Black Cat will grab one of the flyers to see if he can read it but will try to stay in the middle of the group so as not to stir up any emotions form the townsfolk. He will keep an eye out for any tempting mark if he gets the opportunity, though at the moment, he will not take any huge risks to endanger the group.

Perception for easy mark: 21

What you can see from the third that is remaining from the sign is part of a few words: Para--, of th--, Ru--. Below it is some writing in black, that appears to be in charcoal of some form, reading Not Anymore! This is a clear sign of violent vandalism.

I will pack the sheet away for future considerations.

"They could just be on edge-- it seems many townsfolk are given our last interactions at the previous town. I think we should secure lodgings after asking around some."

Just like the last town, Jorel will find an intact door and knock, asking the residents about a good place to sleep.

The first house you open the door to is a small cottage-type house. The person who opens the door is an adult male human. He has pale skin and messy brown hair. The human appears relatively well-fed and muscular, but they have bandages that are wrapped around their left knee, a few on their face and neck, as well as a sling that supports his right arm. He seems a brave man, but yet tentatively responds to Jorel's presence. "H-hello there. What can I do for you?"

Jorel will smile politely, "I'm sorry to bother you, we just arrived in town and it seems you've had some trouble, may I ask what happened?"

Smoke will look around for a moment while holding his chin with one hand Hmm.. 

Aldin, you and Black Cat should go see whats in one of those Dark alleyways, people are avoiding and acting strange around those and the cloaked people. Keep an eye out for those cloaks and keep a low profile. Dont go to far, this isnt a small town. 

He then turns to the others.

Ash can go with Jorel to ask around. Weylin, Nirug, your with me. 

Smoke will try to find a merchant thats not busy or not as busy as the others. He will walk there with Weylin and Nirug behind him as his personal bodyguards. Smoke will have his head held high and walk forward confidently. 

Before speaking to one he would like to inspect his wares to see what this merchant is selling as far as Smoke can see. Fully emerged in his role he will only pay attention to the merchant and what he is selling, expecting Weylin and Nirug to watch his back and look tough. 

(Perception 11) 

Aldin pats Black Cat on the shoulder and nods his head to indicate they should go. He walks fairly slow as they head toward and initially past some of the alleys, allowing the two to get a safe yet decent look down them.

He gives a slight gesture to Black Cat to keep an eye on any cloaked people.

Perception for the alley/alleys: 20

Black Cat follows along beside Aldin picking up a stick tossing it between his hands like a game, then will "accidentally" toss it to the entrance of the alleyways so he can look down them to see if there is anything there.

Sleight of Hand: 15 Perception: 16

Between the openings of the alleyways he will keep an eye on whomever is cloaked to see what the fuss is all about them.

Perception: 8

 The man regards Jorel with hesitation, but yet sincere honesty as he answers, "I'm no story-teller like those in the Harbor Libraries, but...you seem a sincere man, I guess you deserve to know. You might've heard rumors, but I'll confirm 'em. Rebels escaped from the hold of the Empire. Idiots is what they are. Who would dare mess with the system...the administration knows what it's doing!" he looks quite upset at talking about the Rebels and their disloyalty to the East Empire's authority. You can tell from his attire, and it is simply solidified by what he has said, that the man is a soldier. A rather battered one, at that, but still a soldier. And soldiers tend to be very devoted to those who they fight for, and in this case, that seems to have proven to be true. "Anyways...they stormed into town not too long ago. They looked terrifying, truly, more so than the Armies of the West, not that it's saying much, but they certainly looked as though they could win anyone in this town in a simple skirmish. Which is a bit of what they did. They vandalised our joyous town, wrecked it...broke it. Not just that, but...I suppose this is the more pressing matter...they raided us. We're a small town, go unnoticed, aren't allowed money from the government in substantial quantity. We never get by without a fight, but...we always make it. But just barely. But these Rebels stole most our food, as well as our money, and valuables. That food was supposed to last us all past Xarynthian Ryse, which is still months away. And the money and valuables leaves us with no resources to trade with, not that we have many outlets to modern society but..." He looks up at Jorel, his eyes softening. "I'm rambling, aren't I? I'm sorry, but I hope that helped. Unless you're a spy for the West, or somethin'?"

Smoke, you have found a merchant that looks like a traveling trader. Covered in robes for warmth, the more elderly looking tiefling sits in a chair behind his booth, looking for those who may be interested, yet not enticing them like the others. The merchant doesn't fit in with the rest...seems strange, as a traveling trader might be, but the townspeople don't seem to trust him, or his goods.
There is an array of vials and sacks arranged on the table. You quickly realize, from the small damp tags attached to each item as well as what you have known to be what it is. Healing materials. Something that has proved scarce in your journeys. The supplies are rather cheap, but look a more traditional, magical type of healing, opposed to the more modern kind you've seen more often.

Aldin, nothing stands out to you in most alleys, except for fresh vandalism apparent on the walls in the form of explicit writing, as well as containers of trash being turned over in the alleys. But in one particular alley you spot two cloaked figures--one wearing a dark red cloak with a symbol on the back that you can't quite make out, the other wearing a silver cloak. Their features aren't clear, but they seem to be in some form of deal, but you can't decipher its level of importance from here.

Black Cat, you thrust your stick into the air and it falls into the suspicious alleyway. As you duck in to get it, as is routine now after performing it a few times, the cloaked figure in silver, who has Black Cat in his natural line of sight gives Black Cat a distasteful look. He appears to be a fair-skinned elf, and very clean and proper for an alleyway, whereas the red-cloaked figure has a dirty wardrobe, and a mysterious tail that creeps up from under the cloak, like a tiefling's might. The one in silver hisses in an icy tone, "Leave, useless rodent."

Jorel will smile politely while the old soldier rambles, "Thank you for the advice sir, may I ask where they went? Perhaps we can recover at least some of what they stole."

Black Cat will hiss back at him in his own voice, attempting to get a good look at the symbol but then I will move to the mouth of the alley way, just out of site and attempt to listen in on the conversation.

Stealth: 27 Perception: 13

Aldin notices that Black Cat has gotten subtly involved with that same deal he saw stops past the alley way and leans against the wall, he watches and listens to ensure Black Cat has back up should something happen. His hands itch to take up his crossbow but he refrains so as to not make himself a target of eyes.

Greetings Smoke will say to the trader.

I know a wanderer when i see one, i too know the troubles of a travelling merchant. Treated like you dont belong, like .. like they dont trust you because you have things not from around here.  

Smoke takes a second to pauze to compose himself as he noticed he was getting more flamboyant with arms and tail waving around as he speaks. 

Never know where you end up, thats why I dont travel alone. He looks to his left and right then back to the trader. 

Tell me, what is wrong with your wares that nobody seems to want them? Perhaps i will make an offer.

(can i make a check using my herbalism kit proficiency to identify herbs? And what check would that be)

Following Smoke to the merchant, Weylin looks about at the people approaching and just the general vicinity for any signs of brewing trouble or anyone paying too much attention to us. He then tries to get a read on the merchant without staring for too long.

Perception: 12

Insight: 14

The soldier smiles at Jorel's kindness. It seems to be so unlike what is occurring in the town so much now. "Well, the soldiers of the town, myself included, tried to retrieve the items, so we followed them to the edge of town, where they took the stolen things to an old mine, the entrance being through a cave not too far from here. We sent our best soldier in. He came out so bloodied and beaten, saying that they agreed to spare him if he never returned, we effectively gave up. We have families and...we're the only line of defense for this poor town. If we went down...well, we wouldn't want them to have free reign over it. I just can't imagine what would've happened if they hadn't 'spared' him, which still left him hospitalized for days."

Both figures seem weary after, but they continue their conversation. You have seen the symbol on the red cloak's back, but have never heard its name. But the silver cloak, especially with the pristine condition it is in, can only mean one thing. The Eastern aristocrats, who were famous for their immense wealth, diplomacy, and political power, they had a high image, so a political leader committing to a deal with what you can only assume is a lower to middle-class figure, is a strange occurrence. You don't hear everything, but you do hear some higher whispers in the conversation as it begins to heat up.
The familiar icy voice of the diplomat in silver says in a whisper, "You have to understand that this a nearly impossible task you are asking me to perform. I'm going to need more gold."
A more rough, deeper voice of the red-cloaked figure replies, "But we had agreed on the 15,000. That's all I am allowed to provide."
"If you truly want this, you'll have to stretch the purse strings a bit, my friend. It's simply how diplomacy works. Zander isn't a popular candidate, I must admit. Only 12% say they'll consider him. I'll need more gold to persuade the other aristocrats. They won't comply easily." the icy voice hisses.
You hear a long, exaggerated sigh from the red-cloaked figure. "...Fine. I'll have the money in two weeks when we meet at Xiladen. But if this doesn't work...oh, I swear..."
"Trust me, my friend, 20,000 gold can get you a long way in this world. And I think the fellow aristocrats will agree."

Smoke, the trader smiles. "Traveling merchant is a rough position, you are correct. There is nothing wrong with my wares, I assure you. They are the strongest medicines you'll find on this Eastern province. But they're not like you normally see...the other traders cheating people with their high prices for medicines that barely work for the ingredients they have to make them. And yet people shy away from true medicine. It's disgraceful." The trader smiles. He weaves persuasion into his words as he displays the items prominently before him. "I have drinks, ointments, powders...all sorts of healing. Are you in the market for such?"

Weylin, you do not spot anyone in particular who is looking at you or anyone or anything strange. The trader appears a bit shady, but it doesn't seem too out of the ordinary for a traveling trader attempting to make ends meet to be a bit like that.

Black Cat will continue to stay where he is out of site and listen for anything more. When/if they leave he will indicate to Aldin to follow the red-cloaked one while he will follow the diplomat.

Stealth: 18 Perception: 15

He had remained quiet upon entering the town as both his size and demeanor tend to put people off.  Especially those that had suffered some sort of attack or oppression like these folk.  Standing behind Smoke, Nirug peers over Smoke's shoulder at the man.   "If the potions are good then maybe we can make a deal."  He looks down at Smoke and continues, "Guarding can be... rough."

Aldin gives a quick nod to the Kenku, keeps his head down and trails the red cloaked figure from a good distance. His eyes moving landmarks so he can remember his path, as this is a new place for him.

Stealth: 27

Perception: 8