Loane follows a step behind Chen, brushing off any of the glares directed towards them. Most of the time, she looks past them, more concerned with what they see on display around Hillsfar. She keeps an eye out for any odd items or markings, anything that would seem unusual to find in your average market.

Perception: 25

Chen’s sense of the people he dealt with were pretty good. Most he felt were likely just charging him a bit extra. A few he felt were attempting to gouge him. And only one fine gentlemen at the Spike and Tail Mercenary company did he get a firm sense from that were he to out with them, the chances of survival dramatically fell. As is with most deep seated bigotry, only a third of the folks really meant it, and of those, only one in a dozen was actually willing to act on it. It was the unmoved masses in between that enabled it. 

Loane meanwhile kept her eyes peeled for anything extra special amidst the baubles and decorative shamanic totems. She passed a shop with a tiny iron skull hanging from necklaces with diamonds in their eyes and a ruby in it’s open mouth, a scene of battle amidst the trees carved into the antlers of a great moose, a statue of a dancing elf maiden that seemed to dance by itself, a shirt that was covered in blinking eyes, and a hat that screamed loudly if it’s wearer was under attack. She also saw finely sewn clothes, lovely jewelry, and well made boots.  However it was when passing taxidermist that she saw something that caught her eye. She wandered in. Amidst the deer heads and stuffed rabbits and foxes that there was a wall dedicated to the preserved remains of demons. A clawed hand, a necklace of ears, a scaled foot. She stink of otherworldly darkness wafted in the air. The man working in the back came forward, “Ahh, nasty business these bits, but some people value them, and a man gotta make a living.” Something in his eyes made Loane uneasy. “There’s s’many of them out there roamin the forests these days, I’m usually turnin people away who’re trying to hawk the bits of some beast they killed.  You catch a fancy in any of these?” 

The one green webbed clawed hand stuck out. No normal demon’s hand, but a high officer in the Yugoloth forces, the hand of an Ultraloth.  “When did you do this hand here?” Loane asked.

The man shrugged, “Oh, musta been three weeks past.” 

Loane narrowed her eyes. The city fell night two years ago, and yet high level Yugoloths were still here. She had a feeling she was on the right track. 

Loane and Chen eventually returned to the Inn and after enjoying a bit of food and drink find Jahren approaching and taking a seat at the table. 

"Evening friends!" remarks a cheery Jahren upon returning to the Diamond.  He sits and puts his feet up if possible.  "Chen, I think I may have stumbled across a most excellent guide into the wood.  Might you be interested?"  Jahren then continues to tell Chen that he would in fact get paid for venturing into the forrest with this guide.  "What about you Loane?  Any thoughts on accompanying the mighty Chen here on his adventure?"

"I'd like to. We'll have to be more cautious than anticipated, however." She rests her elbows on the table. "There's more dangerous creatures in the area then we might have thought of before. Fiends by the look of it. From what I could tell, there were some powerful ones there. A fair warning of things we will go up against, if you don't feel like fighting demons and yugoloths. Most don't like the idea of doing so."

Jahren whispers to his two friends "his name is Toc and he was, I believe, an elf disguised as a human, for reasons that are, of course, quite understandable."  "He'd like to meet you both and one other strong adventurer near the front gate at sunrise.  Perhaps you will meet those who you seek here tonight, Chen."

Jahren pauses and then asks Chen and Loane meekly.  "I was wondering... I'm no doubt not as strong or skilled as you two, but I make it a point to record all of the interesting stories and people that I meet, if they don't mind of course."  He taps on a journal he keeps handy and that you've no doubt seen him writing in during the past few days.  "Might I record your deeds here and in Cormanthor?  Might I even join you on your adventure?  I do have a few tricks up my sleeve here and there, and think I could stay out of trouble at least."

Chen made a few notes regarding each option, and upon settling back in at the tavern had made a mental note to look around for Tug and ask his opinion on the various alternatives. However, with Jahren's arrival and offer, Chen perked up with great interest. Any recommendation from you would be most well-received, friend Jahren. And to be paid? Well, that would be generous indeed. And most convenient not to have to deal with cumbersome contracts and such details.

With Loane's warning about potential trouble, Chen's face darkens somewhat. Somehow I hoped to avoid conflict, but I suppose in a place like Cormanthor forest it's a vain hope. I would do my best to defend the group should trouble surface, but I'm sorry to say violence doesn't agree with me.

Finally, with the last information from Jahren, Chen brightens once more and exclaims with a slap on the table (spilling food and drink) in the process: Ah, the prospects improve more and more. What a fortuitous turn then, to join with both of you and this Toc fellow together on mutual goals. And to think I'd expected it to take a week or more... To be leaving so soon... This last is said with a little less enthusiasm as Chen turns again to the bowl of pickled vegetables and selection of spicy Calimshite dipping sauces.

Jahren raises his cup and says "thank you, I'll stay out of the way" as he continues to maintain his modesty about any skills he might possess.

"Toc would take one more, and I'm sure we'd all be glad for it given what Loane has discovered."  Jahren starts scanning the tavern subtly as he often does, and then decides to do a closer search.  He goes to the bar for a new drink, once again glancing at each individual for fine armor, weapons or other items, watching for tattoos or scars that may indicate that someone has a great deal of experience and lived to tell the tale, listening to conversations briefly, etc.  He steers clear of Tug for now, not eager to share their business with another with his own agenda.  He does ponder the man's capabilities on an adventure, however.

Excellent. I shall observe from here.... and perhaps order another serving in advance, should you wish to invite any prospectives to our table.

"Always good thinking" replies Jahren with an amused smile with regard to ordering another serving.

Jahren stands up in the busy tavern. Chen could easily imagine him cracking his knuckles while a big grin grows on his face, but he's subtler than that. 

Chen watches as Jahren moves about the very busy tavern. He has to admire the mans casual way about his presence, nonchalantly sliding into spots to overhear multiple conversations, to get a better view at an individual, or to engage a complete stranger, seemingly at random, in a short conversation. It's clearly an art form and Chen watches the artist at work. Of course pickling is an art as well, and these pickled carrots are just amazing. Is that thyme or sage....or heavens...both..mixed in with the touch of dill and a bit of hot pepper. What was he doing?  Oh yes, Jahren. The man has sidled up besides a hearty looking dwarf. The man begins talking about the the speed at which he can top an eighty foot oak, and they key is keeping the boot spikes sharp and the saw blade sharper.....what was in this sauce?  It clearly had a tomato base, but it had a smokey flavor of...perhaps plume tree...along with a tang of vinegar or maybe lemon juice.. and something that darkened it up and gave it a sweetness...a molasses maybe?   Jahren had moved on and was now at a table with three men. Two humans and a man that looked to be part bear, so much hair he had on his body. They looked well armed. The bear man had tattoo's running the length of both arms from his bare shoulders to his wrists, of what looked like ghosts and souls. He had a massive axe on his back. The olive skinned man to his side was the one that looked truly dangerous though. Not as broad, but equally as tall, he must be closing on seven feet tall. The ashen greatsword on his black was leather wrapped and seemed difficult to see, they eye kept sliding from it. The last man, with short blades tied all about his body, dark skin, and his hair styled up into a great round poof with two slides down each side smiled like a shark as Jahren spoke.  Tilda suddenly blocked his view. This evening she wore a particularly short frilled skirt and a tight black shirt with long sleeves that clung to her lithe body. Her smile was huge as she curtsied slightly to Chen, "This ones on the house sir. The chef liked your feedback on the stew, he's had an number of compliments today with the added pepper and rosemary, he was surprised how little it took! He wanted to know what you thought of this dish."  She places down a plate with three lamb popsicles on it, the meet glistening with juice, the meat browned on a grill and smelling of something...Calimshan Tumeric perhaps? 

As she walks off and Chen bites into the tender meat, he looks up to see Jahren leaving the table and approaching the bar. His zig zagged approach to covering the room reminds Chen of a ray of light reflected from a wind-chime, dancing back and forth, back and forth.  He's listening to a man in a leather pants and a black vest talk to a young woman on one side, and a gnome loudly discussing the uses of ground emerald in certain magical concoctions with an older dwarf who's nearly impossible to make out through the tangle of beard and hair all tied into braids and dangling everywhere. Grease runs down Chen's chin. He dips the lamp in each of the sauces, settling on the tangy dull yellow mustard as the best match.

Finally Jahren makes his way over to the man who has been standing like a stone at the back wall, his face in shadows, a heavy crossbow on his back. They have a brief chat. Somehow the man fails to move any muscle but those required to speak. Jahren makes his way in a zig zag back across the room and sits down next to Chen with a smile on his lips. 

"The man at the back is a hired assassin, I'd swear it. Anyway, several folks here weren't interested in business outside the city, but if we're looking for a fearsome warrior, the one with that black sword over there would be my top choice. He's a little....serious and somewhat bone chilling to look at, but he's probably good. If we want someone with some light fingers and a light step, the woman working around the room over there would be a good choice. The human one in the dull red poofy shirt and tight pants. If we want a wizard, our best bet would be that ..."  

A shoving match starts between a glowering half-orc and a rough looking woman wearing chainmail. From this angle you can see the wicked looking short blade she's got behind her back ready to use, the peacebonds on the blade snapped without effort.  The half-orc, looking unarmed, but big, presses his finger into her shoulder and shoves her back. As she steps forward, bringing her blade around to strike at his neck, her arm is stopped short by a lanky tiefling. "You don't want to be doing that..."  She tries to move her arm but he's locked it in place my putting his own arm behind her shoulder blade. She uses her other arm to go for her dagger at her side, the peacebond falling away uselessly. The tiefling, with two short spiral horns and red eyes moves like a snake, pressing his body into hers, embracing her. His feet move quickly and suddenly the two are toppling, with him on the bottom.  The slam to the ground, where legs wrap around her mid section. She tries to move, but every move just seems to open up more space for him to press in.  Eventually she's wrapped so tight she's unable to move, or breathe, and she struggles only briefly. Jahren has seen, in the jungles far to the south, the massive snakes that entangle their prey. This man did just this. Moments later she was unconscious and her limp body being pushed to the side.  A tough looking human male in studded leather who watched the door approached the woman and picked up the blades, and began to help clean up.

Just like that the fight was over. Jahren, "Or, as I was going to say, that tiefling looks like a fine choice.  But, yes, if we do want a wizard, the gnome tinkerer over there looks like an interesting option."

"Whoever has character close enough to their skills." Loane says after the fight finishes. "Someone can be skilled, but it won't be any use to us if they run or lock up at the first sign of trouble. Though having magic on our side can be benefical."

Jahren excuses himself briefly to use any bathroom facilities available, and casts Detect Magic while alone.  Returning to the tavern he scans the room once again to see if his perspective on the who's who of potential adventuring companions changes at all.

Numerous magic aura's glow about the room as Jahren does a quick stroll around the space. He notes several people have spells upon their person, while many other magical aura's can be seen on objects in the room. The mint drinks that are brought out sparkle with magic briefly before going dark. A shirt over there, that dark sword that guy carries, along with his armor, that other guys heavy crossbow. A dagger over there. The tiefling doesn't appear to have any obvious magical items. A rat sitting on a rafter is magical though, glowing slightly from its perch in the dark. The gnomes wears a magical necklace. 

As you wander back, Loane's bracer, cloak, and boots all shine of magic along with the pommels of her short sword and rapier.  Chen's cloak and boots as well. And a ring on a finger glitters with magic.  

Of course if items are concealed, or someone's hand wasn't in the open, or a necklace is under a shirt, or a blade hidden, there's no way for you to notice the magic. 

Chen's eyes linger thoughtfully on the large bear of a man, memories stirring... Memories of his homeland, a close friend and kinsman, childhood adventures together, and a token of a common trait... Of later days and more serious challenges faced together, battles with foreign forces and domestic conflicts... Of a gradual divide that separated them, one fueling the turmoil within, the other suppressing it... And the final painful separation, sealed with anger and with blood. Focusing back on the room, Chen discovers that he is fingering the small bear carving around his neck, and he quickly takes up a napkin to wipe the kofta juices from the wooden figurine... and the moisture from his face.

After witnessing the altercation, Chen nods as Jahren finishes his summary. The black-sword-bearer is worthy, no doubt, although he seems somewhat secretive. As does his small companion, and the assassin. I confess I prefer to deal with those who are a little more... transparent. Perhaps not the bear-man, if you please. A wizard would certainly come in useful, and the gnome seems forthright. But I must say I am impressed with that tiefling. The way he defused the situation! I should certainly like to discuss with him how he learned such things!

"You're the boss, master Chen!" replies Jahren with a wink.  He goes to greet the tiefling and invite him to join their table for a drink.

Jahren greets the Tiefling who appears to be slightly standoff-ish, but moments later the two of them are laughing together and he's following Jahren to the table. He sits down, almost gliding into the chair, still laughing with Jahren, "....well, then he says to my friend, 'You'd never get that far with a human woman in this city....'"  He laughs and, having finished his story to Jahren nods to Loane and Chen.  "I hear you're new in town. Welcome to the only nice place in this giant pile of Dung. The owner named it right! My name is Gadlaru, but for some reason everyone calls me SinSin. Heard you lot might be looking for someone to go on a trip into the forest with. I'd have to hand over the shop to one of my seniors, but that's doable. I run a fight shop in town. We train people on how to defend themselves. Mostly common folk who just want to know what to do if a thief comes at them with a knife, that sorta thing. What's your purpose in the forest? If yer just lootin then I'm not really interested. But if you have another purpose I could be convinced. I sorta got the sense from Jahren that it might be a bit more than just some lootin."

The table explains that Chen is a traveler and interested in exploring. 

"Sure, sure. I suppose I could help. It's been a while since I've really left the city. In fact it hasn't been since the end of the war. I charge 50 gold a day, so if that's in your budget, we should be good to go." 

Chen lightly inquires where he learned his trade. 

The Tiefling grins, and digs with his pointed nail at some gunk in one of the tables seems. "I grew up in Telflamm, in Thesk. The streets were a tough place there and I learned to fight at a young age. At some point I ended up wrestling for money and won a lot of fights. A Karu-tur warrior befriended me and offered to train me properly and he taught many of the fighting technique that I use today. Thesk streets grew very dangerous for those not willing to dedicate themselves to Shar however, so when I had enough money I took a boat and it landed me here. The humans here treat me like crap, but the city is safe, and stable, and after defending a noble from an attack, he became my first client, and then lent me the money to start a shop and earn my way to where I am today. Up until a year ago I trained people at Hillsfar Crossing, since it was outside of town and it wasn't illegal for me to be there. People put up with my presence there, and I did a lot of work training personal household guards.  But..since the law changed I was able to setup shop in the town proper.  That and a couple of my seniors are humans and I let them do a lot of the day to day.  I thought I'd leave Hillsfar pretty quickly, but...somehow I've managed to call it home." 

Wanting to be straight forward with their potential new ally about their intentions in the forrest, Jahren also whispers to him "to be open in answering your question, there will be another member leading our party."  "He will clarify his goals once we have set out, but I have very good reason to believe our efforts may help bring some further stability to this region for those of us without rounded ears."

SinSin responds thoughtfully, "Ahhh. A real purpose. Well, as I said, Hillsfar is my home. And we're tired of war here. Anything that brings stability, I'm happy to help with." 

Having found what seems a suitable fourth member, you sit about and socialize for the rest of the evening. SinSin seems a good find and some poking at his character doesn't reveal any non-starters. The Diamond in the Dung fills with music and dancing, smoke and the smell of beer and mint. But soon enough you're realizing you have an early morning. SinSin says he has some matters to attend to in order to be ready for the next day and takes his leave.  Soon enough you all take leave to your rooms and turn in for the evening.  The next day will bring the beginning of a new part of your journey, for each of you...

Fianna sits on a fence next to the road just outside the high walls of Hillsfar. Her knees bend underneath, her feet hooking onto the fence post below keeping her firmly propped up as she leans back feeling the sun and smiling. She sits next to a barn. A mass of spider webs hangs between the wall and the overhang filled with droplets of water from yesterdays rain. Todays sunshine makes the water glitter and sparkle like the stars in the night sky. 

She watches as a stable hand cinches a dark brown leather saddle onto a beautiful brown and white mare. The boy, no more than fifteen works deftly with practiced hands, while his eyes dart nervously from the saddle to Fianna and back again. He seems to be turning a nice shade of red for no obvious reason. The mare itself is beautiful, it’s mane braided and tied off with green and brown leather straps. 

Tic and Toc are busy sorting out their gear, saddlebags, and equipment, while Mirica is sitting astride her horse already patiently waiting.

Meanwhile, she watches as the four people walk through the large fortified gate of Hillsfar and head towards them. Toc mentioned some hired help when they were packing up, though it’s clear the ‘help’ is no ordinary troupe of mercenaries. The scales of the heavy set golden dragon kin sparkle in the bright light of the morning as the large warrior with a maul over his shoulder approaches. Fianna feels briefly sorry for the stalky black stallion that is waiting to carry the large half-dragon. She glanced next at the woman with a lovely strangely shimmering cloak on her back and a fine elven boots. A short sword and rapier are strapped to her and she moves with a striking and confident stride. There was something different about her face, something hard to identify, but Fianna wasn’t sure she was entirely human. Also in this strange troupe was a half-elf who seemed to sparkle in her minds eye. He walked off to one side, trying to look nonchalant, but his eyes were everywhere and her eyes met his. Her’s sparkled with mischievousness, and his with curiosity as their glances slid away from each other. The four member was a Tiefling with two short horns sprouting from his head and a tall wiry body that moved with a certain type of smoothness, though she felt like he was a predator moving through a crowd of livestock.  The guards at the front gate smiled and nodded to him, obviously he was known to them. 

As they approached, her mind wandered and she found herself thinking back to the dragons. Even with the elven city having fallen, it seemed strange to Fianna that an ancient dragon would risk drawing attention to itself by letting its three grown offspring thrash around the forest and causing havoc. You don’t survive for hundreds of years by causing trouble for hundreds of miles around you. It was just strange. She’d heard of Verdant Cloud in the past and this seemed like unusual behavior to her. But, what exactly was bothering her about it and why it mattered she couldn’t put her finger on. 

Mirica astride her horse sidled up near her, “Going to sit there all day dreaming, or are we going to go for a ride?” 

Fianna smiled broadly and hopped off of the fence and towards her horse, the reins passed to her by the blushing human teenage boy who manages to stutter out, “ ‘Er name is Windsock…she’s a beaut’ she is…”.   Fianna’s smile in reply seems more reward than what he could have expected.

——————————————————

Loane approached the large city run stable exchange outside of the city. The woody, earthy smell of the stables and the large riding yard nearby filled the air. Rows of stables and barns stretched off for hundreds of feet. The white and grey mare an elf was standing next to let forth a tumble of manure. Jahren had mentioned that an elf disguised as a human had hired them, but today there was no such pretence. The elf moved about the horses efficiently settling affairs with the stable master. The three stable hands were in the middle of saddling all of the horses. Loane counted eight riding horses and two saddle horses. Loane preferred taking care of her own horses barding, keeping the stirrups short and the bridle loose. She’d have to adjust them once she was handed one. 

The elf was talking to another elf dressed very similarly with his back to her.  They were using magic to talk between themselves. A small smile, or casual shrug part of their communication. As the second elf turned she mentally nodded to herself, yes….too similar in stature and behavior…they were twins. One of the elf brothers moved in an unhurried fashion to his horse and mounted up. For twins they seemed to do a favor to those around them for they came color coded. One wore blue robes while the other wore green. The one in blue had a nicer rapier at his side, and a staff, while the one in green sported two plainer but still fine elven rapiers, one at his side, the other on his back.  

Along with the elf brothers there were two women. One human wore the symbol of Lathander, had a warhammer on one side of her saddle and a shield of strange white metal strapped to her back. She seemed pretty business like sitting astride her horse and talking to the other who had just hopped down from the fence to fetch her horse. The other, a half-elf, seemed much like a forest sprite seeing everything for the first time. Though…for all her carefree manners Loane saw that the half-elf girl moved with practice and experience, her staff and forest robe sparkled every so slightly in the sun and it was almost as if Loane could catch whiffs of flower, or mountain meadow come from her every now and then.

Loane walked up to one of the unclaimed horses. She noted the elven worked shoes and braided manes that were favored by the elves. The stalky stallion would be needed by Chen, so she chose a nut brown mare whose black eyes watched her with curiosity. She took the strapping away from the surprised stable hand and waved him off before finishing the job properly herself. 

——————————————————

Mirica watched as the new comers approached, aware of Toc’s comments from breakfast. The half-elf had to be the one he’d met. She watched his eyes casually scan the group assessing each of them.  She’d have to keep an eye on that one. He seemed to have come ready for action though as he wore half-plate armor, though he did his best to conceal it under his cloak. The metal wasn’t steel…too pale…and too fine. Her eyes shifted to the other three with him.  She supposed these were the other folks he’d chosen. The woman who had claimed the nut brown and was now completing the job of hooking up the bridle herself seemed consummately capable and confident. The rapier on her side seemed to give off a thin mist occasionally and looked finely made, while her cloak and elven made boots showed a taste for quality and an ability to keep it. The dragon kin on the other hand seemed rather out of place. The rotund figure with his huge maul over his shoulder started to change her mind quickly though as she noticed how nimbly he moved on his feet despite his girth. The last, a Tiefling appeared to have an old military pack with a well used short sword and a walking staff in his hands. It wasn’t just the military pack that made her think he’d been in the war, it was the way he moved and the predatory look he wore. Interesting group of ‘hirelings’. 

——————————————————

Toc approached Jahren and nodded to him and each of the newcomers. “There will be time for introductions after we get on the road. We’ve got a few days of travel to get past, so we’ve many hours together. Choose a horse and let's get underway.” 

With little chatter, the group mounted up, then Toc turned his horse and led the way down the road. 

The main road curved south and after a half mile passing through farm land, entered a cluster of buildings. These out buildings had sprung up around the intersection of the main roads around this part of the Moonsea and a sign proudly proclaimed them “Hillsfar Crossroads”.  A wide intersection large enough for several wagons to round side by side was featured at the center of town, with a large wooden sign pole thirty feet high surrounded by a small carved stone ring and a mound of grass. The sign pointed to the “Dales via Cormanthor Forest” (South), “Elventree” (East), “Yulash” (West) and “Hillsfar” (North).  The buildings here including a few inns, two taverns, and a number of shop fronts along with several trade related business such as secure storage and wagon repairs and the like. Toc led them through the Hillsfar Crossroads and straight south.  The road beyond was lined with farmland for miles before eventually meeting the great forest of Cormanthor.  There was a good amount of traffic on the road. Wagons and farm folk headed into town, loads of lumber being brought in, or large caravans headed north from Sembia or Cormyr. 

Toc turned to the group, “So, Jahren. Thank you for coming. This is my brother Tic. They are not our true elven names of course, but nicknames won during the war. Regardless, as my elven nation is dead, I too consider my real elven name gone.”  He says this matter of factly, but it’s impossible for him to conceal the sadness behind the words. “This is my long time ally Fianna." He motions to the wild half-elf girl. "I’ve trusted my life to her many times. She knows the forest we enter better than most elves. And her friend Mirica. Would you care to introduce the escorts you’ve brought Jahren?” 

Jahren greets Tic, Toc, Fianna and Mirica kindly as they mount up for the ride.  His mithril armor can be seen peaking out of his traveling cloak and he has two string instruments, a viol on his back and an even finer instrument fastened securely at the hip under his left arm.  The shape of a large oval shield is not easily hidden under both his cloak, but with an extra layer of cloth over it all details are hidden.

When Jahren is asked to introduce the other half of the group, he is happy to oblige.  He tells Tic, Fianna and Mirica that he is but a wanderer, a seeker of new place and peoples, and Toc, Chen and the rest have been kind enough to let him make record of this journey.  He then quickly shifts the attention to the others with much more fanfare.  Although he admits they have all just met, he shares his excitement in seeing what this group can do.  He tells of the mighty Chen, with an appetite for everything from fine cuisine to knowledge, experiences, and no doubt numerous triumphs over those who would cause him trouble.  He tells of Loane and her mastery at sea, even of a crew that was not hers, and her steel will as a dragon stalked their ship.  The bard will bet a heft sum that her skill and nerve persists beyond just the waves of the Moonsea.  Lastly he tells of SinSin, who's skills have already been proven, but who's desire to help others may be the superior attribute still.  The half-elf is careful to not go on too long about any one member of the party, nor lavish them with praise such that it would not be believed.  He aims to find the perfect balance of words to covey his message just so.