The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Alton, you enter the small town; it seems to be relatively popular with travellers, and you spy a few carts and carriages near an inn called the Candleglow Inn. People direct you to the Broad Barn, a shop that mostly sells goods for farmers but might have some items a traveller or adventurer would care about.  What do you want to buy?

Alton asks about how long it will take to get to Zadash and gets enough rations for five people for that length of time. He'll also ask about which liquor is good and get a few bottles too, if he can. The other thing he will ask is why there are so many crownsguard in town.

"There was a gnoll attack. A while ago now, but it happened just before the war started. I think they're worried it was connected, though no-one can see how. In any case, nothing's happened recently, so I reckon the Crownsguard will be moved on soon enough. Got better things to do than keep an eye on us."

The shopkeeper estimates it will take six or seven days on foot to reach Zadash. Rations cost 5 silver for one day for one person, so seven days for three people would be ten gold five silver. You have food for the prisoners and horses in the carriage, but not for you. You can buy some local ale for standard prices - a bottle of fine wine is 10 gold, for example.

"Is that so? My friends and I had a run in with a pack of gnolls on the way here. They were seemed feral, but we fought them off." Alton hands over the 10 gold and 5 silver for the 21 rations, along with 30 gold for 3 bottles of fine wine. "Oh. Is there any news about the road from here to Zadash?" 

"No, but there aren't too many travellers these days. A lot of people are nervous, waiting for the war to end. Take care on the road, friend."

You complete your purchases. Are you headed out of town?

Alton nods, "I see and thanks I will." He packs the supplies in the cart he parked outside of the Candleglow Inn, before going inside. He gets the attention of a sever, "Excuse me, hi. What is the best ale you have and can I get it in a small barrel for traveling?" 

Alton, you approach the Candleglow Inn, and it's very apparent that it's not open for business. It looks like repair work is underway, though not at the moment. A halfling is inspecting a wagon and notices you come over. "Sorry, mate, we're closed. We're just a cart park at the moment. If it's drink you're after, head over to the  Feed and Mead." She points down the street.

"Ah, okay. Thanks." Alton gets his cart and heads down to the Feed and Mead to see if he can get a small barrel of ale for the road.

It's only a hundred feet or so, a short journey by foot or by cart. Alton is able to get a small barrel of ale; it costs 3 gold pieces, and will probably keep you all well lubricated all the way to Zadash.

Alton hands over the three gold and packs the ale barrel onto his cart. Before leaving the Feed and Mead, he buys himself a tankard of ale and hangs around for a bit seeing if he can pick up any rumors or useful bits of information. 

Alton spends a bit of time listening in to people as they have their conversations. He's a stranger, but not from too far away - they can tell either by his appearance, his dress or his accent perhaps, but they're friendly and willing to talk. They mostly talk about the war, and it's clear none has any idea what's actually happening - you hear fanciful stories of drow popping up here and there and scaring the locals, but you doubt any are based on fact. There's much complaining that repairs to the town after the gnoll attack are taking so long, and everyone blames a different culprit - the Crownsguard, the Lawmaster, the Empire or the war.

After some time, you notice a halfling woman, perhaps ten years your senior, smiling at you from the doorway that leads back out into the street. She nods at the door and then heads out, seemingly keen for you to follow.

Alton finishes his drink and pays before following.

Out on the street, the woman makes sure no-one else is around, and then walks up to you, hands open to show she's not carrying a weapon. She glances at a half-elf walking past, but makes sure they are too far to overhear. Then she smiles at you and says:

Alton Wildcloak, am I right? 

"Yes, and I'm clearly at a disadvantage not knowing your name. Miss?" Alton returns the smile. Though she appears unarmed, he doesn't quite relax and mostly watches her eyes for any hints of the red coloration he has seen before.

No sign of red colour, no.

Mornhill, the woman replies. Phyllida Mornhill. Now, let's get down to business. I'm offering to buy the map from you. I'll pay five hundred gold pieces, and you'll never have to think about it again. It's a good deal, and you should take it.

Alton gives Phyllida a cheeky grin, "And here I thought this was going to be for a good time, Phyllida." He drops the grin to a more serious look. "You know. I've had my things stolen and had to plead a case to get them back. Not to mention the guy who stole from me had undead on horseback after him that had to be dealt with. Fought some undead wizard who went crazy seeing me and tried to call down some undead wrath upon me. Now, I'm being solicited to hand my things over. So, you tell me what is so important about this map I have that two people and one undead have come after me." 

I don't know, Phyllida replies. I'm a very junior associate. I don't know these things. But I do know that this is the best offer you'll get. If you keep going, you'll be lucky if they just take it from you. More likely they'll kill you, and your friends, and your family as a warning to others. You must know how much danger you're in. It can all go away, simple as that. Take the money. Go on an adventure. Go to sea, or to... I don't know, Marquet or something like that. Apparently it's beautiful, or so they say. And you look like the kind who'd be better off having fun, than being hunted down and killed. Right? She smiles encouragingly.

Alton gives her a grin, "What's the fun of an adventure if there isn't the risk of death, eh?" He gives Phyllida a once over glance, "I'm not so dumb that I don't know the people around me are in danger, and I do worry about them. If the people you're with aren't a worry than an attack from the Kryn are; we're really not all that far away from the border ya know. Look, Phyllida. Ya seem like a nice lass that just threw her lot in with what could be a bad group. So, I'm giving you this one chance to take that five-hundred gold to go to Marquet yourself, change your name, and start a new life. I'm sure your group won't notice a very junior associate disappearing from their ranks. They probably have your replacement already lined up." He flashes her his best smile, "So, what say we forget we every crossed paths, and you get five-hundred gold to start a new life wherever you choose. That sounds like the best offer to me." 

Persuasion: 18, just in case. 

Phyllida gives you a half-smile, and seems to consider your suggestion for a moment. And then nods. Watch out for yourself, Alton Wildcloak, she says as she takes two steps back away from you, turns, and walks away.

Do you let her go?

Alton lets out a sigh of relief and turns to head back to his wagon. He does make sure to check his bags and the wagon for anything missing.