“You are always so full of energy. Some of us though are a little more tired and would not object to having our meal in the barracks. There is a long day ahead of us.” Vishal says, not wanting to get all of us in a social situation where members cannot talk freely. 

"Of course, I will bring you to the barracks first and anyone who feels up to the mess hall can then follow me there," the guard says with a nod before leading you to the barracks, which prove to be a single story blocky building. Inside, there is a common room and men and women's dormitories. In pride of place in the middle of each room is a large, glowing crystal that provides most of the light, supplemented by smaller glowing crystals on the walls.

OOC: Okay, I gotta know who's going where and then I'll make the appropriate party splits.

Taran:

You drop off your things before the guard leads you to the mess hall, an open air area with dozens of wooden benches and tables arrayed beneath a canvas awning. . Human guards, laborers, and soldiers sit in their cliques eating bowls of vegetable stew. The hum of conversation fills the place, though they quiet a bit as you enter so that people can rise to give you respectful bows and smiles before returning to their food. Bowls of stew are arrayed on a table at the back, along with glasses of water.

Everyone else:

Taran heads to the mess hall, and the guard departs as well, leaving the four of you alone in the barracks. The crystal in the middle of the common room ceiling pulses gently with light, clearly magical in some way. You find bowls of vegetable stew on the table, magically preserved to stay hot.

Taran bows back, heading to grab a bowl of stew and a glass of water, before finding a place to sit.

He looks for a place somewhat out of the way, but close enough he can listen to the conversations going on about the local area. Any news of the Zone or local goings on that may impact the mission.

Vishal slowly takes the food and starts to eat, looking at the magical crystal and trying to figure out what it does without making it obvious in case they’re being watched right now. 

OOC: Vish, Arcana. What are the rest of you doing?

Arcana: 17

Kaori takes the food and goes to sit in the corner, looking down at the bowl with a frown.

Akuma takes her food, claiming her own spot in the room as she watches the pulsing of the crystal absentmindedly as she eats the soup provided, sitting cross legged calmly. 

Caelius takes his bowl of soup and sits between the crystal and Kaori, trying to block the crystal's view so the kenku can eat without raising suspicion. Caelius does not look at the crystal, instead, focusing on his soup.

Vishal: You think the crystal is a clairaudience crystal. If there's someone on the other side, they'll be able to hear you, but not see you. You also think that with a successful Arcana check, it could be depowered (or you could just smash it).

Taran: You listen to the words around you in the mess hall and pick up three rumors:

“The crop count came back below expectations again. Is someone stealing from us?”
“A giant boar came out of the Verge last week. I think they’re still treating the wounded.” (The Verge is the Lammannian manifest zone you will be going through while leaving)
“We’ve got troops from Tam Mesk coming in only three days. There’s no way the Forge can keep up with the smithing they need, especially when we’ve got the walls to repair.”

Taran finished his food, then made his way over to one of the groups that had mentioned the Boar.

"Excuse me," he said slow and quiet, bowing a bit, "I heard you mention an attack by a Giant Boar? Is there more you can tell me? Was it the cause of the damage to the wall? Reading reports is all good, but I find the people often know more about the Zones near their homes and the dangers they have noticed."

Vishal slowly and carefully starts to send a small mind message to everyone, “They can hear us but not see us, I might be able to depower it but it might draw attention.” 

Caelius shakes his head and signs,

The Riedrans execute half-bows from their seated positions as Taran comes over. "Edgewalker," one murmurs respectfully. "No, the boar was not the cause, the Harmonious Shield stopped it before it got near town. The Sturdy Wall is currently unstaffed, the walls are..." he looks nervous before pressing on. "They have been falling into disrepair lately. We do not know details of the boar, Captain Rhiavet would be who to ask. She led the force that fought it off." He nods to where a woman in an orange uniform with dark hair and a zulaat, a double bladed glaive across her back, is eating with the soldiers.

"Ah, my apologies for the misunderstanding," Taran says, still choosing his words carefully, "I will speak with her shortly then. Are there any other things that are out of the usual? I know sometimes out of respect there are things that we do not bother the Harmonious Shield with, and yet they can be clues towards other concerns. Holes or damage to fields could be from burrowing creatures, for example." Taran thinks for a second, "Do not misunderstand and think that I wish to scold, or anything of the kind. There are many small occurrences that could be signs, or could be coincidence. It is my duty to look for such small things."

The Riedrans glance at each other uneasily before the same one as before speaks again. "There's been an infection the Healing Hand official believes is from a giant snake out of the Verge running through town, though I'm sure you already knew about that. He's been struggling to keep it under control. And...well, there's nothing concrete, just...a lot of things falling through the cracks. Little things, like the walls not being repaired or not enough supplies to the Healing Hand."

 Taran bows again, "Thank you for your forthrightness. I do not know if that is a sign, zone's like the verge tend to be more about wildlife. I will speak with my Captain, perhaps he will know something I do not." Taran straightens, "Once more, thank you. I know my profession is a fearful one. I will leave you to enjoy your meal, and speak with Captain Rhiavet now."

Taran leaves the table and walks over to the Captain, a small knot growing in his gut. It worked against the common folk, but could he keep this up against a Captain?

Upon reaching the table, Taran bowed again, "If I may presume, Captain Rhiavet, may I have a few moments to discuss the recent excursions from The Verge?"

Rhiavet turns and a round of seated bows goes around the table of soldiers. "Of course, Edgewalker," Rhiavet says respectfully. "Have a seat. What would you like to know?"

"Thank you." Taran says carefully, sitting down at the table, "There seem to be two or three different events going on in the community which may or may not be connected to the Verge and the trouble there. I would like to hear your thoughts on all of those matters, to be honest. I heard that you and your squad drove off the boar, were there any lingering injuries indicating an infection? Anything particularly unusual about the beast, or the snake that appeared before? Any insights from those on the front line or whom may have been confided in with additional details may help our prevention of further issues."