Hush manœuvres through the crowd, trying to subtly position himself behind the guard in case of open conflict (Stealth: 11). He reaches out to the minds of his colleagues - Careful all. Who knows how these Imperials will react to a fellow, non-soldier trying to order them about. I'm ready though, should anything go awry.

General Insight check - 19
Wisdom saving throw - 

Your proximity allows you to notice the armor on the Imperial soldier is more official and of higher quality than the remaining soldiers. "I'm not the one who makes the rules here. I only enforce them, whether I like them or not. Speaking of, what's an Imperial like you doing in the Zavas markets?"

Cause Fear save: 7

However, he soon backs off, suddenly appearing to change his mind at the amount of Zavas members collected at the display. He shouts an order, and the group of Imperials collect into a cluster and awkwardly begin to wade through, and out, of the crowd, throwing angry looks at the merchants and citizens. With some parting profanities, the crowd begins to disperse, satisfied at the results. Some offer a wave in thanks and appreciation for Lazarus's statement. 

The merchant in question mops some sweat off his brow and turns to Lazarus. "I offer my thanks, lad. These Imperial legislators think they can impose taxes on us in return for 'protection' from the danger of the woods - what a load of steamin' bullshit. At least one Imperial can recognize that." 

Hush walks over to the others as the crowd disperses. "Impressive work there, friends. Not sure how you managed to talk that captain off. I was worried things would go pear shaped there for a moment. Last thing we need is a massacre in a market to make tensions even worse."

Holden walks over to the merchant and quietly hands over the 2 gp. “For your troubles... and for the next time.”

He then turns to Lazarus. “Well done, friend. I’m not entirely sure what you pulled, but that encounter could’ve gone much worse. Thank you.”

Lazarus laughs, deflecting the praise with a wave of his hand. Still, he lays it on thick as he responds to the merchant: "I was only doing the right thing. I have a lot of respect for your culture and your people, and I only hope that the Imperials and Zavas can peacefully coexist. Though it may not look that way now, I promise you- things will get better." 

He holds his hands out to shake and says, "I'm Lazarus Vernon, and you are?" 

He thinks for a moment and then says, "Now, I'm looking for a special place in this market. Is there any vendor that sells high-quality incense, herbs and charcoal?"

(Referring to the material components of Find Familiar) 

Luxaene eyes up wondering what Lazarus, wondering if what he did the solider seems familiar... (Arcana check: 6)

"Well done, indeed. But looking at the people... this isn't the first time things have gotten tense in the market, and won't be the last. We We haven't killed the vulture, only scared it away from the limping foul..."

Luxaene takes her time to check on the other stall vendors to see if they are feeling safer.
Insight: 5

The merchant hastily thanks Holden for the gold pieces, pocketing them as Lazarus approaches. "I doubt things will get any better - the Imperials seem to be takin' over any land they can get. But ah, who am I to say. You've done me a favor," he replies, returning the handshake. He then points a finger to a stall across the suspended market - a shaded array of shelves seems to be nestled under the drooping branch of a tree that still bears some exotic fruit. "Old Helga's probably got somethin' cooked up. I bid you good day, but I have business to attend to," he says, gesturing to the bustling market and returning to setting up shop.

Luxaene would definitely recognize the spellcasting Lazarus performed. With the rapidity the situation came and left, it's difficult to notice anything about their general behavior. 

(For expediency's sake, Helga is an herbalist. She has around 20gp worth of incense and materials, which will allow you two uses of Find Familiar.)

What do you intend to do next? I will edit in a sidebar with current tasks / quests that will be updated.

(Lazarus will purchase the 20gp worth of incense and then encourage the group to return to the Chief Overseer and collect their reward. Then, Lazarus will probably try to find a brass brazier). 

Hush nods, "Agreed. Let's get back to the overseer. The ol' drunk might have some insight as to why cultists are harassing the village."

Holden gives a nod of agreement. “Yes, let’s.”

(I'll say the brazier will run you around another 5 gold, also available at the herbalist's market.)

Without issue, you manage to make your way to the Chief Overseer's quarters, hunched over a stack of parchment and papers. He's groggily writing down notes and annotations, seemingly tabulating the success of the growing season so far. A pale of untouched mead sits next to the desk in his treehouse office space. As you enter, he swivels in his stool, eyes still half-closed. "I take it th' job's done? Whatcha got fo' me?"

Lazarus admires the quality of the material components purchased from the herbalist. You could never find ingredients in such a pristine condition back in the Empire, he thinks to himself. 

He responds to the Chief Overseer, "We encountered an Ochori Cultist, the one who summoned the slimes in the first place. Strangely, he and his progeny disintegrated upon their defeat. However, we managed to recover some artifacts proving their existence."

Lazarus sets down the set of alchemist's tools recovered from the Cultist, not knowing that the mask was also scavenged. He then says, "The Ochori mentioned something about the Dark Ones. Is this something you would know about?" 

Hush scratches his chin for moment, considering whether to hand over the mask. In the end, he decides it better and gets out the mask and the worn parchment and places them on the desk as well. "Found these as well. The parchment didn't give me much information, but perhaps you can get something from the scribbles remaining on it? But the mask is more interesting. Whoever that cultist was, he lived poorly for a spell-caster. Most likely an outcast from Ochori."

It's been a month, folks! Hopefully we'll be back in action. 

 Small recap:

-The five of you awoke in a strange area with no recollection of the events that led up to your arrival there.
-The party met an old Tiefling in the woods named Old Gray who tasked the party with delivering a letter to a woman named Miko. 
-The party freed a Zavas Outcast, a Wood Elf by the name of Gaz, from being captured by an Imperial troop.
-You entered the Zavas Tribe, encountering an inebriated Dwarf by the name of Flinn, who tasked you on a mission to clear some slimes from the Southern Farms. The perpetrator turned out to be an Outcast of the Ochori tribe.
-Upon return to town, you witnessed a confrontation between Zavas merchants and Imperial guards. The party managed to dissuade the situation from escalating, during which Derek seemed to slip away into the crowd.
-The party now returned to Overseer Flinn.

Flinn's bushy eyebrows raise slightly at the mention of the Ochori. He grabs the ale, taking a big sip. A rosy tinge flushes his cheeks - from booze or general ruddiness, it is difficult to tell. "Damned Ochori," he emits, muttering to himself and frantically jotting something down on the same page he was writing on. He throws on a pair of glasses gestures to inspect the mask and letter, frowning for a moment, before realizing he forgot to answer the questions asked. "Ochori are powerful magicians," he mutters, "So I do not doubt they were able t' cover their own tracks. Good job snatchin' the mask."  Flinn regards Hush. "Most Outcasts do. Raggedy ol' bunch. The note is difficult to read, but I'll get my best on it." He removes his glasses, glancing at the four of you. "Good job out there. Here's what I promised-" the Dwarf rummages through a pouch, procuring a handful of coins. After a pause, he pulls out more. "I promised t' give you 15 a piece, but silence costs more, eh? Take 100, divide it between the lot." He rubs his eyes, staring at the items on the desk. "Keep in touch, eh? I might have answers for ya. I would've gone to the guards, but, ah," he frowns, "I've already used my quota on extra workers. Farewell, I have work," he gruffly mentions, eyeing the mug of ale. 

Hush bows his head as he takes the gold, "My thanks, overseer. We'll leave you to your work." He nods again before turning to leave.

Outside, Hush looks to the others and holds open the coin purse for the others to collect their payment. "25 a piece, not bad for starters. What do you propose we do now? Off to see Juno or Miko perhaps?"

Luxaene takes hers, bidding Flinn a respectful farewell with a bow.

Collecting her part of the reward, she cannot help but agree, "Indeed, ensure a safe place to sleep for a few more nights. Is that we are to deliver the letter? Then we should head there."

“Yes, I believe delivering that letter should be our first priority,” Holden comments gruffly after taking his portion of the coin and once the party is a sufficient distance from Flinn. “Although his friend might be gone or dead, we at least owe the old tiefling that much.”

"Alright then," Hush says as the coin is finished being distributed, "Let's find the blacksmiths and deliver the letter. Should be easy enough to find, right?" And with that, Hush starts weaving his way back to the market and onto to find the blacksmith.

Lazarus stares as the arcane mask and parchment are placed on Flinn's desk. An astute observer may notice a sudden flash of anger and disgust on his face. 

"Why didn't you tell me about this," he mutters. Still, he maintains his cheerful facade and gladly scoops up the 25 coins offered by Flinn. 

"Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure, Chief Overseer."

Lazarus will follow the party as they deliver the letter. As they walk, he asks, "Would it be alright if I took a look at that mask?" 

"No. Come back to me later when I've got the chance to get it investigated," the Dwarf replies, closing the door. He pauses, though, just as he is about to. "The Dark Ones? Never heard of it." The door slams shut.

I will be using a variant of the reputation system found in Ghosts of Saltmarsh. Certain tasks and actions will raise - and lower - your 'reputation score' with important entities. Certain quests are unlocked with gained reputation and by your actions, some more deadly than others. It is my way of implementing a system where character choices and decisions matter. The exact numbers will be kept a mystery by me, but I will let you know when reputation has been earned or gained. In this scenario, you have increased your reputation with the Zavas tribe.

 It is easy enough to find your way to the more militaristic portion of Zavas. The entire Northwestern district of the forest city seems to be converted into Imperial housing and business grounds - the floor of the forested city is dotted with stone and wooden houses that contain more traditional designs than the whimsical Zavas inventions. A small clearing of trees seems to reveal the narrowly packed business district of the city. Similarly, most running about their lives here are dressed in more traditional fantasy dungeons-and-dragons attire, with the exception of the guards posted at regular intervals in their traditional Imperial gold-and-light-blue equipment.

Wandering down the road, you are pointed towards a building in the more business-looking area of the Imperial quarter of the jointed city. Smoke billows out from a chimney, and from outside, you hear a repetitive clanging sound outside the medium-sized store that reads "MIKO'S ARMORY AND FORGE". As you approach, the door swings open, and a tall, muscular, human woman that appears to be just past her thirties props the door open with a small piece of wood. She enters, and a moment later, she reemerges, placing an 'Open' sign across the door. She retreats into the building. 

What does the party do?