The mayor thinks for a moment.  "The mine has been closed for decades.  Not sure if the vein ran dry, or it flooded.  Other than catching some youths playing around it, it's been left abandoned."

Arrador listens, nodding his head. He didn't have much to offer by way of additional questions for the mayor though.

Nick nods along at the mayor's comments and the party's questions. Seeing that his comrades aren't feeling too inquisitive at the moment, Nick steps up and speaks to the mayor.

Clearing his throat and speaking in his most elegant and civilized tone and manner, Nick says "Burgomeister Milkis, I believe my comrades and I would be capable of solving this Goblin problem for your township, and we'd also be interested in your other tasks after this is completed. Now, one problem does present itself, we seem to be prepared with very minimal information for this task, which is understandable, but we must take precautions and prepare ourselves. Now, as I'm sure you know, these preparations will not be cheap, we must be ready to face anything. For all we know, there could be a small army of Goblins in that mine preparing for war. What say you pay us half the authorized sum upfront to allow us to prepare for this endeavor, and then the rest once the task is complete. And, as I'm sure you've already accounted for, if this task becomes too monumental, we would obviously expect a hazard bonus to be in the cards. Perhaps you'd be willing to pay a bounty on Goblin ears we bring back to you, that seems an elegant solution."

All of a sudden a blond-haired heavyset man bristling with weapons barges through the door, "sorry I'm late, wait your not my adventuring party! Sorry to bother you, Mr. Mayor, my parties already went and left haven't they? For the love of Mo, what a bunch of double-crossing bastards!" The stocky man glances at Nick, "I remember you from the tavern last night, talking about a job or something; now I don't mean to intrude, looks like you're attending to some business, but if that includes hacking down some monsters, I'd be interested seeing as it appears that I'm between jobs at the moment? I've got many battles under my belt, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more reliable soldier. Names Konrad by the way." He attempts to look endearing, he's not entirely sure he can pull off endearing while carrying a small armory.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:54, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

Annoyed by the interruption, Nick hides his feeling and responds to the one man army who walked into the room “Konrad, was it? I don’t see why we couldn’t have one more join our number. Why don’t you sit in on the rest of this conversation and we’ll discuss this later, as a party.”

He signals to an occupied space in the room and looks back to the mayor, expecting a response.

With as little clanking as possible Konrad moves to the unoccupied corner of the room and listens intently to the rest of the conversation.

The mayor listens quietly to the counter offer, his face not really showing his thought.  No doubt a skill he has practiced.  "It is a situation that doesn't lend itself to lots of information with exploration.  I'm sure we will know more if you return."  He looks to the well equipped group, before sliding a drawer open. "I will advance you 50 gold, as you seem to be well armored, but I understand arms and armor are not everything that may be needed."   He places a small pouch on the table, sliding it across towards Nick.   "If the task does become too monumental, we will provide undertaker services at no charge.  And, of course, anything found on the goblins, or in the mine, would become yours, provided an owner cannot be identified. "

 Falis mouths, "nice!" as Nick suggests hazard bonuses.  Her facial expression changes from word to word as Mayor Milkis speaks.  It is a confident smile when a pouch of fifty Gold Coins is produced; a searching, leftward roll of her eyes when undertakers are mentioned; another confident smile when things belonging to the Goblins or left in the mines are left to the company.

Konrad's eyes perk up at the mention of undertakers, and he thinks to himself how thoughtful of the mayor, he'd hate to have his ailing mother pay for his funeral, they're so expensive these days.

Was listening in quiet as Nick did most of the negotiations with the mayor. When it appeared everyone was finished, "I understand that the mine is an old and played out one as well? I believe we would like the rights to the mine as well so that we could use it for a base of operations while we are in the area until something better can be found."

The mayor turns his attention to the elf.  This time the raised eyebrow on his face did betray his thoughts. "Well..." he begins, then pauses.  "That is not within my purview, but I suppose that the next time Lord Richard comes through to collect his taxes, and if an appropriate tribute were given, and stewardship could be demonstrated, and the previous owners do not step forward with a claim, it could be possible." He says with a smile that is difficult to determine if it is genuine.  "Perhaps."

Nick notices the bureaucratic and corrupt gears turning in the mayor's head and pipes up "An excellent suggestion, my friend. Let us finish our task and survey the mine once it is cleared and, should we decide to proceed, we can come back to our dear friend the Mayor here for guidance." He cracks a sly smile and finishes "With an appropriate tribute, of course."

Interested as he is at the thought of co-owning his own abandoned mine, Konrad doesn't look as if he has much to say on the matter.

Arrador had bit his lip hearing the exchanges between his new companions and the mayor, and eyes had widened hearing the suggestion that they also take over ownership of the mine. To him, the mayor had given an appropriately vague response keeping in line with a politician.

They could just simply take it over de facto if it suited them. Who cared what Lord Richard, the Mayor, the town council or anybody else thought.

"Yes, I think one thing at a time, I say." he says, adding his voice to Nick's. "Let's make sure any goblins are eliminated first." he says flashing a smile.

Ramirez chimes in with his two coppers, "Yes, let's worry about property ownership, and tributes and whatnot after we survive this little expedition.  Let's worry about getting outfitted for this expedition and killing goblins before we start planning on moving in."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:25, Sun 27 Sept 2020.

The mayor provides directions to the mine, you should have no trouble finding it.  It is about a two hour walk.  It is mid morning and weather is warm, and the sky is partly cloudy.

ooc: What is the party's plan?

"I will return shortly with my armor and gear, and then I will be ready to move out. Don't leave without me!" Zorbon smiles at that last, letting all know that he was only half-joking... perhaps.

Seeing Zorbon rush off, Nick looks to the remaining party members and says to them “If you have anything to attend to, do so now. We’ll meet in the tavern in 45 minutes and leave for the mine then. If any of you need me I’ll be waiting in the tavern. If you buy anything, let me know and I’ll reimburse you with our collective coins.” And shakes his second coin pouch.

After making eye contact with everyone gathered and looking to see if any questions are asked. Nick turns onto the street and heads for the tavern.

 Falis requests her initial allotment of coins from Nick so that she can see to some poles... one that she'd bought, and another that she intends to buy for back-up.  She also runs over to the nearest smithy after getting the pole, and makes arrangements to have it segmented and made collapsible.

Provided everything works out for the warrior, she returns to the inn with what is left of her allotment of coins and hands them to nick.  "Still sort of new to this adventuring business," she explains, showing him one of the poles, "But one of the ones that got me out of that godsforsaken arena I was in kept going on and on about how great ten-foot poles were.  So, I figured I'd 'donate' two to this party.  Since that's a little hard to move around something like a mine, or a tower, though, I figured I'd have it broken down and segments added to it."  She illustrates this by collapsing and extending one of the poles.

Upon seeing Falis' newly segmented poles, Nick is impressed. "I've had my fair share of drinks with adventurers, and none have ever mentioned this idea. Fine thinking, Falis! Ingenuity such as this will keep us alive through the dank dungeons we will delve!"

Having nowhere else to be, or anything else to do in the meantime, Arrador likewise makes his way to the tavern to wait for the others to arrive prior to the party heading out towrads the mines.

Seeing as he has some time on his hands, Konrad finds a quiet corner of the tavern, orders a drink, and does a quick once over of his arms and armor.

Ramirez joins Konrad and Arrador at the tavern, splurging on some finer wine for the table.  He also takes the opportunity to use his Clean cantrip to clean his clothes and gear of road grime and will do the same for anyone else who wants or needs it.

In reply to Ramirez (msg # 55):

Konrad eagerly takes up Ramirez on his offer, "Thank you, Ramirez, I've spent many days on the road and I was convinced my undershirt was gonna up and walk off without me. Have another drink on me, what do you fancy?"  He takes a seat across from him, orders them both more drinks, and continues inspecting his gear.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:20, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

"He he, I wasn't gonna say anything, but I think the rest of the group will thank me.  It's just a little parlor trick all apprentices learn, but having clean gear is a bit of a luxury when you're traveling and I think when you look good, you fight good."

Ramirez gladly takes Konrad up on his offer.  "I never turn my nose up at a glass of red wine."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:28, Wed 30 Sept 2020.