"Five crosses is not much to go on. I think we should head to the tavern and get some information about what these places actually are so that we can make a proper choice."

Taman tries to recollect a good tavern to ask about the map and is ready to head there straight away.

As Taman tries to think of a tavern he is reminded of the "Dancing Jester," a tavern in the wealthy portion of the city and the "Drunken Cat," a rather dingy tavern in the poorer portion of the city. Both often have significant business but with different clientele.

"Alright, let's head to a local dive bar... I expect more information will be known by the people there."

Fargrim leads the group out, but then let's Taman take the lead so they can safely get to "The Drunken Cat".

"The Drunken Cat is a good bet. There are always people there, even in the morning, and I am sure we can get the information we want for the price of a couple of drinks. Just make sure to keep one hand on your purse..."

"Right, we should get moving and get what information we can." Arynn says. "The sooner we can get on moving to these positions the better." He is ready to head out to gather some information from the group's contacts and resources.

Solastor seems lost in thought and doesn't speak however, a quick glance shows that he has his gear with him.

With the majority of the group having decided to go to the Drunken Cat they left the guild and headed towards the western end of the city. The further you travelled through the city the poorer the houses became. Eventually you come to the poorest section of the city where refuse littered the streets and dirty children in threadbare clothes could be seen playing in piles of dung. Ahead you see a building with a board hung out front with the caricature of a cat on two legs that is stumbling down the street. Already you can hear raucous laughter coming from inside and as you enter you see a table of off-duty sailors still partying from the night before around the actual bar. The owner, a rotund dark skinned man, trying to clean the bar in spite of the sailors antics. A pretty young woman stayed off to the side attempting to not be seen and grabbed by the very drunken sailors. Lastly a cloaked figure sat in the back corner, hidden in shadows, nursing a mug of something.

Fargrim heads immediately to the bar, ignoring the sideways glances the dwarf always gathers when in this city. "Barkeep!" he announces, "can I get six of your best ales... actually,  make that five. One of our number doesn't like the booze. Humans!" he huffs, not caring that the owner also happens to be human.

Taman joins Fargrim at the bar and speaks to the bar man, placing a couple more small coins on the counter.

"And please pour one or two for yourself, and in return perhaps you could let us know if there is anyone round here who knows the local countryside."

The barman quickly poured some drinks and nodded your direction before nodding at the figure in the corner. "George (pronounced gay-org) over there is the Kings games keeper. I can't think of anyone better than he to give you info on the areas outside the city."

"Excellent," Fargrim said. "Give us one more of whatever George there's drinking.  Oh! And a water, please, for my last colleague."

"What was that total again?" he asks, fishing around in his coin purse. 

Fargrim pays the remainder of the tab before gathering up the drinks to hand out to the rest of the adventurers. He hands George's drink to Taman, motioning him over to the games keeper. "You're the prettiest of us, so I'll leave him in your capable hands," he laughs. 

Chuckling at Fargrim's comment, Taman wanders over to the table and pushes the spare drink over to George.

"Good day friend. I am told that you are George - the famous King's Games Keeper. My friends and I are on urgent business for Lord Hightower and would be very obliged if you could assist us with some information on the local countryside. Do you happen to know anything about what we might find in these locations?"

Taman shows him the map.

Persuasion (if needed): 18

The figure pulled back his hood at your approach and looked at you all. When you finished speaking he looks at the map and raises and eyebrow. "You want to know about all these places? Take a seat, This could take a little while. Which would you like me to start with?" He takes a drink and looks back at the map again. 

"Thank you sir. We appreciate your help. Well they are all just unknown crosses to us at the moment so I am not sure which to start with either. Even a little information about each of them would be useful. Wait... Fargrim fancied the yellow one. Do you know anything about the yellow one?"

Looking at the yellow x on the map he frowns slightly and squints his eyes. "There is an ancient ruined keep in that spot. I am not sure why it would be marked but I do know that any curious adventurers that go there looking for treasures never come out unscathed and are always empty handed ranting "soo many, soo many" whatever that means." 

"Are there any of those returned Adventurers still in town that we could speak with?"

He shakes his head in response. "Unfortunately for them they all went insane and committed suicide shortly after. The last kept saying "the eye burns, it burns."

"Marvelous."

"Sounds like an excellent challenge!" Fargrim announces excitedly. "What about the ones by the river and forest?"

"The blue x by the river is in the spot of a bandit camp. With the Orcish barbarians around the king has been reticent to take care of it. The green x is located in the center of the forest. There has been less wildlife in that area but I don't know why."