"Agreed.  That was the plan. Sheriffs office and see if we can sell ourselves as mercenaries and then reduce suspicion of our purpose."

The sergeant gives out an exasperated sign. ”Wait here,” he instructs the trapper. The hunter nods, the same sardonic smile on his face.

After a moment, a man with long, dark hair emerges from the office alongside the sergeant. The newcomer is clad in plate armor, a tabard bearing the wyvern symbol of Denagoth covering his chest. He regards the trapper with a weary gaze. ”The sergeant tells me you’re balking at his request,” he tells the trapper.

”That’s not so, Captain,” the huntsman replies, ”I’m perfectly willing to bring you as many furs as I can capture. But I can’t force more animals out of their shelters. And it takes time to journey back and forth from the best hunting spots in the mountains. I was just explaining that he needed to be realistic. I can’t bring him all that he needs in the bloody blink of an eye.”

The Captain nods. ”I’m authorized to pay you a bonus for all those that you can bring in quickly. So I’d suggest you be diligent. If you are, you’ll be rewarded.”

The trapper nods and takes his leave, making his way towards the party as he heads south toward the Beggar’s Roost.

Neuken clears his throat, then says loudly, “If only there were an opportunity for ADVENTURE around here.  So tired of sitting about twiddling my magic thumbs.”

"Looks like the one in charge," Patch said, gesturing with his jaw in the direction of the Captain.

"Good hunting," Patch said to the huntsman as the man passed by them.

"Perhaps we should take up hunting for furs instead of ears...," said the cleric to the wizard.

Killian waits quietly to see what happens.

Jayanti stands near Killian and observes as well, the elf suspecting he would be too suspicious trying to mingle among humans himself.

The trapper stops momentarily, apparently surprised by Patch’s words. ”My thanks, sir,” he tells the priest, ”Well wishes aren’t often heard here in Geron.”

The captain turns his attention to the adventuring company, regarding them with a single raised eyebrow. Stepping closer to the group, he asks, ”And what of you lot? Is there a reason you’re here, loitering in front of our headquarters? Looking for a handout of some kind?”

Neuken lets out an indignant huff, but lets the others take the verbal initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Fri 07 Feb 2020.

Turning to the captain; and resting his hands casually on his hips "Coin.  Coin good sir.  Our little band has heard that there is coin to be made in this town for those skilled in blade, bow and magic....and I can assure you skilled we are."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:56, Fri 07 Feb 2020.

Greyband nods solemnly, letting Jarder do the talking as agreed upon.

Neuken keeps his head held high but his mouth shut, intending to convey an impression of offended dignity.  Handout, indeed! is the idea, although in truth he couldn’t care less about the captain’s remark.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:38, Sun 09 Feb 2020.

Orin spared a thoughtful gaze for the trapper, owing to his reaction to the sociable bidding from Patch.  Folk didn't even wish others good luck around here?  Some kind of town, he thought sadly.  Then he turned back to the captain, who'd already started being surly with them.  He let Jarder speak but didn't hide his own surly expression in return.  It was probably a good expression for a mercenary anyway.

As the trapper is about to depart, Renia gently snags him by the sleeve. Addressing him quietly, she says, ”Your pardon, sir. But I was wondering if you could tell me...what is the price of gray breeches?”

”Not much, unless the trim is gold,” the huntsman answers without hesitation. ”Perhaps if you’d like to have a look at what furs I have on hand, you could come by my hut this afternoon, before I depart from the mountain.” He provides the scout with directions, then sets off to the Beggar’s Roost.

”We’re always in need of new enlistees,” the captain replies with a wry grin, ”Three meals a day. Shelter. Regular pay.”

He chuckles. ”But I’m sure you think you’re above that. Tell you what, I know of someone in the village that might could use the assistance of a band such as yours. I’ll be at the Beggar’s Roost when the noon bell rings at the temple. Meet me there if you’re interested in learning more.”

Distracted by the words he hears Renia utter he almost jerks his head.

Nodding in understanding to Captain Benar; "We shall see you then." 

Jarder then turns to the others and clasping his hands together and rubbing them; "Sounds like we might have some good work coming our way.  Now I for one am starting to feel a bit cold. Perhaps we should go see what winter clothing this trapper has?"  Heading over to Renia; "Lead the way if you will.  I'm thinking about a nice fur hat to cover my ears."

Killian cocked an eyebrow at the huntsman's answer to Renia's question "Well, that was quick." he whispered to Jayanti.

"Humans and their short life spans. Always in a hurry!"

"Some of us," said the odd cleric with a bemused smile. "Shall we?"

Patch was shivering again, though not nearly as badly as he had been through the mountains the previous day. The night's rest in the warm bunkhouse sleeping in the bunk above the mage (strange that it seemed heat rose in the night from the man) had done Patch a tremendous amount of good.

"Shirts, caps, and furs sound like a wise investment."

He joined the others as they went to speak with the Trapper.

Neuken almost makes a wisecrack about wanting a fur condom so he could wear it every time he hears someone less intelligent than him talking, but he wisely stops himself.  Besides, the joke really wouldn't have made any sense, since he would have been wearing the fur condom all the time.

Orin falls in with the rest, eager to hear what the trapper might be able to tell them.  The sooner started, the sooner finished with this unsavoury place.

Renia leads the group southwest down the village’s main road, turning onto a winding side path that curves between a handful of humble homes. The last one in the row is a wooden cabin fashioned from crudely cut timbers. A pair of windows flank the front door, but both are hidden behind close fitting shutters. Outside of the house, several tall, freestanding wooden frames are arranged where the afternoon sun can easily find them. Stretched across some of the frames are pelts, primarily those of rabbits and deer.

The front door opens as the party draws close to the cabin, and the trapper motions the group to join him inside. Entering the house, the adventurers find themselves in a room with simple furnishings: a table and chairs, a wood framed bed, a writing desk, and a small fireplace. An incomplete map of the surrounding mountains hangs on one wall.

”Well met, friends,” the trapper says when the door is closed, ”I am called Sean. Are you just arrived in Geron?”

"Just yesterday." answered Killian "It was an...interesting trip to get here."

"Are the Denogothians having trouble with supplies?"

Neuken stands close to a chair and hopes he will be invited to sit down.  And he keeps an eye out for cats: you never knew who had one or when it might be sneaking up on you.

"Pleasure, Sean," the dwarf said as he stumped in.  "I'm Orin.  Glad to see yer managing here."  He moved to a spot where he could lean against the wall, awaiting their leader(s) to ask after whatever intelligence the trapper had been able to assemble.

"And I am Jayanti. Well Met."