Siriel

GM: In a room on the second floor of the inn that Laindir had just departed, a man stood at attention near the door, his features and tone as close to accusatory as they could be while remaining respectful. "I will have to meet your father's men today to discuss the status of this village. Please my lady, remain here until I return."

Eirene: Eirene brushed off the guardsman's accusatory look with a smile. ""So you would leave me alone here to fend for myself? Unexpected words from a veteran. Or are you so unconfident in your own abilities?"
GM: The man didn't flinch, as though such reproach were frequent. "I have no fear of your fate, my lady; this village is quite safe by all accounts. However I am simply not authorized to let you sit in to our briefing, and I cannot imagine that the barracks will be any more pleasant for yourself than this room."

Eirene: (Was I authorized to come along in the first place?
GM: No, but there's no law against people walking along with guards, whereas there is one against spying on officers' meetings. One is a daughter's rebellion against her father, the other is an actual crime.)

Eirene: "Safe, you say?" Eirene frowned, then paused. A grin tugged at her mouth as an idea came to mind. "That is a relief to hear. Very well, go along to your meeting. I will explore and broaden my horizons in the meanwhile."
GM: A look of mild alarm came to the guard's face, though he quickly calmed. "I suppose I cannot stop you, my lady. Though I implore you to at least return before sunset."
With that said, he headed out.
Eirene: Eirene watched impassively as the guardsman left the room. She was not actually interested in the officers' meeting, but she had seen enough of the bordertown to know that there was nothing of interest in this shabby town. Except...

(Eirene: Would there have been any chance for me to have heard rumors of Bhakti?
Bhakti: Apparently I'm famous.
GM: Let's see. 60+, yes. 60-, no.
1d100 = 36
Eirene: Aww.
GM: No, you only arrived yesterday and no one's mentioned him in your presence.
Eirene: Oh well I don't even know what to do so I'll just follow him.
Eirene rolls Stealth.
1d20+6 = 21
Bhakti: A GOOD ROLL??
Laindir: 15 is a fairly good roll, so so you probably succeeded unless the guy has crazy good perception.
Guard's perception.
1d20+2 = 6
Eirene: Hahahaha.
GM: He does not notice you following him.)

GM: After a few minutes the guard arrives at the barracks.

(GM: Alright, how do you try to find the meeting room?
Eirene: It's a poor town right? How thin are the walls? Wouldn't sound leak out? Also if I've known the guardsman for a while I should be able to identify his voice.
GM: (At some place there might be sound. Roll Listen.
Eirene: I have 12 Perception.
Bhakti: What do your elven ears hear, Legolas?
1d20+12 = 13
Eirene: lol
Laindir: ayy
GM: eyaaa.
Bhakti: APPARENTLY NOTHING.)

GM: Unfortunately while you can hear some voices through the wall, you're unable to identify the speaer. It seems you'll need to find the meeting room through another method.
At least you weren't noticed in the process.

(GM: You can try to peek in through the window. With your previous stealth score, it's fairly unlikely the guards will spot you.
Eirene: Ah, I'll do that then.)

1d6 = 5
GM: Unfortunately you started on the wrong side of the building so they get five checks to notice you.

(Eirene: RNG hates me.
Bhakti: LOL)

1d20+1 = 10
1d20+1 = 9
1d20+2 = 8
1d20+2 = 22

(Bhakti: AYYYYYY
Eirene: Pffft. Is Bhakti at the guardpost yet? Distract them Bhakti.
Bhakti: Uh sure.
GM: Roll your own perception, if you noticed that the guard saw you, you can escape before he reaches the window.
1d20+12 = 16
Eirene: Jesus Christ.
GM: Actually that's good enough since it's not like he's hiding. You manage to turn around the building before the guard reaches the window. Unfortunately the other guards are made slightly alert by his getting up so the last one gets a bonus.
Eirene: Bhakti please knock on the door or something. Divide their attention, please.)

1d20+4 = 16


GM: You find the meeting room without being spotted, while two of the guards head out to meet Bhakti.
Bhakti : "Gentlemen, I trust I'm not disturbing anything?"
GM: Unlike the rest of the town, the guards are actually more or less agreeable to Bhakti's presence, having actually spent time wiith him.
"Nah, there's no problem, it's just...ah, we have some emissaries from outside right now y'know? Your arrangement with the mayor is kind of unofficial, and the bosses are worried that it might not look good that we have an outsider help us out, so Thomas will handle your shift for the next few days. Just so they know we're reliable."
Bhakti : "Oh, that's actually fine. I was thinking of heading westward for an indefinite amount of time anyway. It's why I came here to begin with."
GM: "Really?" To his credit, the man actually seemed a little sad. "Well, that's too bad. Hope things go well for you, we'll let the others know."
Bhakti : "I'm sorry, but nature is calling to me, and as you said, the villagers don't seem particularly fond of me, not that I mind. I feel it's time to move on." I extend my hand as I did just earlier. "For what its worth to you, being here wasn't so bad."
GM: The man shook Bhakti's hand, appearing slightly intimidated but genuine all the same.

Eirene: Eirene lets out a sigh of relief as she found her target. She wondered for a bit why she was doing all this for something she had no interest in, but reminded herself that it was her business to know as much of her father's affairs as possible. She was his daughter, after all, even if not his heir.
GM: From outside the window, Eirene could hear the voices from inside. Steiner, her escort, was present, as well as two other men that she didn't know.
One of the officers was absent, but it might simply be that he was occupied elsewhere. "Steiner, sir, you can't be serious. This village has lived under the protection of Nivalis for one hundred and fifty years now!"
Steiner sighed. "I understand that it would be difficult for the villagers, but we have to face the fact; the taxes just aren't enough for this village to be worth it, and the lord can't increase the taxes without looking like he's playing favourites with the places that he's not making play more."
"But this village also serves as an outpost." Protested the second man, an older veteran with graying hair. "This is the first place where we can hear about any movements from the Golden Lions aside from the occasional scouts, and we know a new Living Lion has been chosen recently..."
Steiner snorted. "Bah, you've been out here too long if you're using those terms. 'Living LIon', ah! Listen, they're barbarians chieftains like all the others."

(Eirene: How much do I know about barbarians? I have Knowledge History, can I roll that?
GM: Yes.
Eirene: I took Avid Reader, should I still roll though?
Note: Avid Reader allows her to be considered to have rolled 10 in that knowledge regardless of the situation, but is only usable before rolling.
Bhakti :Just roll it cant hurt.
Here we have Bhakti forgetting that we are, in fact, playing a roleplaying game.
1d20+3 = 12
GM: Fortunately the Golden Lions are well known, so that's enough.
Eirene: Infodump time.)

GM (Knowledge: History): Golden Lions: One of the tribes living closer to the Kingdom, they are known to be particularly ferocious against those who enter their borders and are very conservative.
Their leaders inherit the title of "the Living Lion" through ritualistic combat, but the agents of the Kingdom have never successfully learned the specifics of the ritual or what the requirements are to be eligible to the title.
They are one of the oldest tribes in existence, having come into being two years after the death of the Great Dragon when Eskarl the Lion Lord attempted to gather the remnants of its army.
Eskarl the Lion Lord: A legendary warrior who lived in the time of the Great War, he became infamous as one of the few who continued to fight against the alliance after the death of the Great Dragon.

Eirene: Eirene listened intently to the conversation.Hardly befitting of a noblewoman, but she was used to having to resort to such measures. Measures that befitted one of her circumstances. She didn't mind, really. More importantly....
"A new chieftain?" She had nothing against barbarians, in fact she rather liked their raw ferocity from the tales she heard. It's another matter if they were to threaten her father's holdings, though.

GM: The three men continued to talk for a while, but the topic shifted to economics and strategic positions.

(GM: It's unlikely that Eirene would be able to keep track of the conversation when they get going, it would basically be a torrent of names she doesn't know.
Eirene: Guess I'll sneak back, Bhakti's still outside though right?
GM: Yep you can go meet him.)

At this point, the GM prepares to depart to go play card games. The session continues for a little while without him.

End Scene

(Eirene: I'm still hiding right? Bhakti, roll perception, it's funnier that way.
1d20 = 16
Eirene: Hahahaha.
Bhakti : I assume I see you?
Eirene: looking up the stealth score I rolled. It's not loading
Bhakti : You should probably roll a new one since its a different person and all.
Eirene: Oh, all right.
1d20+6 = 17
Eirene: Pffft.
Bhakti: Oh wow.
GM: Get wrecked, Bhakti.)

Bhakti : My ears sharpen for a moment, but then falter. "I guess that's my imagination. I guess I'll go see if the canvas is dry."
Eirene: Hearing a genial but strangely distinctive voice, and spying a looming shadow, Eirene cautiously approached.
Few things shocked her any more, but a hulking man who looked twice her height certainly fit the bill.

Eirene: (I will stalk Bhakti back to his painting)
Curiosity aroused, Eirene followed the giant man, taking care not to be seen.
She did not know what to expect, but it was definitely not a drying canvas.
Bhakti : I tapped my finger on it twice gently, checking for any stains on it. Nothing. I guess that's done then. I begin to pack away the stand for it and put the painting against the wall in the meantime.
Eirene: "Did you paint that?" (Surprise.)
Bhakti : Not turning around as I pack, the surprise of people sneaking up on me slightly dulled from earlier, I reply with a gentle "I did." (Sorry but you're the second person to attack Bob Ross in his natural environment)
Eirene: "Really? With regular paintbrushes? Are they not too small?" Eirene peered at the painting, with no heed to her fine clothing, which had suffered some wear from her little adventure.
Bhakti : "They're a bit small, but I've gotten used to them with time." I pack away my kit of painting tools and then turn around to see a young woman, of fine complexion and dress, even if the dress had clearly seen a bit of wear. "Is that so strange?"
Eirene: "It's quite impressive. Would you happen to have any intention of selling the painting?"
Bhakti : "I couldn't take money for something that poorly done. If you want it, I'll give it to you though."
Eirene: "Really?" In her excitement, Eirene forgot even the etiquette that had been drilled into her since birth. "But wait, you haven't signed it."
Bhakti : "I don't sign my paintings normally. I could if you wanted though, but I have rather poor handwriting."
Eirene: "Oh yes, if you please." Eirene watched curiously as the giant signed the painting. "Bha...kti?"
Bhakti : "You have a good eye. I can barely read that myself."
Eirene: "Thank you, I will treasure it." Eirene held the painting close like it was something precious."I would never have imagined to see someone like you in a sorry place like this. What brought you here?"
Bhakti : "I want to see the world, so I came here without any real direction or intent. I've been staying here for a few weeks, but the locals don't really like me, so I was thinking of heading west with someone else interested in going on such an adventure. What of you, little lady? You don't look like you're from around here." I inquire softly.
Eirene: "I take it that the locals have treated you poorly? As to be expected of such peasants. I see Father made the right decision in deciding to send the officers elsewhere." Eirene remarked dismissively, before finally remembering that she had yet to introduce herself, with a polite curtsy. "I am Eirene Nivalis; most pleased to make your acquaintance."
Bhakti : "I am foreign to them, so it's not surprising. But it's not so bad. I get food and drink and a place to rest, so they don't hate me. So don't hate them either, Eirene. That's not the right thing to do." I try to clarify, but I don't think I'm quite the fatherly type.
Eirene: "Oh, I bear no hatred for them." Indeed, for she saw them only as subjects who were costing her father more than they were worth. "That aside, do you have a place to stay? I can't imagine that the inns here could accomodate someone your stature. The barracks perhaps? "
Bhakti : "I do not actually. But that's simply because I'm leaving. I have an acquaintance in the inn that will be joining me. An Elf. I was gonna see him, since I already told the guardsmen I wasn't staying any longer, and tell him that we can leave now, but I'm not sure I can actually get into the inn, given my stature. Maybe you could help me out in return for the painting?"
Eirene: A strange expression briefly flitted across Eirene's face at the word "elf," but she nodded. "Of course, gladly."
Bhakti : "Thank you. I really appreciate that. Let's get to it immediately." I felt like something happened to the girl's face for a moment, but it must have been my imagination.
Eirene: "Is this the inn where your acquaintance is staying?" Eirene looked at the inn, which coincidentally happened to be the same one whose best room she had occupied. "I suppose I'll find him in his room?"

Not so coincidentally, as it is in fact the only inn in the village. I would have no party-splitting shenanigans so early on.

Laindir: Laindir is lazily lounging at one of the tables in the common room with all his packs, he had talked to the innkeeper earlier telling him he was leaving this evening. Now there was nothing left to do but wait for his new companion to arrive.
Bhakti : "He should be in either his room or the common room, I'd imagine. I sadly don't have his room number. Ask for a "Laindir"."
Eirene: Eirene nodded wordlessly, and entered the inn. As it turned out, there was no need to search for Laindir; an elf lounging alone with packed bags in a largely empty room made for a conspicuous sight. "Laindir, I presume?"
Laindir: "Hello little lady, you seem to have caught me at a disadvantage as I don't know your name" Laindir said, almost playfully but cautiously
Eirene: "Bhakti is waiting outside," Eirene said curtly, ignoring the elf's words.
Laindir: "Oh, are you a friend of Bhakti's?"
Eirene: "Bhakti is waiting outside," Eirene repeated, making it clear she had no intent to converse. (I feel like an NPC waiting for a persuasion roll or something.)
Laindir: Laindir sighed, picked up his bags and started moving towards the exit. You can hear him muttering something about no one having manners in this town. Before exiting the inn he turned around and said "See ya little rude lady." before leaving.

At this point they nicely decide that they've gone far enough.
End of the first session.