Haveron listens to Omar, and what he has to say.  Then, he turns his attention to Ryojin.

"Sir, please tell me about yourself.  You seem foreign here, and so I understand your motivation to return to Northport.  However, we go only part of the way there, before we turn into the wilds.  We cannot protect you for your entire journey home, only part of it.  You mentioned testing yourself after some training, I believe, so perhaps you could also elaborate on what that means to you, and to us?"

His clothing looks simple in nature, worn and old if nothing else. It must have been white as a cloud once, not it is darker in tone from use and constant washing. His hands and feet are wrapped in thick cloth and he wears a short robe over a plain shirt, the robe held in place by a simple faded black cloth belt tied in a neat knot in the front. The robe is thick cloth but fits him prefectly. He has two small pouches attached to a small rope slung over his shoulders and nothing else.

Ooc: no weapons and cloth armor.

I come from a small village, where my master found me. I train in the way of the fist and journey now for experience. Though I journey now back to north port I am in no rush. I wish to test my skills against any opponent,  of any size, to see what I must learn to prefect my art. I have traveled far to do so.

Haveron looks the man over for a moment as he speaks.  He carried himself with a sort of confidence, but without weapons and armor he wasn't sure how well the man would do out in the wilds.  Haveron wasn't the sort of man who wanted to go on a mission with dead weight to carry.  He wasn't sure what the man was referring to when it came to his art.  Thus, he responds "I am confused sir.  You wear no weapons, and your cloth will not protect you from much.  We will be going to dangerous places, and Omar here can only protect so many people.  He is already charged with Amelia, so guarding a second person would be a stretch.  You talk about your art and the 'way of the fist', but I do not know what that means.  If you come with us, do you have some way to protect yourself so we don't have to save you from whatever dangers lurk out there?  Perhaps I am missing something, but your current equipment does not instill confidence in me.  If you want to come along, then you'll have to convince me we won't have to watch your back for you."

"Wellll met Haveron."  Burke delivers it with a slight bow and exaggerated tone, as if he's been trained on cordial greetings but doesn't understand the context.

Before they conclude their business Haveron tasks the woodsy man with proving his intentions.  Burke lets out a short and deep laugh.  "I got yer answer right now.  Beg yer pardon Cap'n but you don't strike me as no fool.  You ever deal with a snake oil salesman?  They'll say this an' that to git yer coin.  What you wanna hear, they'll say it.  Point is, you don't know me an' I don't know you.  You wanna know if you can trust me in the wilds?  My word aint worth mule dung right now, an' vice versa 'cause we just met.  You seem like a trustworthy man an' that's good 'nuff fer me.  But I 'spect you wanna hear somethin'.  I believe in fair pay for fair work.  I'll put my weight in when the time comes and I 'spect my share.  And I believe we all go home the way we come in.   I look out for mine.  You need somethin' more to judge me, I 'spect you'll be fixin' to find some finger waggler to work his magic on me."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Sun 18 Aug 2019.

Ryojin ponders this question for a moment.

"Hmm, It is how you say. I am with out a traditional weapon as you, nor am I covered in metal. So to others It does seem like I am not capable of protecting. Yet I manage, for so many years. I have toughened my body so that your average man can not harm me, I have strengthened my arms and legs to allow me to better match against metal weapons. I have trained to harness my Chi in ways others can not. That is the way of the Fist that I practice. I am quick on me feet too. To convince you is to show you, and to show you would mean to harm someone. Perhaps a time will come to show you, perhaps it never comes. Oh! Let us look for someone to fight, then I can show you." He says that last bit with the smile of a child that just thought up the best idea ever.

In reply to Ryojin (msg # 178):

The market is a busy place, and for the most part, the locals navigate the dance of passing eachother smoothly. There seems to be a bit of a commotion up ahead beyond the crowd...

[Private to Narrator:Jasmine (woman) Al'abalah (fool and ruffian) Mbarz Bialsiyf (indiana jones style master swordsman), Alsayadit Aleajuz (old woman)]

As the small group headed off Burke gathered his shield and walked with them, content that this Haveron would explain the details of their job when he could do so more privately.

But before they reach the safety of some lodging there seems to be a commotion in the market place.


OOC:
Burke will ready his shield in preparation of trouble.  He'll stay towards the rear but follow this new group.

Shroud walks through the city and speaks very little.  His face is a mask of mild contempt though he fails in his efforts to hide his disdain for townsfolk.  Suddenly, there seems to be some disturbance up ahead.  Without waiting Shroud is wrangling his bow into his hand while he awaits word from Haveron if they are going to investigate.

In reply to Shroud (msg # 181):

Gareth has gone with Hakim to look for someone to identify ans sell his toys, as well as someone to buy scrolls. The commotion ahead is somewhat of an inconvenience...but he stays quiet for now.

"I came with a team after we signed up to guard a caravan. Not too much work, but decent pay. Anyway, there was a bandit attack and we picked up some items. I'd be grateful if you could take a look and mention anything interesting. Also there was a man Gareth, who seemed like be he might be... amenable? Amenable to talking with you about the afterlife and securing something decent for himself. "

In reply to Gareth (msg # 182):

Everyone is near the inn. Hakim has not led anyone away from that point after leading them to it because we are not splitting the party more than a few feet from each other. Everyone must agree to go to the sage.

In reply to Berry (msg # 183):

"It is delightful the way you look after our interests! You and Var were not the first to bring report of this one... we had a file on him many years ago and thought we had lost him, but all sheep return to the fold in the end.  As to stolen items, I am always ready to recieve, or redistribute as needed."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:17, Mon 26 Aug 2019.

Unsure what to make of these mercenaries Burke follows along quietly except for the occasional whispered lines said seemingly to himself.  ”...and bless the sun for it...(something too quiet to hear)...to each its own.”


OOC:
Burke follows along eagerly awaiting the explanation of danger from Haveron.  Burke is willing to accompany the group anywhere so long as he feels this party isn't yanking his chain.




[Private to Narrator:
Burke is praying to the elements of nature as per his Druidic Ritual.]

The wiry, athletic man follows along quietly to the inn.  As they go he is unable to hold his tongue when passing small crowds of the city dwellers, though his words are said under his breath to himself.  “Snobs” is heard at least twice.


OOC:
Shroud is also agreeable to go where ever the group needs to go.  Shroud is interested in heading out to purchase a new weapon.


[Private to Narrator:
Exercising a little Intolerance: Urbanites, without starting any fights.]

In reply to Shroud (msg # 187):

Gareth would be most interested in visiting the sage! He would need no special invite, but rather probably needs to be told to go away (which he may or may not listen to), so unless Berry took special skills to escape him, he definitely would be with her.

We musssst bathe before anything, the localssss keep their distance, asss we are unclean.

After careful consideration for several minutes, Haveron has considered many points.  There was Burke and his offer of assistance, and commentary about words being empty.  Haveron was inclined to believe a part of that, but there were subtleties in communication that spoke loudly of one's character.  Burke seemed to be a simple but honest man as far as he could tell.  In the moment Haveron decided he could accept Burke as part of the group, although he sad nothing.

Ryojin was a different man, but also similar.  He seemed earnest, and honest, although he definitely was different than the rest of the people in the town.  Not many people went unarmed in foreign territory.  And yet he had no scars or outward injuries to indicate he had been bested by men with metal weapons and armor.  There was circumstantial evidence to indicate his confidence was not misplaced.  He also seemed like he might make a worthy addition to the group.

Haveron didn't need to say anything on either subject.  Both men had accompanied them through the market, and so their presence implied they had been accepted to the group.  He had already accepted them with his non-verbal behavior.  The rest of the group also seemed to have accepted them, since no one had said anything or changed the way they were acting.

Instead, Haveron turns to address Hakim Abd Tajir, who had led them to the inn.

"Hakim, please secure rooms for everyone here as appropriate.  We will bathe and find a few moments of comfort before we start our business anew.

While we rid ourselves of our travel dirt, please locate native garb for the people who wish to rent some.  We should dress the part while we are here, to better facilitate the work we need to achieve.

Finally, please contact the Sage there is here in town.  We would much prefer he come to us, rather than going to him.  We will make it worth his while if necessary.  I prefer to organize the group as a whole rather than having people in and out in small groups.  Plus, I am particularly interested in the sword."

With a nod to Gareth Haveron continues.

"The weapon may be valuable to us.  It would be worth discussing an arrangement to keep it with the group, rather than selling it.  We may have need of it out in the wild, where money will do us no good.  Thus, it would be worth having everyone present when it is appraised, so we all know who would most benefit from it's services.

Oh, and please take Omar and Amelia with you, and show them around on your way.  I would like for them to be familiar with the layout of the area in case we return at a later date.  "

In reply to Gareth (msg # 188):

OOC: Gareth can be with Berry. Berry would try to do the actual "meet up" in private though. Although Gareth could watch if he is even a little sneaky. Even if he's not Berry will bring Rethus to the party him.


"Right, then off to my team. Follow me..." Berry does her best to find the party, which since Gareth is going to stalk her, should be pretty easy "...ah here is Gareth! That was suspiciously easy."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Wed 28 Aug 2019.

In reply to Berry (msg # 191):

Berry returns from the alleyway, accompanied by a handsome stranger in fine garments of the local style.
"Well met, Gareth. Your name has been on many lips of late. It is a wonder your ears are nnot buzzing. I am an associate of Berry, and have been desireous of our meeting for some time."


Hakim seems taken aback by him.

In reply to Rethus (msg # 192):

Eyeing the stranger with some suspicion, Hakim bows to Haveron.
" Just so, Sahib. Rooms shall be arranged, furnishings and garments rented, a repast brought forth. While you bathe and refresh yourselves, I will send word to Rajul Qadim to see if he is amenable to such a proposition."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Fri 30 Aug 2019.

In reply to Rethus (msg # 192):

"I must admit that I think little what others think of me, because I know they do so very rarely. Even when my name is being used, the user is usually thinking of themselves. But Berry it seems has sought to assist me. The simplest matter first would concern these items we have gathered. They seem magical, but the details elude me..."

In reply to Gareth (msg # 194):

"Let us do this somewhere private. May I come in to your rooms?"

Haveron notes the newcomer passing through with Berry, to speak with Gareth.  He doesn't say anything directly, not knowing their business.  However, he pays reasonably close attention to their interactions.  They may be important later on.

OOC Let me know if there is anything Haveron ought to observe about the newcomer and the situation in general.  Otherwise, we can move on to the next scene (as far as Haveron is concerned).

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 196):

Make a per-2 roll. Also the gentleman seems to be waiting to be invited in.

Haveron will be too distracted by all the commption and bustle to really hone in on his new guest.

[Private to GM:  Well, that generally suggests he is of the demonic type, or vampiric, if he needs to be invited in.  As a player I know that.  Haveron will be oblivious...
14:05, Today: Secret Roll: Haveron Stormwal rolled 14 using 3d6.  per 12 -2 --> looking for a 10.]