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"Sounds fair. Need to be back at nightfall though, ok?" replies Cheff.

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What next?
And what will the elf do in the couple of hours or so until Polly is reputed to be due to make an appearance?

After a lengthy pipe inspection Cheff offers, "Decent enough man. Solitary. Difrent coloured eyes: blue and amber. That's about it."

After a reflective pause, Cheff replies, "No, nothing apart from not in daylight, at least in town."

"Pass-through tents. Only a couple that I know about," replies Cheff.

"No one I know. Or knew. Merchants and other travellers. You could ask amongst those still here. Most will be setting out their wares by now," answered Cheff with a vague gesture of his pipe.

Good idea, thanks. I'll meet up with you here once Polly is up. Ruehar goes outside to check out the tent-shops and ask around.

Cheff nods in agreement.

There are maybe 100 tents spread around of which perhaps half are showing signs of putting out their wares. All of the prospective vendors that can be seen with a casual glance are human. A handful appear to be striking camp. There are a wide selection of goods on offer, from hard biscuits to hardware.

Who will the elf approach and what will he ask?

Ruehar moces to those striking camp, casually asking about to see if they simply seem to be 'passing through' or if there are signs of distress. Afterwards he will peruse the merchandise, just trying to get a sense of what all is available.

Of the 8 tents breaking camp, 2 are moving to better positions (1 sells pots & pans, 1 sells belts and 'spare time' earthenware, 5 are headed towards the capital (married couple looking for work, untalkative solitary male, and 3 merchants: married couple selling silks, 2 male partners selling footwear, 1 hard-looking female offering trail rations, hard biscuits, preserves). No sense of distress beyond that to be expected of travelling, especially for the 'first time travellers.'

Pretty much any common item (appropriate to a subtropical coastal environment) is available here, somewhat cheaper than normal (65%+1d20% PHB prices, but without guarantee of permanent premises.)

What next?

Ruehar finds someone selling animal traps and supplies a trapper might use. He asks if they know Earnie and if they might have seen him the day before he vanished.