Jararaka lifts her cloak a bit, patting the hilt of her blade nonchalantly, "y'all don't know how wild it has been in Greenest. I was just doing my job loading and unloading those caravans, and these wackos come out of nowhere, raiding and burning the town down. You have to be prepared." She shrugs, "anyway, heard there's openings up here, I'm betting on safer work in the big city. I've got experience, I keep my head down, just point me where to go an' I'll stop bothering you."

D20: 9

Intrigued by the potential lead with the lonely Ox, Jirel considers her options. Of course she could look to purchase the animal to gain them in their possession, however they already had the beginning of a menagerie on their hands. She couldn’t just take home every stray she came across… Right? Suppose she could at least start with seeing if she could find someone from the local stockyard to converse a bit. Perhaps they could provide some insight on who came with the ox, what came with them, and where they may have gone. Should her path cross with any of her companions, she’d share her discovery. 

With a heavy sense of having wasted precious time, Tylaerys leaves the porters and seeks out Jirel, knowing she will feel comforted in the presence of the blonde giantess.  "I've found out nothing that is helpful." She says with a sigh as she comes up to the goliath, leaning against her slightly and looking up at her, pouting slightly, hoping for some kind of encouragement. "Did you have any luck so far?"

     “So… no dragon worshipping cultists with wagons full of stolen and looted goods then?” Finn asks straight out near the end of her snooping, being loud enough to hopefully be heard by at least half a dozen porters.  “”Shadows sorts in cloaks, perhaps with more than your average amount of kobolds underfoot?  Not your average thief or scoundrel which may go overlooked with no real harm done but real threat to everyone and the city itself types…?  The kind you can’t help but notice even if you don’t want to?”

     It is a long shot but Finn figures that the porters may routinely be tipped to look the other way and not ask (or answer) questions.  Perhaps if they knew these weren’t your average thieves guild types they may have more to say.  And if not, they may talk about the loony looking for dragon cultists and if that rumor got around it could bring the cult looking for them.

Jararaka, the custom officials give you a long hard look.  "Plenty of guard work available.  Caravans are leaving south almost every hour.  I can put you in touch with one of the caravan masters... it looks like that work might be more your speed."

Finn, the only reaction you get to your bold query is a few quizzical glances from day laborers.

However...

Jirel, from the stockyard, you learn that is it common for traders who are not immediately leaving on a return trip to sell their wagons and pack animals outside the city.  It is cheaper to sell them and then buy new ones when necessary than to pay to stable them while they are in Baldur's Gate.  There is probably some paperwork somewhere about who sold that particular ox, but no one is interested in looking for it right now.

((To make sure I have it right... We are currently in Rivington and from here head head across Wyrms Crossing to Twin Songs to continue our journey?  Wyrm's Crossing would, presumably, be the bridge in question?))

     Finn gives Riko a conspiratorial wink and, if the opportunity allows, slips him a gold to thank him for his help.  Before Riko can get too far away, Finn summons her familiar Misses Binklesworth of the Twilight Binklesworths and directs her to covertly follow Riko from a distance to see if she can learn anything before we, the group, move on.  ((Not looking for much here, mostly trying to make sure this bloke doesn't immediately run to the Rats or the Cultists and tell them the traps has been set up or something?  Cat Stealth:  23 ))

     With a presumed lead in hand Finn will follow his direction and speak no more of it for the time being, specially loudly or publicly.  Instead she starts casting her gaze about her looking for her friends and trying to recall what she knows about the Rats - If they would be a local gang, a thieve's guild or something more sinister perhaps?  ((History? 23 ))

     Finn, while finding and heading to her friends, will also keep an eye on her own back to do her best that she is not being followed or spied upon by Riko or any of his compatriots.  ((Perception? 2 ))

((Whew, I don't normally roll that much unbidden...  though unbidden rolls tend to be even worse than normal rolls, so we'll see...))

     When the cast and crew are back together again, once everyone is done with what they are doing, Finn fills them in on the possible lead she has.  She recounts her own actions and how they brought Riko to her as well as what he said.  If Finn knows anything about the mentioned Rats she will advise the others of this as well, all in a hushed voice and wary of those around them.

     "So on the bridge we need to keep an eye out for this Sweetjen's Spices.  Can't be too difficult to spot, I imagine?  I figure I either go in alone or with one of the Jays (Jirel or Jararaka) but everyone else should be close enough to be seen in case having an intimidating crew helps with the negotiations, yes?  But we should find the place before we plan too much, I suppose..." Finn suggests.

     "Anyone else get anything?"     

Jararaka waves a hand and dismisses the custom official's offer, no longer interested in trying to find a lead here as she sees everyone reconvening in the corner of her eye. She replies a bit drily, "I've already got a deal with the Blackrim if the porter work don't work out, thanks for the help though."

She weaves her way back to the group, shaking her head, "the custom officials don't look related to the cult. At least, not these ones."

She tilts her head as Finn recounts her findings, squinting, "so we're finding this Crosser... but it sounds like this is the Rats' territory. Bit wary about this lead, but I guess it's the only one we have. I can go with you."

[also history in case Jararaka knows about the Crossers and the Rats? 3 lol. it sounds a bit shady so maybe her criminal background can help..?]

As the team is gathered again, Tylaerys attentively listens to Finn's report and nods. "I'm afraid I have nothing to report other than the sense that apart from any cult activities much shady business would be going on in a city like Baldur's Gate. You two go ahead though, Jirel and I will be closeby should there be any altercations." She says, looking up with a smile at the blonde giantess. She would then casually follow Finn and Jararaka at a distance no longer than that at least Jirel would have eyes on them, also trying to find anything for her and Jirel to nibble on while slowly making their way on, leading their mounts by the reins.

History to know anything about the Rats and what else Finn mentioned: 18
Perception to notice anyone paying special attention to the team: 19

[Results of those investigations/recollections and rolls....]

Finn:

Misses Binklesworth of the Twilight Binklesworths weaves in and out of foot traffic, tailing the smoking man.  After half an hour she returns, and relays to Finn that she remained undetected.  The man carried his sacks of grain across the bridge and around to the gates of the main city.  He didn't stop to talk to anyone along the way.

You've never heard of these 'Rats' or 'Crossers' before.

Despite wandering around and asking a lot of questions, your group hasn't attracted much attention... outside of Jirel as word is going round about a giantess talking to cows and horses.

Jararaka:

You've never heard of these 'Rats' or 'Crossers' before, either.  But you do know of a pawn shop in Sow's Foot (another of the neighborhoods outside the city walls) that fences stolen goods. You can probably find answers there, especially if these are rival gangs or thieves guilds.

Tylaerys:

You instantly recognize both of these criminal organizations.  The Harpers make it their business to know about criminal elements is cities such as Baldur's Gate.  The city doesn't have a single thieves' guild.  Each neighborhood is controlled by a different gang, but for decades they have had an open understanding with one another.  They agree to refer to themselves to outsiders as 'the Guild' even though they are all independent.  And there are agreed upon rules about operating (or not operating) in neighboring territories. 

The 'Rats' aka the 'Rivington Rats' aka the 'River Rats' control this neighborhood.  They mostly involve themselves in smuggling.

Wyrm's Crossing, the bridge across the River Chionthar, is under the control of the 'Crossers.'  They are mostly cheats and pickpockets, lifting goods as they cross the bridge.  They also frequently clash violently with the Flaming Fist, who have a fortification in the center of the bridge.

As with Finn, you don't notice anyone paying extra special attention to your team.

Tylaerys quietly shares with the others what she knows about the Rats and the Crossers, then following Finn and Jararaka at a slight distance.

It indeed was a long and arduous process to interview cows, horses and the lonely ox. And Jirel thought she was dense... Having disassociated, losing track of time after being so focused on this single traumatized ox, the giantess was returned to present from Tylaerys physical presence and question. Knitted brows relax, softening her visage in response to the half-elf's look of disappointment. "This ox sounds like he did time at the raider camp outside Greenest." She says before adding. "Evidence they passed this way."

"All is not lost." Jirel tries to provide a sense of hope, resting a gentle palm against her back to begin guiding them ahead. "There could be paper work?" Honey eyes look from Tylaerys then up around the area. "A quick peek perhaps." Since there was no full service customer service, maybe she could do a quick search before abandoning the sole ox. In hindsight, it was probably better this way. She needn't subject it to the wrath of Glittersnake.

Investigation: 7
(If w/ help and/or advantage from no one paying attention to them: 12)

"Smugglers an' cheats eh?" Jirel summarizes Tylaerys' quiet run down of both groups in a single word each to simplify her thought process. "If I was a bettin' woman, I'd figure the Cultists would rather do business wit them smugglin' Rats over cheatin' dirty Cross'ers." She'd figure they'd prefer not having own stolen goods pilfered. "Riko's lead to the Rats may get us closer." The giantess juts her head towards Finn who shared her lead. "We know anythin' 'bout this Jonnet or Sweetjen's Spices?" She adds a bit absentmindedly, preparing herself for all possible angles, aka any traps.

"That is good news Jirel..." Tylaerys says, perking up and smiling up at the blonde giantess. "...I mean, at least we know we are on their trail." She continues excitedly, giving Jirel a quick hug, then following the goliath to assist her best she can with finding any paperwork that could give them a clue to where they headed from here.

(Help action provided.)

As the team continues the blonde half-elf continues to keep a good lookout, trying to find Sweetjen's Spices.

Perception: 7

     “Sorry, know nothing about Jonnet or Sweetjen’s. I mostly hit the taverns and inns when I’ve passed through.  And I definitely steered clear of the professionals…”

     “If the Crossers are planning a score, though, perhaps it may do to go undercover and work with them?  But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  First we need find Sweetjen’s…”

Jirel and Tylaerys help themselves a look at the paperwork in the stockyard office.  Despite their best efforts, they cannot locate documents related to the subject ox, before a page notices them digging through stack of paper and shoos them away.  It was a longshot anyway, as the Cultists almost certainly wouldn't have used real names or provided a forwarding address.

[Sounds like we are going to go looking for the Crossers, with Finn and one other taking point and the other two following along to observe?  That's the only plan I've heard thus far.  I won't initiate contact in this update so you can plan how to meet them if you like...]

The roads in Rivington all converge into a single route leading onto Wyrm's Crossing.  While referred to by locals as 'the Crossing' or just 'the Bridge', Wyrm's Crossing is actually two bridges.  Here, a massive spire of rock juts up from the middle of the river Chiontar.  A stone-walled fortess, known as Wyrm Rock, is built atop the spite.  On either side, gates connect to the two bridges.  The Flaming Fist, who control Wyrm Rock, can raise drawbridges and isolate the fort if the city is ever attacked from the south.  While the fort itself is under the direct control of the Flaming Fist, the bridges themselves are fair game for squatters. Ramshackle wooden tenements, taverns, and shops crowd both sides of the arched stone spans, leaning out over the narrow road between them. Even more cling to the sides of the bridges, anchored to each other or cantilevered over the water. 

It is cramped, crowded and noisy, and the constant flow of shoulder-shoulder foot traffic makes it a battle to get anywhere.  Still, that is not enough to deter residents who hope to be the first to sell to travelers on their way into the city, or the last to pick their pockets on the way out.

Crossing onto the bridge, you take in your surroundings.  Most of the pedestrian traffic are humans, as are many of those you spot drinking or stumbling out of seedy dive bars or gambling halls that line the road.  You do spot a larger than expected number of halflings, and upon noting that you also see that many of the homes that line the bridge are small with low ceilings... the limited space on the bridge apparently making this place slightly more tolerable for the wee folk.  

Tylaerys is the first to spot Sweetjen's Spices.  It isn't more than a kiosk, a clapboard countertop by the bridge's edge, surrounded by barrels, crates and boxes.  A young halfling woman is hawking wares to passers by, while a scarred and rough looking human man leans against the side of the bridge and causally rolls a coin with his fingers, watching her work.

Having passed through here fairly recently on her way south to Greenest, the young blonde half-elf has seen this weird bridge before and makes no big eyes over it, continuing to lead Shiloh by the reains as she walks alongside Jirel. As she notices it in the distance, Tylaerys discreetly points out the clapboard countertop to the others in the team, leaving to Finn to navigate this, hanging around in the background, keeping her eyes open at the surroundings.

     Finn smiles back to Tylaerys to indicate she got the signal but makes a point of stopping by a couple of other similarly situated shops in the area first - Never good to make a b-line right for what you want.  Finn looks over goods, halfheartedly barters with a couple proprietors (likely without buying anything) before she saunters over to Sweetjen's Spices.  

     "How y'do?" Finn casually says in greeting to the halfling women who seems to be the proprietress.  Finn picks up and considers several of the offerings, taking a sniff of this and that trying to decide.  Finn would finally settle on some cinnamon and ginger or something similar - Something she wouldn't mind actually using - and asking how much.  While considering the price Finn would casually look at the sign and then to the woman and ask "Are you Sweetjen then?"  Based on the woman's reply Finn would follow up with a variant of "Oh, a friend of mine told me to ask for Jonnet if I wanted the best prices," but with a charming smile.

((Plan wise, kind of hoping Jonnet can lead us to the Crossers...))

Finn, you kill a few moments chatting up vendors - one selling handmade jewelry of beads and hemp twine; the other selling 'unicorn horns' carved from driftwood - before moving on to Sweetjen's spices.  The proprietess sets one oz. of cinnamon and one oz. of ginger, rolled up in slips of paper, and advises the price is 1sp, 5cp.

At your initial question, she answers casually, "Hon, I just work here.  Sweetjen is more of an idea, than a flesh and blood person."

At your second point, she nods, stands, and grabs a stick.  She uses it to grab the end of a tapestry, which she raises up and hooks onto the adjacent wall, creating an alcove hidden from the view of the road beyond.

Tylaerys, Jirel and Jararaka, you see the young woman lift up a tarp and cover their shopfront.  Finn is now concealed from view.

Finn:

Tylaerys being confident Finn can handle the situation discreetly watches what she can, hoping to have a signal from the changeling if she and the rest of the team should join her.

Perception: 11

     "Oh, I'll still take the spices," Finn assures with a smile, taking out two silver and paying for them.

     "You're Jonnet, then?" Finn then asks, turning to the man and looking him up and down in order to appraise the man best she can.  Basically trying to assess if he is indeed the man in question and if he is the type to turn violent quickly... ((Insight?  19+1 for 20))

     "Riko sent me.  He said to say that it's about the treasure," Finn says in a lowered voice so as to try to keep it between the two of them.  The three if the woman working the stand was included in the conversation by the man Jonnet.  "Truth be told, I was maybe being too obvious and he wanted to shut me up?  But my friends and I... We are less interested in the treasure itself than in those who currently have it.  I'm hoping we could help each other...  You get the treasure, we get to hurt them and information on where they are and anything else you may have... If something like that could be worked out."  ((Persuasion:  1+5 for 6....  I KNEW I wasted the good roll.  lol))

Finn: