Nygil blinks at Mordred. He hadn't really considered his offer to carry someone to be...an act of kindness. More, he had realized that some may need rest while others didn't, so if they wanted to keep moving, carrying someone was the best option. But, he wasn't going to try and explain that. Perhaps, in a way, it really was 'kindness', no matter how foreign the word sounded to him. After a moment, he flashes a smile and says, "Well, thanks then! I...honestly don't know what to say to that."

He listens solemnly as Tamara explains her plan. He is a little disappointed that she is pretty much saying 'goodby until you find a way home', but what she is proposing is a noble sacrifice. He will respect her even if she clearly doesn't respect him. "Sure, we'll find you when all is done. ...hopefully. I mean... assuming... never mind." He shakes his head, reminding himself again to watch his mouth. 

As she runs off, Nygil sighs, "I guess we're taking the main road after all." 

As they enter the market, Nygil looks around, eyeing the shopkeepers suspiciously. He hardly ever went to places that were so crowded. That was servants work. Even during his time at the monastery, they had servants to fetch food and supplies. 

"Soooo," Nygil whispers to whoever is closest to him. "How do we want to do this? Should we...distract those guards? I can lead them on a chase for a little while and then circle back to get through the gates. Or does someone else have another idea?" 

Quote from Aroc_of_Eaf >>

"Soooo, how do we want to do this? Should we...distract those guards? I can lead them on a chase for a little while and then circle back to get through the gates. Or does someone else have another idea?" 

"Well," thought Jumble aloud as they made their way down the road, "that seems rather unsafe. If you're willing to take the risk, it would definitely help. But... are you sure? Among the group, we probably have enough magic to handle the situation." He grimaced. "It would drain us a bit though... I guess it's a risk either way. Unless someone else has a third option?"

Eyes welded shut, Jack breathes a sigh of relief as Nygil dismisses his anxious spiel. But now it's his turn to be confused. He opens his eyes. "Yes? I think you're nice, Nygil. You don't have to do incredibly heroic things or never say a single bad thing ever in order to be nice. Maybe you can be a bit braggy sometimes, but who isn't? And that doesn't mean you aren't nice. You say thank you, and offer help when it's needed. That's nice in my book." He gives Nygil a single sharp nod of finality, giving him no room for objection.

When Mordred asks Jack about suddenly 'sullen' behavior, his cheeks flush in a panic. "Oh, I just say the wrong things sometimes." His voice is a few octaves higher than normal now. "It happens a lot, and I don't want to offend or mislead anyone by saying something I don't actually mean, but sometimes it still happens and..." He trails off, his brain finally processing what he said. "You think what I say is interesting?" He squints his eyes suspiciously at the paladin, not entirely trusting what he heard.

But he does trust his own sense of hearing enough to understand what Tamara proposed. He nods slowly, knowing that this was goodbye. He offers a wave and a well-meant "Godspeed" in her direction before she runs off. He can't help but rejoice internally when he finds out that she has set fire to a few of the nobles' houses, but that elated feeling is quickly dampened as he hopes no one gets hurt.

"No no, I agree with Jumble, that's unsafe. One person leading guards on wild goose chases all around the city is one thing---and you don't know where guards may be posted or the layout of the city as well as Tamara," Jack whispers in response. "But using spells is also risky." He thinks for a moment, tapping his fingers on his lips rapidly. His eyes widen quickly and it's clear he has an idea. "I can shapeshift into someone that looks like a local and try to lead the guards away. Maybe I'm an elderly dragonborn and I need their help moving a heavy object. Something that doesn't put anyone in danger, but also takes the guards away from their posts enough to sneak in. Or! Or I could disguise myself as a guard and pretend I caught a party of crown thieves," with this, he gestures to the rest of the group, "and need to escort them to Zoran immediately. How's that sound?"

Jumble nodded. "I like the idea of us being escorted in. Seems low risk, and I don't see how it wouldn't wind up with us inside."

Kashika had been considering the pro's and cons of silent-spelling and twinspelling her levitation magic to lift the guards. On the one hand, they would never know it was her as she wouldn't have had to cast anything in any way that would indicate it was her but... levitation did NOT prevent them from calling for help... and thought it may seem like Kashika was being very silent lately, this was actually her true personality... she never intended to stand out much. Her first interaction with Mordred was a bit off as he'd called her out of the shadows she usually stuck to.

It was then that Jack had her idea. And initially Kashika recoiled at the thought but as the moments passed by, it seemed more and more logical. The majority of the guards were chasing Tamara who was causing chaos. The gate guards were likely bored and their senses dulled as such... if Jack could do her non-magical alterations ... then maybe it would work... atleast that far. And once inside... it would have to be figured out from there. However Kashika felt it necessary at this point to share just a little..

t-that's  not a bad idea... But I need to tell you all something... it may have just been a dream but I believe Zoran may already be expecting me. I saw someone's eyes and they called my name when i breifly passed out during our rest. So even if we do get inside... w-we should be cautious that we're more expected than we think.. for better or worse.

after the revelation that the stuttering little girl was actually a werewolf though, a wry, humorous thought came through Kashika's mind as her eyes pass over Nygil, wondering if he might think Kashika  may be some sort of were-thing ... even though Kashika had no idea what a were creature was, Nygil's tune had changed slightly once he heard it.  Regardless, letting that thought pass... she continues.

R-regardless... it's a good idea Jack, we need only find you a guard that doesn't look like one of those two... I d-don't know how your... skill or magic works... but did you see one long enough to mimic them? or... what would you need?

"Ah okay," Nygil says with slight disappointment. "I'll do whatever." He tries to hide his discontent with the idea of being escorted in, knowing that the feeling was foolish. Yet inside he can't help but think that letting the guards think that he had been captured was somehow self demeaning. Forcing himself to cheer up, he says, "This should be fun!"

He looks down at Kashika as she says that Zoran might already be expecting her, "...but...how? I mean... unless that gnoll ran to go tell him while we rested at Zeffery's place. ...Wait, you passed out? You sure it wasn't just a dream?" He huffs, "You probably know better then I do. ...magic isn't my thing, so neither are visions."

"It will be fun!" Jack, on the other hand, is actually excited. He whispers in a hushed voice. "But don't worry Nygil, we'll get to the fighting soon enough. Who knows, maybe we actually will have to steal the crown right off the top of Zoran's head!"

He looks at Kashika, brows furrowed. "That doesn't sound pleasant, I'm sorry. Any idea why that happened, or why he's expecting us? Like, why would you get that vision, or whatever it is, then it wouldn't it be better for him to have that element of surprise?" He purses his lips in thought. "Well, either way, we should prepare ourselves for the worst. I don't know what that means for you guys, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to have spells and attacks at the ready."

When Kashika asks about what he needs to mimic someone, he sighs lightly. "I'm actually not too sure how it works either. All I know is I have to at least see someone's face, but the more I can see the better I can mimic them. And there are certain restrictions, like I can't mimic body parts I don't have naturally, like tails or wings. At least, I've never tried. I don't think I saw any of the other guards enough to get an accurate mask, but I could probably mimic a random townsperson and pretend they're a guard. But I'd still need some clothes, cause I can't change that by myself."

(Ooc, for clarification: Jack's suggesting everyone take a Ready action just in case we're launched into combat/a dangerous situation if we get through the gates.)

Kashika shook her head in response to Nygil and Jack's questions. I m-must have. Or I had a w-waking vision... Regardless.. I saw eyes, and heard a powerful voice. And .. she said, considering whether or not to reveal what Zalten had said to her as the more she spoke, the more likely the others would learn of what her, Tamara, and Zalten had spoken about. ..When I spoke to Z-zalten about it... he s-said he believed it was Zoran. And I have no r-reason to doubt him... Plus other f-factors lead me to believe it. I am o-only telling it to you so that if he is expecting m-me or... us more than we thought... that atleast it won't be un-expected... make sense?

She hoped that was a satisfactory explaination, that would help keep the group together, without exposing too much either. She had a fine line to walk. As Jack continues, explaining what she would need, Kashika looks around, considering but ... the guards all likely knew each other to some extent, and as such just picking a random person might not be the best idea.... plus how would Jack 'copy' the armor? Whatever Jack could do was out of her expertise.. but so far no other plans had came forth and Kashika's only idea would involve levitation... whether used on friend or foe... and all would have the risk of someone shouting and getting caught.. .. it was then that an idea came to her....

W.... what if .. you look like one of the townsfolk like you thought... but you get a good look at both of the guards faces... then.. instead of trying to copy one.... you... copy both... like... how a child resembles their parents.... instead of tryign to do an exact copy.... can your power let you alter it like that? does it have  to be an exact copy?

Jack nods sagely at Kashika's explanation of her vision---or whatever it was. He doesn't exactly understand but he doesn't misunderstand enough to ask further questions. Just as long as they were prepared for what might come. "Makes sense. Well, thanks for telling us. We're more prepared now than before, when we didn't know that was a possibility. Any idea what we can do to..." He trails off, thinking for the correct way to phrase what he's trying to say. "...To help the situation, I guess? Any clues on how we can use that to our advantage?"

His brows furrow as he listens to the kobold's next suggestion. "...You lost me. Are you saying that I should pretend to be their child?" He thinks for a second, and shakes his head. No, that can't be right. "I'm confused about what you're suggesting. But yeah, I can blend different characteristics of different people to create someone new. I can only copy what I've seen. But it doesn't matter if the nose comes from the same person as the eyes, you know?"

“I think Kashika is suggesting blending the look of the two guards,” Rethan says. “So that you’ll look familiar enough to possibly lower their, ahem, guard, so to speak.   But not look like a specific person that they would know and notice if you were acting wrong.”

Zalten stands back for a moment, listening to the conversation and his concern about the situation they are in increases. Hearing about Kashika's vision was concerning enough in the first place, but as she tells the group about it, revisiting this only makes it worse. He thinks for a moment about if he should relay any part of the message he received to the rest of the group, but decides against it, thinking his god would prefer that he keep that information closer to his chest. The deception required is a bit against his nature, but if what his god wants is for him to help Kashika on her mission, then he'll do whatever is best to get that done. Everything he knows does point towards Zoran knowing that Kashika is here though, which fills Zalten with a flash of dread, feeling almost as if they have falled into a deadly trap. After a moment though, he calms himself down, assuring himself that the group will find a way. Besides, even if Zoran does know Kashika is here, there's no knowing what the dragon king will want with her.

With that, Zalten quickly chimes in, saying "I'd say we avoid any option that will risk draining us. Even with our combined capabilities, this city likely has enough guards to overwhelm us with pure numbers, and even if not... well, we will need every ounce of power we have if we want a chance in a fight against Zoran himself. That's obviously something we should avoid at all costs, but given Kashika's vision, I'm not optimistic. If he knows were are here, then we are already at a severe disadvantage. Jack, if you can disguise yourself in the way Kashika is suggesting, perhaps that woud be a good idea but... I worry our attempts at stealth may amount to nothing if we get into that balace only to have Zoran ready and waiting for us"

Kashika had been about to correct Jack's nearly-correct assumption, as it wasn't really wrong... but it simply went too far in it's understanding when Rethan chimed in, understanding Kashika's intent. She nodded lightly as such, crossing her arms as she looked in the direction of the guards. It is as h-he says. Just familiar enough to not d-draw s-s-s-s-suspicion but also not draw attention.. but it it also as Zalten s-says... it may end up being for nothing. But w-we shouldn't give up the chance at s-surprise... just because it might be lost. Also... she says, as she looks around at the people wandering around them....

B-but whatever we are going to do... should be done s-soon. We're just standing here... talking about it... and eventually p-people are going to notice...

You all are currently standing in the middle of a crowded street. Most of the citizens (who are not trying to sell you something) are simply walking around you. You have your own little bubble in the middle of the road. For those of you who look, it seems that Tamara's fires, though it appears that she set several, are slowly being put out. Some of you also notice the sound of a lute with a few out-of-tune strings, coming from somewhere in the upper-class section.

As you continue to walk towards the castle, the people walking the streets continue to walk around you while still trying to ignore you. This does effectively hide you from any guards who aren't amongst the citizens, (including those at the castle gates), but it also obscures your view a bit.

"Ohh, yeah. That makes more sense." Jack nods enthusiastically. It's like blending faces in Display, only on my actual face. "I'm not sure how well it'll go, though, it might make them more suspicious if it goes wrong. But I can definitely try!" He looks towards Zalten as he gives the group his two cents, and back at Kashika as she responds with her own. "You make a good point, Zalten, though right now the most immediate problem is getting through those gates. So Kashika's right, I think. I'd rather sneak into the gates and avoid that fight, and then maybe get caught by Zoran, then have to fight and maybe get caught in the end."

Jack had been so wrapped up in the conversation they were having that he did not realize the people moving around him. "Oh! Yeah, we should totally move out of the way." He steps out to the side of the road, no longer right in the middle of it, assuming others follow. "But for now, are we all okay with the plan being that I disguise myself as a blend of the two guards out front, then pretend escort you all to Zoran? Or does anyone else have an idea?" As he asks the party for one last confirmation, he hears the music. Man, they really have to tune that lute...

If/Once he gets confirmation, he'll look around and try and find a random citizen; preferably a dragonborn or a gnoll he can borrow the appearance of for a few minutes.

(Should I roll for Perception?)

 

Quote from Tez005>>

"But for now, are we all okay with the plan being that I disguise myself as a blend of the two guards out front, then pretend escort you all to Zoran? Or does anyone else have an idea?"

The bard nodded. "Sounds like our best option, honestly."

(Are you going with that plan?)

(Tez, no perception required. There are plenty of Dragonborn or Gnoll around. Just say which you are going to go for then roll a strait d20 for me.)

"Okayyyy," Nygil says, eyeing the guards. "Well...whatever we are going to do lets do it. The longer we stand here the more suspicious we look...and the more likely Tamara's distraction will go to waste." He shrugs, "So...you are going to disguise yourself... do you need to tie us up? That might be troublesome...but we could use knots that are easy to break free from if it is necessary to look the part of prisoners."

(Yep! That seems to be the consensus, for now.)

Let's go with a gnoll! Here's that D20: 18

"That would be a good idea, and really sell the look. The highwayman's hitch would be a good choice." Jack chides half-absentmindedly as he scans the street in front of him for a suitable target to copy, the change already rippling through his skin. Small tufts of hair start forming along his arms, and around his face as it elongates into a more canine-like form. A single sharp, yellowed tooth juts out from behind his lips. "It pulls apart really easily, and I have a length of rope that would work just fine." 

Kashika nods, now that they finally seem ready to go in. All that remained was for Jack to do their thing. She kept her head on a swivel if only to watch for anyone who seemed to be observing the group a little too intently. (Perception: 5) And she had found herself gaining more respect for Nygil, though Mordred had seemed to grow silent recently, and that made her curious. Normally he would have chimed in more by this point but in the end, so long as they were still with the group, that was fine... Regardless... there was little more for Kashika herself to do at the moment as this plan hinged on Jacks ability to fool the guards. She had only to wait, and pretend to be bound. At Jack's suggestion of a specific knot, Kashika chimed in only breifly...

I w-will defer to y-you on the knots. I don't know much about them. Despite everything... she said thinking that she had been lucky enough to not be bound .. ever.. during the more unfortunate events of her life. I h-have no real experience w-with rope. Once we are i-inside though... we should keep up the act as long as p-possible, and know that once it is b-broken we will have to stop pretending and start r-rushing. I s-still think we can negotiate with Z-zoran... but... we should only take that r-route if we have to. Perhaps if and when our l-lie is discovered... once we t-take care of w-whoever it is that catches us... we should split up into p-pairs.. Z-zalten and I can b-be one. And now with t-tamara gone... we are only six. S-so we can hit t-three places at once... making them not know where to focus their... uh... groups. But yes... as Nygil said... the longer we hesitate here... she said, adding to Nygils own implications.

“Sounds like a plan,” Rethan says. “If we’re acting like prisoners, we should probably make sure to not have visible weapons hanging off of us everywhere.  They’d probably be a slight giveaway that something is up.”  

The fighter had left his great axe behind after the fight with the bugs in the desert, but still carried a glaive and a pair of hand axes.