Arran: The outer walls of the Old Town barracks are not as you remember them.
Great palisades have been erected around the perimeter in record time, complete with a veritable wall of torchlight to banish the darkness around. Entire battalions of guards are on watch, and you can't help but notice small stains of blood in the surrounding streets. Best not to think of what might have happened here over the past day. There are also a few figures atop the walls who don't look like soldiers: men and women in bright robes. Their insignias betray them as members of the Accord, the spellcasting branch of the Republic military. Many carry wands, and have spellbooks on their belts.
Your group is stopped more than thirty yards from the main gate, as a quartet of figures emerges as if from the stones themselves. They all wield short swords or daggers, as though used to fighting in close quarters. You recognize several of them as the irregulars guarding the entrances to the city gates when you first arrived in Onyx. Their faces are all covered in cloth wraps - the only visible trace of their humanity is their eyes.
"Take another step, and die. Who are you?"
Ben: Your journey isn't long, as your previous excursions over the city roofs have given you a decent sense of where you're going. Soon enough, you spot the distinct silhouette of the di Kerastin Academy. Approaching from above, you can see that all of the shutters have been closed, and the blinds drawn. What's more, the iron gates to the quadrangle have been sealed. By the looks of things, you won't find much help here.
You do, however, spot a few figures on the street below you. It takes a moment for your gnomish vision to adjust, but you quickly recognize Calia, Elara, and Myr standing and talking with a stranger. Calia is holding out a light that strays across the bricks and mortars. But it diminishes with the coming of the sun. By the looks of things, their conversation is civil.
SpoilerMake a Spot check, please.
Calia, Elara, Myr: "The Painted House might work," the emissary muses. He takes a long, deep drag and waits for the three of you to come to a final decision. He looks around, as though making sure nobody is watching. Apparently satisfied, he moves to lean on a nearby wall.