Kashika makes sure to collect the tails of the worms and place them in her pack. She had decided that if they were using them they must somehow have some effect, though she had no ability to confirm it. (How many wormling stinger tails can she collect?) regardless, once she collected what she could, she'd follow the others. Kashika was relieved to have made it to the other side. Her former group only making it halfway there before she had been forced to turn back. Regardless, taking stock of the exterior of the new city, she compared it to how similar it was to the other (Seeing if they're literal mirror images) as Jumble makes his suggestion. And the thought of being able to flee to the city rather than being forced to fight took some weight off her shoulders.

Kashika had reluctantly thanked Mordred for his healing. She was stubborn but not stupid, afterall. This is a g-good a place to camp as any. We're close enough to run to the walls... whether the g-guards help or n-not. I doubt they'll attack us though.. she says as she noticed Jumble eyeing the guards. And if they do... .. we simply make them fight us out here, or go inside and dissappear before they can get d-down.

Mordred had helped wipe the sand from Jack's eyes, he was a bit flustered about the encounter but had managed to focus on the task. He had looked at Jack as soon as her vision had returned. He had offered a somewhat playful hello despite his usual sullen expression.

"Welcome back to the land of light."

He had joked rather dryly, he had caught himself staring at Jack's formerly encrusted eyes for a moment before clearing his throat. He had glanced away before listening to his explanation upon gender.

"I see.. Do you have a favorite form?"

Mordred was surprised Jack hadn't had a preference when it came to gender. Mordred had looked to Nygil looking him over on his offer to carry someone. He couldn't help but curl his lips into a coarse chuckle. Though it sounded gruff it was sincere.

"Oh? And if I asked you to carry me?"

He said shaking his head lightly, it seemed the group had decided going forward. Mordred looked to Kashika blinking lightly. Had she thanked him? Truly?

"Y-You're welcome.."

He said a bit unsure how to handle the interaction. He was sure Kashika had hated him after all. Perhaps it had aligned with her idea of conduct. Though outside looking in it probably appeared he hated her but the truth was he hadn't hated anyone. She had frustrated him and he was aware he was stand offish himself. Despite knowing that.. For some reason talking to Nygil and Jack was a little easier. Why was that? Had they reminded him of his friends? In the world before? Well.. To be honest they had reminded him of his life before. It had brought a little light to his weary soul a bit of joy.. But it was sombering as well. It reminded him.. Of the life he was missing stuck here in this infernal Twilight. Shaking his head from those thoughts he had looked back to the small Kobold.

"That sounds like a suitable plan to me."

Zalten pulls his hood down from over his head, enjoying the dim light of the city of Dawn as the exterior of it becomes more clear. Though the light of the city is rather faint, it's more than he's encountered elsewhere along this journey and a welcome break from the darkness of the desert they had spent so long crossing. Besides, the safety of the walls of the city are a welcome sight on their own after the dangers of the desert. While he's more at ease than usual, he keeps in mind that even though the city may seem welcoming, this is fundamentally a hostile place to them

He looks to each of the group as they wait outside the walls of the city, and any who look into his eyes see that they have gone from a faded, vacant grey to a dark black, his pupils once again visible and glowing a faint gold color. A bit of light seems to be resting once again within Zalten, as if a bit of his normal form has been reconstructed and a bit of his god's light returned to him. As they get closer to the city walls, he chimes in:

"Seems like this would be as a good of a place to rest as any. Close enough to the city to defend ourselves from any of the threats of the desert, but not so close that we may alert Zoran of our presence and lose any element of surprise we may have, if we really have any. I doubt many are crossing the desert for a reason other than to attempt to take the crown"

Medicine: 3 (Jeez..)

Though Jack was able to see a little, there were still those last few stubborn grains of sand stuck in her eye that prevented her from opening her eyes fully. “This damn sand…” For a majority of the trip across the rest of the Twilight, she continues trying to rub and cry out those grains that made it feel like there were knives boring into the back of her eyeballs.

Medicine: 18

But at last, she was able to see! It only took many minutes after the sand had settled on the ground and help from her companions, but she could see again. Offering Mordred a smile, she replies, “Ha, thank you. I very much appreciate it.” She meets his stare readily, but is very confused by… whatever was going on. The constant nervous throat-clearing, the paladin’s strange ability to flip between holding her gaze for an (admittedly) awkward amount of time and not being able to hold it at all---it seems there really was something going on here that she was not privy to. Does he have a problem with changelings? Does he have a problem with me being a changeling? Or worse---did he have a problem with me? It was probably just her ugly anxieties coming out from their hiding spot in the back of her mind, and she tries to not pay attention to them, or let anyone else know what is running through her mind.

Deception: 10

Jack shakes her head, attempting to snap out of it as she listens to Mordred ask the next question. “I’m not sure. It’s very circumstantial, I’d say. The best thing about being able to change your appearance is that you can make yourself look however you want, so all of my forms are my favorite at one point or another.” She scratches her head, pausing to think about the next few sentences as they arrive at their destination. “But I feel better doing certain things when I look a certain way. I’d never show up to someone’s house to work on their porch without feeling like I should be there, working on their porch. Just like I’d never perform on a stage without feeling like it’s the only place I could ever belong. Looks help with that. It’s in the heart as much as it is on the outside, does that make sense?”

Listening to everyone else’s input on resting, Jack nods along. “I agree. This would be a nice place to stop.” She pauses. “How long are we planning to stay, and are we just gonna set up camp right here?”

(Hopefully this isn't too much in one post... And Shield, you can contest that Deception check with an Insight check if you'd like!)

 Tamara looked at the walls looming overhead, listening to the others suggesting they just set up right here, in front of the gates. Not that she was afraid they couldn't handle whatever guards might be watching, but it wasn't like they wouldn't be seen or that it would difficult to guess what a bunch of heavily armed travelers were doing in a place like this. "I guess we can camp here. But if anybody makes a pass along that wall we're going to be spotted, so we're not going to catch anyone by surprise tomorrow -- er, when we get going again. Maybe we could move along the wall a bit, to try to stay more out of sight?"

Quote from EarthTraveler >>

"Maybe we could move along the wall a bit, to try to stay more out of sight?"

Jumble shrugged, smiling. "Why not? It wouldn't hurt anything."

(( OOC: Has anyone given any preference of what type of rest they'd prefer, long or short? I have no preference--Jumble could easily get away with just a short rest, but I'd have nothing against a long. ))

"Oh, you're right Tamara, I didn't even consider that! Moving sounds like a good idea," Jack agrees.

(Ooc: Jack would also do just fine with a short rest, but I think a long rest would be better. Especially for people like Mordred, who's out of spell slots from healing people. So I vote we take a long rest.)

Kashika:

 The Kobold is able to collect 8 tails, one from each of the worms that surfaced accept for the one that Mordred demolished.

All of you would notice that the gates are set inside the walls, meaning that there is an area where you could sit (while a bit squished.) Next to the gate, and under the walls. However, you may be seen by the watchmen if you want to get under there.

Kashika had placed them all snugly in her bag, or if unable to fit, tied them to the sides.

Back with those discussing getting closer, Kashika considers for a moment, and was surprised she herself hadn't thought of that.... Regardless... she would look to the one who had, sayign That is actually a w-wonderful idea.... And.. as for worrying about the guards s-seeing us... that w-won't be an issue... We have atleast t-wo casters here... a simple i-illusion should be enough.... If T-Tamara is also able to c-cast minor... or even b-bigger illusions... we can m-move unseen. With my M-minor one... i can move myself and o-one other, c-come back and repeat... A-all we have to do is create an illusion that just looks like the s-sand below us... and they will just see s-sand where we would b-be.

OOC: To save time since this will likely have some bck and forth so youre not all waiting on me... if people agree Kashika will use Minor Illusion to act like an umbrella in a storm to get herself and one other at a time by makign hte illusion appear above herself and whoever is with her, while making the illusion mirror the sand below wherever they are so it doesn't look 'out of place.'

If Tamara can too.. or has a larger illusion spell... we can likely move the whole group at once, and simply dispel the illusion once we all reach the alcove.

"I agree that moving down the walls away from the gate would be a good plan," Rethan says.  "Also, in addition to a rest, if we can spare an extra hour, I can resummon Midnight."  A mournful look passes over his face as he glances back towards the desert where the familiar vanished.

Mordred had listed to Jack's explanation of where one had belonged and how appearance had tied to that.

"I.. Am not sure I understand? Are you saying we must look a certain way? In order to belong to a certain group? Or belong in a certain location? If that is the case.. Where would I belong?"

Mordred had asked curiously still averting his gaze a bit. It mattered? What was outside as much as inside? 

"The outside matters.. As much as the inside? I suppose that's very different compared to how I grew up. I was always taught it was what was inside of us.. Had decided the strength of our character. Jack.. I think what's inside of you.. Is more appealing than any form you could choose. I saw you.. Reach out for Nygil. Since I've come to twilight I've seen people look out for themselves first and foremost. At first it upset me but now? I understand that fear brings out our most basic instincts and this place.. Causes people to lose themselves. I thought I was different.. Too noble to change. I may not have fallen in the same manner but.. Before I realized it I became a different person in this world. Thank you, for helping Nygil out."

Mordred had seen her offer him another smile by the time her sand was finally gone.. Completely and he.. Had stared a moment blinking. He wanted to.. Match that smile but he wasn't sure how he could? Instead he had looked forward focusing on the path ahead. He had looked back to see how Nygil was holding up as well. The way Mordred had thanked Jack for helping Nygil.. It was almost as if she had saved himself instead. In a way she had.. She saved his faith in others. Nygil too looked as if he didn't mind fighting for the sake of others despite his large ego. These two had really caught Mordred's attention. Mordred had looked around as they began to strategize of how to rest and how to hide.

Mordred hadn't enjoyed the idea of hiding and skulking about but his pride would not outweigh his logical counterpart. He understood the reason behind hiding and it would increase the chances of everyone surviving and that was what Mordred wanted most. Mordred had looked to Kashika and nodded once again.

"I think that sounds like a solid plan. I agree such a tactic can bring us total cover and perhaps a peaceful rest. Should we cycle out a patrol for night shifts? To keep watch just in case?"

Morded had looked over to Rethan as he looked back to where his familiar had perished.

"Midnight.. Had perished valiantly but.. They are at least coming back.. Yes?"

He asked hoping that it would the same Midnight as before with the same soul/personality for Rethan's sake.

OOC
Mordred's insight on Jack! Not for anything specific he's just curious about a read. (The contest)

9

And one for Nygil as well (I know no deception but he's curious how Nygil is holding up)

11

Oh and just in case a deception of trying to hide his flustered side.

4

I'd vote a long rest but if there is a strategy that requires us to be quicker and striking sooner Mordred will take a short. He'll have restored his HP and got his channel divinity but he won't be able to cast.

Also if they take a long rest Mordred will be the weirdo who keeps his heavy armor on. Only cause they aren't exactly "Safe" but I know by RAW he restores like 1/4 of the usual hit dice? I don't think he's lost any hit dice so he should be fine to sleep in heavy armor this time around.

Rethan nods somewhat absently at Mordred's comment.  "Yah, it'll still be her.  She does tend to have a bit of an attitude for a while after being 'killed' though."

He shrugs.  "I try my best to keep that from happening, but she doesn't truly hold it against me when it does."

"Actually," he adds, "I could also use the opportunity to change her form if I'm having to resummon her anyway, if another form might help us more for the next part.  I don't know if another flying creature would be as big a help once we get inside somewhere, but maybe something small that might be able to scout around without being noticed.  A rat, or a spider, perhaps.  Maybe a lizard."

(So your plan is to move down along the wall? If that's your plan everyone needs to roll perception.)

Jack looks to that empty space ahead of her for a few seconds, blinking rapidly, her hands coming up and covering her mouth slightly. “Oh Faia, is that what I said? That’s not what I meant at all!” She softly exclaims, before a short burst of nervous laughter slips out from behind her fingers. “Not at all! What I’m trying to say is that forms and appearances are a lot like clothing. To me. It’s---it’s a form of expression, an art, if you will, and uh, I feel more comfortable wearing a dress when I’m doing carpentry than in carpenter’s clothes---” A bright red stains her cheeks like spilled wine. “Wait, no, it’s the other way around. I feel more comfortable doing carpentry in carpenter’s clothes than in… in a dress. And I mean, uh, where would you put your demo hammer if you didn’t have a hammer loop? Cause dresses don’t have---they don’t have hammer loops. Hah, that would be silly, a dress with hammer loops…” Jack lets out a heavy sigh, eyes wide. Jack, you sound like an idiot! Going on about dresses and hammer loops and whatnot! Come on... you sound crazy. She bids herself to stop talking, but her mind listens in utter horror as her mouth keeps moving against her will. "Plus, I change my hair to be much shorter in my carpenter's form, because... because I wouldn't want it to get stuck when I'm handling cordless drills, or band saws or Stopsaws. That's---that's very, very dangerous. Very dangerous. It can get caught in the moving parts and MOSHA is very adamant that long hair is tied back when handling heavy machinery and..."

“And, well… I’m not explaining this very well, am I? Of course personal character matters, it's not about the way you look. It's how you feel.” The little monster in the back of her mind tells her to Just shut up, before you make things worse and so she does. Jack stays mostly silent as Mordred finishes talking to her. She’s focused more on what he’s saying than responding, and only nods when Mordred says “thank you.” Though she wasn't sure why he was thanking her, he was the one that tried to help her when she started sinking in with Nygil. She really wants to thank him back, but she's not sure if she can trust her mouth to say the right thing right now. 

Once Jack calms down enough, and mentally pushes her anxieties down and muffles them a little, she feels confident enough to speak again. But she still doesn't thank him. Instead she agrees with his suggestion for a patrol cycle. "I think that's a smart idea. If we decide to do that, I can take the first shift no problem. How long is a shift? I've never had to take a night shift for something like this, only job shifts." I really want to take a nap. Pull my weight, do my part, and get it out of the way as fast as possible... I'm tired.

Perception: 9

(Oh shoot I'm falling behind lol...)

Nygil raises an eyebrow, "How is moving down the wall going to keep us unseen?" He squints up at the guards, "Don't guards usually patrol the entire wall? ...At least, the guards where I came from did.... Personally I think it would be safer to go inside and hide amongst the citizens, unless we are worried about getting through the gate in the first place. In which case we will have to come up with a plan to breach the walls...or fool the guards into letting us in. Does anyone know if that would be necessary?" 

If everyone still wants to move down the wall Nygil shrugs, "Whatever. Doesn't matter to me."

Perception: 8

Nygil is correct. The guards do in fact patrol the entire wall. Jack however, does not notice the fact that the guards are indeed moving.

Kashika can't help but stifle a faint faint chuckle at the sight of Mordred and Jack. Kashika's life had never given her reason to know what a changeling was, and so, in much the same reason as a polar bear had no reason to fear humans - having never seen them - Kashika had no real opinions on what a changeling was or could do, she only knew that as far as she knew, she hadn't been hurt by one. But even Kashika knew what flirting was. Or perhaps she was reading too much into it? Regardless, the pair seemed awkward around eachother particularly. 

Regardless, as Nygil asks his questions, she can't help but interject We will not have to b-breach the gates. she says as she recalls her last time here. The guards did not attack me when I came here either. That ... d-doesn't mean they won't this time but... it should be fine. And there is an a-alcove where the gate is. Only guards at the g-ground level would see us there, and if they ask, I will tell them that we were hunting worms. she says as the idea hits her - and her collection now potentially serves an additional purpose. 

Percept: 2

Kashika notices the same thing that Nygil did. All the guards are on the top of the walls and are patrolling along it's edge. There are no guards on the ground level near the gate. However, you are unsure if there are any on the other side of it.

There are currently 2 guards that you can see on the walls, just above the gate.

(Let me know if you are wanting to take a short or a long rest.)

Zalten listens intently to the others as the plan for how to get into the city and then chimes in, saying

"If we wish to sneak into the city, I should be alright on my own if we do not have enough illusion magic or other tricks to cover all of us, and I can do a bit to help one of you who's a bit less inclined for stealth along as well. Ideally we should be able to get to safety that way without attracting too much attention from the guards. I agree, they are not likely to directly attack us, but Zoran likely has eyes everywhere in this city. If we are noticed and anyone suspects what we are here to do, we are in deep trouble"

Looking around at his companions, he can see that many of them are visibly hurting, and clearly the group has expended a good bit of its power both in fighting off the threats of the desert and in healing each other of their wounds. He himself still has most of his resources at his disposal, but isn't too eager to take on the incredibly dangerous challenge of trying to steal a crown from a dragon without everyone being fully prepared. He continues on, saying:

"I've managed to avoid any serious harm in our travels across the desert. I can help protect the group while others rest if we feel that is needed before continuing on. If so, I suggest we do that soon. The longer we stay in this city the more change we have for our cover to be blown"


Perception: 8 
Stealth (if needed): 23

(( Jumble's Perception Check: 15 ))