Auger comes back to his senses slowly. It is late in the night and Py informs him it has been several hours. Driss snores nearby, as does Baylen. Auger thinks carefully on the short message that the Grey Lady gave him. She was betrothed to the Angel. Hard to imagine that being loving anyone. Then he thinks of how it treated Kotashin and revises his estimate. Still though. Betrothed. To that.
The mention of his family had sent a wave a relaxation through him. Perhaps his use of cover names would be of some help if the Empire ever chose to seek him out at home. That he might see them soon, that was harder to imagine. He hopes it would be true.
The Sindarran draws near his goal she had said. Perhaps the journals Snow found had proven helpful. Helping Granophyre with his quest had been his absolute purpose for some time. Seeing the quest come to an end was also hard to imagine.
Auger waits till morning, letting his friends rest. Then he joins Driss in packing things up, saddling Baylen and flying south, back to the others to meet with them and to hear any news.
---
At the idea of dropping Tama in Asni Village Auger at first nods, then he thinks about the proximity to El Harrouch. Not very far at all. He is not sure it is a great idea, but he has no particular liking for Kalahata, so it seems a better risk than most.
Upon hearing the remaining plans, to come to the source of the Sebu and then travel... northwest it appeared? He liked this prospect and nods along with the others, offering to fly ahead and scout out the area with Baylen and Driss when the time was right for that.
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"Indeed the people of Asni are good folk", Snow says in agreement with Varielky after she takes her leave.
"They are not enamoured though with the Jenghen or indeed the poppy families, but that is true of a lot of folk in the Vale", he adds.
He turns to his father. "I do not want to assume, father. Do we still have the use of the Reaver's Word for our journey?", he asks fairly formerly. He hadn't had the chance to talk to him about the Old Mystics yet, and still played on his mind.
"We landed near Asni before, so stopping should be safe, right?'.
Assuming all is well, he try and get time with Varielky, Auger and Strewn on the trip.
"I am assuming the source of the Sebu, this Lake Amidu, will be fairly deep within the Bantu mountains. And from what Safiyah's diary shows, she was there searching for Orc clans. We can assume we may come across some ourselves. We should have some kind of plan, right? Scouting from the air is certainly a good start", he says, smiling at Auger after he suggests it.
“Safiyah’s journey,” Granophyre responds to Snow, “was only a week or perhaps two, so Lake Amidu may be no more than 20 or 30 miles northeast of Outghal.”
Trivedi Das has been forgetting to shave and eat at times, Tamazaert tells Snow. When the bard goes to check on him, the door to the captain’s cabin is shut, and when Snow enters, his father is deeply absorbed in his research. “I am so close, Snow, so close,” he says, with an almost wild look in his eye. “I will find them, I have no doubt!” He is quite distracted, retreats immediately back to his work, and suggests that Snow captain the ship as he, the elder Das, would rather remain in his cabin at work.
When the Reaver’s Word lifts up from its mooring place in the Blistering Sands, east of Kalahata, and takes a northward heading, flying over the Bantu Foothills in order to cut northward to Asni Village without flying directly over the desert city, you see below you, perhaps twelve miles east, a long line of sky blue cloaked fighters trekking along the Queen’s way bordering the Blistering sands. Perhaps five hundred men and women, cats, chimps, dwarves, flying the Imperial banner. Most on foot, some mounted on warhorses. Two rocs slowly glide over the column. The road leads to Kalahata, and it would be logical to think that the fighters have traveled up the Ushashe River from Banneshi in the Empire proper, or even as far as Jen Ghessa, sent to support the garrison in Kalahata against the Shians rebelling against harsh Imperial rule.
Varielky whistles as an exclamation of impression. "Now that's an army!" She's excited, and even though she feels bad for the residents of Kalahata, she can't help but wish to be there and see the army from up close... maybe even fight a commander or two. "But as for fighting Orc tribes," Varielky rejoins the conversation, "I have a plan." She draws Dreygaard and holds it up high. "If they stand in our way, we'll have to make sure they don't."
Snow nods to his father, although the gesture is not seen. "You may well find them, but is that really a good thing", he whispers once out of the door. The Old Mystics had been his fathers obsession for as long as Snow was alive, longer perhaps. But what had come to light about the Old Mystics recently made him think that it may be good for them to remain lost in the past.
"This is not unusual, I'm afraid", he says when he returns to Tamazaert. "His obsession takes over and pushes all else aside. My thanks for keeping an eye on him". He starts to wander away to the helm, but turns back. "You will be missed when you leave", he adds simply before turning away again.
His glum thoughts about that take a back seat though, as he once again gets to captain the Reaver's Word. Calling forth the ghostly crew to unfurl the sails and raise anchor, he directs the ship North.
"I suppose it was only a matter of time before they sent for reinforcements, but it must mean the rebellion is gaining traction. No need for those soldiers otherwise", Snow says looking down on the line of soldiers. "I wonder if they know the extent of what they face, the powers behind the rebellion".
At his command, the Reaver's Word gains a little more altitude, hoping to avoid the attentions of the Roc riders.
War and death. Much of it was set in motion prior to their arrival. It was not only them that had set things askew in this region. Something like this would be coming without their intervention, right? Quite the show of force though from the Empire. Auger is reminded briefly of the story he heard of giants tearing down the walls of Kalahata in the last rebellion. He hopes it would not come to that.
Varielky mentioned Orc tribes? Auger wonders at what Varielky refers to, thinking of the plains behind them and the carriage pursuit all those weeks ago. Then he realizes his mind was wandering. Orc tribes in the mountains. Hopefully they would be able to fly over most and not have to fight them. Who knows what they might stir up next to the north. As they prepare to leave, Auger asks Driss to fly Baylen over to meet them in Asni, but to wait till after dark so that the movements would not be easily tracked from the city. Auger stays on the Reaver's Word to speak with the others.
Auger responds to Snow, "I wonder if the forces of the Red Cypress know what they are facing. It might be worthwhile to check in with them. They have offered to provide us some form of aid. We should at least do the favor of informing them of what we have seen here in Kalahata."
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
What heading does Snow take toward Asni? The journey will take perhaps 3 hours. Due north? or follow the Sebu river, or farther east flying over Ksar Gilane and Benepota castles, or something else?
That depends on the weather, if we are concealed by clouds a more direct approach is ok, but if we cannot guarantee that, he would do a more circuitous route to ensure their destination cannot be guessed. Even if they have to follow the mountains around and travel due West to get to Asni itself.
He would also ask the others if they thought landing farther away from Asni was safer. And suggest she travel the last few miles by means of his Phantom Steed (assuming DM rules multiple people can sit on the steed).
The weather is now clear, hot, dry. The rains of your descent to Kalahata Seem to have exhausted Orraca u Shia of seasonal moisture. Springtime in the desert is moving toward summer.
Snow takes a route along the mountain ridge bordering the Vale’s eastern boundary. By using the mountains as cover, and with careful and furtive trimming, the bard can hope to avoid detection from the ground. By sunset, the Reaver’s Word, having dangered nothing more serious than a giant throwing an enormous boulder across its bow to ward it from coming too close to its lair, arrives to a mountain meadow midway between Kenchir-Matria and Octaba Castles, not far from the Kenchir-Matria - Reperi road. So far, the ship seems not to have attracted notice from the occupants of either castle, or of the people of the Vale below. The air is cooler and the tallest peaks still maintain their snowcaps. But the breeze is dry, and the farther the ship descends toward the ground, the warmer the temperature.
You know of a meadow outside of Asni with tall trees encircling it, where the ship and Baylen met up perhaps a week ago.
A gibbous moon, just over half full, but rather dim, rose the prior night just before midnight. You can expect the same tonight under clear skies. In this part of the vale the river roads are busy until midnight with business folk wrapping up sales or returning to waterfront warehouses after delivering goods, or with people traveling to visit friends relatives, although that may have slowed with rebellion in the air. But once that ends, seeing the river from a distance in the dark may not be dependable. Navigating by the stars is an option, but you might or might not be able to strike exactly the course you want to.
You could fly nape of earth, hanging low over the river, and in that way ensure you go where you wish, but at the expense of almost certainly being spotted.
The important part is that the ship isn't seen landing close to Asni, so if we can mitigate that risk, and then travel up river at a high altitude that is best. Snow just doesn't want anyone turning up at Asni asking questions. So if they land in that tree lined field, then head back and loop around to the Sebu and follow it up. Obviously avoiding any Imperial occupied castles etc.
Unless we can use the familiars to help guide us through the dark? Auger has awesome vision and can see through Py's eyes at a certain range right?
Two hours after sunset, when the last streak of orange has disappeared behind the western Bantu ridge, the Reaver’s Word sets sail again, carefully negotiating its descrnt down into the Vale. Village bells in Asni ring ten times as the airship settles into the tree-encircled meadow, and a few minutes later, Baylen’s huge form glides low over treetops to land nearby.
Snow makes his way down from the helm to join the others.
”I wouldn’t mind a walk into Asni, see how the folk there are getting on and update on them on what we know. They might have information about the Red Cypress too”, he says.
”Assuming you don’t mind being associated with us?”, he asks of Tamazaert.
”If it is a problem, we could go in disguise”, he adds after a moments thought.
When Snow asks about Auger's vision in the dark he confirms that he can see quite far, so long as there is some weak light. Py, Auger points out is not as able to see so far in the dark but its scouting is always useful during the day. As Snow brings the Reaver's Word down to rest Auger places himself nearby and points out nearby features to avoid and navigate around as they come down lower.
At the idea of heading into the town Auger agrees he would like to head in as well and after checking in with Driss and Baylen will step into town with Snow, using a disguise if that is what the group thinks is best.
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"Why should we go in disguise? The people of Asni like us, don't they? Or at least, they respect us. I think they're more likely to reach out a helping hand to us than to some unknown person who arrives in the middle of the night." If the others are still convinced they should go in disguise, Varielky won't argue further. Maybe they had some other concern.
"I am not needlessly advocating a disguise, I am merely suggested it because I do not want attention drawn to Tamazaert through association with us. Remember there is a rather large bounty on our heads. Not everyone in Asni may be friendly to us and the Red Cypress", Snow explains.
He turns to Tamazaert, "You should know what it means to associate with us. If you would rather not, or would feel safer if we disguised ourselves, is up to you. I believe Auger is not named in the bounty, so he at least should be safe".
(OOC: I am pretty sure Snow knows the details of the bounty, in terms of who is named)
Tamazaert seems to search for words. “Who am I to mind being associated with heroes like you. I have no connections in Asni, and people will think what they want. I don’t care. All I need is right here.” She shifts Sura, who is sitting in her lap playing with Granophyre’s golden bird. Sura throws it away, bored, it grows wings and flits in a circle, the toddler grabs it again, excited, the homunculus goes inert in his grasp.
“I hoped, Sirs and Miss,” she continues, “that you might know of a temple or guild where I could work and provide for Sura? Like the Abziri archives in Kalahata?”
You recall this from your first arrival in Asni some weeks in the past:
That night, around 8 bells, townsfolk gather for a “Service of Thanks” at the town’s largest meeting place, the Shrine to Namawa, god of travel and commerce. Here, Namawa is worshipped as an androgynous god/goddess driving a golden team of oxen.
When you arrive, among perhaps a hundred townsfolk, the shrine’s priest, a smiling older man with freckled lavender complexion, dimples and high, bushy eyebrows, begins the proceedings with a prayer of thanks and supplication, after which he takes a deep breath.
“Any and all who wish to remain here and share the evening with their neighbors are welcome to,” he finishes, before stepping down off the dais.
Everyone remains seated as a woman who had been sitting in the front row stands, they shake hands firmly, and she then steps up to take his place at the dais.
The woman looks like a guild person, well dressed in middle-class clothing, jewelry and makeup modestly done. She is, apparently, a familiar face to those present.
The woman speaks passionately about the continuing abuses of the garrison. About rumors of orcs running rampant in Orraca u Shia, goblins in the vale, and of what is not mere rumor: the opium lords, killing and imprisoning folk “willy nilly, and without consequence from our so-called protectors stationed here these many years, by order of the Jenghen Empire.” She expresses anger, frustration, and fear for her loved ones.
Finding a quiet moment, Benita La Cass approaches Varielky and starts a conversation she seems to have been pondering for a while.
“Vee,” says the lithe Indallian, “something’s different about you. Before, you were more... I don’t know, quiet and unsure. Now you could walk into a noble's audience chamber and they’d all sit up straight in their seats. Is there… your sword. I’ve heard you talking to it. I mean,” her tone lightens a bit, “if you need someone to talk to, what am I, hyena meatloaf?”
Auger comes back to his senses slowly. It is late in the night and Py informs him it has been several hours. Driss snores nearby, as does Baylen. Auger thinks carefully on the short message that the Grey Lady gave him. She was betrothed to the Angel. Hard to imagine that being loving anyone. Then he thinks of how it treated Kotashin and revises his estimate. Still though. Betrothed. To that.
The mention of his family had sent a wave a relaxation through him. Perhaps his use of cover names would be of some help if the Empire ever chose to seek him out at home. That he might see them soon, that was harder to imagine. He hopes it would be true.
The Sindarran draws near his goal she had said. Perhaps the journals Snow found had proven helpful. Helping Granophyre with his quest had been his absolute purpose for some time. Seeing the quest come to an end was also hard to imagine.
Auger waits till morning, letting his friends rest. Then he joins Driss in packing things up, saddling Baylen and flying south, back to the others to meet with them and to hear any news.
---
At the idea of dropping Tama in Asni Village Auger at first nods, then he thinks about the proximity to El Harrouch. Not very far at all. He is not sure it is a great idea, but he has no particular liking for Kalahata, so it seems a better risk than most.
Upon hearing the remaining plans, to come to the source of the Sebu and then travel... northwest it appeared? He liked this prospect and nods along with the others, offering to fly ahead and scout out the area with Baylen and Driss when the time was right for that.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"Indeed the people of Asni are good folk", Snow says in agreement with Varielky after she takes her leave.
"They are not enamoured though with the Jenghen or indeed the poppy families, but that is true of a lot of folk in the Vale", he adds.
He turns to his father. "I do not want to assume, father. Do we still have the use of the Reaver's Word for our journey?", he asks fairly formerly. He hadn't had the chance to talk to him about the Old Mystics yet, and still played on his mind.
"We landed near Asni before, so stopping should be safe, right?'.
Assuming all is well, he try and get time with Varielky, Auger and Strewn on the trip.
"I am assuming the source of the Sebu, this Lake Amidu, will be fairly deep within the Bantu mountains. And from what Safiyah's diary shows, she was there searching for Orc clans. We can assume we may come across some ourselves. We should have some kind of plan, right? Scouting from the air is certainly a good start", he says, smiling at Auger after he suggests it.
The Vale of Deshar map
“Safiyah’s journey,” Granophyre responds to Snow, “was only a week or perhaps two, so Lake Amidu may be no more than 20 or 30 miles northeast of Outghal.”
Trivedi Das has been forgetting to shave and eat at times, Tamazaert tells Snow. When the bard goes to check on him, the door to the captain’s cabin is shut, and when Snow enters, his father is deeply absorbed in his research. “I am so close, Snow, so close,” he says, with an almost wild look in his eye. “I will find them, I have no doubt!” He is quite distracted, retreats immediately back to his work, and suggests that Snow captain the ship as he, the elder Das, would rather remain in his cabin at work.
When the Reaver’s Word lifts up from its mooring place in the Blistering Sands, east of Kalahata, and takes a northward heading, flying over the Bantu Foothills in order to cut northward to Asni Village without flying directly over the desert city, you see below you, perhaps twelve miles east, a long line of sky blue cloaked fighters trekking along the Queen’s way bordering the Blistering sands. Perhaps five hundred men and women, cats, chimps, dwarves, flying the Imperial banner. Most on foot, some mounted on warhorses. Two rocs slowly glide over the column. The road leads to Kalahata, and it would be logical to think that the fighters have traveled up the Ushashe River from Banneshi in the Empire proper, or even as far as Jen Ghessa, sent to support the garrison in Kalahata against the Shians rebelling against harsh Imperial rule.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky whistles as an exclamation of impression. "Now that's an army!" She's excited, and even though she feels bad for the residents of Kalahata, she can't help but wish to be there and see the army from up close... maybe even fight a commander or two. "But as for fighting Orc tribes," Varielky rejoins the conversation, "I have a plan." She draws Dreygaard and holds it up high. "If they stand in our way, we'll have to make sure they don't."
Varielky
Snow nods to his father, although the gesture is not seen. "You may well find them, but is that really a good thing", he whispers once out of the door. The Old Mystics had been his fathers obsession for as long as Snow was alive, longer perhaps. But what had come to light about the Old Mystics recently made him think that it may be good for them to remain lost in the past.
"This is not unusual, I'm afraid", he says when he returns to Tamazaert. "His obsession takes over and pushes all else aside. My thanks for keeping an eye on him". He starts to wander away to the helm, but turns back. "You will be missed when you leave", he adds simply before turning away again.
His glum thoughts about that take a back seat though, as he once again gets to captain the Reaver's Word. Calling forth the ghostly crew to unfurl the sails and raise anchor, he directs the ship North.
"I suppose it was only a matter of time before they sent for reinforcements, but it must mean the rebellion is gaining traction. No need for those soldiers otherwise", Snow says looking down on the line of soldiers. "I wonder if they know the extent of what they face, the powers behind the rebellion".
At his command, the Reaver's Word gains a little more altitude, hoping to avoid the attentions of the Roc riders.
War and death. Much of it was set in motion prior to their arrival. It was not only them that had set things askew in this region. Something like this would be coming without their intervention, right? Quite the show of force though from the Empire. Auger is reminded briefly of the story he heard of giants tearing down the walls of Kalahata in the last rebellion. He hopes it would not come to that.
Varielky mentioned Orc tribes? Auger wonders at what Varielky refers to, thinking of the plains behind them and the carriage pursuit all those weeks ago. Then he realizes his mind was wandering. Orc tribes in the mountains. Hopefully they would be able to fly over most and not have to fight them. Who knows what they might stir up next to the north. As they prepare to leave, Auger asks Driss to fly Baylen over to meet them in Asni, but to wait till after dark so that the movements would not be easily tracked from the city. Auger stays on the Reaver's Word to speak with the others.
Auger responds to Snow, "I wonder if the forces of the Red Cypress know what they are facing. It might be worthwhile to check in with them. They have offered to provide us some form of aid. We should at least do the favor of informing them of what we have seen here in Kalahata."
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
What heading does Snow take toward Asni? The journey will take perhaps 3 hours. Due north? or follow the Sebu river, or farther east flying over Ksar Gilane and Benepota castles, or something else?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
That depends on the weather, if we are concealed by clouds a more direct approach is ok, but if we cannot guarantee that, he would do a more circuitous route to ensure their destination cannot be guessed. Even if they have to follow the mountains around and travel due West to get to Asni itself.
He would also ask the others if they thought landing farther away from Asni was safer. And suggest she travel the last few miles by means of his Phantom Steed (assuming DM rules multiple people can sit on the steed).
The weather is now clear, hot, dry. The rains of your descent to Kalahata Seem to have exhausted Orraca u Shia of seasonal moisture. Springtime in the desert is moving toward summer.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
The long way is probably best then, around the mountains and then West. How long will that take?
Snow takes a route along the mountain ridge bordering the Vale’s eastern boundary. By using the mountains as cover, and with careful and furtive trimming, the bard can hope to avoid detection from the ground. By sunset, the Reaver’s Word, having dangered nothing more serious than a giant throwing an enormous boulder across its bow to ward it from coming too close to its lair, arrives to a mountain meadow midway between Kenchir-Matria and Octaba Castles, not far from the Kenchir-Matria - Reperi road. So far, the ship seems not to have attracted notice from the occupants of either castle, or of the people of the Vale below. The air is cooler and the tallest peaks still maintain their snowcaps. But the breeze is dry, and the farther the ship descends toward the ground, the warmer the temperature.
You know of a meadow outside of Asni with tall trees encircling it, where the ship and Baylen met up perhaps a week ago.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Snow looks out across the land and down the road that runs to Asni.
“I fear the closer we get to civilisation the more chance we will be spotted. Perhaps we make the final leg of the journey at dusk?”, he suggests.
”That way we can leave and follow the Sebu to the source when it is dark. We could douse the lights and our passage should go unnoticed”.
He looks to the sky to try and determine how long they would need to wait.
A gibbous moon, just over half full, but rather dim, rose the prior night just before midnight. You can expect the same tonight under clear skies. In this part of the vale the river roads are busy until midnight with business folk wrapping up sales or returning to waterfront warehouses after delivering goods, or with people traveling to visit friends relatives, although that may have slowed with rebellion in the air. But once that ends, seeing the river from a distance in the dark may not be dependable. Navigating by the stars is an option, but you might or might not be able to strike exactly the course you want to.
You could fly nape of earth, hanging low over the river, and in that way ensure you go where you wish, but at the expense of almost certainly being spotted.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
The important part is that the ship isn't seen landing close to Asni, so if we can mitigate that risk, and then travel up river at a high altitude that is best. Snow just doesn't want anyone turning up at Asni asking questions. So if they land in that tree lined field, then head back and loop around to the Sebu and follow it up. Obviously avoiding any Imperial occupied castles etc.
Unless we can use the familiars to help guide us through the dark? Auger has awesome vision and can see through Py's eyes at a certain range right?
Two hours after sunset, when the last streak of orange has disappeared behind the western Bantu ridge, the Reaver’s Word sets sail again, carefully negotiating its descrnt down into the Vale. Village bells in Asni ring ten times as the airship settles into the tree-encircled meadow, and a few minutes later, Baylen’s huge form glides low over treetops to land nearby.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Snow makes his way down from the helm to join the others.
”I wouldn’t mind a walk into Asni, see how the folk there are getting on and update on them on what we know. They might have information about the Red Cypress too”, he says.
”Assuming you don’t mind being associated with us?”, he asks of Tamazaert.
”If it is a problem, we could go in disguise”, he adds after a moments thought.
When Snow asks about Auger's vision in the dark he confirms that he can see quite far, so long as there is some weak light. Py, Auger points out is not as able to see so far in the dark but its scouting is always useful during the day. As Snow brings the Reaver's Word down to rest Auger places himself nearby and points out nearby features to avoid and navigate around as they come down lower.
At the idea of heading into the town Auger agrees he would like to head in as well and after checking in with Driss and Baylen will step into town with Snow, using a disguise if that is what the group thinks is best.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"Why should we go in disguise? The people of Asni like us, don't they? Or at least, they respect us. I think they're more likely to reach out a helping hand to us than to some unknown person who arrives in the middle of the night." If the others are still convinced they should go in disguise, Varielky won't argue further. Maybe they had some other concern.
Varielky
"I am not needlessly advocating a disguise, I am merely suggested it because I do not want attention drawn to Tamazaert through association with us. Remember there is a rather large bounty on our heads. Not everyone in Asni may be friendly to us and the Red Cypress", Snow explains.
He turns to Tamazaert, "You should know what it means to associate with us. If you would rather not, or would feel safer if we disguised ourselves, is up to you. I believe Auger is not named in the bounty, so he at least should be safe".
(OOC: I am pretty sure Snow knows the details of the bounty, in terms of who is named)
Tamazaert seems to search for words. “Who am I to mind being associated with heroes like you. I have no connections in Asni, and people will think what they want. I don’t care. All I need is right here.” She shifts Sura, who is sitting in her lap playing with Granophyre’s golden bird. Sura throws it away, bored, it grows wings and flits in a circle, the toddler grabs it again, excited, the homunculus goes inert in his grasp.
“I hoped, Sirs and Miss,” she continues, “that you might know of a temple or guild where I could work and provide for Sura? Like the Abziri archives in Kalahata?”
Finding a quiet moment, Benita La Cass approaches Varielky and starts a conversation she seems to have been pondering for a while.
“Vee,” says the lithe Indallian, “something’s different about you. Before, you were more... I don’t know, quiet and unsure. Now you could walk into a noble's audience chamber and they’d all sit up straight in their seats. Is there… your sword. I’ve heard you talking to it. I mean,” her tone lightens a bit, “if you need someone to talk to, what am I, hyena meatloaf?”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer