The dwarf doesn't seem to mind being kissed and regards you with a warm smile. "Well done lad," he says somewhat ambiguously.

At this point, I'm guessing that you all want to go to the city council. I say guessing because no one has actually said that's what you're doing, so I'll take this opportunity to point out that describing your character's dialog, while a great way to come to agreement about decisions and develop relationships with other characters, is not the same as describing other kinds of actions for your character. In other words, saying that you propose a certain course of action to the rest of the party doesn't actually tell me what the party's doing, except that it's having a conversation. So when I ask questions like I did in posts #1006 and #1015, I'm not so much trying to prompt a conversation between your characters as I am looking for a direct answer to my question. Of course, engaging in conversation in order to come to a decision is great, but it only gets half way there if you don't then tell me what decision you've made and how you implement it. Otherwise, I have to assume your answer is that you've returned to the city to engage in pleasantries with each other, which I somehow find doubtful.

Also, to address something related that might also be at play here, when I ask you what you're doing, I'm not so much asking for what I would call characterization, which relates to how your character acts, appears, or speaks in a given situation, as I am asking for what I would call an action declaration. This is what you want your character to do in order to accomplish its goals. It can be quite expansive and isn't limited to the immediate situation. Combat is resolved in six-second increments, but outside of combat, feel free to state what your character wants to do for as long a time period as you want. I'll let you know when or if the action gets interrupted. As I said up thread, stating a reasonably specific goal and approach to the action allows me to adjudicate the outcome without having to ask clarifying questions. 

That being said, I'm not here to tell anyone how to play. I find your characterizations very entertaining for the most part and don't want to discourage them. I just wanted to make it clear (if it wasn't already) that I'm not running a game in which the players are just along for the ride. What your characters do is what this game is about.

Anakis laughs as Ulben kisses the dwarf on the head. She runs over and jumps up to kiss him on the head too, then scoots away laughing some more.

While in the city, Anakis tries to keep out of the eyes of the guards, having not had great experiences with them so far. But if she sees any food lying about that she can safely pilfer for Custard, she will attempt to grab some food. 

"What do we do once we give the people this toad head?" she says to no one in particular.

(OOC - no worries. I often find myself waiting to see what someone is saying in reply etc and forget to mention everyday actions. Will try to add more in.)

I’m not really talking about “everyday” actions that you “add” in. I’m talking about actions that have as their goal a change in the game-state. For example, “We go to the city council” changes your location from the marketplace to the city council. Then I can describe what happens (if anything) along the way and describe the scene when you get there. If everyone just keeps describing what they do in the marketplace, then things won’t change very much.

I guess I’m saying all this because I’ve started to think that somehow everyone has gotten the idea that they’re somehow limited to inconsequential actions that merely add color/flavor to the scene I’ve already described. This couldn’t be further from my preference. What I would ask is where do you want the story to go, and how does your character propose to get there? We aren’t playing an AP. There are no rails to stay on. You aren’t going to upset anything by pursuing your character’s agenda. 

(OOC - ah, ok. No problem. Anakis is keen to move to the council and get rid of the toad head - especially before it starts to smell!)

(Aluzira is probably just going to follow the others lol, right now her only concern is helping carry the toad head and getting out of the crowd.  But what you're saying makes total sense!  I will try to keep it mind in the future.)

Torrent goes to Aluzira, "Now I'm not picking through the Bog, I can help carry this."  Torrent follows Tarek's directions to the City Council.  

(I appreciate your guidance on what you're looking for.  You run games very differently from how I usually have played, but I think once we have a handle on it, it will be great for collaborative story telling)

Aluzira looks up slightly startled but relaxes, seeing that it's Torrent.  "Thank you," she says gratefully.  Then adds with a nervous laugh, "who would have thought a bard would get nervous in crowds?"  and continues to follow the group.  Once they leave the crowd of people, she noticeably relaxes and starts looking around, trying to see if she can spot the library on their way to the council.

Perception: 2

The Merchants’ Guild maintains a library at its hall here in Wuft Hill which contains records of the city’s commerce. It’s easy to spot as your way takes you west along Farmer Row into Yet Valley. There’s also.a military library inside the militia’s barracks for which Fluin mentions having had no use during his brief stint with that organization. The Garrison seems dark and quiet this morning in the face of the oncoming storm as you continue past it into North Spruk.

Although few people are out and about on the city streets as you travel, news of your arrival seems to have preceded you, and the guards admit you to the council chamber without question. Gathered round the circular hall are the aldermen of the city’s thirty-six wards, and standing before them on a small stage in the center is an old woman wearing the ragged robes of a commoner, although she doesn’t appear poor. This is Maid Genevote, the Reeve of Ekuepool. She gestures for you to come forward.

”State your business,” she says even-temperedly, and the aldermen quiet down as they turn to hear what you have to say and to gaze in wonder and disbelief at the enormous head you bear.  

Aluzira makes a mental note of where the two libraries are, and as they head into the council reaches to fidget with her flute.   Remembering it's gone, again, she quickly reaches further back to straighten her dagger and keeps her gaze lowered respectfully, listening to what is being said.

Anakis stands amongst the others in the council hall, feeling rather uncomfortable amongst the guards and rich looking people. As the old woman asks their business, Anakis looks at each of the others for a moment. When no one speaks up, she walks forward and stands defiantly, hands on hips, in front of the room full of elders.

"We took care of your toad problem. We killed so many, like twelve! But we thought we'd bring one home to hang on a wall somewhere and to prove to you that we did it," she gives everyone around the room a look that dares them to question her. "We thought that since the guards weren't helping the people, we would do it instead."

(Deception roll if you want it for the claim of killing so many toads: 12)

"Miss, I'm not much good at talkin', but I'm the one who led these folks on the merry chase.  I have lived out in the Bog for my entire life.  I rarely stray inta Ekuepool proper.  I've lived offa the land and tried to mind my own.  I got to a time when I couldn' anymore, cause the Bog is increasingly hostile to our lives.  I'm sure you've heard the stories about the glowing lights leading folk off on their way n' they ain't seen again.  There's a giant who rules the northeast.  There's lizards n'toads n'snakes that rule the Bog.  The Bog ain't never been friendly, but it ain't never been this hostile.  I'm a shepherd of the Bog.  A difficult job of the shepherd is ta fix it when the Bog gets outta balance with th'rest of the environment.  These things I list're dangerous to the point of invasion of the city.  That's why I gathered this group.  We are try'na go out'n fix the issues in the surroundin' area."  Torrent looks around at his new comrades.  "These folks're good folk.  They put their lives in th'way'a danger to protect yer charges, as well as mine, the wildlife around the city.  Now, they're too polite ta ask so directly, but I don't give a d*** about manners.  We would like some financial compensation, as well as room'n board somewheresabout in recompense for removing some'a the danger your folks, 'specially the travelers, face.  The South's a bit safer now and it's thanks to us.  Iffin' you don't mind, we'd also like to be better equipped so we can continue clearing out the greater dangers yer city faces.  Perhaps we could earn some kinda patronage on your part for this.  I'm not expectin' ya ta move mountains on our behalf, but I think we deserve a bit'a reward."

Torrent looks sweatier than usual.  With the exception of his recruitment speech for the group, he hadn't said this many words in a row since he was a child.  This is a habit he doesn't want to get into.

Maid Genevote gazes dreamily at the monstrous toad head, clearly frightened at the prospect of such creatures lurking out in the bog but at the same time impressed by your audacity in bringing it to the council and intrigued by your altruism. She considers your requests. Torrent, make a DC 19 Charisma check. You are exhausted from your journey in this morning's extreme cold, but you are aided by Anakis's tall tale, so you have neither advantage nor disadvantage on your check. If you succeed, she will grant your requests, but if you fail, she will let the council decide your fate.

(lol, as we all know, Torrent is real good at charisma)

17

"I put it before the council," says Maid Genevote. "Shall these adventurers be patronized in their bold endeavor as they have requested, or shall they serve Ekuepool in some other way? Surely, they have performed a noble service that has greatly benefited at least some of the wards. I'm sure your ward, Alderman Belsante, from which the city's hunters venture forth to acquire meat to feed our great population, and your ward, Baronet Euvrouin, from which the city's foresters march daily to harvest timber for our buildings, will both enjoy knowing that their denizens are safer in days to come due to the efforts of these brave individuals." 

Two aldermen wearing outdoorsmen's garb nod in agreement. One of them stands and says, "It's true, Maid Genevote, for long my hunters have returned from the bog with tales of packs of these terrible beasts that can eat a man whole in one gulp, or not returned at all, just as like, but rather have disappeared without a trace as if swallowed up by the bog itself. I, for one, vote that we should support their efforts!"

"As do I!" exclaims the other.

"But what is the true cost of this service?" asks the Reeve. "Dame Minnie, lieutenant of the city watch, has informed me that one among the number of this band, just four nights ago, ran from the city watch, refusing to answer its lawful questions, and was last seen escaping into the underground waterway that forms our boundary with the Undercity. As you all know, both citizens and non-citizens alike are forbidden from entering the Undercity which was long ago buried as Ekuepool rose above it, and yet here she proudly stands among us," she says, coolly indicating Anakis.

"Such lawlessness cannot be condoned or go unchecked. Therefore, I propose that any patronage should come with conditions. If this group is to become the city's agents in the bog, they are to work under the direct supervision of the alderman of the ward which is to benefit from their efforts and are to be compensated at whatever meager rate each alderman decides can be afforded. Some of our wards are quite poor. Perhaps the Merchants' Guild would like to hire them to clear the road of snakes. I'm sure it can afford an ample wage. But first I would suggest that the laborer's ward in Lan Valley make use of their services to secure the safety of the water bearers going to and from Turtle Loch. These arrangements should be negotiated directly by the concerned parties.

"I have another proposal, however, that if it be the will of this body, we give these brave souls a special dispensation to undertake a mission that will be to the benefit to this city as a whole which is to allow them to re-enter the Undercity and clear out whatever forgotten evil they find that lies buried long ago by the city's founders or whatever foul creature that has crept in from the bog and lurks beneath our city streets. The founders abandoned many treasures in the Undercity in their haste to build over it. Therefore, I propose that the compensation for this task shall be whatever treasure they can recover themselves. The city will, however, provide food and lodging for a week or so while they prepare themselves for this ordeal and for services rendered. For too long we have allowed the Undercity to fester, and I urge you to accept this proposal with due haste."

She turns to the party. "Is there anything else you'd like to say to the council before it makes its decision?" 

Anakis slinks back as they mention the other evening. "That guard was mean and wouldn't leave me alone," she says under her breath.

Aluzira gives Anakis a small smile but remains silent.  She would gladly help the others no matter which proposal they excepted.  They seemed like good people, and she was growing fond of their company.

"Very well," says Maid Genevote, seeing that no one in the party steps forward to oppose her suggestion, "I remind the council that this decision is binding and that any ward that treats with this party separately takes full responsibility for their actions whilst in the city."

After some deliberation, the council approves Reeve Genevote's proposal. Each member of the party that doesn't already have a place to stay in the city is to be given one week's room and board at an inn of their choice, paid for from the city's general fund. In addition, the party is given a dispensation to delve into the Undercity to conduct the council's business and the right to keep any treasure they find. In Anakis's case, the dispensation is applied retroactively, absolving her of all charges of criminality. In one week's time, the party is to meet at the end of Juniper Way, where Anakis eluded the city watch by jumping into the storm channel. On the other side of the channel, is the entrance to the Undercity.

Maid Genevote has the giant toad's head placed atop a stake in the market circle for all to see and has the city criers announce the news of your deeds of bravery in the bog and of the council's wise patronage of your services.

To gain the benefit of a long rest during the ensuing week, you must spend most of your time sleeping with occasional periods of light activity, like reading, talking, or eating. Brief interruptions of no more than one hour of strenuous activity, like walking, will allow you to continue your rest. At the end of a week spent resting this way, you lose a level of exhaustion and regain your hit points and hit dice.

Everyone except Tarek has exhaustion, so I assume you all want to spend this downtime resting, but if anyone has anything they'd like to do instead or during a short interruption, let me know.

Aluzira nods her head in thanks before following the others out of the council with a sigh of relief.  "Oh, Torrent! Here's your coat back," she says to Torrent handing back the coat.  Then adds with a grateful smile, "Thank you again for letting me borrow it."  She looks around at the others, wondering if they will all go to the same inn or go their separate ways until they meet up at Juniper Way.

(Are there any inns within an hour of the militias barracks?)

Yes, in fact you can walk across the whole city from one end to the other in half an hour. 

(DM Question - does anyone react to Anakis wearing "Bella the Serpent's" poncho? Also, during her downtime, Anakis will try to sell the crystal door knob she took from the bog person's spear. Otherwise, Anakis will rest, spending a little time with any street kids she meets as she explores during her outings.)