Above & Below

Haha, congrats! I missed my milestone, apparently.

Pip nods somewhat uncertainly, but adds "It isn't the first time I've almost been killed!" He seems to cheer up at the thought of escaping death more than once. 

At one point, Kurama, you're sure as you turned you saw a figure standing next to a tree. It was out of the corner of your eye, and as you scanned back in that direction, the figure was gone. You check behind the tree and in the general area before moving on, but find nothing. Could have been a strange shadow or something else playing with your mind...

"Perhaps this place is playing tricks on my sight but I think we may have someone, or something, following us.  As a precaution, I think it might be best to stay extra cautious of anyone or anything we see, at least until we've reached this village (and perhaps beyond that as well)."  Kurama shared with the others.  For the rest of the trip, he would subconsciously scan the surrounding area for any movement, or glimpses of the figure he might've seen.

It's beginning to get slightly darker, noticeable even with the heavy cloud cover hanging over you. Fortunately, after making your way around a bend in the road, the town comes into view. Heavy wooden fences surround it, with a pair of guards sitting up above a large, arched doorway. From what you can gather out here, the town is relatively small but has some people moving about. The hill slopes upward into town, letting you see bits of it above the fence. 

We need to find some time for your training, Brask says gruffly as he gives Pip a protective pat on the shoulder.

He regards the small town with disdain.  Well, let's get this over with.  You talking this time?  He strides forward, but lets Effort take the lead if she wishes.

Approaching the fence, Kurama stepped forward and called out, "Hello!  Is this the town of Sicklerville?  We were told that was a town where we can find a safe place to rest and potentially gain some knowledge about the area as well.  Is that true?" 

One of the guards looks down at you from his post above the arched doorway. "Aye, this is Sicklerville. Welcome to rest up here, if you've got coin." He nods upward as if to say, let's see it. The other guard lazily looks down at you as well, then goes back to looking inward.

Effort rubs her forehead and mumbles, then squints upwards.  "The sight of coin seems to attract all sorts of unsavory types out here in the wilderness.  We have already had quite one unpleasant run-in with those would would part us from it outside already.  Perhaps if you let us in first, we can safely share with you the tokens of our appreciation. "

Deception: 18 + guidance 4 

"Hm." He looks over at the other guard, who turns to him and shrugs. "Alright, then." He pulls some kind of lever at the top of the archway and you hear something slide across the back of the wooden doors. "Inn to your right as you enter. Might have dinner, might not."

The main street running through town is little more than an unpaved dirt road with one-room houses on either side. The inn looks to be three or four rooms big, with an iron bar above the door that at one point probably held a sign. There's not much activity in town, but a few people do shuffle about up and down the street. Closer to the top of the hill, a larger residence - the largest you can see, at least - sits inside another, smaller fence. 

Once they're passed through the threshold into the town proper, Kurama asked the group, "Should we speak with their leader immediately?  It might be best to do so before the two return.  We have no true assurances that they'll keep to their word." 

(What time of day is it?)

"Yes... let us pose ourselves as mercenaries offering Baron Farvigo services he cannot refuse before those two return.  It is, in some way, close to the actual truth, after all."  She frowns.  "Shall we have Pip secure us a room at the inn while we negotiate?  It is likely best to begin before the baron settles down to a meal... otherwise, we will only look suspicious and desparate for interrupting the normal schedule of those who would style themselves as nobility."

As she speaks, she summons Cadmael to settle on the city walls.   

Keep watch, and tell us when... or if those two guardsmen return, and if the woman is in tow with them, please, she asks.

It seems like it's about sundown at this point, darker than it has been even with all the cloud cover. You can guess that means somewhere in the range of 5-7pm.

Pip stays with us, Brask says.  Yeah, let's go meet the boss.  See what kind of work he has, eh?

Kurama nods in agreement with the plan and follows Brask towards the manor.

There are another pair of guards when you reach the fence surrounding the large residence. This is no palace by any means, but is two floors with a small terrace, and is clearly the most spacious structure in the town. The guards perk up as you approach, standing tall. "After sundown, strangers. Have you fetched yourselves a room yet?"

No, says Brask.  We want to meet the boss first.  This is the right place?

One guard looks at the other, aghast. The other furrows his brow, but then starts to laugh. "You want to talk to the baron? You best come back in the morning. He don't see anyone this late. No exceptions."

Hah!, Brask retorts with a laugh.  Gone to his beddy-byes with a glass of warm milk, is it?  We want, he says more firmly.  To meet.  The boss.

Brask looks the guards over.  How tough do they seem?  Not that he's necessarily planning to attack, but for intimidation purposes... Insight 9

Like the two you met in the woods, they don't look like total slouches. You could almost certainly take these two, but it probably wouldn't be a cake walk. If they somehow alerted more, you're pretty sure you'd be in trouble.

"You lot new here, right?" The guard nods to the silent one, gesturing him to go inside. "Let me give you a piece of advice. Stay inside when it's dark. Don't piss off the baron. Hey, two pieces of advice. You're welcome."

The second guard heads inside.

(I completely forgot to use the advantage on my next ability check from resting well at Gil and Ava's house!  So I'm hoping I can use it here... ? XD)

"Gods help me," Effort says, touching her forehead in annoyance.

"Well, we have only come here to warn the Baron of an imminent danger threatening the entirety of Gredica, and the township of Sicklerville in particular.  Apparently a fiend of great power and extraplanar reach has set his or her eye upon the Baron and his village for some reason we cannot fathom.  We were sent to warn him, and offer our aid, and even traversed worlds to bring especially him this message.  But of course, if you, a simple guardsman, feel that such information is of no concern to your leader, of course, we are content to wait until morning, and let this threat percolate for even longer than it already has.  Thank you for your hospitality," Effort says graciously.

Deception: 22 + 2 Guidance

The guard gulps deeply as he listens to Effort. The second guard emerges with two others, but the first holds up his hand to stop them. "Go get the baron."

"...s-seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. Am I known to joke about? GO." He turns back toward you with a somewhat desperate look. "I hope this is as important as you say."

A few minutes go by as you stand across from the trio of guards. Finally, one of the original pair emerge from the house and open the gate. "You can come in, but your weapons have to wait out here. We'll watch 'em."

The first guard gestures to the ground next to him. "I suggest you don't keep the baron waiting."