(Game Thread) Ruceeglaelsktinag: A Study in Applied Christian Theology of War

[ForrestGump]

"I'll act as though I'm just a nosy salesman passing through the town, just wanting to learn about some of the local gossip, and what's going on actively pretending that I have no other care for her, if that's okay with your plans."

Razzik waits for Umbris and Thanatos to decide whether he can take off and form his disguise now or not.

[Rational Gaze]

"In my experience, it is never a good idea to approach the subject of investigation directly if they have already seen you in some capacity... Unless a convincing enough cover can be thought of beforehand. Since they have undoubtedly seen us, and may be a little suspicious, then we need to plan our approach more carefully."

[Thomas Maltuin]

Razzik, although I really admire your enthusiasm, I doubt what they may or may not be hiding to be idle gossip. If I were in there position, and I were conspiring against my "employer" I would be sure not to tell anyone my plans unless it were necessary or beneficial. In my opinion, the best way to find out discreetly is to create the illusion that we are equally aligned, so to speak. If they need to keep their names clear, the idea of having someone else do the dirty work could sound appealing. I'm open to other ideas naturally, but I doubt simply asking nosy questions will suffice here. No, I do think building one of us up as a great warrior or skilled assasin could persuade them to employ our help, granted we present them with a plausible tale of desired revenge or convenient malice towards the target. Perhaps even advertising Razzik as a trickster to lure her into a trap where we could then plan an ambush. Thanatos, what did you have in mind? If a sleight or misleading tale is required... I'm certain I could fabricate something...

Umbris waits for the group's thoughts while contemplating diversions and making subtle business-like conversational gestures to ensure the discussion looks more casual than plotting and nods every so often at each of you and the orphan keeper.

[Rational Gaze]

"I guess it depends... on what kind of business a dwarf could have with a warforged, a pantherian, and a kobold."

[Thomas Maltuin]

Well now, I'd like to hope your more creative than that. The possibilities are as broad as our minds. However, with the right conditioning, a very simple and plausible alibi can be constructed. For all they know, she could be delivering a message or following up with one or all of us about an adoption or job escorting an orphan to a new home. The most important part would be for all involved to follow along with confidence!

Umbris gives the dwarven lady a quick wink and grinning, lets out an entertained chuckle for no apparent reason. Hoping you all catch the hint and smile along, he continues...

See now, it's possible they think one of you have told a joke offhandedly, or that I'm insane, depending on how uncomfortable you all looked as you reacted.
either way Thanatos, when I ask what you had in mind, I mean more than possible character profiles. Any plan with or without investigation or trickery will suffice if it meets our needs or desires.
More than one way to skin an enem- well nevermind. How do you think we should proceed, regardless of our decision, we don't want to tarry too long methinks.

[Rational Gaze]

"I'm well aware of the multifarious cornucopia of possibilities that lie within the imagination. However, any concocted tale must lie between the penumbra of imagination and believability. It would do us no good to concoct a tale that those we wish to investigate would be able to pick apart in an instant (or at all, really). Tradesmen of some kind seems like the best cover."

[Thomas Maltuin]

I agree with you completely that our cover should be believable, but it will gain only gain us information of it be something they trust or feel they could use. So if tradesmen is the best option on your opinion, I've no problem with it, but how WI we use that profile to glean information from them(bearing in mind, this question would need to be addressed with most any cover we might have imagined)?

[Rational Gaze]

but how WILL we use that profile to glean information from them (bearing in mind, this question would need to be addressed with most any cover we might have imagined)?

"With a great deal of stealth and caution, obviously. The cover story is to allay suspicion and give us a 'legitimate' reason to be close to them. However, we will most likely need to do things that, if observed by... certain parties, would most likely result in our cover being blown. Thus, in public, we would be as simple tradesmen, but when the opportunity presents itself, we will, of course, have to commit various acts of 'espionage' (if that is right word.) It would, of course, be left up to our own discretion when and where we would engage in such activities."

Thanatos strokes his chin in a contented manner.

[Thomas Maltuin]

Well, if Razzik has no objection I'll vote you take lead for now. Please do not close your mind to doing in-plain-sight investigation in the future, it can be very effective in the right moment. What say you Razzik, is this plan agreeable to you?

[ForrestGump]

"I don't mind at all if we have Thanatos take the lead, but just double checking the plan here, when we greet her guards we're all salesman, correct?" At the thought of the whole party lying about who they are I'll smile over at Umbris and let out a chuckle.

[Draco Dei]

"It would need to be very expensive wares to justify so many of you being armed with such weapons..." remarks the orphan keeper.

[Rational Gaze]

"It would need to be very expensive wares to justify so many of you being armed with such weapons..." remarks the orphan keeper.

"And are there any such wares that you have need of? If you can think of none, then simply state which wares your guards would believe you needed."

[Draco Dei]

"Uh... well... let me think... if I could find a magic item that could do a disease cure, maybe at least 5 times a year, but all at once? We only have a few scrolls, and if some bad illness were to hit the town I would want to have something to protect the children. It would probably have to be something that would still leave them immune to it, rather than just going to catch it again." the dwarf says.

"Err... I could probably come up with something else if I had more time. Do we have more time?"

[Thomas Maltuin]

Umbris fumbles a coin he had pulled out of his pocket to toy with idly. He reaches down to pick it up and takes the opportunity to get a glimpse of the guards and, hopefully the rest of the room.

[Draco Dei]

((After so many different rolls that I should have been taking notes to keep track of which old roll was for what...))

Umbris notes that the current guards assigned to the orphan-keeper's mission appear to be monitoring the situation carefully. No impatience, but a certain amount of suspicion... they would hardly be competent body-guards if they weren't a little bit suspicious of everyone and everything. Doesn't seem to go beyond that though.