The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Alton tries to catch the halfling guard before he opens the door, but gets there a bit too late and instead just quickly closes the door; hoping that no one else saw inside. "I know what this looks like, but we have a letter that explains what is going on. My friend Balassar should have handed it off to your coworker by now. My friends and I are under strict orders and were hired as guards for this carriage. I'm pretty sure this is suppose to be a secret, so don't tell anyone... please." From a side pouch, he pulls out the Felderwin Irregulars badge to show the guard.

[/skill]Perception[/skill]: 27, to see if anyone else saw what was inside the carriage.

Balassar just shrugs “Note specifically said When we reach Zadash, give the enclosed envelope to any Crownsguard at the gate. Since you’re the only Crownsguard here I’m assuming you are allowed.”

Balassar just looks behind his shoulder and then back to the female guard “Can we go before anymore attention is drawn please?”

Alton, you don't think anyone is really paying attention to you and your interactions with the guards.

Balassar, the guard nods. "Yes, of course. I just... well, never mind. Please go inside. It's okay," she calls to the other guard. "They have clearance. Let them through."

And the guards clear out of your way, and you enter the city; before you, you see an expansive slum, the Outersteads, where the poorest of the city dwell; in the distance up ahead are richer areas, and you see clearly the three towers of the Tri Spire.  It's late; there are a few street sellers hawking their wares, but the shops you see around the gate are beginning the process of shutting up for the night. The street is busy as people head home through the gate - in either direction, as residents of the city seem to pass the guards without a check.

You still have your cart, and the carriage with its two prisoners. Where would you like to go?

FYI, the following map is fan-art, not official, but I like it and think we can use it:

Now away from the guards, Silent lets out a deep breath. Looked hairy for a few seconds there... anyway, let's head to the Song and Supper, yeah? Sooner we can be rid of this carriage the better.

Alton also let’s out a sigh of relief and hops back in the front of the carriage with Balassar. “Do you know where the Song and Supper is, Balassar?”

Balassar keeps his eyes on the guard “Do you have a runner you could send to Lawmaster Stonegrasp letting them know we are here and waiting at the Song and supper for them?”

He says as they begin to make their way through slowly. After getting an answer he will begin to drive the carriage towards the Song and Supper just nods “Yeah, I know the way. Drank there a few times back in the day.”

Balassar, the guard hesitates, then nods and backs away to let you pass and enter the city.

You would know the Song and Supper quite well; it's located in the Innerstead Sprawl, directly ahead of you along the main road, and then to the left. Balassar drives the carriage slowly through the streets of the city.

Have Alton or Silent ever been here before?

Alton has not been to Zadash before, so his head is on a swivel trying to look around at everything.

Silent hasn't been here before and has the hood of his cloak up out of habit. After Balassar gets the carriage going, he climbs back into the cart with the prisoners in it (taking care to only open the door when the coast is clear), sits down and says to them, Well, that could have gone better... but I suppose it could have gone a lot worse. You'll be getting handed over on the morrow, so if there's anything you have to say to me... now would be the time. 

If there's still any wine left over, he'll pour cups for each of them and if any show signs of wanting to drink, he'll loosen their gags. 

Alton, this is no doubt the largest settlement - perhaps the only city you've ever been to, since Hupperdook is very much a large town rather than a city. It's massive - you knew from your reading that there's almost a hundred thousand people here, but if you imagined what that looked like, the reality is somehow so much dirtier, more solid, noisier and somehow more wonderful. You get a true sense of the possibilities of this place, and can't help think on what lies in store here. For some reason, wherever you look, your eyes are drawn back to the three tall towers of the Trispire that soar - or loom - over the city.

Balassar drives skilfully, through the streets of the familiar city. Where would his family be at this time of the day?

Silent, make a Persuasion check as the two drow ignore - or pretend to ignore you.

Persuasion 10 

Balassar just works to control the cart and carriage, keeping a look out for anyone who maybe paying too much attention or following too closely. 

OOC:

At this hour probably finishing up their day at the smithy near The Pentamarket if they had any business.

if needed perception check: 18

Silent, one drow shrugs, and replies in elvish. You haven't mistreated us, so I'll give you this much. You say you're no weapon of the Empire. So stop doing their dirty work. Go find something better. The other one frowns, looks disapproving for a moment, as though unhappy the first drow spoke, but then adds Find something you're willing to die for. Nothing else matters. And that's all you're getting from us. The two speak no further.

Balassar, you drive the carriage and bring it to a halt in front of the Song and Supper. You know that your family's forge and home are not too far, perhaps ten minutes on foot from where you are.

What's the plan?

As Alton's gaze keeps being drawn back to the three towers he keeps thinking of the phrase, 'three stand tall,' and makes a note for later. He realizes that his wonder gazing isn't helping with keeping their cart on the right track and tries to focus more on following the carriage. "Sorry Balassar. It is just a lot to take in and I keep getting distracted." 

Once at the Song and Supper and the carts are parked, Alton will go up to Balassar, "We should be good if there is anything you wanted to do. I don't know if you wanted to check in with your folks and let them know you are in town. I'll let Silent know to watch the carts while I get us a room here. Then we can figure out a watch schedule or something later." 

Balassar just shrugs “I can see them after the jobs done. Focus is on getting the cargo handed off.”

Alton gives Balassar a nod, "Fair enough. Lets get a room then figure out a watch schedule." 

Okay, so Silent and Balassar stay outside to watch the carriage and the prisoners, while Alton goes into the Song and Supper tavern. As you approach the door Alton, you immediately hear the noise coming from inside - the chatter and, almost entirely drowned out, the music. You open the door, and reveal a packed common room; shabby but reasonably clean, smelling of alchohol and sweat, lit by torches on the walls. The music is coming from from a group of four humans, singing and playing instruments on a raised dais; they are attempting a sea shanty and not doing too well at it; from the noisy crowd you get the sense that half the audience is ignoring the music, and the other half laughing and discussing how terrible the music is. The performers don't seem too stressed, and appear to be enjoying the effect their noise is having. There's a bar along one wall, and a half-elf busily tending it.

What will Alton do?

Outside, what are Balassar and Silent up to?

Alton gives a nod to the performers as he walks up to the bar, if there is an open seat he will hop up into it.

Luckily someone - very much on the wrong side (or right side?) of many tankards of cheap ale is in the process of leaving, so a seat opens up. Alton hops up into it. The bartender is busy dealing with other patrons, but will glance in Alton's direction eventually.

(OOC: Sorry for checking in late) 

After the drow speak, Silent opens, then closes his mouth. He stands around awkwardly for a few moments before retrieving whatever remains of the liquor they purchased, leaving the cart and hunkering down outside it, drinking and thinking.