Meanwhile, at the Friendly Arm Inn Campfire...

[LISA100595]

Granny Helena hears the angry mob as she hobbles past the campfire.... "what in tarnation?" she says to herself as she sees them manhandling the boy... "why I oughta..." Nodding to Rhys' words......as Hobin jumps in to help out.. "what a good boy, i'll have to remember to bake him a pie". Then watching and listening as Alec cusses and Allison possitions herself between the crowd and Hobin as he helps the boy to safety.... Knowing she needs to do something quick.. she takes out her maraca in one hand and her cane in the other and trys to distract the angry mob. With both hands flailing about in the air she calls to the spirits all around in a language only spirit shamans would understand... and it goes a little somethin like this.. "Ooo Eee Ooo Aaa Aaa, Ting Tang, Walla Walla Bing Bang"... West Winds bwoe.. East Winds Bwoe!..." shaking the maraca to the beat and steals a glance at Rhys, Hobin, Alec and Allison with a sly grin and a wink as if she knows what's she's doing.

Then when the crowd, with most likely, open mouths starts to stair at the old sweet granny with bones in her nose and bones in her hair, stops, in most likely sheer and utter ..umm what's the word... well you get the picture... she puts her maraca away and turns to them all with the nice grandma smile " would anyone like some fresh homemade apple pie dears?".

[Oarthias]

Vanira slips into the shadows, blades pulled, she lets the others do the talking. When it involves kids she doesn't trust any of those diplomacy lessons with Lance to stick. In the shadows she shifts into a position to cut down any that would be foolish to attack... though her eyes also study the child carefully. Because sometimes... the scariest weapon of all can come in such packages.

[blackdove]

The teifling who was trying to stay low key watches all this unfold.
" amn? stuck in this land?' she mutters to her self almost inaudibly.. "these fools sure do not see opportunity. I wonder what the parents would pay to get themselves and their precious out of this land?'

she joins the good hearted people. Speaking louder but not so loud she will be well remembered she says," Hey ! leave that poor child alone! This is not becoming of..heros." She says,showing just enough sharp teeth to look, hopefully, intimidating but not enough to draw the focus of a blade..she also makes sure she can run if she has to.

[stevebarracuda]

Hobin takes a quick tactical view of his position: holding the boy, the woman Alison prepared to fight in front of him, the angry crowd of commoners mixing with random adventurers as well as the Fist mercenaries. With the Elf known as Rhys challenging the accusations, this outlandish old women chanting and causing distractions, others moving in to defensive positions all around...Hobin considers whether the situation is mitigated, or has been made worse.

Scanning the few Fist mercenaries in his immediate view, he looks for any insignia that would denote rank, hoping that a Sergeant or such would be present, should they get out of control.

"Wishful thinking...," he mutters internally.

[gfya1369]

An old man known as Albert walks up holding his back looking at Helena and shaking his head, "she is at is again, dern spirit talking loon.", he thinks to himself.

He walks up with an old grandpa smile as he reaches into his robes and pulls out a small pouch looking around at the scene before him. He holds out the pouch saying, "Alright now lets all sit on the davenports and calm our britches. Lets all have some liquorice before ol' Helena here breaks a hip dancing about with that dern maraca."

He then wonders if Helena will next be throwing medicinal herbs into the fire and getting everyone loopy.

[DM Carebear]

(( OMG, I'm so sorry it's taking so long, guys >_< ))

The dancing grandma with a bone in her nose has proven to be a sufficent distraction for Alison to pull the child aside from the gathered crowd. After that perfomance has ended, someone lets out a quiet cough and attention is turned back to the boy who, much to everyone's surprise, is cowering behind Alison the Fool.

"Ye good fer nothing adventurers always mess with good folks! Hand over da boy! We'll take 'im to da Fists.", the apparent leader yells out from the crowd.

The swaying crowd cheers violently in agreement but quickly hushed as they see several Flaming Fist mercenaries walking towards the campfire. An old man, with irritated expression on his face, dressed in civilian garb is walking with them.

"Ye buggers, can't ye keep it down for one frigging night?! I was getting my gods damned sleep. With my missus soft as a pillow by mah aching side.", the old man yells out as he approaches, clenching his fists in frustration, "I swear, if this is again about some argument regarding good or evil, I will jail you all.", he pauses to scan the gathered, "All! Now, what's going on?"

"Good sir! Da boy is from Amn! He says, his parents are here too! They might be spying!"

"By Mystra's firm buttock...", old man mutters as he rubs the bridge of his nose, "Well, whatcha staring at? Take the boy in.", he says to mercenaries nearby, "This will be a long night...", he adds as armed mercenaries head towards Alison to take the boy...

[vetinari]

Alison looks at the Flaming Fist officer in disbelief.

"What!? Take him in? Are you insane?"

She looks flustered beyond disbelief at this and then sets her jaw in resolve

"I've stood by while you Fist soldiers have unleashed fury on innocent, albeit mouthy, adventurers. But children!? I will not sit by idly at this!"

She turns and casts haste on the area, speeding up herself, the boy, and any who are allies in the immediate area. She turns to Hobin, who was closest to the boy and says

"Run!"

She turns back to the Fisties

"You know. . . Ugly and stupid was bad enough. But Ugly, stupid, and Evil? It really isn't going to work for you."

She mentally prepares to sing Haven Song to escape in case they try to arrest her.

[DM Carebear]

Alison is conter-spelled, immediately, by the old man, who is actually, an experienced battlemage. Her "Haste" spell fizzles leaving her in an odd position as she continues reciting the magical words and waving her arms around with little to no effect.

He lets out a heavy sigh and lifts his fist in the air, commanding his escort to stay put.

Crowd, however, quickly dissapears in all directions, the moment Alison starts her spellcasing, cursing violently at the good fer nothing mages.

The old man speaks in a patient, yet stern tone, his heavy gaze is fixed on Alison.

"We will take him in for questioning as this is a standard procedure when laws of the War are taking place. I give you my word, no harm will come to him. Anyone has objections?", he raises an eyebrow as his gaze shifts between people, surrounding semi-abandoned campfire.

[LeslieMS]

Having long since put away her violin, and observed in relative silence, she pauses whispers to Alison on the way toward the inn.

"Rainbow, If I were you I wouldn't object too much. Likely to hurt more than it helps... Probably doing the kid a favor, and a lot nicer than this crowd would be. Besides, I've had drinks with a few of them... The Fist aren't as bad as you think."

She doesn't leave much room for reply as she strides off humming a waltz.

[vetinari]

((there's counterspelling??))

Alison looks at the battlemage officer.

"I object to you being a complete idiot. He's a little boy, what possible good can come from some screaming Fist sergeant - and yes, they all scream - interrogate the boy. I don't believe for a moment that the boy will be unharmed. If you are dumb enough to think the boy needs to be questioned, then you're dumb enough to declare him a spy and execute him."

"I see Delphinn Veil and other members of the NTE walk around unmolested. I see the Adventurers Guild walking around unquestioned. These folks are all from Nashkel, aren't they? I'm sorry, but this is stupid. We're taking the boy. And if you try to stop me, I can assure you, I will not stand aside. I'm not going to risk the chance of an innocent boy dying in Fist custody."

[blackdove]

The tiefling watches wide eyed as the cops come.. and muttering about lost opportunities , quickly slips into the forest, finding lizard shamans safer that flaming fist battle mages.

[Snarfy]

A young elf, who had up until now been leaning casually against the noticeboard, calls out, his tone dripping in sarcasm, "What complete and utter idiocy is this? The Fist dispatching a battlemage to deal with this? Something tells me you might be overqalified to deal with a simple child, and somewhat underqualified in the aspects of diplomacy or common sense. This is absurd... as for you," he regards the mob, "What a cowardly mess of paranoid tongue wagging sheep you all are, to let your judgment become so impaired by the smallest amount of fear that you're willing to persecute an infant is nothing short of reprehensible. Imagine if this were your child in Amnish lands and ask yourself if you would wish for the people of Amn to behave the same.". With that he strides over and takes up a wide stance not far from Allison, folding his arms defiantly now.

[DM Carebear]

((You are free to use any PnP feature if DM is present and agrees to its usage.))

"Yes, you won't stand aside. You are coming with us.", the officer in civilian outfit nods to the mercenaries, who move towards Alison to apprehend her and secure the boy. "Anyone else objecting is coming with us as well.", his eyes narrow as his gaze shifts from one person to another. The quiet, stoic "knight" shifts uncomfortably under the stare and rises to leave.

"Him too." He nods towards young elf.

There is an additional unit of mercenaries marching towards the campfire at a hastened pace, from the encampment...

[LISA100595]

\\ actually it's Hobin who is escorting the boy to safety.. allison was just standing infront of them all .. or in between the angry crowd and Hobin/boy.

[BlueHero45]

*Rhys sighs*

"May as well take me as well then"