"I have one more, serious, suggestion before I retire for the night," Narthian says, placing his pristine arrows back into their quiver. "The Order of the Golden Crow, or the Gold Feather. In honor of the small god we helped and the gift he left us." He looks his companions in the eye one by one. "We could commission clock pins fashioned in the likeness of that feather as our token."

Bruenor, leaning back in his chair after finishing his meal and enjoying what's left of his ale, had been quite content to let the discussion about a name go on around him.  He looks up at Narthian now, though.

"I shan't like to align ourselves with that crow, no matter how he went out in the end...  I reckon you lot might've been on to something with that 'Leafblade Company'.  'Course we're not all elf folk.  Hmm..."

He adopts a pensive look, but it's likely not clear whether he's actually thinking about anything, or just staring at the ceiling.

As the group is eating and conversing, the elf woman with the bear finishes up her sorting of plants, binds each, and puts them away in a satchel.  She rises to her feet and pats the bear's head.  He continues to lounge on the floor as the elf woman makes her way to the table.

"I saw you looking at the potential jobs.  Is there anything you're thinking of taking?  I'd rather not get in a bidding war."  She pressed her hand to her chest.  "Althenaria Yllsandrine, nature's champion.  Damphos has graciously been my sofa for the evening," she says, gesturing back at the bear.

"Pleased to meet you, Althenaria. I am Narthian Goldleaf, and my partner Thunder, who is not big enough to also be my sofa." He smiles and extends a hand to his fellow elf (and likely, druid). "We have not discussed our next task in any great detail. And our team is of many minds of which would be better." Narthian shrugs slightly, the friendly smile transforming into a mischievous grin. "I think if you catch us at breakfast tomorrow, we will have it narrowed down to a top 8 by then."

Note: there are 8 jobs (by my count) currently posted.

"Oh, narrow it down so far?  We're still debating, Damphos and I.  Gargoyles are quite a thing, but if the man's been subjected to hippogriffs too, well.  Maybe we'd be walking into a feud.  Or not.  Some people just have terrible luck.  We'll see what the stones have for me in the morning.  I heard you had some luck a bit east.  What news comes from the Fen?" Althenaria asks.

"Would you like to have a seat while we talk, Althenaria? Perhaps a glass of wine?" Averdante asks the woman, a little surprised Narthian hadn't immediately extended the offer of at least a seat; given how she introduced herself, she was probably another druid. And either of them could easily afford to buy the lady a glass of wine.

"I'm Averdante." Indicating the rest of their companions present, he names them off in turn, "This is Bruenor, and Haazheel." Looking back at the woman, he tells her, "The Fen was an interesting job. There was a small god poaching in another's territory, although apparently done more in ignorance than true hostility."

"I am also intrigued by the gargoyles, although I would have rather dealt with the hippogriffs. They are magnificent beasts and great hunters." Narthian makes room at the table as per Averdante's suggestion. "And, unlike gargoyles, can be trained as a mount. That would be a welcome reward in itself." Given Althenaria's companion, Narthian judges she must be of some experience, unless her companion is a lycan - in which case she may not be a druid at all. "I wonder, would you give us your assessment of the Caravan Guard job, the one that calls out for animal companions and familiars? Has Damphos the Sofa an opinion on it?"

Althenaria takes the proferred seat.  As she moves, you can see a sickle at her side, and her belt seemingly made of leaves has small tendrils that grip it in place, along with her belt pouch, eating knife, and fighting dagger.

"I'll decline the wine, with thanks.  I'm working on some delicate business in the morning, and need to start purifying myself," she says with a friendly nod.  Listening to Averdante's story, she raises her eyebrows in interest.

"Arguments between small gods are always complicated, frequently messy, and usually fraught with peril.  A curse of a small god can ruin your life.  Lucky are you to have managed to contain it," she says.



Althenaria nods.  "Gargoyles can be dealt with, but rarely without violence.  They're smart enough to listen to words, but usually too cruel to break off their hostilities unless you can prove you are far too strong for them to attack.  Fierce intimidation with a show of seemingly overwhelming force is probably the fastest way to get rid of them, though not always the most thorough.  I believe I overheard Vulug and Durz say they were interested," she says, nodding to the two orcs who were finishing picking apart their respective chickens, along with the help of their fox companion, "because they tend to like jobs that require a lot of direct action."  She gives a small shrug.  "Now, it's possible that this Yrad fellow may want a larger group, but he sounds like he's beyond being picky at this point.  But as to the caravan guard job...  There could be a few reasons.  The caravan master or the patron of the caravan might be a former adventurer themself and know how valuable trained and bonded beasts are.  They may have hired adventurers before and seen them in action.  They might be fond of animals and appreciate their keen senses."  She looks back at Damphos, who opens his eyes, snorts, and closes them again.  "Damphos has no particular opinion, other than the fact that two-leggers generally have terrible senses of smell and anyone who wants to know where danger is would be better served by having someone with a better nose on their side."

She taps one hand on the table.  "There might be a sinister reason, of course.  Kidnapping one's animal companion or familiar has been a way to blackmail a magician or nature warden into unsavory acts before.  But whoever has been enacting such a scheme would have to be mighty bold to advertise their job here.  If they did something to deliberately lead a Guild member into an ambush, well, they become a free target themselves, don't they?"  She smiles briefly in a way that resembles Thunder in a bad mood, then relaxes again.

"Your group is fairly big.  Quill's job may end up suiting you more than anyone else here, simply because all of you are likely to have the skills he wanted.  Or Uthar Von Drachel pays exceptionally well, if you don't mind dealing with nobles.  He's a baron, though he never lists it.  His jobs are always odd, but he never stints.  I once had a job with him where I worked as his gamekeeper for a whole moon to root out a poacher who was smuggling out unicorn hides.  Not at all easy, but I did get the bastard, and the hunters too in the end.  But as big as Damphos is, I'm not the group he wants this time around."  She looks over at the job board for a long minute.

"I believe I am more likely to go for Thala's job.  If it's live cargo that needs moving, it's likely some rare beast.  And I am very good with that."

Narthian has a new respect for his fellow druid. "Your insight in invaluable to me," he says to Althenaria. "Deyna's job no longer concerns me as much as it did. Quill's job has intrigued some of our party. Others seemed interested in checking into pairing Thala's with Xyllici's. Both bound for Albion, after all." He gives Thunder a pat. "About the only job that I am opposed to is the Baron's. It does strike me as a role suited to hunters like Thunder and me."

"The only trick with Thala's and Xyllici's that getting live cargo to Albon and getting someone to Albon quickly, depending on the cargo in question, could mean mutually exclusive routes.  If one were transporting a rare pair of birds to the druid circle in Albon and didn't want them stolen by the unscrupulous, then you might go a hidden or circuitous route, which wouldn't serve the impatient passenger of Xyllici's job at all."  Althenaria gives a bit of a shrug.  "Which all depends on what Thala is transporting.  As for the Baron, he's not a bad sort.  Very concerned for his lands, which you wouldn't think to look at him.  He might be trying to guard some hidden aspect of his domain without tipping his hand by using his own guards.  He could have used his own gamekeeper to go after that hide smuggler I mentioned, but instead he misdirected attention to another part of his lands and left the field open for me to hunt in return without interference.  You could ask about that job or any other before taking it, though.  There's no sense in either your or your patron being an ill fit for each other."

"My thanks to you, Althenaria. I will share your wisdom with my companions. I hope that it will make our decision easier."

Bruenor picks at his fingernails with his knife, as half-listens to the elves chatting.  Truth be told, he didn't really care what they did next.  Anything was fine...all part of the adventure.  He wasn't on some sort of personal mission, like Volsh or some of the others.  Just experiencing life away from his family's estate.

Not being used to associating with druids, he can't help but keep glancing at the large bear in the corner.

His head starts nodding, and he realizes how tired he must be from the day's activities, and from the ale.  He pushes back from the table and stands up, sheathing his knife, and says, "Goodnight to you all...I think I must turn in now."

"Breakfast on the morrow?" he adds, with an eyebrow cocked.

He'll wait to see what the others say, and then head to the barracks to find a bunk.

[DRAFT.
I hope this post starts to bring me up to speed. I've a description of Haazheel version III done.]

Haaheel's quarterstff leans against the table. The inside of one knee and a crook of his arm hold it steady so Mystique, an [European Eagle] Owl, over two feet high, nearly nine pounds, can roost atop one end. The Diviner looks around the table at:

Averdante, the elven archer, a good companion whose alert eyes help Haazheel feel safe.

Bruenor, willing to face danger, a man better as a friend than foe. Haazheel considers teasing him, but decides that simple acceptance and reliance would serve be better - for both of them.

Dellas, with whom Haazheel should compare spellbook entries. The Diviner reminds himself that the two of them should confer each day to coordinate who will cast what spells when etc. He smiles as he recalls how Mystique and Vish worked out their differences rabbit hunting.

Lantamori, who looks so innocent when asleep. When she's with one's possessions are safe; but, if otherwise, when she's near one, one had best guard all one has.

Narthian, a druid Haazheel should make sure to quiz about the animals and plants they encounter while in the wild. He notes how Narthian's and Averdante's eyes seem to coordinate - as one scans one way, the other scans the other way...thus all surroundings are under survey.

A thought strikes the young Diviner,  and he asks Narthian, "Ehlonna and Obad-Hai, are They ever able to work together? They must have common foes. You may have a tale to tell about that."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:08, Fri 19 May 2017.

"I like to think that all living things can find common ground," Narthian replies to Haazheel. "But I cannot speak at length on the ways of the gods, even the ones who overlook nature as their domain." Narthian shrugs. "In my conclave we draw our power from natural things, but not any particular god. I honor the pantheon of my people, as advocates of our way of life, but have not made a study of any theology." He looks around the room quickly. "If Farian were here, he would, no doubt, have an answer to your question."

Haazheel nods. "If I remember, I'll ask him. I pray to Boccob, but wish He'd pay some attention to evil's harm." The Diviner shrugs. "So I pray to Others also, Pelor for instance."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 01:09, Fri 19 May 2017.

"The sun god is popular among humans," Narthian agrees.

"The sun shines on all," Haazheel observes. "Well, maybe not on those who live underground or lie hidden until it's dark. And there's the need of rain too. Good air, ground, light, life, warmth, and water."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 13:52, Sat 20 May 2017.

Going slightly back in time. Sorry Bruenor!

"Yes breakfast tomorrow! Then we resume the hunt for our next job!"

Back to the now.
"I think that Mystique agrees with the good air," Narthian says to Haazheel, observing and smiling at the great owl. "But perhaps not so much the light. Owls are such fantastic night hunters. ," he says. "The motto of the Hunter's Convocation, the followers of Solonor Thelandira, the elven god of the hunt."

"Your insight is enlightening and greatly appreciated," Averdante tells Althenaria, impressed with both her evaluations and information. He'll consider it in more depth tomorrow, after he's actually looked at the board. "I think we can leave Thala's job to you and still be assured of finding something well suited to us," he adds with a smile, recalling that she'd mentioned a desire to not cross offers with them.

When Bruenor rises to leave, Dante nods agreement to the fighter's question, and smothers a yawn of his own. The relaxation of a good meal capping a long day has made itself felt. He drains the last of his wine, then reaches up to stroke Preet lying draped over his shoulders.  "I think I will follow Bruenor's lead and bid you all a good night, as well." To Althenaria he adds, "Thank you for sharing. Whenever you're ready for that glass of wine, let me know. I'd be interested in hearing how you brought down the smuggler."

Haazheel replies

Narthian laughs at Haazheel's addition to the phrase. "Almost certainly true! You should suggest it be added if we ever meet a cleric of The Keen Eye."

A human adding to elven wisdom? You pay me a great compliment.

Narthian cocks his head to the side, looking at Haazheel. "Perhaps," he says simply without expanding.

"Thank you again, Althenaria, for your kindness. If you will excuse me, the night air calls." Narthian bows slightly to the other druid and Haazheel, then heads for the door. Thunder is soon on his feet and following. Elf and wolf exit into the night to explore the town more fully, and perhaps find some out of the way, rent free place to rest.

The night passes peacefully for those at the Guildhall, though perhaps with those in the barracks room stuffing their ears with wax when snoring from one or more fellow guild members starts up.

Narthian can find a park at one end of town that also serves as the shrines to Obad-Hai, Ehlonna, and Crellon Larethian.  Though it costs no money for those who feel easier about sleeping under an open sky to stay there, they are expected to tend to the health of the plants and animals, keep the park clean and healthy, and tend to the shrines to pay their way.  Not surprisingly, Althenaria and Damphos are both there.

--

In the morning at the Guildhall, the two orcs and their fox companion are up early, eating breakfast that seems to consist of a dozen eggs each and a bowl of porridge that would be considered a bucket in any other place.  No one else is in the common room at the moment, but Sir Aberlayne opens the door soon after, smiling.

"Hail and good morrow, my friends.  'Tis a lovely day to be alive," she says with unusual cheer, parking herself in a halfling-sized chair and looking expectantly at the others.  "My sense as a big sister has me thinking I will be needing to sell of what we're not going to be using today.  Dellas is by far the greater magician, but I was always the better haggler of the two of us."

Narthian gladly lends his skills to the tending of the park, taking time to consult with the regular clergy about their wishes for the place.

He joins the others for breakfast at the guild hall, sharing the words and wisdom from Althenaria with the others. "Our needs are few," he says, referring to himself and Thunder. "So we will join Sir Aberlayne on her task. As for the next job, I am now favoring the Deyna and Quill offers."


Referenced jobs:

Caravan guards needed for trip to southern coast estate.  Two-week trip.  Payment in coin.  Familiars or animal companions in party a plus.  Contact Caravan Master Deyna.

Need a group with the following qualities (collectively):  Fluent in Draconic, able to climb, good shot, brave in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds, excellent reflexes, good with children.  Cooking talent a plus.  Payment in spells.  Contact Quill.