Fen'r, now leaning on bonefeller and peering towards the front of the line, openly avoiding getting sucked into the dice game. " By me beard! Its bloody hot" 

*john searches through his backpack and retrieves his blanket, a couple of stakes, goes out to retrieve some tree branches, and crafts a small A-frame hut to provide some shade and to chill until the line moves* 

Davidmoverm2, As John sets up his A-frame, a woman with two small children approaches from the growing line of people behind you. The wear of the road is on her face. "Please, kind sir. The heat is dreadful." She looks to her children, no older than six, then back to you. "Just for a little while."

Xero_Larkspur, Gramdal ponders the name Ordin. After a few minutes, indeed the name strikes true, like a hammer to the anvil. Ordin Hammersong of the Sword Mountains! He built iron fists, mauls for treants used in a skirmish against hill giants. The tactic turned the tide… Yes, the Orders of Ordin… Now you remember. Clever dwarf.

"Sure, friend." Kelten places the iron mountains into Cath's outstretched hand. Please make an Arcana or History check.

SandyRibbons, Fen'r notices a few vendors making their way way up the line from the direction of the Wyrm's Gate.

Your choices are:
Fresh Fruit vendor. He sells berries, citrus, and plantains from a small pushcart. 2 cp for a handful.
Cut-up Fruit vendor. She serves them from buckets hanging from a harness she wears. 3 cp for an 8 oz cup.
Ice vendor. Fruit floats inside small orbs of ice. Snowflakes slowly spin around each frozen fruit ball this gnome sells. 5 cp each orb.
Vegetable vendor. A Goliath sells juicy vegetables, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, and beets. 1 cp plain. 2 cp with freshly squeezed lemon and dash of salt.

*sigh* "sure thing ma'am help yourself"

Cath takes the dice in his hands and looks closely at them.  He inspects the runes written on them and feels the fine weight of the dice.

"This is a nice set of dice.  Some of the best craftsmanship I've seen.  These wouldn't be made by the Thundershields would they?"

History check 18

I'll walk up to the vendors and purchase two snow balls from the gnome. Then walk to John's tent and give them to the 2 little children "these might make the heat a little more bearable." Sending a wide grin in the direction of the children and the woman.

Getting bored with the wait Arutha eventually stops playing dice and moves to the side, away from the crowd and marks out a practice circle in the dirt with his foot and runs through his sword forms, without taking his swords in hand. Running through the motions and moves to keep limber and fresh. A sheen of sweat forms on his skin as he moves fluidly from one form to another, gradually picking up speed as he goes. After about 20 minutes he slows back down and when finished he takes a long drink from his water skin before beginning to stretch to keep his muscles from tightening up.

Quote from AdventureHalz >>

Xero_Larkspur, Gramdal ponders the name Ordin. After a few minutes, indeed the name strikes true, like a hammer to the anvil. Ordin Hammersong of the Sword Mountains! He built iron fists, mauls for treants used in a skirmish against hill giants. The tactic turned the tide… Yes, the Orders of Ordin… Now you remember. Clever dwarf. Arutha shadows some sort of fencing exercises. 

The Orders of Ordin...hmmm curious. Gramdal files that information away. Now wouldn't be the time to bring it up. Maybe later. He also makes note of this man named John pitching up some shade. He gives shelter to a mother and her children. This dwarf named Cath bought the children flavored ice. Then there's Fen'r, who seems to be minding his own business. A curious lot. Gramdal is content with keeping his distance for now. 

Norvalor noticing merchants in the line would like to look for someone with books of powers and where they might come from.

 Would you like me to roll perception or investigation? 

Kelten addresses John, after the A-frame is set up. "You speak orcish, eh? Best keep that to yourself, traveler." He leans in closer. "Thieves, thugs, and orcs, speak orcish," he says, shielding the inside of his wrist with his body, revealing a small tattoo on the inside of his forearm. The Order of the Gauntlet. 

Fluid are your movements Arutha, and within no time at all, your body finds a comfortable rhythm. Your mind and spirit become one. Combat has taught you to be mindful of your surroundings. You catch the looks of a few Baldurians in line, some merchants as well—especially the merchants. But more importantly, you feel something press against your mind. Nothing aggressive. A curiosity. You've heard of the mind probes spell casters use to interrogate victims. The rummaging of your thoughts is gentle, practiced, you sense. And then like a receding ocean tide, the sensation falls away.

"Kaiylin," the woman says, nodding to her children, giving them permission to accept food from a stranger, Fen'r.

"Mama," her young girl whimpers. "When are we going home?"

Her son turns the orb in his hand, unsure how to eat it. The vendor leans to one side. He gestures. "Squeeze the ice ball slowly. Small bits of magic hold it together." The boy's eyes light up. Something to crush! There's no waiting. He is hungry. The orb collapses in his small, mighty grip, and the casing bursts with a puff of winter air.

"Thank you, good sirs," says Kaiylin, acknowledging John and Fen'r. "We've been lost for days."

"That's not true, mama," her daughter says. "You knew about the cave."

As Arutha stretches he looks around at the people who had been watching him and tries to see if he can tell who it was that has "probed" his mind. If he could just figure out who it had been he would definitely want to talk to them. (perception: 17) As he looked around he took satisfaction in the looks from the merchants. Worst case scenario, could always find a job there until something better came along. 

"Yes, Cath," Kelten replies. "The dice were made by a Thundershield. You want to give them a roll?"

Voidreff, go ahead. Perception or Investigation.

Rolling Perception: 17