Ylnira listens in on the conversation, musing on what it implied. Perhaps they were more agents in Ulric's line of work? Ylnira, truth be told, couldn't care less whether or not the Zhentarim were involved. The Zhentarim were a criminal faction, sure - and undue harm they caused, but the cults seemed to be a more pressing issue at hand. She was no friend of the guild, but she respected the Zhentarim enough to provide aid in numbers if a larger threat to civilization arrives. 

Ylnira leans against the side of the wall, momentarily reflecting on why she is here in the first place. To alleviate suffering is the goal of her wandering tradition, sure - but beyond that, she had no intentions of meddling with the political side of affairs. Ulric was an obstacle to her goals. She sighs - it seems like the conversation she overheard could be a clue to her primary target; ending the threat of the water cult. She wonders about an approach - such guilds were shady. Announcing her presence could be risky, and yet - Ylnira wanted to know where the cult was located. If anything, it would be valuable information to know. 

"Want me to handle this?"  the voice interrupts as Ylnira begins to round the corner leading towards the conversation. 
Ylnira pauses. "Why? I should be fine enough. You'd probably anger them."
"Who cares? You're quick. Besides, if they're anything like the man from earlier, you'd likely get hit on again," it replies. "Keeping cover could be useful." 
"And it is risky," Ylnira chimes in. 
"More risky than having your face known to the rest of the Zhents?" 
"...fine," Ylnira concedes. "As long as you relinquish your control to me afterwards."
The voice mirthfully laughs. "I'm not an idiot. You have friends to meet, appearances to keep up. It's a shame you won't let me meet them. I will at some point, Ylnira. You know it." 

(This is under the impression the back alleyways provide sufficient cover for Ylnira to remain reliably unseen. If that isn’t possible, Ylnira will continue to listen in, looking for any clue as to the exact location.) Ylnira shifts into a back alleyway, away from any prying eyes that could observe her. Once she is assured that nobody was watching, she quickly removes and inverts the sleeves of her cleric's attire - the lining has been trimmed and replaced with black clothing to form as a quick outfit change for this exact purpose. Again, taking a moment to ensure she isn't being watched, Ylnira regretfully relinquishes control over her mind, allowing for her other half to assume control. She blinks. The first thing that changes is her eyes - the whites of her scleras have been filled with inky darkness. 

Dalasinn's piercing eyes blinks awake, immediately clenching and unclenching his fists to regain sensory control after being locked away for so long. Ylnira's features stretch and mold with some dull pain the changeling had grown accustomed to. Her pale skin's complexion darkens to a vibrant shade of muted red. Two curling horns burst through the skin of her head as the transformation nears completion. The Tiefling rises, flexing his more prominent muscles compared to Ylnira. He laces both hands behind his neck, breathing a sigh of the cool air. For the first time in years, Dalasinn smiles. He rounds the bend, making quick progress to the conversation overheard.

"I'm quite disappointed, to be honest. I didn't even need any intel to locate you three. Can you even whisper?" Dalasinn calls, locking eyes with the three. He folds both hands inside his pockets, standing enough distance away from the trio to evade a direct slice with some concealed weapon. Dalasinn grins to himself, wondering why people bothered with weapons when fist suffice the majority of the time. "If I could take a quick look at the map you have, I suppose we can forget about the whole thing. You wouldn't want the boss hearing about the whole damn town knowing about this, would you?" He spits on the ground, arcing a brow. "I fix problems. I trust that we won't be having any?"

"Good to know" Shautha answers to tavernkeeper. "I know people tend to not like me around 'cause of that"

She laughs a little herself and smiles what she hopes is a reassuring, "I'm a weak goody-two-shoes who ain't gonna hurt ya" kind of smile. She doesn't know what to make of a half-elf who's balding, tho. "Well, it just goes to show yeh that pointy ears don' make you special..." She thinks to herself.

The Tavernkeeper laughs as well when Shautha responds. The others who had before do as well. A few people around her say things along the like of Good, she aint some soft-bellied gutter-rat and She might fit in well around here and other similar sentiments. It seemed she had passed some sort of hazing, or test, but ultimately the people around her went back to their drinks or food and whatever conversations they were having. So what'll it be? If ya don't speak up soon, I'll busy myself with other work orc.

Back in the alleyway, the evening starts to press in more as darkness settles, though that only seems to make the town busier, as opposed to most where things would begin to die down. The town itself was lit, but with large gaps between each source, stretching all shadows. Yin managed to find a spot to 'become superman' as it were after some struggle, but ultimately finding a nook between a portion of a house that wasn't terribly too far away to change .. well everything. A cool breeze swept in despite the summer night, and the amount of traffic through 'everywhere' was increasing. Yin managed to get back to where she had heard the trio talking just as they seemed ready to leave, they had already taken several steps towards the main road.

As the teifling approached them, and two of them drew a dagger, while the other drew their sword, putting their shield arm at the ready to face whoever was speaking to them, having not expected anyone else. Each of them ready to shed blood at a moments notice. They didn't seem rattled when the teifling continued, though they shared glances with each other seeming to keep one eye on the man at the same time. And when he had finished speaking, the sword and boarder spoke in a low tone: Oh ya have, have ya? Been lookin' for us huh? Well then, tell me mister devil... what'r'our names then huh? Just need to see our map eh? Boss sentcha? What's the bosses name. What'se look like hmm? And why would the whole town knowin be an issue?

C'mon lad. Spit it out. We're reeaaaalll interested in your answers.

The Tiefling abruptly stops, removing both hands from his black cloak in an unthreatening manner. A toothy grin spreads over his face. "But knowing each other's names would ruin all the fun, wouldn't it?" he responds, loosely folding his arms. Dalasinn's jovial expression drops. These people meant business. "Really, if I could be honest, I'm surprised the whole town doesn't know about your operations. I don't know your names for the reason you don't know mine, but if you're so inclined, run along and tell the boss Dalasinn checked in. Make sure to include the part where you kindly left him out of this friendly gathering." He lofts a brow, making eye contact with each. 

If any appear hostile or approach to attack, Dalasinn will flee by Dashing and using Step of the Wind to move at a rate of 120' per turn, ideally returning to a location where he can comfortably shift back into Ylnira and simply walk away towards the main road. 

Shautha turns to look at Yin, planning to leave the talking to her or the group... and realizes for the first time that she is not there. Oh, well. "Actually, I was meaning to ask if you had heard anything about any caravans gettin' lost 'round here..." She asks awkwardly.

As he answers, she looks around to try to see where the healer girl had gone too, unaware of where she went.

I highly doubt she would be able to spot anything at all from where she is, but still, it is what she would do.

Planning on what he would do later that night, Ulric approaches the Inn. Just before he enters, he dismisses Cyrin back to her home plane with a thought. From on his shoulder, Cyrin fades away into a mist as she hoots faintly. Pushing the door open, he does a quick survey of the room before making his way over to an empty table. Sitting down, he watches the room for a few minutes, trying to get a feel for the environment.

 Any lesser group might smirk at a realization of a bluff, however these three remained cold and focused. Yin manages to get a 'fair' look at the map, and see's a spot along the river circled with chalk that's slowly but surely falling off a few specks of dust at a time before the map is suddenly pulled up, then rolled by the dagger-wielder that held it once he saw the teiflings eyes wandering. Oh he did, did'e? That's a bit strange since he wouldn't want his 'friends' to accidentally talk to the wrong bloke who happens to share a similar appearance now would'e? But if you're not lyin' then you wouldn't mind comin with us to the boss... y'know, just to confirm your identity would ya. Make sure we're all straight n narrow, right?

The tension in the air was palpable, as Yin realizes that perhaps the only reason he overheard the conversation at all was his particularly sharp ears. The trio began moving forward but at a careful pace. This is as far as I can go for this, so as to not derail player-choice.

With Shautha, a few eyes still linger on her periodically but most have gone back to whatever they had been doing prior, a few raucous laughs, or angry grunts rise up in the cacophony  but it's otherwise typical 'bar behavior' as she asks her question. The tavernman looks at SHautha with a curious expression, as if sizing her up before saying So what's your stake in it? Lost some supplies, were you attacked? Or are you someone I haven't 'met' yet the last part seeming to have implications that Shautha likely won't grasp. But aye, i've heard somethin or other. They effect us more tan most of the towns in Dessarim. But I got a business to run. Say, ten gold for information, unless I haven't 'met' ya yet. But you'll have to prove that to me if you want to try for free.

Shautha easily visible to Ulric once he enters, seeing her struggling a bit being socially abandoned by the others... by her own actions in a way. Before he had dismissed Cyrin, she had seen that the town seemed far busier at night than in the day, many folks were gathered in alleyways, conducting business that was likely less than legal, or discussing such things, including a trio apparently staring down a Teifling that Ulric wouldn't recognize. There were many people within the town, most looked like everyone else, rough or thuggish, but a few plain travelers were present here and there, though given the hour, many of them were heading to homes they owned if any, rented paddocks (all the little size areas that look like squares) or setting up a tent on the walls as the market itself closed for the night.

Shautha as she looks around doesn't see much considering she's in a building, and what she does see is what she's already seen, the tavern man, the patrons, and the building itself, as well as a few doors in the inn that don't look like they see much use. She even fails to see Ulric enter.

Distracted as Nalaskar was with Shautha, he didn't notice Ulrics entrance while Ulf remained AWOL for now. A few of the patrons took notice of Ulric who was followed in by the 'gate keeper' from before. The man had been so stealthy that Ulric hadn't even known he was being followed, but a few hand signs from the man and most of the patrons turned away without harassing Ulric. By all note, the tavern seemed 'regular' but.. that would make sense. The Zhentarim weren't fools, keeping up the appearance of normalcy was the easiest way to hide what they were really doing, as well as attract 'regular' people to line their pockets with legitimate business.

The man that the gate keeper had told in breif was behind the bar, talking to Shautha.

Ulf continues to watch and listen from the shadows, keeping a reluctant protective eye on Ulric. When Ulric moves off he waits to see if anyone follows, and is surprised to see the 'peddler' do just that. Trust is is short supply among the Zhents. What else would I expect? Shaking his head, he waits a little longer to see if there are other followers, then moves toward the inn following the path of Ulric's followers....

He keeps to the darkness where possible, and moves in shadows where there is no darkness. As he nears the inn he emerges from the an alleyway, no longer trying to hide, and mingles with the growing crowd before entering the main door.

Once inside he pauses, orienting himself and trying to locate his companions. Then he heads to the bar and orders an ale, finally going to a table within earshot of the bar, if possible. If he sees Shautha he nods to her but does not join her table: an orc and an elf drinking together would likely draw unwanted attention. She'll probably get drunk again, too.

Seated, Ulric watches the conversation between Shuatha and Nalaskur with casual interest. As he waits for them to finish speaking, he absentmindedly draws spirals on the table with his finger, feeling the grain of the wood as he does. Even though he watches the pair converse, his mind is racing with plans for the future. Some of the people he knew accused him of overthinking simple things, but he believed that the person who thinks the most is the most prepared for what life had to throw at them. He sees Ulf approach the bar, and seeing his two allies together causes him to wonder where the third is.

 Dalasinn leans forward, rubbing his hands together with a charming grin. He had located the information he needed to. His golden eyes sweep both the occupants of the meeting and the alleyways beyond, searching for marks of identification - particularly anything that resembles Zhentarim attire of behavior that Ylnira witnessed on Ulric. "I have more business to deal with, friends. Don't mind me just checking in and ensuring a reasonable level of quality for our workers, if you will - if anyone was searching for this conversation, they would have found it easily. The boss will know." Dalasinn will tempt to begin slowly walking away, preparing to flee if needed. 

Confirming that Ylnira was no longer in the building, Shautha grumbles before turning to the tavernkeeper once again.

"No, I don' think we have ever met before" She answers, not understanding what this man wanted to imply. "And my reasons for asking concern only me and my companions, but if you want money, I can give yeh money."

She searches on her backpack and substracts the 10 gold from what the 50 she was given previously. She shows the coins to the tavernkeeper, but puts her sickle between him and her before he can grab it. "Now, have you heard of a lost caravan or not? I'm quite busy."

 Fortunately, Ulf's vigilance is rewarded by noting that no one else followed Ulric inside, though a few people who seemed entirely unrelated moved inside, appearing to be merchants likely seeking to rest in a soft bed for the night. Eventually shifting out from the shadows, and into the mix of people roving about, convinced that Ulric is safe, perhaps because of his connection to the group? or perhaps had he had none, the group would simply have been treated as travelers. It was a little odd though that despite the rough and tumble nature of the residents, that so many merchants came here.

Ulf making his way inside, and heading straight for the Bar where Shautha was somewhat-awkwardly talking to the barkeeper with the patch over his right eye, and a mostly balding head despite his young age just as she says her last sentence. Having handed the gold to the Barkeeper, inspecting it for a moment before slipping it in his pockets and starting to answer just as Ulf orders an Ale. Pardon a moment orc, this'll only take a second. Five silver sir, or hand me a gold piece n i'll change you. before his attention turns back to Shautha while he waits for the payment from Ulf, being capable of taking care of several people at once. 

As fer the Caravans, which you seem somewhat aware of. All trade this side of the Dessarim seems to have come to a halt, even if it's well guarded. And I don't mean regular mercs, I'm talking seasoned vets going missing along with most of the cargo, only to find, what we assume they 'didn't want' down the river before they ever reach their destination. Got some boys I uh.. hired to go scout since negative trade effects my business. Fewer people passing through, means less money for me. And eventually a dead inn. 

The blokes you see outside? they been here for tendays when normally they'd only be here a day or two at the most. A few still brave the road, but what with all the weather and attacks... people will like to start leavin the Dessarim making this place useless. Waiting for a few friends to come by and offer them a job, but it aint somehtign I can just hand to anybody unfortunately. I have friends in Waterdeep might be able to help but i'm in a bind till then. Can only hope my boys come back from their scouting soon. But Gah sorry, got derailed on my own frustrations.

Anywhere alone the road from here to Beliard, or along the river to the same place there hasn't been a caravan that weren't attacked. Started a few months back but it was only here or there, so it weren't that big a deal. But whoever it is, has gotten bolder since. I'd offer you a job, but a person on their lonesome wouldn't last a minute. he said, intentionally responding as if he hadn't heard of her having 'companions' before saying Or, if ya mean that one high profile one what was coming through here - or rather not making it to here, that happened a while back. A few reports state that they were ambushed by some kind of earth mages. Brought the earth around em and hauled off the delegation, but my source told me he left not long after, for fear of bein' caught.

When we finally sent someone to check it out to confirm the mans story, the area looked like nothin had ever happened there, though some of the supplies came down the river just the day before. That was before it got 'bad.'

 Back with Yin, two of the people seem to be buying the story but one seems to manage to catch the faintest twitch or tick in Yin's speech You're just checkin huh? Well fine.. Fine. But you better talk us up to the boss... and after another moment just when Yin was about to 'walk away' he shouted at the top of his lungs We got a demon worshipper 'ere! Teifling in the town! Scoutin' us out for the cults! North-East Quarter in the alleys! Obviously some of what he said was a lie, but it was also clear his intention was just to make escape as hard as possible. Just as he turned around however, Yin had already begun moving... very very fast.

Earth mages? Shautha thinks. It couldn't have been the cult from earlier, they seemed to have been obsessed with water. She hums to herself as she pays him for the information. "Thanks. Here's the money" She says before walking away.

She goes to where Ulf is sitting to tell him what the tavernkeeper told her. "If there was a water cult, maybe there's other cults as well." She theorizes.

The 'Tiefling' rapidly turns tail and swiftly winds through the back alleyways of the town, dashing through at a rather alarming rate and using any available method of propelling quicker through the pathways, sometimes deciding to swing across trenches and over obstacles with ease, and other times taking a few steps along the walls of the densely packed buildings. Once the area seemed empty and the Tiefling was sure any possible pursues were lost, he flattens his back around a corner. He didn't even break a sweat.

"Nicely done," Ylnira remarks, the proverbial - or, this time, literal - voice inside someone's head.
The Tiefling's expression cracks in a grin He runs a hand along the curling horns atop his head. Like everything, it felt so insubstantial, so...malleable. "It's so good to actually feel blood pumping through real veins rather than observing it like watching some play." 
"I happen to be the one in charge. You will have your turn eventually," Ylnira replies. The Tiefling's black sclera lighten up, and Ylnira takes the pleasure of rolling her own eyes herself. "I have people to speak with." 
"Yeah, well, I want to live as well," the voice angrily whines. The figure's flesh twists and shortens, assuming the human form Ylnira had grown accustomed to over the course of half a dozen seconds. Ylnira inverts the cloak, returning it to her usual appearance that could resemble a healer. 
"Not now. Not in this town, probably. That was your decision," Ylnira comments with a wince. Tieflings would have a hard time in the near future, if any lived around here. Dalasinn silently fumes. That was true.

Like nothing ever happened, Ylnira slips out of the alleyway and resumes her brisk, stern demeanor as she reorients herself through town. This time neglecting to search for anything in specific, she calmly pushes open the door to the original point of meeting for the party. She scans the area with her eyes, settling them on the table where Ulf and Shautha have decided to seat themselves. She nonchalantly takes a seat for herself, expression stern and composed. "Forgive me for being late. What have you found?" 

Yin ultimately ends up escaping the mob and finds her way to the others, however by the time sh gets there, there is already someone in there starting to shout to the establishment that A devil has been seen in the city. It was attempting to murder three people in an alleyway! the man shouts, over the clamor of guests who swiftly go silent as the man describes a near perfect resemblance with a few skewed -likely unintentionally- details. A follower of some cult, though we're not sure which. Likely a devil worshipper, but may have to do with what's been goin on round 'ere with the missing traders, and other caravans! The whole town's searching for them now.

Mm.. good, mayhap they overplayed their hand. Anyone what finds this cultist, bring their head to me fer two hunert n fitty gold reward. Nalaskur shouts to the whole place, causing an uproar as most of the patrons rush out the door, aside from a few of the traders, and other non-combat-looking folk And tell the town! if I hear they weren't informed, you won't get SHITE!

@Plum: As much as I don't like to take away from player decisions .. I'd like you to refrain from simply assuming you 'got away' automatically. The shout would have triggered everyone within shouting range to rush the location you were at and with the place being significantly more busy at night the odds of you simply 'bolting like lightning' and not being seen by anyone is slim. 

In these situations, I prefer to leave it to the dice to determine the chaos, such as how many people would have reacted within time, the odds of them seeing you, and whether you could get away without being spotted, in time as opposed to you simply succeeding because you "said you did."

Shautha repeats the info the tavernkeeper had told her before the shouting begins.

"That looks like trouble..." She grumbles, unamused. This cult stuff continuing to appear when least expected was starting to annoy her. "Think that the cult might be the one we met? The "earth mages"? The necromancer, maybe?"

Without waiting for an answer, she turns her back and walks off. "Let's go. When they get scared, they get stupid."

Ylnira drums her knuckles on the ale-stained wood of the table the party situated themselves in. She calmly watches and listens to the speech and offer bellowed by Nalaskur. She was confident in her abilities to remain undetected - after all, this was far from her first experience with, quite literally, blending into the crowd when her other half wasn’t quite taken to kindly. What was one disguise worth when you had an infinite amount at your disposal? When Shautha divulges the information about Nalaskur sending a scouting mission, Ylnira hesitantly connects the dots between Nalaskur’s desire to place a two hundred and fifty gold bounty on the head of a Tiefling. What a shame. She probably could have persuaded Nalaskur to divulge the location if she promised to aid - regardless, it is but water under the bridge. Hopefully plotters would be more vigilant in case any cult was actually spying on them. Ylnira feels a slight bit of regret for her actions - perhaps Dalasinn just wanted to get out for once. Ylnira reminds herself not to be so risky in her actions. Her demeanor remains entirely like one who is completely dispassionate - and perhaps slightly detached - of their surroundings as she swivels towards Ulf and Ulric. “It seems like the cults are always trouble. Why would a necromancer be risking something like this in town?” She wonders with a shrug, slowly rising to follow Shautha. “I’m sure Nalaskur doesn’t like the cults any more than we do. Should we ask to investigate or scout out where the missing caravans are rumored to be? Seeing the area would be informative at worst.”

 As the party discusses things, as Ulf seems to remain silent after the news, and the town is like an angry beehive, swarming around to the golden queen, hoping to be the one to collect her bounty. With only the few travellers and merchants now abuzz with hushed conversation, likely along the lines of 'a devil?' and 'the cults?' and other such speculative banter. As well as the few bar wenches, a total of two that had been invisible before, if only because they were busy waiting tables and were otherwise nondescript humans. Eventually, during Yin's musings, the lack of Ulric seems to be palpable, the man had simply vanished. Perhaps he had went out to collect the bounty and improve his relations in the Zhentarim? Who knows, but somehow he'd managed to vanish during the chaos to the point that even the ever-watchful Ulf hadn't seen it.

Turning to Ulf, Nalaskur says So ya want it or not?

Ulf watches the chaos with disdain. There was little prospect of finding or tracking anything with so many amateurs hunting for this devil. Some drunk probably saw a cat. He shakes his head as he watches the inn slowly empty. He turns to Shautha at her suggestion to leave. "We...well...you, mainly...are as likely to be mistaken for a devil by some frigtened townsfolk. But moving on once my ale is finished and things have settled down a little would be better than staying here."

He nods at Ylnira's comment, "Aye. But we should stay focused. Already we know who is responsible for the attacks, and we can probably assume they took prisoners since no-one has mentioned bodies. We just need to know why...and maybe rescue some."

Shautha nods at Ulf's comment. "They get stupid when they get scared" She repeats.

She pictures a chanting mob of those weaklings calling for her blood, outnumbering her, and she frowns. "What do you think this "devil" really was? The cultists looked weird, but I wouldn' call them devils."