Joey hmms at the new conversation striking up and nods to Michael.

"You're most welcome."

He returns his attention to Emerald and gives her a friendly smile.

"And you?  Your personal reason for learning Draconic?"

Michael responds to Joey's nod with a nod of his own, but remains quiet as he's still thinking to himself, hoping that no one asks him about the subject of his research as Michael is fearful that as soon as the word demon is uttered, he'd be chased out of not only the inn, but the area as well.

However Michael does his best to keep calm and relaxed as he figures the worst thing he could do is act nervous as that would no doubt draw everyone's attention...

  Peter smiles, "Well, the reason for why I learned Elven has been spoken of in a time long and forgotten in our lives.  I merely picked up Elven due to how common it is."  That time being a minute and a half ago.  Though apparently indeed long enough time to have been forgotten.

  "There really wasn't any deep and soul searching reason for the choice, though I will definitely remember the ones you gave because they sound a lot better." If refraining from the 'get along with best' part at least.  Really, picture what the stereotype outlook of Elves talking to humans is.  If that's the best, then Humanity needs to drop the abusive relationship.

Emerald smiles from Peter's response. Then glances at Joey. "Draconic is one of the first languages; lying somewhere between the languages of the gods and the languages of mortals. It is a strong language, having the power and might of dragons in every accent." She then says, "But I tend to study languages. I love them all, each for their own reasons."

Emerald quickly follows up by saying to Michael, "Excuse me, sir, but... I apologize if my conversation is distracting you. If I may ask, what is it you were studying?"

"Interesting," Joey chuckles, nodding to Peter, "A practical enough reason."

To Emerald he smiles.

"I thought you might be a linguist.  Your mastery of the language suggests you might be native to a place mostly populated by Dragonborn, but then I might have been able to pick up the region from the dialect or accent.  No yours is more fundamental.  But you put a very...  musical quality to your words.  Quite pleasing."

Joey picks up on Michael nervous attempt at trying to act calm and relaxed, but doesn't make comment.  After all, if there's an obvious paladin in the room, and he's not asking for help with his problems, Michael must have the kind of problem that a paladin has no hope of fixing.  Or is too proud to ask.  Either way, it's the man's own personal business, and it's rude to pry...  The halfling just pried.  She must not have noticed the guy doesn't want to talk about it and is simply being curious.  Oh well.

Michael shakes his head as he says, “Your conversation is not distracting me. But I'd rather not discuss what I have been studying as it is a personal matter. After all I don't even know who you are.”

Michael remains polite despite being mildly annoyed that someone who hasn't even introduced herself, is asking about his research. Then again Michael remembers the old adage 'curiosity killed the cat' and wonders if it applies to other species as well.. Michael then frowns as he realizes the same adage can apply to himself as well, given the nature of his research.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:56, Tue 01 Nov 2011.

  "I'd question the wisdom of reviewing private documents in a public place, but out here and in this weather I suppose your options are limited.  Though I doubt she will be so bold as to read over your shoulder."

  Emerald would need a stepladder at the very least to pull that off, even with Michael seated.

  He puts his flute away, and says "Though to avoid being quite as much a stranger as before, at least I can introduce myself, Peter is the name."  Peter!  you've just won 'First To Introduce Themselves At The Inn!' tell him what he's won!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx_UJxuQGXo

  Of course, Joey wins 'First to have his name mentioned at all at the Inn'.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:09, Tue 01 Nov 2011.

Emerald smiles up at Joey. "Thanks. I do hope to get it down to where I can sound like a local just by listening to them for a little..."

To Peter, she nods and says, "I'm Emerald. This is Joey. I just came from Hallor. Heard there was someone here who has a job for adventurers. Bumped into Joey in the forest of Tro."

A man at another table says, "A job for adventurers ye say? Well ye heard right." The man is a dwarf with a scraggly beard, some grime all over him, and plain but practical clothing. He has a pick with him and a mug of ale in hand. "Now... I don't have much t'give ye fer the task I'd ask of ye. So ye'll be wantin' to go to the mayor's office. He can hire ye all official-like so ye can get paid."

Emerald says, "Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to see the mayor soon, then." She orders the Inn's special and looks at the others. "So, Peter, if you're wanting company, you're welcome to come sit at this table." Michael, however, seems to want to keep to himself, so Emerald doesn't think to invite him yet.

"I'm sure you will," Joey answers Emmy with a smirk, before nodding to Peter.

"Blessings from Antowas."

He returns his attention to Emerald.

"Thanks for the introduction.  So you're an adventurer?  What sort?"


When the Dwarf speaks up, he listens.

"Hmm.  Thanks.  Happen to know the details of what needs done?  Is it urgent?"

Michael nods as he knows his options are limited, having little money tends to restrict ones options. After Peter introduces himself, Michael replies by saying, “And my name is Michael.”

Michael glances over at Emerald when she mentions that there is a job... and when the dwarf speaks up about a job and needing to head to the mayor's office Michael mutters, “My research is important to me, but it doesn't put a roof over my head or food in my belly. It won't hurt to at least hear what the job is for,” as Michael stands up and looks around to see who else other than Emerald and Joey are considering the job.

  "While playing a flute is certainly easier, work of the sort you mention tends to pay better.  Though I'm with Michael in wanting to know what the job is before asking after it."

  You tend to look like an idiot if you demand the Mayors time asking about a job, then go 'oh, nevermind'.

The dwarf says, "The local mine had been taken over by some kobolds, so the mayor sent some guys to check it out. They haven't returned yet, so he's gettin' anxious. Urgent? I think so. But then I'm just some dwarf. What do I know?"

Emerald says, "It is late, though... even if we went to the mayor now, I know I wouldn't have the energy to infiltrate a hostile mine for much longer. We could go to the mayor, get the details, then go to the mine first thing in the morning."

Joey jumps to his feet with a serious look on his face, snatches up his shield, and begins strapping it on.

"I'll head out tonight if the goddess allows it," he answers the Dwarf, "Where shall I find the mayor and the mine?"

He looks between Peter and Michael to see how willing they are to take on the quest with him.

Michael glances around and realizes that other than himself there are only three others who seem interested in the job, namely Peter, Emerald, and Joey and wonders if four people will be enough but given that he's down to his last few gold pieces, he really doesn't have much choice... he needs the money to 'pay the bills' and further his research.

Michael lazily leans on his staff as he says, “I see no reason why we can't see the Mayor tonight. Then spend the night planning, preparing, and resting before entering the mine tomorrow morning. After all, if there is a map of the mine, being able to study it before hand can come in handy. If an attempt at brute force has already failed, then perhaps tactics, strategy, and cunning are called for. Although we may be needed to head out tonight if time of of the essence and they are wanting us to try and save the first group that was sent into the mine.” Michael glances back and forth between the dwarf and the other three people who have expressed interest in the 'job' to try and judge there responses to Michael's words.

  While Peter is enthusiastic enough to take up this whole 'Smash some Kobolds' thing, he's not exactly leaping out of his seat in joy.  Plain old standing up works well enough for him.  "I somehow think the cover of darkness would not mask our approach very well when the destination is a cave.  How long has the mine been held, or would the finer details be better off told from the Mayor?"

  Four people.  Well, that was definitely better than three Dragonborn.  Just don't let them hear you say that, they may argue the math.

The dwarf says, "Talk to the mayor. If ye waste yer time talkin' to me, you'll miss the mayor since he's gonna go t' bed soon..."

Emerald asks, "Where's the mayor's office?"

The dwarf says, "It's just a few buildings down from here. Big sign with "Mayor" written on it."

Emerald blows upward on her hair, gazing at the menu. Then gets up and heads for the door, pulling her cloak back over her head. It is still raining, after all.

People are in danger!  Manners can wait.  Joey is already at the door when the directions are given.  As soon as he hears "Big sign," he marches off briskly in the direction of the Mayor's office.  If the door is unlocked, he'll walk right in.  If not he'll knock firmly.

Having heard where he needs to go, and that two people have already leaft to go to the Mayor's office, Michael walks over to the door and heads off to the Mayor's office. While Emerald uses a cloak due to the rain, and Joey seems, at least to Micheal, to not care about getting wet, Michael takes a different approach, he uses and sustains (by reusing) Prestidigitation to create a transparent 'personal' umbrella made of glass and transparent fabric that is attached to the top of Michael's staff, that keeps the rain from falling onto himself, his clothing, and and his gear.

Michael follows Emerald and Joey to the Mayor's office at a steady pace.

[OOC: This use of Prestidigitation is a form of the 'Produce out of nothingness a small item or image that exists until the end of your next turn.' option for the Prestidigitation cantrip... there is after all no limit to what the item is made of, or attached to, and in a compact form an umbrella is a small item as this umbrella is only big enough for Michael, it isn't one of those can shield your entire family large umbrellas.
Effectively 'each round, Michael would be using his standard action for Prestidigitation and his move action to move closer to the Mayor's office. At least till he enters the mayor's office.]

  So that was one Cloak user, one 'who cares, I have scales you lightweights', one fancy umbrella.  Tiebreaker from Peter?  Cloak User!... Wait, this wasn't a competition, oh well.  'Yet another reason for flutes, so much more weather resistant than a harp.'  You just missed a perfect rhyming opportunity there Peter, Lute man, Lute.

  "A little rain never killed anybody they say.  Unless you speculate on how, such as pardons of execution being rendered illegible and the like."

  Obviously they would enter the Mayor's building if everyone else did.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:12, Sat 05 Nov 2011.

Emerald jogs past Michael, but looks over at him with a smile. "Sweet! I gotta learn that trick one of these days!"

Joey would find the mayor's door is open and the mayor is an elderly human. The mayor looks like he's just awoke from a nap. He had been dozing off, but Joey's brash entrance woke him. "Oh... my... how can I help you?" the old man asks.

The others, Emerald included, would likely walk in a little bit after the old man finished asking his question.

"I am a paladin of Antowas," Joey replies, "These volunteers and I wish to help the people who have not returned from the Kobold invaded mine.  If there's any chance one of those people will not survive the night, I wish to stage a rescue right away.  However, Michael here wisely suggested a tactical approach by careful planning over a map.  Perhaps you've already thought of a way for a small group to infiltrate in comparative safety considering news got out that there is a reward being offered to adventurers willing to help.  Or any other details you could provide would be helpful."

Michael enters the Mayor's office just in time to hear the Mayor ask how he can help Joey, at which time Michael let's his 'conjured umbrella' fade out of existence. While Joey answers the Mayor's question, Michael leans on his staff and ponders using Prestidigitation to dry off anyone who starts complaining about being wet from the rain.

Michael doesn't feel the need to add anything to Joey's detailed line of questioning, thus Michael remains silent for the time being.

  Peter wouldn't really expect a Mayor like this to have a detailed battle plan prepared and waiting, let alone maps of the local problem area unless buried deep in a vaguely organized filing system.

  "Calling us 'Volunteers' falsely implies we would be willing to do this for free...  Well, Joey can if he wants to I guess.  I'm not so sure about the other two."  Evidence you don't need to be the one with the high Int or Wis score in the party to notice important details.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Sun 06 Nov 2011.

The mayor blinks at Joey. "Wow... such enthusiasm and willingness..." he comments. "But I'm not tactician. I leave that to experts like yourselves. As for a map, well, I did dig up a copy of that just in case someone got the message. Seems one or more of you must have somehow." He offers a map. Then says, "As for volunteering for free or getting payed, that's up to you. The reward will be given to those who do the task regardless. But if you refuse payment, you could always just have the payment go to a charity of your choice."

Emerald goes to have a look at the map. "Joey mentioned some guys you sent who haven't returned. How long ago were they sent?"

The mayor nods. "Yes. Sent them out two days ago. Still no word. I fear the worst."

Emerald says, "Like they say; expect the worst, hope for the best. I'll look into it."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:52, Mon 07 Nov 2011.

"I feel urgency because I do not want to witness a captive die just as I arrive because I delayed," Joey answers, "A clear conscious is worth more to me than a mountain of gold, but I won't reject a reward."

He makes sure the map winds up in Michael's hands, figuring him the most tactical of the group for suggesting tactics in the first place.

"Is there anyone else willing and able to join the rescue mission?  There was a concerned Dwarf at the inn, but he didn't come here with us so I'm guessing he's either unwilling or unable."