Quote from Culuril >>

 She doesn't rush, but she steps over to where Orunmila is standing. "A good day to you madame. By any chance are you still looking for a group to join? I hate to presume, but we need another member, and I am certain your knowledge and skills would be of great benefit to us. I am Róisín, and you would be joining the group of Ludvige Kulenova, along with his blue-scaled apprentice over there."  She nods back to where she had left the rest of the group. 

Orunmila blinked in honest surprise, " Your acquaintance pleases me,  Róisín.   I would be honored to join the Kulenova team......though I am not familiar with the rules or make up of the competition."

" I am just Orunmila these days."

Róisín laughs softly. "Turns out none of us know the rules either!" She motions for the other woman to follow. "Come Orunmila, meet the others." She then leads the way back to the rest of the group. 

Once they're there she announces, "Folks, this fine lady is Orunmila. Our final addition to our group!" 

As the two women wander back to the remainder of their makeshift band, Braggus looks over the new arrival with a perked eyebrow. 

She was older, much more so than the rest of their band. Yet the finer details — the weapon she still carried, though she leaned on it more than she may have once, and the hard hands of a hard worker — suggested she may yet have much to offer in this contest.

The longer Braggus looked, the more he was reminded of some of the elder members of his enclave, far in the peaks of Snom. The environment hardened its people, none more so than the wise women of the enclave. It was in them Drakish history, oral tradition, religion and and song rested, and they maintained their peoples’ history in their children and grand children. There were no women on this plane Braggus held in higher esteem than his own dear mother, and her mother before her, the two last of his kin he’d consulted before beginning his journey.

In a similar manner as he addressed Zeymira, Braggus dipped his head slightly in respect, keeping his eyes at his feet. “We are honored to have you joining us, Orunmila matron. I feel you are being the final piece to our triumph!”

Zeymira said, "Thanks for joining us Orunmila. Now that we have a complete team, we should look for someone who can tell us what we will be doing..." Zeymira starts scanning the crowd, looking for someone who's part of the festival that they can question.

As Zeymira looks about, she notices Mayor Tyna Thistletop moving through the crowd, with many a "Excuse me!" and "Coming through, mayorly business to attend to". She darts through the crowd looking hurried, heading towards where two town guards stand at the entrance to a small alley next to the tavern, one of many establishments that ring the edfe of the town square.

As for the rest of the newly formed little group, the keenest among you notices someone standing on the balcony of the second floor of the inn. A heavy cloak obscures their features, though they are obviously of a larger size. Maybe a muscular human, maybe a larger race like an orc. They watch you intently, holding your gaze, before disappearing into the inside of the inn.

Whoever has the highest passive perception among Branor, Orunmila, Braggus and Roisin, notices what is described.

(Branor / Passive perception - 15 which is the highest among us)

Branor’s eyes stay fixed on the now-empty balcony a moment longer, his expression tightening. Slowly, he turns back to the group and speaks just loud enough for them to hear over the festival noise.

“Someone was up there, watching us. Big build—too broad for a casual traveler. He kept his face hidden, but he wasn’t just idling; he wanted me to notice. Then he stepped back inside before I could get a better look.”

His arms cross, and he lowers his voice further. “That wasn’t chance. Could be a hired hand, could be worse. Either way, someone’s keeping tabs on us, and I don’t like it. Best keep your eyes sharp—because his are already on us.”

Zeymira says, "Looks like something is going on over in the alley, maybe we can help."

Unless someone objects, she'll head over to the guarded alley, assuming that the rest of you will as well.

Quote from scorch19 >>

“Someone was up there, watching us. Big build—too broad for a casual traveler. He kept his face hidden, but he wasn’t just idling; he wanted me to notice. Then he stepped back inside before I could get a better look.”

His arms cross, and he lowers his voice further. “That wasn’t chance. Could be a hired hand, could be worse. Either way, someone’s keeping tabs on us, and I don’t like it. Best keep your eyes sharp—because his are already on us.”

 

 Braggus’ typical cheery features drop at Branor’s words, regarding his new Dwarf companion with a somberness unusual for him.

”Any man who is feeling the need to hide his face cannot be up to good,” he agreed. 

As Zeymira directed their attention to the alleyway, and the guardsmen assembled there, he nodded and regarded his other new companions. “Come, let us see what concerns the honored one. She is knowing this place better than we, I suspect.”

Orunmila flicked a glance up toward the balcony, " Good Eye.", she nodded to Branor.

”Any man who is feeling the need to hide his face cannot be up to good,” he agreed. 

" That does depend on the angle your viewing from......", Orunmila smirked as she pivoted to also follow Zeymira, eyes watchful for danger.

" You know the most exciting thing I came across on the long road here was a barn fire.......I've known you lot less than a few moments and theres skullduggery aplenty kicking off all over the shop."

Perception- 23

Róisín hears Branor's comment and Zeymira's interest in what's happening in the alley. "I'll come with you," she tells the dragonborn. "Looked like the mayor was headed that way too. She seems a likely choice to ask about this competition too."  She follows quickly, though does look back to see what the others might do.  As they go she remarks to Zeymira, "You don't suppose that figure Branor saw could be linked to whatever's going on over here, do you?" 

“anything is possible at the moment. This competition is fierce. I wouldn’t be surprised if some teams had spies and even possiblysaboteurs.”