The jovial host of the Welcome Wench serves breakfast to his customers with his usual gusto.  In side the tavern are several guest and some locals.

Unusual for this area, a half-orc occupies one of the table. The locals eye him with suspicion and even the owner seems ill at ease with his guest, though he does his best to hide it. The half-orc carries enough weaponry to ensure he is not given any trouble.

At another table a newcomer sit eating quietly. He too is a warrior type but, clearly going on in years, with age and the wear and tear of an outdoor life showing.

The various guests eat, some arrive, some leave, all enjoy a hearty breakfast and a warm fire.

A newcomer arrives and talks quietly to the owner before saying to the crowd in general, "To those of you who do not know me, my name is Elmo and I am a local ranger..."

He is about to continue when someone shouts out "Local drunk more like!" the locals all join in the laughter. Elmo's face colours a bit but he continues on "There is a need for volunteers to help in the fight against the moathouse. Any who have the nerve should join me outside."

The room is now silenced and most of the locals are now concentrating on their food. Elmo gives a snort and exits the tavern saying quietly but loud enough for all to hear, "Who's embarrassed now?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:06, Tue 17 Nov 2015.

The half-orc stands, his chair scraping the floor with the speed of the action.  With a grunt he collects his cloak that stalks out the door, his longsword striking the doorframe on the way out.  A silver piece strikes the bar, a shining end to the social contract of service.

Rolf takes the opportunity made by the person leaving and eases himself out of his seat. While all eyes are on the first man he quietly follows and slides out the door.

Outside Elmo wait patiently with a halfling beside him.  It would appear there are no other takers. Disappointed he says "Only us four... and no magic between us. Still needs must, we'll use arrows instead of magic missiles eh. So this is Shaddowfoot or shade to his friends and better scout you won't find.  I'm Elmo and you are?"

"Grady Billabob" Rolf answers, "I'm a soldier turned adventurer at the moment. What's the pay Elmo."

"I am Kalador, a personal security expert," the half-orc grunted.  "I take 20 per cent or more."

"Well, with four of us I'll take one quarter, I think that is 25 percent. If our friend here only wants 20 I'll pick up the extra 5."

"The extra 5 per cent from each party member is for group requirements.  If you don't want to be part of the group, but just follow us, I think I can accomodate that."

"Equal splits it shall be." said the ranger without further arguement. He starts to stride off to the north east saying, "Right follow me, we have time to make up....  I am worried that the others may have bitten off more than they can chew.  The four of us could provide enough of a diversion at the moathouse to allow them to succeed but time is of the essence."

Kalador followed, trying to control his urge to cut someone in half.  The local laws frowned on such activity, and he wasn't getting paid for it.  There was remarkably little spoken about money, and the Fighter frowned at that.

Dropping in behind the others, Rolf follows quietly. The news that they are to provide a diversion for others isn't all that welcome, as diversions don't have to survive for a diversion to be a success. He watches Elmo carefully for any sign of treachery.

The party moved at a fast pace, the ranger occasionally checking the tracks left by the earlier group. So much traffic had passed between Hommlet and the moathouse by now, that all could follow the trail without difficulty. After about an hour Elmos lets everone know they are getting close.

As the move more cautiously, the halfling scout moves ahead on his own to check the ground.  Elmo still studies the ground and halts at one point saying, "They left the trail here. Heading for the rear entrance, I would hazard a guess. Lets move on a bit then wait for Shade to report back."

The half-orc nodded, securing the flank of the party from all comers (none) while they awaited the arrival of Shade.