Xyrfaen instantly locks on Cynder with a curious and worried stare. "Who raised you, then? I suppose you know what is magic and what isn't, yes? Those who raised you, could they channel the arcane? Have you met beings of immense power?"

He flexes nervously, suddenly uncertain what to do with this new information. It could be that the Tabaxi was raised by Warlocks. Or, on the contrary, some divine being could have taken an interest, causing the demon-worshippers to also have an eye on him. That said, he still had not even discovered a true link between the bandits and the demonic cult, but perhaps...

Cynder seems to hesitate for just a moment but he takes a deep breath before he replies.

"Of course I know magic, I am a sorcerer after all. I learnt from my mother. Although she's not my real mother, she is the one who raised me as her own.. And I suppose she is one who you would consider a being with immense power. I hope to be as strong as her one day." He smiles slightly as he lowers his head. He tries to hide ot but it is clear that a small part of him misses his home and his mother.

Typical bloody guard, asking nosy questions, says Brask.  You want to tell us about your mama, Xyrfa... Xirfi...  Nope, that name's not gonna work.  I can call you Xy if you like.  It's probably that or 'birdcop', your choice.  How about you, Burik?  Got a tale to tell?

"Some sort of darkness is rising, I've felt it. I know not where, when, or how, but I trust that I'll be guided to where I need to be to fight it when the time comes. Until the I wander, going wherever I'm needed."

"A sorcerer," Xyrfain muses, satisfied with the answer. That usually means some innate spark, from what he knows of the common descriptions at least. Not very likely to stem from some pact with some fiendish creature. Unless his mother... He would keep an eye out, just to be certain.

He then looks at Brask and Burik in turn as they speak, not certain what to make of Burik's tale as well, but deciding against comments. Instead, he looks back to Brask. "The typical guard, is it? Good. Means the local guard is good at what they do. Keeping dangerous folk off the streets, and doing what they can to find those that did harm to others." He appears unfazed by the rude manners, as if he is used to the treatment. "Call me Xy if you wish, Brask. And I can tell you what you wish to know about my mother, although I doubt you would find it very interesting."

Let's save that story for another time, Xy, Brask responds cheerfully.  Well, Burik, if you believe the stories there's money and fame in defeating great evils, so count me in.  

In an increasingly better mood now that he has the beginnings of a team around him, Brask continues along the road towards the capital, occasionally taking his maul out and making a few practice swings in case any enthusiastic bandits happen to pass by.

The group becomes more and more comfortable with each other as the day grows on, chatting about nothing in particular, Brask leading the pack. The outline of the city is visible almost the entire walk, becoming larger and larger as the sun slowly dipped in the western sky. Finally, in the early evening an hour or two before sunset, they crest over a large hill. When they reach the top, the city lay before them, with incredible bustling life all around the outskirts of the city walls. Crowds of people walking through market stalls, pushing carts, carrying burlap sacks full of who-knows-what. The gates to the city are open as well, with guards stationed both on the ground and up in the towers on either side of the entrance. They're armed well, but don't look particularly concerned...in fact, from down here, it looks as if one of the archers is napping.

Beyond the gates you can see a long central road leading up to a grand city center. People and other creatures flow all the way through the gates and up the streets. You can roughly make out from here that the center road then branches off in five different directions. One continues straight back to an enormous cathedral, with spires poking at the heavens themselves. It's tough to see from here where the others go.

Cynder scans the horizon, his eyes almost glistening with excitement. "Wow.. such a big city. So much life. This is amazing."

The noise and mess of city life, Brask says in agreement.  There's nothing like it.  Well, that guy Sam said he might catch up with us here; he was investigating the bandits too, he says to Xy.   I don't recall that he gave us directions to meet up, so let's just find somewhere to stay and something to do.

Brask will stop some random passerby, if he can find one.   Is there an adventurer's guild here, friend?  A place where fighters can find good work?

Random passerby: 5

The man stops and smiles at Brask. He seems a bit frail, with pale skin and thinning brown hair. Still, his smile is genuine. "I'm sorry, I don't know much of adventuring," he gestures up the main street toward the cathedral. "If you're looking for direction, though, there's no better place to start than the Temple of Lathandar."

Brask shakes his head in disgust and walks away without saying anything.  He mutters something under his breath that might be stupid worthless peasants...  Then louder, to the others, Any ideas where to go?  Any of you been here before?

"I know nothing of this place, but it might be a good idea to secure lodgings first. Maybe get a good meal to boot." He nods towards the cathedral "If nothing else, big fancy buildings often attract a lot of people, who may have work..."

Well, you'll be doing the talking.  Brask heads up the main street towards the cathedral, desperately keeping his eye out for something better like a noticeboard or decent tavern.

Perception 5

You don't notice much as you start to head down the central avenue. It's just crowds of people moving back-and-forth. When you reach the city center, though, it doesn't take much to see that there are very distinct districts within Lovilra. The cathedral is most obvious, straight ahead, but off to your right two more large roads fork out. One looks to be filled with shops and an even more bustling market than outside the city walls. There looks to be not one but multiple taverns as you peer through the people. The second road leads up a small hill with a huge building sitting at the top. A giant clock face adorns it and it stretches back for quite a ways - it looks quite regal. Off to your left the final two roads lead away from the center - one seems residential. Lots of houses and quiet porches. A few old folks are meandering around. And finally one of the roads leads up a hill on the other side of the cathedral. It's filled with guards milling about, and ends with a heavy iron gate and another large building.

Xyrfaen pushes down his urge to fly up and watch the comings and goings from the rooftops. The bustling street always made him feel crowded rather quickly, but in his own home city it was frowned upon for commoners to fly up and take to the roofs, and he imagined this city would be much of the same. The cathedral would offer a fantastic view, however.

"Let's find a place to rest near the cathedral then, eh Burik?" he asks, then starts leading the group through the crowd closer towards the cathedral. "A nice place to rest our legs, and discuss what we want to do. After a drink we could try and see if that place with all the guards is the local guard quarters, they might have some jobs that they don't have the resources for to do themselves."

You make your way through the city center and up toward the massive cathedral. As you get further away from the bustling center, things quiet down a bit. There are still plenty of people around, but the constant roar of activity has faded away. The buildings become nicer as you climb the hill. They mostly appear to be residential, with a few fancy storefronts and one very elegant looking inn. Sadly, there are no taverns to speak of on the main road. 

As you near the top of the hill and the cathedral, you begin to see more priests walking down the street. They wear crimson red robes with gold trim, and a golden sunrise adorning their backs. A few of them smile as you pass by, while others look curiously at this strange party of creatures wielding weapons and other adventuring gear. There are a few city guards around as well, although far less than in what you assumed to be the military district. 

Brask frowns at the priests, and gives them a wide berth. He looks more interested in the guard, and is happy to go along with Xy's plan, at least for now.  Lotta rich folks around here.  They always need people to take care of their problems.

(Brask has the urban bounty hunter's 'Ear to the Ground' feature, so he should have a contact or lead on how to find work in the city.)

Brask, you might not know who specifically works within Lovilra, but you've heard of a tavern called The Learned Wren. It's a famous tavern in the merchant district of the city, and people go there for all kinds of work. You're guessing the merchant district is probably where the bustling market was branching off from the city center - you certainly don't see anything that resembles it up here near the cathedral. 

For the moment, Brask is happy enough to follow the others as they head towards the cathedral.  Lotta priests here, he says as he eyes the red and gold robed fellows.  You recognise the god, Burik?

Burik, make a religion check.