And a sacred Taelda burial mound. Let’s not forget that.
I agree with NAF - Koldanar, you are most welcome to stay and help us. 
Given there is a community this side of the bridge, how about we try to bargain for some food and pick up information.
We have some firewater and healing honey to offer, as well as NAF’s spells and simple labour.
Can we start by checking that selling firewater + honey is legal?
Then find out how much food costs (we ought to think about dried meat, nuts and fruit for the future too.)
We can carefully ask these questions of both traders and the gate guards:
Can we pay any toll with firewater or healing honey?
Can we work somewhere to raise money?
Can we get some information on local history, customs and power groups?
Do any of these sights (e.g. military insignia) bring back any memories?
Does anyone remember us coming through here?
These are all questions that can be answered by interacting with people. Approach anyone you want – people generally belong to one of the following groups, so please specify:
Merchants
Taelda traders (might not speak Harnic)
Caravan guards
Bridge guards and other personel
Mulejacks
Camp followers (prostitutes)
Knights
I will answer these questions, though:
History? Wow. The bridge is something like 7,000 years old. There’s a lot of history there. Basically, it was built by the Khuzdul long before the coming of men. After men arrived, it was fortified with the tower to protect against invasions by both men and Gargun. It has changed hands a number of times, but Kaldor has usually claimed ownership. On occasion, Taelda claim ownership, but lack the military strength to do anything about it. The last great battles here were 27 years ago on the death of King Torastra, who was reviled by the Taelda for not respecting their sacred texts, and 16 years ago, when Laranian knights and Taelda warriors held off a huge Gargun swarm.
The bridge is currently held by the Mangai, the guild of guildmasters, as well as the Exchequer Royal. It is administered by the Waymaster, Arton of Ceynah.
You see precious few badges and insignia. These people are travelling into the wild and don’t want to display rank. The exceptions are the knights of the Lady of Paladins. Their surcoats and shields bear red and while heraldry, with a sword achievement charged in the middle. They are a religious order. There are five of them.
(Quick aside to TDN : I know how I think my character would feel, but what would I know about how outsiders view Taelda? Would alter how I respond a little)
Well, I do need to think on it. Let me spend some time here, I would like to look around and see if there is anyone I have dealt with previously.
Searches the town area for previous aquaintances
I think I’ll mill among the locals for a bit, see if anyone recognizes me or if anything sparks a memory. But I won’t get too far from my group, in case trouble arises.
Relations with other Taelda tribes can vary from extreme cooperation to downright hostility, but the former is more often the norm. You share a common enemy, after all. Relations with civilized folk are good these days, since King Miginath sent diplomatic emmissaries to the tribal moot at Barsothe Falls many years ago. Past sins have been forgiven. Still, Kaldoran posession of the bridge is a thorn in the Taeldan side, and raids happen every now and then. As well, some Kaldorans don’t take well to “uppity” barbarians.
You do indeed see an old friend. It is Withre, from another tribe. He is trading furs for weapons and grain. You don’t recognize his thre companions. Withre and you (and several others) routed a company of Gargun a few years back. He also taught you a lot of Harnic words. He’s been trading here for many years.
No recognition from anyone, but you do have a vague and blurry memory of this place. The bridge looks odd and imposing, and gives you the creeps.
As you observe the knights, they seem very familiar to you. Not as individuals, but as military professionals. You can name every bit of armor that they wear, and notice subtleties that non-knights might overlook.
One of the bridge guards looks at you funny, and says “Aye, comin’ back, are ye? Ye lost some weight, you did.”
He continues, “Yep. You sure did. Lost some weight. Since last time a saw you.”
“Sorry, I don’t recall. When was that?”
While Antinor is walking around meeting people I would like to do the same. I would also like to make sure that I keep all members of the party withing shouting distance at all times.
“Uh, I don’t know. Ten, twenty days ago? Maybe it wasn’t you. Kind of looked like you, though.”
Me, too.
In your observations of those around you, you notice that alcohol is indeed a commodity being traded, as well as being imbibed in large amounts. Firewater seems to fetch between 2d and 5d per cup. The caravan master is discouraging drinking, but he’s having a hard time controlling it.
No magic honey is being traded, as it is considered to be sacred.
You pick up from general conversation that King Miginath is recently passed away. He has been succeeded by his niece, Queen (nee Princess) Meliem. You have no idea who these people are.
Antinor, this guard is a real Chatty Kathy. You are bored half to tears by his inane conversation. You do pick up, however, that he remembers you going east through the gate. He didn’t get a good look at your companions, as everyone had their heads down, “Like you was hidin’ somethin’.” He recalls that there were five of you.
Not four. Five.
Ok, I’ll talk with him long enough to see if I can glean any other useful info then head back to the group to let them know that we seem to be missing someone that arrived here with us.
He’s showing you pictures of his grandkids. Now may be a good time to head back. 
I’d like to see if Withe wouldn’t mind a little chat at the moment. I’d bring him around to whomever in the party I come across first, and ask if he’s seen or met them before.
One other interesting thing that you hear is that people have been going missing. Normally this is not news, as it happens from time to time. But over the last couple of years, incidents have been on the rise. The disappearances have been attributed to the Kald Stalker, some sort of phantom or demon. Most of the victims are elderly, poor, and urban, but the young and/or wealthy and/or rural are not immune. It has everyone on edge. People lock their doors tightly at night these days.
Withre has never seen Santo in his life.
Given we got into a bad situation, perhaps the fifth person was an enemy ‘controlling’ us in some way?
I’ll stick near the rest of the group as NAF wisely suggests.
If firewater is 2-5 d per cup, roughly how much is a skin full worth?
Could we watch to see if there’s a merchant who looks friendly, helpful and honest?
(I realise you can’t tell all that for sure :eek:, but some merchants should give a better impression.)
I would then like to have a quiet chat with such a merchant, first about selling him some firewater, then buying some trail food (leaving enough to pay the toll), then about the rules + customs around here and finally ask if he can guess where I come from. (Bit like a fairground game - can you tell how old I am, what my profession is and where i was born…)
I’d like to discreetly observe the knights too, as I think I have a military background.