Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Sure, I can show you where the Knives and sticks were and where the sticks are now."

I suppose the knife merchant won't be throwing Julian under the bus. Well, he could but I dunno why. I suppose next thing to happen is the guard'll be looking about why the poles have holes in them like the knives fit in them. Or for that matter why they were moved.
I play dumb about the spears.
"I dunno, maybe they were together, but they looked more like knives and sticks than anything you guys carry. And why does it really matter? The bad guys don't have weapons and I have something to live on if I get hurt."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

The knife merchant confirms that Julian sold him a bunch of knives... without handles. He asks the guard if Julian stole them. The guard growls "I'm not sure."



The guard says something to a buddy, and then follows Julian, carrying a spear with him and making sure to keep the boy in front.



Julian doesn't think the guard buys his story, but he doesn't question it. "Thanks for showing me this. Tell you what, give me 4 coins and I'll leave you out of my report. Oh, and your pictures."

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

I think about saying something, but decide that showing him the poles would be a shorter answer.

"What, you think I'm going to run off? Then again, it's hard to follow someone from behind."

Given the last time that I refused to bribe a policeman I ended up with no money and nearly drowned, I agree to his terms.

I'm a little confused about the last part; did the guard mean to say he wanted the pictures too, or that he'd leave the pictures out of the report? Assuming the former:
"Could I make a copy first? Are you going to be looking for them?"

Assuming the latter:
"Why not mention the picture? Would it be a problem for someone? Do you know who they are?"

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

He declines to answer, but Julian gets the impression there is something else he's worried about.

He wants the pictures.

"Hurry up and make your copy.

Yeah, We'll be looking for him. If you see those guy again, let me know, and I'll make it worth your while. Help me carry these sticks."


He's carrying the poles back towards the stone and main market.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

Maybe he thinks I might walk him into an ambush. The guards spend most of their time at the market, right? Maybe the vegetation tunnels aren't safe for them. They came in relative force when they were looking for enemy fighters

I try my best:
And end up wishing I had tracing paper. I hand over the picture. At least I know who I'm looking for; he'll probably get more use out of it than I did.

I'll ask if I can keep a pole to whittle with (if I've used up the other one already). After helping, then I'll head back, while away some time practicing drawing or whittling, and then go to sleep again.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

fair enough.

He says no, he needs all of the poles!

He has Julian drop the poles most of the way into the market, gives him 2s* for the trouble of carrying the poles, and then slowly goes into the market with nine poles.

*I think this leaves Julian at 36L 13s

Julian is headed back when he sees the thin man walking the other way in the tunnel, with two men next to him.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

My spread sheet says 39L 5s. 41L 15s (yesterday) + 5L (work) - 3L 12s (food) - 4L (bribe) + 2s (tip)

I'll forget to mention that I whittled away one of the poles.

Well, it'd look a bit suspicious if I immediately turned around to go tell, um, Mr. Guard. I'll pass by them, while trying to remember what at least one of the other two look like, then loop back to go tell the guard.

Shadowing to not be noticed turning around (?)

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

thumbs up.

Indeed. you still have chunks of it left...



The shadowing works... and it does end up being shadowing, and Julian follows behind the men. He tells the guard he found the men. The guard looks somewhat skeptical, but follows Julian, and sees the three men from behind a ways back. He shoves a clay token into Julian's hand:


"Give this to another guard and say I went up after three suspects." He sets off after the three men.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Will I need to give them a name?"

I decide to make a quick rub of the token (i.e. paper over token, draw lines on paper) so I can study the details of the token later. Should be doable while I look around for a guard.

When I find another guard I'll do as I was told, hand over the token and tell them the guard went after three suspects. Then I'll ask if there's anything else they need me for. I'm guessing not, so probably back to do more whittling.

Re: (IC) Lost in Dreams (Julian)
 

"Just give them the token!" The man shouts while he runs in the direction of the men.

Its very easy to find the guard. He takes the token and hurries after the other guard immediately, throwing Julian a small coin.

Julian heads back to his sleeping area slowly.

Interesting..