February 19th

As Gwydo comes tromping through the underbrush, following the trail of Snarg and Scargil, he is abruptly stopped by a heavily camouflaged Gnoll he recognizes, who whispers for him to sit and be still for now, explaining that he's going to try to slip into the town undiscovered.

Snarg:
After spending several minutes in observation you notice a specific pattern; they are clearly watching for a group, not individuals, as based on their spread they are watching for some type of invasion, or raiders, or otherwise a band of attackers. Similarly, they are not watching the roofs at all.

Tensing himself up, Snarg watches the patrols closely as they go by. As one of them passes, he begins cautiously moving his way forward towards the city.

Spoiler:

Snarg:
The city is larger then you first thought, a bit surprising for a border town until you begin to notice the large number of Olthoi moving to and fro, and the fact that the Order has a rather large establishment here, with two separate facilities dedicated to it and draped in its distinctive patterns and colors. There is also a large Adventurer's Guild Hall, larger then you've seen in some time, which probably has its own facilities. You do not see Scargil amongst the patrols, and do not hear much in the way of chatter initially. You can go further in towards any of the distinctive buildings you spot at a distance, but otherwise have no real direction to go on. You are at the southwest corner of town, currently crouched on the roof of what looked like a merchant's stall, staying out of sight around a chimney.

Now being caught up to Gwydo, and knowing the general direction snarg went in, Araiguna continued to follow snarg's path to the city. He makes a great deal of effort to stay off of the main road in the brush and forrest covered areas.

Sneaking and an awareness check:

Spoiler:

Snarg scratches his ear slowly as he looks out over the city, pondering, before moving towards the eastern Order building.

Spoiler:

Araiguna:
You make your way towards the city proper and view the guard patrols, and deduce the same fact Snarg did; that they are here to defend against a group of individuals who will attempt to forcibly invade. You lose Snarg's trail right outside an area in the southwest part of town, and narrowly avoid a nearby patrol of Aluvian soldiers in the process.

Snarg:
You begin making your way across the rooftops to the east. To your relief the patrols are virtually non-existent in-city, further confirming your suspicion that these personnel are here to defend against an invasion force of some size, rather then infiltrators. This also means you have essentially no one to spy on or listen in on to determine what is going on.

Coming to the logical conclusion that the rooftops are very underguarded, Araiguna tries to find an easy access point and climb to a fairly high platform overlooking a large area of the city to try to pinpoint ether his Gnoll friend, or the fugitive Moarsman.

before he sets out, he takes off his chain shirt and swaps it for his studded leather for better sneaking.

acrobatics/awareness:

Spoiler:

Snarg:
You hop down from the rooftops and move clandestinely between buildings and shadows, reaching the first Order building, which is massive; easily the size of an entire fortress by itself. The signs outside state that this is a House of Learning, which you know to mean it's sort of a combination library and place of counseling and for those seeking wisdom or help.

Araiguna:
As you are slipping your way by the lines, one of the Aluvian soldiers spots you rather suddenly and shouts, loudly, "Intruder! Intruder!!" He rushes up to you, steel broadsword drawn, a shield in his other hand. He looks nervous, but determined, and ready for a fight.

Araiguna saw the soldier approaching, and tried to play it off to the best of his ability

"hey hey, there's only one of me.... I'm a local, just pulling a harmless prank on one of my palls.... Don't hurt me. *puppy dog face*"

He even makes the effort to try to raise his voice to sound younger and more immature.

keep those rolls good:

Spoiler:

"Hmmmm, while I'm here..." Snarg mutters to himself. He steps back far in to the shadows and does his best to quickly make himself look presentable. The jawpiece also comes off and is hidden away out of sight. After giving himself one final look-over, he proceeds towards the Order building and peers inside the entrance.

Sethos, after wandering through the ruins happens upon an incredible and strange feat: the core, a rather messed up amalgamations of people's minds, personalities and lifely experiences, a concept that Sethos was perturbed by, so he turned around and went back to the Skyclaw in the hopes of finding someone to share his lone discovery with. When he got to the Skyclaw he found no one.

He tried to check the ship's decks but after finding no one he gave up about half way through his search of the second deck he came to, so he found the biggest room on the deck and pitched his tent in it, it appeared to be some kind of kitchen. Sethos attempted to make the appliances work but found he made no progress, so he pitched his tent and decided to take a nap.

Spoiler:

Araiguna:
The Soldier looks at the Mite with severe suspicion. Several of his fellows, as well as a couple of Order Mages and one Adventurer (a Fighter by the look of him) have run over, and are checking the nearby area. No one says anything until the others return and whisper something to the initial soldier, who has never taken his sword off its point towards your neck. At this point he sheaths it. "What in GOD'S name were you thinking, roaming out of town when we're under threat of attack by lord knows what? Get your ass into town and into bed, now, or I'll have you arrested for disturbing the peace and being a general imbecile." Despite his words his tone is somewhat relieved, and there is genuine concern on his face. "Hurry on now."

Snarg:
The inside of the House of Learning is incredibly quiet, almost hushed, and after a moment you realize there is a magical field over it to keep it so. Nothing ominous; just to enforce privacy and contribute to atmosphere. Within seconds, a tall Lord Elf has spotted you and rushes over, bowing politely. "Ibrexi Shalamon of Sunsorrow, at your service my Gnollish friend. Come, I imagine you are either looking for some of your brethren? Or," he adds, realizing he might be assuming too much, "perhaps you are simply another refuge? Fear not, even without the Kingdom's open borders policy, the Order would always welcome refugees."

Sethos:
You will rest for 6 hours, putting you on the 20th Thread I'll be throwing up tomorrow.

Rory:
You pass out almost immediately, again putting you on the 20th thread.

Snarg attempts to return the gesture, but instead finishes in an acknowledging nod halfway through his awkward attempt to bow. He grins cheerfully at the tall Elf as he speaks. "Yer bein' a bit right, yep. Jus' lookin' 'round an' seein' if anyone's wantin' to talk an' pass time while we're bein' on lockdown. If ya got any readin' fer white magic users, that'd be some interestin' stuff. I was wantin' to be movin' on outta 'ere tonight, jus' passin' through, but it ain't too smart to be headin' out now I'm thinkin'. What're they bein' so riled up 'bout? Looks like ya be expectin' a whole army to be marchin' on ya," he raises an concerned eyebrow at Ibrexi.

A rather muffled "yes sir" came out of the Mite's mouth while he tried not to burst out laughing. As he walked away, he thought to himself "Holly crap! that actually worked!" Araiguna then skipped with a wide grin on his face towards the market district to get directions to the local inn and figure out what was going on with this crazy, paranoid town.

checks:

Spoiler:

Snarg:
"Oh, well we don't have much literature for White Mages but we do have an Order White Mage, Ser Elkzixh of Gardener, who would likely be more then happy to discuss with you whatever you'd like to see. So," he frowns at you, looking somewhat concerned, "are you... not a refuge of Stonehold?"

Araiguna:
As it is almost 11 PM and quite dark in a town on lockdown, you have significant difficulty finding the market district, and don't find anyone at all to interrogate unless you want to encounter more guards who will tell you to get home and get to bed. You do find an inn though as it's one of the only places with its lights on, the only other place you spot being an Order building of some kind.

"Oh, heh, ya think I be lookin' that bad?" Snarg chuckles and scratch his neck, scattering a bit of dirt on to the floor. "Nah, I ain't a refugee. Been doin' some work wit' the guild up 'til recent. Got to fight a golem once." He grins and flexes one arm in an overly dramatic, joking manner. "I'm bein' from Stonehold, ya gettin' that right, but left a bit 'fore it was attacked. Anyways, if Ser Elkzixh's wantin' somethin' to do, maybe I can be havin' a chat wit' 'em?."

Snarg:
The Ibrexi looks at you, somewhat concerned, but nods politely. "Of course, if you head down the second corridor on the left, you'll find yourself in a long hallway with lots of chairs and tables for people to converse in. Just look for the grey Olthoi if you've never seen a Gardener before, he might be busy but I'm sure he'll find time for you."

"Aight, thanks to ya!" Snarg nods to him and moves off down the second corridor on the left.

Snarg:
The adjacent hallway is larger then you thought it'd be, well kept and very clean, with white marble adorning every wall and the ceiling. There are long, well-polished marble benches on the sides of the walls, and it is well-lit from Magicite lanterns hanging from the ceiling. There are a surprisingly large number of people here and there, speaking one to another, but of course you cannot hear anything for the dampening field. There are a large number of Order personnel here, and you notice an Aspect of Fire, in the shape of an Elf, is slowly patrolling the halls, though you do not spot the summoner that matches it. The Olthoi in question is at the far end of the hall, currently reading a small book in his carapace'd hands.

Snarg continues down the hallway, taking time to admire the white marble everywhere. He stops once to peer in to his reflection at the wall, runs his hands across several of the benches, and almost runs in to a poor soul as he stares straight up at the ceiling. Nodding to the people he passes, he finally reaches the Olthoi at the end of the hall. He clears his throat several times before smacking himself on the forehead and approaches the Olthoi from the front, looking curiously at the book as he rounds him.

Gwydo, moves back from the cover Snarg pulled him into and heads back into the forest. After about a mile he stops and preps a torch. With the torch lit he heads back to the gate to approach the guards.

Note on approach:

Getting to the gate, Gwydo approaches the guards. "I am looking for either Crilfu of Blackwater or Gremlock of Anvilmar. Crilfu is an adjudicator of The Order of Summoners. He is responsible for the Third Wing of the Order - 113th Adjunct Special Operations Division. Gremlock is the Executor directly in charge of the Adjunct itself."
"Have you anyone here by those names or titles, or any idea where to find them, the Adjunct or the Order of Summoners?"

Checks:

Gwydo:
One of the Aluvian soldiers is the one who stops you. Upon identifying yourself, he smiles and nods and gives a strange hand-signal to the others. There is something very odd about his behavior, and after a second you realize that despite his demeanor he is deceiving you in some manner.

Snarg:
The Olthoi looks up at you, lowering his book, which upon inspection looks like a simple journal, and gives a very unusual looking attempt at a bow. "Greetings to you, refugee. I am Elkzixh of Gardener, do you have wounds that require mending, or other aid I might impart?"

Having seen the 'signal', Gwydo adjusts his grip on his shield and tightens his grip on the torch. While not being aggressive or taking an aggressive stance he nonchalantly plants his back foot and prepares to raise his shield at a moment's notice.
"If you have no information on those that I seek, may I at least locate an inn for the night. I am weary and have been traveling for a while."