As they walk, Poinki will forage in the woods for food. (Survival 14

”wow, I didn’t know that..” continues to look around “ are we being watched right now?” She suddenly remembers when she used to take a bath in the lake back home. Did someone watch me then? Feeling shivers run down her back she mutteres “I swear I’ll never skinny dip again!”

"If someone is going through such lengths just to get to see you undressed, they have serious problems."

When Si'Juul sees Poinki looking for food, he takes out one of the apples.

"You hungry? Here."

"Can never have too much," says Poinki, accepting the apple. "Maybe you fall down hole, stuck for long time. Maybe trapped by trolls, too busy running away for days, stuck on bare mountain. Always need emergency foods." He tucks the apple into his pack.

Paren nods with Si'Juul. "I agree. There are very few people who would want to do something like that and even fewer of them have put in the time and effort to study magic and nature enough to do something like that. Your clothesless escapades are safe."

“Well I hope so. If I were to catch someone peeping I’d make sure the lives to regret it”

"I have been far too.... preoccupied with too many things to even consider such things. Romance is far down my list of priorities right now."

"Poinki promises not to peek. Elhanna is beautiful and kind and noble, but not Poinki's type. Maybe if shorter, scrappier, crookeder teeth."

Paren gives a crooked smile. "You have nothing to fear from me as well. My wife and I might not be on the best of terms right now but I still fear her wrath should I do anything impolite."

Si'Juul seems to have a number of things on his mind as the group keeps walking towards Arkos.

At one point he takes flight for a bit to stretch his wings, then lands back at the group.

"By the way, if anyone else would like an apple, I have plenty."

As you head along the road for two more hours, leaving the small glade behind you and moving on into slightly hillier territory, you can tell that the city must be near by the conditions of the road: While it was gravelled to make for a better surface, the frequency of travel had turned it into even more of a muddy sludge than the paths before.

As you crest one of the hills, you look down into the valley below, with the city of Arkos, with its many marble buildings resplendent in the evening sun, glistening below. The Cathedral of Ilmater, equal parts gothic cathedral and military bastion, stands high above the densely packed merchants quarter, as if to be a physical representation of the importance of the faith within the city. You can also make out the plethora of cuppolas and marbled buildings that mark the seat of worldly power, the Council of Seven, just a few blocks from the cathedral, as if to be vying with the gods for power over the lands. Nestled into the crook of the nearby river, the harbour makes up the lower and poorer end of the city, with craftsmen using the river to power water mills, and fishermen bringing in their daily catch. A couple of river barges laden with coal and furs represent the active trade with the hinterland. As you approach, you see the toothed and staggered defences of the city facing the landward side. From afar, it looks almost like a hill, before you realise that two thirty-feet mounds have been erected to impede the charges of any advancing foe.

Surrounding the city are a plethora of little hamlets and villages, all drawn within the orbit of Arkos, and undoubtedly providing much of the resources, workforce, and talent for the economy of the thriving city.

Passing by the earthen defences, you can't help but notice the squadrons of crossbow- and halberd-wielding guards patrolling along wooden ramparts set five feet below the top of the mounds. Once past the mounds, you then pass the city gate proper. It's more reminiscent of a clock tower than a gate, though it is guarded by a fifty foot statue of Ilmater, watching over all that cross beneath his sorrowful form. It seems to serve both as a reminder of the suffering that surrounds all daily, as well as tell unmistakingly, who's authority this city is under.

Once past the gate, you find yourself in the merchant's quarter, surrounding a large market square that is slowly beginning to empty, as the traders and merchants that can't afford to reside within the merchant's quarter are packing up their stalls to head home for the night. Upon inquiry, you're told of three taverns that offer room and board nearby: The Driftwood tavern, home to the miller's guild and catering to the more rough-and-tumble clientele; The Three Bears Inn, named after a nearby moat that houses three captured bears, which is the choice of place for merchants and travellers coming from further and intending to stay for a little while; and lastly, the Old Gate Inn, one of the oldest taverns that was built near the old city wall that had been torn down as the city expanded.

What would you like to do next?

"Well, I think it's obvious my first objective is to fix my gun, assuming I can find a place to do so. After that, I think I might purchase some things. Are we traveling together as usual? Probably a good idea in this town."

Si'Juul immediately scouts for anyone looking shifty at the group and not just glancing at the newcomers and/or the obviously rare appearance of an Aarakocran.

Perception: 17

As far as you can make out, the merchants here seem curious about your appearance, but not overly so. You notice with some dismay that the people near you seem to show no particular curiousity or fear for the large gun you have slung over your back.

Overhearing you, a nearby watchmaker calls you over: "Hey there, stranger. I'm Arnolf, the Watchmaker of Arkos. I overheard you saying you wanted to fix something. Now, I work with pocket watches and fine gears every day, wanna give me that handiwork to see what I can do? Better make up your mind quick though, I'm closing up my stall here in half an hour, and then you'll have to come visit me at my shop in the Riverside quarter." The small and elderly halfling with an odd contraption containing multiple lenses that can be exchanged and stacked strapped around his head gives you a warm smile, and gestures  for you to come nearer and have a look at his stall.

Si'Juul takes a few steps closer to the man, but stops at about 5ft. He pulls out his broken pepperbox then flips and catches it by the barrel to show he isn't going to fire it.

"You ever seen one of these before? If you can fix it, great, however I merely need a proper station, possibly some materials. This is far more complex and dangerous than a watch, I assure you."

He pulls out his tinker tools enough to show the man.

"I am also good with my hands. But as long as this gets fixed properly, it doesn't matter much to me who's hands are responsible. Whether you handle it yourself or you allow me to use your workspace, either is fine by me."

(However we flavor this, it will cost me 62gp to fix it.)

This does not seem like a good place for a goblin, so Poinki uses his hat of disguise. He is excited and awed by the great Ilmater cathedral ans statue, but depressed by the thought of the demon-worshiping infiltrators. "Poinki will help cleanse your church," he promises the great statue.

Having no particular errand in this town, he goes to watch Si'Juul's firearm being repaired. "Greetings, fellow halfling," he says to watchmaker Arnos. "I am Frundo Farthingale. Are you a follower of Ilmater?"  If Arnos answers yes, he will ask him about the local clergy and church, seeking any suspicious circumstances.

Elhanna follows close behind Ponki and listen in on the the conversation with the tinkering halfling. When she get the chance she will ask “Ponki, I mean Frundo *cough*, would you like to go check out the church with me? Maybe we can secure a room for our group there. And if they have a medical ward there I may be able to help out.” She pointedly leave out mentioning anything about devil-worshipers and corruption. 

Paren nods. "You two go, I'll stay here with Si'Juul and see if we can't get things fixed."

Poinki will absolutely be happy to tour the church with Elhanna.

"If we are splitting up, let's meet at the Driftwood tavern later."

After Si'Juul's pepperbox gets repaired after some time, Si'Juul holsters it and walks out of the tinkerer's workshop.

"We arrived here late. Suppose I will have to wait till morning to finish my business here. Is there anything you need to do before we regroup? This doesn't seem like a town with much of a nightlife, though."

"It's a good thing that I'm not one for nightlife then." Paren says with a small smile. "Monasteries aren't exactly known for their party atmospheres."