Smith says, "I'm afraid not. Got plenty of mule, but no horse. No offense, but you're a bit green for this job, Dorian. I won't stop you from goin', but know that this will be more dangerous than yer average patrol."

OOC: The recommended level for this job is 2. Level 1's are welcome to take the risk, but I won't go easy on you. Stealth is recommended. You've been warned.

After his conversation with Alban Boneclaw had snuck into Smith's Gambit and listened in on the ongoing conversation and considered joining the scouting mission.

(I think Dorian joined around the same time as me so if we can sleep before the scout mission we should be able to level up. 150xp Christmas bonus, 150xp bonus for 1000th post, 100xp for patrol makes 400xp means level 2). Of course neither Dorian nor Boneclaw are stealth characetrs I think so there's that

Verbannt nodded.

"I am skilled at woodcraft and stealthcraft, and have no love for the RedFoot.  I would lead this expedition."

He paused, looking at the newcomer, then back at Dorian.

"It is difficult to go unseen while on the back of a mule or horse, and unless you intend to fight the whole camp, stealth will be needed here."

Dorian nods “I understand the danger but I’m willing to help out.” He puts away the cloth he used to clean his blade and lifts his large blade. “Well, I was thinking about escaping on a horse should they discover us, horses are in general faster than us.”

I’m totally in! And I joined a couple of days after Christmas so I’m still level 1

"It is better to plan to not be discovered, than to plan to ensure we are."

Verbannt countered.

"Are none of you trained in stealthcraft?

He added, sounding disbelieving.

"I do not think this will be the job for any of you, unless you wish to serve as a distraction while I do the real work."

Blunt, but it did not appear that he was trying to be cruel.  It was hard to say with his alien features, his face so utterly inhuman.

"Is that your wish?"

"It is better to strike than to be stricken but if one is stricken it is better to have a priest along", Boneclaw solemnly replied. He held up the holy symbol of Kelemvor, god of death.

Verbannt peered at the holy symbol, leaning forward.

"I do not know your Northen Gods, but with that you have the look of a bone priest about you."

He nodded.

"A bone priest is always a good thing to have on your side.  How is your herblore?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Tue 25 Feb 2020.

Dorian shakes his head softly “It’s true that I’m not well suited for hiding in the shadows. Though I can act as backup should you be discovered.” He now leans against his great sword with the hilt under his arm “You scout and I’ll stand back as backup. If nothing happens then at least I stretched my legs a bit.”

Not only am I wearing heavy armor, I’m also in the negative with my DEX...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Wed 26 Feb 2020.

"Do you have a horse, then?"

Verbannt asked, raising an eyebrow.

Smith chimes in, "As long as the noisy ones stay out of earshot from the camp, it wouldn't hurt to have them along for the journey there and back."

"If I am going in alone, then we will need more back up to make a louder distraction.  Let us go and find others who can fight."

Dorian shakes his head “I’m working on getting one or two.” He places his hand on his chin “A distraction might be interesting.”

Boneclaw made the loud noise of a mule, like the creature was right there with them in the room:"IIIAAAAAAAH! IIIAAAAH!!".
"A louder distraction", he said in Lucas' voice.

Spark perked up at the sudden loud braying sounds coming from where there was no animal to make such a noise. He carefully made his way over, his metal face impassive, yet his eyes shining brightly with curiosity. "Well, there's something I don't know if I've heard before."

He chuckles at his own confusing speech even as his eyes take in the various gathered people.

"There was talk of a job? If you need more people to take attention away from the sneaking types, I'm happy to lend a hand, a mace and the occasional healing enchantment."

Smith marveled at the sight of Spark, saying, "I've been all round the world, but until I came here, I'd never seen your like. And now, I've seen two this week! What's yer name, metal man?"

Spark's voice held a mild manner, yet a hint of excitement tinged almost every word as his softly glowing eyes took in everything that had once been familiar yet now seemed novel. His features largely unmoving, yet his voice betraying the ironic humour in his response as he looked at Smith. "You know, I'm not quite sure, but the first thing that happened when I powered back up was a spark, and something about that struck a chord, so I guess it's Spark."

He offered something between a deep nod and a half-bow in greeting to the proprietor of the place he was in.

"One more body to throw at the frontline", Boneclaw commented with the voice of a veteran general.

After waking up from a nice sleep, Tidelan was utterly broke for cash. Though he kept isolated, he couldn't help but hear around town about a mission that was supposedly dangerous but paying well...

He was interested but cautious. Then, he learned his old ally Lukas, someone he would consider himself close to, begrudgingly, of course, was leading the mission. Now, for once Tidelan was eager.

He approached the bugbear, "Hey. Verbannt. Do you have more room for this mission? Do you know how much does it pay?" he asked.

Dorian leans on his great sword and looks at those surrounding him with skepticism in his eyes. “Well, I’m not sure how good they’ll be scouting but a couple of these will make great distractions.”

"Fifty pieces of gold, as an initial offer, depending upon what we accomplish."

He paused, scowling.

"You had little enough stealth craft either, from what I recall.  It appears that the plan will indeed involve you all creating a distraction while I scout the camp.  Very well.  Let us be about it first thing in the morning.  Until then, I have business to be about, and herbs to tend to."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:22, Tue 03 Mar 2020.

Dorian smiles grimly “Indeed, I prefer the enemy to flee at the sight of me. Where shall we meet?” He picks up his large blade and places it on his shoulder.

"Here, two hours before dawn."

Verbannt confirmed, heading out the door with the weapons and armor he had liberated.

"Herbs to tend to. Here, two hours before dawn.", Boneclaw nodded and went to work on his own batch of potions.

Watching the Hobgoblin marching out with his equipment he says to no one in particular "I like him." He turns to smith to say his goodbyes before leaving for the Inn.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:35, Tue 03 Mar 2020.

"So far, I like everyone!" Spark replies with energy in his voice and a brighter shine to his eyes. "Sneaking into Goblin camps and making distractions sounds terribly exciting!"

He looks to Smith and a soft chuckle forms once more. "Then again, before one week back, I didn't know anything, or at least nothing that I can remember."

The week had been an arduous trek through snow and ice, darkness and peril as Spark had made his way out of the mountains, and only by the grace of whoever or whatever watched over him made his way to Smith's Gambit.

Journeying in the cold and windy conditions had taught Spark a thing or two that he perhaps should see to. "Say, is there anyone around your establishment, or even yourself, able to provide some manner of covering, or cloaks to shield against the wind and snow? I have noticed that my joints and limbs seem to lock up or work slowly with too much exposure?"