The more Deverick heard, the less he liked it. Intrigues, plots, skulduggery, he liked none of these things. Ren was attempting to pull all three of them into deep murky waters. He was beginning to regret he had ever met Ren O Star. He looked to his companions, then decided to speak up.

"Sir, ye be talking bout matters way over me simple head, not sure bout me companions. Could ye let us talk bout this betwixt ourselves afore we decide.?"

Ren sat back and sighed "Sure... I guess that is best. I need you all to be fully on board or not at all. Talk it over among yourselves. I promised three hundred gold for my rescue so you get that regardless. I'll check on our drinks."

When he was out of earshot, Ovo arched a brow.

"Wot's ye got against the offer Deverick? I know it's Hilords n' all but gold is gold. If Ren sponsored us ta check out Castle Greyhawk we could all have gnomish bows, lanterns, n' who knows what else."

Blossom set back and crossed her arms over her ample busom.

"I don't know. Gold is gud yah, but vith nobles and politics cums headaches. Vee should dink on dis."

 Deverick scratched his bald head, his thoughts in a twist for the possibilities of what this may involve. He really want a drink by now, truth be told, he wanted several drinks.

 "I knows this much. Ren be an Oligarch, one o th Hilords o th city. fi we nay take es offer, we makes nay friend in Ren, en he can cause us trouble.If he be right bout some intrigue on th Council, we be wading in ta deep water. We might all end up face down in th gutter. But the rub fer me anyways, be this. This er be me home, I served er fer four year in th militia. if I av ta earn me coin, it might as well be in th service of er again, more or less. We be mercs, so none o us be expecten ta die old in bed. I be nay happy bout high en mighty plots, but I be fer it."

 Deverick just hoped he would not regret his decision.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:49, Sun 10 July 2016.

Blossom pursed her full lips and cocked her head to the side as if in thought. She then uncrossed her arms and cleared her throat.

"I shall follow vhat e'er ya say but I haff dealt vith this before and nothing gud came from it. If you are sure den I vill sign on."

Ovo smiled wide and pounded his fist upon the table.

"Aye! Count me in! Not ta worry lass. Whether we join this fight now or later we must fight the way I see it. That or leave the city least ways. Aye, we'll be hav'n some mighty foes against us no doubt but like Dev said, we'll have friends high up as well. Yet, I say we be up front wi' Ren o' the Star. we tell him we don't mind run'n ah few messages hither n' yon... n' mayhaps ah fight wi' fair odds but we nay be foolhardy n' we'll nay be facing the likes o' dragons n' demons neither. That way he knows where we stand n' where we'll be walk'n away if he plays us fer fools."

Ovo looked from maiden to swordsman and arched a brow.

Dev nodded his head. " Aye, ye spoke wisdom there,Ovo. Ibe fer what ye said."

When Ren came back with the tapster in tow, the latter holding a tray laden with the variety of drinks they ordered.

Ren sat down with a nod but held his tongue. Mayhaps the Master Merchant was waiting until the table was their's and their's alone.

As the barkeep, handing out the drinks, said "The Rhennee have gathered in great numbers. The whole world is turn' upside down. Heard the ambassador to Furyondy was kilt yestereve. Rumors be that it was Turin Deathstalker that did the deed. Him an Oligarch n' all."

He shook his head sadly and said "Should I send word ta the Union then Master Ren?"

Ren nodded "Aye! We'll be fine for now Finn. I call ya for some of that fine fish-stew ya make in half a mo'"

Once he was gone Ren looked to each adventurer in turn and then said "Well? What decision have you made?"

 The Tapster set the drinks in front of the three Mercs and Master Ren. The latest rumors where tossed out there,and the one about the Rhennee gathering, interested Deverick.

 Ren asked what decision they had arrived at. Dev took a long pull of the Ale, even it was welcome,at this point. He looked to Ovo and Blossom, then to Ren.

"We talks it over, en we av a few concerns afore we tells ye our decision. We be fer runnin yer errands, facing reasonable danger, Nay Dragons, demons,and such. We nay will do anything against Greyhawk or er interests. we wants healing if we be injured while in yer service. If on o us gets chopped, we wants a decent send off, nay dumpin in the river en its like. If we be leavin yer service, we twill give ye notice,and ye give us th same, if ye discharges us. If ye meets these conditions, we be fer it."

 Deverick hated talking so much. He took another long draw on the tankard of ale.

Ren looked to each adventurer in turn. Finally he smiled and raised his tankard of ale in a salute.

"Fair enough good folk, fair enough. For now I want you to wait here until the messenger from the Union arrives. As far as they are concerned you are finished. The messenger will bring the other one hundred and fifty orbs they owe you when he returns. For now I am not sure who to trust. Your first mission is to take a letter to the Lord Mayor. Not directly mind, but to the Golden Wheel and leave it for him there. I will arrange a meeting in that letter. Then you can return to Mercenary Guild or elsewhere... just leave word where you can be reached with Gelburn. That way no one will know you're connected with me but I can reach you when needed."

The merchant took a long drag from his ale and made a face as if he tasted something sour.

"I shall cover your stay here. There is a spacious more luxurious suite for my guests in the back. Finn will take care of you. Any questions thus far?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:39, Sun 10 July 2016.

"What sort o trouble are ye expecting, Sir? Anything our lot should keep an eye peeled fer.?

Said Deverick,as he took another drink from the tankard. The large Merc divided his attention between the entrance and common room.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Sun 10 July 2016.

Ren looked a little disgusted as he shook off the effects of the ale.

"The truth be told... I am not certain lad but your eyes and ears should be open. If someone is moving against the Oligarchs of Greyhawk they must be organized, powerful, and many in number. I will know more after I have talked to members of the Union and the Mayor. He has connections to all the other Oligarchs as well as to the Thieve's Guild itself. If anybody should have an ear to the door it should be them."

His eyes then widened "Say? The guide that led us this eve... he was from the Beggar's Union was he not? They have eyes and ears all over Greyhawk. Mayhaps he can help. I'll see if I can get you some coin you can use as bribes. Mayhaps you can pay Gaspar a visit. What say you?"

    The tall merc listened to what Rn had to say, and the more he heard, the more he was regretting that he had agreed to this contract.

 " Aye, we av met th Master o Beggars afore. His greed be bigger then th entire city o Greyhawk. But if we av ta go ta th court o miracles, agin.. so be it."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:24, Tue 12 July 2016.

Ren nodded and grinned ear to ear.

"You're right lad. We'll just use the little guide then. I'd rather see gold go to his pouch than Gaspar's anyway. Now we must have a care if Gaspar knew his role that lad could get hurt or worse. Best meet him outside the Old City then to cut down on the risks. Now, then you must keep your eyes and ears open. Any rumor... no matter how big or small might lead to a useful clue. You can either reach me here or leave word at the Green Dragon Inn. The proprietor is a friend of mine and be trusted."

That's when Dev saw a rather unusual sight! The hook-handed doorman let in another patron to the Selkie. She, for her curves left no doubt of that, was on the short side for a gnome... or could she be a halfling? Yet there was no mistaking thick mane of bright copper-red curls that seem determined to defy restraint, the leather armor, and a belt with numerous small, tasseled pouches sewn to it. As their eyes met she smiled and gave the big warrior a wink.

 The entrance of the Gnome went almost unremarked by Deverick,as he was staring at Ren due to what was said about Talbert.

" We nay use Talbert if e could gets urt. It be me fault three boys got chopped from pullen yer arse out o th fire,Sir. If I av ta go face Gasper,so be it. But we nay use Tal if he might face danger from Gaspar. Nay more lads gettin urt. Not on me watch."

The look on the large Warriors face was most serious.

A thought sprang into devs mind, He had the rare thought,from time to time. He spoke low so only those as his table could hear.

"If ye needs tales o what goes on,wha bout the Guild o Thieves? Bugger the Beggars Guild, hire th Thieves ta be yer eyes,or jus one Thief.If ye av ta spend coin, they be th best at knowing things, in me opinion."

 Deverick was a native of the city,and the Guild of Thieves was just another Guild to him. Where such a Guild would be shunned and thought badly of by citizens, in most other cities, in Greyhawk, is was just another organization.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:12, Wed 13 July 2016.

Ren held up a warding hand "Fear not brave Deverick we shall not use young Tal... Talbert. We will find another way. I shall know what the thieves know after I correspond with the Mayor. He is a thief in good standing. There are those that say the Guild runs the city and mayhaps it is true. Though three members of the Merchants Union, besides myself of course sit upon the Council of Oligarchs buttwo of those take bribes from Org and the thieves but which two I know not. This way they may have a majority in any vote."

Then he held up a finger. Then took off his right boot. He then turned the heel until a small object fell from it's cleverly hidden spot. Ren held his palm and unpon it was a small gem... white... opaque... a pearl!

"Here! Give this to Tal. The young lad helped us all more than we know. I shall not be niggardly in my reward. It is worth a 100 orbs! Yet, small enough for him to hide from Gaspar's greedy eyes. You may say it's from you Deverick. Without you I would be last least ways. It should do the boy some good."

Then the pox faced taspter approached the table with a nug of ale upon the tray.

"Master Deverick I presume? From the red haired lass across the common room."

It was the red-haired gnome who winked when Dev gazed in that direction.

 Deverick slowly nodded,as he was satisfied with what Ren said about not using Dev. But the Pearl, that was totally unexpected,and Devs jaw dropped momentary,when Ren produced the Pearl.

" I am sure the Lad twill wet emself, when e gets it,Sir. I thank ye fer yer reward fer Tal."

 The Tapster was suddenly by Dev with another tankard of Ditch Water,aka ale. When he bepoke of it coming from the Gnome across the room, Deverick suddenly recalled  the Gnome winking at him. He sniffed at the ale, and looked at the Gnome again.

 "That there Gnome jus bought me this er ale. Do any of you lot, know er?" Said Dev as he nodded in the direction of the Gnome, He raised the Tankard to her in way of thanks.

Blossom scowled in the direction of the gnome, Dev thought he saw jealously in that glare.

She shook her head sending blonde braids in such a flight that the maiden looked to be a fair version of a medusa!

"Nay! But I vill find oout!" she snarled as the northerner slowly rose from her seat.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Wed 13 July 2016.

Ovo rose as well and reached out to stop the maiden "Nay! I have known ah few o' the wee folk afore now but I nay know the lass. Watch yer pouch lad... she 'as the look o' ah thief to me. Now now Blossom. Dev 'as nay any feel'n for the sprout! 'E nay knows the lass I tell ye."

The dwarf arched a brow over at the big warrior "Ye best invite 'er o'er lad lest Blossom goes there!"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:31, Wed 13 July 2016.

Ren chuckled a bit "That hag of a cleric looks tame to this quarrel but the dwarf speaks the truth dear Blossom. She is a stranger to us all. If you wish it Dev, I will see what she wants." said the merchant as he glanced the gnome's way.

 Deverick drummed his fingers on the table a few times, then stood to his feet. "Nay, As me Da use ta say, if ye wants summthin done, get off yer arse and do it. I be seeing what she be about."
 With that said, Deverick walked over to where the Gnome was sitting. He nodded to her. " Well met. I be thanken ye fer the drink, but why did ye buy it fer me?" Asked Deverick.

Deverick could feel the maidens ice blue eyes burning holes in his back as he walked away from the table and could hear Ovo's soothing tone as he spoke in a hush voice... as hush as a dwarven baritone can be.

The gnome Deverick make his way across the bar, a smile slowly spreading across her lips.

"Well met Deverick the Tall!" she said with a slight nod as she kicked out a srool with a soft-booted foot.

"You're a hard man to find. I have been looking for you for the whole day! Your brother said you were gone and good riddance. Normally my trusted beggar boy will come through but even he said he saw you not. It was not till someone I knew at the Marsh Gate said he saw you come through a short while back. Then it was easy enough. Anybody who is somebody comes to the Sullen Selkie."

She then nodded toward the seat "Have a seat! Then we can talk. I wont bite... least ways until the barbarian isn't looking."

 The Large Warrior was not sure what to think of this red haired Gnome. He decided to hear her out,so he sat down on the stool.

" So ye saw me elder brother, nay love lost there. Why be ye trailing after me,Lass?

"The name is Tessorielle Rhytherhkient... my friends call me Tess. Why? Do I need a reason?" she said with a chuckle.

She sipped her ale and made a face.

"Water from the Nyr Dyv tastes better. They should be pay'n me to drink this swill!"

She sat back and gave Dev an appraising look "I know why the maiden is jealous now. But I'm a lover not a fighter. I know... I know... I'm evading the question. Well I do a few odd jobs and I'm known to someone very close to you... your Mom's sister. She wants to see you Deverick the Tall and soon. She owns a boarding house in the River Quarter. Maybe you heard of it... The Widow's Rest."