Tyranny in Phlan (DM Lerus)

"Aye, t'was the plan. Could be we even might meet up with whoever's left of the good captain's men, provided they managed to shake off any pursuers." Doozey quietly agreed with a grin. Though it falters a moment later, as a thought finally hits him. So, while Utar and the Lord Regent presumably finalized any last preparations/organized folks for mobilization, he made his way over to Elisade and asks, "Uh, Eli? A word. You mentioned baby wing'd lizards before? Did'ja see if they had stingers on heir tails by any chance?"

Utar lets those willing carry Aleyd's body, and thanks them for it. He doesn't stray too far from them as the group moves through the city.

Villonah nods at Doozey: "I hope we do find them there." She then resumes helping others get ready for the trek.

Elisande turns to face Doozey again: "I dunno how many babies it bringed widdit, but I already seened one bitty one a wee bit bigger than a ridin’ goat, wiss a man astride it. And yes, it haz a bite like a wasp beastie.” Doozey may wonder at this point if Elisande would even know how to identify animals/creatures that are not goats or fish or, in this case, a wasp's "bite".

Meanwhile, after Utar carefully hands over the duties of caring for Aleyd to willing supporters, he notices with his peripheral vision (passive perception) that a few other released captives are serving themselves to whatever is inside the wagon parked near one of the courtyard walls (i.e., the wagon the devil came out of). Most of the items retrieved from within and then brought back out are quite mundane, such as cutting utensils, a heavy candlestick, and other articles that could be used as weapons in a pinch. However, one townsman retrieves a backpack and begins acting quite protective of it as the group preparations for departure come close to completion. Doozey, Neya, and Raist would all also notice this particular gentleman after a few more seconds, perhaps with the help of noticing what Utar has been looking at.

While Elisande's unique spin on things has certainly led to... unique conversations in the past, Doozey understood her well enough by now to put things together, and grimace at the picture that ultimately began to form. But then, he puts on an assuring 'smile', and pats Elisande's head had he'd been able to reach it without assistance. "Knowing our luck Eli, we might just see'm 'fore the day is done. But, here's hoping otherwise. Wasp bites can be very, very, VERY nasty if bitten, as I'm sure you know." He says with a bit of chuckle behind his voice towards the end. "So, do warn me if you see any descending 'fore I do, okay?" Doozey went on to ask rather than command, knowing how cheeky she could be sometimes.

However, it's not long after that he clocks the particular gentlemen, and in seeing the others had clocked much the same, he pretended to look thoughtfully elsewhere and mutter to himself. Yet strangely enough, Neya would hear whispered in her ears: "Seems our friend found something he might not have aughta, and might wanna nip that one in the bud. Quietly, if at all possible. 'cause if its just loot, we don't want folk in an uproar 'bout it."

Neya responds in kind, "Good idea. Even if it's nothing to worry about, his demeanor might infect the crowd." 

She tries to ascertain the man's intentions. Whether it's paranoia or something more nefarious.

Insight: 25

"Kay," Elisande responds. "But I pet dem babies first, if us sees dem." Suddenly remembering that she does not need to wait for dragons to actually pet something, she then turns her attention to Biscuit and hugs him tight.

A moment later, when Neya agrees with Doozey's thoughts and squints at the gentleman in question, she notices an expression of disbelief on his face. It reminds her of the welcomed disbelief one might show when they win a game of dice or cards in the streets of a more mundane version of Phlan. 

The group begins to move. The Lord Regent leads the crowd but gestures in a way that lets the people know that they should listen and follow CRAP for their own safety. If Neya would like to approach the "lucky man" while the group begins to move, she can do so inconspicuously without much trouble. Otherwise, it would be a simple matter of focusing on the road ahead and making sure you stop by the Laughing Goblin on your way to the Cracked Crown. 

(OOC: Moving this large a crowd through the streets of Phaln without being noticed is a harder-than-normal task. I'll roll for the chance of a random encounter soon. If there is anything you'd like to do to prepare and/or diminish the chance of being spotted, please do so now, before my incoming roll.)

Utar puts himself near the rear of the column, shield raised, mace in hand. Stragglers are given an encouraging word and told to hurry up, a few he permits to keep pace with him on the proviso that should trouble come, they raise the alarm further ahead.

His vision is split between the suspicious man with the bag, and in checking the rear of the group hadn't attracted any interested attention. 

Perception - Dice rolls not yet available for this section.

As the group moves off Raist approaches one of the apprentices and ask if any casters got out

Doozey had sighed in defeat believing there would be no dissuading his young charge. Though, the halfling soon after found a small measure of solace. Biscuit, who'd been happily returning Elisande's hug (in his own way), shot the halfling an assuring look.

When at last it came time to move out, Doozey's every preference would've had him near the back or off to the side of the column to better protect the procession and make the most of his skills. But between Utar holding the rear, Raist seemingly having merged into the crowd, and Neya presumably investigating the matter of "Mr. Lucky", it fell to him, the Regent, and maybe Villie to keep near the front, as both guides and added security, if nothing else. Biscuit, on the other hand, remained at Elisande's side... wherever that wound up being during the journey.

Well, either that or acting as her mount.

Aside from this, Doozey had also gone so far as to expend some of the last dregs of power within him and called upon the grace of the world to conceal the procession, muffling their steps and shifting air currents to disrupt any scent trails.

Neya inconspicuously makes her way to Mr. Lucky. Once she gets closer, she tries to ascertain the shape of whatever it might be in his bag.

Perception: 7

(Adding stealth, if it's needed)

Stealth: 22

 DM's Screen:

(@MB: It looks like there was a dice roll error in your post. To keep things moving, I'll take the liberty of re-rolling your perception check here: 25.) 

Neya has no trouble getting close to the "lucky man" without being noticed. She is an expert in blending into crowds, after all. Knowing that Utar is keeping an eye on her also adds some extra confidence, as she knows she'll have backup should something go wrong. When she gets close enough, she recognizes the jingling of coins coming from the backpack, but there is something else in there too that she can't quite put her finger on. Not being able to determine what that something else is can be quite frustrating.

In the rear of the group, Utar keeps an eye out for danger while also herding the crowd like a proficient sheepherder dog. The enchanted shield on his back makes the multitasking that much simpler. He spots no hint of danger or indication that the group is being followed. Caasyt is one of the people staying close to Utar, though she is probably hovering there so that she too can be relatively close to Aleyd's body. 

In the middle of the crowd, Raist asks some apprentices about the library and its leadership. One of them confirm that they saw the Lord Sage of Phlan (the chief-most spellcaster in the city) escaping capture, but they cannot give any assurances on other notable Mantor's Library spellcasters (including Cassra). A separate apprentice spends sometime cursing Spernik, the false scribe who turned out to be a cult member.

At the head of the spear alongside Villonah and the Lord Regent, Doozey magically conceals the vanguard of the procession. At one point, he spots a patrolling group of Tears of Virulence cross the street far ahead of the group, but the halfling's spell does its job and keeps them from noticing the approaching crowd. Pausing just long enough to ensure the patrol has moved on, Doozey signals for the procession to continue and eventually leads them to a "resting spot" just outside the Laughing Goblin.

CRAP knows that the only viable entry point into the tavern is its backdoor. As you all approach it, you spot a wounded soldier in black armor sitting by the door, bleeding, and grunting in pain. He holds no visible weapons, but one of his fists is clinched.