's all about, but I am sure I have heard Imdarr over at the local shrine mention them.  He's a priest of Tempus."

Fr'reona puts her left finger into her hair as she starts to slowly swirl it around as she thinks Imdarr over at the local shrine hu? before her eyes shift toward Randall as he is talking. 

"As I'm new to Red Larch what locations are in that main part of town that would spark interest for those bandits? Have they also stirred up the local businesses there attempting to take their money? Is there a prized possession/artifact or something that's caught their eye?"

her eyes wander the room again as if she was still looking for something to this point she still hasn't been found

then she blinks twice and just smiles as if nothing just happened.

Kaylessa, eavesdropping, chimes in. "No bandit problems in town honey. Harburk does a decent enough job keeping them out. The amount of trade and caravan up and down the Long Road is enough for them. We've always had banditry but it's gotten worse."

"I've heard of some odd folk in masks seen over by Mellikho Stoneworks (area 18) but didn't sound like bandits to me. Probably just folks like young Randall here misbehaving!"

Fr'reona ear's like radar move in the direction of the voice as she hears Kay from nearby.  Licking her dry lips and swallowing hard She looks around the table as she see's some with drinks enjoying the refreshing beverage inside. Her eye's shift towards Kay hoping she's carrying drinks with one at least with her name on it. 

"Odd folk you say?" asking curiously as she store's Mellikho Stoneworks in her mind.

Olaerys perks up at the discussion with Fr'reona and the mention of the Order of the Gauntlet.  Quietly and so that only Fr'reona can hear, Olaerys says "I am a member of the Order, I am seeking out a contact here, Imdarr Relvaunder.  Let's talk later."  He listens to the discussion about the bandits, potential hideouts, location and targets.  To the group he says "That is the very thing that I am here to investigate."  He turns and says "Randall, where is the All Faith Shrine?  Can you point me in the right direction?  Helm guides my path, I need to go and.. pray to him and meditate.  But for now, I would like some of that rabbit stew!"

Melchor takes another sip of his wine before, carefully, placing the glass back down. 

‘So.. Assuming we are all, for our reasons, interested in investigating these bandits, we should decide if we wish to do so during daylight, or the darker hours, and if we wish to attempt stealth, or to draw out an ambush and turn it back upon them.’ he gestures to his cane ‘I’m not much for sneaking around these days, but I do have the means to scout ahead remotely if needed.’

"I am quite capable of sneaking around, but I'd be interested to see what your remote means are?" Panga asks Melchor with a smile, "Either way once we set off we should certainly take a closer look before we go rushing in. For now though," she looks over at Olaerys, "if these stoneworks are near the town we could poke about and see if we find any of these strange individuals, unless of course that is your handiwork Randall?" She smiles at Randall, this last said with a mock scolding tone.

Frail has been sitting and observing. She doesn't want to interrupt the fabulous conversations going on.

Trying not to interrupt this time, Kaylessa brings 6 bowls of rabbit stew and the remaining drinks, including a big bowl of milk for Fr'reona

(ooc it is currently mid afternoon. The Stoneworks are in area 18 at the northern edge of town)

Melchor returns Panga’s smile ‘I’ll let you know when needed. No sense in sharing all our secrets straightaway, where’s the fun in that?’ then he looks back to Randall ‘What can you tell us about the Stoneworks?’

Randall laughs at the suggestion he is behind the mysterious mask shenanigans.  “Come now!  Perhaps in my youth… these days I am a pillar of the community,” he says with a wink to the innkeeper.

Turning back to the folk at the table.  ”My father was a stonecutter… and before I took up metalsmithing I was expected to follow in his footsteps.  There are some fine deposits of granite in these hills, and high demand for it amongst the builders of Waterdeep.  Were it not for the quarries, Red Larch would not be much more than an inn and a stables along the trade road.  I had heard some rumors about odd happenings there, but I’m afraid I don’t know much more than that.”

”So it’s your turn… tell me a bit of news from the road.  We get so wrapped up in our troubles… I long to hear about what else is going on in the world these days.”

Panga smiles at Randall, “I spend my time in the woods. I mostly tend to plants and animals that need aid against things like corruption and rot. I help out the errant traveler here and there, but for the most part I’ve found that people find my stories quite mundane. It’s been some time since I’ve been involved in something exciting or dangerous like this to be honest. My good friend sent me out here to check on the area. He told me that there are vicious raiders attacking hamlets and caravans, so here I am fighting against corruption and rot.”