[Last Time, on El WHAT?!: Our heroes continued walking for the rest of the day, and discovered that Emmet's a pretty good scout when he detected both the incoming goblin and the warthog that was chasing it well before anybody else. Luckily for them, our heroes proved that the techniques that work well on humans work just as well on goblins and warthogs. The goblin lost its head and its slightly charred pointy stick...] [...and the warthog became the most delicious dinner our heroes have ever had.] [Now, three days later, it's just past dawn and our heroes have come over a small rise and can see the town called Crossroad. It's much bigger than the little port they've been in the past few weeks, and is surrounded by more than a few farms.] [Sophie has made herself scarce in that highly annoying way, but slightly more disquieting is the fact that Tiffany has not returned at all.] [Session... START!] * Emmet shades his eyes with his right hand--even though he doesn't really need to--as he looks down at the town. "Well, we made it. Until today, I was getting the feeling that there was only one real town in this place." Whoo, beds. * Fadi chuckles. "One real town and we have traveling salesmen. What do you think the likely-hood of that is?" Oh. Not very high, I guess. * Speaking of traveling salesmen, there appears to be a caravan coming towards the east gate. You can BARELY make it out from your vantage on top of the rise. Anyway, are we going down there? We aren't staying up here, I don't think. * The city itself is surrounded entirely by a rather flimsy looking wall, with at least two gates in it that you can see, and probably two corresponding gates which you cannot. * Nick nods and starts a-walking. Let's head on, I've gone too long away from civilization. C'mon, then. * Harold starts following Nick. * Emmet shrugs. "We haven't done too badly for ourselves, but it would be nice to have a roof over our heads again." He hurries to keep pace with everybody else. * Fadi starts walking down. "Yup." * Emmet finds himself drawn toward the gate on the east side of town as the group moves downhill. * Nick shrugs and turns to follow Emmet towards the east gate. * The last leg of your journey swiftly comes to a close as you approach the south gate of Crossroad. The gate itself appears nearly as flimsy as the wall around it. The gate and wall are both wooden, and look as though they've never actually been put to use. The streets are nowhere near deserted, and there is a constant, if slow, flow of people in and out of the gate. * A pair of lazy-looking guards are idly watching the flow of people, making sure that nothing TOO horrible gets through the gates. In either direction. * Emmet scans the crowd, the gates, and the guards for anything suspicious. Of course, just about everything in this world is a little suspect to him, but he makes a supreme effort to remain alert. * Nick doesn't seem concerned with staying alert. * Fadi glances around and shrugs to himself. "So, what. We just walk in, right? * That's what the people around you seem to be doing. * The guard on the left spots you and perks up a bit. He yells something across to his buddy on the other side of the gate, and pretty soon they're both looking at you. Can't hurt to try. We should just make sure not to do anything threatening. * Nick actually seems to be looking more at the buildings, almost like he's casing the place.. * Harold eyes Nick uncomfortably. * Emmet nods absently. "Seems simple enough. I guess we'll just go on in?" * Emmet does that, since it's already been suggested at least twice. * Fadi raises an eyebrow. "We're getting looks. Might as well walk in." He starts going in. * Nick shrugs and follows, taking note of the gate. * Harold heads in after the others, trying to keep more of an eye on his party than on the surrounding area. * The guards walk out to the center of the gates as Emmet tries to pass through. One says expectantly, "Well, what have we here?" Err... Excuse me, sir? * Fadi looks over at the rest of the group. * Harold steps forward, trying not to look as nervous as he feels. "We've been traveling a few days on business, sir, we were hoping to enter the city?" ..We're adventurers. * Nick indicates all four members of the group. * Fadi folds his arms and lets the others do the talking. * The guards frown, and the one on the left speaks up, "So you're adventurers on business, huh? What sort of business?" We want to buy horses and supplies for the next leg of our journey. So you're just passing through? You've picked a good place to do business, but a bad time to get horses. Two caravans just came in, so horseflesh is gonna be expensive." * Fadi shrugs. Yeah, well. At least we can gather other supplies. None of the girls are here to complain about that. We should be okay. Yeah, I was thinking that too. * Nick looks slightly confused. May we pass, sir? You oughta put the weapons away, though. Or at least tie them up. Weapons? ... oh, the blades? Oh. * Fadi blinks, then smirks. "Gotta keep the peace, right?" ..Tie them up where? * Emmet looks over and under his shoulders at all the weapons he's carrying. "Okay. I don't have anything to tie them with, though." We don't get many people carrying weapons like that around here, but don't think you can throw your weight around. I'd give you some peace cords, but we dont' carry them. If you walk through the marketplace, you can probably find some twine to bind the swords with. Hey, don't worry. We're just here to buy some horses and get out. Does anyone have some rope with them? * Emmet nods. "Okay. I'll be sure to get some right away." * Fadi nods. "Don't forget some food to eat on the way, Harold. And thanks for the advice.." Don't worry, this time I'll definitely take charge of purchasing supplies. Mmmmhmmm. I hope somebody remembers to get a fire starting kit. It's called Flint & Steel. Just remember, get yourselves some twine and bind those weapons. Lodging may be a bit hard to come by, but we don't hold with sleeping in the streets, so you better pony up for it. I'll be picking up one of those, too. ... nad don't worry, sir, we've no intentions of sleeping in the streets. Oh, reminds me.. * Nick shrugs and starts walking into the city. * The city itself is actually fairly tightly packed with small houses of many sorts. * Fadi walks into the city as well. * Emmet walks alongside Harold. "We definitely need some twine, and a firestarting kit. Not a cheap set of flint and steel--" he shoots a glance in Fadi's direction, "but a real set with tinder and maybe some oil if we can get it. And a skinning knife. And maybe some rope..." * It's not hard to go with the flow of the people, and though more than a few odd looks come your way, nobody really gives you much of a second glance... except for the children. Ahh? Maybe you should handle everything except the food, then, Emmet. Feld didn't go over survival with me in that much detail. I've still got the gold from that chest, dudes. So, anyone who needs an infusion of cash.. I'd appreciate you going with us when we make our purchases then, Nick. Nah, just ask for some now. Gonna do a bit of exploring. * Emmet nods. "Sure thing. I think I might need some money, too." In fact.. * Nick turns around and holds a bulging money pouch out to Emmet. * Fadi nods. "Will let you know. Hey, Nick, think we should find a place to stay? This armor's not exactly made for walking around town." * Emmet nods his agreement. We should stay together at least long enough to find a place to stay the night. * Emmet glances at Harold, and then Fadi, and lapses into silence. * Nick moves the pouch slightly, shaking it at Emmet. "Take." * Fadi eyes the pouch. About now is when someone would try and take it. I think Emmet's right. Let's find an inn then break up to do our purchasing. Guys? Don't handle that much money out in the middle of the street. * Emmet reaches out quickly and takes the pouch from Nick. * Nick nods once the pouch is taken and merges into the crowd. * Fadi shrugs. "Well, if he wants to do his sneaky thing, I'm not gonna stop him." * Emmet looks around for an inn, now. * Fadi looks around for an inn, too. * Not strangely at all, you're almost past the prime area for inn placement, which is right at each gate. As you look around, you realize that the further you get from the gates, the seedier the inns are appearing. Of course, those seedy inns are probably also much cheaper than the nice ones right at the gates. * Fadi also, coincidentally, tries to pick up some twine to tie his bigass sword with. * Emmet tries to find twin for his weapons, as well. He'll need a lot of it. ... should we stay at a cheap inn or a _good_ inn, gentlemen? I don't really care. Middle of the road would work best, 'cuz the least people go there and they'd still have decent service. That sounds good to me. Hmm... good idea. * Harold heads back up a ways, looking for an inn that looks nice... but not _too_ nice. * Fadi does likewise. * Emmet looks around as well. * As you reverse your progress, the inns quickly get better and better. There's never QUITE a happy medium, but there's either side of it, as you can choose from The Caravan Guard, which appears intended for the not well funded guards for which it is named, or The Smiling Groundhog, whose sign features a groundhog peeking up from a large mug of some presumably alcoholic liquid, and appears slightly on the ritzy side of life. Hmm... I like the looks of the Caravan Guard, myself. * Fadi chuckles. "Don't want to get drunk? Yeah, sure, why not." * Emmet smiles. "Looks good to me." * Fadi walks towards the inn they agreed on. Com'on people, walk with me here. * Harold heads on in to see what it looks like on the inside. * The Caravan Guard is pretty crowded for this time of day, and the innkeep behind the bar is grinning gleefully as he recieves news of another caravan coming in. The inn's common room is fairly large, and not particularly smoky, luckily. There's not much room between tables, just enough for a large man to get around if there aren't two people sitting back to back. Breakfasty smells waft up your nostrils and assault your brain. SMELL GOOD. * Fadi smells the breakfast and grins. "Well, at least they have good food here." * Emmet follows the others into the inn, and inhales deeply when he steps inside. Yeah. * There are a number of somewhat surly men sitting around eating breakfast, talking, and drinking. No impromptu games of dice seem to have broken out, nor card games. * Harold tries to speak softly. "But the atmosphere is a little tense... let's be quick." * Fadi doesn't speak softly. "Duh." Well, go. * Emmet smirks, but only waits for a command of some sort. Otherwise he keeps his eyes open for troublemakers as he sticks to Harold's side. * Fadi gives Harold a nudge to wherever the keeper of the in or a desk or something would be. * The innkeep is standing behind the bar as of right now, and is eyeing you somewhat greedily, having seized upon the size of your pouch immediately, as innkeepers are wont to do. * Harold is shoved, and staggers up towardthe bar. "... ah-hah. Hello, sir, how much to get a room or two for the night?" * Fadi folds his arms and stands behind Harold. A room or two? Depends on if you want it to yourself. Ah... if our party could get one room to ourselves, we'd prefer that. How many of you? * Quite suddenly, Sophie is standing at the rear of the party. The three people who were eying your group hungrily slam themselves backwards trying to get away, tipping over chairs and tables in their haste. * Emmet turns around quickly, relaxing when he sees that Sophie has appeared. "Oh. Hi, Sophie." * Fadi waves at Sophie. "Hey, what's up?" * Sophie waves. "Good day, chaps." Might I inquire as to where I am now? * Sophie looks around. Four-- er, no, make that five. You're in town. We made it to that Crossroads town. Evening, Sophie, we're trying to get a room. Hope you don't mind sharing. If you don't mind sleeping on the floor, it's no trouble for me. I can deal with that. * Once word gets around that Sophie apparently teleported in, the denizens of this common room appear to have declared her off limits, and those who were seated towards the center of the room quickly move to the edges, WELL away from Sophie and anybody who's friendly with her. * Fadi chuckles. * Sophie doesn't mind. * Fadi thinks its funny. Flashy entrance as always, I see. Now, about those rooms... * Harold is trying very hard not to pay attention. "Name your price, sir." * The innkeeper's eyes flash greedily. "Ten solars per night." * Emmet shifts uncomfortably when he hears that. * Sophie smacks her forehead. "Harold, never EVER say that." The same goes for "We'll pay anything." and "Money is no object." Now, now... Sophie, I know that sounds about nine solars too high. More than that. Unless he's including food, too. * Fadi rolls his eyes. Then 9 and a half solars too high? * Fadi nods. "Yeah, that sounds about right. Unless the innkeeper wants us to go somewhere else, hmm?" No it doesn't! Okay, fine Sophie. You take care of it. * Fadi leans back and lets Sophie do the talking. Unless we're getting invidual rooms. Okay... you must be really new at this. I am a bit of an amateur... here, Sophie, you can handle this. Obviously. Look, I don't care how you teleported in here, but don't do it again, alright? At least, not in the common room. * Sophie nods. "Alright. I can only give you one room. Prices are up because of the second caravan in three days coming in today. Still, I think ten solars is a bit much. Well, he DID say to name my price. You can put as many people as you want in there, I suppose, but I can't go lower than one solar per night for the room. Two if you want meals. I don't skimp on the portions, and I don't water the alcohol like the cheaper dives on the back streets. Will that provide meals for all of us? * The innkeeper grumbles. "Fine. For all of you. How many?" Hmm... Six, altogether. Although some of our party may not make it. * Fadi nods. Okay, that's too many. Sure, you can fit that many in the room if you're friendly, but I'm not doing eighteen meals a day for one solar. Two. How about we pay for the four of us, and the others can provide their own meals? We move a lot. Some of us might not even be around for three meals a day Fine. Two solars a day for the lot of you. Agreed. * The innkeeper holds out his hand to Sophie. "Agreed." * Sophie looks to the others. They've got the money. * Fadi nudges Harold. * Harold tries to dig two solars out from his purse, and hopes they're there. He wasn't expecting Nick to disappear the way he did.... * Indeed, the pouch that Nick gave y'all is stuffed to the gills with solars and lunars. * Harold pulls out two, and pushes them over to the innkeeper. He tries not to let the purse's contents show... [And so our heroes secure lodging for as long as they wish to stay in this little crossroads town.] [Session... END!]