Durtendin considers Beldal's question and replies, “To a degree. Just remember that nature repairs itself, and Wilden can be considered part of that process. We do not necessarily need to protect nature from civilization, as civilization can be considered a part of nature. We instead protect nature from that which is abhorrent to it, such as the The Demon Wastes, or creatures from the Far Realm.”

"A tall order," Beldal answers Durtendin, "But from what I've seen so far, you're up to the task.  I'm Beldal, this is Eletor and Alexis.  Nice to meet you."

He looks at the clerk.  To ask "you can handle these tied up and dead bandits, right?" would be an insult so he doesn't ask.  To apologize for the bloody mess made in defense of the office would be weird too.  Beldal sticks to standard Dwarven obviousness.

"Thanks for the directions.  I'll be on my way."

Then to Eletor and Alexis.

"For the record.  That wasn't the ambush I was expecting if you're still interested in tagging along."

Then to Durtendin.

"You're invited too if you're not previously engaged."

Durtendin nods to Beldal, “It is nice to meet you as well.”

When asked to tag along, Durtendin asks, “That task that brought me here has already been completed. But before I decide if I wish to tag along, it probably would be best if I knew what I'd be getting myself into.” as Durtendin doesn't feel he needs to explain about the mission that brought him to this town the others present don't need to know what he was doing for House Tharashk. The wilden thinks to himself, 'If this proves that it could be beneficial to House Tharashk and time consuming, out of common courtesy I should send an animal messenger to a nearby contact for House Tharashk to alert them of my actions so they know what I'd be up to.'

  It was not uncommon on the field of post battle to give aid to medics hired by the other side.  Of course, as this was frequently because both sides hired Jorasco medics, was more of a business interest thing than medical consideration.  It's a lot harder to get in serious political trouble dealing bandages to both sides than it is dealing weapons to both side though.

  "Thank you for your consideration."  Eletor says to Alexis as they deal with the results of face punchy.  As the less violent work is finished Eletor stands back up, saying to Beldal "While I shall be accompanying you, knowledge beyond the possibility of ambush would allow us to aid you better in the event of one."

OOC Style: Surge used, 9/8 Surges, 82/82 HP.  Even a crit punch is fortunately only 2 hp lower than my surge value.  Had I not dumped some points into Con on my 'Con is Useless' Class, my surge value couldn't have even handled that.

Alexis gives a nod and a smile to Eletor. Then hears Durtendin and Eletor's points and agrees them to be sensible ones. She looks at Beldal expectantly, waiting for him to answer Durtendin and Eletor.

The pirate arrs. But says nothing in response, merely narrowing his eyes at Alexis.

"In short, I'm on my way to secure a very valuable contract on behalf of a faction who supports Dwarven independence," Beldal says, "Hence my expectation of violence.  Speaking of valuables..."

Beldal searches the invaders for money or anything of significant value.

"To the victors go the spoils."

He has every intention of sharing with his new allies should he find anything.

Durtendin tilts his head to the left for a moment as he consider's Beldal's proposal, “So basically your looking for mercenaries to act as bodyguards while you secure a contract. Works for me. I've done mercenary work before and it is a way to pay the bills. Especially when the job doesn't conflict with the goals I believe in.”

Durtendin knows that he should inform his fellow members of House Tharashk about the new job he's taken on and figures he'll just send an Animal Messenger before the end of the day to a Nearby Tharashk safe-house, with the message, 'Discovered an adventurer hiring mercenaries whose goal seems beneficial and profitable for the House. Durtendin will help him until you have another mission for me.' A Durtendin quickly thinks of a message that is within the limit of the ritual.

  Eletor is less than optimistic about any significant spoils from those desperate and/or foolish enough to attack a Kundark office with only... eight armed men, actually that wasn't as bad a plan as some when you consider it in terms of 'not dealing with those who lay waste to swaths of adversaries' and more 'default bank guards against default bank robbers'.

  At the very least it should cover another day's basic living expenses, even with the terrible rate of return for non magical gear.

  "I do believe I shall aid you in this task.  While peaceful journeys have their place, I have little doubt this will not be one of them."  Not that he has any particular factual basis for this doubt.  He just does.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:03, Sat 23 Jan 2010.

Alexis ponders this and senses adventure to be had. They all seem like very capable warriors who could handle most anything thrown at them, so it's not that she's worried for them. "If the invitation is still open to me, I'll be happy to join as well." she then looks at the banker. "I trust you won't need us to hand these men over to the local law enforcement, will you?"

The banker points, "I tripped a silent alarm. The law enforcement you speak of is here!"

Sure enough, in come a bunch of uniformed soldiers who check things out. After a brief question-answer session that gets them up to speed, the soldiers thank the group. "There is a bounty for these folks. You are free to have what is on them in addition to the bounty, which is 400 gold per pirate. But we did not know what was causing the trouble, so we didn't come prepared with that kind of money. However..." he looks at the banker. "That's 800 gold to each of the ones who helped take out this group of pirates. Put it on the mayor's tab." the soldier says in confidence. But he also shows the banker proof that he has such authority. The soldier then orders his men to collect the pirates and he turns to face the group. "Thanks again. You each have an audience with the mayor any time you wish. Simply turn this in at his receptionist's desk." he hands cards to Alexis, Beldal, Durtendin and Eletor. By coincidence or not, in alphabetical order.

(OOC: Add 800 gold to your total gold, folks. Which reminds me... DID we agree on a total amount of gold to spend on gear?? I'm still waiting for that...)

Beldal finds the following on the invaders: Mundane armor and weapons, 80 gold, and eyepatches.

"Glad to have you along," Beldal answers the group generically, "Here's your cut of what I could find of value."

He hands 20 gold to each member of the team then responds to the guard.

"Not much compared to that impressive bounty.  Looking forward to meeting the mayor's acquaintance.  If you see him or someone who could let him know, you can let him know I plan to have dinner with him tonight if he's not previously engaged."

To the banker: "I don't plan on going on a shopping spree today, so if you would deposit my portion of the bounty into my account I would appreciate it."

Again to the group: "If you're of the same persuasion and happen to have accounts with House Kundarak, we could head on out now.  If not, I can wait till you have your bounty."

Durtendin accepts the 20 gold pieces that Beldal hands him and puts it into a pouch on his belt. The Wilden druid figures that there isn't anything he needs to purchase with his newly acquired funds from the bounty on the pirates, so when the banker asks about depositing the money, Durtendin replies, “Deposit the money into my account,” as Durtendin figures the money could come in handy later but he'd rather not carry it right now.

  While Eletor did not have the DEX to associate with Ninjas, this did not mean they would leap at the chance for free eyepatches either.  Besides the pirates were still using them, Likely for a reason.  Twenty more gold in pocket change (so far as Gold can be called such by anyone was welcome however.  "Thank you for your kind generosity, I do hope that I will not have need to waste the Mayor's time."

  They also look over to the suddenly very busy bank worker and say "I too would prefer to deposit my bounty for now.  I suspect even if I were so inclined, browsing the various goods available for such prices will not be a convenient option as we aid Beldal."

"800 gold is a lot." Alexis thinks to herself. "I... don't have an account. If you can give that to me in platinum and a few gemstones, that would be nice..." she says.

The banker gives her a strange look, but shrugs and does his job before finally handing Alexis 10 gold pieces, 4 green rupees, 3 blue rupees and 6 platinum pieces. Alexis stores them in her money pouch.

With everything sorted out, Alexis goes with the others to follow Beldal.

(OOC: Yes, I went there. The gemstone currency will be handled in Zelda rupees since I couldn't find gemstones other than "Astral Diamond" which is worth 1,000 platinum pieces. >.> )
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Sun 31 Jan 2010.

Once Alexis has her bounty, Beldal leads the way out.  He double checks his directions with the apparently more directionally enabled Eletor then heads toward the destination - which would be in the heart of the city's busiest dock / commercial area combo.

"I wouldn't mind at all if we're wrong about the ambushes," Beldal muses on the way, "The fact that I now have a group of capable fighters traveling with me may be enough to convince whatever assassins were hired to prevent my mission's success that it would unwise to try."

Durtendin follows Beldal as the group heads off. After hearing Beldal's comment about possibly driving off would-be assassins, the Wilden replies, “We shall see. But do not forget that for some, just because an option is unwise, does not mean that they won't blindly trod down that path all the same.”

  At Beledal's assurances that would be assassins may see sense, Eletor became certain that if not influenced by Dol Dorn, then universal spite would ensure conflict would meet them halfway (metaphorically, location wise it could be anywhere).

  Regardless, Eletor shall lead the way to Beldal's destination if the Dwarf is less than certain of their own capacity to do so.  Of just follow along, both work.

  "I am certain that if you decide to open an account later Alexis, one of us could help you if desired."

OOC Style: 25 Passive Perc makes potential ambushers cry.  probably.

The trek goes mostly without incident as it's all in the city and by the time the group gets to Beldal's destination, they are already hearing word of their recent bank scenario.

During this time, Alexis pulls out a flute and plays a pretty, upbeat tune while slightly bobbing like Link would do in the Zelda 64 games. :)

Beldal is only somewhat surprised by the lack of violence on the way to the port for reasons already mentioned.

"Well here we are," he says, "Now to find the person in charge."

Experience has taught him to not say "the GUY in charge" more than any regard for political correctness.

To the nearest emplee looking person he says "I'm Beldal.  I'm told I was to be expected."

Durtendin keeps quiet during the trek to the port while keeping an eye out for trouble, just in case. The Wilden doesn't pay much attention to Alexis' music as the druid seems to be more concerned with being ready to defend against any would be attackers at a moment's notice. When Beldal approaches the nearest employee looking person Durtendin keeps an eye on the individual just in case the person is not who Beldal beleives the person is.

_{[OOC: I also have a passive Perception of 25, and a passive insight of 20...]}

  Dol Dorn favors violent carnage as a means of problem solving.  However, it was (usualy) not so far gone in that regard to wish for it as fervently as certain Paladins of Tempus.

  That and it would required a problem violent carnage was applicable to in the first place.  Pleasant ocarina music and shortly worded requests did not fall under this category right now.

  Eletor meanwhile keeps in mind of the ever important direction to keep in mind.  Up.  Hey, tower city means a lot of ledges to hide on and drop down from.

Alexis puts the flute away and pays attention to the exchange between Beldal and the employee.

Said person replies to Beldal, "You were. Show me your ID, please."

Seeing Identification Papers as verification for something relating to banks is pretty standard. Even people like Alexis and Durtendin, while more favorable to nature and the wild, have likely gotten a hold of such ID for themselves rather than deal with the headaches involved with NOT having them.

But before he can pull them out, Beldal sees a familiar face barge out of the back office. "BELDAL!" cries the dwarf who just showed his face, "GOOD to see you! What took you so long getting here? Ambushed by pirates?!"

The familiar face is a cousin of his. This dwarf is the son of Beldal's mother's sister. Meaning he doesn't bear the last name of Anvilbreaker. Rather, Silverbeard is his family name. A family with obviously close ties to the Anvilbreaker clan.

"And you brought GUESTS!" He continues, "Come back to my office, all of you and catch me up on what's new! It gets so boring here..."

The person who greeted Beldal eyebrow-twitches. For convenience of anyone who gives a care, the greeter is an elderly male gnome.

Given the nature of his mission, it would be near impossible to do his job if Beldal didn't have some means of identifying himself as the negotiator when he arrived...  Unless someone there recognized him.

"Of course," he answers the unhappy gnome with a respectful bow.

He presents the man with his I.D. and the letter of introduction he was given.

"Well met, Mr. Silverbeard," Beldal answers his cousin, "What a surprise.  Boredom is a terrible thing, I hope I can help with that.  You hit the nail on the head when you said 'ambushed by pirates.'  That's exactly what happened."

He presents an eyepatch as proof to the dwarf.

"These guests are allies who aided me in making them walk the plank.  Eletor I met first, then Alexis, then Durtendin.  He's a Wilden."

When Silverbeard leads the way, Beldal follows.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:31, Sun 14 Feb 2010.

Durtendin observes Beldal's conversations with the greeter and then with the employee that seems to know Beldal. The Wilden also presents his picture ID when it is asked for.

Durtendin nods politely when Beldal introduces the Wilden Druid to Beldal's acquaintance.

When Silverbeard invites not only Beldal but the rest of the group back to his office, Durtendin follows quietly, as the Wilden continues to keep an eye out just in case something unexpected occurs, after all Durtendin is currently working as a bodyguard it doesn't make any sense to the Wilden to drop ones guard when the job has yet to be completed.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:21, Fri 26 Feb 2010.

  Eletor sprung for the picture ID for a reason.  And that reason was just in case they hired illiterate people at security checkpoints.  Again.  Regardless, they show the annoyed Gnome their ID in passing as they follow a reasonable distance from Beledal.

  "The others did most of the work.  I just dealt with the one who thought punching someone who had a sword was a good idea."  It was a good idea, very Metal.  Just not a tactically sound idea.

Alexis also presents her ID. It too is of the photo assortment.

Once in the back with the others, Alexis finds a place to sit down. Silverbeard clears his throat before addressing Beldal. "Now then... pirates? Why don't you all give me your perspectives? I'd LOVE to hear all about it."