Massive stone walls and cobalt topped spires welcome you into the courtyard of Coldwin Castle with all sorts of celebratory spaces; food vendors, stages for performers, even temporary pews for those who wish to hear holy orators proselytize. It is, however, mostly spaces you see now. All but those responsible for keeping watch over their spaces have amassed into a single crowd before the keep's main entrance. As such, this makes it quite easy to find the stablehand. You introduce yourself, your situation, and give the codeword "alfalfa" and the stablehand perks up with a laugh, confirming that Porridge will indeed have a place to stay in the barracks stables for the day. As you walk away, you have a thought.
You realize you have no idea how to go about getting a ticket to the event, how expensive one may be, or even if there are any remaining. You look towards the crowd and see the guards formations are mostly focused on the main stage. You register this and figure the Reach is likely pulling guards from nearby posts to reinforce security, which means other places around the keep may be less guarded and more "creative" means of entry may be more successful.
Of course, you could also watch the main stage for yourself for any leads in your investigation. The speakers probably won't reveal anything specifically world shattering, if only it were so easy, but perhaps enough to see some relationships at play or overhear a story or two from the crowd.
THAWOOOOOOO – The crowd erupts in cheers as alphorns resound through the courtyard in unison to signify the start of the next stage of the event.
Time to go.
[WHERE WILL YOU GO?]
[WATCH] Watch the parade for leads (go to 1.2.1)
[SNEAK] Sneak around the castle to find another means of entry (go to 1.2.2)
