4. Besieging Sassazuga

[tibbius]

SO what do you all do to get a sense of the city's defenses?

[Rex]

Sealgair

"Maybe we should check along the inside of the outer wall and see what we can learn."

[GreyWolfVT]

Grax nods "Sure that n blend in walkin wit tha locals keep yer eye on watch patrols an tha like what an not."

[ybn1197]

Elzarune nods his head in agreement. "Also check to see if there are barracks inside the populace area where they can regroup. And maybe check for cavalry."

[Rex]

Sealgair

"Maybe we start with just looking around with Elzarune drawing or painting as a cover."

[tibbius]

It's midafternoon, and Elzarune can assess that the light and shadows are good for painting an urban scene. I'm giving you a lot of mileage on those boxcars for the first painting roll - a hidden talent! Where will he set up first?

[ybn1197]

Is it safe to assume there is a wide open square just inside the gates for merchants to hawk their wares? If so, Elzarune will start there, making sure to get as much detail of the gate and towers.

[tibbius]

There's Main View, the broad street you came in by. It's lined with shops and the afternoon sunlight falls pleasantly from behind you onto the gate and flanking towers as Elzarune sets up his portable easel and canvas.

Passersby begin to linger, looking over the busy artist's shoulder as he pencils the outlines of the fortification and the nearby shops.

"Wotcher," says one wise-acher, "r yer plannina seize?" He belches stale small beer and wanders away.

[ybn1197]

Elzarune whispers to the others, "I think we should be less conspicuous when we finish this one."

[Rex]

Sealgair

"Agreed, we should try and be sneaky."

[GreyWolfVT]

Grax shrugs his shoulders "I'll do me best at that then."

[tibbius]

By the time Elzarune finishes daubing his watercolor of the gatehouse, it's just about nearly midway almost halfpast mid afternoon.

A little early in the day to skulk.

What do you do?

[ybn1197]

Stowing the paint gear, Elzarune looks to the others. "Maybe a night at one of the taverns to get a idea of what the locals think?"

[Rex]

Sealgair

"Sure, we just shouldn't have to much honey. Might let something slip."

[GreyWolfVT]

Grax raises a solitary eyebrow at Sealgair "Eh? I aint plannin on drinkin honey."

[Rex]

Sealgair

"Silly Dwarf."

[GreyWolfVT]

Grax "Been called that afore. We dwarves tend ta enjoy ales, meads, and other spirits of drink."

[Rex]

Sealgair

"Mead is good of course, its just old honey after all. The others I don't care so much for."

[tibbius]

As you're conversing, a group of five karhu pass. They're being hastened along by about a dozen dwarfs clad in chainmail and carrying halberds. The karhu are simply dressed, like day laborers maybe. They're whuffling in a way that Sealgair recognizes as restrained distress and fright.

[Rex]

Sealgair

Once they are past and out of hearing. "That isn't good, looks like slaves."