Inconspicuous Arrival

Log Info

• Title: Inconspicuous Arrival
• Emitter: Aryia
• Characters: Seyardu, NPCs
• Place: Western Gates
• Time: December 5th, 2021
• Summary: There's a small commotion one night at the Western Gates into Alexandria. A couple of dawn elves are attempting to enter the city, though their entrance is barred due to their origins. Seyardu comes along, vetting them and escorting the duo to an inn for the night. They're guarded, giving minimal information, though Seyardu is able to glean some. One of them slips up, and both quickly leave to get rooms for the night.

Western Gates, Nighttime.

It's a cloudless night over Alexandria. The wind is fair yet bitingly cold, the stars twinkle overhead with a crescent moon mingling with them. The traffic through the gate is slow during this time. Though it is no less guarded. Perhaps moreso due to the city's level of alertness.

There's a bit of a hushed conversation as the guard calls for the next to pass through. A robed group of two. Short in stature. The conversation turns a bit more intense as the guard calls a few more of the Watch over.

"And how can we be sure you're speaking the truth?" a half oruch woman crosses her arms over a greataxe, squinting down at the two.

A sil, dawn elf by the looks of them, speaks in a dignified yet firm tone, affixing them with a deep violet gaze. "May be we from there, we are here on our volition. We seek passage through, some days of respite, and to leave."

There's some grumblings between the guards, half uncertain, some wishing to bar entry, others believing them.

Seyardu was outside of the city that day, having returned from visiting those in and around Mictlan for some time. It was this time that led her to be on the path near the gates, making her journey back to Alexandria at a leisurely pace. This put the cleric just within earshot of the commotion at the gates, which she chose not to ignore. She knew who was in charge of the west gates, after all, and would not let them have their way without reason.

"Peace upon your nests, guardsmen and travelers." She greets. "If there is something amiss, is there anything which I can do to be of assistance?"

The ensemble of travelers and guards turn to face the silverscale. Under the hood was two dawn elves, a man and a women. Both of their features flicker a bit at the sight of the Alethean priestess, but remain even tempered.

The guard helming this blinks at the sight of Seyardu. They were known. "A-Ah, Hearthguard Seyardu. Nothing out of the ordinary, We're just having some a bit o' a issue believing this lot here," she gestures over her axe towards the two hooded and cloaked sildanyari. "Says they've from Charn."

The elevn man speaks up, him a bit worried. "Originally yes, but it's been time since we left."

GAME: Seyardu rolls sense motive: (14)+9: 23

The two were speaking true. They were from Charn, and it had been some time since they were there last. But, they were leaving specifics out. Like how long ago it was, and where from Charn. Perhaps it was deliberate? Or it it might be some Charnese way of speaking that keeps all information guarded.

Seyardu was not expecting to be recognized, but she nods to the guards, and to the travelers. "People from Charn are not to be treated differently, though they are subject to the laws same as any other. Many leave for many reasons, and those who seek life outside of the place are to be welcomed and supported."

"Though, if there is anything more you can share to make the process of acceptance easier, it would be welcome. You are from Charn, but what brings you elsewhere? If you have business in the city, we can help point you on your way." She asks of the two elves next, her tone neutral, but not hostile, though there was rarely any change to it. Best not to smile for now, as well.

GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (2)+14: 16

A decent amount of the Watch seemed swayed by the words, leaning towards admittance of the individuals. The half-oruch grunts and nods in agreement with Seyardu. "The Hearthguard speaks well on both accounts."

The woman sildanyari, her slightly taller than her traveling companion, frowns some. The silverscale's words draw an answer, perhaps one more towards what she was wanting, but it is still vague. Stealing a glance to the man beside her, she clears her throat. "We're refugees," the woman mentions. "For the sake of our safety, we leave it at that."

The man adds in, "W-Well, if one could help point us to a place to stay within the city itself, we would be most thankful."

That gets the violet eyed woman to smirk a hint. "Yes. And, if it would assuage your woes, mayhaps the Hearthguard could escort us?"

"I am merely speaking of what I know, it does not matter whether I speak well on it or not. You all know this too, having been advised on your positions prior, no doubt. But thank you for your trust." She replies to the guards. Though the evasivenes was noted, and she nods to the two elves. And the smirk led them to raise one brow ridge. "I would suggest the temple district, but that is not an option for now. If you are refugees though, why not stay here? I heard that you are only passing through. Are you looking to reach other lands, then? I can escort you to a place to stay I am sure. And for your safety, I will respect that explanation for now."

The Watch share a look, some silence in the air before the half-oruch speaks. "Right, we've others in the line. Since you're offering Hearthguard, they're in your care."

"Don't cause trouble now," she warns the two before waving them through.

Both politely smile, and step towards Seyardu. "Thank you," the man mentions. As they draw closer, the silverscale and pick up the scent of dirt, sweat, and a hint of perfume coming frm them.

"It may not be safe for us to stay here overlong, considering the news we heard upon the road about the city itself," the woman speaks evenly, glancing past the silverscale.

"It would be no trouble, for certain." She replies before waving the guards off to her work. She did not intend on taking on more for herself in that regard, but so it was some days. She wished to refute the comment, but there was nothing she could do in good faith to do so. Instead, she nods as she gestures them through the gates. "Think nothing of it, though do not make it unfounded, yes." She states. "The city is as safe as any other, perhaps moreso in many regards. It has its struggles in many regards, but there are many more who do what they can to fix them. That being said, it is best to be wary, much as it is anywhere else."

"Appreciated," the half orc says before speaking loudly to the approaching traveler. "Next!"

The two sildanyari fall in behind Seyardu, both sticking close to the other as they cast cautious glances about the streets as they go. "I see. The idle rumor of demons has spread wide, is all. Hence our... care," the violet eyed woman speaks.

"Where might you be taking us?" asks of the man to the Hearthguard.

"There is still concern in the city, but much of it has been resolved, and others, intend to be resolved." She states. "But you should find little worry of being attacked by any in the streets."

She turns to the man, and back to the roads. "There are many inns and taverns that accomodate travelers and residents, should you be in need of a place to stay. I have not thought of anywhere specific yet however, but I wished to clear out so the guards may continue. What are your needs, and how much coin do you have for lodgings? I know refugees often do not have the most coin on them." She asks, before turning around. "And, I do not know your names either. Mine is Seyardu, shaman caste. What are yours?"

They both share a look once more. There's some sort of silent communication between the two, comprised of brow raises, shrugs, and subtle nods of the head. Less anything formal, and more just looking like two people that have been in each other's presence so long, they needn't even speak. Finally, the woman speaks in her rich, low tone. "Enough to get by. Nothing a noble would sleep in, but we would prefer not to be in a pig's pen."

The question comes. And a beat later- "Zarn" "Khal" man and woman answer respectively.

GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (14)+5: 19

The man's cloak slumps at a strange angle on his right, as if his arm is held across his torso or behind his back.

"Well, there are all manner of places for people of every means, though if you are passing by and not seeking work, I would recommend against spending overly so. There are several which may fit however, though I would recommend the fernwood. They are welcoming enough, and the food is good." She explains. Though she stops to glance to where the man's arm was. "Please excuse me, but are you injured, or concealing anything? If so, it needs to be cleared with the guards, and if injured, then I would see to it. I am a healer after all, and extended travel is not kind to injuries."

The two elves seem content with letting the Althean speak on about the city. Though, the name of the establishment is noted with a synchronized nod.

The question makes them halt. The man's visage colors some, and the woman clears her throat. "There is nothing to fear, just an old wound is all," she assuages, practiced.

"Or, rather, lack thereof," Zarn adds. "It is nothing to worry about."

"If you say so, though your explanations are contradictory." Seyardu sighs. She was attempting to be as kind as she could manage, but talk of Charn easily put her on edge these days. "If you go to the soldier's defence, in the lower gardens districts, so called due to their further distance from the nobility district, but not any less well kept, there is a hospital known as the Soldier's defence. If it ails Zarn at all, they can go there for treatment, and it is not far from the fernwood, as well."

"You would find they are rather apt descriptions," Khal mentions, her brushing off her shoulder. The two tilt their head to the side from the mention of Soldier's Defense, unfamiliar with it, but noting it for later.

The man gives a lofty sigh, perhaps tired of having to trapeze around subjects. "It will not be an issue, Seyardu. I am not injured, and there is no wound. I simply am missing an arm."

Khal shoots him a look, but trusts his judgement.

"Ah, I believe I understand what you mean now." The cleric replies quickly with a shake of her head. "Apologies for being so prying. But with things as they are in Alexandria, one must be careful. There are markets near the fernwood, should you need outside food or other supplies. You must have been traveling for some time, as there are not many cities a short travel from this one."

The two take the knowledge in, nodding along. But it was Khal that gave a heavy sigh this time. "Yes, it has been a long travel on foot. Thankful we are that we can defend ourselves if need be. I do wish to not rest once more on the dirt."

Zarn kicks at a pebble as they go. "Some years on the road are like that."

"Being able to defend oneself is good, for certain. I see no weapons on you, yet you say such, so I would take it you are magic users?" She continues and asks after passing over one of the bridges across the tornmawr river. "That would make sense, if you have been on the road for many years. Why have you not found a place to settle, yet?"

Again, the two share a look as they resume walking. "I have a rapier on my person," Khal mentions. "And both of us are capable of minor magics."

Finally, the man's lone hand comes free to rub his neck. "Charn's dominion is large. And navigating that on foot takes a long while. We haven't the coin to get a mount of any sort. And we took our time."

"Taking your time leaving Charn? A dangerous notion, you are both lucky to have gotten far. I should know, as I know many who have left that place, and doing so is not easy." She states, pausing to look over the river before continuing on into the district. "Still, you managed to reach here, which is good.You will be welcome here, and the city does not tolerate any of Charn's actions which are outlawed outside of the place. If any seek to cause you trouble for your presence, they will be dealt with."

Khal lowly chuckles and shakes her head. "Innocent child. One does not simply walk out of Charn. Briskly leaving would be too noticeable. Taking your time is far easier to manage."

They share a look once more as they get to the river, which was growing close to their destination. "Good. We shall keep that in mind. Though, we wouldn't want to be cause to any disturbances..."

"I am not the one to have left the place, though I will take your words for it. Perhaps those I know are just lucky to have gotten out quickly." The silverscale shrugs. "I would have thought two escaped such as yourselves would draw attention if seen, so time would be of the essence."

"And disturbances are not always caused, but sometimes are reacted to. And if there are such concerns, better to have them dealt with than drawn concerns upon yourselves, given your situation, as you have said. While most are understanding, there are still those untrusting of people from Charn. And I have never met those from the place who do not appear to have been subjugated by the place."

The two elves straighten their posture and look up to Seyardu. "They should could themselves lucky," Khal murmurs. "Few are able to leave briskly without notice..."

Zarn shaeks his head. "We only mention it to the guard, so we can prove trust. We could have said anywhere, Rune or other."

The Fernwood was nearing close.

"Yet you are from there, and said you were from there. That was not a lie, and they would have been able to tell most likely. It would fall apart under the slightest scrutiny, and make your situation worse." Seyardu notes. "We are almost there, the building is hard to miss, with how lively it is. Thank you for letting me escort you there, and for talking."

Yet again, the elves share a look. More subtle nonverbal cues. Then finally a verbal, and dry, "You state the obvious, hence why we did it," from Khal.

Some relief crosses their frames, and Zarn fishes around in his pocket. "We appreciate your words, your wisdom, and your guidance. Greed bring you fortu-"

An elbow under a cloak knocks against Zarn's side, him coughing off to the side and pressing a silver coin into the silverscale's hand.

If she accept it or not is up to her, but the two quickly murmur a 'thank you' and 'good night', before they could be asked about that slip up. And they head into the Fernwood.

GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/religion: (11)+9: 20

"Yes, because you were saying how you could easily say any other place." Seyardu offers, before she shakes her head and pushes back the coin. And before she could ask further, they were gone. The cleric sighs. "Well, I am sure they are aware that Taara worship is frowned upon here."

She had half a mind to see if she could detect any magic about the two, but left it at that. Getting any information out of them otherwise proved like watering a stone.

-End Scene-